^^^I^m^,mmm^-^w^- 





C!ass^5 d-7___. 



§v 




t/) 



:2; 
o 



O 

H 

O 

o 



PREFACE. 



f 



rHE writing of contemporaneous history is not easy. It can be but little more than a 
truthful chronicle of the times, as the color of local prejudice is too strong to become a 
lart or parcel of the work. It has been the endeavor of the writers having the work in charge, 
gather the historical facts, and put them in form for preservation, rather than to tell an inter- 
sting story with rhetorical display. So the work, if it has any value in the estimation of 
hose for whom it was written, will find appreciation in the mass of matter pertaining to the 
aarly settlement of Walworth County, which it has rescued from oblivion, and preserved for 
future generations. 

It has been the desire of the writers to incorporate all that could have any bearing on the 
growth and development of a prosperous and thrifty agricultural community, under the most 
favored conditions of the most advanced civilization the world has ever known. In this work 
the task has been more that of compilation than the gathering of facts. The people have co-op- 
erated in the work with a cordiality never before experienced by the editors in a wide and 
extended experience, and it is only to avoid invidious mention that they refrain from thanking 
personally the many friends who have without exception assisted them during the writing of the 
work. It is suiScient to say that during the period the work was in process of compilation, not 
a single instance occurred when information was asked or assistance desired, that it was not 
given cheerfully and without stint. 

In the preparation of the work, the historians have availed themselves of all the printed 
matter which had been heretofore published of a historical character — Simmon's History of 
Geneva; Dwinnell's Reminiscences; Beardsley's Newspaper Sketches, etc. — from which all 
has been culled necessary to complete the work, and for which invaluable aid acknowledg- 
ment is here given. In addition, the manuscript matter collected by the Old Settlers' Society 
has been fully collated, together with all that could be gathered from a careful search through 
all the county records, or gleaned from the memories of the early settlers still living. 

To make sure that our history is full and complete, we read our manuscript to several of 
the most prominent officials of the Old Settlers' Society, and secured their written approval. 
The town histories were also read and approved by the best-informed resident we could find who 
took interest in the matter, and when put in type the proofs were all sent to several different 
persons for correction. 

The biographies were all copied on a type writing machine and sent by mail to each person 
for revision. If omissions or errors are found, all we can say, is, we did all we could to 
prevent them. 

It will be a matter of serious regret should the work resulting from the valuable material 
and aid furnished prove unsatisfactory to the many friends of the enterprise who will ever be 
remembered with heart-felt kindness by the ♦ 



OS. 

Wl 
02 
16 





i9 




01 




IfiH 




l.'W 




r.a 




!79 




H5;i 


/^<> 




7.14 




7.'is 




Vas 




741 


VOE, 


741 


■«);ic 


74« 


<92c 


74?. 


■i'JM 


74? 


S'J.id 


742 


S'Jfig 


!m 




■43 




•.■54 




S4 ■ 


\in:. 


i4 ■ 


A:n 


'6 





775 
■ 77?i 

Publishers. .'.■.'■.'.■ 7" 

780 



}■ 



K3\ 



-•■i>*en'.'.'. I 

(;"'.VScttl.m™t 



CONTENTS. 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COBXTV. 



CHAPTER I. 



PAGE. 

Topograiihical 309 

Th.' Iiidiims ^\" 

TlM- laduin VillHKe -''j 

First Settlement of White Men ^11 

K..rm«tiiMi nf the County ;>}o 

Tlie First KoKcl M«ile by White Men.. 315 

The Kirnt White Settlers 316 

The E»rlv Neighhorhoods 31 1 

Wnr at Geneva ^-' 

Firm Town OrRBnizatious J^« 

Further Sulidivisions oZ4 

Early Surveys 



■in 



CH.\PTKK II. 

Incidents and Keminiscences— 15.10 to 

1S42 

First Thoroughf.! res 

First Vovagers 

Early Mail Facilities 

Their Hunses 

Annoyances. 



Hardships 336 



lips. 
First Conflagration 
Claim Associations. 

Legal Lore 

The First Judge 



PAGE. 

Recreation 346 

The Pie Stories 348 

Moral and Religious Germs 3« 

Moral Agitation 351 

Walworth County Branch Under- 
ground Railroad 353 

The Beginning of Hushandry 354 

CHAPTER III.— War History 

Walworlh County Militia .«!' 

Sixth Regiment Wisconsin Militia 35i 

The Grand Muster 'i.'iS 

A Court Martial 360 

Moral Indignation 

The War 01 the Rehellion 

Fourth Wisconsin Cavalry 

Tenth Wisconsin Infantry 

Thirteenth Wisconsin Infantry 

Twenty-second Wisconsin Infantry 
Twenty-eighth Wisconsin Infantry 



The First Influx of Swine 346 



CH 



Fortieth Wisconsin Infantry 3891 

Forty-ninth Wisconsin Infantry 390 

Roster of Officers of Walworth County 391 

Troops and Money Furnished 394 

CH.\PTER IV. — Walwoeth County Ao- 
RicULTUitAL Society. 

Early Organizations 399 

First County Fair ^t'O 



PAGE. 

Fair Grounds ^\ 

Officers JO^ 

Constitution *"" 

One of the Early Fairs «J» 

A Contrast J0» 

Agencies of Success 41^ 

APTER v.— Oin Settlebs' Society. 

Organization ■■■-■■■■ *lf 

Annual Reunions ••''J to 4-J 

Roster of Officers «9 

Roster of Memhers 43- 

APTEK VI. 

Railroads and Telegraphs 439 

Corporate History *** 

Earlv Fiscal Aflairs ff> 

Early Schools and School Districts 446 

County Property **J 

Support of Paupers ■■■■•• **» 

Roster of County Ofticers, 1839 to 1881 460 

Legislators ^^ 

Constitutional Conventions *58 

State Governincnt *68 

Courts and Oflicers »60 

Walworth County Bar 461 

Statistics *?? 

Press of County J°° 

Conclusion ^'^ 



HISrORT OF TOWWS. 



Elkhokn. 

Organization 

Location and Natural Features. 

Early Settlement 

The Village. 



PAGE. 

.. 472 
... 4T2 
.... 47-2 
... 477 



PAGE. 

.... 665 
... 5C5 



493 
493 
497 

526 
. 525 
. 626 
. 626 

627 



Park and Buildings *lf 

The Jails »»" 

Early Taverns '^' 

Fint Things '»- 

The War Period *=3 

The Largest Fire ^83 

Corporation *?* 

First Town Meeting f=! 

Schools f« 

Elkhorn in 1881 f^ 

Business Firms *'*^ 

Banks «' 

Churches ^°i 

Societies 

Newspapers 

Biographical Sketches 

Tows or East Tiiot. 

Organization 

Natural Features 

Early Settlement 

Settlers of 1S37 

Settlers of 1838 

Early Times and Events oZK 

Earlv Trials and Early Progress 530 

The First Town Meeting 631 

Separation of the Towns 532 

Village of East Troy 534 

Churches °3^ 

First Sunday school j37 

The Press °3? 

Societies 

Hotels 

Bands 

Insurance 

Telegraph and Telephone Line 

Oak Ri'lge Cemetery 640 

BiogrHjihical Sketches 543 

Tow.v OF Troy. 

Organization 6.)- 

Natural Features 06- 

Early Settlers 6.W 

The Porter Settlement 656 

Early Festivities 657 

Growth and development 658 

Separation of the Towns 661 

Town Meetings and Roster 662 

Troy Center 663 

Mavhew Station... 664 

Churches »?4 I 

War Record 665 



Troy in 1881 

Biographical Sketches... 
Town of Whitewater. 

Natural Features 

Agriculture.. 

Population 

Town Organization 

Schools 

Early Settlement 

W'hitewater's Early Settlement 681) 

A Reminiscence 58.5 

Untimely Suicide 685 

Murder of William Hamilton ■isa 

A Pioneer Festival "86 

Charter Elections 688 

The Village Roster 690 

Whitewater During the War 691 

Women's Relief Work 697 

Growth of Whitewater 5J8 

W'hitewater As It Is. 



638 
539 
639 
539 
. 640 
. 540 



571 
571 
, 672 
. 572 
. 574 
. 675 



page. 



Circuses and Shows 683 161 



Village Organization 599 

Scho Is. "■' 



684 469 
.. 687 433 
739 
. 732 379 
.. 732 863 
.. 732 
.. 734 
.. 735 
.. 738 
.. 741 .\0E. 
.. 741 892c 
... 742 S92c 
... 742 893d 
... 742 S93d 

742 896g 



State Normal Schools oyJ 

The Post Office ™J 

The Press ™1 

Churches "O^ 

Societies 606 

Business Topics "'" 

Banks 610 

Hotels 6H 

Professional Directory on 

Business Directory 6jJ 

Railroad Communication 

Biographical Sketches 

Town of Delavan. 

Organization 

Topography 

Early Settlement..* 

First Things 

OfHciiil Hist.iry 

Delavan Village 

Village Directory 

Corporate Village History 606 

Post Office "" 

Manufactories ^J' 

Societies llj 

Banks f.l 

Hotels 675 

Wisconsin Dental College 670 

Deaf and Dumh Asylum 676 

Cliurches Jj™ 

Schools 

Newspapers 

The Delavan Guards 

Muster Roll 



Oil 
612 

. 657 
. 667 
. 657 
. 660 
. 661 
664 
666 



The War Record 

Biographidal Sketches.... 
Town of Darien. 

Organization 

Topography 

Early Settlement 

First Things and Events 

Corporate History 

Village of Darien 

Religious 

Post Office 

Town Hall 

Societies 

War History 

Cheese Factories 

Schools i~ 

Biographical Sketches '43 

Town of Sharon. 

Organization 

1 Natural Features 

I Pioneer History 

Official 

' Village of Sharon 

Post Office ™ 

The Press i?; 

Societies ™ 

Churches '"I" 

Hotels I" 

Banks l°t 

Cheese Factory '"' 

Steam Flouring Mill 1" 

Allen's Grove i" 

Biographical Sketches '"4 

Town of RicnMONn. 

Organization 

Situation ami Natural Feature; 

The First Settler 

Other Early Settlers 

Churches 

Official. 



764 
764 
754 
. 766 
758 



... 775 
... 775 
... 775 
.. 776 \ 
.... 777 
.... 777 



682 

... . 682 
683 



Biographical Sketches 780 

Town "F WAi.wnuTH. „ . . »„,i 

Earlv Settlement of Big Foot Praine.. 7C' 

First Things J'q 

War Record Jq 

Corporate History iq 

Roster of Town Officers y'j, 

Biographical Sketches -I 

Town of Lyons. / 

Organization * 

Official 1 

Water-Powers I 

Earlv Settlement ^ 

Village of Lyons .\ 




CONTENTS. 









•^■)(^ 



Page, 

Antiquities 19 

Indian Tribes 21 

rre-Territorial Annals 29 

iVisconein Territory 41 

■■Wisconsin asaState 52 

Firat AdminiBtration 52 

Second Administration 57 

Third Administration 59 

Fourth Administration 62 

Fifth Administration 64 

Sixth Administration 6G 

Seventh Administration 67 

War of Secession Commenced 69 

Eiglith Administration 76 

Nintli Administration S5 

Statistics of Volunteers 90 

Tenth Administration 92 

Eleventh Administration 93 

Twelfth Administration Oi 

Thirteenth Administration 97 

Fourteenth Administration 99 

Fifteenth Administration 104 

Sixteenth Administration 109 

Topography and Geology 110 

The Archffan Age 112 

Paleozoic Time — Silurian Age 115 

Devonian Age 119 

Glacial Period 120 

Olimatology 121 

Trees, Shrubs and Vines 128 

Fauna 134 

Fish and Fish Culture 134 

Large Animals — Time of their Disap- 
pearance 138 

Peculiarities of the Bird Fauna 139 

Educational 140 

Original School Code 140 

Agitation for Free Schools 141 

School System under State Govern- 
ment , 141 

School Fund Income 142 

State University 143 

Agricultural College 144 

Normal Schools 144 

Teachers' Institutes 146 

Graded Schools 146 



HISTORT OF WISCONSIA\ 

Page. 
Educational : 

Township System 146 

Free High Schools 147 

School Offices. 147 

State Teachers' Certificates 147 

Teachers' Associations 148 

Libraries 148 

State Superintendents 148 

College Sketches 149 

Female Colleges loO 

Academies and Seminaries 151 

Commercial Schools 151 

Agriculture 151 

Mineral Resources 162 

Lead and Zinc 162 

Iron 165 

Copper 168 

Gold and Silver 168 

Brick Clays 168 

Cement Rock 170 

Limestone— Glass Sand 171 

Peat— Building Stones 172 

Railroads 173 

Chicago. Milwaukee & St. Paul..^ 173 

Chicago & Northwestern 176 

Wisconsin Central 178 

Western Union 179 

West Wisconsin 180 

Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western 180 

Green Bay ■& Minnesota 181 

Wisconsin Valley 181 

Sheboygan & Fond du Lac 181 

Mineral Point 182 

Madison & Portage 182 

North Wisconsin 183 

Prairie du Chien & McGregor 183 

Chippewa Falls & Western 183 

Narrow Gauge 183 

Conclusion 184 

Lumber 185 

Banking 191 

Commerce and Manufactures 198 

Furs 199 

Lead and Zinc — Iron 200 

Lumber 201 

Grain 202 



I Page. 

I Commrjrce and Manufactures : 

! Dairy Products 203 

j Pork and Beef. 203 

Hops 204 

Tobacco — Cranberries 205 

] Liquors 205 

j Miscellaneous 206 

I Water Powers 206 

I Manufactures 208 

Conclusion 208 

The Public Domain 210 

Health 230 

Geographical Position 230 

Physical Features 230 

Geology 231 

Drainage 232 

Climatology 232 

Rain Character 233 

Isotherms 234 

Barometrical 234 

Winds 235 

Climatological Changes from Settling 

in the State 235 

Influence of Nationalities 237 

Occupations— Food— Education, etc 238 

History of Disease 238 

Ratio of Sickness, Ft. Howard and Win- 
nebago 239 

Education of the Blind 241 

Institute of Deaf and Dumb 241 

Industrial School for Boys 242 

State Prison 242 

State Hospital for the Insane 242 

Northern Hospital for the Insane 243 

City of Milwaukee 243 

Health Resorts 244 

Change of Diseases 246 

Pulmonary Diseases 248 

Statistics 249 

Population, 1875, of Townships, Alpha- 
betically Arranged by Counties 249 

Population by Counties 258 

Nativity by Counties 259 

Valuation of Property 260 

Acreage of Principal Crops 261, 262 



ABSTRACT OF ^VISCOXSIX STATE I^AWS. 



Page. 

Actions 283 

Arrest 283 

iVttachment 284 

Adoption of Children 276 

Aeaignmont of Mortgage 274 

Ariaesament and Collection of Taxes 267 

Aseessnientof Taxes 26S 

Bills of Exchange or Promissory Notes 272 

borrowed Money 267 

apital Punishment 278 

ollcctinu of Taxes 270 

mimercial Terms 285 

■mmon Schools 266 

nmges for Trespass 279 



Page. 

•onsin State Constitution 287 

OonBtitution 297 



Page. 

Elections and General Elections 263 

Estrays 279 

Exemptions 284 

Fences 280 

Forms of Conveyances 273 

Forms of Mortgages 274 

Garnishment 284 

Highways and Bridges 27o 

Hours of Labor 273 

Interest 277 

Intoxicating Liquors 271 

Judgments 284 

Jurisdiction of Courts 277 

Jurors 278 



MtSCt:iXANEOV»$. 

I Page. I 
' Vote of Wisconsin for Governor and Presi- 
dent 306-307 



Pack. 

Landlord and Tenant 281 

Limitation o\ Actions 285 

Marks and Brands 281 

Married Women 283 

Stay Law 284 

Surveyors and Surveys 282 

Support of Poor .'. 282 

Suggestions to P'^rsons Purchasing Books 

by Subscription 285 

Title of Real Property by Descent 275 

Weights and Measures 278 

Wills 276 

Wolf Scalps 278 



Population of the State.. 



Page. 

30S 



CONTENTS. 



VIl 



IIISTORV OF TOWTVS— 4'ontinued. 



PAGE. 

Sjiriiipfield 815 

War IliHtory 815 

Biogmpliicftl Sketches 816 

Town of La Grange. 

Natnnil Fenturea 821 

OrgBiiizatioii and Early SettleDient.... 821 

ChuiTh^a 824 

RoBter of Town Officers 824 

War History 825 

Biogmphical Sketches 826 

Town of Bloomfield. 

Organization and Topography 835 

First Settlers 835 

Early Events 839 

Genoa Junction 839 

Churches 840 

Town Eoster 841 

Biographical Sketches... 845 

Tmwn of Geneva. 

Early Spttlement 852 

Early Pioneers MeceaBed) 853 

First Things....; 865 

Early Taverns 866 

Corporate Town History 868 

Geneva Lake S72 

WarKecord 873 

Schools 874 

Newspapers 874 

Bank of Geneva 875 

Churches 876 

Lake Geneva Seminary 879 



PAGE. 

Aram.jHnies 685 

Church, Cyrus 805 

Cravath, Prosper 595 

Collie, Rev. Joseph 415 

Douglas. C 397 

Halttrman, D. E 703 

Harrington, N. M G31 

Holtinshead, William 541 



Hotels 881 

Kayes Park 882 

Pishcotanua Park House 883 

Parks and Camjis 884 

Marengo Park House 884 

Camp Coolie 885 

The Cisco 885 

Societies 886 

Directory for 1882 880 

Fish Culture 889a 

Geneva Lake 890b 

The Water Pow<r 894e 

Railroads 895f 

The John Haskine Manufacturing Cx>..!S95f 

Geneva Lake Mills 895f 

Corporate History 896g 

Biographical Sketches 898i 

Town of Spuing Praibie. 

Organization 889 

Topography 889 

Spring Prairie in 1836 890 

A Reminiscence 891 

The Indians 892 

Settlers of 1837 893 

Settlers of 1833 893 

Early Times and Events 89G 

Official History 899 

The Mormon Church 902 

Churches 904 

Cemeteries 905 

Pioneers 905 



PORTRAITS. 

PAIE. 

James, Thomas Perry 788 

Locke, Daniel 887 

McDougald. William 821 

Mabie, Jeremiah 343 

Marsh, Sanger 577 

Phoenix. Samuel F 325 

Potter, John F 559 

Rockwell, Le Grand 451 



PAGE. 

War History 911 

Biographical Sketches 912 

Town of La Fayette. 

Organization. 921 

Natural Features 921 

First Sfttlers 921 

Recollections of 1836-37 922 

War History 925 

Town Roster 925 

Cburcbes. Schools, etc 927 

Biographical Sketches 928 

Town of Sugar Cheek. 

Organization 937 

Topography 937 

The Settlement 938 

Corporate History 942 

Tbi- First Town Meeting 942 

Roster of Town Officers 942 

War History 944 

Churches, Schools, etc 944 

Biographical Sketches 945 

Town of Linn. 

Organization 950 

Natural Features 950 

Early S^ttlerfl 9-50 

Burly History 952 

A Reminiscence 953 

First Town Meetings 955 

Roster of Town Officers 955 

War Record 957 

Biographical Sketches 958 

page. 

Simmons, James 869 

Spoonor, Wyman 361 

Salisbury, Daniel 469 

Topping. Rev, Henry 433 

Teeple, Charles S 739 

Wylie, George W 379 

Williams, R. J 853 



PAGE. 

Court House FRONT. 

State Normal School 613 

Institute for Deaf and Dumb 667 

Views on Dtlavan Lake 721 

Lake Geneva Seminary 880 

Whiting House 881 



I LL.r KTR ATIONS. 

PAGE. 

A. B. Church's Residence 882 

Pishcata<tua House 883 

Summer Residence of D. L.Hamlin SS4 

Summer Residence of Maj. Anson Sperry 885 
Summer Residtnce of Julien S. Rumsey.. 889a 
Summer Residence of Ed. Ayera S90b 



PAGE. 

Summer Residence of L. Z. Leiter 892c 

Summer Residence of N. K.Fairbank 892c 

Summer Residence of SheltonSturgPs 893d 

Summer Residence of G. L. Dunlap .S03d 

Summer Residence of M. E. Burton 896g 



Map of Walworth C^ounty. 





MAPS. 




PAQK. 




PAGE. 


307 


Map of Deluvaii Lake 


721 



I Map of Geneva Lake.. 



pAGi:. 
... 891 




"M 
■^ 



ftw 




HISTOEY OF WISCONSIK 

BY C. W. BUTTERFIELD. 



I— WISCONSIN ANTIQUITIES. 

The first explorers of the valleys of the Great Lakes and the Mississippi and its tributaries, 
seem not to have noticed, to any considerable extent, the existence within these vast areas of 
monuments of an extinct race. Gradually, however, as the tide of emigration broke through, the 
barriers of the AUeghanies and spread in a widely extended flow over what are now the States of 
the Northwest, these prehistoric vestiges attracted more and more the attention of the curious 
and the learned, until, at the present time, almost every person is presumed to have some general 
knowledge, not only of their existence, but of some of their striking peculiarities. Unfortunately, 
these signs of a long since departed people are fast disappearing by the never ceasing operations 
of the elements, and the constant encroachments of civilization. Tlie earliest notices of the 
animal and vegetable kingdom of this region are to be found in its rocks; but Wisconsin's earli- 
est records of men can only be traced in here and there a crumbling earth-work, in the fragment 
of a skeleton, or in a few stone and copper implements — dim and shadowy relics of their 
handicraft. 

The ancient dwellers in these valleys, whose history is lost in the lapse of ages, are desig- 
nated, usually, as the Mound-Builders; not that building mounds was probably their distinctive 
employment, but that such artificial elevations of the earth are, to a great extent, the only evi- 
dences remaining of their actual occupation of the country. As to tlie origin of these people, 
all knowledge must, possibly, continue to rest upon conjecture alone. Nor were the habitations 
of this race confined to the territory of which Wisconsin now forms a part. At one time, they 
must have been located in many ulterior regions. The earth-works, tumuli, or " mounds," as they 
are generally designated, are usually symmetrically raised and often inclosed in mathematical 
figures, such as the square, the octagon, and the circle, with long lines of circumvallation. 
Besides these earth-works, there are pits dug in the solid rock ; rubbish heaps formed in the 
prosecution of mining operations; and a -variety of implements and utensils, wrought in copper 
or stone, or moulded in clay. Whence came the inhabitants who left these evidences to succeed- 
ing generations .' In other words, who were the Mound-Builders ? Did they migrate from the 
Old World, or is their origin to be sought for elsewhere.' And as to their manners and customs 
and civilization — what of these things.? Was the race finally swept from the New World to give 
I)lace to Red men, or was it the one from which the latter descended .' These momentous ques- 
tions are left for the ethnologist, the archseologist, and the antiquarian of the future to answer — 
if they can. 



20 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

Inclosures and mounds of the prehistoric people, it is generally believed, constituted but 
parts of one system ; the former being, in the main, intended for purposes of defense or religion; 
the latter, for sacrifice, for temple sites, for burial places, or for observatories. In selecting sites 
for many of these earth-works, the Mound-Builders appear to have been influenced by motives 
which prompt civilized men to choose localities for their great marts; hence, Cincinnati, St. 
Louis, Chicago, Milwaukee and other cities of the West are founded on ruins of pre-existing 
structures. River terraces and river bottoms seem to have been the favorite places for these 
earth-works. In such localities, the natural advantages of the country could be made available 
with much less trouble than in portions of the country lying at a distance from water-courses. 
In Wisconsin, therefore, as in other parts, the same general idea of selecting points contiguous 
to the principal natural thoroughfares is found to have prevailed with the Mound-Builders ; for 
their works are seen in the basin of the Fox river of the Illinois, in that of Rock river and its 
branches, in the valley of Fox river of Green bay, in that of the Wisconsin, as well as near 
the waters of the Mississippi. 

While a few circumvallations and immense mounds, such as are common to certain other 
portions of the United States, are discoverable in Wisconsin, yet by far the largest number of 
earthworks have one peculiarity not observable, except in a few instances, outside the State. 
This characteristic is a very striking one The fact is revealed that they are imitative in form — 
resembling beasts, reptiles, birds, fish, man. All these, for convenience, are usually classed 
under the general name of "animal inounds," although some are in the similitude of trees, some 
of war clubs, others of tobacco pipes. Generally, these figures are in groups, though sometimes 
they are seen alone. For what purpose these earth-works were heaped up — they rise above the 
surface two, four, and sometimes six feet — or what particular uses they were intended to subserve, 
is unknown. It is, however, safe to affirm that they had some significance. A number resemble 
the bear; a few, the buffalo; others, the raccoon. Lizards, turtles, and even tadpoles, are out- 
lined in the forms of some. The war eagle, and the war club has each its representative. All 
this, of course, could not have been a mere happening — the work of chance. The sizes of these 
mounds are as various as their forms. One near Cassville, in Grant county, very complete in 
its representation of an animal, supposed to be of the elephant species, was found, upon measure- 
ment, to have a total length of one hundred and thirty-five feet. Another in Sauk county, quite 
perfect in its resemblance to the form of a man, was of equal length — a veritable colossus ; 
prone, it is true, and soon to disappear, if it has not already been destroyed, by ravages of a 
superior civilization. 

In portions of Wisconsin, as well as in a few places outside the State, are found earth-works 
of another kind, but quite as remarkable as the "animal mounds," which, from their supposed 
use, have been styled "garden beds." They are ridges, or beds, about six inches in height and 
four feet in width, ranged, with much apparent method, in parallel rows, sometimes rectangular 
in shape, sometimes of various but regular and symmetrical curves, and occupying fields of from 
ten to a hundred acres. 

The Mound-Builders have left many relics, besides their earthworks, to attest their presence 
in Wisconsin in ages past. Scattered widely are found stone and copper axes, spear-heads, and 
arrow-heads, also various other implements — evidently their handiwork. As these articles are 
frequently discovered many feet beneath the surface, it argues a high antiquity for the artificers. 
Whether they had the skill to mould their copper implements is doubtful. Such as plainly show 
the work of hammering, indicate an art beyond that possessed by the Red men who peopled 
America upon its first discovery by Europeans. In a few instances, fragments of human skulls 
have been found so well preserved as to enable a comparison to be drawn between the crania of 



IIIE IXltlAX TIUJSKS (iF WLSCOXSIX. 21 

this ancient race and those of modern ones ; the results, however, of these comparisons throw 
little, if any, light upon " the dark backward and abysm " of mound-building times. 

The evidences of an extinct people of superior intelligence is very strikingly exhibited in 
the ancient copper mines of the Lake Superior region. Here are to be found excavations in the 
soW rock; heaps of rubble and dirt ; copper utensils fashioned into knives, chisels, and spear 
and arrow-heads; stone hammers; wooden bowls and shovels; props and levers for raising and 
supporting the mass copper; and ladders for ascending and descending the pits. These mines 
were probably worked by people not only inhabiting what is now the State of Wisconsin, but 
territory farther to the southward. The copper was here obtained, it is believed, which has been 
found in many places, even as far away as the northern shore cf the Gulf of Mexico, wrought 
into various implements and utensils. lUit there are no traces in Wisconsin of a " copper age " 
succeeding a '' stone age," discernible in any ])rehistoric relics. They all refer alike to one 
age — the indefinite past ; to one people — the Mound-Builders. 

II.— THE INDIAN TRIBES OF WISCONSIN. 

When, as early, it is believed, as 1634, civilized man first set foot upon the territory now 
included within the boundaries of Wisconsin, he discovered, to his surprise, that upon this wide 
area met and mingled clans of two distinct and wide-spread families — the -Vigonquins and 
Sioux. The tribes of the former, moving westward, checked the advance of the latter in their 
excursions eastward. As yet there had been no representatives of the Huron-Iroquois seen west 
of Lake Michigan — the members of this great family, at that date dwelling in safety in the 
extensive regions northward and southward of the Erie and Ontario lakes. .Already had the 
French secured a foot-hold in the extensive valley of the St. Lawrence ; and, naturally enough, 
the chain of the Great Lakes led their explorers to the mouth of Green bay, and up that water- 
course and its principal tributary, Fox river, to the Wisconsin, an affluent of the Mississip])!. 
On the right, in ascending this bay, was seen, for the first time, a nation of Indians, lighter in 
complexion than neighboring tribes, and remarkably well formed, now well known as the 
Menomonees. 

This nation is of Algonquin stock, but their dialect differed so much from tlie surrounding 
tribes of the same family, it having strange guttural sounds and accents, as well as peculiar inflec- 
tions of verbs and other parts of speech, that, for a long time, they were supposed to have a 
distinct language. Their traditions i)oint to an emigration from the East at some remote 
period. When first visited by the French missionaries, these Indians subsisted largely upon wild 
rice, from which they took their name. The harvest time of this grain was in the month of 
September. It grew spontaneously in little streams with slimy bottoms, and in marshy places. 
The harvesters went in their canoes across these watery fields, shaking the ears right and left as 
they advanced, the grain falling easily, if ripe, into the bark receptacle beneath. To clear it 
from chaff and strip it of a pellicle inclosing it, they put it to dry on a wooden lattice above a 
small fire, which was kept up for several days. When the rice was well dried, it was placed 
in a skin of the form of a bag, which was then forced into a hole, made on purpose, in the 
ground. They then tread it out so long and so well, that the grain being freed from the chaff, 
was easily winnowed. After this, it was pounded to meal, or left unpounded, and boiled iri 
water seasoned with grease. It thus became a very palatable diet. It must not be inferred that 
this was the only food of the Menomonees; they were adepts in fishing, and hunted with skil! 
the game which abounded in the forests. 

For many years after their discovery, the Menomonees had their homes and hunting 



22 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

grounds upon, or adjacent to, the Menomonee river. Finally, after the lapse of a century and a 
quarter, down to 1760, when the French yielded to the English all claims to the country, the 
territory of the Menomonees had shifted somewhat to the westward and southward, and their 
principal village was found at the head of Green bay, while a smaller one was still in existence 
at the mouth of their favorite stream. So slight, however, had been this change, that the country 
of no other of tlie surrounding tribes had been encroached upon by the movement. 

In 1634, the Menomonees probably took part in a treaty with a representative of the French, 
who had thus early ventured so far into the wilds of the lake regions. More than a score of 
years elapsed before the tribe was again visited by white men, — that is to say, there are no 
authentic accounts of earlier visitations. In 1660, Father Rene Menard had penetrated the Lake 
Superior country as far, at least, as Kewenavv-, in what is now the northern part of Michigan, 
whence some of his French companions probably passed down the Menomonee river to the 
waters of Green bay the following year ; but no record of the Indians, through whose territory 
they passed, was made by these voyagers. Ten years more — 1670 — brought to the Menomonees 
(who doubtless had already been visited by French fur-traders) Father Claudius AUouez, to win 
them to Christianity. He had previously founded a mission upon the bay of Chegoimegon, now 
Chaquamegon, or Ashland bay, an arm of Lake Superior, within the present State of Wisconsin, 
in charge of which, at that date, was Father James Marquette. Proceeding from the " Sault" on 
the third of November, AUouez, early in December, 1669, reached the mouth of Green bay, where, 
on the third, in an Indian village of Sacs, Pottawattamies, Foxes and Winnebagoes, containing about 
six hundred souls, he celebrated the holy mass for the first time upon this new field of his labors, 
— eight Frenchmen, traders with the Indians, whom the missionary found there upon his arrival, 
taking part in the devotions. His first Christian work with the Menomonees was performed in 
May of the next year. AUouez found this tribe a feeble one, almost exterminated by war. He 
spent but little time with them, embarking, on the twentieth of that month, after a visit to some 
Pottawattamies and Winnebagoes, " with a Frenchman and a savage to go to Sainte Mary of the 
Sault." His place was filled by Father Louis Andre, who, not long after, erected a cabin upon 
the Menomonee river, which, with one at a village where his predecessor had already raised the 
standard of the cross, was soon burned by the savages; but the missionary, living almost con- 
stantly in his canoe, continued for some time to labor with the Menomonees and surrounding 
tribes. The efforts of Andr6 were rewarded with some conversions among the former; for Mar- 
quette, who visited them in 1673, found many good Christians among them. 

The record of ninety years of French domination in Wisconsin — beginning in June, 1671, 
and ending in October, 1761 — brings to light but little of interest so far as the Menomonees are 
concerned. Gradually they extended their intercourse with the white fur traders. Gradually 
and with few interruptions (one in 172S, and one in 1747 of a serious character) they were 
drawn under the banner of France, joining with that government in its wars with the Iroquois; 
in its contests, in 1712, 1729, 1730, and 1751, with the Foxes; and, subsequently, in its conflicts 
with the English. 

The French post, at what is now Green Bay, Brown county, Wisconsin, was, along with the 
residue of the western forts, surrendered to the British in 1760, although actual possession of the 
former was not taken until the Fall of the next year. The land on which the fort stood was 
claimed by the Menomonees. Here, at that date, was their upper and principal village, the 
lower one being at the mouth of tlie Menomonee river. These Indians soon became reconciled 
to the English occupation of their territory, notwithstanding the machinations of French traders 
who endeavored to prejudice them against the new comers. The Menomonees, at this time, 
were very much reduced, having, but a short time previous, lost three hundred of their warrior? 



THE INDIAN TRIBES OF WISCONSIN. 23 



by the small pox, and most of their chiefs in the late war in which they had been engaged by tlie 
then French commander there, against the English. They were glad to substitute English for 
French traders ; as they could purchase supplies of them at one half the price they had previously 
paid. It was not long before the sincerity of the Menomonees was put to the test. Pontiac's 
War of 1 763 broke out, and the iiost of Mackinaw was captured. The garrison, however, at Green 
bay was not only not attacked by the savages, but, escorted by the Menomonees and other tribes, 
crossed Lake Michigan in safety to the village of LWrbre Croche ; thence making their way to 
Montreal. The Menomonees continued their friendship to the English, joining with them 
against the Colonies during the Revolution, and fighting on the same side during the war of 
'812-15. 

When, in July, 1816, an American force arrived at Green bay to take possession of the 
country, the Menomonees were found in their village near by, very peaceably inclined. Tlie 
commander of the troops asked permission of their chief to build a fort. " My Brother!" was 
the response, " how can we oppose your locating a council-fire among us .' Vou are too strong 
for us. Even if we wanted to oppose you we have scarcely got powder and ball to make tlie 
attempt. One favor we ask is, that our French brothers shall not be disturbed. You can choose 
any place you please for your fort, and we shall not object." No trouble had been anticipated 
from the Menomonees, and the expectations of the government of the United States in that 
regard were fully realized. What added much to the friendship now springing up between the 
Menomonees and the .Vmericans was the fact that the next year — 181 7 — the annual contribution 
which for many years had been made by the British, consisting of a shirt, leggins, breech-clout, 
and blanket for each member or the tribe, and for each family a copper kettle, knives, axes, "uns 
and ammunition, was withheld by them. 

It was found by the Americans, upon their occupation of the Menomonee territory, that 
some of the women of that tribe were married to traders and boatmen who had settled at t'iC 
head of the bay, there being no white women in that region. Many of these were Canadians of 
French extraction ; hence the anxiety that they should be well treated, which was e.x[)ressed by 
the Menomonees upon the arrival of the American force. At this period there was a consider- 
able trade carried on with these Indians at Prairie du Chien, as many of them frequently win- 
tered on the Mississippi. The first regular treaty with this tribe was " made and concluded" on 
the thirtieth day of March, 181 7, "by and between William Clark, Ninian Edwards, and 
.A.uguste Chouteau, commissioners on the part and behalf of the United States of America, of the 
one part," and the chiefs and warriors, deputed by the Menomonees, of the other part. By the 
terms of this compact all injuries were to be forgiven and forgotten ; perpetual peace established- 
lands, heretofore ceded to other governments, confirmed to the United States ; all prisoners to be 
delivered up ; and the tribe placed under the i)rotection of the United States, "and of no other 
nation, power, or sovereign, whatsoever." The Menomonees were now fully and fairly, and for 
the first time, entitled to be known as " .\merican Indians," in contradistinction to the term 
which had been so long used as descriptive of their former allegiance — " British Indians." 

The territory of the Menomonees, when the tribe was taken fully under the winj; of the Gen- 
eral Government, had become greatly extended. It was bounded on the north by the dividing 
ridge between the waters flowing into Lake Superior and those flowing south into Green bay and 
the Mississippi; on the east, by Lake Michigan ; on the south, by the Milwaukee river, and on 
the west by the Mississippi and Black rivers. This was their territory ; though they were prac- 
tically restricted to the occupation of the western shore of Lake Michigan, lying between the 
mouth of Green bay on the north and the Milwaukee river on the south, and to a somewhat 
indefinite area west. Their general claim as late as T825, was north to the Chippewa country: 



24 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

east to Green bay and L.ake Micliigan ; south to the Milwaukee river, and west to Black river. 
And what is most surprising is that the feeble tribe of 1761 had now, in less than three quarters 
of a century, become a powerful nation, numbering between three and four thousand. 

The Menomonee territory, as late as 1S31, still preserved its large proportions. Its eastern 
division was bounded by the Milwaukee river, the shore of Lake Michigan, Green bay. Fox 
river and Winnebago lake ; its western division, by the Wisconsin and Chippewa rivers on the 
west • Fox river on the south ; Green bay on the east, and the high lands whence flow the streams 
into Lake Superior, on the north. This year, however, it was shorn of a valuable and large part 
by the tribe ceding to the United States all the eastern division, estimated at two and one half 
million acres. The following year, the Menomonees aided the General Government in the Black 
Hawk war. 

That the Menomonees might, as much as possible, be weaned from their wandering habits, 
their permanent home was designated to be a large tract lying north of Fox river and east of 
Wolf river. Their territory farther west, was reserved for their hunting grounds until such time 
as the General Government should desire to purchase it. In 1836, another portion, amounting to 
Jour million acres, lying between Green bay on the east and Wolf river on the west, was dis- 
])osed of to the United States, besides a strip three miles in width from near the portage north, 
on each side of the Wisconsin river and forty-eight miles long — still leaving them in peace- 
s.ble possession of a country about one hundred and twenty miles long, and about eighty 
Ijroad. 

Finally, in 184S, the Menomonees sold all their lands in Wisconsin to the General Govern- 
ment, preparatory to their movement to a reservation beyond the Mississippi cf six hundred 
thousand acres; but the latter tract was afterward re-ceded to the United States; for, notwith- 
standing there were treaty stipulations for the removal of the tribe to that tract, there were 
obstacles in the way of their speedy migration, resulting, finally, in their being permitted to remain 
in Wisconsin. Lands, to the amount of twelve townships, were granted them for their permanent 
liomes, on the upper Wolf river, in what is now Shawano and Oconto counties — a portion, but 
a very small one, of .what was once their extensive possessions. To this reservation they removed 
in October, 1852. Thus are the Menomonees, the only one of the original tribes of Wisconsin 
who, as a whole, have a local habitation within its limits. This tribe refused to join the Sioux in 
their outbreak in 1861, and several of their warriors served as volunteers in the United States 
army during the late civil war. 

It is now over two centuries since the civilized world began to gain knowledge of the exist- 
ence, in the far West, of a tribe of Indians known as the Winneb.^goes — that is, men of the sea; 
pointing, possibly, to their early migration from the shores of the Mexican gulf, or the Pacific. 
The territory now included within the limits of Wisconsin, and so much of the State of Michigan 
as lies north of Green bay. Lake Michigan, the Straits of Mackinaw and Lake Huron were, in 
early times, inhabited by several tribes of the Algonquin race, forming a barrier to the Dakotas, 
or Sioux, who had advanced eastward to the Mississippi. But the Winnebagoes, although one of 
the tribes belonging to the family of the latter, had passed the great river, at some unknown 
period, and settled upon the head waters of Green bay. Here, this "sea-tribe," as early, it is 
believed, as 1634, was visited by an agent of France and a treaty concluded with them. The tribe 
afterward called themselves Hochungara, or Ochunkoraw, but were styled by the Sioux, Hotanke, 
or Sturgeon. Nothing more is heard of the Ouenibigoutz, or Winnebegouk (as the Winnebagoes 
were earlv called by the Jesuit missionaries, and the Algonquin tribes, meaning men from the 
fetid or salt water, translated by the French, Puants) for the next thirty-five years, although 
there is no doubt that the tribe had been visited meanwhile by adventurous Frenchmen, when on 
the second of December, 1669, some of that nation were noted at a Sac (Sauk or Saukis) village 
on Green bay, by Father .lUouez. 



THE INDIAN rUIBKS OF WISCONSIN. 25 

As early at least as 1670, the French were actively engaged among the Winnebagoes trading. 
" We found affairs," says one of the Jesuit missionaries, who arrived among them in September of 
that year. " we found affairs there in a pretty bad posture, and the minds of the savages much 
soured against the French, who were there trading ; ill-treating them in deeds and words, pillag- 
intr and carrying away their merchandise in spite of them, and conducting themselves toward 
them with insupportable insolences and indignities. The cause of this disorder," adds the mis- 
sionary " is that they had received some bad treatment from the French, to whom they had this 
■year come to trade, and particularly from the soldiers, from whom they pretended to have received 
many wrongs and injuries." It is thus made certain that the arms of France were carried into 
the territory of the Winnebagoes over two hundred years ago. 

The Fox river of Green bay was found at that date a difficult stream to navigate. Two 
Jesuits who ascended the river in 1670, had "three or four leagues of rapids to contend with," 
when they had advanced " one day's journey " from the head of the bay, " more difficult than those 
which are common in other rivers, in this, that the flints, over which" they had to walk with 
naked feet to drag their canoes, were so " sharp and so cutting, that one has all the trouble in the 
world to hold one's self steady against the great rushing of the waters." At the falls they found 
an idol that the savages honored ; " never failing, in passing, to make him some sacrifice of 
tobacco, or arrows, or paintings, or other things, to thank him that, by his assistance, they had, in 
ascendin"-, avoided the dangers of the waterfalls which are in this stream ; or else, if they had to 
ascend, to pray him to aid them in this perilous navigation." The devout missionaries caused 
the idol " to be lifted up by the strength of arm, and cast into the depths of the river, to appear 
no more " to the idolatrous savages. 

The mission of St. Francis Xavier, founded in December, 1669, by Allouez, was a roving one 
anion" the tribes inhabiting the shores of Green bay and the interior country watered by the Fox 
river and its tributaries, for about two years, when its first mission-house was erected at what is 
now Depere, Brown county. This chapel was soon after destroyed by fire, but was rebuilt 
in 1676. 

The Winnebagoes, by this time, had not only received considerable spiritual instruction from 
the Jesuit fathers, but had obtained quite an insight into the mysteries of trading and trafficking 
with white men; for, following the footsteps of the missionaries, and sometimes preceding them, 
were the ubiquitous French fur traders. It is impossible to determine precisely what terriiory 
was occupied by the Winnebagoes at this early date, farther than that they lived near the head 
of Green bay. 

A direct trade with the French ui)on the St. Lawrence was not carried on by the Winne- 
bagoes to any great extent until the beginning of the eighteenth century. As early as 1679, 
an advance party of La Salle had collected a large store of furs at the mouth of Green bay, 
doubtless in a traffic with this tribe and others contiguous to them ; generally, however, the 
surrounding nations sold their peltries to the Ottawas, who disijosed of them, in turn, to the 
French. The commencement of the eighteenth century found the Winnebagoes firmly in 
alliance with France, and in [leace with the dreaded Iroquios. In 17 18, the nation numbered 
six hundred. They were afterward found to have moved up Fox river, locating upon Winne- 
bago lake, which stream and lake were their ancient seat, and from which they had been driven 
either by fear or the prowess of more powerful tribes of the West or Southwest. Their inter- 
course with the French was gradually extended and generally peaceful, though not always so, 
joining with them, as did the Menomonees, in their wars with the Iroquois, and subsequently in 
their conflicts with the English, which finally ended in 1760. 

When the British, in October, 1761, took possession of the French post, at the head of 



2b' HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

Green bay, the Winnebagoes were found to number one hundred and lifty warriors only ; their 
nearest village being at the lower end of Winnebago lake. They had in all not less than three 
towns. Their country, at this period, included not only that lake, but all the streams flowing 
into it, especially Fox river; afterward e.xtended to the Wisconsin and Rock rivers. They 
readily changed their course of trade — asking now of the commandant at the fort for English 
traders to be sent among them. In the Indian outbreak under Pontiac in 1763, they joined 
with the Menomonees and other tribes to befriend the British garrison at the head of the bay, 
assisting in conducting them to a place of safety. They continued their friendship to the English 
during the Revolution, by joining with them against the colonies, and were active in the Indian 
war of 1790-4, taking part in the attack on Fort Recovery, upon the Maumee, in the present 
State of Ohio, in 1793. They fought also on the side of the British in the war of 1812-15, 
aiding, in 1814, to reduce Prairie dii Chien. They were then estimated at 4,500. When, in 
18 16, the government of the United States sent troops to take possession of the Green bay 
country, by establishing a garrison there, some trouble was anticipated from these Indians, who, 
at that date, had the reputation of being a bold and warlike tribe. A deputation from the nation 
came down Fox river and remonstrated with the American commandant at what was thought 
to be an intrusion. They were desirous of knowing why a fort was to be established so near 
them. The reply was that, although the troops were armed for war if necessary, their purpose 
was peace. Their response was an old one : "If your object is peace, you have too many men ; 
if war, you have too few." However, the display of a number of cannon which had not yet been 
mounted, satisfied the Winnebagoes that the Americans were masters of the situation, and the 
deputation gave the garrison no farther trouble. On the 3d of June, 1816, at St. Louis, the tribe 
made a treaty of peace and friendship with the General Government; but they continued to levy 
tribute on all white people who passed up Fox river. English annuities also kept up a bad 
feeling. At this time, a portion of the tribe was living upon the Wisconsin river, away from the 
rest of the nation, which was still seated upon the waters flowing into Green bay. In 1820^ 
they had five villages on Winnebago lake and fourteen on Rock river. In 1825, the claim of 
the Winnebagoes was an extensive one, so far as territory was concerned. Its southeast 
boundary stretched away from the source of Rock river to within forty miles of its mouth, in 
Illinois, where they had a village. On the west it extended to the heads of the small streams 
flowing into the Mississippi. To the northward, it reached Black river and the upper Wis- 
consin, in other words, to the Chippewa territory, but did not extend across Fox river, although 
they contended for the whole of Winnebago lake. In 1829, a large part of their territory in 
southwest Wisconsin, lying between Sugar river and the Mississippi, and extending to the Wis- 
consin river, was sold to the General Government; and, three years later all the residue lying 
south and east of the Wisconsin and the Fox river of Green bay ; the Winnebago prophet having 
before that date supported the Sacs in their hostility. Finally, in the brief language of the treaty 
between this tribe (which had become unsettled and wasteful) and the United States, of the first 
of November, 1837, "The Winnebago Nation of Indians " ceded to the General Government 
" all their lands east of the Mississippi. " Not an acre was reserved. And the Indians agreed 
that, within eight months from that date, they would move west of " the great river." This 
arrangement, however, was not carried out fully. In 1842, there were only 756 at Turkey river, 
Iowa, their new home, with as many in Wisconsin, and smaller bands e'.e where. All had become 
lawless, and roving. Some removed in 1848; while a party to the number of over eight hun- 
dred left the State as late as 1873. The present home of the tribe is in Nebraska, where they 
have a reservation north of and adjacent to the Omahas, containing over one hundred thousand 
acres. However, since their first removal beyond the Mississippi, they have several times 



THE INDIAN TIUP.KS OF WISCONSIN. . 27 

changed their phice of abode. Their iuuul)er, all told, is less than twenty-five hundred. 

\Vhen the territory, now constituting the northern portion of Wisconsin, becai..o very 
generally known to the civilized inhal)itants of the eastern part of the United States, it was 
found to be occui-iied by Indians called the Chippewas. Their hunting-grounds extended south 
front Lake Superior to the heads of the .Menomouee, the Wisconsin and Chippewa rivers; also 
farther eastward and westward. .-Xt an early day they were engaged in a war with the Siou.x — 
a war indeed, which was long continued. The Chippewas, however, persistently maintained 
their position — still occupying the same region when the General Government e.xtended it<^ 
jurisdiction over the whole country south of the Great Lakes and west to the Mississippi. 

By treaties with the Chippewas at different periods, down to the year 1827, the General Gov- 
ernment had recognized them as the owners of about one quarter of what is now the entire 
State. The same policy was pursued toward this tribe as with neighboring ones, in the purchase 
of their lands by the United States. Gradually they parted with their extensive possessions, until, 
in 1S42, the last acre within what is now Wisconsin was disposed of. It was the intention of the 
General Ciovernment to remove the several bands of the Chippewas who had thus ceded their 
lands to a tract reserved for them beyond the Mississippi; but this determination was afterward 
changed so as to allow them to remain u[)on certain reservations within the limits of their old- 
time hunting grounds. These reservations they continue to occupy. They are located in Bay- 
field, Ashland, Chippewa and Lincoln counties. The clans are known, respectively, as the Red 
Clifl" band, the Bad River band, the Lac Courte Oreille band, and the Lac de Flambeau band. 

Of all the tribes inhabiting what is now Wisconsin when its territory was first visited by 
white men, the S.\cs (Sauks or Saukies) and Foxes (Outagamles) are, in history, the most noted. 
They are of the Algonquin family, and are first mentioned in 1665, by Father Allouez, but as 
separate tribes. Afterward, however, because of the identity of their language, and their asso- 
ciations, they were and still are considered as one nation. In December, 1669, Allouez found 
upon the shores of Green bay a village of Sacs, occupied also by members of other tribes; and 
early in 1670 he visited a village of the same Indians located upon the Fox river of Green bay, 
at a distance of four leagues from its mouth. Here a device of these Indians for catching fish 
arrested the attention of the missionary. "From one side of the river to the other," he writes, 
"they made a barricade, jjlanting great stakes, two fathoms from the water, in such a manner 
that there is, as it were, a bridge above for the fishes, who by the aid of a little bow-net, easily 
take sturgeons and all other kinds of fish which this pier stops, although the water does not 
cease to flow between the stakes." When the Jesuit father first obtained, five years previous, a 
knowledge of this tribe, they were represented as savage above all others, great in numbers, and 
without any permanent dwelling place. The Foxes were of two stocks : one calling themselves 
Outagamies or Foxes, whence our English name ; the other, Musquakink, or men of red clay, 
the name now used by the tribe. They lived in early times with their kindred the Sacs east of 
Detroit, and as some say near the St. Lawrence. They were driven west, and settled at Saginaw, 
a name derived from the Sacs. Thence they were forced by the Iroquois to Green bay ; but 
were compelled to leave that place and settle on Fox river. 

.\llouez, on the twenty-fourth of .\pril, 1670, arrived at a village of the Fo.xes, situated on 
Wolf river, a northern tributary of the Fox. "The nation," he declares, "is renowned for 
being numerous ; they have more than four hundred men bearing arms ; the number of women 
and children is greater, on account of polygamy which exists among them — each man ha\ ing 
commonly four wives, some of them six, and others as high as ten." The missionary found that 
the Foxes had retreated to those parts to escape the jjersecutions of the Irocjuois. Allouez 
established among these Indians his mission of St. Mark, rejoicing in the fact that in less than 



28 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

two years he had baptized "sixty children and some adults." The Foxes, at the summons of De 
la Barre, in 1684, sent warriors against the Five Nations. They also took part in Denonville's 
more serious campaign ; but soon after became hostile to the French. As early as 169.3, '^hey 
had plundered several on their way to trade with the Sioux, alleging that they were carrying arms 
and ammunition to their ancient enemies — frequently causing them to make portages to the 
southward in crossing from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi, Afterward they became recon- 
ciled to the French; but the reconciliation was of short duration. In 1712, Fort Detroit, then 
defended by only a handful of men, was attacked by them in conjunction with the Mascou- 
tens and Kickapoos. However, in the end, by calling in friendly Indians, the garrison not only 
protected themselves but were enabled to act on the offensive, destroying the greater part of the 
besieging force. 

The nation continued their ill will to the French. The consequence was that their territory 
in 1 7 16 had been invaded and they were reduced to sue for peace. But their friendship was not 
of long continuance. In 17 iS, the Foxes numbered five hundred men and "abounded in women 
and children." They are spoken of at that date as being very industrious, raising large quantities 
of Indian corn. In 1728, another expedition was sent against them by the French. Meanwhile 
the Menomonees had also become hostile; so, too, the Sacs, who were now the allies of the 
Foxes. The result of the enterprise was, an attack upon and the defeat of a number of 
Menomonees ; the burning of the wigwams of the Winnebagos (after passing the deserted village 
of the Sacs upon the Fox river), that tribe, also, at this date being hostile ; and the destruction 
of the fields of the Foxes. They were again attacked in their own country by the French, in 
1730, and defeated. In 1734, both the Sacs and Foxes came in conflict with the same foe; but 
this time the French were not as successful as on previous expeditions. In 1736, the Sacs and 
Foxes were "connected with the government of Canada;" but it is certain they were far from 
being friendly to the French. 

The conflict between France and Great Britain commencing in 1754- found the Sacs and 
Foxes allied with the former power, against the English, although not long previous to this time 
they were the bitter enemies of the French. At the close of that contest so disastrous to the 
interests of France in North America, these tribes readily gave in their adhesion to the con- 
querors, asking that English traders might be sent them. The two nations, then about equally 
divided, numbered, in 1761, about seven hundred warriors. Neither of the tribes took part in 
Pontiac's war, but they befriended the English. The Sacs had migrated farther to the west- 
ward ; but the Foxes — at least a portion of them — still remained upon the waters of the river of 
Green bay, which perpetuates their name. A few years later, however, and the former were 
occupants of the upper Wisconsin ; also, to a considerable distance below the portage, where 
their chief town was located. Further down the same stream was the upper village of the 
Foxes, while their lower one was situated near its mouth at the site of the present city of Prairie 
du Chien. At this date, 1766, the northern portion of what is now Wisconsin, including all that 
part watered by the streams flowing north into Lake Superior, was the home of the Chippewas. 
The country around nearly the whole of Green bay was the hunting ground of the Menomonees. 
The territory of Winnebago lake and Fox river was the seat of the VVinnebagoes. The region 
of the Wisconsin river was the dwelling place of the Sacs and Foxes. 

During the war of the Revolution, the Sacs and Foxes continued the firm friends of the 
English. At the commencement of the nineteenth century, only a small part of their territory 
was included in what is now Wisconsin, and that was in the extreme southwest. In 1804, they 
ceded this to the United States ; so that they no longer were owners of any lands within this 
State. From tliat date, therefore, these allied tribes can not be considered as belonging to the 



PRE-TERRITOUIAL ANNALS OF WISCONSIN. 29 

Indian nations of Wisconsin. A striking episode in tlieir subsequent history — the Black Hawk 
War — comes in, notwithstanding, as a jiart, incidentally, of the annals of the State. 

Deserving a place in a notice of the Indian tribes of Wisconsin is the nation known as the 

POTTAWATTAMIES. As early as 1639, they were the neighbors of the Winnebagoes upon Green 

bay. They were still upon its southern shore, in two villages, in 1670; and ten years subsequent 

to that date they occupied, at least in one village the same region. At the expiration of the 

first quarter of the eighteenth century, a part only of the nation were in that vicinity — upon the 

islands at the mouth of the bay. These islands were then known as the Pottawattamie islands, 

and considered as the ancient abode of these Indians. Already had a large portion of this tribe 

emigrated southward, one band resting on the St. Joseph of Lake Michigan, the other near Detroit. 

One peculiarity of this tribe — at least of such as resided in what is now Wisconsin — was their 

intimate association with neighboring bands. When, in 1669, a village of the Pottawattamies, 

located upon the southeast shore of Green bay, was visited by Allouez, he found with them Sacs 

and Foxes and Winnebagoes. So, also, when, many years subsequent to that date, a band of 

these Indians were located at Milwaukee, with them were Ottawas and Chippewas. These 

■" united tribes " claimed all the lands of their respective tribes and of other nations, giving the 

United States, when possession was taken of the western country by the General Government, 

no little trouble. Finally, by a treaty, held at Chicago in 1S33, their claims, such as they were, 

to lands along the western shore of Lake Michigan, within the present State of Wisconsin, 

•extending westward to Rock river, were purchased by the United States, with permission to 

retain possession three years longer of their ceded lands, after which time this " united nation 

■of Ciiippewas, Ottawas and Pottawattamies " began to disappear, and soon were no longer seen in 

southeastern W^isconsin or in other portions of the State. 

Besides the five tribes — Menomonees, Winnebagoes, Chippewas, Sacs and Foxes, and 
Pottawattamies — many others, whole or in part, have, since the territory now constituting the 
State was first visited by white men, been occupants of its territory. Of these, some are only 
known as having once lived in what is now Wisconsin ; others — such as the Hurons, lUinois, 
Kickapoos, Mascoutens, Mianiis, Noquets, Ottawas and Sioux, are recognized as Indians once 
dwelling in this region ; yet so transitory has been their occupation, or so little is known of their 
history, that they scarcely can be claimed as belonging to the State. 

Commencing in 1822, and continuing at intervals through some of the following years, was 
the migration to Wisconsm from the State of New York of the remains or portions of four tribes : 
the Oneidas, Stockbridges, Munsees and Brothertowns. The Oneidas finally located west of 
Green Bay, where they still reside. Their reservation contains over 60,000 acres, and lies 
wholly within the present counties of Brown and Outagamie. The Stockbridges and Munsees, 
who first located above Green Bay, on the east side of Fox river, afterward moved to the east 
side of Winnebago lake. They now occupy a reservation joining the southwest township of the 
Menomenee reservation, in Shawano county, and are fast becoming citizens. The Brothertowns 
first located on the east side of Fox river, but subsequently moved to the east side of Winnebago 
lake, where, in 1839, they broke up their tribal relations and became citizens of Wisconsin 
territory. 

III.— PRE-TERRITORIAL ANNALS OF WISCONSIN. 

When, in 1634, the first white man set foot upon any portion of the territory now consti- 
tuting the State of Wisconsin, the whole country was, of course, a wilderness. Its inhabitants, 
the aboriginal Red men, were thinly but widely scattered over all the country John Nicolet, 
a Frenchman, who had been in Canada since 1618, and had spent several years among the 



30 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

Indians, was the first of civilized men to unlock the mystery of its situation and people. French 
authorities upon the St. Lawrence sent him as an ambassador to the Winnebagoes, of whom he 
had heard strange stories. On his outward voyage he visited the Hurons — allies of the French 
— a tribe seated upon the eastern side of the lake which bears their name, and Nicolet was 
empowered to negotiate a peace with them. '" When he approached the Winnebago town, he sent 
some of his Indian attendants to announce his coming, put on a robe of damask, and advanced 
to meet the expectant crowd with a pistol in each hand. The squaws and children fled, scream- 
ing that it was a manito, or spirit, armed with thunder and lightning ; but the chiefs and warriors 
regaled him with so bountiful a hospitality, that a hundred and twenty beavers were devoured at 
a single feast." Such was the advent of the daring Frenchman into what is now the State of 
Wisconsin. 

" Upon the borders of Green bay," wrote the Jesuit, Paul le Jeune, in 1640, " are the Meno- 
monees; still farther on, the Winnebagoes, a sedentary people, and very numerous. Some 
Frenchmen," he continues, " call them the ' Nation of the Stinkards,' because the Algomjuin 
word Winipeg signifies ' stinking water.' Now they thus call the water of the sea; therefore, 
these people call themselves ' Winnebagoes,' because they came from the shores of a sea of which 
we have no knowledge ; consequently we must not call them the ' Nation of Stinkards,' but the 
' Nation of the Sea.' " From these Men of the Sea, Nicolet passed westward, ascended Fox 
river of Green Bay, until nigh the portage to the Wisconsin, down which stream he could have 
floated easily to the Mississippi, the "great water" of his guides, which he mistook for the 
sea. This adventurous Frenchman, when so near re-discovering the river which has given 
immortality to De Soto, turned his face to the eastward ; retraced his steps to Green bay, and 
finally returned in s.Tfety to Quebec. This was the first exploration of what is now Wisconsin — 
only fourteen years after the landing of the Pilgrims upon the wild shores of New England. 

Wisconsin, for twenty-four years after its discovery, was left to its savage inhabitants. At 
length, in 1658, two daring fur traders penetrated to Lake Superior, and wintered there. They 
probably set foot upon what is now Wisconsin soil, as they made several trips among the sur- 
rounding tribes. They saw, among other things, at six days' journey beyond the lake, toward 
the southwest, Indians that the Iroquois had driven from their homes upon the eastern shores of 
Lake Huron. These Frenchmen heard of the ferocious Sioux, and of a great river— not the sea, 
as Nicolet had supposed — on which they dwelt. This was the Mississippi; and to these traders 
is the world indebted for a knowledge of its existence; as De Soto's discovery was never used, 
and soon became well-nigh, if not entirely, forgotten. From these upper countries, in the Sum- 
mer of 1660, the two returned to Quebec, with three hundred Indians in sixty canoes, laden with 
peltry. This was, indeed, the dawn — though exceedingly faint — of what is now the commerce of 
the great Northwest. Nineteen years after flashed a more brilliant light; for, in 1679, ^he 
"Griffin," laden with furs, left one of the islands at the mouth of Green bay, on its return — 
spreading her sails for Niagara, but never more to be heard of. 

Following in the footsteps of the fur traders came the Jesuit missionaries to Lake Superior ; 
one of them. Father Menard, as early as 1660, reaching its southern shore as far to the westward, 
probably, as Kewenaw, in the present State of Michigan. There is no positive evidence, however, 
that he or his French comjjanions, visited any portion of what is now Wisconsin ; although the next 
year, 1661, some of his associates probably passed down the Menomonee river to Green bay. 
Following Menard came Father Claude Allouez, arriving on the first day of October, 1665, at 
"Chagowamigong," or "Chegoimegon," now Chequamegon, or Ashland Bay, " at the bottom of 
which," wrote the niissionary, " is situated the great villages of the savages, who there plant their 
fields of Indian corn, and lead a stationary life." Near by he erected a small chapel of bark — the 



PRE-TERRITORIAL ANNALS OF WISCONSIN. 31 

first structure erected by civilized man in Wisconsin. At La Pointe, in the present Ashland 
county, he established the mission of the Holy Ghost. 

The next Catholic mission in what is now Wisconsin was that of St. Francis Xavier, founded 
also by Allouez. Upon the second of December, 1669, he first attended to his priestly devotions 
upon the waters of Green bay. This mission, for the first two years of its existence, was a 
migratory one. The surrounding tribes were all visited, including the Pottawattainies, Menom- 
onees, Winnebagoes, and Sacs and Foxes. However, in i67i,one hundred and five years before 
the Declaration of Independence, there was erected, at what is now Depere, Brown county, a 
chapel for the mission of St. Francis Xavier. Thus early did the Jesuit Fathers, in their plain 
garbs and unarmed, carry the cross to many of the benighted heathen occupying the country 
circumscribed by Lakes Michigan, Huron and Superior, and the "great river" — the Mississippi. 

French domination in Wisconsin dates from the year 1671, the very year in which it seems 
the indomitable LaSalle, ujion his first expedition, ])assed the mouth of Green bay, but did not 
enter it. France then took formal possession of the whole of the country of the upper lakes. 
By this time, the commerce with the western tribes had so attached them to her interests that 
she determined to extend her power to the utmost limits — -vague and indeterminate as they 
were — of Canada. An agent — Daumont de St. Lusson — was disjjatched to the distant tribes, 
proposing a congress of Indian nations at the Falls of Ste. Mary, between Lake Huron and Lake 
Superior. The invitation was extended far and near. The principal chiefs of Wisconsin tribes, 
gathered by Nicolas Perrot in Green bay, were present at the meeting. Then and there, with 
due ceremony, it was announced that the great Northwest was placed under the protection of 
the French government. And why not.' She had discovered it — had to a certain extent 
explored it — had to a limited extent established commerce with it — and her missionaries had 
proclaimed the faith to the wondering savages. But none of her agents — none of the fur- 
traders — none of the missionaries — had yet reached the Mississippi, the "great river," concerning 
which so many marvels had been heard, although it is claimed that, in 1669, it had been seen 
by the intrepid La Salle. But the time for its discovery, or properly re-discovery, was at hand, if, 
indeed, it can be called, with propriety, a re-discovery, since its existence to the westward was 
already known to every white man particularly interested in matters appertaining to the North- 
west. Now, however, for the first time, its upper half was to be, to a certain extent, explored. 
For the first time, a white man was to behold its vast tribute, above the Illinois river, rolling 
onward toward the Mexican gulf Who was that man.'' His name was Louis Joliet; with him 
was Father James Marquette. 

Born at Quebec, in 1645, educated by the Jesuits, and first resolving to be a jiricst, then 
turning fur-trader, Joliet had, finally, been sent with an associate to explore the copper mines of 
Lake Superior. He was a man of close and intelligent observation, and possessed considerable 
mathematical acquirements. At this time, 1673, he was a merchant, courageous, hardy, enter- 
prising. He was appointed by French authorities at Quebec to " discover " the Mississippi. He 
passed up the lakes to Mackinaw, and found at Point St. Ignace, on the north side of the strait. 
Father James Marquette, who readily agreed to accompany him. Their outfit was very simple: 
two birch-bark canoes and a supply of smoked meat and Indian corn. They had a company of 
five men with them, beginning their voyage on the seventeenth of May, 1673. Passing the straits, 
they coasted the northern shores of Lake Michigan, moved uj) Green bay and Fox river to the 
portage. They crossed to the Wisconsin, down which they jiaddled their frail canoes, until, on 
the seventeenth of June, they entered — "discovered" — the Mississippi. So the northern, the 
eastern and the western boundary of what is now Wisconsin had been reached at this date; 
therefore, it may be said that its territory had been explored sufficiently for the forming of a 



32 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

pretty correct idea of its general features as well as of its savage inhabitants. After dropping 
down the Mississippi many miles, Joliet and Marquette returned to Green bay, where the latter 
remained to recruit his exhausted strength, while Joliet descended to Quebec, to report his. 
"discoveries" to his superiors. 

Then followed the expedition of LaSalle to the west, from the St. Lawrence, when, in 1679, 
he and Father Louis Hennepin coasted along the western shore of Lake Michigan, frequently 
landing; then, the return of Henri de Tonty, one of LaSalle's party down the same coast to Green 
bay, in 1680, from the Illinois; the return, also, the same year, of Hennepin, from up the Mis- 
sissippi, whither he had made his way from the Illinois, across what is now Wisconsin, by the 
Wisconsin and Fox rivers to Green bay, in company with DuLhut, or DuLuth, who, on his way 
down the " great river " from Lake Superior, had met the friar ; and then, the voyage, in i6<S3, from 
Lake Michigan to the Mississippi river, by the same route, of LeSueur, and his subsequent 
establishment at La Pointe, in what is now Ashland county, Wisconsin, followed several years 
after by a trip up the Mississippi. The act of Daumont de St. Lusson, at the Sault Sainte Mary> 
in 167 1, in taking possession of the country beyond Lake Michigan, not being regarded as suffi- 
ciently definite, Nicolas Perrot, in 1689, at Green bay, again took possession of that territory, as 
well as of the valleys of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, and extending the dominion of New 
France over the country on the Upper Mississippi, and " to other places more remote." The 
voyage of St. Cosme, in 1699, when he and liis companions frequently landed on the west coast 
of Lake Michigan, upon what is now territory of Wisconsin, completed the explorations in the 
west for the seventeenth century. 

Following in the footsteps of early explorations, of self sacrificing attempts of the Jesuits ta 
carry the cross to the wild tribes of the West, of the first visits of the lawless courcurs dc bois^ 
was the military occupation — if such it can be called — of what is now Wisconsin by the French. 
The ninety years of domination by France in this region were years of only nominal possession. 
The record of this occupation is made up of facts concerning the Indian policy of the French 
rulers; their contests with the Sacs and Foxes; their treaties, at various times, with different 
tribes ; their interest in, and protection of, the fur trade , and kindred subjects. The Indian 
tribes were, at most, only the allies of France. Posts — mere stockades without cannon, more for 
protection to fur-traders than for any other purpose — were erected upon the Mississippi at two 
points at least, upon what is now territory of Wisconsin. On the west side of Fox river of . 
Green bay, "half a league from its mouth," was a French post, as early as 1721, where resided, 
besides the commandant and an uncouth squad of soldiers, a Jesuit missionary ; and near by 
were collected Indians of different tribes. Of course, the omnipresent fur-trader helped to 
augment the sum-total of its occupants. This post was, not long after, destroyed, but another 
was established there. When, however, France yielded her inchoate rights in the West to Great 
Britain — when, in 1761, the latter took possession of the country — there was not a French post 
within what is now Wisconsin. The "fort" near the head of Green bay, had been vacated for 
some years; it was found "rotten, the stockade ready to fall, and the houses without cover;" 
emblematic of the decay — the fast-crumbling and perishing state — of French supremacy, at that 
date, in America. Wisconsin, when England's control began, was little better than a howling 
wilderness. There was not within the broad limits of what is now the State, a single bona fide 
settler, at the time the French Government yielded up its possession to the English ; that is to 
say, there were none according to the present acceptation of the term "settler." 

The military occupation of Wisconsin by the British, after the Seven Years' War, was a brief 
one. La Bay — as the post at what is now the city of Fort Howard, Brown county, was called — 
was, on the twelfth of October, 1761, taken possession of by English troops, under Captain 
Belfour, of the Eightieth regiment. Two days after, that officer departed, leaving Lieutenant 



PRE-TEm:riOl!lAL AXXALS OP WISCONSIN. 33 

James Gorrcll, ia coinnuind, with one sergeant, one corporal and fifteen privates. There also 
remained at the post a French interpreter and two English traders. Tlie name of the fortific-a- 
tion was changed to Fort Edward Augustus. This post was abandoned by the commandant on 
the twenty-first of June, 1763, on account of the breaking out of Pontiac's War and the capture 
of the fort at Mackinaw by the savages. The cause of this war was this: The Indian tribes 
saw the danger which the downfall of the French interests in Canada was sure to bring to them. 
They banded together under Pontiac to avert their ruin. The struggle was short but fierce — ■ 
full of "scenes of tragic interest, with marvels of suffering and vicissitude, of heroism and endur- 
ance;" but the white man conquered. The moving incidents in this bloody drama were enacted 
to the eastward of what is now Wisconsin, coming no nearer than Mackinaw, which, as just 
mentioned, the savages captured; but it resulted in the evacuation of its territory by British 
troops, who never after took possession of it, though they continued until 1796 a nominal 
military rule over it, after Mackinaw was again occupied by them. 

.•\n early French Canadian trading station at the head of Green bay assumed finally the 
form of a permanent settlement — the first one in Wisconsin. To claim, however that any 
French Canadian is entitled to the honor of lieing the first permanent white settler is assuming 
for him more than the facts seem to warrant. Th.^ title of " The Father and Founder of Wis- 
consin " belongs to no man. 

After Pontiac's ^Var, one of the noted events in this region was the journey of Jonathan 
Carver, who, in 1766, passed up Fox river to the portage, and descended the Wisconsin to the 
Mississippi. He noticed the Inmbling-down post at what is now Green Bay, Brown county. 
He saw a few families living in the fort, and some French settlers, who cultivated the land 
opposite, and appeared to live very conifortaljly. That was the whole extent of improvements 
in what is now Wisconsin. The organization of the Morthwest Fur Company ; the passage of 
an act by the British Parliament by which the whole Northwest was included in the Province of 
Quebec; the joining of the Indians in this region with the British, against the Americans, in the 
War of the Revolution; the exploration of the lead region of the Upper Mississippi by Julian 
Dubuque; the passage of the ordinance of 1787 ; the first settlement of the territory northwest 
of the River Ohio; and the Indian war which followed, are all incidents, during British occu- 
pation, of more or less interest for the student of Wisconsin history. He will find that, by the 
treaty of 1783 and of 1795, ^^''"^'^ Great Britain, all the inhabitants residing in this region were to 
be protected by the United States in the full and peaceable possession of their property, with the 
right to remain in, or to withdraw from it, with their effects, within one year. All who did not 
leave were to be deemed American citizens, allowed to enjoy all the privileges of citizenship, and 
to be under the protection of the General Government. He will also find that less than two 
years was the whole time of actual military occupation of what is now \Visconsin by British 
soldiers, and that English domination, which should have ended at the close of the RevoKi- 
tion, was arbitrarily continued until the Summer of 1796, when tlie western posts, none of which 
were upon territory circumscribed by Lakes Michigan and Superior and the Mississippi river, 
were delivered into the keeping of the United States. Thus the supremacy of Great Britain over 
the Northwest was, after an actual continuance of thirty-five years, at an end. 

Although the General Government did not get jjossession of the region northwest of the Ohio, 
throughout its full extent, for thirteen years subsequent to its acquirement by the treaty of peace 
of' 1783 with Great Britain, nevertheless, steps were taken, very soon, to obtain concessions from 
such of the colonies as had declared an ownership in any portion of it. None of the claimants, 
seemingly, had better rights than Virginia, who, by virtue of conquests, largely her own, of the 
Illinois settlements and posts, extended her jurisdiction over that country, erecting into a county 



34 HISTORY OF WISCONSIX. 

so much of the region northwest of the Ohio, as had been settled liy Virginians or might after- 
ward be settled by them. But as, previous to her yielding all rights to territory beyond that 
river she had not carried her arms into the region north of the Illinois or made settlements upo" 
what is now the soil of Wisconsin, nor included any portion of it within the bounds of an organ- 
ized county, it follows that her dominion was not actually extended over any part of the area 
included within the present boundaries of this State; nor did she then claim jurisdiction north 
of the Illinois river, but on the other hand expressly disclaimed it. 

Viro-inia and all the other claimants finally ceded to the United States their rights, such as 
they were, beyond the Ohio, except two reservations of limited extent ; and the General Govern- 
ment became the undisputed owner of the "Great West," without any internal claims to posses- 
sion save those of the Indians. Meanwhile, the United States took measures to extend its juris- 
diction over the whole country by the passage of the famous ordinance of 17S7, which established. 
a government over "the territory of the United States, northwest of the River Ohio." But thit 
organic law was, of course, nugatory over that portion of the region occupied by the British, 
until their yielding possession in 1796, when, for the first time, Anglo-American rule commenceci, 
though nominally, in what is now Wisconsin. By the ordinance just mentioned, "the United 
States, in congress assembled," declared that the territory northwest of the Ohio should, for the 
purposes of temporary government, be one district , subject, however, to be divided into districts, 
as future circumstances might, in the opinion of Congress, make it expedient. It was ordained 
that a governor, secretary and three judges should bfe appointed for the Territory; a general 
assembly was also provided for; and it was declared that religion, morality, and knowledge, 
being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of 
education should forever be encouraged. It was also ordained that there should be neither 
slavery nor involuntary servitude in the said Territory, " otherwise than in the punishment of 
crimes whereof the party shall have been duly convicted." Thus was established the first Magna 
Charta for the five great States since that ti ne formed out of " the territory northwest of the 
River Ohio," and the first rules and regulations for their government. 

Under this act of Congress, .Arthur St. Clair was appointed governor of the Northwestern 
Territory, as it was called, and Samuel H. Parsons, James M. Varnum, and John Armstrong, 
judges,^the latter not accepting the office, John Cleves Symmes was appointed in his place. 
Winthrop Sargeant was appointed secretary. At diff"erent periods, counties were erected to 
include various portions of the Territory. By the governor's proclamation of the isth of 
August, 1796, one was formed to include the whole of the present area of Northern Ohio, west of 
Cleveland; also, all of what is now the State of Indiana, north of a line drawn from Fort Wayne 
" west-northerly to the southern part of Lake Michigan ; " the whole of the present State of 
Michigan, e.xcept its extreme northwest corner on Lake Superior; a small corner in the north- 
east, part of what is now Illinois, including Chicago; and so much of the present State of AVis- 
consin as is watered by the streams flowing into Lake Michigan, which of course included an 
extensive portion, taking in many of its eastern and interior counties as now constituted. This 
vast county was named Wayne. So the few settlers then at the head of Green bay had their 
local habitations, constructively at least, in '• Wayne county, Northwestern Territory." It was 
just at that date that Great Britain vacated the western posts, and the United States took quiet 
possession of them. But the western portion of what is now Wisconsin, including all its territory 
watered by streams flowing northward into Lake Superior, and westward and southwestward into 
the Mississippi, was as yet without any county organization ; as the county of St. Clair, including 
the Illinois country to the southward, reached no farther north than the mouth of Little Macki- 
naw creek, where it empties into the River Illinois, in what is now the State of Illinois. The 



PRE-TEUKITOUIAJ. AXXALS OF WLSCONSIX. 35 

''\i\v of Paris," which was in force under French domination in Canada, and which liy the 
British Parliament in 1774, had been continued in force under English supremacy, was still " the 
law of the land " west of Lake Michigan, practically at least. 

From and after the fourth day of July, iSoo, ;:11 that part of the territory of the United 
States northwest of the Ohio river, which lay to the westward of a line beginning upon that 
stream opposite to the mouth of Kentucky river and running thence to what is now Fort 
Recovery in Mercer county, Ohio ; thence north until it intersected the territorial line between 
the United States and Canada, was, for the purposes of temporary government, constituted a 
separate territory called Indiana. It included not only the whole of the present State of Illinois 
and nearly all of what is now Indiana, but more than half of the State of Michigan as now 
defined, also a considerable part of the present Minnesota, and the whole of what is now Wis- 
consin. 

The seat of government was established at "Saint Vincennes on the Wabash," now the city 
of Vincennes, Indiana. To this e.xtensive area was added "from and after" the admission of 
Ohio into the Union, all the territory west of that State, and east of the eastern boundary line of 
the Territory of Indiana as originally established ; so that now all " the territory of the United 
States, northwest of the River Ohio," was, excepting the State of Ohio, included in Indiana Ter- 
ritory. On the thirtieth day of June, 1805, so much of Indiana Territory as lay to the north of 
a liuj drawn east from the southerly bend or e.xtreme of Lake Michigan to Lake Erie, and east 
of a line drawn from the same bend through the middle of the first mentioned lake to its north- 
ern extremity, and thence due north to the northern boundary of the United States, was, for the 
purpose of temporary government, constituted a separate Territory called Michigan. Of course 
no part of the present State of Wisconsin was included therein ; but the whole remained in the 
Territory of Indiana until the second day of March, 1809, when all that part of the last men- 
tioned Territory which lay west of the Wabash river, and a direct line drawn from that stream 
and " Post Vincennes," due north to the territorial line between the United States and Canada, 
was, by an act approved on the third of February ])revious, constituted a separate Territory, called 
Illinois. Meanwhile jurisdiction had been extended by the authorities of Indiana Territory 
over the country lying west of Lake Michigan, to the extent, at least, of appointing a justice of 
the peace for each of the settlements of Green Bay and Prairie du Chien. All of what is novv 
Wisconsin was transferred to the Territory of Illinois, upon the organization of the latter, except 
a small portion lying east of the meridian line drawn through Vincennes, which remained a part 
of Indiana Territory. This fraction included nearly the whole area between Green bay and 
Lake Michigan. 

When, in 1S16, Indiana became a State, " the territory of the United States northwest of the 
River Ohio," contained, besides Ohio and Indiana, the Territories of Illinois and Michigan, only ; 
so the narrow strip, formerly a part of Indiana Territory, lying east of a line drawn due north 
from Vincennes, and west of the western boundary line of Michigan Territory, belonged to nei- 
ther, and was left without any organization. However, upon the admission of Illinois into the 
Union, in 1818, all "the territory of the United States, northwest of the River Ohio," lying west 
of Michigan Territory and north of the States of Indiana and Illinois, was attached to and made 
a part of Michigan Territory ; by which act the whole of the present State of Wisconsin came 
under the jurisdiction of the latter. During the existence of the Territory of Illinois, a kind of 
jurisdiction was had over the two settlements in what is now Wisconsin — rather more ideal than 
real, however. 

In 1834, Congress greatly increased the limits of the Territory of Michigan, by adding to it, 
for judicial purposes, a large extent of country west of the Mississippi — reaching south as far as 



36 HISTORY OF WISCOJfSIN. 

the present boundary line between the present States of Iowa and Missouri ; north, to the terri- 
torial line between the United States and Canada ; and west, to the Missouri and White Earth 
rivers. It so continued down to the fourth of July, 1836. 

A retrospective glance at the history of this region for forty years previous to the last men- 
tioned year, including the time which elapsed after the surrender of the western posts, in 1796, 
by the British, discloses many facts of interest and importance. 

The Anglo-Americans, not long after the region of country west of Lake Michigan became 
a part of Indiana Territory, began now and then to cast an eye, either through the opening of 
the Great Lakes or the Mississippi, upon its rolling rivers, its outspread prairies, and its dense 
forests, and to covet the goodly land ; but the settlers at Green Bay and Prairie du Chien were 
mostly French Canadians at this date, although a few were Americans. The General Govern- 
ment, however, began to take measures preparatory to its occupation, by purchasing, in 1804, a 
tract in what is now the southwest portion of the State, of the Indians, and by holding the various 
tribes to a strict account for any murders committed by them on American citizens passing 
through their territories or trading with them. Comparative peace reigned in the incipient settle- 
ments at the head of Green bay and at the mouth of the Wisconsin, which was changed by the 
breaking out of the war of 181 2, with Great Britain. 

The English early succeeded in securing the Wisconsin Indian tribes as their allies in this 
war; and the taking of Mackinaw by the British in July, 1812, virtually put the latter in posses- 
sion of what is now the eastern portion of the State. Early in 1814, the government authorities 
of the United States caused to be fitted out at St. Louis a large boat, having on board all the 
men that could be mustered and spared from the lower country, and sent up the Mississippi to 
protect the upper region and the few settlers therein. The troops landed at Prairie du Chien, 
and immediately proceeded to fortify. Not long after, Colonel McKay, of the British army, 
crossing the country by course of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, with over five hundred British 
and Indians, received the surrender of the whole force. The ofiicers and men were paroled and 
sent down the river. This was the only battle fought upon Wisconsin soil during the last war 
with England. The post at Prairie du Chien was left in command of a captain with two compa- 
nies from Mackinaw. He remained there until after the peace of 1S15, when the place was 
evacuated by the British. 

When it became generally known to the Indian tribes in what is now Wisconsin, that the 
contest between the United States and Great Britain was at an end, they generally expressed 
themselves as ready and willing to make treaties with the General Government — eager, in fact, 
to establish friendly relations with the power they had so recently been hostile to. This was, 
therefore, a favorable moment for taking actual possession of the country between the Missis- 
sippi and Lake Michigan ; and United States troops were soon ordered to occupy the two prom- 
inent points between Green Bay and Prairie du Chien. At the former place was erected Fort 
Howard ; at the latter Fort Crawford. At Green Bay, half a hundred (or less) French Cana- 
dians cultivated the soil; at Prairie du Chien, there were not more than thirty houses, mostly 
occupied by traders, while on the prairie outside the village, a number of farms were cultivated. 
Such was Wisconsin when, at the close of the last war with Great Britain, it began in earnest to 
be occupied by Americans. The latter were few in number, but in iSiS, they began to feel, now 
that the country was attached to Michigan Territory and the laws of the United States were 
extended over them, that they were not altogether beyond the protection of a government of their 
own, notwithstanding they were surrounded by savage tribes. Their happiness was increased 
upon the erection, by proclamation of Lewis Cass, governor of the Territory of Michigan, of 
three Territorial counties: Michilimackinac, Brown and Crawford. Their establishment dates 



PRE-TERKITORIAL AXNALS OF WISCOXSIX. 37 

the twenty-sixth of October, 1818. The county of Michiliniackinac not only inckuled all of the 
present State of Wisconsin lying north of a line tlrawn due west from near the head of the Little 
Noiiuet hay, but territory east and west of it, so as to reach from Lake Huron to the Missis- 
sippi river. Its county seat was established "at the Borough of Michilimackinat:." The whole 
area in Michigan Territory south of the county of Michilimackinac and west of Lake Michigan 
formed the two counties of P.rown and Crawford: the former to include the area east of a line 
drawn due north and south through the middle of the portage between the Fox river of Green 
bay and the Wisconsin ; the latter to include the whole region west of that line. Prairie du 
Chien was designated as the county seat of Crawford; Green Piay, of Brown county. On the 
22d of December, 1826, a county named Chippewa was formed from the northern portions of 
Michilimackinac, including the southern shores of Lake Superior throughout its entire length, 
and extending from the straits leading from that lake into Lake Huron, west to the western 
boundarv line of Michigan Territory, with the county seat " at such point in the vicinity of the 
Sault de Ste. Marie, as a majority of the county commissioners to be appointed shall de^ignate." 
Embraced within this county, — its southern boundary being the ])arallel 46'' 31' north latitude, — 
was all the territory of the present State of Wisconsin now bordering on Lake Superior. 

Immediately upon the erection of Brown and Crawford counties, they were organized, and 
their offices filled by appointment of the governor. County courts were established, consisting 
of one chief and two associate justices, either of whom formed a cpiorum. They were required 
to hold one term of court annually in their respective counties. These county courts had origi- 
nal and exclusive jurisdiction in all civil cases, both in law and etpiity, where the matter in dis- 
pute exceeded the jurisdiction of a justice of the peace, and did not exceed the value of one 
thousand dollars. They had, however, no jurisdiction in ejectment. They had exclusive cog- 
nizance of all offenses the punishment whereof was not capital, and the same power to issue 
remedial and other process, writs of error and mandamus excepted, that the supreme court had 
at Detroit. Appeals from justices of the peace were made to the county courts. 

The establishing of Indian agencies by the General Government; the holding of treaties 
with some of the Indian tribes; the adjustment of land claims at Green Bay and Prairie du 
Chien ; the appointment of postmasters at these two jioints, were all indications of a proper 
interest being taken by the Lmited States in the affairs of the country. But a drawback to this 
region, was the fact that, in all civil cases of over a thousand dollars, and in criminal cases that 
were capital, as well as in actions of ejectment, and in the allowance of writs of error, and man- 
damus, recourse must be had to the supreme court at Detroit; the latter place being the seat of 
government of Michigan Territory. However, in January, 1S23, an act of congress provided 
for a district court, and for the ai^pointment of a judge, for the counties of Brown, Crawford, 
and Michilimackinac. This court had concurrent jurisdiction, civil and criminal, with the 
supreme court of the Territory, in most cases, subject, however, to have its decisions taken to the 
latter tribunal by a writ of error. The law provided for holding one term of court in each year, 
in each of the counties named in the act ; so, at last, there was to be an administration of justice 
at home, and the people were to be relieved from all military arbitrations, which frequently had 
been imposed upon them. James Duane Doty was appointed judge of this court at its organiza- 
tion. A May term of the court was held in Prairie du Chien; a June term in Green Bay; a 
July term in " the Borough of Michilimackinac," in each year. In 1S24, Henry S. Baird, of 
Brown county, was appointed district attorney. Doty held the office of judge until May, 1S32, 
when he was succeeded by David Irvin. This court continued until 1836, when it was abrogated 
by the organization of the Territory of Wisi onsin. 

For a long time it had been known that there were lead mines in what is now the south- 



38 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

western portion of the State; but it was not until the year 1825, and the two following years, that 
very general attention was attracted to them, which eventuated in the settlement of different 
places in that region, by Americans, who came to dig for lead ore. This rapid increase of 
settlers awakened the jealousy of the Winnebago Indians, at what they deemed an unauthorized 
intrusion upon their lands, which, with other causes operating unfavorably upon their minds, 
aroused them in June, 1S27, to open acts of hostility. Murders became frequent. Finally, the 
militia of Prairie du Chien were called out. On the twenty-ninth of August, Brigadier-General 
Henry Atkinson, of the United States army, with a strong force of regulars, ascended the Wis- 
consin river to put an end to any further spread of Winnebago disturbances. He was joined on 
the first of September, by one hundred and thirty Galena volunteers, mounted, and under com- 
mand of General Henry Dodije. The Winnebagoes were awed into submission. Thus ended 
the " Winnebago War." It was followed by the erection at the portage of Fort Winnebago, bv 
the United States. 

After the restoration of tranquillity, the United States proceeded by treaty with the Indians, 
to secure the right to occupy the lead regions. This was in 1828. The next year, the General 
Government purchased of the AVinnebagoes, Southwestern Wisconsin, which put an end to all 
trouble on account of mining operations. On the ninth of October, 1829, a county was formed, 
by the legislative council of the Territory of Michigan, comprising all that part of Crawford 
county lying south of the Wisconsin river. This new county was called Iowa. The county 
seat was temporarily established at Mineral Point. Following this was a treaty in 1831, with the 
Menomonees, for all their lands east of Green bay, Winnebago lake, and the Fo.\ and Milwaukee 
rivers. • 

There was now a crisis at hand. The most prominent event to be recorded in the pre-Ter- 
ritorial annals of Wisconsin is known as the Black Hawk War. This conflict of arms between 
the Sacs and Foxes and the United States arose from a controversy in regard to lands. By a 
t-eaty made at Fort Harmar, just across the River Muskingum from Marietta, Ohio, in January, 
1789, the Pottawattamie and Sac tribes of Indians, among others, were received into the friend- 
ship of the General Government, and a league of peace and unity established between the con- 
tracting parties On the third of November, 1804, a treaty at St. Louis stipulated that the 
united Sac and Fox tribes should be received into the friendship of the United States, and also 
be placed under their protection. These tribes also agreed to consider themselves under the pro- 
tection of the General Government and of no other power whatsoever. At this treaty lands were 
ceded which were circumscribed by a boundary beginning at a point on the Missouri river 
opposite the mouth of the Gasconade, and running thence in a direct course so as to strike the 
River Jefferson at the distance of thirty miles from its mouth, and down that stream to the Missis- 
sippi. It then ran up the latter river to the mouth of the Wisconsin, and up that stream to a 
point thirty-six miles in a direct line from its mouth; thence by a straight course to a point 
where the Fox river of the Illinois leaves the small lake then called Sakaegan, and from that 
point down the Fox to the Illinois, and down the latter to the Mississippi. The consideration for 
this cession was the payment of goods to the value of two thousand two hundred and thirty-four 
dollars and fifty cents, and a yearly annuity of one thousand dollars — six hundred to be paid to 
the Sacs and four hundred to the Foxes — to be liquidated in goods valued at first cost. After- 
ward, Fort Madison was erected just above the Des Moines rapids in the Mississippi, on the ter- 
ritory ceded at the last mentioned treaty. Then followed the war with Great Britain, and the 
Sacs and Foxes agreed to take no part therein. However, a portion afterward joined the 
English against the Americans along with other Western tribes. At the restoration of peace the 
Sacs and P'oxes held treaties with the United States. There was a renewal of the treaty of 1804. 



PRE-TERRITORIAL ANNALS OF WISCONSIN. 39 

Such in brief is a general outline of affairs, so far as those two tribes were concerned, down to tlie 
close of the last war with England. From this time, to the year 1S30, several additional treaties 
were made with the Sacs and Foxes by the General Government : one in 1822, by which they relin- 
quished their right to have the United States establish a trading house or factory at a convenient 
point at which the Indians could trade and save themselves from the imposition of traders, for 
which they were paid the sum of one thousand dollars in merchandise. Again, in 1824, they 
sold to the General Government all their lands in Missouri, north of Missouri river, for which 
they received one thousand dollars the same year, and an annuity of one thousand dollars for ten 
years. In 1830, they ceded to the United States a strip of land twenty miles wide from the Mis- 
sissippi to the Des Moines, on the north side of their territory. The time had now come for the 
two tribes to leave the eastern shore of the Mississippi and retire across the " great water." 
Keokuk, the Watchful Fox, erected his wigwam on the west side of the river, and was followed 
1)\' a large part of the two tribes. lUit a band headed by Ma-ka-tai-me-she-kia-kiah, or the 
Black Sparrow Hawk, commonly called Black Hawk, refused to leave their village near Rock 
Island. They contended tliat they had not sold their town to the United States ; and, upon _ 
their return early in 1S31, from a hunt across the Mississippi, finding their village and fields in 
possession of the whites, they determined to repossess their homes at all hazards. This was 
looked upon, or called, an encroachment by the settlers ; so the governor of Illinois took the 
responsibility of declaring the State invaded, and asked the United States to drive the refractory 
Indians beyond the Mississippi. The result was, the Indian village was destroyed by Illinois 
volunteers. This and the threatened advance across the river by the United States commander, 
brought Black Hawk and his followers to terms. They sued for peace — agreeing to remain 
forever on the west side of tlie Mississippi. But this truce was of short duration. 

Early in the Spring of 1832, Black Hawk having assembled his forces on the Mississippi, in 
the vicinity of the locality where Fort Madison had stood, crossed that stream and ascended 
Rock river. This was the signal for war. The governor of Illinois made a call for volunteers; 
and, in a brief space of time, eighteen hundred had assembled at Beardstown, Cass county. 
They marched for the mouth of Rock river, where a council of war was held by their officers 
and Brigadier-General Henry Atkinson, of the regular forces. The Indians were sent word by 
General Atkinson that they must return and recross the Mississippi, or they would be driven 
back by force. " If you wish to fight us, come on," was the laconic but defiant reply of the Sac 
chief. When the attempt was made to compel these Indians to go back across the " great river," 
a collision occurred between the Illinois militia and Black Hawk's braves, resulting in the dis- 
comfiture of the former with the loss of eleven men. Soon afterward the volunteers were dis- 
charged, and the first campaign of Black Hawk's War was at an end. This was in May, 1832. 

In June following, a new force had been raised and put under the command of General 
Atkinson, who commenced his march up Rock river. Before this, there had been a general 
" forting " in the lead region, including the whole country in Southwest Wisconsin, notwithstand- 
ing which, a number of settlers had been killed by the savages, mostly in Illinois. Squads of 
volunteers, in two or three instances, had encountered the Indians; and in one with entire suc- 
cess — upon the Pecatonica, in what is now Lafayette county, Wisconsin — every savage (and 
there were seventeen of them) being killed. The loss of the volunteers was three killed and 
wounded. Atkinson's march up Rock river was attended with some skirmishing; when, being 
informed that Black Hawk and his force were at Lake Koshkonong, ir. the southwest corner of 
what is now Jefferson county, Wisconsin, he immediately moved thither with a portion of his 
army, where the whole force was ordered to concentrate. But the Sac chief with his people had 
flown. Colonels Henry Dodge and James I). Henry, with the forces under them, discovered the 



40 IIISTOKY OF ■\VISCOXSIX. 

trail of the savages, leading in the direction of the Wisconsin river. It was evident that the 
retrei)ting force was large, and that it had but recently passed. The pursuing troops hastened 
their march. On the twenty-first of July, 1S32, they arrived at the hills which skirt the left bank 
of that stream, in what is now Ro.xbury town (township), Dane county. Here was Black 
Hawk's whole force, including women and children, the aged and infirm, hastening by every 
effort to escape across the river. But that this might now be effected, it became necessary for 
that chief to make a firm stand, to cover the retreat. The Indians were in the bottom lands 
when the pursuing whites made their appearance upon the heights in their rear. Colonel Dodge 
occupied the front and sustained the first attack of the Indians. He was soon joined by Henry 
with his force, when they obtained a complete victory. The action commenced about five 
o'clock in the afternoon and ended at sunset. The enemy, numbering not less than five hundred, 
sustained a loss of about si.xty killed and a large number wounded. The loss of the Americans 
was one killed and eight wounded. This conflict has since been known as the battle of Wis- 
consin Heights. 

Durint; the night following the battle. Black Hawk made his escape with his remaining force 
and people down the Wisconsin river. The women and children made their way down stream 
in canoes, while the warriors marched on foot along the shore. The Indians were pursued in 
their fli<Tht, and were finally brought to a stand on the Mississippi river, near the mouth of the 
Bad Axe, on the west boundary of what is now Vernon county, Wisconsin. About two o'clock 
on the morning of the second of August, the line of march began to the scene of the last con- 
flict in the Black Hawk War. Dodge's command formed the advance, supported by regular 
troops, under Colonel Zachary Taylor, afterward president of the United States. Meanwhile an 
armed steamboat had moved up the Mississippi and lay in front of the savages ; so they were 
attacked on all sides by the exasperated Americans. The battle lasted about two hours, and 
was a complete victory for the whites. Black Hawk fled, but was soon after captured. This 
ended the war. 

The survey of public lands by the C.cneral (lOvernment ; the locating and ojiening of land 
offices at Mineral Point and C.recn B.iy; the erection of Milwaukee county from a part of 
Brown, to include all the territory bounded on the east and south by the east and south lines of 
the present State, on the north by what is now the north boundary of Washington and Ozaukee 
counties and farther westward on the north Kne of township numbered twelve, and on the west 
by the dividing line between ranges eight and nine ; and the changing of the eastern boundary 
of Iowa county to correspond with the western one of Milwaukee county; — are some of the 
important events following the close of the Black Hawk war. There was an immediate and 
rapid increase of immigration, not only in the mining region but in various other parts of what 
is now Wisconsin, more especially in that portion bordering on Lake Michigan. The interior 
was yet sparsely settled. By the act of June 28, 1834, congress having attached to the Territory 
of Michigan, for judicial purposes, all the country "west of the Mississippi river, and north of 
the State of Missouri," comprising the wliole of what is now the State of Iowa, all of the present 
State of Minnesota west of the Mississi])])! river, and more than half of what is now the Terri- 
tory of Dakota, the legislative council of Michigan Territory extended her laws over the whole 
area, dividing it on the 6th of September, 1S34, by a line drawn due west from the lower end of 
Rock island to the Missouri river into two counties : the country south of that line constituting 
the county of Des Moines; north of the line, to be known as the county of Dubuque. This 
whole region west of tlie Mississippi was known as the Iowa district. Immediately after the 
treaty of 1832 with the Sacs and Foxes, the United States having come into ownership of a large 
tract in this district, several families crossed the Mississippi, and settled on the purchase, but as 



WISCOXSIX IKlilUTOKV. 41 

the time provided for the Indians to give possession was the first of June, 1S33, these settlers 
were dispossessed by order of the General Government. So soon, however, as the Indians yielded 
possession, settlements began, Inn, from the date just mentioned until September, 1834, after the 
district was attached, for judic:ial purposes, to Michigan Territory, it was without any municipal 
law whatever. The organization of the counties of Dubuque and Des Moines on the sixth of 
that month, secured, of course a regular administration of justice. Before this time to facili- 
tate intercourse between the two remote military posts of Fort Howard at Green Bay, and Fort 
Crawford at Prairie du Chien, a military road was commenced to connect the two points; so, 
one improvement followed another. On the ist of January, 1836, a session (the first one) of 
the seventh legislative council of Michigan Territory — that is, of so much of it as lay to the 
westward of Lake Michigan — was held at Green Bay, and a memorial adopted, asking Congress 
for the formation of a new Territory west of that lake ; to include all of Michigan Territory not 
embraced in the proposed State of Michigan. Congress, as will now be shown, very soon com- 
plied with the request of the memorialists. 

IV.— WISCONSIN TERRITORY. 

The establishing of a separate and distinct Territory west of Lake Michigan, was the result 
of the ])rospective admission of Michigan into the Union (an event which took place not until 
the twenty-sixth of January, 1S37), as the population, in all the region outside of the boundaries 
determined upon by the people for that State, would otherwise be left without a government, or, 
at least, it would be necessary to change the capital of the old Michigan Territory farther to the 
westward ; so it was thought best to erect a new territory, to be called Wisconsin (an Indian 
word signifying wild rushing water, or channel, so called from the principal eastern tributary of 
the Mississippi within its borders), which was done by an act of congress, approved April 20, 
1836, to take effect from and after the third day of July following. The Territory was made to 
include all that is now embraced within the States of Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and a part of 
the Territory of Dakota, more particularly described within boundaries commencing at the north- 
east corner of the State of Illinois, running thence through the middle of Lake Michigan to a 
point opposite the main channel of Green bay ; thence through that channel and the bay to the 
mouth of the Menomonee river ; thence up that stream to its head, which is nearest the lake of the 
Desert ; thence to the middle of that lake ; thence down the Montreal river to its mouth ; thence 
with a direct line across Lake Superior to where the territorial line of the United States last touches 
the lake northwest; thence on the north, with the territorial line, to the W'hite Earth river; on the 
west by a line drawn down the middle of the main channel of that stream to the Missouri river, 
and down the middle of the main channel of the last mentioned stream to the northwest corner of 
the State of Missouri ; and thence with the boundaries of the States of Missouri and Illinois, as 
already fi.xed by act of congress, to the place or point of beginning. Its counties were Brown, 
Milwaukee, Iowa, Crawford, Dubuque, and Des Moines, with a portion of Chippewa and Michili- 
mackinac left unorganized. Although, at this time, the State of Michigan was only engaged, so 
to speak, to the Union, to include the two peninsulas (many of its citizens preferring in lieu 
thereof the lower one only, with a small slice off the northern boundary of the State of Ohio as 
now constituted), yet the marriage ceremony was performed, as has been stated, a few months 
afterward. 

The act of congress establishing the Territorial government of Wisconsin was very full and 
complete. It first determined its boundaries; then it declared that all authority of the govern- 
ment of Michigan over the new Territory should cease on the fourth day of July, 1836, with a 



42 HISTORY OF AVISCOXSII^. 

proper reservation of rights in favor of the Indians. It provided for subsequently dividing tnss 
Territory into one or more, should congress deem it wise so to do. It also declared that the 
executive power and authority i-n and over the Territory should be vested in a governor, at the same 
time defining his powers. It provided for the appointment of a secretary, stating what his duties 
should be. The legislative power was vested in the governor and legislative assembly, the latter 
to consist of a council and house of representatives, answering respectively to the senate and 
assembly, as states are usually organized. There was a provision for taking the census of the 
several counties, and one giving the governor power to name the time, place, and manner of 
holding the first election, and to declare the number of members of the council and house of 
representatives to v/hich each county should be entitled. He was also to determine where the 
first legislative assembly should meet, and a wise provision was that the latter should not be in 
session in any one year more than seventy-five days. 

One section of the act declared who should be entitled to vote and hold office ; another 
defined the extent of the powers of the legislature, and a third provided that all laws should be 
submitted to congress for their approval or rejection. There was a section designating what 
offices should be elective and what ones should be filled by the governor. There were others 
reo-ulatin"- the judiciary for the Territory and declaring what offices should be appointed by the 
United States, providing for their taking the proper oaths of office and regulating their salaries. 
One, perhaps the most important of all, declared that the Territory should be entitled to and enjoy 
all the rights, privileges, and advantages granted by the celebrated ordinance of 17S7. There 
was also a provision for the election of a delegate to the house of representatives of the United 
States ; and a declaration that all suits and indictments pending in the old courts should be con- 
tinued in the new ones. Five thousand dollars were appropriated for a library for the accommo- 
dation of the legislative assembly of the Territory and of its supreme court. 

For the new Territory, Henry Dodge was, on the 30th of April, 1836, by Andrew Jackson, 
then President of the United States, commissioned governor. John S. Horner was commissioned 
secretary; Charles Dunn, chief justice; David Irvin and William C. Frazer, associate judges; 
\V. W. Chapman, attorney, and Francis Gehon, marshal. The machinery of a territorial gov- 
ernment was thus formed, which was set in motion by these officers taking the prescribed oath of 
office. The next important step to be taken was to organize the Territorial legislature. The 
provisions of the organic act relative to the enumeration of the population of the Territory were 
that previously to the first election, the governor should cause the census of the inhabitants of 
the several counties to be taken by the several sheriffs, and that the latter should make returns of 
the same to the Executive. These figures gave to Des Moines county, 6,257 ; Iowa county, 
5,234; Dubuque county, 4,274; Milwaukee county, 2,893; Brown county, 2,706; Crawford 
county, 850. The entire population, therefore, of Wisconsin Territory in the summer of 1836, 
as given by the first census was, in precise numbers, twenty-two thousand two hundred and four- 
teen, of which the two counties west of the Mississippi furnished nearly one half. The apportion- 
ment, after the census had been taken, made by the governor, gave to the different counties thir- 
teen councilmen and twenty-six representatives. Brown county got two councilmen and three 
representatives ; Crawford, two representatives, but no councilmen; Milwaukee, two councilmen 
and three representatives ; Iowa, Dubuque and Des Moines, each three councilmen ; but of repre- 
sentatives, Iowa got six; Dubuque, five, and Des Moines, seven. The election was held on the 
tenth of October, 1836, exciting considerable interest, growing out, chiefly, of local considera- 
tions. The permanent location of the capital, the division of counties, and the location of county 
seats, were the principal questions influencing the voters. There were elected from the county 
of Brown, Henrv S. Baird and John P. Arndt, members of the council; Ebenezer Childs, Albert 



WISCONSIN TERRITORY. 43 

G. Ellis and Alexander T- Ii"'in, members of the house of representatives; from Milwaukee, 
the councilmen were Gilbert Knapp and Alanson Sweet ; representatives, William B. Sheldon, 
Madison W. Cornwall and Charles Durkee : from Iowa, councilmen, Ebenezer Brigham, John B. 
Terry and James R. Vineyard; representatives, William Boyles, G. F. Smith, D. M. Parkinson, 
Thomas McKnight, T. Shanley and J. P. Cox : from Dubuque, councilmen," John Foley, Thomas 
McCraney and Thomas McKnight; representatives, Loring Wheeler, Hardin Nowlin, Hosea T. 
Camp, P. H. Engle and Patrick Quigley : from Des Moines, councilmen, Jeremiah Smith, Jr., 
Joseph B. Teas and Arthur B. Inghram ; representatives, Isaac Leffler, Thomas Blair, Warren L. 
Jenkins, John Box, George W. Teas, Eli Reynolds and David R. Chance : from Crawford, repre- 
sentatives, James H. Lockwood and James B. Dallam. 

Belmont, in the present county of LaFayette, then in Iowa county, was, by the governor, 
appointed the place for the meeting of the legislature ; he also fixed the time — the twenty-fifth 
of October. A quorum was in attendance in both branches at the time decided upon for their 
assembling, and the two houses were speedily organized by the election of Peter Hill Fngle, of 
Dubuque, speaker of the house, and Henry S. Baird, of Brown, president of the council. Each 
of the separate divisions of the government — the executive, the judicial, and the legislative — 
was now in working order, except that it remained for the legislature to divide the Territory into 
judicial districts, and make an assignment of the judges ; and for the governor to appoint a Ter- 
ritorial treasurer, auditor and attorney general. The act of congress establishing the Terri- 
tory required that it should be divided into three judicial districts. The counties of Crawford 
and Iowa v,-ere constitued by the legislature the first district, to which was assigned Chief Justice 
Dunn. The second district was composed of the counties of Des Moines and Dubuque ; to it 
was assigned Associate Judge Irvin. The third district was formed of the counties of Brown 
and Milwaukee, to which was assigned Associate Judge Frazer. 

Governor Dodge, in his first message to the Territorial legislature, directed attention to the 
necessity for defining the jurisdiction and powers of the several courts, and recommended that 
congress should be memorialized to extend the right of pre-emption to actual settlers upon the 
public lands and to miners on mineral lands; also, to remove the obstructions in the rapids 
of the Upper Mississippi, to construct harbors and light-houses on Lake Michigan, to improve 
the navigation of Fox river and to survey the same from its mouth to Fort Winnebago, to 
increase the amount of lands granted to the Territory for school purposes, and to organize and 
arm the militia for the protection of the frontier settlements. The first act passed by the legis- 
lature was one privileging members from arrest in certain cases and conferring on themselves 
power to punish parties for contempt. The second one established the tliree judicial districts 
and assigned the judges thereto. One was passed to borrow money to defray the expenses 
of the session ; others protecting aj lands donated to the Territory by the United States in aid 
of schools, and creating a common school fund. A memorial to congress was adopted request- 
ing authorization to sell the school-section in each township, and appropriate the money arising 
therefrom for increasing the fund for schools. 

During this session, five counties were " set off" west of the Mississippi river : Lee, Van 
Buren, Henry, Louisa, Muscatine, and Cook ; and fifteen east of that stream : Walworth, Racine, 
Jefferson, Dane, Portage, Dodge, Washington, Sheboygan, Fond du Lac, Calumet, Manitowoc, 
Marquette, Rock, Grant and Green. 

The principal question agitating the legislature at its first session was the location of the 
capital. Already the people west of the Mississippi were speculating upon the establishment of 
a Territory on that side the river, prospects for which would be enhanced evidently, by placing 
the seat of government somewhat in a central position east of that stream, for Wisconsin 



44 HISTORY or WlSCOiSrSlN. 

Territory. Now, as Madison was a point answering such requirements she triumphed over all 
competitors ; and the latter numbered a dozen or more — including, among others, Fond du Lac, 
Milwaukee, Racine, Belmont, Mineral Point, Green Bay, and Cassville. The struggle over this 
question was one of the most exciting ever witnessed in the Territorial legislature. Madison 
was fixed upon as the seat of government, but it was provided that sessions of the legislature 
should be held at Burlington, in Des Moines county, until the fourth of March, 1839, unless the 
public buildings in the new capital should be sooner completed. After an enactment that the 
legislature should thereafter meet on the first Monday of November of each year, both houses, 
on the ninth day of December, 1836, adjourned sine die. 

In the act of congress establishing the Territory of Wisconsin it was provided that a delegate 
to the house of representatives of the I'nited States, to serve for the term of two years, should 
be elected by the voters qualified to elect members of the legislative assembly ■, and that the 
first election should be held at such time and place or places, and be conducted in such manner 
as the governor of the Territory should appoint and direct. In pursuance of this enactment, 
Governor Dodge directed that the election for delegate should be at the time and places 
appointed for the election of members of the legislative assembly — the loth of October, 1S36. 
Tlie successful candidate for that office was George W. Jones, of Sinsinawa Mound, Iowa 
county — in that portion which was afterward "set off " as Grant county. Jones, under the act 
of 1S19, had been elected a delegate for Michigan Territory, in October, 1835, and took his 
seat at the ensuing session, in December of that year. By the act of June 15, 1836, the consti- 
tution and State government which the people of Michigan had formed for themselves was 
accepted, ratified and confirmed, and she was declared to be one of the United States of 
America, so that the term of two years for which Jones had been elected was cut short, as, in 
the nature of the case, his term could not survive the existence of the Territory he represented. 
But, as he was a candidate for election to represent the new Territory of Wisconsin in congress 
as a delegate, and was successful, he took his seat at the commencement of the second session of 
the twenty-fourth congress — ^December 12, 1S36, notwithstanding he had been elected only a 
little over two months. 

The first term of the supreme court of the Territory was held at Belmont on the 8th day of 
December. There were present, Charles Dunn, chief justice, and David Irvin, associate judge. 
John Catlin was appointed clerk, and Henry S. Baird having previously been coinmissioned 
attorney general for the Territory by Governor Dodge, appeared before the court and took the 
oath of office. Causes in which the United States was party or interested were looked after by 
the United States attorney, who received his appointment from the president; while all cases 
in which the Territory was interested was attended to by the attorney general, whose commission 
was signed by the governor. The appointing of a crier and reporter and the admission of 
several attorneys to practice, completed the business for the term. The annual term appointed 
for the third Monday of July of the following year, at Madison, was not held; as no business for 
the action of the court had matured. 

At the time of the complete organization of the Territory of W'isconsin, wTien the whole 
machinery had been put fairly in motion; when its first legislature at its first session had, after 
passing forty-two laws and three joint resolutions, in forty-six days, adjourned; — at this time, 
the entire portion west of the Mississippi had, in round numbers, a population of only eleven 
thousand; while the sparsely settled mineral region, the military establishments — Fort Craw- 
ford, Fort Winnebago, and Fort Howard — and the settlements at or near them, .with the village 
of Milwaukee, constituted about all there was of the Territory east of that river, aggregating 
about twelve thousand inhabitants. There was no land in market, except a narrow strip along 



WISCONSIN TERRITORY. 45 

the shore of Lake Michigan, ami in tlie vicinity of Green bay. The residue of the country 
south and east of the Wisconsin and Fox rivers was open only to preemption by actual settlers. 
The Indian tribes still claimed a large portion of the lands. On the north and as far west as 
the Red river of the north were located the Chippewas. The southern limits of their posses- 
sions were defined by a line drawn from a jjoint on that stream in about latitude 46° 30' in a 
southeasterly direction to the head of Lake St. Croix; thence in the same general direction to 
what is now Stevens Point, in the present Portage county, Wisconsin ; thence nearly east to 
Wolf river; and thence in a direction nearly northeast to the Mcnomonee river. The whole 
country bounded by the Red river and Mississippi on the east; the parallel of about 43° of 
latitude on the south; the Missouri and WHiite Earth river on the west; and the Territorial line 
on the north, was occupied by the Sioux. In the southwest part of the Territory, lying mostly 
south of latitude 43° — -in the country reaching to the Missouri State boundary line south, and 
to the Missouri river west — were the homes of the Pottawattamies, the lowas, and the Sacs and 
Foxes. Between the Wisconsin river and the Mississippi, and extending north to the south 
line of the Chippewas was the territory of the Winnebagoes. East of the Winnebagoes in the 
country north of the Fox river of Green bay were located the Menomonees, their lands 
extending to Wolf river. Such was the general outline of Indian occupancy in Wisconsin 
Territory at its organization. .'V portion of the country east of Wolf river and north of Green 
•bay and the Fox river; the whole of the area lying south of Green bay. Fox river and the 
Wisconsin ; and a strip of territory immediately west of the Mississippi, about fifty miles in 
width, and extending from the Missouri State line as far north as the northern boundary of the 
present State of Iowa, constituted the whole extent of country over which the Indians had 
no claim. 

The second session of the first legislative assembly of the Territory began at lUirlington, 
now the county seat of Des Moines county, Iowa, on the 6th of November, 1S37. The governor, 
in his message, recommended a codification of the laws, the organization of the militia, and other 
measures of interest to the people. An act was passed providing for taking another census, and 
one abolishing imprisonment for debt. By a joint resolution, congress was urged to make an 
appropriation of twenty thousand dollars in money, and two townships of land for a " University 
of the Territory of Wisconsin." The money was not appropriated, but the land was granted — 
forty-six thousand and eighty acres. This was the fundamental endowment of the present State 
university, at Madison. .V bill was also passed to regulate the sale of school lands, and to 
prdpare for organizing, regulating aiid perfecting schools. Another act, which passed the 
legislature at this session, proved an apple of discord to the people of the Territory. The 
measure was intended to provide ways and means whereby to connect, by canals and slack- 
water, the waters of Lake Michigan with those of the Mississippi, by way of Rock river, the 
Catfish, the four lakes and the Wisconsin, by the incorporation of the Milwaukee and Rock 
river canal company. This company was given authority to appl\- to congress for an appro- 
priation in money or lands to aid in the construction of the work, which was to have its eastern 
■outlet in the Milwaukee river, and to unite at its western terminus with Rock river, near the 
present village of Jefferson, in Jefferson county. The result was that a grant of land of odd- 
numbered sections in a strip of territory five miles on each side of the line of the proposed canal 
was secured, and in July, 1839, over forty thousand acres were sold at the minimum price of 
two dollars and fifty cents per acre. However, owing mainly to the fact that purchasers were 
compelled to pay double the government price for their lands — owing also to the circumstance 
of an antagonism growing up between tlie officers of the canal company and the Territorial 
officers intrusted with the disposition of the lands, and to confiicts between the beneficiaries of 



46 HISTORY OF WISCOIs^SIN. 

the grant and some of the leading politicians of the time ^ the whole scheme proved a curse 
and a blight rather than a blessing, and eventuating, of course, in the total failure of the project. 
There had been much Territorial and State legislation concerning the matter ; but very little 
work, meanwhile, was done on the canal. It is only within the year 1S75 that an apparent 
quietus has been given to the subject, and legislative enactments forever put at rest. 

Fourteen counties were set off during this session of the legislature at Burlington — all 
west of the Mississippi. They were Benton, Buchanan, Cedar, Clinton, Delaware, Fayette, 
Jackson, Johnson, Jones, Keokuk, Linn, Slaughter, Scott and Clayton. One hundred and five 
acts and twenty joint resolutions were passed. On the 20th of January, 1S3S, both houses 
adjourned until the second Monday of June following. 

The census of the Territory having been taken in May, the special session of the first legis- 
lature commenced on the eleventh of June, 183S, at Burlington, pursuant to adjournment, mainly 
for the purpose of making a new apportionment of members of the house. This was effected by 
giving twelve members to the counties east of the Mississippi, and fourteen to those west of that 
stream, to be contingent, however, upon the division of the Territory, which measure was not 
only then before congress, but had been actually passed by that body, though unknown to the 
Territorial legislature. The law made it incumbent on the governor, in the event of the Terri- 
tory being divided before the ne.xt general election, to make an apportionment for the part 
remaining, — enacting that the one made by the act of the legislature should, in that case, have 
no effect. Having provided that the ne.xt session should be held at Madison, the legislative body 
adjourned sim die on the twenty-fifth of June, 1S3S, the public buildings at the new capital 
having been put under contract in April, previous. Up to this time, the officers of the Territory 
at large, appointed by the president of the United States at its organization, had remained 
unchanged, e.xcept that the secretary, John S. Horner, had been removed and his place given to- 
William B. Slaughter, by appointment, dated February 16, 1837. Now there were two other 
changes made. On the nineteenth of June, Edward James was commissioned marshal, and on 
the fifth of July, Moses M. Strong was commissioned attorney of the United States for the Ter- 
ritory. By an act of congress, approved June 12, 1838, to divide the Territory of Wisconsin, 
and to establish a Territorial government west of the Mississippi, it was provided that from and 
after the third day of July following, all that part of Wisconsin Territory lying west of that river 
and west of a line drawn due north from its headwaters or sources to the Territorial line, for the 
purposes of a Territorial government should be set apart and known by the name of Iowa. It 
was further enacted that the Territory of Wisconsin should thereafter extend westward only to 
the Mississippi. It will be seen therefore that all that portion of the present State of Minnesota, 
extending eastward from the Mississippi to the St. Croix and northv/ard to the United States 
boundary line, was then a part of Wisconsin Territory, even after the organization of the Terri- 
tory of Iowa. The census taken in May, just previous to the passage of this act, gave a total 
population to the several counties of the Territory, east of the Mississippi, of 18,149. 

On the third Monday of July, 183S, the annual terms of the supreme court — the first one 
after the re-organization of the Territory of Wisconsin — -was held at Madison. There were 
present Chief Justice Dunn and .\ssociate Judge Frazer. After admitting five attorneys to 
practice, hearing several motions, and granting several rules, the court adjourned. All the terras 
of the Supreme Court thereafter were held at Madison. 

At an election held in the Territory on the tenth day of September, 1S38, James Duane Doty 
received the highest number of votes for the office of delegate to congress, and was declared by 
Governor Dodge duly elected, by a certificate of election, issued on the twenty-seventh day of 
October following. Upon the commencement of the third session of the twenty- fifth congress 



WISCOXSIX TKKHITORY. 47 

on Monday, December lo, 1S3S, Isaac E. Crary, member from Michigan, announced to the chair 
of the house of representatives that Doty was in attendance as delegate from Wisconsin Terri- 
tory, and moved that he be qualified. Jones, the former delegate, then rose and protested 
against Doty's right to the seat, claiming that his (Jones') term had not expired. The basis for 
his claim was that under the act of 181 7, a delegate must be elected only for one congress, and 
not for parts of two congressional terms; that his term ns a delegate from Wisconsin did not 
commence until the fourth of March, 1837, and consequently would not e.xpire until the fourth 
of March, 1839. The subject was finally referred to the committee of elections. This com- 
mittee, on the fourteenth of January, 1839, reported in favor of Doty's right to his seat as dele- 
gate, submitting a resolution to that effect which passed the house by a vote of one hundred and 
sixty-five to twenty-five. Whereupon Doty was cpialified as delegate from Wisconsin Territory, 
and took his seat at the date last mentioned. 

On the Sth of November, Andrew (J. Miller was appointed by Martin Van Buren, then 
president of the United States, associate judge of the supreme court, to succeed Judge Frazer, 
who died at Milwaukee, on the i8th of October. During this year, Moses M. Strong succeeded 
W. W. Chapman as United States attorney for the Territory. 

On the 26th day of November, 1838, the legislature of the re-organized Territory of Wis- 
consin — being the first session of the second legislative assembl) — met at Madison. Governor 
Dodge, in his message, recommended an investigation of the banks then in operation, memorial- 
izing congress for a grant of lands for the improvement of the Fox river of Green bay and the 
Wisconsin; the revision of the laws; the division of the Territory into judicial districts; the 
justice of granting to all miners who have obtained the ownership of mineral grounds under the 
regulations of the superintendent of the United States lead mines, either by discovery or pur- 
chase, the right of pre-emption; and the improvement of the harbors on Lake Michigan. 

The attention of this Legislature was directed to the mode in which the commissioners of 
public buildings had discharged their duties There was an investigation of the three banks 
then in operation in the Territory — one at Green Bay, one at Mineral Point, and the other at 
Milwaukee. A plan, also, for the revision of the laws of the Territory was considered. A new 
assignment was made for the holding of district courts. Chief Justice Dunn was assigned to the 
first district, composed of the counties of Iowa, Grant and Crawford; Judge Irvin to the second, 
composed of the counties of Dane, Jefferson, Rock, Walworth and Green; while Judge Miller 
was assigned to the third district, composed of Milwaukee, Brown and Racine counties — includ- 
ing therein the unorganized counties of Washington and Dodge, which, for judicial purposes, 
were, when constituted by name and Iwundary, attached to Milwaukee county, and had so 
remained since that date. The legislature adjourned on the 22d of December, to meet again on 
the 2ist of the following month. "Although," said the president of the council, upon the occasion 
of the adjournment, "but few acts of a general character have l.)een passed, as the discussions and 
action of this body have been chiefly confined to bills of a local nature, and to the passage ot' 
memorials to the parent government in behalf of the great interests of the Territory; yet it is 
believed that the concurrent resolutions of the two houses authorizing a revision of the laws, is a 
measure of infinite importance to the true interests of the people, anil to the credit and charac- 
ter of the Territory." 

Tbe census of the Territory iiaving been taken during the year 1838, showed a population 
of 18,130, an increase in two years of 6,447. 

The second session of the second legislative assembly commenced on the twenty-first day of 
January, 1839, agreeable to adjournment. The most important work was the revision of the laws 
which had been perfected during the recess, by the committee to whom the work was intrusted; 



48 HISTOKY OF WISCONSIN. 

consisting of three members from each house : from the council, M. L. Martin, Marshall M. 
Strong, and James Collins ; from the house of representatives, Edward V. Whiton, Augustus 
Story, and Barlow Shackleford. The act legalizing the revision, took effect on the fourth day of 
July following. The laws as revised, composed the principal part of those forming the Revised 
Statutes of 1839, a valuable volume for all classes in the territory — and especially so for the 
courts and lawyers — during the next ten years. The sine die adjournment of this legislature took 
place on the nth of March, 1839. 

On the 8th of March of this year, Henry Dodge, whose term for three years as governor 
was about to expire, was again commissioned by the president of the United States, as governor 
of the Territory of Wisconsin. At the July term of the supreme court, all the judges were pre- 
sent, and several cases were heard and decided. A seal for the court was also adopted. The 
attorney general of the Territory at this time was H. N. Wells, who had been commissioned by 
Governor Dodge, on the 30th of March previous, in place of H. S. Baird, resigned. Wells not 
being in attendance at this term of the court, Franklin J. Munger was appointed by the judge 
attorney general for that session. The clerk, John Catlin having resigned, Simeon Mills was 
selected by the court to fill his place. From this time, the supreme court met annually, as pro- 
vided by law, until Wisconsiri became a State. 

The next legislature assembled at Madison, on the second of December, 1839. This was 
the third session of the second legislative assembly of the Territory. The term for which mem- 
bers of the house were elected, would soon expire ; it was therefore desirable that a new appor- 
tionment should be made. As the census would be taken the ensuing June, by the United States, 
it would be unnecessary for the Territory to make an additional enumeration. A short session 
was resolved upon, and then an adjournment until after the completion of the census. One of 
the subjects occupying largely the attention of the members, was the condition of the capitol, 
and the conduct of the commissioners intrusted with the money appropriated by congress to 
defray the cost of its construction. The legislature adjourned on the thirteenth of January, 
1840, to meet again on the third of the ensuing August. The completion of the census showed 
a population for the Territory of thirty thousand seven hundred and forty-four, against eighteen 
thousand one hundred and thirty, two years previous. Upon the re-assembling of the legisla- 
ture — which is known as the extra session of the second legi-lative assembly — at the time agreed 
upon, some changes were made in the apportionment of members to the house of representa- 
tives ; the session lasted but a few days, a final adiournment taking place on the fourteenth of 
August, 1840. At the July term of the supreme court, Simeon Mills resigned the office of 
clerk, and La Fayette Kellogg was appointed in his place. Kellogg continued to hold the posi- 
tion until the state judiciary was organized. At the ensuing election, James Duane Doty was 
re-elected Territorial delegate, taking his seat for the first time under his second term, on the 
eighth day of December, 1840, at the commencement of the second session of the twenty-sixth 
congress. 

The first session of the third legislative assembly commence^ on the seventh of December, 
1840, with all new members in the house except three. All had recently been elected under the 
new apportionment. Most of the session was devoted to the ordinary routine of legislation. 
There was, however, a departure, in the passage of two acts granting divorces, from the usual 
current of legislative proceedings in the Territory. There was, also, a very interesting contested 
election case between two members from Brown county. Such was the backwardness in regard 
to the building of the capitol, at this date, that a large majority of the members stood ready to 
remove the seat of government to some other place. However, as no particular point could be 
agreed upon, it remained at Madison. The legislature adjourned on the nineteenth of February, 



WISCOKSIN TET^KITOHV. 49 

1S41, having continued a term of seventy-five days, the maximum time limited by the organic act. 
Francis J. Dunn, appointed by Martin Van I>uren, was commissioned in place of WilHam 
B. Slaughter, as secretary of the Territory, on the .:5th of January, 1841, but was himself super- 
ceded by the appointment of A. P. Fiehl, on the 2^d day of April following. On the 15th of 
March, Daniel Hugunin was commissioned as marshal in place of Edward James, and on the 
27th of April, Thomas W. Sutherland succeeded Moses M. Strong as United States attorney 
for the Territory. On the 26th of June, Governor Dodge commissioned as attorney general of 
the Territory, M. M. Jacikson. On the 13th of September following. Dodge was removed from 
office by John Tyler, then president of the United States, and James Duane Doty appointed in 
his place. The appointment of Doty, then the delegate of the Territory in congress, by the 
|)resident of the United States as governor, and the consequent resignation of the latter of his 
seat in the house of representatives, caused a vacancy which was filled by the election of Henry 
Dodge to that office, on the 27th of September, 1841; so that Doty and Dodge changed places. 
Dodge took his seat for the first time, at the commencement of the second session of the twenty- 
fifth congress — Monday, December 7, 1841. 

About this time, the Milwaukee and Rock river canal uiibroglio broke out afresh. The 
loan agent appointed by the governor to negotiate a loan of one hundred thousand dollars for 
the work, reported that he had negotiated fifty-six thousand dollars of bonds, which had been 
issued; but he did not report what kind of money was to be received for them. Now, the canal 
commissioners claimed that it was their right and duty not to recognize any loan which was to 
be paid in such currency as they disapproved of. This dispute defeated the loan, and stopped 
all work on the canal. During the year 1841, Thomas W. Sutherland succeeded Moses M. 
Strong as United States attorney. The second session of the third legislative assembly began 
at Madison, on the sixth of December, 1841. Governor Doty, in his message to that body, 
boldly avowed the doctrine that no law of the Territory was effective, until expressly approved 
by congress. " The act," said he, " establishing the government of Wisconsin, in the third sec- 
tion, requires the secretary of the Territory to transmit annually, on or before the first Monday 
in December, ' two copies of the laws to the sjjeaker of the house of representatives, for the 
use of congress.' The si.xth section provides that 'all laws of the governor and legislative 
assembly shall be submitted to, and, if disapproved by the congress of the United States, the 
same shall be null and of no effect.' " "These provisions," he added, " it seems to me, recjuire 
the laws to be actually submitted to congress before they take effect. They change the law by 
which this country was governed while it was a part of Michigan. That law provided that 
the laws should be reported to congress, and that they should 'be in force in the district until 
the organization of the general assembly therein, unless disapproved of by congress.' " The 
governor concluded in these words: "The opinion of my predecessor, which was expressed to 
the first legislature assembled after the organization of this government, in his message delivered 
at Belmont on the twenty-sixth day of October, i8j6, fully sustains this view of the subject which 
I have presented. He said: 'We have convened under an act of congress of the United States 
establishing the Territorial government of Wisconsin, for the purpose of enacting such laws as 
may be required for the government of the people of this Territory, after their approval by con- 
gress.'" This construction of the organic act resulted in a lengthy warfare between the gov- 
ernor and the legislative assembly. 

.■\t this session, the Milwaukee and Rock river canal again raised a tumult. "Congress 
had made a valuable grant of land to the Territory in trust. The 'I'erritory was the trustee; 
the canal company the ca/ia' ,/ut- trust. The trust had been accepted, and a large portion of 
the lands h d been sold, one tenth of the purchase money received, and am[)le securities held 



50 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

for the balance.'' The Territory now, by its legislature, repealed all the laws authorizing a 
loan, and all which contemplated the expenditure of any money on its part in constructing the 
canal. The legislature resolved that all connection ought to be dissolved, and the work on 
the canal by the Territory abandoned, and that the latter ought not further to execute the 
trust. They resolved also that the congress be requested to divert the grant to such other 
internal improvements as should be designated by the Territory, subject to the approval of 
congress; and that, if the latter should decline to make this diversion, it was requested to take 
back the grant, and dispose of the unsold lands. On the eleventh of February, 1842, a tragedy 
was enacted in the legislative council, causing great excitement over the whole Territory. On 
that day, Charles C. P. Arndt, a member from Brown county, was, while that body was in 
session, shot dead by James R. Vineyard, a member from Grant county. The difficulty grew 
out of a debate on motion to lay on the table the nomination of Enos S. Baker to the office of 
sheriff of Grant county. Immediately before adjournment of the council, the parties who had 
come together, after loud and angry words had been spoken, were separated by the by-standers. 
When an adjournment had been announced, they met again ; whereupon Arndt struck at Vine- 
yard. The latter then drew a pistol and shot Arndt. He died in a few moments. Vineyard 
immediately surrendered himself to the sheriff of the county, waived an examination, and was 
committed to jail. After a short confinement, he was brought before the chief justice of the 
Territory, on a writ oi habeas corpus, and admitted to bail. He was afterward indicted for man- 
slaughter, was tried and accjuitted. Three days after shooting Arndt, Vineyard sent in his 
resignation as member of the council. That body refused to receive it, or to have it read even ; 
but at once expelled him. The second and last session of the third legislative assembly came 
to a close on the eighteenth of February, 1842. 

The first session of the fourth legislative assembly commenced on the fifth day of Decem- 
ber, 1842. The members had been elected under a new apportionment based upon a census 
taken in the previous June, which showed a total population for the Territory of forty-six thou- 
sand six hundred and seventy-eight — an increase of nearly ten thousand in two years. A politi- 
cal count showed a decided democratic majority in each house. Governor Doty's political 
proclivities were with the whig party. The contest between him and the legislature now 
assumed a serious character. He refused to "hold converse" with it, for the reason that, in his 
opinion, no appropriation had been made by congress to defray the expenses of the session, and, 
as a consequence, none could be held. The legislature made a representation to congress, then 
in session, of the objections of the governor, and adjourned on the tenth of December, to meet 
again on the thirteenth of January, 1S43. It was not until the fourth of February following that 
a quorum in both houses hac^assembled, when the legislature, through a joint committee, waited 
on the governor, and informed him that they had again met according to adjournment, and were 
then ready to proceed to business. Previous to this time, congress had made an appropriation 
to cover the expenses of the legislature now in session, which it was supposed would remove all 
conflict about its legality. But the governor had, on the thirtieth day of January previous, issued 
a proclamation, convening a special session of the legislature on the sixth of March, and still 
refused to recognize the present one as legal. Both houses then adjourned to the day fixed by 
the executive. A final adjournment took place on the seventeenth of April following. 

The term of two years for which Henry Dodge was elected as delegate, having expired at 
the close of the third session of the twenty-seventh congress, he was, on the twenty-fifth of Sep- 
tember, 1843, re-elected, taking his seat for the first time on his second term at the commence- 
ment of the first session of the twenty-eighth congress, Monday, December 4, 1843. On 
the thirtieth of October of this year, George Floyd was commissioned by President Tyler as 



WISCOXSIX TERRITORY. ?! 

secretary of the Territory, in place of A. P. Field. 

The second session of the fourth legislative assembly of the Territory, commencing on the 
fourth of December, 1843, and terminating on the thirty-first of January, 1844 — a period of fifty- 
nine davs — accomplished but little worthy of especial mention, except the submission of the 
question.-of the formation of a State government to a vote of the people, to be taken at the gene- 
ral election to be held in September following. The proposition did not succeed at the ballot- 
box. The third session of the fourth legislative assembly did not commence until the sixth of 
January, 1845, as the time had been changed to the first Monday in that month for annual meet- 
ings. Governor Doty having persisted in spelling Wisconsin with a "k" and an "a" — Wis- 
X'ons<?n — and some of the people having adopted his method, it was thought by this legislature 
a matter of sufficient importance to be checked. So, by a joint resolution, the orthography — 
WisiTonsm — employed in the organic act, was adopted as the true one for the Territory, and has 
ever since been used. Before the commencement of this session Doty's term of office had 
expired. He was superseded .is governor of the Territory by N. P. Tallmadge, the latter having 
been appointed on the twenty-first of June, 1S44. On the thirly-first of August, Charles M. 
Prevost was appointed marshal of the Territory, in place of Daniel Hugunin. There was the 
utmost harmony between Governor Tallmadge and the legislature of the Territory at its session 
in T845. 

His message, which was delivered to the two houses in person, on the seventeenth of January, 
was well received. Among other items of interest to which he called the attention of the legis- 
lative assembly, was one concerning the construction of a railroad to connect Lake Michigan witli 
the Mississippi. " The interests of the Territory," said he, " seem inperiously to demand the con- 
struction of a railroad, or other communication, from some suitable point on Lake Michigan to 
the Mississippi river. Much difference of opinion seems to exist as to what it shall be, and how 
it is to be accomplished. There is a general impression," continued the governor, "that the con- 
struction of the Milwaukee and Rock river canal, which was intended to connect those waters, is 
abandoned. It remains to be seen what shall he substituted for it." The session terminated on 
the twenty-fourth of February, 1S45. 

James K. Polk having been inaugurated president of the United States on the fourth of 
March, 1845, Henry Dodge was again put into the gubernatorial chair of the Territory, receiving 
his appointment on the eighth of April, 1845. Other changes were made by the president during 
the same year, John B. Rockwell being, on the fourteenth of March, appointed marshal, and W. 
P. Lynde, on tlie fourteenth of July, United States attorney for the Territory, Governor Tall- 
madge, on the twenty-second of January of this year, having commissioned the latter also as 
attorney general. On the twenty-second of September, Morgan L. Martin was elected delegate 
to the twenty-ninth congress, as the successor of Henry Dodge. 

The fourth and last session of the fourth legislative assembly was organized on the fifth of 
January, 1846. This session, although a short one, proved very important. Preliminar_\ 3teps 
were taken for the formation of a State government. The first Tuesday in .\pril next succeeding 
was the day fixed upon for the people to vote for or against the proposition. When taken it 
resulted in a large majority voting in favor of the measure. An act was passed providing for taking 
the census of the Territory, and for the apportionment by the governor of delegates to form a 
State constitution, based upon the new enumeration. The delegates were to be elected on the first 
Monday in September, and the convention was to assemble on the first Monday in October, 1S46. 
The constitution wlien formed was to be submitted to the vote of the people for adoption or 
rejection, as, at the close of the session, the terms of members of the council who had been elected 
for four years, and of the house, who had been elected for two years, all ended. The legislature 



52 HISTORY OF AVISCOXSm. 

re-organized the election districts, and conferred on the governor the power and duty of making 
an apportionment, based on the census to be taken, for the next legislative assembly, when, on 
the third of February, 1846, both houses adjourned sine die. On the twenty-second of January, 
Governor Dodge appointed A. Hyatt Smith attorney general of the Territory. On the twenty- 
fourth of February, John Catlin was appointed Territorial secretary by the president. 

The census taken in the following June showed a population for the Territory of one hun- 
dred and fifty-five thousand two hundred and seventy-seven. Delegates having been elected to 
form a constitution for the proposed new State, met at Madison on the fifth day of October. 
After completing their labors, they adjourned. This event took place on the sixteenth of 
December, 1S46. The constitution thus formed was submitted to a popular vote on the first 
Tuesday of April, 1847, and rejected. The first session of the fifth legislative assembly com- 
menced on the fourth of January of that year. But little was done. Both houses finally 
adjourned on the eleventh of February, 1847. John H. Tweedy was elected as the successor 
of Morgan L. Martin, delegate to the thirtieth congress, on the sixth of September following. On 
the twenty-seventh of that month, Governor Dodge issued a proclamation for a special session 
of the legislature, to commence on the eighteenth of the ensuing month, to take action concern- 
ing the admission of Wisconsin into the Union. The two houses assembled on the day named 
in the proclamation, and a law was passed for the holding of another convention to frame a 
constitution ; when, after nine days' labor, they adjourned. Delegates to the new convention 
were elected on the last Monday of November, and that body met at Madison on the fifteenth 
of December, 1847. A census of the Territory was taken this year, which showed a population 
of two hundred and ten thousand five hundred and forty-six. The result of the labors of the 
second constitutional convention was the formation of a constitution, which, being submitted 
to the people on the second Monday of March, 1848, was duly ratified. 

The second and last session of the fifth legislative assembly — the last legislative assembly 
of Wisconsin Territory — commenced on the seventh of February, 1S48, and adjourned .y///^ <z'/V- 
on the thirteenth of March following. On the twentieth of the same month, J. H. Tweedy, 
delegate from Wisconsin, introduced a bill in congress for its admission into the Union. The 
bill was finally passed; and on the twenty-ninth of May, 1848, Wisconsin became a State. 
There had been seventeen sessions of the legislative assembly of the Territory, of an average 
duration of forty days each : the longest one lasted seventy-six days ; the shortest, ten days. So 
long as the Territory had an existence, the apportionment of thirteen members for the council, and 
twenty-six for the house of representatives, was continued, as provided in the organic act. 
There had been, besides those previously mentioned, nine additional counties " set off " by the 
legislative assembly of the Territory, so that they now numbered in all twenty-eight : Milwaukee, 
Waukesha, Jefferson, Racine, Walworth, Rock, Green, Washington, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Calu- 
met, Brown, Winnebago, Fond du Lac, Marquette, Sauk, Portage, Columbia, Dodge, Dane, Iowa, 
La Fayette, Grant, Richland, Crawford, Chippewa, St. Croix, and La Pointe. 

v.— WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 

First Administration. — Nelson Dewey, Governor — 1848, 1849. 

The boundaries prescribed in the act of congress, entitled "An Act to enable the people of 
Wisconsin Territory to form a Constitution and State Government, and for the admission of such 
State into the Union," approved August 6, 1846, were accepted by the convention which formed 
the constitution of Wisconsin, and are described in that instrument as " beginning at the north- 
east corner of the State of Illinois — that is to say, at a point in the center of Lake Michigan 



WISrOXSIX AS A STATE. 53 

where the line of forty-two degrees and thirty minutes of north latitude crosses the same ; thence 
running with the boundary line of the State of .Michigan, through Lake Michigan [and] Green 
bay to the mouth of the Menomonee river ; thence up the channel of the said river to the Brule 
river; thence up said last mentioned river to Lake Brule; thence along the southern shore of 
Lake Brule, in a direct line to the center of the channel between Middle and South islands, in 
the Lake of the Desert; thence in a direct line to the head waters of the Montreal river, as 
marked upon the survey m.ide by Captain Cram ; thence down the main channel of the Mon- 
treal river to the middle of Lake Superior ; thence through the center of Lake Superior to the 
mouth of the St. Louis river; thence up the main channel of said river to the first rapids in the 
same, above the Indian village, according to Nicollett's map ; thence due south to the main 
branch of the River St. C'roix ; thence down the main channel of said river to the Mississippi ; 
thence down the center of the main channel of that river to the northwest corner of the State 
of Illinois ; thence due east with the northern boundary of the State of Illinois to the place of 
beginning " The territory included within these lines constitutes the St.\te of Wisconsin, 
familiarly known as the " Badger State." .\11 that portion of Wisconsin Territorv, as formerly- 
constituted, lying west of so much of the above mentioned boundary as extends from the middle 
of Lake Superior to the mouth of the St. Croix river, not being included in Wisconsin, the limits 
of the State are, of course, not identical with those of the Territory as they previously existed. 

The State of Wisconsin, thus bounded, is situated between the jiarallei of forty-two degrees 
thirty minutes and that of forty-seven degrees, north latitude, and l^etween the eighty-seventh 
and ninety-third degrees west longitude, nearly. For a portion of its northern border it has 
Lake Superior, the largest body of fresh water in the world ; for a part of its eastern boundary it 
has Lake Michigan, almost equal in si/e to Lake Superior ; while the Mississippi, the largest 
river in the world but one, forms a large portion of its western boundary. The State of Michi- 
gan lies on the east ; Illinois on the south ; Iowa and Minnesota on the west. \\'isconsin has art 
average length of about two hundred and sixty miles; an average breadth of two hundred anct 
fifteen miles. 

The constitution of Wisconsin, adopted by the peojde on the second Monday of March, 
1848, provided for the election of a governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, treasurer, 
attorney general, members of the State legislature, and members of congress, on the second 
Monday of the ensuing May. On that day — the 8th of the month — the election was held, 
which resulted in the choice of Nelson Dewey, for governor ; John E. Holmes, for lieutenant 
governor; Thomas McHugh, for secretary of state; Jairus C. Fairchild, for state treasurer; 
and James S. Brown, for attorney general. The State was divided into nineteen senatorial, and 
sixty-si.x assembly districts, in each of which one member was elected ; it was also divided intcc 
two congressional districts, in each of which one member of congress was elected-- Witliant 
Pitt Lynde in the first district, composed of the counties of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Jefferson, 
Racine, Walworth, Rock, and Green ; Mason C. Darling, in the second district, composed of the 
counties of Washington, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Calumet, Brown, Winnebago, Fond du Lac, 
Marquette, Sauk, Portage, Columbia, Dodge, Dane, Iowa, La Fayette, Grant, Richland, Craw- 
ford, Chippewa, St. Croix, and La I'ointe — the counties of Richland, Chipjiewa and La Pointe 
being unorganized. 

The first session of the legislature of Wisconsin commenced at Madison, the seat of govern- 
ment for the State, on Monday, the 5th day of June, 1S48. Ninean E. Whiteside was elettedi 
speaker of the assembly, and Henry Billings president of the senate, /w ti-mporc. The democrats 
were largely in the majority in both houses. The legislature, in joint convention, on tlie 7th of 
June, canvassed, in accordance with the provisions of the constitution, the votes given on the 
8th of May previous, for the State officers and the two representatives in congress. On the same 



54 HISTORY OF ^yISCOX,SIN. 

day, the governor, lieutenant governor, secretary ot state, treasurer, and. attorney general, were 
sworn into office in presence of both houses. All these officers, as well as the repj-esentatives in 
congress, were democrats. Dewey's majority over John H. Tweedy, whig, was five thousand and 
eifhtv-nine. William P. Lynde's majority in the first district, for congress, over Edward V. 
Whiton, whig, was two thousand four hundred and forty-seven. Mason C. Darling's majority in 
the second district, over Alexander L. Collins, whig, was two thousand eight hundred and forty- 
six. As the thirtieth congress, to which Lynde and Darling were elected would expire on the 4th 
of March, 1849, their terms of office would, of course, end on that day. The former took his 
seat on the 5th of June, the latter on the 9th of June, 1S4S. 

The constitution vested the judicial power of the .State in a supreme court, circuit courts, 
courts of probate, and in justices of the peace, giving the legislature power to vest such juris- 
diction as should be deemed necessary in municipal courts ; also, conferring upon it the power 
to establish inferior courts in the several counties, with limited civil and criminal jurisdiction. 
The State was divided into five judicial circuits; and judges were to be elected at a time to be 
provided for by the legislature at its first session. It was provided that there should be no 
election for a judge or judges, at any geseral election for State or county officers, nor within 
thirty days either before or after such election. 

On the Sth of June, 1848, Governor Dewey delivered his first message to a joint convention 
of the two houses. It was clear, concise, and definite upon such subjects as, in his opinion 
demanded immediate attention. His views were generally regarded as sound and statesmanlike 
by the people of the State. " You have convened," said he, "under the provisions of the con- 
stitution of the State of Wisconsin, to perform as representatives of the people, the important 
duties contemplated by that instrument." " The first session of the legislature of a free people," 
continued the governor, " after assuming the political identity of a sovereign State, is an event of 
no ordinary character in its history, and will be fraught with consequences of the highest 
importance to its future welfare and prosperity. Wisconsin possesses the natural elements, 
fostered by the judicious system of legislation," the governor added, " to become one of the 
most populous and prosperous States of the American Union. AVith a soil unequaled in fertility, 
and productive of all the necessary comforts of life, rich in mineral wealth, with commercial 
advantages unsurpassed by any inland State, possessing extensive manufacturing facilities, with a 
salubrious climate, and peopled with a population enterprising, industrious, and intelligent, the 
course of the State of Wisconsin must be onward, until she ranks among the first of the States 
of the Great West. It is," concluded the speaker, " under the most favorable auspices that the 
State of Wisconsin has taken her position among the families of States. With a population 
numbering nearly one quarter of a million, and rapidly increasing, free from the incubus of a 
State debt, and rich in the return yielded as the reward of labor in all the branches of industrial 
pursuits, our State occupies an enviable position abroad, that is highly gratifying to the pride of 
our people." Governor Dewey then recommended a number of measures necessary, in his 
judgment, to be made upon changing from a Territorial to a State government. 

The first important business of the legislature, was the election of two United States 
senators. The successful candidates were Henry Dodge and Isaac P. Walker, both democrats. 
Their election took place on the Sth of June, 1848, Dodge taking his seat in the senate on the 
23d of June, and Walker on the 26th of June, 1S48. The latter drew the short term; so that 
his office would expire on the 4th day of March, 1849, at the end of the thirtieth congress : 
Dodge drew the long term, his office to expire on the 4th day of March, 1S51, at the end of the 
thirty-first congress. The residue of the session was taken up in passing such acts as were 
deemed necessary to put the machinery of the new State government, in all its branches, in fair 



WISCONSIX AS A STATE. 55 

running order. One was passed providing for the annual meeting of the legishatiire, on the 
second Wednesday of January of each year; another prescribing the duties of State officers; 
one dividing the State into three congressional districts. The first district was composed of the 
counties of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Walworth, and Racine ; the second, of the counties of Rock, 
Green, I.a Fayette, Grant, Dane, Iowa, Sauk, Ri(-hl "nd, Crawford, .\dains, Portage, Chippewa, La 
Pointe, and St. Croix; the third, of the counties of Washington, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Brown, 
Winnebago, Calumet, Fond du Lac, Marquette, Dodge, Jefferson, and Columbia. Another act 
provided for the election of judges of the circuit courts, on the first Monday of August, 1S48. 
By the same act, it was provided that the first term of the supreme court should be held in 
Madison on the second Monday of January, 1849, and thereafter at the same place on the same 
day, yearly; afterward changed so as to hold a January and June term in each year. An act 
was also passed providing for the election, and defining the duties of State superintendent of 
public instruction. That officer was to be elected at the general election to be holden in each 
year, his term of office to commence on the first Monday of January succeeding his election. 
Another act established a State university ; another e.xempted a homestead from a forced sale ; 
another provided for a revision of the statutes. The legislature, after a session of eighty-five 
days, adjourned sine die on the twenty-first of August, 1S48. 

The State, as previously stated, was divided into five judicial circuits : Edward V. Wliiton 
being chosen judge at the election on the first Monday in .Vugust, 1S48, of the first circuit, com- 
posed of the counties of Racine, Walworth, Rock, and Green, as then constituted ; Levi Hubbell 
of the second, composed of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Jefferson, and Dane ; Charles H. Larrabee, 
of the third, composed of Washington, Dodge, Columbia, Marquette, Sauk, and Portage, as then 
formed; .Vlexander W. Stow, of the fourth, composed of Brown, ^Lanitowoc, Sheboygan, Fond 
du Lac, Winnebago, and Calumet; and Mortimer M. Jackson, of the fifth circuit, composed of 
the counties of Iowa, LaFayette, Grant, Crawford and St. Croix, as then organized ; the county 
of Richland being attached to Iowa county; the county of Chippewa to the county of Craw- 
ford ; and the county of LaPointe to the county of St. Croix, for judicial purposes. 

In the ensuing Fall there was a presidential election. There were then three organized 
political parties in the State : whig, democratic, and free-soil — each of which had a ticket in 
the field. The democrats were in the majority, and their four electors cast their votes for Lewis 
Cass and William O. Butler, .^t this election, Eleazer Root was the successful candidate for State 
superintendent of public instruction. In his election party politics were not considered. There 
were also three members for the thirty-first congress chosen : Charles Durkee, to represent the 
first district; Orsamus Cole, the second; and James I). Dotv, the third district. Durkee 
was a free-soilcr; Cole, a whig ; Doty, a democrat — with somewhat decided Doty proclivities. 
Tlie act of the legislature, exempting a homestead from forced sale of any debt or liability 
contracted after January i, 1S49, approved the twenty-ninth of July previous, and another act 
for a like exemjjtion of certain personal property, approved .Vugust 10, 1848, were laws the most 
liberal in their nature passed by any State of the Union previous to those dates. It was prophe- 
sied that they would work wonderful changes in the business transactions of the new State — for 
the worse; but time passed, and their utility were soon evident: it was soon very generally 
acknowledged that proper exemption laws were highly beneficial — a real "good to the greatest 
number of the citizens of a State. 

So much of Wisconsin Territory as lay west of the St. Croix and the State boundary north 
of it, was, upon the admission of ^Visconsin into the Union, left, for the time being, without a 
government — unless it was still "Wisconsin Territory." Henry Dodge, upon being elected to the 
United States senate from Wisconsin, vacated, of course, the office of governor of this fraction. 
John H, Tweedy, delegate in congress at the time Wisconsin became a State, made a formal 



56 HISTORY OF WISCONSIIs^. 

resignation of his office, thus leaving the fractional Territory unrepresented. Thereupon John 
Catlin, secretary of the Territory of Wisconsin as a whole, and now claiming, by virtue of that 
office, to be acting governor of the fractional part, issued a proclamation as such officer for an 
election on the thirtieth of October, 1848, of a delegate in congress. Nearly four hundred votes 
were polled in the district, showing ''VViscontin Territory" still to have a population of not less 
than two thousand. H. H. Sibley was elected to that office. On the fifteenth of January, 1849, 
he was admitted to a seat as "delegate from Wisconsin Territory." This hastened the formation 
of the Territory of Minnesota — a bill for that purpose having become a law on the third of 
March, when " Wisconsin Territory" ceased finally to exist, being included in the new Territory. 

The year 184S — the first year of the existence of Wisconsin as a State — was one of general 
prosperity to its rapidly increasing population. The National Government effected a treaty with 
the Menomoneee Indians, by which their title was extinguished to the country north of the Fox 
river of Green bay, embracing all their lands in the State. This was an important acquisition, 
as it opened a large tract of country to civilization and settlement, which had been for a consid- 
erable time greatly desired by the people. The State government at the close of the year hac 
been in existence long enough to demonstrate its successful operation. The electric telegraph 
had already reached the capital; and Wisconsin entered its second year upon a flood tide of 
prosperity. 

Under the constitution, the circuit judges were also judges of the supreme court. An act 
of the legislature, approved June 29, 184S, providing for the election of judges, and for the 
classification and organization of the judiciary of the State, authorized the election, by the judges, 
of one of their number as chief justice. Judge Alexander W. Stow was chosen to that office, 
and, as chief justice, held, in conjunction with Associate Judges Whiton, Jackson, Larrabee, and 
Hubbell, the first session of the supreme court at Madison, commencing on the eighth day of 
January, 1849. 

The second session of the State legislature commenced, according to law, on the tenth of 
January, 1849, Harrison C. Hobart being elected speaker of the assembly. Governor Dewey, in 
his message, sent to both houses on the nth, referred to the rapidly increasing population of the 
State, and the indomitable energy displayed in the development of its productive capacity. He 
recommended the sale of the university lands on a long credit, the erection of a State prison, 
and the modification of certain laws. On the seventeenth of January, the two houses met in 
Joint convention to elect an United States senator in place of Isaac P Walker, who had drawn 
the short terra. The democrats had a small majority on joint ballot. AValker was re-elected; 
this time, for a full term of six years, from the 4th of March, 1849. The legislature at this 
session passed many acts of pr.blic utility ; some relating to the boundaries of counties ; others, 
to the laying out of roads; eighteen, to the organization of towns. The courts were cared for; 
school districts were organized ; special tax - were authorized , and an act passed relative to the 
sale and superintendence of the school and university lands, jirescribing the powers and duties 
of the commissioners who were to have cliarge of the same. These commissioners, consisting 
of the secretary of state, treasurer of state, and attorney general, were not only put in charge 
of the school and university lands held by the State, but also of funds arising from the sale of 
them. This law has been many times amended and portions of it repealed. The lands at 
present subject to sale are classified as school lands, university lands, agricultural college lands, 
Marathon county lands, normal school lands, and drainage lands, and are subject to sale at 
private entry on terms fixed by law. Regulations concerning the apportionment and investment 
of trust funds are made by the commissioners in pursuance of law. All lands now the property 
of the State subject to sale, or that have been State lands and sold, were derived from the Gen- 



"VnSCOXSIX AS A STATE. 57 

eral Government. Lands owned by the State amount, at the present time, to about one and one 
half million acres. 

A joint resolution passed the legislature on the 31st of March, 1849, instructing Isaac P. 
Walker to resign his seat as United States senator, for " presenting and voting for an amend- 
ment to tlie general ajjpropriation bill, providing for a government in California and New Mexico, 
west of the Rio Grande, which did not contain a provision forever prohibiting the introduction 
of slavery or involuntary servitude " in those Territories. The senator refused to regard these 
instructions. The legislature adjourned on the second of April, 1849. after a session of eighty- 
three days. 

In July, 184S, the legislature of Wisconsin elected M. Frank, Charles C. Jordan, and A. W. 
Randall, commissioners to collate and revise all the jjublic acts of the State, of a general and 
permanent nature in force at the close of the session. Randall declining to act, Charles M. 
Baker was appointed by the governor in his place. The commissioners commenced their labors 
in August, 1848, and were engaged in the revision the greater part of the lime until the close of 
the session of the legislature of 1849. It was found impossible for the revisers to conclude their 
labors within the time contemplated by the act authorizing their appointment; so a joint select 
committee of the two houses at their second session was appointed to assist in the work. The 
laws revised by this committee and by the commissioners, were submitted to, and approved by, 
the legislature. These laws, with a few passed by that body, which were introduced by individual 
members, formed the Revised Statutes of Wisconsin of 1849 — a volume of over nine hundred 
pages. 

At the general election held in November of this year, Dewey was re-elected governor. 
S. W. Beall was elected lieutenant governor; William A. Barstovv, secretary of state; Jairus C. 
Fairchild was re-elected treasurer; S. Park Coon was elected attorney general; and Eleazer 
Root, re-elected superintendent of public instruction. All these officers were chosen as dem- 
ocrats, except Root, who ran as an independent candidate, the term of his office having been 
changed so as to continue two years from the first day of January next succeeding his election. 
By the revised statutes of 1849, all State officers elected for a full term went into office on the 
first of January next succeeding their election. 

The year 1S49 developed in an increased ratio the productive capacity of the State in every 
department of labor. The agriculturist, the artisan, the miner, reaped the well-earned reward of 
his honest labor. The commercial and manufacturing interests were extended in a manner 
highly creditable to the enterprise of the people. The educational interest of the State began to 
assume a more systematic organization. The tide of immigration suffered no decrease during 
the year. Within the limits of Wisconsin, the oppressed of other climes continued to find 
welcome and happy homes. 

Second Administratiox. — Nelsox Dewey, Governor (Second Term) — 1850, 1851. 

On the first day of January, 1850, Nelson Dewey took the oath of office, and quietly entered 
vipon his duties as governor, for the second term. The third legislature convened on the ninth. 
Moses M. Strong was elected speaker of the assembly. Both houses had democratic majorities. 
Most of the business transacted was of a local character. By an act approved the fifth of Feb- 
ruary, the " January term " of the supreme court was changed to December. The legislature 
adjourned after a session of only thirty-four days. An act was passed organizing a sixth judicial 
circuit, from and after the first Monday in July, 1850, consisting of the counties of Crawford, 
Chippewa, Bad Axe, St. Croix and La Pointe, an election for judge to be holdcn on the same 
day. Wiram Knowlton was elected judge of that circuit. 



58 HISTORY OF WISCOXSIX. 

The first charitable institution in Wisconsin, incorporated by the State, was the " Wisconsin 
Institute for the Education of the Blind." A school for that unfortunate class had been opened 
in Janesville, in the latter part of 1859, receiving its support from the citizens of that place and 
vicinity. By an act of the legislature, approved February 9, 1850, this school was taken under 
the care of the Institute, to continue and maintain it, at Janesville, and to qualify, as far as might 
be, the blind of the State for the enjoyment of the blessings of a free government; for obtaining 
the means of subsistence ; and for the discharge of those duties, social and political, devolving 
upon American citizens. It has since been supported from the treasury of the State. On the 
seventh of October, 1850, it was opened for the reception of pupils, under the direction of a 
board of trustees, appointed by the governor. The Institute, at the present time, has three 
departments: in one is given instruction such as is usually taught in common schools; in 
another, musical training is imparted; in a third, broom-making is taught to the boys, — sewing, 
knitting and various kinds of fancy work to the girls, and seating cane-bottomed chairs to both 
boys and girls. On the thirteenth of April, 1S74, the building of the Institute was destroyed by 
fire. A new building has since been erected. 

The taking of the census by the United States, this year, showed a population for Wisconsin 
of over three hundred and five thousand — the astonishing increase in two years of nearly ninety- 
five thousand! In 1840, the population of Wisconsin Territory was only thirty thousand. This 
addition, in ten years, of two hundred and seventy-five thousand transcended all previous 
experience in the settlement of any portion of the New World, of the same extent of territory. 
It was the result of a steady and persistent flow of men and their families, seeking permanent 
homes in the young and rising State. Many were German, Scandinavian and Irish ; but 
the larger proportion were, of course, from the Eastern and Middle States of the Union. The 
principal attractions of Wisconsin were the excellency and cheapness of its lands, its valuable 
mines of lead, its extensive forests of pine, and the unlimited wa'er- power of its numerous 
streams. 

By the Revised Statutes of 1849, Wisconsin was divided into three congressional districts — 
the second congressional apportionment — each of which was entitled to elect one representative 
in the congress of the United States. The counties of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Walworth and 
Racine constituted the first district ; the counties of Rock, Green, La Fayette, Grant, Iowa, 
Dane, Sauk, Adams, Portage, Richland, Crawford, Chippewa, St. Croix and La Pointe, the second 
district; the counties of Washington, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Brown, Winnebago, Calumet, Fond 
du Lac, Marquette, Columbia, Dodge and Jefferson, the third district. At the general election 
in the Autumn of this year, Charles Durkee, of the first district; Benjamin C. Eastman, of the 
second ; and John B. Macy, of the third district, were elected to represent the State in the 
thirty-second congress of the United States. Durkee, it will be remembered, represented the 
same district in the previous congress : he ran the second time as an independent candidate. 
Eastman and Macy were elected upon democratic tickets. The General Government this year 
donated to the State all the swamp and overflowed lands within its boundaries. 

The year 1850 to the agriculturist of Wisconsin was not one of unbounded prosperity, 
owing to the partial failure of the wheat crop. In the other branches of agriculture there were 
fair returns. The State was visited during the year by cholera ; not, however, to a very alarming 
extent. 

The fourth session of the legislature of the State commenced on the Sth of January, 
185 1. Frederick ^V'. Horn was elected speaker of the assembly. The majority in the legisla- 
ture was democratic. Governor Dewey, in his message, referred to the death of the president of 
the United States, Zachary Taylor; said that the treasury and finances of the State were in a 



WISCONSIN- AS A STATE. 69 

sound condition ; and then adverted to many topics of interest and importance to the people of 
Wisconsin. It was an able document. One of the important measures of the session was the 
election of an United States senator, in the place of Henry Dodge, whose term of office would 
expire on the 4th of March, next ensuing. In joint convention of the legislature held on the 
20th of January, Dodge was re-elected for a full term of six years. On the 2 2d, the governor 
approved a joint resolution of the legislature, rescinding not only so much of the joint resolu- 
tion of the legislative assembly of Wisconsin, passed March ji, 1849, as censured Isaac J. 
Walker, but also the instructions in those resolutions relative to his resigning his seat in the 
senate of the United States. 

Among the important bills passed at this session of the legislature was one providing for 
the location and erection of a State prison. Another one — the ajjportionment bill— was vetoed 
by the governor, and having been passed on the last day of the session, failed to become a law. 
The legislature adjourned on the eighteenth of March, 185 i, after a session of seventy days. 

On the 1st day of January, 1851, Timothy O. Howe took his seat as one of the associate 
judges of the supreme court, he having been elected judge of the fourth circuit in place of Alex- 
ander W. Stow. The office of chief justice of the supreme court, which had been filled by Judge 
Stow, therefore became vacant, and so remained until the commencement of the next term — June 
18,1851 — when Levi Hubbell, judge of the second circuit, was, by the judges present, pursuant 
to the statute, elected to that office. 

By an act of the legislature approved March 14, 185 1, the location and erection of a State 
prison for Wisconsin was provided for — the point afterward determined upon as a suitable 
place for its establishment being Waupun, Dodge county. By a subsequent act, the prison was 
declared to be the general penitentiary and prison of the State for the reformation as well as for 
the punishment of offenders, in which were to be confined, employed at hard labor, and governed 
as provided for by the legislature, all offenders wlio might be committed and sentenced accord- 
ing to law, to the punishment of solitary imprisonment, or imprisonment therein at hard labor. 
The organization and management of this the first reformatory and penal State institution in 
Wisconsin, commenced and has been continued in accordance with the demands of an advanced 
civilization and an enlightened humanity. 

On the 29th of September, 1S51, Judge Hubbell was re-elected for the full term of six years 
as judge of the second judicial circuit, to commence January i, 1852. 

At the general election in November, 1851, Leonard J. Farwell was chosen governor; 
Timothy Burns, lieutenant governor; Charles D. Robinson, secretary of State ; E. H. Janssen, 
State treasurer; E. Estabrook, attorney general; and Azel P. Ladd, superintendent of public 
instruction. All these officers were elected as democrats except P'arwell, who ran as a whig ; 
his majority over D. A. J. L^pham, democrat, was a little rising of five hundred. 

Third Administration. — L. J. Farwell, Governor — 1852-1853. 

Governor Farwell's administration commenced on the fifth day of January, 1852. Previous 
to this — on the third day of the month — Edward V. Whiton was chosen by the judges of the 
supreme court, chief justice, to succeed Judge Hubbell. On tlie fourteenth of that niontli, the 
legislature assembled at Madison. This was the beginning of the fifth annual session. James 
McM. Shafter was elected speaker of the assembly. In the senate, the democrats had a 
majority; in the assembly, the whigs. The governor, in his message, recommended the memorial- 
izing of congress to cause the agricultural lands within the State to be surveyed and brought 
into market ; to cause, also, the mineral lands to be surveyed and geologically examined, and 
offered for sale; and to make liberal appropriations for the improvement of rivers and harbors. 
The fpiestion of " bank or no bank '' having been submitted to the people in November previous, 



60 HISTOr.Y OF WISCONSIN. 

and decided in favor of banks, under the constitution, the power was thereby given to the legis- 
lature then in session to grant bank charters, or to pass a general banking law. Farwell recom- 
mended that necessary measures be taken to carry into effect this constitutional provision. A 
larger number of laws was passed at this session than at any previous one. By a provision of 
the constitution, the legislature was given power to provide by law, if they should think it expe- 
dient and necessary, for the organization of a separate supreme court, to consist of one cliief 
justice and two associate justices, to be elected by the qualified electors of the State, at such 
time and in such manner as the legislature might provide. Under this authority, an act was 
passed at this session providing for the election of a chief justice and two associates, on the last 
Monday of the September following, to form a supreme court of the State, to supplant the old 
one, provision for the change being inserted in the constitution. There was also an act passed 
to apportion and district anew the members of the senate and assembly, by which the number 
was increased from eighty-five to one hundred and seven: twenty-five for the senate; eighty- 
two for the assembly. An act authorizing the business of banking passed the legislature and 
was approved by the governor, on the 19th of April. By this law, the ofiice of bank-comptroller 
was created^ — the officer to be first appointed by the governor, and to hold his office until tlie first 
Monday in January, 1854. At the general election in the Fall of 1853, and every two years 
thereafter, the office was to be filled by vote of the people. Governor Farwell afterward, on the 
20th of November, appointed James S. Baker to that office. The legislature adjourned on the 
nineteenth of April, 1852. 

The second charitable institution incorporated by the State was the " Wisconsin Institute 
for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb." It was originally a private school for deaf mutes, 
near, and subsequently in, the village of Delavan, Walworth county. By an act of the legislature 
approved April 19, 1852, it was made the object and duty of the corporation to establish, con- 
tinue and maintain this school for the education of the deaf and dumb, "at or near the village 
of Delavan, to qualify, as near as might be, that unfortunate class of persons for tlie enjoyment 
of the blessings of a free government, obtaining the means of subsistence, and the discharge of 
those duties, social and political, devolving upon American citizens." It has since been sup- 
ported by annual appropriations made by the legislature. A complete organization of the 
school was effected in June, 1852, under the direction of a board of trustees appointed by the 
governor of the State. The institute has for its design the eJucation of such children of the 
State as, on account of deafness, can not be instructed in common schools. Instruction is given 
by signs, by the manual alphabet, by written language, and to one class by articulation. Two 
trades are taught: cabinet-making and shoe-making. 

During this year, considerable interest was manifested in the projecting of railroads. At 
the September election, E. V. Whiton was elected chief justice of the new supreme court and 
Samud Crawford and Abram D. Smith associate justices. Under the law, the chief justice was 
to serve a term of four years from the first day of June next ensuing; while the two associates 
were to cast lots — one to serve for six years, the other for two years, from June i, 1853. Craw- 
ford drew the short term — Smith the long term. At the subsequent general election for mem- 
bers to the thirty-third congress, Daniel Wells, Jr., was chosen from the first district , B. C. 
Eastman from the second.' and J. B. Macy from the third district. All were democrats. A 
democratic electoral ticket was chosen at the same time. The electors cast their votes for Pierce 
and Butler. 

During 1852, the citizens of Wisconsin enjoyed unusual prosperity in the ample products 
and remuneration of their industry and enterprise. Abundant harvests and high markets ; ar-_ 
increase in moneyed circulation, and the downward tendency of the rates of interest: a prevail- 
ing confidence among business men and in business enterprises; a continual accession to the 



WISCOXSIX AS A STATE. 61 

population of the State by immigration; the energetic prosecution of internal imi)rovenients 
under the skillful management of companies; the extension of permanent agricultural improve- 
ments; and the rapid growth of the various cities and villages; were among the encouraging 
prospects of the year. 

The sixth session of the Wisconsin legislature commenced on the twelfth of January, 1853. 
On the twenty-sixth of the same month, A\'illiani K. Wilson, of Milwaukee, preferred charges 
in the assembly against Levi Ilubbell, judge of the second judicial circuit of the State, of 
■divers acts of corruption and malfeasance in the discharge of the duties of his office. A resolu- 
tion followed appointing a committee to report articles of impeachment, directing the members 
thereof to go to the senate and impeach Hubbell. Upon the trial of the judge before the 
senate, he was acquitted. An act was passed to provide for the election of a State prison commis- 
sioner by the legislature at that session — to hold his office until the first day of the ensuing 
January. The office was then to be filled by pojjular vote at the general election in November, 
1853 — and afterwards biennially — the term of office to be two years from the first day of Jan- 
uary next succeeding the election by the people. On the 28th of March, the legislature, in 
joint convention, elected John Taylor to that office. The legislature adjourned on the fourth 
■day of April until the sixth of the following June, when it again met, and adjourned sirit- die on 
the thirteenth of July, both sessions aggregating one hundred and thirty-one days. 

By an act of the legislature approved February 9, 1S53, the "Wisconsin State Agricultural 
Society," which had been organized in March, 185 i, was incorporated, its object being to promote 
and improve the condition of agriculture, horticulture, and the mechanical, manufacturing and 
household arts. It was soon after taken under the fostering care of the State by an appropria- 
tion made by the legislature, to be expended by the society in such manner as it might deem 
best calculated to promote the objects of its incorporation; State aid was continued down to the 
commencement of the rebellion. No help was extended during the war nor until 1873; since 
which time there has been realized annually from the State a sum commensurate with its most 
pressing needs. The society has printed seventeen volumes of transactions and has held annually 
a State fair, except during the civil war. Besides these fairs, its most important work is the 
holding annually, at the capital of the State, a convention for the promotion of agriculture gen- 
erally. The meetings are largely participated in by men representing the educational and 
industrial interests of Wisconsin. 

By an act of the legislature approved March 4, 1S53, the "State Historical Society of 
Wisconsin" was incorporated — having been previously organized — the object being to collect, 
embody, arrange and preserve in authentic form, a library of books, pamphlets, maps, charts, 
manuscripts, papers, paintings, statuary and other materials illustrative of the history of the 
State; to rescue from oblivion the memory of its early pioneers.- and to obtain and preserve 
narratives of their exploits, perils, and hardy adventures ; to exhibit faithfully the antiquities, 
and the past and present condition, and resources of Wisconsin. The society was also author. 
ized to take proper steps to promote the study of history by lectures, and to diffuse and publish 
information relating to the description and history of the State. The legislature soon after took 
the society under its fostering care by voting a respectable sum for its benefit. Liberal State 
aid has been continued to the jjresent time. The society, besides collecting a library of historical 
books and pamphlets the largest in the West has published eight volumes of collections and a 
catalogue of four volumes. Its rooms are in the capitol at Madison, and none of its property 
can be alienated without the consent of the State. It has a valuable collection of jaainted por- 
traits and bound newspaper files; and in its cabinet are to be found many jirehistoric relics. 

On the first day of June, 1853, the justices of the new supreme court went into office : Associate 



62 HISTOEY OF WISCO^^SIN■. 

Justice Crawford, for two years; Chief Justice Whiton, for four years, Associate Justice Smith 
for six years as previously mentioned. The first (June) term was held at Madison. La Fayette 
Kellogg was appointed and qualified as clerk. On the 21st of September, Timothy Burns, lieu- 
tenant governor of Wisconsin, died at La Crosse. As a testimonial of respect for the deceased 
the several State departments, in accordance with a proclamation of the governor, were closed 
for one day — October 3, 1853. In the Fall of this year, democrats, whigs and free-soilers, each 
called a convention to nominate candidates for the various State offices to be supported by them 
at the ensuing election in November. The successful ticket was, for governor, William A. Bars- 
tow ; for lieutenant governor, James T. Lewis, for secretary of State, Alexander T. Gray, for 
State treasurer, Edward H. Janssen ; for attorney general, George B. Smith ; for superintendent 
of public instruction, Hiram A. Wright; for State prison commissioner, A. W. Starks; and 
for bank comptroller, William M. Dennis. They were all democrats. 

The year 1853 was, to the agriculturists of the State, one of prosperity. Every branch of 
industry prospered. The increase of commerce and manufactures more than realized the expec- 
tations of the most sanguine. 

Fourth Administration. — William A. Barstow, Governor — 1854-1855. 

On Monday, the second of January, 1854, William .\. Barstow took the oath of office as 
governor of Wisconsin. 

The legislature commenced its seventh regular session on the eleventh of January. Fred- 
erick W. Horn was elected speaker of the assembly. Both houses were democratic. The 
legislature adjourned on the 3d of April following, after a session of eighty-three days. 

In the early part of March, a fugitive slave case greatly excited the people of Wisconsin. 
A slave named Joshua Glover, belonging to B. S. Garland of Missouri, had escaped from his 
master and made his way to the vicinity of Racine. Garland, learning the whereabouts of his 
personal chattel, came to the State, obtained, on the 9th of March, 1854, from the judges of the 
district court of the United States for the district of AVisconsin, a warrant for the apprehension 
of Glover, which was put into the hands of the deputy marshal of the United States. Glover 
was secured and lodged in jail in Milwaukee. A number of persons afterward assembled and 
rescued the fugitive. .-Vmong those who took an active part in this proceeding was Sherman M. 
Booth, who was arrested therefor and committed by a United States commissioner, but was 
released from custody by Abram D. Smith, one of the associate justices of the supreme court 
of Wisconsin, upon a writ of habeas corpus. The record of the proceedings was thereupon 
taken to that court in full bench by a writ of certiorari to correct any error that might have been 
committed before the associate justice. At the June term, 1854, the justices held that Booth 
was entitled to be discharged, because the commitment set forth no cause for detention. 

Booth was afterward indicted in the United States district court and a warrant issued for 
his arrest. He was again imprisoned; and again he applied to the supreme court — then, in 
term time — for a writ of habeas corpus. This was in July, 1854. In his petition to the supreme 
court. Booth set forth that he was in confinement upon a warrant issued by the district court of 
the United States and that the object of the imprisonment was to compel him to answer an 
indictment then pending against him therein. The supreme court of the State held that these 
facts showed that the district court of the United States had obtained jurisdiction of the case 
and that it was apparent that the Indictment was for' an offense of which the federal courts had 
exclusive jurisdiction. They could not therefore interfere; and Ills application for a discharge 
was denied. 

Upon the indictment. Booth was tried and convicted, fined and Imprisoned, for a violation 
of th'^ fugitive slave law. Again the prisoner applied to the supreme court of Wisconsin, — his. 



•VVISCO^irsiX AS A STATE. 63 

last application bearing date January 26, 1S55. He claimed discharge on the ground of the 
unconstitutionality of the law under which he had been indicted. The supreme court held that 
the indictment upon which he had been tried and convicted contained three counts, the first of 
which was to be considered as properly charging an offense within the act of congress of Septem- 
ber 18, 1850, known as the "fugitive slave law," while the second and third counts did not set 
forth or charge an offense punishable by any statute of the United States; and as, upon these last- 
mentioned counts he was found guilty and not upon the first, he must be discharged. 

The action of the supreme court of Wisconsin in a second time discharging Bootli, was 
afterward reversed by the supreme court of the United States ; and, its decision being respected 
by the State court, Booth was re-arrested in i860, and the sentence of the district court of the 
United States executed in part upon him, when he was pardoned by the president. 

By an act of the legislature, approved March 30, 1 854, a " State Lunatic Asylum " was directed 
to be built at or in the vicinity of Madison, the capital of the State, upon land to be donated or 
purchased for that purpose. By a subsequent act, the name of the asylum was changed to the 
" Wisconsin State Hospital for the Insane.' This was the third charitable institution established 
by the State. The hospital was opened for patients in July, i860, under the direction of a 
board of trustees appointed by the governor. All insane persons, residents of Wisconsin, who, 
under the law providing for admission of patients into the hospital for treatment, become resi- 
dents therein, are maintained at the expense of the State, provided the county in which such 
patient resided before being brought to the hospital pays the sum of one dollar and fifty cents a 
week for his or her support. Any patient can be supported by relatives, friends or guardians, if 
the latter desire to relieve the county and State from the burden, and can have special care and 
be provided with a special attendant, if the expense of the same be borne by parties interested. 
The hospital is beautifully located on the north shore of Lake Mendota, in Dane county, about 
four miles from Madison. 

At the general election in the Fall of 1854, for members from Wisconsin to the thirty-fourth 
congress, Daniel Wells, Jr. was chosen from the first district ; C. C. Washburn, from the second, 
and Charles Billinghurst from the third district. Billinghurst and Washburn were elected as 
republicans — that party having been organized in the Summer previous. Wells was a democrat. 
The year 1854 was one of prosperity for-Wisconsin, to all its industrial occupations. "Abund- 
ant crops and increased prices were generally realized by the agriculturist. It was a year also of 
general health. It was ascertained tb.at the amount of exports during the year, including lumber 
^nd mineral, exceeded thirteen millions of dollars. 

The eighth regular session of the State legislature commenced on the loth of January, 
1855. C. C. Sholes was elected speaker of the assembly. The senate was democratic ; the 
assembly, republican. On joint ballot, the republicans had but one majority. On the istof 
February, Charles Durkee, a republican, was elected United States senator for a full term of six 
years from the 4th of March next ensuing, to fill the place of Isaac P. Walker whose term would 
expire on that day. Among the bills passed of a general nature, was one relative to the rights of 
married women, providing that any married woman, whose husband, either from drunkenness or 
profligacy, should neglect or refuse to provide for her support, should have the right, in her own 
name, to transact business, receive and collect her own earnings, and apply the same for her own 
support, and education of her children, free from the control and interference of her husband. 
The legislature adjourned sine die on the second of April, after a session of eighty-three days. 
Orsamus Cole having been elected in this month an associate justice of the supreme court in 
.place of Judge Samuel Crawford, whose term of office would expire on the thirty-first of May of 
that year, went into office on the first day of June following, for a term of six years. His office 
would therefore end on the thirty-first of M.ay, 1861. 



64 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

On the 27th of May, 1855, Hiram A. Wright, superintendent of public instruction, died at 
Prairie du Chien. On the i8th of June following, the governor appointed A. Constantine Barry to 
fill his place. On the 5th of July, Garland, the owner of the rescued fugitive slave Glover, 
having brought suit in the United States district court for the loss of his slave, against Booth, 
the trial came on at Madison, resulting in the jury bringing in a verdict under instructions from 
the judge, of one thousand dollars, the value of a negro slave as fixed by act of congress of 1850. 

The constitution of the State requiring the legislature to provide by law for an enumeration 
of the inhabitants in the year 1855, an act was passed by that body, approved March 31, of this 
year, for that purpose. The result showed a population for Wisconsin of over five hundred and 
fifty-two thousand. In November, at the general election, the democratic ticket for State offi- 
cers was declared elected: William A. Barstow, for governor; Arthur McArthur, for lieutenant 
governor; David W. Jones, for secretary of State; Charles Kuelin, for State treasurer ; Wil- 
liam R. Smith, for attorney general ; A. C. Barry, for superintendent of public instruction ; 
William M. Dennis, for bank comptroller; and Edward McGarry for State prison commissioner. 
The vote for governor was very close; but the State canvassers declared Barstow elected by a 
small majority. The opposing candidate for that office was Coles Bashford, who ran as a 
republican 

The year 1S55 was a prosperous one to the farmers of Wisconsin as well as to all industrial 
occupations. There were abundant crops and unexampled prices were realized. 

Fifth .-Vdministration. — Coles Bashford, Governor — 1856-1857. 

On the seventh day of January, 1856. William A. Barstow took and subscribed an oath of 
office as governor of Wisconsin, while Coles Bashford, who had determined to contest the right 
of Barstow to the governorship, went, on the same day, to the supreme court room, in Madison, 
and had the oath of office administered to him by Chief Justice Whiton. Bashford afterward 
called at the executive office and made a formal demand of Barstow that he should vacate the 
gubernatorial chair; but the latter respectfully declined the invitation. These were the initiatory 
steps of " Bashford rs. Barstow," for the oflSce of governor of Wisconsin. 

The fight now commenced in earnest. O.i the eleventh, the counsel for Bashford called 
upon the attorney general and requested him to file an information in the nature of a tjii(? 
warranto against Barstow. On the fifteenth that officer complied with the request. Thereupon 
a summons was issued to Barstow to appear and answer. On the twenty-second, Bashford, by 
his attorney, asked the court that the information filed by the attorney general be discontinued 
and that he be allowed to file one, which request was denied by the court. While the motion 
was being argued, Barstow, by his attorneys, entered his appearance in the case. 

On the second of February, Barstow moved to quash all proceedings for the reason that the 
court had no jurisdiction in the matter. This motion was denied by the court ; that tribunal at 
the same time deciding that the filing of the motion was an admission by Barstow that the alle- 
gations contained in the information filed by the attorney general were true. 

On the twenty-first of February, the time appointed for pleading to the information, Bar- 
stow, by his attorneys, presented to the court a stipulation signed by all the parties in the case, to 
the effect that the board of canvassers had determined Barstow elected governor ; that the secre- 
tary of State had certified to his election ; and that he had taken the oath of office. They submit- 
ted to the court whether it had jurisdiction, beyond the certificates, of those facts and the canvass 
so made to inquire as to the number of votes actually given for Barstow, — Bashford offering to 
prove that the certificates were made and issued through mistake and fraud, and that he, instead 
of Barstow, received the greatest number of votes. This stipulation the court declined to enter- 
tain or to pass upon the questions suggested ; as they were not presented in legal form. Barstow 



WISCOXSTX AS A STATE. 65 

was tliereupon given until the twenty-fifth of February to answer the information that had been 
filed against him by tlie attorney general. 

On the day appointed, Barstow filed his ]ilea to the effect that, by the laws of Wiscoiisin 
regulating the conducting of general election for State officers, it was the duty of the board of 
canvassers to determine who was elected to the office of governor ; and that the board had found 
that he was duly elected to that office. It was a plea to the jurisdiction of the court. A demurrer 
was interposed to this plea, setting forth that the matters therein contained were not sufficient in 
law to take the case out of court; asking, also, for a judgment against Barstow, or that he answer 
further the information filed against him. The demurrer was sustained ; and Barstow was 
required to answer over within four days ; at the e.xpiration of which time the counsel for Barstow 
withdrew from the case, on the ground, as they alleged, that they had appeared at the bar of the 
court to object to the jurisdiction of that tribunal in the matter., and the court had determined 
to proceed with the case, holding and exercising full and final jurisdiction over it; and that the) 
could take no further steps without conceding the right of that tribunal so to hold. Thereupon, 
on the eighth of March, Barstow entered a protest, by a communication to tiie supreme court, 
against any further interference with the department under his charge by that tribunal, "' either 
by attempting to transfer its powers to another or direct the course of executive action." The 
counsel for Bashford then moved for judgment upon the default of Barstow. 

A further hearing of the case was postponed until March i8, when the attorney general 
filed a motion to dismiss the proceedings ; against which Bashford, by his counsel, protested as 
being prejudicial to his rights. It was the opinion of the court that the attorney general could 
not dismiss the case, that every thing which was well pleaded for Bashford in his information was 
confessed by the default of Barstow. By strict usage, a final judgment ought then to have fol- 
lowed ; but the court came to tjie conclusion to call upon Bashford to bring forward proof, showing 
his right to the office. Testimony was then adduced at length, touching the character of the 
returns made to the State canvassers; after hearing of which it was the opinion of the court that 
Bashford had received a plurality of votes for governor and that there must be a judgment in 
his favor and one of ouster against Barstow ; which were rendered accordingly. 

The ninth regular session of the legislature of Wisconsin commenced on the ninth of 
January, 1856. William Hull was elected speaker of the assembly. The senate had a repub- 
lican majority, but the assembly was democratic. On the eleventh Barstow sent in a message to 
a joint convention of the two houses. On the twenty-first of March he tendered to the legisla- 
ture his resignation as governor, giving for reasons the action of the supreme court in " Bashford 
vs. Barstow," which tribunal was then hearing testimony in the case. On the same day Arthur 
McArthur, lieutenant governor, took and subscribed an oath of office as governor of the State, 
afterwards sending a message to the legislature, announcing that the resignation of Barstow 
made it his duty to take the reins of government. On the twenty-fifth, Bashford called on 
Mc.\rthur, then occupying the executive office, and demanded possession — at the same time 
intimating that he preferred peaceable measures to force, but that the latter would be employed 
if necessary. The lieutenant governor thereupon vacated the chair, when the former took the 
gubernatorial seat, exercising thereafter the functions of the office until his successor was elected 
and qualified. His right to the seat was recognized by the senate on the twenty-fifth, and by the 
assembly on the twenty-seventh of March, 1S56. This ended the famous case of" Bashford ■s's. 
Barstow," the first and only " war of succession " ever indulged in by Wisconsin. 

The legislature, on the thirty-first of March, adjourned over to the third of September, to 
dispose of a congressional land grant to the State. Upon re-assembling, an important measure 
was taken up — that of a new apportionment for the legislature. It was determined to increase the 



66 HISTORY OF WISCONST^^. 

number of members from one hundred and seven to one hundred and twenty-seven. The session 
closed on the thirteenth of October. The general election for members to the thirty-fifth congress, 
held in November, resulted in the choice of John H. Potter, from the first district ; C. C. Washburn 
from the second ; and Charles Billinghurst, from the third district. They were all elected as 
republicans. The presidential canvass of this year was an exciting one in the State. The 
republicans were successful. Electors of that party cast their five votes for Fremont and 
Dayton. 

The year 1S56 was not an unprosperous one, agriculturally speaking, although in some 
respects decidedly unfavorable. In many districts the earlier p.irt of the season was exceedingly 
dry, which materially diminished the wheat crop. Other industrial interests were every where 
in a flourishing condition. 

The legislature commenced its tenth regular session at Madison, on the fourteenth day of 
January, 1857, with a republican majority in both houses. Wyman Spooner was elected speaker 
of the assembly. For the first time since the admission of the State into the Union, a majority of 
the members of both houses, together with the governor, were opposed to the democratic party. 
On the twenty-third the senate and assembly met in joint convention, for the purpose of electing 
a United States senator in place of Henry Dodge, whose term of office would expire on the 
fourth of March next ensuing. James R. Doolittle, republican, was the successful candidate for 
that office, for a full term of six years, from the fourth of March, 1857. The legislature 
adjourned on the ninth of March, 1857. At the Spring election, Judge Whiton was re-elected 
chief justice of the supreme court for a term of six years. 

The second reformatory State institution established in Wisconsin, was, by an act of the 
legislature, approved March 7, 1857, denominated a House of Refuge for Juvenile Delinquents, 
afterward called the State Reform School, now known as the Wisconsin Industrial School for 
Boys, and is located at Waukesha, the county seat of Waukesha county. The courts and 
several magistrates in any county in \V'isconsin may, in their discretion, sentence to this school 
any male child between the ages of ten and sixteen years, convicted of vagrancy, petit larceny, 
or any misdemeanor; also of any offense which would otherwise be punishable by imprisonment 
in the State prison ; or, of incorrigible or vicious conduct in certam cases. The term of commit- 
ment must be to the age of twenty-one years. 

At the State election held in November of this year, the republicans elected A. W. Randall 
governor ; S. D. Hastings, State treasurer, and Edward M. McGraw, State prison commis- 
sioner. The democrats elected E. D. Campbell, lieutenant governor ; D. W. Jones, secretary 
of State ; Gabriel Bouck, attorney general ; L. C. Draper, superintendent of public instruc- 
tion, and J. C. Squires, bank comptroller. 

The year 1857 was a disastrous one to Wisconsin, as we)' as to the whole country, in a finan- 
cial point of view. Early in the Fall a monetary panic swept over the land. A number of 
prominent operators in the leading industrial pursuits were obliged to succumb. Agriculturally 
the year was a fair one for the State. 

Sixth Administration. — Alex.'vnder W. Rand.\ll, Governor — 185S-1S59. 
Randall's administration began on the fourth day of January, 185S, when for the first time 
he was inaugurated governor of the State. On the eleventh of January the legislature 
commenced its eleventh regular session, with a republican majority in both houses. Frederick 
S. Lovell was elected speaker of the assembly. The legislature adjourned sine die on the 
seventeenth of March, after an unusually long session of one hundred and twenty-five days. " That 
a large majority of the members were men of integrity, and disposed for the public weal, can not 



VVISCOXSTX AS A STATE. 67 

be doubted ; but they were nearly all new members, and without former legislative experience. 
They set out to accomplisli a great good, by holding up to public scorn and e.xecration tlie whole- 
sale briberies and iniquities of the immediate past ; but they lacked concentration of effort, and, 
for want of union and preconcerted action, they failed to achieve the great triumph they sought 
by providing a 'sovereign remedy ' for the evils they exposed." 

At the regular session of the legislature of 1856, an act was passed for a general revisi-n of 
the laws of the State. Under this, and a subsequent act of the adjourned session of that year, 
three commissioners — David Taylor, Samuel J. Todd, and F. S. Lovell — were appointed "to 
collect, compile and digest the general laws " of Wisconsin. Their report was submitted to the 
legislature of 1S5S, and acted upon at a late day of the session. The laws revised, which received 
the sanction of the legislature, were published in one volume, and constitute what is know as the 
Revised Statutes of 1858. 

At the Fall election, John F. Potter from the first district, and C. C. Washburn from the 
second district, both republicans, v^ere elected to the thirty-sixtli congress ; while C. H. 
r.arrabee, democrat, was elected to represent the third district. 

The twelfth regular session of the Wisconsin legislature commenced on thi- twelfth of 
January, 1859, with a republican majority in both houses. William P. Lyon was elected speaker 
of the assembly. The legislature adjourned sine die on the twenty-first of March, 1859, after a 
session of sixty-nine days. At the regular spring election, Byron Paine was chosen associate 
justice of the supreme court, for a full term of six years, as the successor of Associate Justice 
Smith. As it was a question when the term of the latter ended — whether on the ^ist day of 
May, 1859, or on the first Monday in January, 1S60 — he went through with the formality of 
n.'signing his office, and the governor of appointing Paine as his successor, on the 20th of June, 
1059. On the twelfth of April, 1859, Edward V. Whiton, chief justice of the supreme court, 
died at his residence in Janesville. The office was filled by executive appointment on the 19th 
of the same month — the successor of Judge Whiton being Luther S. Dixon. Late in the Sum- 
mer both political [)arties put into the field a full state ticket. The republicans were successful 
— electing fur governor, Alexander W. Randall for lieutenant governor, B. G. Noble; for 
secretary of state, L. P. Harvey ; for state treasurer, S. D. Hastings, for attorney general, James 
IL Howe ; for bank comptroller, G. Van Steenwyck ; for superintendent of public instruction, 
J. L. Pickard ; for state [jrison commissioner, W. C. Heg. 

Seventh Administration. — /Alexander W. Randall, Governor (second term), 1860-1861. 
Alexander \\ . Randall was inaugurated the second time as governor of Wisconsin, on 
Monday, January 2, i860. One week subsequent, the thirteenth regular session of the legis- 
lature commenced at Madison. For the first time the republicans had control, not only of all 
the State offices, but also of both branches of the legislature. William P. Lyon was elected 
speaker of the assembly. A new assessment law was among the most important of the acts 
passed at this session. The legislature adjourned on the second of .\pril. .\t the sprin" elec- 
tion, Luther S. Dixon, as an independent candidate, was elected chief justice of the supreme 
court for the unexpired term of the late Chief Justice Whiton. Li the presidential election which 
followed, republican electors were chosen — casting their five votes, in the electoral college, for 
Lincoln and Hambn. At the same election, John F. Pott.-r, from the first district; Luther 
Hanchett, from the second, and A. Scott Sloan, from the third district, were elected members of 
the thirty-seventh congress. Hanchett died on the twenty-fourth of November, 1862, when, 
on the twentieth of December following, W. D. McLidoe was elected to fill the vacancy. All 
these congressional representatives were republicans. Wisconsin, in 1S60, was a strong repub- 



o8 HISTORY OF AVISCONSIN. 

lican State. According to the censua of this year, it had a population of over seven hundiL'd 
and seventy-seven thousand. 

On the ninth of January, 1861, the fourteenth regular session of the State legislature com- 
menced at Madison. Both branches were republican. Amasa Cobb was elected speaker of the 
assembly. On the tenth, both houses met in joint convention to hear the governor read his 
annual message. It was a remarkable document. Besides giving an e.xcellent synopsis of the 
operations of the State government for i860, the governor entered largely into a discussion of 
the question of secession and disunion, as then proposed by some of the southern states of the 
Union. These are his closirjg words : 

" The right of a State to secede from the Union can never be admitted. The National 
Government can not treat with a State while it is in the Union, and particularly while it stands 
in an attitude hostile to the Union, So long as any State assumes a position foreign, inde- 
pendent and hostile to the government, there can be no reconciliation. The g'overnment of the 
United States can not treat with one of its own States as a foreign power. The constitutional 
laws e.xtend over every Stat^ alike. They are to be enforced in every State alike. A State can 
not come into the Union as it pleases, and go out when it pleases. Once in, it must stay until 
the Union is destroyed. There is no coercion of a State. But where a faction of a people arrays 
itself, not against one act, but against all laws, and against all government, there is but one 
answer to be made : ' The Government must be sustained ; the laws shall be enforced! 

On the twenty-third of January the legislature met in joint convention to elect a United 
States senator to fill the place uf Charles Durkee, whose term of office would expire on the 
fourth of Ma ch ne.xt ensuing. The successful candidate was Timothy O. Howe, republican, 
who was elected for a full term of si.x years from the 4th of March, 1S61. One of the important 
acts passed at this session of the legislature apportioned the State into senate and assembly 
districts, by which the whole number of members in both houses was increased from one hun- 
dred and twenty-seven to one hundred and thirty-three. Another act apportioned the State into 
six congressional districts instead of three. By this — the third congressional apportionment — 
each district was to elect one representative. The first district was composed of the counties 
of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Walworth, Racine, and Kenosha ; the second, of the counties of Rock, 
Jefferson, Dane, and Columbia; the third, of Green, La Fayette, Iowa, Grant, Crawford, Rich- 
land, and Sauk; the fourth, of Ozaukee, Washington, Dodge, Fond du Lac, and Sheboygan; the 
fifth, Manitowoc, Calumet, Winnebago, Green Lake, Marquette, Waushara, Waupaca, Outa- 
gamie, Brown, Kewaunee, Door, Oconto, and Shawano; and the sixth, of the counties of Bad 
Axe, La Crosse, M nroe, Juneau, Adams, Portage, Wood, Jackson, Trempealeau, Buffalo, Pepin, 
Pierce, St. Croix, Dunn, Eau Claire, Clark, Marathon, Chippewa, Dallas, Polk, Burnett, Douglas, 
LaPointe, and Ashland. The legislature adjourned on the seventeenth of April, 1S61. 

At the spring elections of this year, Orsamus Cole was re-elected as associate justice of the 
supreme court. On the ninth of May following. Governor Randall issued a proclamation convening 
the legislature in extra session on the fifteenth of the same month. " The extraordinary condition 
of the country," said he, " growing out of the rebellion against the government of the United 
States, makes it necessary that the legislature of this State be convened in special session, to 
provide more completely for making the power of the State useful to the government and to 
other loyal States." The fifteenth or extra session began on the fifteenth of May, as designated 
in the governor's proclamation. The message of the governor was devoted entirely to the war. 
" At the close of the last annual session of the legislature," said he, " to meet a sudden emer- 
gency, an act was passed authorizing me to respond to the call of the president of the United 
States, ' for aid in maintaining the Union and the supremacy of the laws, or to suppress rebelUor, 



^\^scoN"SIX as a state. 69 

or insurrection, or lo repel ^nva^ion within the United States,' and I was authorized, and it was 
made my dutv, to take such measures as, in my judgment, should [)rovide in the speediest and 
most efficient manner for responding to such call ; and to this end 1 was authorized to accefit 
tile services of volunteers for active service, to he enrolled in companies of not less than 
seventy-five men each, rank and file, and in regiments of ten companies each. I was al.^o 
authorized to provide for uniforming and equii>ping such companies as were not i)ruvidcd with 
uniforms and enuipments." " The first call of the president for immediate active service," con- 
tinued the governor, " was for one regiment of men. My proclamation, issued immediately after the 
passage of the act of the legislature, was answered within less than ten days, by companies enough, 
each containing the requisite number of men, to make uii at least live regiments instead of o..e. 
I then issued another proclamation, announcing the offers that had been made, and advising 
that thereafter companies might be enrolled to stand as minute men, ready to answer further 
calls, as they might be made, but without expense to the State, except as they were mustered 
into service. In less than one month from the date of my first [jroclamation, at least Cwc thou- 
sand men, either as individuals or enrolled companies, have offered their services for the war, 
and all appear anxious for active service in the field." " The time for deliberation," concludes 
the governor, " must give way to the time for action. The constitution of the United States 
must be sustained in all its first intent and wholeness. The right of the people of every State 
to go into every other State and engage in any lawful pursuit, without unlawful interference or 
molestation; the freedom of speech and of the [)ress; the riglit of trial by jury; security from 
unjustifiable seizure of persons or papers, and all constitutional privileges and immunities, must 
receive new guarantees of safety." 

The extra session of the legislature passed, wtih a single excei)tion, no acts except such as 
appertained to the military exigencies of the times. Both houses adjourned siuc' die on the 
twenty-seventh of May, iS6i. As the administration of Governor Randall would close with the 
year, and as he was not a candidate for re-election, there was much interest felt throughout the 
State as to who his successor should be. Three State tickets were put in nomination : union, 
republican, and democratic. The republican ticket was successful, electing Louis P. Harvey, 
governor; Edward Salomon, lieutenant governor; James T. Lewis, secretary of state; S. D. 
Hastings, state treasurer; James H. Howe, attorney general; W. H. Ramsey, bank comp- 
troller; J. L. Pickard, superintendent of public instruction; and A. P. Hodges, state prison 
commissioner. 

The \\'.\r of Secession — L.\st Year of Randall's Ad.ministratiox. 

When Wisconsin was first called upon to aid the General Government in its efforts to 
sustain itself against the designs of the secession conspirators, the commercial affairs of the 
State were embarrassed to a considerable degree by the depreciation of the currency. The 
designs of the secessionists were so far developed at the ending of the year iS6o as to show that 
resistance to the national authority had been fully determined on. It is not a matter of wonder, 
then, that Governor Randall in his message to the legislature, early in January, iS6i, should 
have set forth the dangers whVh threatened the Union, or should have denied the right of a 
State to secede from it. "Secession," said he, "is revolution; revolution is war ; war against 
the government of the United States is treason." " It is time," he continued, "now, to know 
whether we have any government, and if so, whether it has any strength. Is our written 
constitution more than a slieet of parchment .' '('he nation must be lost or preserved by its own 
strengtli. Its strength is in the patriotism of tlie people. It is time now that politicians became 
patriots; that men show their love of country by every sacrifice, but that of princij)le, and by 



70 HISTOEY or WISCONSIN. 

unwavering devotion to its interests and integrity." "The hopes," added the governor, most 
eloquently, " of civilization and Christianity are suspended now upon the answer to this question 
of dissolution. The capacity for, as well as the right of, self-government is to pass its ordeal, 
and speculation to become certainty. Other systems have been tried, and have failed ; and all 
along, the skeletons of nations have been strewn, as warnings and land-marks, upon the great 
highway of historic overnment. Wisconsin is true, and her people steadfast. She will not 
destroy the Union, nor consent that it shall be done. Devised by great, and wise, and good 
men, in days of sore trial, it must stand. Like some bold mountain, at whose base the great seas 
break their angry floods, and around whose summit the thunders of a thousand hurricanes have 
rattled — strong, unmoved, immovable — so may our Union be, while treason surges at its base, 
and passions rage around it, unmoved, immovable — here let it stand forever." These are the 
words of an exalted and genuine patriotism. But the governor did not content himself with 
eloquence alone. He came down to matters of business as well. He urged the necessity of 
legislation that would give more efficient organization to the militia of the State. He warned 
the legislators to make preparations also for the coming time that should try the souls of men. 
"The signs of the times," said he, " indicate that there may arise a contingency in the condition 
of the government, when it will become necessary to respond to a call of the National Government 
for men and means to maintain the integrity of the Union, and to thwart the designs of men 
engaged in organized treason. While no unnecessary expense should be incurred, yet it is the 
part of wisdom, both for individuals and States, in revolutionary times, to be prepared to defend 
our institutions to the last extremity." It was thus the patriotic governor gave evidence to the 
members of both houses that he " scented the battle afar off." 

On the 1 6th of January, a joint resolution of the legislature was passed, declaring that the 
people of Wisconsin are ready to co-operate with the friends of the Union every where for its 
preservation, to yield a cheerful obedience to its requirements, and to demand a like obedience 
from all others ; that the legislature of Wisconsin, profoundly impressed with the value of the 
Union, and determined to preserve it unimpaired, hail with joy the recent firm, dignified and 
patriotic special message of the president of the United States; that they tender to him, through 
the chief magistrate of their own State, whatever aid, in men and money, may be required to 
enable him to enforce the laws and uphold the authority of the Federal Government, and in 
defense of the more perfect Union, which has conferred prosperity and happiness on the 
American people. " Renewing," said they, " the pledge given and redeemed by our fathers, we 
are ready to devote our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honors in upholding the Union and 
the constitution." 

The legislature, in order to put the State upon a kind of " war footing," passed an act for 
its defense, and to aid in enforcing the laws and maintaining the authority of the General 
Government. It was under this act that Governor Randall was enabled to organize the earlier 
regiments of Wisconsin. By it, in case of a call from the president of the United States to aid 
in maintaining the Union and the supremacy of the laws to suppress rebellion or insurrection, or 
to repel invasion within the United States, the governor was authorized to provide, in the most 
efficient manner, for responding to such call — to accept the services of volunteers for service, 
in companies of seventy-five men each, rank and file, and in regiments of ten companies each, 
and to commission officers for them. The governor was also authorized to contract for 
uniforms and equipments necessary for putting such companies into active service. One 
hundred thousand dollars were appropriated for war purposes; and bonds were authorized to 
be issued for that amount, to be negotiated by the governor, for raising funds. It will be seen, 
therefore, that the exigencies of the times — for Fort Su.nter had not yet been surrendered — 



WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 71 

were fully met by the people's representatives, they doing their whole duty, as they then under- 
stood it, in aid of the perpetuity of the Union. 

Having defended Fort Sumter for thirty-four hours, until the quarters were entirely burned, 
the main gates destroyed, the gorge-wail seriously injured, the magazine surrounded by flames, 
and its door closed from the effects of the heat, four barrels and three cartridges of powder only 
being available, and no provisions but pork remaining, Robert Anderson, major of the first 
artillery. United States army, accepted terms of evacuation offered by General Beauregard, 
marched out of the fort on Sunday afternoon, the fourteenth of Ajjril, iS6i, with colors flying 
and drums beating, bringing away company and private property, and saluting his flag with fifty guns. 
This, in brief, is the story of the fall of Sumter and the opening act of the War of the Rebellion. 
"Whereas," said Abraham Lincoln, president, in his proclamation of the next day, "the 
laws of the United States have been for some time past, and now are, opposed, and the execution 
thereof obstructed, in the States of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, 
Louisiana, and Texas, by combinations too powerful to be suppressed by the ordinary course of 
judicial proceedings, or by the powers vested in the marshals by law." Now, in view of that 
fact, he called forth the militia of the several States of the Union, to the aggregate number of 
seventy-five thousand, in order to suppress those combinations, and to cause the laws to be duly 
executed. " A call is made on you by to-night's mail for one regiment of militia for immediate 
service," telegraphed the secretary of war to Randall, on the same day. 

In Wisconsin, as elsewhere, the public pulse quickened under the excitement of the fall of 
Sumter. "The dangers which surrounded the nation awakened the liveliest sentiments of 
patriotism and devotion. For the time, party fealty was forgotten in the general desire to save 
the nation. The minds of the people soon settled into the conviction that a bloody war was at 
hand, and that the glorious fabric of our National Government, and the principles upon which 
it is founded, were in jeopardy, and with a determination unparalleled in the history of any 
country, they rushed to its defense. On every hand the National flag could be seen displayed, 
and the public enthusiasm knew no bounds ; in city, town, and hamlet, the burden on every 
tongue was war." "We have never been accustomed," said Governor Randall, " to con,;uer the 
military arm as essential to the maintenance of our government, but an exigency has arisen 
that demands its employment." "The time has come," he continued, " when parties and plat- 
forms must be forgotten, and all good citizens and patriots unite together in putting down rdiels 
and traitors." "What is money," he asked, "what is life, in the presence of such a crisis .' " 
Such utterances and such enthusiasm could but have their effect upon the legislature, which, it 
will be remembered, was still in session ; so, although tliat body had already voted to adjourii, 
sine die, on the fifteenth of Apr.l, yet, when the moment arrived, and a message from the governor 
was received, announcing that, owing to the extraordinary exigeiicies which had arisen, an amend- 
ment of the law of the thirteenth instant was necessary, the resolution to adjourn was at once 
rescinded. The two houses thereupon not only increased the amount of bonds to be issued to 
two hundred thousand dollars, but they also jjassed a law exempting from civil process, during 
the time of service, all persons enlisting and mustering into the United States army from Wis- 
consin. When, on the seventeenth, the legislature did adjourn, the scene was a remarkable one. 
Nine cheers were given for the star spangled banner and three for the Governor's Guard, who 
had just then tendered their services — the first in the State — under the call for a regiment of 
men for three months' duty. 

"For the first time in the history of this federal government," are the words of the gover- 
nor, in a proclamation issued on the sixteenth of .\pril, "organized treason has manifesiol ii^u.f 
within several States of the Union, and armed rebels are making war against ii." " 1 he 
treasuries of the country," said he, " must no longer be plundered; the [)ublic proiierly must be 



72 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

protected from aggressive violence ; that already seized must be retaken, and the laws must 
be executed in every State of the Union alike." " A demand," he added, " made upon Wiscon- 
sin by the president of the United States, for aid to sustain the federal arm, must meet with a 
prompt response." The patriotism of the State was abundantly exhibited in their filling up 
a regiment before some of the remote settlements had any knowledge of the call. On the twenty- 
second. Governor Randall reported to the secretary of war that the First regiment was ready 
to go into rendezvous. The place designated was ''Camp Scott," at Milwaukee; the day, the 
twenty-seventh of April. Then and there the several companies assembled — the regiment after- 
ward completing its organization. 

With a wise foresight. Governor Randall ordered, as a reserve force and in advance of another 
call for troops by the president, the formation of two more regiments — the Second and Third, 
and, eventuallv, the Fourth. Camps at Madison, Fond du Lac, and Racine, were formed for 
their reception, where suitable buildings were erected for their accommodation. Companies 
assigned to the Second regiment were ordered to commence moving into "'Camp Randall," at 
Madison, on the first day of May. On the seventh, the secretary of war, under call of the presi- 
dent of the United States for forty-two thousand additional volunteers — this time for three years, 
or during the war — telegraphed Governor Randall that no more three months' volunteers were 
wanted; that such companies as were recruited must re-enlist for the new term or be disbanded. 

At the extra session of the legislature of Wisconsin, which, as already mentioned, com- 
menced on the fifteenth of May, called by Governor Randall immediately upon his being notified 
of the second call of tiie president for troops, on the third of May, the law hurriedly passed at 
the close of the regular session, and under which the governor had organized the First regi- 
ment, was found inadequate to meet the second call for troops. " A bill was introduced, and became 
a law, authorizing the governor tu raise six regiments of infantry, inclusive of those he had organ- 
ized or jilaced at quarters. Wfien the six regiments were mustered into the United States service, 
he was authorized to raise two additional regiments, and thus to keep two regiments continually 
in reserve to meet any future call of the General Government. He was authorized to quarter 
and subsist volunteers at rendezvous — to transport, clothe, subsist and quarter them in camp at 
the expense of the State. Arms and munitions were to be furnished by the United States. 
Recruits were to be mustered into State service, and into United States service, for three years. 
Two assistant surgeons to each regiment were to be appointed, and paid by the State, 'i'he regi- 
ments, as they came into camp, were to be instructed in drill and various camp duties, to secure 
efficiency in the field. The troops, so called in, were to be paid monthly by the State, the same 
pay and emoluments as the soldiers in the United States army, from the date of enlistment. The 
paymaster general was authorized to draw funds from the State treasury for the payment of 
the State troops, and the expense incurred in subsisting, transporting and clothing them. The 
governor was authorized to purchase military stores, subsistefice, clothing, medicine, field and 
camp equipage, and the sum of one million dollars was appropriated to enable the governor to 
carry out the law." 

Other laws were passed relating to military matters. One authorized the governor to pur- 
chase two thousand stand of arms; and fifty thousand dollars were appropriated to pay tor the 
same. Another authorized counties, towns, cities and incorporated villages to levy taxes for 
the purpose of providing for the support of families of volunteers residing in their respective 
limits, rhe one passed at the previous session, exempting volunteers from civil process vhile in 
the service, was amended so as to include all who might thereafter enlist. One granted five dollars 
per month as extra pay to enlisted volunteers having families dependent upon tljem for support, 
payable to their families, .\nother authorized the governor to emijlov such aids, clerks and 



"\rTsroxs;Tx as a state.. iS 

messengers, as he deemed necessary for the public interests. Still another authorized the pay- 
ment of those who had enlisted for three months, Inn had declined to go in for three years. 
The expenses of the e.xtra session were ordered to l>e paid out of the " war fund." One million 
dollars in bonds were authorized to be issued for war purposes to form that fund. The governor, 
secretary of state and state treasurer were empowered to negotiate them. By a joint resolu- 
tion approved the twenty-first of May, the consent of the legislature was given to the governor 
to be absent from the State during the war, for as long a time as in his discretion he might think 
proper or advisable, in connection with the military forces of the State. For liberality, zeal and 
genuine patriotism, the members of the Wisconsin legislature, for the year iS6i, deserve a high 
commendation. All that was necessary upon their final adjournment at the close of the e.xtra 
session to place the State upon a " war footing," was the organization by the governor of the 
various militar} departments. These he effected by appointing Brigadier (General William L. 
Utley, adjutant general ; Brigadier General W. \V. Tredway, quartermaster general ; Colonel 
Edwin R. U'ad-^worth, commissary general ; Brigadier (General Simeon Mills, paymaster gen- 
eral; Brigadier General E. B. Wolcott, surgeon general; Major E. L. Buttrick, judge advocate; 
and Colonel William H. Watson, military secretary. 

On the seventeenth of May, the First regiment, at "Camp Scott," was mustered into the 
United States service, and the war department informed that it awaited marching orders. The 
regimental officers were not all in accordance with the law and mode adopted afterwards. On 
the seventh of the month Governor Randall had appointed Rufus King a brigadier general, and 
assigned the First, Second, Third and Fourth regiments to his command as the Wisconsin 
brigade; although at that date only the First and Second had been called into camp. This 
brigade organization was not recognized by the General Clovernment. The secretary of war 
telegraphed the governor of Wisconsin that the quota of the State, under the second call of the 
president, was two regiments — so that the whole number under both calls was only three — one 
(the First) for three months, two (the Second and Third) for three years. Notwithstanding this. 
Governor Randall proceeded to organize the Fourth. 

As a number of the companies ordered into " Cam[) Randall " on the first day of May to 
form the Second regiment had only enlisted for three months, the order of the secretary of war 
of the seventh of that month making it imperative that all such companies must re-enlist for 
three years or during the war, or be disbanded, the question of extending their term of enlist- 
ment was submitted to the companies of the regiment, v.-h:n about live hundred consented to 
the change. The quota of the regiment was afterward nail; r.p, and the whole mustered into 
the service of the United States for three years or during the war, under the i)resident's second 
call for troops. This was on the eleventh of June, iS6i. The Third regiment having had its 
companies assigned early in May, they were ordered in June into "Camp Hamilton" at Fond 
du Lac, where the regiment was organized, and, on t!.e t.veuty-ninth of June, mustered into the 
United States' service as a three years regiment. This filled Wisconsin's quota under the second 
call of President Lincoln. By this time war matters in the State began to assume a systematic 
course of procedure — thanks to the patriotism of the people, the wisdom of the legislature, and 
the untiring energy and exertions of the governor and his subordinates. 

The determination of the secretary of war to accept f.-om Wisconsin only two three-years 
regiments under the second call for trooijs was soon changed, and three more were authorized, 
making it necessary to organize the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth. 'i"he Fourth was called into "Camp 
Utley " at Racine on the sixth of June, and was mu.:.tered into the service of the United States 
on the ninth of the foUo'./ing month. By the twenty-eighth of June, all the companies of the 
F"ifth had assembled at "' Camp Randall," and on the thirteenth of July were mustered in as 



74 



HISTORY OF "\VTSCOiSrSIN. 



United States troops. By the first of July, at the same jilace, the complement for the Sixth 
regiment had been made up, and the companies were mustered for three years into the service 
of the General Government, on the sixteenth of the same month. Governor Randall did not 
stop the good work when six regiments had been accepted, but assigned the necessary companies 
to form two more regiments — the Seventh and Eighth; however, he wisely concluded not to call 
them into camp until after harvest, unless specially required to do so. " If they are needed 
sooner," said the governor, in a letter to the president on the first of July, " a call will be imme- 
diately responded to, and we shall have their uniforms and equipments ready for them." " By 
the authority of our legislature," added the writer, 'I shall, after the middle of August, keep 
two regiments equipped and in camp ready for a call to service, and will have them ready at an 
earlier day if needed." 

About the latter part of June, W. P. Alexander, of Beloit, a good marksman, was commis- 
sioned captain to raise a company of sharpshooters for Berdan's regiment. He at once engaged 
in the work. The company was filled to one hundred and three privates and three officers. It 
left the State about the middle of September under Captain Alexander, and was mustered into 
the service at Wehawken on the twenty-third day of that month, as Company " G " of Berdan's 
regiment of sharpshooters. On the twenty-sixth of July, a commission was issued to G. Van 
Deutsch of Milwaukee, to raise a company of cavalry. He succeeded in filling his company to 
eighty-four men. He left the State in September, joining Fremont. The company was after- 
ward attached to the fifth cavalry regiment of Missouri. 

About the 20th of August, Governor Randall was authorized to organize and equip as rapidly 
as possible five regiments of infantry and five batteries of artillery, and procure for them necessary 
clothing and equipments according to United States regulations and prices, subject to the inspec- 
tion of officers of the General Government. The five regiments were to be additional to the 
eight already raised. One regiment was to be German. During the last week of August the 
companies of the Seventh regiment were ordered into "Camp Randall," at Madison. They were 
mustered into the service soon after arrival. On the 28th of August orders were issued for the 
reorganization of the First regiment for three years, its term of three months having expired. 
The secretary of war having signified his acceptance of the regiment for the new term, its mus- 
tering into the service was completed on the nineteenth of October. This made six infantry regi- 
ments in addition to the eight already accepted, or fourteen in all. On the same day orders were 
issued assigning companies to the Eighth regiment, — the whole moving to '" Camp Randall," at 
Madison, the first week in September, where their mustering in was finished on the thirteenth. 

The Ninth, a German reginent, was recruited in squads, and sent into camp, where they were 
formed into companies, and the whole mustered in on the 26th of October, i86i,at " Camp Sigel," 
Milwaukee. Companies were assigned the Tenth regiment on the iSth of September, and 
ordered into camp at Milwaukee, where it was fully organized about the first of October, being 
mustered into the service on the fourteenth of that month. The Tenth infantry was enlisted in 
September, 1S61, and mustered in on the fourteenth of October, 1861, at "Camp Holton," Mil- 
waukee. The Eleventli regiment was called by companies into " Camp Randall " the latter part 
of September and first of October, 1861, and mustered in on the eighteenth. The Twelfth was 
called in to the same camp and mustered in by companies between the twenty-eighth of October 
and the fifth of November, 1861. The Thirteenth rendezvoused at "Camp Treadway," Janes- 
vhie, being mustered into the United States service on tlie seventeenth of October, 1861. These 
thirteen regiments were all that had been accepted and mustered into the United States servi'-e 
while Randall was governor. 

From the commencement of the rebellion a great desire had been manifested for the orpan- 



AVTsroySIX AS A STATE. 75 

ization of artillery companies in Wisconsin, and this desire was finally gratified. Each battery 
was to number one hundred and fifty men, and, as has been shown, five had been authorized by 
the General Government to be raised in Wisconsin. The First battery was recruited at La 
Crosse, under the superintendence of Captain Jacob T. Foster, and was known as the " La Crosse 
Artillery." It rendezvoused at Racineearly in October, 1861, where on the tenth of that month, 
it was mustered into the United States service. The Second battery, Captain Ernest Herzberg, 
assembled at " Camp Utley," Racine, and was mustered in with the First battery on the tentli. 
The Third, known as the " Badger Battery," was organized by Captain L. H. Drury, at Madison 
and Berlin, and was mustered into the service on the same day and at the same place as the First 
and Second. The Fourth battery, recruited and organized at Beloit, under the supervision of 
Captain John F. Vallee, was mustered in on the first of October, 1S61, at Racine. The Fifth 
battery was recruited at Monroe, Green county, under the superintendence of Captain Oscar F- 
Finney, moving afterward to " Camp Utley," Ricine, where, on the first of October, it was mus- 
tered in, along with the Fourth. So brisk liad been the recruiting, it was ascertained by the 
governor that seven companies had been raised instead of five, when the secretary of war was 
telegraphed to, and the extra companies — -the Sixth and Seventh accepted ; the Si.xth, known as 
the " Buena Vista Artillery," being recruited at Lone Rock, Richland county, in SeiJtember, 
Captain Henry Dillon, and mustered in on the second of October, 1861, at Racine; the Seventh, 
known as the " Badger State Flying Artillery," having organized at Milwaukee, Captain Richard 
R. Griffiths, and mustered in on the fourth of the same month, going into camp at Racine on the 
eighth. This completed the mustering in of the first seven batteries, during Governor Randall's 
administration ; the whole mustered force being thirteen regiments of infantry ; one company of 
cavalry ; one of sharpshooters ; and these seven artillery companies. " Wisconsin," said the gov- 
ernor, in response to a request as to the number of regiments organized, " sent one regiment 
for three months, — officers and men eight hundred and ten. The other regiments r the war up 
to the Thirteenth (including the First, re-organized), will average one thousand men each; one 
company of sharpshooters for Berdan's regiment, one hundred and three men ; and seven 
companies of light artillery." Of cavalry from Wisconsin, only Deutsch's company had been 
mustered into the United States, although three regiments had been authorized by the General 
Government before the close of Randall's administration. I'he governor, beiore the expiration 
of his office, was empowered to organize more artillery companies — ten in all ; and five additional 
regiments of infantry — making the w-hole number eighteen. On the tenth of December, he 
wrote: "Our Fourteenth infantry is full and in camp. * * * Fifteenth has five companies 
in camp, and filling up. Sixteenth has eight companies in cami), and will be full by the 25th of 
December. Seventeenth has some four hundred men enlisted. Eighteenth will be in camp, full, 
by January i. Seven maximum companies of artillery in camp. * * * T'hree regiments of 
cavalry — two full above the maximum ; the third, about eiglit hundred men in camp." It 
will be seen, therefore, that a considerable number of men in the three branches of the service 
was then in camp that had not been mustered into the service ; and this number was considerably 
increased by the 6th of January, 1S62, the day that Randall's official term expired; but no more 
men were mustered in, until his successor came into office, than those previously mentioned. 

The First regiment — three months' — left "Camp Scott," Milwaukee, on the ninth of June, 
i86i, for Harrisburg, Pennsylvania — eight hundred and ten in number; John C. Starkweather, 
colonel. The regiment returned to ^Milwaukee on the seventeenth of August, iS6i, and was 
mustered out on the twenty-second. 

The First regiment re-organized at "Camp Scott," Milwaukee. Its mustering into the 
service, as previously mentioned, was completed on the nineteenth of October. On the tweiit)- 



76 HISTORY OF WTSCOTs^STN 

eighth, it started for Louisville, Kentucky — nine hundred and forty-five strong — under command 
of its former colonel, John C. Starkweather. The Second regiment, with S. Park Coon as 
colonel, left " Camp Randall, Madison, for Washington city, on the eleventh of June, 1861 — 
numbering, in all, one thousand and fifty-one. The Third regiment started from " Camp 
Hamilton," Fond du Lac, for Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, under command of Charles S. Hamilton, 
as colonel, on the twelfth of July, 1861, with a numerical strength of nine hundred and seventy- 
nine. The Fourth regiment — Colonel Halbert E. Payne — with a numerical strength of one 
thousand and fifty-three, departed on the fifteenth of July, 1 861, from "Camp Utley," Racine, 
for Baltimore, Ma:-yland. The Fifth regiment left " Camp Randall," Madison, one thousand 
and fifty-eight strong, commanded by Colonel Amasa Cobb, on the twentj'-fourth of July, 1861, 
for Washington city. On the twenty-eighth of July, 1861, the Sixth regiment, numbering one 
thousand and eighty-four, moved from Madir.on, having been ordered to Washington city. It 
was commanded by Colonel Lysander Cutter. The Seventh regiment — Joseph Van Dor, Colonel 
— with a numerical strength of one thousand and sixteen men — officers and privates, received 
orders, as did the Fifth and Sixth, to move forward to Washington. They started from Madison 
on the morning of the twenty-first of September, 1861, for active service. The Eighth infantry, 
nine hundred and seventy-three strong, commanded by Colonel Robert C. Murphy, left Madison, 
en route for St. Louis, Missouri, on the morning of the twelfth of October, 1S61. The Ninth, or 
German regiment, with Frederick Salomon in command as colonel, did not leave "Camp Sigel," 
for active service, while Randall was governor. The Tenth infantry moved from " Camp 
Holton," Milwaukee, commanded by Colonel Alfred R. Chapin, on the ninth of November, i86i, 
destined for Louisville, Kentucky, with a total number of nine hundred and sixteen officers and 
privates. On the twentieth of November, 1S61, the Eleventh regiment "broke camp" at 
Madison, starting for St. Louis, under command of Charles L. Harris, as colonel. Its whole 
number of men was nine hundred and sixteen. The Twelfth regiment, at " Camp Randall," 
Madison — Colonel George E. Bryant, and the Thirteenth, at " Camp Tredway," Janesville — 
Colonel Maurice Maloney — were still in camp at the expiration of the administration of Governor 
Randall: these, with the Ninth, were all that had not moved out of the State for active service, 
of those mustered in previous to January 6, 1861, — making a grand total of infantry sent trom 
Wisconsin, up to that date, by the governor, to answer calls of the General Government, for 
three years' service or during the war, of nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-one men, in ten 
regiments, averaging very nearly one thousand to each regiment. Besides these ten regnnents 
of infantry for three years' service, Wisconsin had also sent into the field the First regiment, for 
three months' service, numbering eight hundred and ten men; Alexander's company of sharp- 
shooters, one hundred and six; and Deutsch's company of cavalry, eighty-four: in all, one 
thousand. Adding these to the three years' regiments, and the whole force, in round numbers, 
was eleven thousand men, furnished l)y the State in 1861. 

Eighth Administr.'^tion. — Louis P. H.\rvev and Edw.\rd S.\lom"x, Governors — 1862-1863. 

Louis P. Harvey was inaugurated governor of Wisconsin on the sixth of January, 1S62. 
The fifteenth regular session of the legislature of the State began on the eighth of the same 
month. In the senate, the republicans were in the majority; but in the assembly they had 
only a plurality of members, there being a number of " Union " men in that branch — enough, 
indeed, to elect, by outside aid, J. W. Beardsley, who ran for the assembly, upon the " Union " 
ticket, as speaker. Governor Harvey, on the tenth, read his message to the legislature in joint 
convention. " No previous legislature," are his opening words, " has convened under equal 
incentives to a disinterested zeal in the public service The occasion," he adds, " pleads 



■w^:sco^TST^• as a state. 77 

with you in rebuke of all the meaner passions, admonishing to the exercise of a conscientious 
patriotism, becoming the representatives of a Christian people, called in God's providence to 
pass through the furnace of a great trial of their vinue, and of the strength of the Government." 
On the seventh of April following, the legislature adjourned until the third of June next ensuing. 
Before it again assembled, an event occurred, casting a gloom over the whole State. The 
occasion was the accidental drowning of Governor Harvej'. 

Soon after the battle of Pittsburgh Landing, on the seventh of April, 1862, the certainty 
that some of the Wisconsin regiments had suffered severely, induced the governor to oro'anize 
a re.i f party, to aid the wounded and suffering soldiers from the State. On the tenth, Harvey 
and others started on their tour of benevolence. Arriving at Chicago, they found a lar^e num- 
ber of boxes had been forwarded there from different points in the State, containing supplies of 
various kinds. At Mound City, Paducah, and Savannah, the governor and his party adminis- 
tered to the wants of tlic >ick and wounded Wisconsin soldiers. Having completed their mission 
of mercy, they repaired to a boat in the harbor of Savannah, to await the arrival of the Alinne- 
/ta/ia, which was to convey them to Cairo, on their homevi-ard trip. It was late in the evenin" of 
the nineteenth of April, iS6j, and very dark when the boat arrived which was to take the 
governor and his friends on board ; and as she rounded to, the bow touching the Dunlath, on 
which was congregated the party ready to dei)art. Governor Harvey, by a misstep, fell overboard 
between the two boats, into the Tennessee river. The current was strong, and the water more 
than thirty feet deep. Every thing was done that could be, to save his life, but all to no 
purpose. His body was subsequently found and brought 10 Madison for interment. Edward 
Salomon, lieutenant governor, by virtue of a provision of the constitution of the State, upon the 
death of Harvey, succeeded to the office of governor of Wisconsin. On the third day of June, 
the legislature re-assembled in accordance with adjournment on the seventh of April jjrevious. 
Governor Salomon, in his message of that day, to the senate and assembly, after announcing 
the sad event of the death of the late governor, said : " The last among the governors elected 
by the people of this State, he is the first who has been removed by death from our midst. The 
circumstances leading to and surrounding the tragic ..nd melancholy end of the honored and 
lamented deceased, are well known to the people, and are, with his memory, treasured up in 
their hearts." He died," added Salomon, " while in the exercise of the highest duties of philan- 
thropy and humanity, that a noble impulse had imposed upon him." The legislature, on the 
thirteenth of June, by a joint resolution, declared that in the death of Governor Harvey, the 
State had " lost an honest, faithful, and efficient public officer, a high-toned gentleman, a warm 
hearted philanthropist, and a sincere friend.'" Both houses adjourned sine Uu, on the seventeuth 
of June, 1SC2 

Business of great jniblic importance, in the judgment of the governor, rendering a special 
session of the legislature necessary, he issued, on the twenty-ninth of August, 18G2, his proc- 
lamation to that effect, convening l)oth houses on the tenth of September following. On that 
day he sent in his message, relating wholly to war matters. He referred to the fact that since 
the adjournment of the previous session, six hundred thousand more men had been called for b\' 
the president of the United States, to suppress the rebellion. " It is e\ident," said he, " that to 
meet further calls, it is necessary to rely upon a system of drafting or conscription, in Wisconsin.' 
The governor then proceeded to recommend such measures as he deemed necessary to meet 
the exigencies of the times. The legislature levied a tax to aid volunteering, and passed a law 
giving the right of suffrage to soldiers in the military service. They also authorized the raising 
of money for payment of bounties to volunteers. The legislature adjourned on the twenty- 
sixth of September, 1862, after a session of sixteen days, and the enacting of seventeen laws. 



78 HISTORY OF WISCON'SIN. 

On the yth of October, James H. Howe, attorney general, resigned his office to enter the 
army. On the 14th of that month, Winfield Smith was appointed by the governor to fill the 
vacancy. 

At the general election in the Fall of this year, six congressmen were elected to the thirty- 
eighth congress: James S. Brown from the first district; I. C. Sloan, from the second; Amasa 
Cobb, from the third ; Charles A. Eldredge, from the fourth ; Ezra Wheeler, from the fifth ; and 
W. D. Mclndoe, from the sixth district. Sloan, Cobb, and Mclndoe, were elected as republi- 
cans ; Brown, Eldridge, and Wheeler, as democrats. 

The sixteenth regular session of the Wisconsin legislature, commenced on the fourteenth of 
January, 1S63. J. Allen Barber was elected speaker of the assembly. The majority in both 
houses was republican. Governor Salomon read his message on the fifteenth, to the joint 
convention, referring, at length, to matters connected with the war of the rebellion. A large 
number of bills were passed by the legislature for the benefit of soldiers and their families. On 
the twenty-second, the legislature re-elected James R. Doolittle. to the United States senate for 
six years, from the fourth of March next ensuing. The legislature adjourned sine die on the 
second of April following. In the Spring of this year, Luther S. Dixon was re-elected chief 
justice of the supreme court, running as an independent candidate. 

By a provision of the Revised Statutes of 185S, as amended by an act passed in 1862, and 
interpreted by another act passed in 1S75, the terms of the justices of the supreme court, 
elected for a full term, commence on the first Momlay in January next succeeding their election. 

At the Fall election there were two tickets in the field: democratic and union republican. 
The latter was successful, electing James T. Lewis, governor ; Wyman Spooner, lieutenant 
governor; Lucius Fairchild, secretary of state; S. D. Hastings, state treasurer; Winfield 
Smith, attorney general ; J. L. Pickard, state superintendent ; W. H. Ramsay, bank comp- 
troller; and Henry Cordier, state prison commissioner. 

War of Secession — Harvky and Salomon's Administration. 

When Governor Randall turned over to his successor in the gubernatorial chair, the military 
matters of Wisconsin, he had remaining in the State, either already organized or in process of 
formation, the Ninth infantry, also the Twelfth up to the Nineteenth inclusive; three regiments 
of cavalry ; and ten batteries — First to Tenth inclusive. Colonel Edward Daniels, in the Summer 
of 1861, was authorized by the war department to recruit and organize one battalion of cavalry 
in Wisconsin. He was subsequently authorized to raise two more companies. Governor Ran- 
dall, in October, was authorized to complete the regiment — the First cavalry — by the organiza- 
tion of six additional companies. The organization of the Second cavalry regiment was author- 
ized in the Fall of 1861, as an "independent acceptance," but w.>s finally turned over to the 
State authorities. Early in November, 1861, the war department issued an order discontinuing 
enlistments for the cavalry service, and circulars were sent to the different State executives to 
consolidate all incomplete regiments. Ex-Governor Barstow, by authority of General Fremont, 
wliich authority was confirmed by the General Government, had commenced the organization of 
a cavalry regiment — the Third Wisconsin — when Governor Randall received information that 
the authority of Barstow had been revoked. The latter, however, soon had his authority 
restored. In October, Governor Randall was authorized by the war department to raise three 
additional companies of artillery — Eighth to Tenth inclusive. These three batteries were all 
filled and went into camp by the close of 1861. Governor Randall, therefore, besides sending 
out of the State eleven thousand men, had in process of formation, or fully organized, nine 
regiments of infantry, three regiments of cavalry, and ten companies of artillery, left behind in 



WISCOXSIX AS A STATE. 73 

various camps in the State, to be turned over to his successor. 

The military officers of Wisconsin were the governor, Louis P. Harvey, commander-in- 
chief; Brigadier General Augustus Gaylord, adjutant general ; Brigadier General \V. W. Tred- 
way, quartermaster general ; Colonel Edwin R. Wadsworth, commissary general ; Brigadier Gen- 
eral Simeon Mills, paymaster general; Brigadier General E. B. Wolcott, surgeon general; Alajoi 
M. H. Carpenter, judge advocate; and Colonel William H. Watson, military secretary. As the 
General Government had taken the recruiting service out of the hands of the executives of the 
States, and appointed superintendents in their place, the offices of commissary general and 
paymaster general were no longer necessary ; and their time, after the commencement of the 
administration in Wisconsin of 1S62, was employed, so long as they continued their respective 
offices, in settling up the business of each. The office of commissary general was closed about 
the first of June, 1S62; that of paymaster general on the tenth of July following. On the last 
of August, 1862, Brigadier General Tredway resigned the position of quartermaster general, and 
Nathaniel F. Lund was appointed to fill his place. 

Upon the convening of the legislature of the State in its regular January session of this 
year — 1862, Governor Harvey gave, in his message to that body, a full statement of what had 
been done by Wisconsin in matters appertaining to the war, under the administration of his 
predecessor. He stated that the State furnished to the service of the General Government 
under the call for volunteers for three months, one regiment — First Wisconsin ; under the call 
for volunteers for three years, or the war, ten regiments, numbering from the First re-organized 
to the Eleventh, excluding the Ninth or German regiment. He gave as the wliole number of 
officers, musicians and [irivates, in these ten three-year regiments, ten thousand one hundred and 
seventeen. He further stated that there were then organized and awaiting orders, the Ninth, in 
" Camp Sigel," Milwaukee, numbering nine hundred and forty men, under Colonel Frederick 
Salomon ; the Twelfth, in " Camp Randall," one thousand and thirty-nine men, under Colonel 
George E. Bryant; the Thirteenth, in " Camii Tredway," Janesville, having nine hundred and 
nineteen men, commanded Ijy Colonel M. Maloncy; and the Fourteenth, at " Camp Wood," 
Fond du Lac, eight hundred and fifty men, under Colonel D. E, Wood. 

The Fifteenth or Scandinavian regiment, Colonel H. C. Heg, seven hundred men, and the 
Sixteenth, Colonel Benjamin Allen, nine hundred men, v.ere at that time at "Camp Randall," in 
near readiness for marching orders. The Seventeenth (Irish) regiment. Colonel J. L. Doran, and 
the Eighteenth, Colonel James S. Alban, had their full number of companies in readiness, lacking 
one, and had been notified to go into camp — the former at Madison, the latter at Milwaukee. 
Seven companies of artillery, numbering together one thousand and fifty men, had remained for 
a considerable time in " Camp Utley," Racine, impatient of the delays of the General Govern- 
ment in calling them to move forward. Three additional companies of artillery were about 
going into camp, numbering three hundred and thirty-four men. Besides these, the State had 
furnished, as already mentioned, an independent company of cavalry, then in Missouri, raised 
by Captain Von Deutsch, of eighty-one men ; a company of one hundred and four men for Ler- 
dan's sharpshooters; and an additional company for the Second regiment, of about eighty men. 
Three regiments of cavalry — the First, Colonel E. Daniels; thj Second, Colonel C. C. Washburn; 
and the Third, Colonel W. A. Barstow ; were being organized. They numbered together, two thou- 
sand four hundred and fifty men. The Nineteenth (independent) regiment uas rapidly organ- 
izing under the direction of the General Government, by Colonel H. T. Sanders, Racine. Not 
bringing this last regiment into view, the State had, at the commencement of Governor Harvey's 
administration, including the First, three-months' regiment, either in the service of the United 
States or organizing for it, a total of twenty-one thousand seven hundred and eighty-three men. 



80 HISTORY OF WISCONSIlSr. 

The legislature at its regular session of 1862, passed a law making it necessary to present 
all claims which were made payable out of the war fund, within twelve months from the time they 
accrued ; a law was also passed authorizing the investment of the principal of the school fund in 
the bonds of the state issued for war purposes ; another, amendatory of the act of the extra session 
of 1861, granting exemption to persons enrolled in the military service, so as to except persons 
acting as fiduciary agents, either as executors or administrators, or guardians or trustees, or 
persons defrauding the State, or any school district of moneys belonging to the same ; also author- 
izing a stay of proceedings in foreclosures of mortgages, by advertisements. " The State Aid 
Law" was amended so as to apply to all regiments of infantry, cavalry, artillery and sharpshooters, 
defining the rights of families, fixing penalties for the issue of false papers, and imposing duties on 
military officers in the field to make certain reports. These amendments only included regi- 
ments and companies organized up to and including the Twentieth, which was in process of 
organization before the close of the session. A law was also passed suspending the sale of lands 
mortgaged to the State, or held by volunteers ; another defining the duties of the allotment com- 
missioners appointed by the president of the United States, and fixing their compensation. One 
authorized the issuing of bonds for two hundred thousand dollars for war purposes ; one author- 
ized a temporary loan from the general fund to pay State aid to volunteers ; and one, the appoint- 
ment of a joint committee to investigate the sale of war bonds ; while another authorized the 
governor to appoint surgeons to batteries, and assistant surgeons to cavalry regiments. 

The legislature, it will be remembered, took a recess from the seventh of April to the third 
of June, 1862. Upon its re-assembling, ..-. .ict was passed providing i jr the discontinuance of the 
active services of the paymaster general, quartermaster general and commissary general. 
Another act appropriated twenty thousand dollars to enable the governor to care for the sick 
and wounded soldiers of the State. There was also another act passed authorizing the auditing, 
by the quartermaster general, of bills for subsistence and transportation of the Wisconsin cavalry 
regiments. At the extra session called by Governor Salomon, for the tenth of September, 1862,. 
an amendment was made to the law granting aid to families of volunteers, by including all regi- 
ments of cavalry, infantry, or batteries of artillery before that time raised in the State, or that 
might afterward be raised and mustered into the United States service. It also authorized the 
levying of a State tax of two hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars to be placed to the credit 
of the war fund and used in the payment of warrants for " State Aid" to families of volunteers. 
Another law authorized commissioned officers out of the State to administer oaths and take 
acknowledgments of deeds and other papers. One act authorized soldiers in the field, although 
out of the State, to exercise the right of suffrage ; and another gave towns, cities, incorporated 
villages and counties the authority to raise money to pay bounties to volunteers. 

On the fifth of .\ugust, 1862, Governor Salomon received from the war department a dispatch 
stating that orders had been issued for a draft of three hundred thousand men to be immediately 
called into the service of the United States, to serve for nine months unless sooner discharged ; 
that if the State quota under a call made July 2, of that year, for three hundred thousand vol- 
unteers, was not filled by the fifteenth of .-Vugust, the deficiency would be made up by draff, and 
that the secretary of war \VDuld assign the quotas to the States and establish regulations for the 
draft. On the eighth of that month, the governor of the Stale was ordered to immediately cause 
an enrollment of all able-bodied citizens between eighteen and forty-five years of age, by counties. 
Governor Salomon was authorized to appoint proper officers, and the United States promised to 
pay all reasonable expenses. The quota for AVisconsin, under the call for nine months' men, was 
eleven thousand nine hundred and four. The draft was made by the governor in obedience to 
the order he had received from Washington ; but such had been the volunteering under the stim- 



TVTSCO^rSlN- AS A STATE. 81 

ulus caused by a fear of it, that only tour thousaiul five hundred and thirty-seven men were 
drafted. This was the first and only draft made in Wisconsin by the State authorities. 
Subsequent ones were made under the direction of the provost marshal general at ^Vash- 
ington. 

The enlisting, organization and mustering into the United States service during Randall's 
administration of thirteen regiments of infantry — the First to the Thirteenth inclusive, and the 
marching of ten of them out of the State before the close of iS6i, also, of one company of cavalry 
under Captain Yon Deutsch and one company of sharpshooters under Captain Alexander, con- 
stituted the effective aid abroad of Wisconsi:: during that year to suppress the rebellion. But for 
the year 1862, this aid, as to number of organizations, was more than doubled, as will now be 
shown. 

The Xinth regiment left " Camp Sigel," Milwaukee, under command of Colonel Frederick 
Salomon, on the twenty-second of January, 1S62, numbering thirty-nine officers and eight hun 
dred and eighty-four men, to report at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. 

The Twelfth infantry left Wisconsin under command of Colonel George E. Brvant, ten 
hundred and forty-five strong, the eleventh of January, 1862, with orders to report at Weston, 
Missouri. 

The Thirteenth regiment — Colonel Maurice Maloney — left "Camp Tredway," JanesviUe, on 
the eighteenth of January, 1862, nine hundred and seventy strong, under orders to report at 
Leavenworth, Kansas, where it arrived on the twentv-third. 

The Fourteenth regiment of infantry departed from " Camp Wood," Fond du Lac, under 
command of Colonel David E. Wood, for St. Louis Missouri, on the eighth of Alarch, 1862, it 
having been mustered into the United States service on the thirtieth of January previous. Its 
total strength was nine hundred and seventy officers and men. It arrived at its destination on 
the tenth of March, and went into quarters at " Benton Barracks." 

The Fifteenth regiment, mostly recruited from the Scandinavian population of Wisconsin 
was organized at "Camp Randall," Madison — Hans C. Heg as colonel. Its muster into the 
United States service was completed on the fourteenth of February, 1S62, it leaving the State for 
St. Louis, Missouri, on the second of March following, with a total strength of eight hundred and 
one officers and men. 

'J'he Sixteenth regiment was organized at "Camp Randall," and was mustered into the 
service on the last day of January, 1862, leaving the State, with Benjamin Allen as colonel, for 
St. Louis on the thirteenth of Marcli ensuing, having a total strength of one thousand and 
sixty-six. 

The reg. mental organization of the Seventeenth infantry (Irish), Colonel John L. Doran, 
was effected at " Camp Randall," and the mustering in of the men completed on the fifteenth of 
March, 1862, the regiment leaving the State on the twenty-third for St. Louis 

The Eighteenth regiment organized at " Camp Trowbridge," Milwaukee — James S. Alban, 
colonel — completed its muster into the United States service on the fit'teenth of March, 1862, 
and left the State for St. Louis on the thirtieth, reaching their point of destination on the thirty- 
first. 

The Nineteenth infantry rendezvoused at Racine as an independent regiment, its colonel, 
Horace T. Sanders, being commissioned by the war department. The men were mustered into 
the service as fast as they were enlisted. Independent organizations being abolished, bv an 
order from Washington, the Nineteenth was placed on the same footing as other regiments in the 
State. On the twentieth of April, 1S62, the regiment was ordered to "Camp Randall " to guard 
rebel prisoners. Here the mustering in was completed, numbering in all nine hundred and 
seventy-three. They left the State for Washington on the second of June. 



82 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

The muster into the United States service of the Twentieth regiment — Bertine Pinckncy, 
colonel — was completed on the twenty-third of August, 1S62, at "Camp Randall," the original 
strength being nine hundred and ninety. On the thirtieth of August the regiment left the St.-te 
for St. Louis. 

The Twenty-first infantry was organized at OshI: m!i, being mustered in on the fifth of Sep- 
tember, 1S62, with a force of one thousand and two, all told — Benjamin J. Sweet, colonel — 
leaving the State for Cincinnati on the eleventh. 

The Twenty-second regiment — Colonel William L. Utley — was organized at "Camp Utley," 
Racine, and mustered in on the second of September, 1862. Its original strength was one thou- 
sand and nine. It left the State for Cincinnati on the sixteenth. 

On the thirtieth of August, 1862, the Twenty-third regiment — Colonel Joshua J. Guppey — 
was mustered in at "Camp Randall," leaving Madison for Cincinnati on the fifteenth. 

The Twenty -fourth infantry rendezvoused at "Camp Sigel," Milwaukee. Its muster in was 
completed on the twenty-first of August, 1S62, the regiment leaving the State under Colonel 
Charles H. Larrabee, for Kentucky, on the fifth of September, one thousand strong. 

On the fourteenth of September, 1862, at " Camp Salomon," LaCrosse, the Twenty-fifth 
regiment was mustered into the service — Milton Montgomery, colonel. They left the State on 
th; nineteenth with orders to report to General Pope, at St. Paul, Minnesota, to aid in suppress- 
ing tlie Indian difficulties in that State. Their entire strength was one thousand and eighteen. 
The regiment, after contributing to the preservation of tranquillity among the settlers, and 
deterring the Indians from hostilities, returned to Wisconsin, arriving at " Camp Randall " on the 
eighteenth of December, 1862. 

The Twenty-sixth — almost wholly a German regiment — was mustered into the service at 
"Camp Sigcl," Milwaukee, on the seventeenth of September, 1862. The regiment, under com- 
mand of Colonel William H. Jacobs, left the State for Washington city on tlie si.xth of October, 
one thousand strong. 

The Twenty-seventh infantry was ordered to rendezvous at " Camp Sigel," Milwaukee, on 
the seventeenth of September, 1862 ; but the discontinuance of recruiting for new regiments in 
August left the Twenty-seventh with only seven companies full. An order authorizing the 
recruiting of three more companies was received, and under the supervision of Colonel Conrad 
Krez the organization was completed, but the regiment at the close of the year had not been 
mustered into the service. 

On the twenty-fourth of October, 1862, the Twenty-eighth regiment — James M. Lewis, of 
Oconomowoc, colonel — was mustered into the United States service at "Camp Washburn," Mil- 
waukee. Its strength was nine hundred and sixty-one. In November, the regiment was 
employed in arresting and guarding the draft rioters in Ozaukee county. It left the State for 
Columbus, Kentucky, on the twentieth of December, where they arrived on the twenty-second; 
remaining there until the fifth of January, 1863. 

The Twenty-ninth infantry — Colonel Charles R. Gill — was organized at "Camp Randall," 
where its muster into the United States service was completed on the twenty-seventh of Sep- 
tember, 1862, the regiment leaving the State for Cairo, Illinois, on the second of November. 

The Thirtieth regiment, organized at "Camp Randall" under the supervision of Colonel 
Daniel J. Dill, completed its muster into the United States service on the twenty-first of October, 
1862, with a strength of nine hundred and six. On the sixteenth of November, one company of 
the Thirtieth was sent to Green Bay to protect the draft commissioner, remaining several weeks. 
On the eighteenth, seven companies moved to Milwaukee to assist in enforcing the draft in Mil- 
waukee county, while two companies remained in "Camp Randall" to guard Ozaukee rioters. 



"WlSCO^rSIX AS A STATE. 83 

On the twenty-second, six companies from Milwaukee went to West Bend, Washington county, 
one company returning to "Camp Randall." After the completion of the draft in Washington 
county, four companies returned to camp, while two companies were engaged in gathering up 
the drafted men. 

The final and complete organization of the Thirty-first infantry — Colonel Isaac E. Mess- 
more— was not concluded during the year 1S62. 

The Thirty-second regiment, organized at " Camp ^Bragg," Oshkosh, with James H. Howe 
as colonel, was mustered into the service on the twenty-fifth of September, 1862; and, on the 
thirtieth of October, leaving the State, it proceeded by way of Chicago and Cairo to Memphis, 
Tennessee, going into camp on the third of November. The original strength of the Thirty- 
second was nine hundred and ninety-three. 

The Thirty-third infantry — Colonel Jonathan B. Moore — mustered in on the eighteenth of 
October, 1862, at " Camp Utley," Racine, left the State, eight hundred and ninety-two strong, 
moving by way of Chicago to Cairo. 

The Thirty-fourth regiment, drafted men, original strength nine hundred and sixty-one — 
Colonel Fritz Anneke — had its muster into service for nine months completed at " Camp Wash- 
burn," Milwaukee, on the last day of the year 1862. 

Of the twenty-four infantry regiments, numbered from the Twelfth to the Thirty-fourth 
inclusive, and including also the Ninth, three — the Ninth, Twelfth, and Thirteenth — were mus- 
tered into the United States service in 1861. The whole of the residue were mustered in during 
the year 1862, except the Twenty-seventh and the Thirty-first. All were sent out of the State 
during 1862, except the last two mentioned and the Twenty-fifth, Thirtieth, and Thirty-fourth. 
The First regiment of cavalry — Colonel Edward Daniels — perfected its organization at 
" Camp Harvey," Kenosha. Its muster into the United States service was completed on the 
eighth of March, 1862, the regiment leaving the State for St. Louis on the seventeenth, with a 
strength of eleven hundred and twenty-four. 

The muster of the Second Wisconsin cavalry was completed on the twelfth of March, 1862, 
at "Camp Washburn," Milwaukee, the regiment leaving the State for St. Louis on the twenty- 
fourth, eleven hundred and twenty-seven strong. It was under the command of Cadwallader C. 
Washburn as colonel. 

The Third Wisconsin cavalry — Colonel William A. Barstow — was mustered in at " Camp 
Barstow," Janesville. The muster was completed on the 31st of January, 1862, the regiment 
leaving the State on the 26th of March for St. Louis, with a strength of eleven hundred and 
eighty-six. 

The original project of forming a regiment of light artillery in Wisconsin was overruled 
by the war department, and the several batteries were sent from the State as independent 
organizations. 

The First battery — Captain Jacob T. Foster — perfected its organization at "Camp Utley," 
where the company was mustered in, it leaving the State with a strength of one hundred and 
fifty-five, on the 23d of January, 1862, for Louisville, where the battery went into "Camp 
Irvine," near that city. The Second battery — Captain Ernest F. Herzberg — was mustered into 
the service at "Camp Utley," October 10, 1861, the company numbering one hundred and fifty- 
three. It left the State for Baltimore, on the 21st of January, 1862. The Third battery — Cap- 
tain L. H. Drury — completed its organization of one hundred and seventy at " Camp Utley," and 
was mustered in October 10, 1861, leaving the State for Louisville, on the 23d of January, 
1862. The Fourth battery — Captain John F. Vallee — rendezvoused at "Camp Utley." Its 
■muster in was completed on the ist of October, 1861, its whole force being one hundred and fifty 
wne. The company left the State for Baltimore on the 21st of January, 1S62. The Fifth bat- 



84 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

tery, commanded by Captain Oscar F. Pinney, was mustered in on tho ist of October, i86i, at 
" Camp Ulley," leaving the State for St. Louis, on the 15th of March, 1862, one hundred and 
fifty-five strong. The Sixth battery — Captain Henry Dillon — was mustered in on the 2d of 
October, 1861, at " Camp Utley," leaving the State for St. Louis, March 15, 1862, with a numer- 
ical strength of one hundred and fifty-seven. The Seventh battery — Captain Richard R. Grif- 
fiths — was mustered in on the 4th of October, iS6r, at " Camp Utley," and proceeded on the 15th 
of March, 1862, with the Fifth and Sixth batteries to St. Louis. The Eighth battery, cora- 
manded'by Captain Stephen J. Carpenter, was mustered in on the 8th of January, 1862, at 
"Camp Utley," and left the State on the i8th of March following, for St. Louis, one hundred and 
sixty-one strong. The Ninth battery, under command of Captain Cyrus H. Johnson, was organ- 
ized at Burlington, Racine county. It was mustered in on the 7th of January, 1862, leaving 
" Camp Utley " for St. Louis, on the iSth of March. At St. Louis, their complement of men — 
one hundred and fifty-five — was made up by the transfer of forty-five from another battery. The 
Tenth battery — Captain Yates V. Bebee— after being mustered in at Milwaukee, on the loth of 
February, 1S62, left " Camp Utley," Racine, on the i8th of March for St. Louis, one hundred and 
seventeen strong. The Eleventh battery — Captain John O'Rourke — was made up of the "Oconto 
Irish Guards " and a detachment of Illinois recruits. The company was organized at " Camp 
Douglas," Chicago, in the Spring of 1862. Early in 1862, WiJiam A. Pile succeeded in enlisting 
ninety-nine men as a company to be known as the Twelfth battery. The men were mustered in 
and sent forward in squads to St. Louis. Captain Pile's commission was revoked on the 18th 
of July. His place was filled by William Zickrick. These twelve batteries were all that left the 
State in 1862. To these are to be added the three regiments of cavalry and the nineteen regi- 
ments of infantry, as the effective force sent out during the year by Wisconsin. 

The military officers of the State, at the commencement of 1863, were Edward Salomon, 
governor and commander-in-chief; Brigadier General .Augustus Gaylord, adjutant general; 
Colonel S. Nye Gibbs, assistant adjutant general ; Brigadier General Nathaniel F. Lund, 
quartermaster general; Brigadier General E. B. \Volcott, surgeon general; and Colonel W. H. 
Watson, military secretary. The two incomplete regiments of 1862 — the Twenty-seventh and 
Thirty-first volunteers — were completed and in the field in March, 1S63. The former was 
mustered in at "Camp Sigel " — Colonel Conrad Krez — on the 7th of March, and left the State, 
eight hundred and sixty-five strong, on the i6th for Columbus, Kentucky; the latter, under 
command of Colonel Isaac E. Messmore, with a strength of eight hundred and seventy-eight, 
left Wisconsin on the ist of March, for Cairo, Illinois. The Thirty-fourth (drafted) regiment 
left "Camp Washburn," Milwaukee, on the 31st of January, 1863, for Columbus, Kentucky, 
numbering nine hundred and sixty-one, commanded by Colonel Friiz .\nneke. On the 17th of 
February, 1863, the Twenty-fifth regiment left "Camp Randall" U>i Cairo, Illinois. The 
Thirtieth regiment remained in Wisconsin during the whole of 1863, performing various 
duties — the only one of the whole thirty-four that, at the end of that year, had not left the State. 

On the 14th of January, 1S63, the legislature of Wisconsin, as before stated, convened 
at Madison. Governor Salomon, in his message to that body, gave a summary of the transac- 
tions of the war fund during the calendar year; also of what was done in 1862, in the recruiting 
of military forces, and the manner in which the calls of the president vvere responded to. There 
were a number of military laws passed at this session. A multitude of special acts authorizing 
towns to raise bounties for volunteers, were also passed. 

No additional regiments of infantry besides those already mentioned were organized m 
1863, although recruiting for old regiments continued. On the 3d of March, 1863, the congress 
of the United States passed the " Conscription Act." Under this act, Wisconsin was divided 



WISCON^ilN AS A STATE. 85 

into six districts. In the first district, I. M. Bean was ajjpointL'd provost marshal; C. M. liakcr.. 
commissioner; and J. li. Dousman, examining surgeon. Headcjuarters of this district was at 
Milwaukee. In the second district, S. J. M. Putnam was apjjointed provost marshal; L. ]>. 
Caswell, commissioner; and Dr. C. R. Head, examining surgeon. Headquarters of this 
district was at JanesviUc. In the third district, J. G. Clark was appointed provost marshal; E. 
E. Byant, commissioner; and John H. Vivian, examining surgeon. Headquarters at Prairie 
du Chien. In the fourth district, E. L. Phillips was appointed provost marshal ; Charles. 
Hurchard, commissioner; and L. H. Cary, examining surgeon. Headquarters at Fond du 
Lac. In the fiftli district, C. R. Merrill was appointed provost marshal ; William .V. Bugh., 
commissioner; and H. C). Crane, examining surgeon. Headquarters at Green Bay. in the 
sixth district, B. F. Cooiier was appointed provost marshal; L. S. Fisher, commissioner; and! 
D. D. Cameron, examining surgeon. Headquarters at LaCrosse. The task of enrolling the 
State was commenced in the month of May, and was proceeded with to its completion. The 
nine months' term of service of the Thirty-fourth regiment, drafted militia, having expired, the 
regiment was mustered out of service on the Sth of September. 

The enrollment in Wisconsin of all [lersons liable to the "Conscription" amounted tO' 
121,202. A draft was ordered to take place in November. Nearly fifteen thousand were 
drafted, only six hundred and twenty-eight of whom were mustered in ; the residue either 
furnished substitutes, were discharged, failed to report, or jiaid commutation. 

In the Summer of 1861, Company " K," Captain Langworthy, of the Second Wisconsin 
infantry, was detached and placed on duty as heavy artillery. His company was designated as 
"A," First Regiment Heavy Artillery. This was the only one organised until the Summer of 
1863; but its organization was effected outside the State. Three companies were necessary to-' 
add to company " .V " to complete the battalion. Batteries " B," " C " and " D " were, therefore., 
organized in Wisconsin, all leaving the State in (October and November, 1S63. 

Ninth Admixisik.^i'ion — J.a.mes T. Lewis, Governor — 1864-1S65. 

James T. Lewis, of Columbia county, was inaugurated governor of Wisconsin on the fourtTt' 
of January, 1864. In an inaugural address, the incoming governor pledged himself to use n^ 
executive patronage for a re-election; declared he would administer the government without 
prejudice or partiality ; and committed himself to an economical administration of affairs con- 
nected with the State. On the thirteenth the legislature met in its seventeenth regular session. 
W. W. Field was elected si>eaker of the assembly. The republican and union men were ini 
the majority in this legislature. A number of acts were passed relative to military matters. 

On the I St day of October, J. L. Pickard having resigned as superintendent of public', 
instruction, J. G. iMcMynn was, by the governor, apiJOiiited to fill the vacancy. On the fif- 
teenth of November, (iovernor Lewis appointed Jason Downer an associate justice of the 
supreme court, to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Judge Byron Paine, who had 
resigned his position to take effect on that day, in order to accept the [losition of lieutenant 
colonel of one of the regiments of Wisconsin, to which he had been commissioned on the tenth 
of August previous. The November elections of this year were entered into with great zeal by 
the two parties, owing to th^ fact that a president and vice president of the United States were 
to be chosen. The republicans were victorious. Electors of that party cast their eight votes, 
for Lincoln and Johnson. The members elected to the thirty -ninth congress from Wisconsin, 
at this election were : from the first district, H. E. Paine ; from the second, I. C. Sloiin ; front, 
the third, Amasa Cobb; from the fourth, C. :\. Eldredge; from the fifth, I'hiletus Sawyer; audi 



86 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

from the sixth district, W. D. Mclndoe. All were republicans except Eldredge, who was 
elected as a democrat. 

The Eighteenth regular session of the Wisconsin legislature began in Madison on the elev- 
enth of January, 1865. W. W. Field was elected speaker of the assembly. The legislature 
was, as to its political complexion, "Republican Union." On the tenth of April, the last day of 
the session. Governor Lewis informed the legislature that General Lee and his army had sur- 
rendered. " Four years ago," said he, "on the day fixed for adjournment, the sad news of the 
fall of Fort Sumter was transmitted to the legislature. To-day, thank God! and next to Him 
the brave officers and soldiers of our army and navy, I am permitted to transmit to you the 
official intelligence, just received, of the surrender of General Lee and his army, the last prop 
of the rebellion. Let us rejoice, and thank the Ruler of the Universe for victory and the pros- 
pects of an honorable peace." In February preceding, both houses ratified the constitutional 
amendment abolishing slavery in the United States. At the Spring election, Jason Downer was 
chosen associate justice of the supreme court for a full term of six years. The twentieth of 
April was set apart by the governor as a day of thanksgiving for the overthrow of the rebellion 
and restoration of peace. At the Fall election both parties, republican and democratic, had 
tickets in the field. The republicans were victorious, electing Lucius Fairchild, governor; 
Wyman Spooner, lieutenant governor; Thomas S. Allen, secretary of state; William E. Smith, 
state treasurer; Charles R. Gill, attorney general; John G. McMynn, superintendent of 
l)ublic instruction; J. M. Rusk, bank comptroller; and Henry Cordier, state prison cjmmis- 
sioner. 

War of Secession — Lewis' Administr.\tion. 

The military officers for 1864 were besides the governor (who was commander-in-chief) 
Brigadier General Augustus Gaylord, adjutant general; Colonel S. Nye Gibbs, assistant adju- 
tant general; Brigadier General Nathaniel F. Lund, quartermaster and commissary general, 
and chief of ordnance ; Brigadier General E. B. Wolcott, surgeon general ; and Colonel Frank 
H. Firmin, military secretary. The legislature met at Madison on the 13th of January, 1864. 
"In response to the call of the General Government," said the governor, in his message to that 
body, " Wisconsin had sent to the field on the first day of November last, exclusive of three 
months' men, thirty - four regiments of infantry, three regiments and one company of cavalry, 
twelve batteries of light artillery, three batteries of heavy artillery, and one company of sharp- 
shooters, making an aggregate of forty-one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five men." 

Quite a number of laws were passed at this session of the legislature relative to military 
matters : three were acts to authorize towns, cities and villages to raise money by tax for the 
payment of bounties to volunteers; one revised, amended and consolidated all laws relative to 
extra pay to Wisconsin soldiers in the service of the United States; one provided for the proper 
reception by the State, of Wisconsin volunteers returning from the field of service; another 
repealed the law relative to allotment commissioners. One was passed authorizing the gov- 
ernor to purchase flags for regiments or batteries whose flags were lost or destroyed in the 
service : another was passed amending the law suspending the sale of lands mortgaged to the 
State or held by volunteers, so as to apply to drafted men ; another provided for levying a State 
tax of $200,000 for the support of families of volunteers. A law was passed authorizing the 
governor to take care of the sick and wounded soldiers of Wisconsin, and appropriated ten 
thousand dollars for that purpose. Tvvci other acts authorized the borrowing of money for repel- 
ling invasion, suppressing insurrection, and defending the State in time of war. One act pro- 
hibited the taking of fees for procuring volunteers' extra bounty ; another one defined the resi- 
dence of certain soldiers from this St„te in the service of the United States, who had received 



WTSCOXSIX AS A STATE. 87 

local bounties from towns otlier than their proper [ilaces of residence. 

At the commencement of 1864, there were recruiting in the State the Thirty-fifth regiment 
of infantry and the Thirteenth battery. The latter was mustered in on the 29th of December, 
1863, and left the State for New Orleans on the 28th of January, 1864. In February, authority 
was given by the war department to organize the Thirty-sixth regiment of infantry. On the 
27th of that month, the mastering n of the Thirty-fifth was completed at " Camp Washburn '' 
— Colonel Henry Orff — the regiment, one thousand and sixty-si.x strong, leaving the State on the 
i8th of April, 1864, for Alexandria, Louisiana. The other regiments, recruited and mustered 
into the service of the United States during the year 1864, were: the Thirty-sixth — Colonel 
Frank A. Haskell ; the Thirty-seventh — Colonel Sam Harriman ; the Thirty-eighth — Colonel 
James Bintliff; the Thirty -ninth — Colonel Edwin L. Ruttrick ; the Fortieth — Colonel W. 
.Augustus Ray; the Forty-first — Lieutenant Colonel George B. Goodwin; the Forty-second — 
Colonel Ezra T. Sprague; the Forty-third — Colonel Amasa Cobb. 

The regiments mustered into the service of the United States during the year 1865 were: 
the Forty-fourth — Colonel Cleorge C. Symes ; the Forty-fifth — Colonel Henry F. Belitz; Forty- 
sixth — Colonel Frederick S. Lovell ; Forty-seventh — Colonel George C. Ginty ; Forty-eighth- — 
Colonel Uri B. Pearsall ; Forty-ninth — Colonel Samuel Fallows; Fiftieth — Colonel John G. 
Clark; Fifty-first — Colonel Leonard Martin; Fifty-second — Lieutenant Colonel Hiram J. Lewis ; 
and Fifty-third — Lieutenant Colonel Robert T. Pugh. 

.Vll of the fifty-three regiments of infantry raised in Wisconsin during the war, sooner or 
later moved to the South and were engaged there in one way or other, in aiding to suppress the 
rebellion. Twelve of these regiments were assigned to duty in the eas'.ern division, which con- 
stituted the territory on both sides of the Potomac and upon the seaboard from Baltimore to 
Savannah. These twelve regiments were: the First (three months). Second, Third, Fourth, 
Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Nineteenth, Twenty-sixth, Thirty-sixth, Thirty-seventh, and Thirty-eighth. 
Ten regiments were assigned to the central division, including Kentucky, Tennessee, Northern 
.Alabama, and Georgia. These ten were: the Tenth, Twenty-first, Twenty-second, Twenty- 
fourth, Thirtieth, Forty-third, Forty-fourth, Forty-fifth, Forty-sixth, and Forty-seventh. Added 
to these was the First (re-organized). Thirty-one regiments were ordered to the western division, 
embracing the country west and northwest of the central division. These were : the Eighth, 
Ninth, Eleventh, Twelfth, Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth, Sixteenth, Seventeenth, Eighteenth, 
Twentieth, Twenty-third, Twenty-fifth, Twenty-seventh, Twenty-eighth, Twenty-ninth, Thirty-first, 
Thirty-second, Thirty-third, Thirty-fourth, Thirty-fifth, Thirty-ninth, Fortieth, Forty-first, Forty- 
second, Forty-eighth, Forty-ninth, Fiftieth, Fifty-first, Fifty-second, and Fifty-third. During the 
war several transfers were made from one district to another. There were taken from the eastern 
division, the Third and Twenty-sixth, and sent to the central division; also the Fourth, which 
was sent to the department of the gulf. The Twelfth, Thirteenth, Fifteenth, Sixteenth, Seven- 
teenth, Eighteenth, Twenty-fifth, Thirtieth, Thirty-first and Thirty-second were transferred from 
the western to the central department. 

The four regiments of cavelry were assigned to the western division — the First regiment 
being afterward transferred to the central division. Of the thirteen batteries of light artillery, the 
Second, Fourth, and Eleventh, were assigned to the eastern division ; the First and Third, to 
the central division ; the Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, Twelfth, and Thirteenth, 
to the western division. During the war, the First was transferred to the western division ; while 
the Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, Tenth, and Twelfth, were transferred to the central division. Of the 
twelve batteries of the First regiment of heavy artillery — "A," "E," "F," "G," "H," "I," 
"K," "L," and "M," were assigned to duty in the eastern division ; "B" and "C," to the central 



88 lIISTORy OF WISCONSIN". 

division; and "D." to tlie western division. Company "G," First regiment Berdan's sharp- 
shooters, was assigned to the eastern division. 

The military officers of the State for 1865 were the same as the previous year, e.xcept that 
Brigadier General Lund resigned his position as quartermaster general, James M. Lynch being 
appointed in his place. The legislature of this year met in Madison on the nth of January. 
" To the calls of the Government for troops," said Governor Lewis, in his message, " no State 
lias responded with greater alacrity than has Wisconsin. She has sent to the field, since the 
■commencement of the war, forty-four regiments of infantry, four regiments and one company of 
■cavalry, one regiment of heavy artillery, thirteen batteries of light artillery, and one company of 
•sharpshooters, making an aggregate (exclusive of hundred day men) of seventy-five thousand 
one hundred and thirty-three men." 

Several military laws were passed at this session : one authorizing cities, towns, and villages 
to pay bounties to volunteers; another, incorporating the Wisconsin Soldiers' Home; two others, 
amending the act relative "to the commencement and prosecution of civil actions against persons 
in the military service of the country." One was passed authorizing the payment of salaries, 
■clerk hire, and expenses, of the offices of the adjutant general and quartermaster general from 
the war fund ; another, amending the act authorizing commissioned officers to take acknowledg- 
ment of deeds, affidavits and depositions; another, amending the act extending the right of 
suffrage to soldiers in the field. One act provides for correcting and completing the records of 
the adjutant general's office, relative to the military history of the individual members of the 
several military organizations of this State; another fixes the salary of the adjutant general and 
the quartermaster general, and their clerks and assistants; another prohibits volunteer or sub- 
stitute brokerage. One act was passed supplementary and explanatory of a previous one of the 
■same session, authorizing towns, cities, or villages, to raise money to pay bounties to volunteers; 
another, amending a law of 1864, relating to the relief of soldiers' families; and another, pro- 
viding for the establishment of State agencies for the relief and care of sick, wounded, and 
disabled Wisconsin soldiers. There was an act also passed, authorizing the borrowing of money 
for a period not exceeding seven months, to repel invasion, suppress insurrection, and defend the 
.State in time of war, — the amount not to exceed $850,000. 

On the 13th of April, 1S65, orders were received to discontinue recruiting in Wisconsin, and 
to discharge all drafted men who had not been mustered in. About the first of May, orders 
■were issued for the muster out of all organizations whose term of service would expire on or 
l)efore the first of the ensuing October. .\s a consequence, many Wisconsin soldiers were soon 
•on their way home. State military officers devoted their time to the reception of returning 
regiments, to their payment by the United States, and to settling with those who were entitled to 
■extra pay from the State. Finally, their employment ceased — the last soldier was mustered out 
— the War of the Rebellion was at an end. Wisconsin had furnished to the federal army during 
the conflict over ninety thousand men, a considerable number more than the several requisitions 
■of the General Government called for. Nearly eleven thousand of these were killed or died of 
-wounds received in battle, or fell victims to diseases contracted in the military service, to say 
nothing of those who died after their discharge, and whose deaths do not appear upon the mili- 
tary records. Nearly twelve million dollars were expended by the State authorities, and the 
people of the several counties and towns throughout the State, in their efforts to sustain the 
National Government. 

Wisconsin feels, as well she may, proud of her record made in defense of national existence. 
Shoulder to shoulder with the other loyal States of the Union, she stood — always ranking among 
iJie foremost. From her workshops, her farms, her extensive pineries, she poured forth stalwart 



WISCONSIN AS A 8TATE. 89 

men, to fill up the organizations which she sent to the field. 'J'hc blood of these brave men 
drenched almost every battle-field from Pennsylvania to the Rio Grande, from Missouri to 
Georgia. To chronicle the deeds and exploits — -the heroic achievements — the noble enthusiasm 
— of the various regiments and military organizations sent by her to do battle against the hydra- 
headed monster secession — would be a lengthy but pleasant task ; but these stirring annals 
belong to the history of our whole country. Therein will be told the story which, to the latest 
time in the existence of this republic, will be read with wonder and astonishment. But an out- 
line of the action of the State authorities and their labors, and of the origin of the various 
military organizations, in Wisconsin, to aid in the suppression of the rebellion, must needs 
contain a reference to other helps employed — mostly incidental, in many cases wholly charitable 
but none the less effective : the sanitary operations of the State during the rebellion. 

Foremost among the sanitary operations of Wisconsin during the war of the rebellion was 
the organization of the surgeon general's department — to the end that the troops sent to the 
field from the State should have a complete and adequate supjjly of medicine and instruments as 
well as an efficient medical staff. In iS6i, Governor Randall introduced the practice of appoint- 
ing agents to travel with the regiments to the field, who were to take charge of the sick. The 
practice was not continued by Governor Harvey. On the 17th of June, 1862, an act of the 
legislature became a law authorizing the governor to take care of the sick and wounded soldiers 
of Wisconsin, and appropriated twenty thousand dollars for that purpose. Under this law- 
several expeditions were sent out of the State to look after the unfortunate sons who were 
suffering from disease or wounds. Soldiers' aid societies were formed throughout the State soon 
after the opening scenes of the rebellion. When temporary sanitary operations were no longer 
a necessity in Wisconsin, there followed two military benevolent institutions intended to be of a 
permanent character : the Soldiers' Home at Milwaukee, and the Soldiers' Orphans' Home at 
Madison. The latter, ho\i'ever, has been discontinued. The former, started as a State institu- 
tion, is now wholly under the direction and support of the General Government. 

Whether in the promptitude of her responses to the calls made on her by the General Govern- 
ment, in the courage or constancy of her soldiery in the field, or in the wisdom and efficiency with 
which her civil administration was conducted during the trying period covered by the war of the 
rebellion, Wisconsin proved herself the peer of any loyal State. 

TABULAR STATEMENT. 

\V'e publish on the following pages the report of the Adjutant General at the close of the war^ 
but before all the Wisconsin organizations had been mustered out. It shows how many brave men 
courageously forsook homes, friends and the comforts of peaceful avocations, offering their lives 
in defense of their country's honor. Twenty-two out of every hundred either died, were killed or 
wounded. Thirteen out of every hundred found a soldier's grave, while only 60 per cent of them 
marched home at the end of the war. Monuments may crumble, cities fall into decay, the tootli 
of time leave its impress on all the works of man, but the memory of the gallant deeds of the 
army of the Union in the great war of the rebellion, in which the sons of Wisconsin bore so 
conspicuous a part, will live in the minds of men so long as time and civilized governments endure. 



90 



s 



W 






oSjBqosid 



■2ai9s;n[ 









1— «l— < ,_(,-Ht— I.— Il— (,— t - ^J 



^ w ^ C^ (M 



: CO o ■3' I- o ot) 



c^c<^cscNcccocNl-HC^coc^^-'t^^^:^^oo(^^(7^I-l^^^c-lc^o^f--*■^<^^^^^c■^c^^ i-h(Mi 



c; ,-1 ^ iO 



O?.— (OC0r-'X)^05C0C1-^CD.— ieDCj-fu'r'(X5O'"^C0i— lOO CO 

OriC-lOtiC^COiMCOr-OlutilHcCotf^F-it-OSCMOC: ■— 'O i-i 



CO O It- O (>■ ^ 

lO r- o c* 



'WOi 



Occi:oco;ococ^icoc^-*ocriT-HT^C50Tht-^o:i--Hior-t^TPoicDi>-cnic;co^':o.-HODTti'T»>o]oooococo^ 
'-HO'COLO■^co■^(^^cocDcococcoo<rlcoooc^I>•Ol-H[-■^coclccoD'-HI>.l--cDocx>•— ■^cocct^t^O'-'.-HO 



SB 



■sjuatDjBjioa 



I— 1 t^ CO O CO t— I O' — ■— ' CO — o t- "»ti cc I-- r- 



i-O CO O 

»o >-< o 

^ C^ (M 



^q mvo 



^ i-H CO (Tl .-I i-H 



O CC '--D <N 

CO C-O CO rjl 

i-H C^ r-« 



•5c 

'C 



c£) O "^ -^ >— ' CO CO O' O CC -^ C^ Ci 'O t~- 00 CO CD O C^l Oi CO O ri ■^ --0 O -Tt" O 'X> O ■* 
COCOXCOt^^COCOCDCO-— '.— iC0I>''^C;O»OC^i-0C0>— 't^00XtcT01r->:M00l:^CO 



Ot-OOCO'*G^OOlN'*asOOOi--"CO(MC-l 

t-or-i— •uQt-iooc^t'COcDcotMt-r-o^li-H 

(N ^ -— 



00>-H^r-(cicooc^ciTpcoaoiNiCit-«i— coaoco^Jr-ioocco;ocoooi-i^r-Oi 
t-l'-OO'^'-Ot— CDOOOOi-hOcOOCOOI— CT-OCOOCIC^.— icoi-^t— r^cot^o 
C^C-QOO'C. CiOCraOOCiOOOXiClClCiaOOiXCiOClt^Cil^t-iCODCOOOOO 



OiO»— iC^XCDOcoo coc;ij^_^'._j>-H :;;;;■ rHtTJcoc^'tr-iCi'^coau'i^^urit— II— cDoucoiTJi-HOi^ja:;^ 
.-H"^uoi^uooc^it--i^>-- t'^^■^t--I•-oo■^'-ot--c^)OOC50'-HO<:oocooI--c^-c^cooclc^.— icoi-^t--i 

COCIOCIO-— "CCiCOC-OOC^C-QOO'C. CiOC^OOCiOOOXiClCiCiaOOiXCiOCit^Cil^t-iCC 

.— !■— II— II— I rlr- ( r-i ,_,.— ..— irli— I i— I 



■qi3uaj}g 



irj 



V >:i u u 






. S 4J 4) 



bo 

'» 

-a 



o 






¥ S' ,, 



>i Qj 4J t: t^ 



J3 J3 o) a> ■; 



V ^ <v aj a> 






^ .J3ii h 



5 5 ^-~-2- >; / 

t- t- fl «- -? 



t! ^ >> ; 



^^i 



.'S >> 



-^ ^ sS a H --; 



. i >> 5 5 - ■-- < 



-I 



l^^^^' 



""" -H — I—I __ -.'-^ 



- - (K 

I' 03 
> a> 2 « 

^""^ i 

i- a 

C-5 « 






a ="s ,- c t: 



■ " •;; ja J 



« -s s.= 



= -,"- a 



n a _ J3 _c i ja 

t- I- u •- c: X > tc-7 S ^ fc r' 



tMfaoiHfaaitasi* E-i 



^ Si 



o 7^ . 



:5 C aj 



OJ o * 



ja o 

- U3 3 



a ~ 



93' 

bb,a - 



a a a - - -r r 



.2 g 

S Z H 



QJfl><l>CJUl'C'l'4i'Qj 






s 

I E-iH i 






E-(H&^ H HH 



5 J J c -3 ^ <S ^ -3 " X ^ 

^ '*-•'-< > Tr c i_! *^ o i, fc- j3 

'vtk'P=P'i'?5£m3'2o 

.^ ^ .h .ii .— .-3 "u t^ "t^ t^ 1^ l!^ 



II 



91 



00 CO : t^ 









■^ GO CO I-- (M CO - 






coo t^CC-^C^ "rj«r— ■^i—'i-'DCi'— '■»?<-—( 

'-« _j CO CO CO t-t '-1 



aOflOt-o^i^T-i-^Cdi— >cocD-^^r-cccovCr-.oocc;DTpocs> 



:?; 



fe Tti Ci X X X O X 



CC i-H lO o 

CO !M :^^ CO 



M O — I r- ,-. CC' O O O' 'O C' CO CC 
N -T CO ■-!:■ ,—.,—, r-i .—. f-H lO 



iM t- CO Ci C^ 



' O O O O " 



t»>rac^csxco.— •■~lC•^^OC't»ocococoo■^■-+'— '■^c^'^C'-'TC^aDio^-iO'— ococoo'^cor^O'^-riio^ 

^ X' CO o I.C -^ f-> CO >-H o I—" c-i o cr. o '^ t-- o O' t-- -^ (>j cr. r~ CO '^ CO c^i ^o QC 1-- CO o o '-0 i--:! o o o o ci t-H CO '^ f-" ic; o 

003COOOXOCOC^Outi<-TiC'0 CO'MCNC^C0ClCOCOlMG'li-<CO.-i COrHi-IC^r-f»-H.-»rHrHr-4i-li-li-l Wt- CO 



.— ' UO I- O Ol Tj< CO CO 00 —J "^ CM CC CC' >— ' d i—< 
'X" X O CD CO ■TT' CO ■^ 1-- O? OS CO 1-^ <— t CO CO 



CO X "^ o o 71 I" c. CO -r CI o O' 
coo rHT-^ ^ ocr^-cc-^ 

r-. -^ -M --• 



I^ O X o 

Ci CO o •— ' 
lO CD CCJ X 



^■Zt— "^(Mi-ll^iOOi-HiCiXOC^'^cr. r-i:C 

OICQIMCO 1-1 CO r-4Tt< X X 

^ r-t CO 



CO t- -^ .— ' 1^ 



"* t— CO :D r» 1— " CO O 
rHtM-MX-^-^XX 
OiCiXCiCiX'^co 



•*r^oi— coiOcoOi—tict-Xi-HkOr- I— cicD 
^ c-1 X -^ X o lO r- ut> »o o i-O CO »o '^ X CT) »ra 



>. <U rt ^ 



® o a © =J ^ : 






— j3 ~ ,5 _a — 



t*» 2^ fc- 4J 



'S:" 

;'^ S 



to 



t^ t^ (-• t« CI 
O O O " 



^"_- V a> o 
;^ O t- 0) fc. 
2 ^- 1* ^ fc- ^ 

- &-^ ~ 'S " 
— - - O. . t^ 

— — "* "^^ — rz 

S^-^ > as J* OJ 

fl ^ C3 s* C3 0^ 

r ~^ c r3 — ? ' 

' " " g .i: 3 — 
. .'^ ._ .^ .^ a> .a o ::; . 



r; =s '^ 

J3 CO 



■ S:Si;^i = ^ 

^ ^ — ^ 60-= J 

— ■— 60 to «-D ^ r» 






f^ K>>>^ 



>> cs c; rt a 
u © a; aj a> 



'u, X< u X< u 'C X. 'C 



a -T! 
ce c g 

■rr a> -- 

t- rt -^ ^ - 

(U 60 c3 -5 e3 



^ :S ^' ^ « "^ -^ 



} H b^ E^ 



^ a ":: _a j3 aJ '^ 

7;> Vi' W ^; El W H H 



"^ >» >* t>» >. 



w > <v ii> a> (i> 



mpMCq« 



«5 « * =" S 

_ ^l^'^lgi 






tJ3 



r - -2 a 



H.2 



Id ^ 



92 ■ ■ HISTORY OF WISCONSIl^. 

Tenth Administration. — Lucius Fairchild, Governor — 1866-1S67. 

The inauguration of the newly elected State officers took place on Monday, January r, 
1866. The legislature, in its nineteenth regular session, convened on the tenth. H. D. Barron 
was elected speaker of the assembly. The " Union " and " Republican " members were in a 
majority in both branches of the legislature. " Our first duty," said Governor Fairchild in his 
message, "is to give thanks to Almighty God for all His mercies during the year that is past." 
" The people of no nation on earth," he continued, " have greater cause to be thankful than 
have our people. The enemies of the country have been overthrown in battle. The war has 
settled finally great questions at issue between ourselves." Among the joint resolutions passed 
at this session was one submitting the question of a constitutional convention to frame a new 
constitution for the State, to the people. The legislature adjourned on the twelfth of April, 
having been in session ninety-three days. At the general election in November of this year, 
there were elected to the Fortieth congress : H. E. Paine, from the first district; B. F. Hopkins, 
from the second; Amasa Cobb, from the third; C. A. Eldredge, from the fourth; Philetus 
Sawyer, from the fiftli, and C. C. Washburn, from the si.xth district. All were republicans 
except Eldredge, who was elected as a democrat. The proposition for a constitutional conven- 
tion was voted upon by the people at this election, but was defeated. 

The twentieth session of the legislature commenced on the ninth of January, 1867. 
Angus Cameron was elected speaker of the assembly. The legislature was strongly " Repub- 
lican-Unio.n." The message of Governor Fairchild was read by him in person, on the tenth. 
On the twenty-third, the two houses, in joint convention, elected Timothy O. Howe United 
States senator for the term of six years, commencing on the fourth of March next ensuing. 
This legislature pissed an act submitting to the people at the next Fall election an amendment 
to section twenty-one of article four of the constitution of the State, providing for paying a 
salary of three hundred and fifty dollars to each member of the legislature, instead of a pet- 
diem allowance, as previously given. A sine die adjournment took place on the eleventh of April, 
after a service of ninety-three days. 

To provide for the more efficient collection of license fees due the State, an act, approved 
on the day of adjournment, authorized the governor to appoint an agent of the treasury, to 
superintend and enforce the collection of fees due for licenses fixed by law. This law is still in 
force, the agent holding his office at the pleasure of the executive of the State. 

On the 27th of March, Chief Justice Di.xon resigned his office, but was immediately 
appointed l)y the governor to the same position. At the election in April following, associate 
Justice Cole was re-elected, without opposition, for six years from the first Monday in January 
following. On the 16th of August, Associate Justice Downer having resigned, Byron Paine was 
appointed by the governor in his place. 

The republican State ticket, in the Fall, was elected over the democratic — resulting in the 
choice of Lucius Fairchild for governor ; Wyman Spooner, for lieutenant governor; Thomas 
S. Allen, Jr., secretary of state; William E. Smith, for state treasurer; Charles R. Gill, for 
attorney general ; A. J. Craig, for superintendent of public instruction ; Jeremiah M. Rusk, 
for bank comptroller, and Henry Cordier, for state prison commissioner. Except Craig, all 
these officers were the 'former incumbents. The amendment to section 21 of article 4 of the 
constitution of the State, giving the members a salary instead of a /('/- diem allowance, was 
adopted at this election. As it now stands, each member of the legislature receives, for 
his services, three hundred and fifty dollars per annum, and ten cents for every mile he 
travels in going to and returning from the place of the meetings of the legislature, on the most 



■WISCONSIN' AS A STATE. 93 

usual route. In case of any extra session of the legislature, no additional compensation shall 
be allowed to any member thereof, either directly or indirectly. 

Eleventh ADMiNisTR.-iTioN. — l.ucius Fairchild, Governor (second term) — 186S-1869. 

The Eleventh Administration in Wisconsin commenced at noon on the 6th day of January, 
186S. This was the commencement of Governor Fairchild's second term. On the eighth of 
January, 1868, began the twenty-first regular session of the legislature of Wisconsin. A. M. 
Thomson was elected speaker of the assembly. Of the laws of a general nature passed by this 
legislature, was one abolishing the office of bank comptroller, transferring his duties to the 
state treasurer, and another providing for the establishing of libraries in the various townships 
of the State. A visible effect was produced by the constitutional amendment allowing members 
a salary, in abreviating this session, though not materially diminishing the amount of bnsiness 
transacted. A siih' die adjournment took place on the si.xth of March. 

-At the election in April, 1868, Chief Justice Di.\on was chosen for the unexpired balance of 
his own term, ending on the first Monday of January, 1870. At the same election, Byron Paine 
was chosen associate justice for the unexpired balance of Associate Justice Downer's term, 
ending the ist day of January, 1872. 

At the Fall election in this year, republican electors were chosen over those upon the 
•democratic ticket, for president and vice president ; and, as a consequence. Grant and Colfax 
received the vote of Wisconsin. Of the members elected at the same time, to the forty-first 
■congress, all but one were republicans — Eldredge being a democrat. The successful ticket 
was: H. E. Paine, from the first district; B. F. Hopkins, from the second; Amasa Cobb, from 
the third ; C. A. Eldredge, from the fourth; Philetus Sawyer, from the fifth, and C. C. Washburn, 
from the sixth district. These were all members, form their respective districts, in the previous 
■congress — the only instance since A\'isconsin became a State of a re-election of all the incum- 
bents. 

On the thirteenth of January, 1869, began the twenty-second regular session of the State 
legislature. A. M. Thomson was elected speaker of the assembly. A very important duty 
imposed upon both houses was the election of a United States senator in the place of James R. 
Doolittle. The republicans having a majority in the legislature on joint ballot, the excitement 
among the members belonging to that party rose to a high pitch. The candidates for nomina- 
tion were Matthew H. Carpenter and C. C. Washburn. The contest was, up to that time, 
imparalleled in \Visconsin for the amount of personal interest manifested. Both gentlemen had 
a large lobby influence assembled at Madison. Carpenter was successful before the republican 
nominating convention, on the sixth ballot. On the twenty-seventh of January, the two houses 
proceeded to ratify the nomination by electing him United States senator for six years, from the 
fourth of March following. One of the most important transactions entered into by the legis- 
lature of 1869 was the ratification of the suffrage amendment to the constitution of the United 
States. Both houses adjourned sine die on the eleventh of March — a very short session. At the 
spring election, on the 6th of April, Futher S. Dixon was re-elected without opposition, chief 
justice of the supreme court, for a term of six years, from the first Monday in January next 
ensuing. In the Fall, both democrats and republicans put a State ticket in the field for the 
ensuing election : the republicans were successful, electing Lucius Fairchild, governor ; Thad- 
deus C. Pound, lieutenant governor; Llywelyn Breese, secretary of state ; Henry Baetz, state 
treasurer; S. S. Barlow, attorney general; george F. \\'heeler, state prison commissioner; 
and .\. L. Craig, superintendent of public instruction. The office of bank comptroller expired 
on the 31st day of December, 1869, tlie duties of the office being transferred to the state 
treasurer. 



94 HISTORY OP WISCO^rsiN. 

At this election, an amendment to sections 5 and 9 of article five of the constitution of 
the State was ratified and adopted by the people. Under this amendment, the governor 
receives, during his continuance in office, an annual compensation of five thousand dollars, which 
is in full for all traveling or other expenses incident to his duties. The lieutenant governor 
receives, during his continuance in office, an annual compensation of one thousand dollars. 

Twelfth Administration. — Lucius Fairchild, Governor (third term) — 1870-1S71. 

On the third of January, 1870, commenced the twelfth administration in Wisconsin, Gov- 
ernor Fairchild thus entering upon his third term as chief executive of the State ; the only 
instance since the admission of Wisconsin into the Union, of the same person being twice 
re-elected to that office. It was an emphatic recognition of the value of his services in the 
gubernatorial chair. On the twelfth of January, the twenty-third regular session of the legis- 
lature of the State commenced at Madison. James M. Bingham was elected speaker of the 
assembly. Before the expiration of the month, Governor Fairchild received official informatioa 
that over two hundred thousand dollars of the war claim of Wisconsin upon the General Govern- 
ment had been audited, considerable more than one hundred thousand having the previous year 
been allowed. In the month of March, an energetic effort was made in the legislature, by 
members from Milwaukee, to remove the seat of government from Madison to their city ; but 
the project was defeated by a considerable majority in the assembly voting to postpone the 
matter indefinitelv. According to section eight of article one of the constitution^ as originally 
adopted, no person could be held to answer for a criminal offense unless on the presentment or 
indictment of a grand jury, except in certain cases therein specified. The legislature of 1869. 
proposed an amendment against the "grand jury system " of the constitution, and referred it to the 
legislature of 1870 for their approval or rejection. The latter took up the proposition and 
agreed to it by the proper majority, and submitted it to the people at the next election for their 
ratification. The sine die adjournment of both houses took place on the seventeenth of March,, 
1870. On the first day of January, previous, the member of congress from the second district 
of the State, B. F. Hopkins, died, and David Atwood, republican, was elected to fill the 
vacancy on the fifteenth of February following. 

Early in 1870, was organized the "Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters." By 
an act of the legislature approved March 16, of that year, it was incorporated, having among its 
specific objects, researches and investigations in the various departments of the material, meta- 
physical, ethical, ethnological and social sciences; a progressive and thorough scientific survey 
of the State, with a view of determining its mineral, agricultural and other resources; the 
advancement of the useful arts, through the application of science, and by the encouragement 
of original invention; the encouragement of the fine arts, liy means of honors and prizes 
awarded to artists for original works of superior merit; the formation of scientific, economical 
and art museums; the encouragement of philological and historical research; the collection and 
preservation of historic records, and the formation of a general library; and the diffusion of 
knowledge by the publication of original contributions to science, literature and the arts. The 
academy has already published four volumes of transactions, under authority of the Stale. 

The fourth charitable institution established l)y Wisconsin was the " Northern Hospital for 
the Insane," located at Oshkosh, Winnebago county. It was authorized by an act of the legis- 
lature approved March 10, 1S70. The law governing the admission of patients to this hospital 
is the same as to the Wisconsin State Hospital. 



WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 95 

On the third day of July, iS-o, A. J. Craig, superintendent of public instruction, died of 
•consumption, and Samuel Fallows was, on the 6th of that month, appointed by the governor 
to fill the place made vacant by his death. The census taken this year by the General Govern- 
ment, showed the population of Wisconsin to be over one million sixty -four thousand. At the 
Fall election for members to the forty-second congress, .Alexander Mitchell was chosen to 
represent the first district; G. W. Hazelton, the second; J. A. Barber, the third; C. A. 
Eldredge, the fourth; Philetus Sawyer, the fifth; and J. M. Rusk, the sixth district. Mitchell 
and Eldred<Te were democrats; the residue were republicans. The amendment to section 8, of 
article 7 of the constitution of the State, abolishing the grand jury system was ratified by a 
larfc majority. Under it, no person shall be held to answer for a criminal offense without due 
process of law, and no person, for the same offense, shall be put twice in jeopardy of punishment, 
nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself All persons shall, 
before conviction, be bailable by sufficient sureties, except for capital offenses when the proof is 
evident and the presumption great; and the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be 
suspended unless, when in cases of rebellion or invasion, the public safety may require it. 

Governor Fairchild, in his last annual message to the legislature, delivered to that body at 
its twenty-fourth regular session beginning on the eleventh of January, 187 i, said that Wisconsin 
State polity was so wisely adapted to the needs of the people, and so favorable to the growth 
and prosperity of the commonwealth, as to require l)ut few changes at the hands of the legisla- 
ture, and those rather of detail than of system. At the commencement of this session, William 
E. Smith w.is elected speaker of the assembly. A very carefully-perfected measure of this 
legislature was one providing for the trial of criminal offenses on information, without the inter- 
vention of a Grand Jury. A state commissioner of immigration, to be elected by the people, was 
provided for. Both bodies atljourned sine die on the twenty-fifth of March. On the thirteenth 
•of January preceding, Associate Justice l!yro;i Paine, of the supreme court, died ; whereupon 
the governor, on the 20th of the same month, appointed in his place, until the Spring election 
should be held, William Penn Lyon. The latter, at the election in April, was chosen by the 
people to serve the unexpired time of .\ssociate Justice Paine, ending the first Monday of Jan- 
uary, 1872, and for a full term of six years from the same date. On the 3d of April, Ole C. 
Johnson was appointed by the governor state commissioner of immigration, to serve until his 
successor at the next general election could be chosen by the people. To the end that the 
administration of public charity and correction should thereafter be conducted upon sound 
principles of economy, justice and humanity, and that the relations existing between the State 
and its dependent and criminal classes might be better understood, there was, by an act of the 
legislature, approved March 23, 1S71, a "state board of charities and reform" created — to 
consist of five members to be appointed by the governor of the State, the duties of the members 
being to investigate and supervise the whole system of charitable and correctional institutions 
supported by the State or receiving aid from the State treasury, and on or before the first day of 
December in each year to report their proceedings to the executive of the State. This board 
was thereafter duly organized and its members have since reported annually to the governor 
their proceedings and the amount of their expenses, as required by law. 

The "Wisconsin State Horticultural Society," although previously organized, first under the 
name of the " Wisconsin Fruit Growers' Association," was not incorporated until the 24111 of 
March, 1871 — the object of the society being to improve the condition of horticulture, rural 
adornment and landscape gardening. By a law of iS68, provisio ; was made for tlie publication 
of the society's transactions in connection with the State agricultural society ; but by the act 



96 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

of 1871, this law was repealed and an appropriation made for their yearly publication in separate 
form; resulting in the issuing, up to the present time, of nine volumes. The society holds 
annual meetings at Madison. 

At the November election both republicans and democrats had a full ticket for the suffrages, 
of the people. The republicans were successful, electing for governor, C. C. Washburn; M. H. 
Pettitt, for lieutenant governor ; Llywelyn Breese, for secretary of state ; Henry Baetz, for state 
treasurer; Samuel Fallows, for superintendent of public instruction; S. S. Barlow, for attorney 
general ; O. F. Wheeler, for state prison commissioner ; and O. C. Johnson, for state commis- 
sioner of immigration. At this election an amendment to article four of the constitution of the 
State was ratified and adopted by the people. As it now stands, the legislature is prohibited 
from enacting any special or private laws in the following cases : 1st. For changing the names of 
persons or constituting one jjerson the heir-at-law of another. 2d. For laying out, opening, or 
altering highways, e.xcept in cases of State roads extending into more than one county, and mili- 
tary roads to aid in the construction of which lands may be granted by congress. 3d. For 
authorizing persons to keep ferries across streams, at points wholly within this State. 4th. For 
authorizing the sale or mortgage of real or personal property of minors or others under disability. 
5th. For locating or changing any county seat. 6th. For assessment or collection of taxes or for 
extending the time for the collection thereof 7th. For granting corporate powers or privileges, 
except to cities. 8th. For authorizing the apportionment of any part of the school fund. 9th. 
For incorporating any town or village, or to amend the charter thereof The legislature shall 
provide general laws for tlie transaction of any business that may be prohibited m the foregoing 
cases, and all such laws shall be uniform in their operation throughout the State. 

Industrially considered, the year 1S71 had but little to distinguish it from the average of 
previous years in the State, except that the late frosts of Spring and the drouth of Summer dimin- 
ished somewhat the yield of certain crops. With the exception of slight showers of only an hour 
or two's duration, in the month of September, no rain fell in Wisconsin from the eighth of July to 
the ninth of October — -a period of three months. The consequence was a most calamitous event 
which will render the year 187 1 memorable in the history of the State. 

The great drouth of the Summer and Fall dried up the streams and swamps in Northern 
Wisconsin. In the forests, the fallen leaves and underbrush which covered the ground became 
very ignitable. The ground itself, especially in cases of alluvial or bottom lands, was so dry and 
parched as to burn readily to the depth of a foot or more. For many days preceding the com- 
mencement of the second week in October fires swept through the timbered country, and in some 
instances over prairies and " openings." Farmers, saw-mill owners, railroad men and all others 
interested in exposed property, labored day and night in contending against the advance of 
devouring fires, which were destroying, notwithstanding the ceaseless energies of the people, an 
occasional mill or house and sweeping off, here and there, fences, haystacks and barns. Over the 
counties lying upon Green bay and a portion of those contiguous thereto on the south, southwest 
and west, hung a general gloom. No rain came. All energies were exhausted from " fighting 
fire." The atmosphere was every where permeated with smoke. The waters of the bay and 
even Lake Michigan, in places, were so enveloped as to render navigation difficult and in some 
instances dangerous. It finally became very diffrcult to travel upon highways and on railroads. 
Time drew on — but there came no rain. The ground in very many places was burned over. 
Persons sought refuge — some in excavations in the earth, others in wells. 

The counties of Oconto, Brown, Kewaunee, Door, Manitowoc, Outagamie and Shawano 
were all more or less swept by this besom of destruction ; but in Oconto county, and for some 
distance into Menomonee county, Michigan, across the Menoaionee river, on the west shore of 



WISCONSIX AS A STATE. 97 

the bay and throughout the wliole length and l:>readth of the peninsuhi, — that is, the territory 
lying between the bay and Lake Michigan, — the fires were the most devastating. The first week 
in October passed ; then came an actual whirlwind of fire — ten or more miles in width and of 
indefinite length. The manner of its progress was extraordinary. It destroyed a vast amount of 
property and many lives. It has been described as a tempestuous sea of flame, accompanied by 
a most violent hurricane, which multiplied the force of the destructive element. Forests, farm 
improvements and entire villages were consumed. Men, women and children perished — awfully 
perished. Even those who fled and sought refuge from the fire in cleared fields, in swamps, 
lakes and rivers, found, many of them, no safety there, but were burned to death or died of suf- 
focation. 

This dreadful and consuming fire was heralded by a sound likened to that of a railroad 
train — to the roar of a waterfall — to the noise of a battle at a distance. Not human beings 
only, but horses, oxen, cows, dogs, swine — every thing that had life — ran to escape the impend- 
ing destruction. The smoke was suffocating and blinding ; the roar of the tempest deafening ; 
the atmosphere scorching. Children were separated from their parents, and trampled upon by 
crazed beasts. Husbands and wives rushed in wild dismay, they knew not where. Death rode 
triumphantly upon that devastating, fiery flood. More than one thousand men, women and 
children perished. More than three thousand were rendered destitute — utterly beggared. 
Mothers were left with fatherless children ; fathers with motherless children. Every where were 
homeless orphans. All around lay suffering, helpless humanity, burned and maimed. Such was 
the sickening spectacle after the impetuous and irresistible wave of fire swept over that ];ortion 
of the State. This appalling calamity liappened on the Sth and 9th of October. The loss of 
property has been estimated at four million dollars. 

At the tidings of this fearful visitation, (iovernor Fairchild hastened to the burnt district, to 
assist, as much as was in his power, the distressed sufferers. He issued, on the 13th of the 
month, a stirring appeal to the citizens of Wisconsin, for aid. It was promptly responded to 
from all portions of the State outside the devastated region. Liberal con: ributions in money, 
clothing and provisions were sent — some from other States, and even from foreign countries. 
Northwestern Wisconsin also suffered severely, during these months of drouth, from large fires. 

A compilation of the public statutes of Wisconsin was prepared during the year 1871, by 
David Taylor, and published in two volumes, generally known as the Revised Statutes of 1871. 
It was wholly a private undertaking ; but the legislature authorized the secretary of state to 
purchase five hundred copies for the use of the State, at its regular session in 1872. 

Thirteenth .\r)MiNisTRATioN. — C. C. Washburn, Governor — 1872-1S73. 

The thirteenth gubernatorial administration in Wisconsin commenced on Monday, January 
I, 1872. The only changes made, in the present administration from the previous one, were in 
the offices of governor and lieutenant governor. 

The twenty-fifth regular session of the legislature began on the loth of January, with a 
republican majority in both houses. Daniel Hall was elected speaker of the assembly. The 
next day the governor delivered to a joint convention of the legislature his first annual message 
— a lengthy document, setting forth in detail the general condition of State affairs. The recent 
great conflagrations were referred to, and relief suggested. The work of this session of the Leg- 
islature was peculiarly difficult, owing to the many general laws which the last constitutional 
amendment made nece-sary. The apportionment of the State into new congressional districts 
was another perplexing and onerous task. Eight districts were formed instead of six, as at the 
commencement of the last decade. Hy this, the fourth congressional apportionment, each district 



98 HISTORY OF AVISCONSIN. 

elects one member. The first district consists of the counties of Rock, Racme, Kenosha, Wal- 
worth, and Waukesha ; the second, of Jefferson, Dane, Sauk, and Columbia ; the third»of Grant, 
Iowa, LaFayette, Green, Richland, and Crawford ; the fourth, of Milwaukee, Ozaukee, and Wash- 
ington; the fifth, of Dodge, Fond du Lac, Sheboygan and Manitowoc ; the sixth, of Green Lake, 
Waushara, Waupaca, Outagamie, Winnebago, Calumet, Brown, Kewaunee and Door ; the sev- 
enth, of Vernon, La Crosse, Monroe, Jackson, Trempealeau, Buffalo, Pepin, Pierce, St. Croix, Eau 
Claire, and Clark; the eighth, of Oconto, Shawano, Portage, Wood, Juneau, Adams, Marquette, 
Marathon, Dunn, Chippewa, Barron, Polk, Burnett, Bayfield, Douglas, and Asliland. To this 
district have since been added the new counties of Lincoln, Taylor, Price, Marinette and New. 

After a session of seventy-seven days, the legislature finished its work, adjourning on the 
twenty-seventh of March. At the ensuing November election, the republican ticket for presi- 
dent and vice president of the United States was successful. The ten electors chosen cast their 
votes in the electoral college for Grant and Wilson. In the eight congressional districts, six 
republicans and two democrats were elected to the forty-third congress ; the last mentioned 
from the fourth and fifth districts. C. G. Williams represented the first district ; G. W. Hazel- 
ton the second; J. Allen Barber the third; Alexander Mitchell the fourth; C. A. Eldredge the 
fifth ; Philetus Sawyer the sixth ; J. M. Rusk the seventh ; and A. G. McDill the eighth district. 

Throughout Wisconsin, as in all portions of the Union outside the State, a singular pesti- 
lence prevailed among horses in the months of November and December, 1872, very few escap- 
in". Horses kept in warm, well ventilated stables, avoiding currents of air, with little or no 
medicine, and fed upon nutritious and laxative food, soon recovered. Although but few died, 
yet the loss to the State was considerable, especially in villages and cities, resulting from the diffi- 
culty to substitute other animals in the place of the horse during the continuance of the disease. 

The twenty-sixth regular session of the State legislature commenced on the eighth day of 
January, 1873, with a republican majority in both houses. Henry D. Barron was elected 
speaker of the assembly. On the ninth. Governor Washburn's message — his second annual 
one — was delivered to the two houses. It opened with a brief reference to the abundant returns 
from agricultural pursuits, to the developments of the industries of the state, to the advance in 
manufacturing, to the rapid extension in railways, and to the general and satisfactory progress in 
education, throughout Wisconsin. He followed with several recommendations — claiming that 
"many vast and overshadowing corporations in the United States are justly a source of alarm," 
and that "the legislature can not scan too closely every measure that should come before it 
which proposed to give additional rights and privileges to the railways of the state." He also 
recommended that the " granting of passes to the class of state officials who, through their public 
office, have power to confer or withhold benefits to a railroad company, be prohibited." The 
message was favorably commented upon by the press of the state, of all parties. " If Governor 
Washburn," says one of the opposition papers of his administration, " is not a great statesman, 
he is certainly not a small politician." One of the first measures of this legislature was the elec- 
tion of United States senator, to fill the place of Timothy O. Howe, whose term of office would 
expire on the fourth of March next ensuing On the twenty-second of January the two houses 
met in joint convention, when it was announced that by the previous action of the senate and 
assembly, Timothy O. Howe was again elected to that office for the term of six years. On the 
twentieth of March, the legislature adjourned sine Ju\ after a session of seventy-two days. 

Milton H. Pettitt, the lieutenant governor, died on the 23d day of March following the 
adjournment. By this sudden and unexpected death, the State lost an upright and conscientious 
pviblic officer. 



WISCON'STN' AS A STATE. 99 

Among the important acts passed by this legislature was one providing for a geological sur- 
vey of the State, to be begun in Ashland and Douglas counties, and completed within four years, 
by a chief geologist and four assistants, to be appointed by the governor, appropriating for the 
work an annual payment of thirteen thousand dollars. An act providing for a geological survey, 
of the State, passed by the legislature, and approved March 25, 1S53, authorized the governor to 
appoint a state geologist, who was to select a suitable person as assistant geologist. Their 
duties were to make a geological and mineralogical survey of the State. Under this law Edward 
Daniels, on the first day of April, 1853, was appointed state geologist, superseded on the 12th 
day of August, 1854, by James G. Percival, who died in office on the 2d of May, 1S56, at Hazel 
Green. By an act approved March 3, 1S57, James Hall, Ezra Carr and Edward Daniels were 
appointed by the legislature geological commissioners. By an act approved April 2, rS6o, Hall 
was made principal of the commission. The survey was interrupted bya repeal, March 21, 1S62, 
of previous laws promoting it. However, to complete the survey, the matter was reinstated by 
the act of this legislature, approved March 29, the governor, under that act, appointing as chief 
geologist Increase A. Lapham, April 10, 1873. 

Another act changed the management of the state prison — jnoviding for the appointment 
by the governor of three directors; one for two years, one for four years, and one for six years, 
in place of a state prison commissioner, who had been elected by the people every two years, 
along with other officers of the State. 

At the Spring election, Orsamus Cole, who had been eighteen years upon the bench, was 
re-elected, without opposition, an associate justice of the supreme court, for a term of six years 
from the first Monday in January following. The two tickets in the field at the Fall election 
were the republican and the people's reform. The latter wa% successful ; the political scepter 
passing out of the hands of the republicans, after a supremacy in the State continuing unbroken 
since the beginning of the seventh administration, when A. W. Randall (governor for a second 
term) and the residue of the State officers were elected — all republicans. 

The general success among the cultivators of the soil throughout the state during the year, 
notwithstanding "the crisis," was marked and satisfactory; but the financial disturbances during 
the latter part of the Fall and the first part of the Winter, resulted in a general depreciation of 
prices. 

Fourteenth Administration. — Willi.\m R. Taylor, Governor — -1874-75. 

The fourteenth administration of Wisconsin commenced at noon on Monday, the fifth day 
of January, 1874, by the inauguration of William R. Taylor as governor; Charles D. Parker, 
lieutenant governor; Peter Doyle, secretary of state; Ferdinand Kuehn, state treasurer; 
A. Scott Sloan, attorney general; Edward Searing, superintendent of public instruction; 
and Martin J. Argard, state commissioner of immigration. These officers were not 
elected by any distinctive political party as such, but as the representatives of a new 
political organization, including "all Democrats, Liberal Republicans, and other electors 
of Wisconsin, friendly to genuine reform through equal and impartial legislation, honesty 
in office, and rigid economy in the administration of affairs." Among the marked characteristics 
of the platform agreed upon by the convention nominating the above-mentioned ticket was a 
declaration by the members that they would " vote for no candidate for office whose nomination 
is the fruit of his own importunity, or of a corrupt combination among partisan leaders ;" 
another, " that the sovereignty of the State over corporations of its own creation shall be sacredly 
respected, to the full extent of protecting the people against every form of monopoly or extor- 
tion," not denying, however, an encouragement to wholesome enterprise on the part of aggre- 



100 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

gated capital — this "plank" having special reference to a long series of alleged grievances 
assumed to have been endured by the people on account of discriminations in railroad charges 
and a consequent burdensome taxation upon labor — especially upon the agricultural industry of 
the State. 

The twenty-seventh regular session of the Wisconsin legislature commenced at Madison on 
the fourteenth of January. The two houses were politically antagonistic in their majorities; the 
senate was republican, while the assembly had a "reform" majority. In the latter branch, 
Gabriel Bouck was elected speaker. Governor Taylor, on the fifteenth, met the legislature in 
joint convention and delivered his message. " An era," said he, "of apparent prosperity without 
parallel in the previous history of the nation, has been succeeded by financial reverses affecting 
all classes of industry, and largely modifying the standard of values." "Accompanying these 
financial disturbances," added the governor, " has come an imperative demand from the people 
for a purer political morality, a more equitable apportionment of the burdens and blessings of 
government, and a more rigid economy in the administration of public affairs." 

Among the important acts passed by this legislature was one generally known as the 
" Potter Law," from the circumstance of the bill being introduced by Robert L. D. Potter, sen- 
ator, representing the twenty-fifth senatorial district of the state. The railroad companies for 
a number of years had, as before intunated, been complained of by the people, who charged them 
with unjust discriminations and exorbitantly high rates for the transportation of passengers and 
merchandize. All the railroad charters were granted by acts at different times of the State leg- 
islature, under the constitution which declares that " corporations may be formed under general 
laws, but shall not be created by a special act, exeept for municipal purposes and in cases 
where, in the judgment of the legislature, the objects of the corporations can not be attained 
under general laws. All general laws, or special acts, enacted under the provisions of this 
section, may be altered or repealed by the legislature at any time after their passage." The 
complaints of the people seem to have remained unheeded, resulting in the passage of the 
"Potter Law." This law limited the compensation for the transportation of passengers, classi- 
fied freight, and regulated prices for its transportation within the State. It also required ihe 
governor on or before the first of May, 1S74, by and with the consent of the senate, to appoint 
three railroad commissioners ; one for one year, one for two years, and one for three years, 
whose terms of office should commence on the fourteenth day of May, and that the governor, 
thereafter, on the first day of May, of each year, should appoint one commissioner for three 
years. Under this law, the governor appointed J. H. Osborn, for three years; George H. Paul, 
for two years ; and J. W. Hoyt, for one year. Under executive direction, this commission inau- 
gurated its labors by compiling, classifying, and putting into convenient form for public use for 
the first time, all the railroad legislation of the State. 

At the outset the two chief railroad corporations of the State — the Chicago, Milwaukee and 
St. Paul, and the Chicago and Northwestern — served formal notice upon the governor of Wis- 
consin that they would not respect the provisions of the new railroad law. Under his oath of 
ofllice, to support the constitution of the State, it was the duty of Governor Taylor tc expedite 
all such measures as should be resolved upon by the legislature, and to take care that the laws 
be faithfully executed. No alternative, therefore, was lp'"t the chief executive but to enforce the 
law by all the means placed in his hands for that purpose. He promptly responded to the noti- 
fication of the railroad companies by a proclamation, dated May i, 1874, in which he enjoined 
compliance with the statute, declaring that all the functions of his office would be exercised in 
faithfully executing the laws, and invoking the aid of all good citizens thereto. " The law of the 
land," said Governor Taylor, "must be respected and obeyed." " While none," continued he, 



WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 101 

" are so weak as to be without its protection, none are so strong as to be above its restraints. If 
provisions of the law be deemed oppressive, resistance to its mandates will not abate, but rather 
multiply the anticipated evils." ''It is the right," he added, "of all to test its validity through 
the constituted channels, but with that right is coujilcd the dut\' of yielding a general obedience 
to its re(]uirements until it has been pronounced invalid by competent authority." 

The railroad companies claimed not merely the unconstitutionality of the law, but that its 
enforcement w-ould bankrupt the companies and suspend the oiieration of their lines. The 
governor, in reply, pleaded tlie inviolability of his oath of office and his jjledged faith to the people. 
The result was an appeal to the courts, in which the State, under the direction of its governor, 
was compelled to confront an array of the most formidable legal talent of the country. Upon 
the result in Wisconsin depended the vitality of much similar legislation in neighboring Spates, 
and Governor Taylor and his associate representatives of State authority were thus compelled 
to bear the brunt of a controversy of national extent and consequence. The contention extended 
both to State :;nd United States courts, the main question involved being the constitutional 
power of the State over corporations of its own creation. In all respects, tlie S!:;te was fully 
sustained in its position, and, ultimately, judgments were rendered against the corporations in 
all the State and federal courts, including the supreme court of the United States, and estab- 
lishing finally the complete and absolute power of the people, through the legislature, to modify 
or altogether repeal the charters of corporations. 

Another act of the session of 1874 abolished the office of State commissioner of immigra- 
tion, "on and after " the first Monday of January, 1876. The legislature adjourned on the 
twelfth of March, 1874, after a session of fifty-eight days. 

The office of state prison commissioner having, by operation of law, become vacant on the 
fifth day of January, 1874, the governor, on the twenty-thin! of that month, appointed for State 
prison directors, Joel Rich, for tw 1 years; William E. Smith, for four years; and Nelson Dewey, 
for six years: these to take the place of that officer. 

On the sixteenth of June, Chief Justice Dixon, whose term of office would have expired on 
the first Monday in January, 1876, resigned his seat upon the bench of the supreme court. 
Governor Taylor appointing Kdward (j. Ryan in his place until his successor should be elected 
and qualified. At the November election of this year, the members chosen to the forty-fourth 
congress were — Charles G. Williams, from the first district; Lucian B. Caswell, from the 
second; Henry S. Magoon, from the tliird ; William Pitt Lynde, from the fourth; Samuel D. 
Burchard, from the fifth; A. iM. Kimball, from the sixth; Jeremiah M. Rusk, I'rom the seventh, 
and George W. Gate, from the eighth district. Lynde, Burchard and Gate were " reform ; " the 
residue were republican. 

At the same election, an amendment to section 3 of article 11 of the constitution of the 
State was duly ratified and adopted by the i)eople. Under this section, as it now stands, it is 
the duty of the legislature, and they are by it empowered, to provide for the organization of 
cities and incorporated villages, and to restrict their power of taxation, assessment, borrowing 
money, contracting debts, and loaning their credit, so as to prevent abuses in assessments and 
taxation, and in contracting debts, by such municii)al corporations. No county, city, town, 
village, school district, or other municii;- --orporation, shall be allowed to become indebted in 
any manner, or for any purpose, to "■" .ount, including existing indebtedness in the aggregate, 

exceeding five per centum on the va. e of the taxable property therein, to be ascertained by the 
last assessment for State and county taxes previous to the incurring of such indebtedness. Any 
county, city, town, village, school district, or other municipal corporation, incurring any indebt- 
edness as aforesaid, shall, before, or at the time of doing so, provide for the collection of a direct 



102 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

a.iuual tax sufficient to pay the interest on such debt as it falls due, and also to pay and discharge 
the principal thereof within twenty years from the time of contracting the same. 

In 1872, the first appropriation for fish culture in Wisconsin was made by the legislature, 
subject to the direction of the United States commissioner of fisheries. In 1874, a further sum 
was appropriated, and the governor of the State authorized to appoint three commissioners, 
whose duties were, upon receiving any spawn or 'fish, by or through the United States commis- 
sioner of fish and fisheries, to immediately place such spawn in the care of responsible pisci- 
culturists of the State, to be hatched and distributed in the different waters in and surrounding 
^Visconsin. Two more members have since been added by law to the commission; their labors 
have been much extended, and liberal appropriations made to further the object they have in 
view — with flattering prospects of their finally being able to stock the streams and lakes of the 
State with the best varieties of food fish. 

The year 1S74, in Wisconsin, was characterized as one of general prosperity among farmers, 
excepting the growers of wheat. The crop of that cereal was light, and, in places, entirely 
destroyed by the chinch-bug. As a consequence, considerable depression existed in business in 
the wheat-growing districts. Trade and commerce continued throughout the year at a low ebb, 
the direct result of the monetary crisis of 1873. 

The legislature commenced its twenty-eighth regular session on the thirteenth of January, 
1875, with a republican majority in both houses. F. W. Horn was elected speaker of the 
assembly. The governor delivered his message in person, on the fourteenth, to the two houses. 
" Thanking God for all His mercies," are his opening words, " I congratulate you that order and 
peace reign throughout the length and breadth of our State. Our material prosperity has not 
fulfilled our anticipations But let us remember that we bear no burden of financial depression 
not common to all the States, and that the penalties of folly are the foundation of wisdom." In 
regard to the " Potter Law," the governor said, " It is not my opinion that this law expressed the 
best judgment of the legislature which enacted it. While the general principles upon which it 
is founded command our unqualified approbation, and can never be surrendered, it must be 

conceded that the law is defective in some of its details The great object sought to be 

accomplished by our people," continued the speaker, "is not the management of railroad property 
by themselves, but to prevent its mismanagement by others." Concerning the charge that 
Wisconsin was warring upon railways within her limits, the governor added, " She has never 
proposed such a war. She proposes none now. She asks only honesty, justice and the peace of 
mutual good will. To all men concerned, her people say in sincerity and in truth that every 
dollar invested in our State shall be lawfully entitled to its just protection, whencesoever the 
danger comes. In demanding justice for all, the State will deny justice to none. In forbidding 
mismanagement, the State will impose no restraints upon any management that is lunest and 
just. In this, the moral and hereditary instincts of our people furnish a stronger bond of good 
faith than the judgments of courts or the obligations of paper constitutions. Honest capital 
may be timid and easily frightened; yet it is more certain to seek investment among a people 
whose laws are at all times a shield for the weak and a reliance for the strong — where the 
wholesome restr tints of judicious legislation are felt alike by the exalted and the humble, the 
rich and the poor." 

The first important business to be transacted by this legislature was the election of a United 
States senator, as the term for which M. H Carpenter had been elected would expire on the 
fourth of March ensuing. Much interest was manifested in the matter, not only in the two 
houses, but throughout the State. There was an especial reason for this; for, although the then 



WISCONSIX AS A STATE. 103 

incumbent was a candidate for re-election, with a republican majority in the legislature, yet it 
was well known that enough members of that party were pledged, before the commencement of 
the session, to vote against him, to secure liis defeat, should they stand firm to their pledges. 
The republicans met in caucus and nominated Carpenter for re-election; but the recalcitrant 
members held themselves aloof. Now, according to usual precedents, a nomination by the domi- 
nant party was etjuivalenc to an election ; not so, however, in this case, notwithstanding the friends 
of the nominee felt sanguine of his election in the end. The result of the first ballot, on the 
twenty-sixth of January, was, in the senate, thirteen lor the reiniblican candidate; in the 
assembly, forty-six votes, an aggregate of only fifty-nine. He lacked four votes in the assembly 
and an equal number in the senate, of having a majority i.i each house. On the twenty-seventh, 
the two houses, in joint convention, h iving met to compare the record of the voting the day 
previous, and it appearing that no one person had received a majority of the votes in each house 
for United States senator, they proceeded to their first joint ballot. The result was, no election. 
The balloting was continued each day, until the third of February, when, on the eleventh joint 
trial, Angus Cameron, of LaCrosse, having received sitxty-eight votes, to Carpenter's fifty-nine, 
with five scattering, was declared elected. 

As in the previous session so in tliis, — one of the most absorbing subjects before the legisl.i- 
ture was that of railroads; the " Potter Law" receiving a due share of atlenliun in both houses. 
The result was an amendment in some important particulars without changing the right of State 
control : rates were modified. The law as amended was more favorable to the railroad compa- 
nies and was regarded as a compromise. The legislature adjourned sine die on the 6th of March. 
This was the shortest session ever held in the State except one of twenty-five years previous. 

On the i6th of February, O. W. Wight was appointed by the governor chief geologist of 
Wisconsin, in place of I. A. Lapham, whose appointment had not been acted upon by the Senate. 
On the 24th of the same month, J. W. Hoyt was appointed railroad commissioner for three 
years from the first day of May .""ollovving, on which day his one-year term in the same office would 
expire. .\t the regular Spring election on the 6th of April following, Edward (■. Ryan was 
elected, without opposition, chief justice of the supreme court for the unexpired term of Chief 
Justice Dixon, ending the first Monday in January, 1876, and for a full term of six years from 
the last mentioned date; so that his present term of office will expire on the i^t Monday in Jan- 
nary, 1882. An act providing for taking the census of Wisconsin on or before the ist of July, 
1875, was passed by tlie legislature and approved the 4th of March pievious. It required an 
enumeration of all the inhabitants of the State exceiit Indians, who were not entitled to the right 
of suffrage. The result of this enumeration gave a total i)opulation to Wis( onsin of one million 
two hundred and thirty-six thousand seven hundred and twenty-nine. 

At the November election, repul.)lican and " reform ' tickets were in the field for State 
officers, resulting in the success of the latter, except as to governor. For this office Harrison 
Ludington was chosen by a majority, according to the State board of canvassers, over William 
R. Taylor, of eight hundred and forty-one. The rest of the candidates elected were : Charles 
D. Parker, lieutenant governor; Petei Doyle, secretary of state, Ferdinand Kuehn, treasurer 
of state, A. Scott Sloan, attorney general; and Edward Searing, sujierintendent of public 
instruction. The act abolishing the office of state commissionei of immigration was to take 
effect "on and after" the close of this administration; so, 01 course, no person was voted for to 
fill that position at the Fall election of 1875. 

During this administration tlie principle involved in a long-pending controversy between the 
State and Minnesota relating to valuable liarbor privileges at the head of Lake Superior, was suc- 
cessfully and finally settled in favor of Wisconsin. The influence of the executive was largely 



104 HISTORY or WISCONSIN". 

instrumental in initiating a movement which resulted in securing congressional appropriations 
amounting to $800,000 to the Fox and Wisconsin river improvement. A change was inaugu- 
rated in the whole system of timber agencies over State and railroad lands, by which the duties of 
agents were localized, and efficiency was so well established that many important trespasses were 
brought to light from which over $60,000 in penalties was collected and paid into the Treasury, 
■while as much more was subsequently realized from settlements agreed upon and proceedings 
instituted. By decisive action on the part of the governor an unsettled printing claim of nearly 
a hundred thousand dollars was met and defeated in the courts. During this period also appro- 
priations were cut down, and the rate of taxation diminished. Governor Taylor bestowed unre- 
mitting personal attention to details of business with a view of promoting the jiublic interests 
with strict economy, while his countenance and support was extended to all legitimate enter- 
prises. He required the Wisconsin Central railroad company to give substantial assurance that 
it would construct a branch line from Stevens Point to Portage City as contemplated by congress, 
before issuing certificates for its land grants. 

The closing year of the century of our national existence — 1S75, was one somewhat discour- 
aoino- to certain branches of the agricultural interests of Wisconsin. The previous Winter had 
been an unusually severe one. A greater breadth of corn was planted than in any previous year 
in the State, but the unusually late season, followed by frosts in August and September, entirely 
ruined thousands of acres of that staple. 

Fifteenth Administration-. — Harrison Ludington, CiOvernor — 1S76-1S77. 

The fifteenth administration of Wisconsin commenced at noon on Monday, January 3, 1876, 
by the inauguration of State officers — Harrison Ludington, as previously stated, having been 
elected upon the republican ticket, to fill the chief executive office of the State ; the others, to 
the residue of the ofifices, upon the democratic reform ticket: the governor, like three of his 
predecessors— Farwell, Bashford, and Randall (first term)— having been chosen by a majority 
less than one thousand; and, like two of his predecessors — Farwell and Bashford — when all the 
other State officers differed with him in politics. 

The twenty-ninth regidar session of the legislature of Wisconsin began on the 12th of Janu- 
ary, 1876, at Madison. The republicans were in the majority in both houses. Samuel S. 
Fifield was elected speaker of the assembly. On the 13th, Governor Ludington delivered in 
person, to a joint convention of that body, his message, communicating the condition of affairs of 
the State, and recommending such matters for the consideration of the legislators as were thought 
expedient : it was brief; its style condensed ; its striking peculiarity, a manly frankness. " It is 
not the part of wisdom," said he, in his concluding remarks, " to disguise the fact that the people 
of this State, in common with those of all sections of the Union, have suffered some abatement of 
the prosperity that they have enjoyed in the past." "We have entered," he continued, "upon 
the centennial of our existence as an indeiiendent nation. It is fit that we should renew the spirit 
in which the Republic had its birth, and our determination that it shall endure to fulfill the great 
purposes of its existence, and to justify the noble sacrifices of its founders." The legislature 
adjourned !f/«^ <//> on the 14th of March, 1876, after a session of sixty-three days. The chief 
measures of the session were; The amendment of the railroad laws, maintaining salutary restric- 
tions while modifying those features which were crippling and crushing an important interest of 
the State ; and the apportionment of the State into senate and assembly districts. It is a pro- 
vision of the constitution of the State that the number of the members of the assembly shall 
never be less than fifty-four, nor more than one hundred ; and that the senate shall consist of a 
number not more than one-third nor less than one-fourth of the number of the members of the 



■\VfSCOySIX AS A STATU 105 

assembly. Since the year 1S62, the aggregate allotted lu boili houses had been one hundred and 
thirty-three, the maximum allowed by the constitution ; one hundred in the assembly and thirty- 
three in the senate. The number of this representation was not diminished by the apportion- 
ment of 1S76. One of the railroad laws abolished the board of railroad commissioners, confer- 
ring its duties upon a railroad commissioner to be appointed by the governor every two years. 
Under this law. DanaC. l-amb was appointed to that office, on the loth of March, 1876. On the 
2d day of February, previous, George W. Burchard was by the governor appointed state prison 
director for six years, in place of Joel Rich, whose term of office had e,\pired. On the same day 
T. C. Chamberlin was appointed chief geologist of Wisconsin in place of O. W. Wight. 

The application of Miss Lavinia Goodell, for admission to the bar of Wisconsin, was 
rejected by the supreme court of the .State, at its January term, 1876. '' We can not but think," 
jaid Chief Justice Ryan, in the decree of refusal, " we can not but think the common law wise 
in excluding women from the profession of the law." "The profession," he added, "enters 
largely into the well-being of society, and, to be honorably filled., and safely to society, exacts 
the devotion of life. The law of nature destines and (qualifies the female sex for the bearing 
and nurture of the children of our race, and for the custody of the homes of the world, and 
their maintenance in love and honor. And all life-long callings of women inconsistent with 
these radical and social duties of their sex, as is the profession of the law, are departures from 
the order of Nature, and, when voluntary, are treason against it." By a law since passed, no 
person can be denied admission to any court in the State on account of sex; and Miss Goodell 
has been admitted to practice in the Supreme Court. 

By an act of the legislature, approved March 13, 1S76, a State board of health was estab- 
lished, the appointment of a superintendent of vital statistics, was provided for, and certain 
duties were assigned to local boards of health. The State board was organized soon after; 
the governor having previously appointed seven persons as its members. The object of the 
organization, which is supported by the State, is, to educate the people of Wisconsin into a better 
knowledge of the nature and causes of disease, and a better knowledge and observance of 
hygienic laws- 

By a law passed in 1868, as amended in 1870 and 1873, the secretary of state, state 
treasurer, and attorney general, were constituted a State board of assessment, to meet in the 
city of Madison, on the third Wednesday m May, 1874, and biennally thereafter, to make an 
equalized valuation of the property in the State, as a guide to assessment for taxation. In the 
tables of equalized valuations compiled by this board in 1S76, the whole amount of taxable 
property in Wisconsin, is set down at $423,596,290 ; of which sum $337,073,148, represents real 
estate and $86,523,142 personal property. 

This being the year for the election of president and vice president of the United States, 
the two political parties in Wisconsin — republican and democratic — had tickets in the field. 
At the election on Tuesday, November 7, the republican presidential electors received a 
majority of the votes cast in the State, securing Wisconsin for Hayes and Wheeler. The eight 
congressional districts electeJ the same day their members to ilie foily-fifth congress, whose 
terms of office would expire on the 4th of March, 1879. Charles G. Williams was elected in the 
first district; I.ucien B. Caswell, in the second; George C. Hazclton, in the third; William P. 
Lynde, in the fourth; Edward S. Bragg, in the fifth; Gabriel Bouck, in the sixth; H. L 
Humphrey, in the seventh; and Thad. C. Pound, in the eighth district. A majority of the 
delegation was republican, the representatives from the fourth, fifth and sixth districts only, being 
democrats. 



106 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

There was a general and spontaneous exhibition of patriotic impulses throughout the length 
and breadth of \Visconsin, on the part of both native and foreign-born citizens, at the com- 
mencement of the centennial year, and upon the fourth of July. The interest of the people of 
the State generally, in the Exposition at Philadelphia, was manifested in a somewhat remarkable 
manner from its inception to its close. By an act of congress, approved March 3, 1S71, pro- 
vision was made for celebrating the one hundredth anniversary of American Independence, by 
holding in that city, in 1876, an exhibition of arts, manufactures, and the products of the soil 
and mines of the country. A centennial commission, consisting of one commissioner and one 
alternate commissioner, from each State and Territory, was authorized to be appointed, to carry 
out the provisions of the act. David Atvvood, as commissioner, and E. D. Holton, as alternate, 
were commissioned by the president of the United States, from Wisconsin. This commission 
gradually made progress in preparing for an international exposition. " The commission has 
been organized," said Governor Washburn, in his message to the legislature in January, 1873, 
" and has made considerable progress in its work. The occasion will be one to which The 
American people can not fail to respond in the most enthusiastic manner." The president of 
the United States, by proclamation, in July, 1873, announced the exhibition and national celebra- 
tion, and commended them to the people of the Union, and of all nations. " It seems fitting," 
said Governor Taylor, in his message to the Wisconsin legislature in 1S74, " that such a cele- 
bration of this important event, should be held, and it is hoped it will be carried out in a manner 
worthy of a great and enlightened nation." By the close of 1874, a large number of foreign 
governments had signified their intention to participate in the exhibition. 

The legislature of Wisconsin, at its session in 1875, deeming it essential that the Stale, 
with its vast resources in agricultural, mineral, lumbering, manufacturing, and other products 
and industries, should be fully represented at Philadelphia, passed an act which was approved 
March 3, 1875, to provide for a "Board of State Centennial Managers." Two thousand dollars 
were appropriated to pay its necessary expenses. The board was to consist of five members to 
be appointed by the governor ; and there were added thereto, as ex-ofihcio members, the United 
States centennial commissioner and his alternate. The duties of the members were to dis- 
seminate information regarding the Exhibition ; to secure the co-operation of mdustrial, scien- 
tific, agricultural, and other associations in the State; to appoint co-operative local committees, 
representing the different industries of the State ; to stimulate local action on all measures 
intended to render the exhibition successful, and a worthy representation of the industries of 
the country; to encourage the production of articles suitable for the Exhibition; to distribute 
documents issued by the centennial commission among manufacturers and others in the State; 
to render assistance in furthering the financial and other interests of the exhibition ; to furnish 
information to the commission on subjects that might be referred to the board; to care for the 
interests of the State and of its citizens in matters relating to the exhibition ; to receive and 
pronounce upon applications for space ; to apportion the space placed at its disposal among the 
exhibitors from the State ; and to supervise such other details relating to the representation of 
citizens of Wisconsin in the Exhibition, as might from time to time be delegated by the United 
States centennial commission. 

The board was required to meet on the first Wednesday of April, 1875, at the capitol, in 
Madison, to organize and adopt such by-laws and regulations as might be deemed necessary for 
the successful prosecution of the work committed to their charge Governor Taylor appointed 
Eli Stilson, J. I. Case, J. B. Parkinson, T. C. Pound, and E. A. Calkins, members of the board. 
Its organization was perfected, at the appointed time, by the election of J. B. Parkinson as pre- 
sident, and W. W. Field, secretary. The ex-officio members of the board, were David Atwood, 



WISCONSIN- AS A SPATE. 107 

United States commissioner, and E. D. Holton, alternate From this time forward, the board 
was untiring in its efforts to secure a full and proper representation of the varied interests of 
Wisconsin in the centennial exhibition of 1876. E. A. Calkins having resigned his position as 
member of the board, Adolph Meinccke took his place by appointment of the governor July 
24, 1875. Governor Ludington, in his message to the legislature in January, 1S76, spoke in 
commendation of the coming exhibition. "The occasion," said he, "will afford an excellent 
opportunity to display the resources and products of the State, and to attract hither capital and 
immigration." 

Soon after the organization of the United States centennial commission, a national organ- 
ization of the women of the country was perfected. A lady of Philadelphia was placed at its 
head; and i> presiding officer from each State was appointed. Mrs. A. C. Thorp as'^uined the 
duties of chairman for Wisconsin, in March, 1875, appointing assistants in various parts of the 
State, when active work was commenced. This organization was efficient in Wisconsin in 
arousing an interest in the general purposes and objects of the exhibition. 

By an act of the legislature, approved March 3, 1876, the sum of twenty thousand dollars 
was appropriated to the use of the board of centennial managers, for the purpose of arranging 
for, and making a proper exhibition of, the products, resources, and advantages of the State at 
the exposition. The treasurer of Wisconsin was, by this act, made an ex-officio member of the 
board. By this and previous action of the legislature — by efforts put forth by the board of 
managers — by individual enterprise — by the untiring labors of the "Women's Centennial Execu- 
tive Committee," to whom, by an act of the legislature, approved the 4th of March, 1875, one 
thousand dollars were appropriated — Wisconsin was enabled to take a proud and honorable 
position in the ("entennial Exposition — a gratification not only to the thousands of her citizens 
who visited Philadelphia during its continuance, but to the people generally, throughout the 
State. 

In Wisconsin, throughout the centennial year, those engaged in the various branches of 
agriculture and other useful avocations, were reasonably prosperous. The crop of wheat and 
oats was a ligiit yield, and of poor quality ; but the corn crop was the largest ever before raised 
in the State, and of superior quality. The dairy and hog product was large, and commanded 
remunerative prices. Fruits were unusually plenty. Trade and business enterprises, however, 
generally remained depressed. 

By section five of article seven of the constitution of Wisconsin, the counties of the State 
were apportioned into five judicial circuits ; the county of Richland being attached to Iowa, 
Chijjpewa to Crawford, and La Pointe to St. Croix. In 1850, the fifth circuit was divided, and a 
sixth circuit formed. In 1864, Crawford and Richland were made part of the fifth circuit. By 
an act which took effect in 1854, a seventh circuit was formed. On the fir>t da\ of January, 
1855, the sixth circuit was divided, and an eighth and ninth circuit formed, the county of 
Columbia Ijeing made a part of the last mentioned one. In the same year was also formed a 
tenth circuit; and, in 1858, Winnebago county was attached to it; but, in 1870, that county was 
attached to the third circuit. In 1858, Kewaunee county was attached to the fourth circuit. 
.■\n eleventh circuit was formed in 1864, from which, in 1S65, Dallas county was detached, and 
made [)art of the eighth. By an act which took effect on the first day of January, 1871, the 
twelfth circuit w.is formed. In 1S76, a thirteenth circuit was " < onstituted and re-organized." 

At that time, the whole sixty counties of the State stood apportioned in the thirteen judicial 
circuits as follows: First circuit, Walworth, Racine, and Kenosha; second circuit, Milwaukee, 
and Waukesha, third circuit. Green Lake, Dodge, Washington, Ozaukee, and Winnebago; 
fourth circuit, Sheboygan, Calumet, Kewaunee, Fond du Lac, and Manitowoc ; fiftii circuit, 



108 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

Grain, Iowa, La Fayette, Richland, and Crawford; sixth circuit, Clark, Jackson, iMonroe, La 
Crosse, and Vernon; seventh circuit, Portage, Marathon, Waupaca, Wood, Waushara, Lincoln, 
and Taylor; eighth circuit, Dunn, Pepin, Pierce, and St. Croix; ninth circuit, Adams, Columbia, 
Dane, Juneau, Sauk and Marquette ; tenth circuit, Outagamie, Oconto, Shawano, Door, and 
Brown eleventh circuit, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Burnett, Chippewa, Douglas, and Polk; 
twelfth circuit, Rock, Green, and Jefferson ; and the thirteenth circuit, Buffalo, Eau Claire, and 
Trempeleau, Marinette and New are now in the tenth ; Price is in the seventh circuit. 

The thirtieth regular session of the legislature of Wisconsin commenced, pursuant to law, 
on the lotli of January, 1877. The republicans had working majorities in both houses. J. B. 
Cassoday was elected Speaker of the Assembly. Governor Ludington delivered his message to 
the joint convention of the legislature the following day. " We should not seek," said he, in 
his concluding remarks, " to conceal from ourselves the fact that the prosperity which our people 
have enjoyed for a number of years past, has suffered some interruption. Agriculture has ren- 
dered less return ; labor in all departments has been less productive, and trade has consequently 
been less active, and has realized a reduced pjrcenta;^e of profit." " These adverse circum- 
stances," continued the governor, " will not be wholly a misfortune if we heed the lesson that 
they convey. This lesson is the necessity of strict economy in public and private affairs. We 
have been living upon a false basis; and the time has now come when we must return to a solid 
foundation." The legislature adjourned sine die on the Sth of March, after .1 session of fifty- 
eight days, passing three hundred and one acts — one hundred and thirteen less than at the 
session of 1S76 The most important of these, as claimed liy the dominant party which passed 
it, is one for the maintenance of the purity of the ballot box, known as the " Registry Law." On 
the 3d day of April, at the regular Spring election, William P. Lyon was re-elected, without 
opposition, an associate justice of the supreme court fur six years from the first Monday in 
January, 187S, his term of office expiring on the first .Monday of January, 1S84. 

Under a law of 1876, to provide for the revision of the statutes of the State, the justices of 
the supreme court were authorized to appoint three revisors. The persons receiving the appoint- 
ment were David Taylor, William F. Vilas and J. P. C. Cottrill. By an amendatory law of 1877, 
for the purpose of having the revision completed for the session of 1S78, the justices ot the 
supreme court were authorized to appoint two additional revisors, and assign them special duties 
on the commission. H. S. Orton was appointed to revise the criminal law and proceedings, and 
J. H. Cariienter to revise the probate laws. 

(Governor Ludington declined being a candidate for renomination. His administration was 
characterized as one of practical efficiency. As the chief executive officer of \Visconsin, he kept 
in view the best interests of the State. In matters coming under his control, a rigid system of 
economy prevailed. 

There were three tickets in the field presented to the electors of Wisconsin for their suffrages 
at the general election l:eld on the sixth of November, 1877 : republican, democratic, and the 
"greenback" ticket. The republicans were successful, electing William E. Smith, governor; 
James M, Bingham, lieutenant governor; Hans B. Warner, secretary of state; Richard Guenther, 
treasurer; Alexander Wilson, attorney general ; and William C. Whitford, state superintendent 
of public instruction. At the same election two amendments to the constitution of the State 
were voted upon and both adopted. The first one amends section four of article seven; so that, 
hereafter, " the supreme court shall consist of one chief justice and four associate justices, to be 
elected by the qualified electors of the State. The legislature shall, at its first session after the 
adoption of this amendment, provide by law for the election of two associa e justices of said 
court, to hold their offi(-es respectively for terms ending two and four years, respectively after the 



WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 



109 



end of the term of the justice of the said court then last to expire. And tliercafter the chief 
justices and associate justices of said court shall be elected and hold theii offices respectively 
for the term of ten years." The second one amends section two of article eight ; so t'.at, heie- 
after, "no money shall be paid out of the treasury except in pursuance of an appropriation by 
law. No appropriation shall be made for the payment of any claim a<;ainbt the Slate, except 
claims of the United States, and judgments, unless filed within six years after the claim accrued." 

The year 187;, in Wisconsin, was notable for excellent crops. A depression in monetary 
matters conUnued, it is true, but not without a reasonable prosiiecl of a change for the better 
within the near future. 

Sixteenth Administration. — William E. Smith, Governor — 1878 — 1S79. 

At noon, on Monday, January 7, 1S78, began the sixteenth administration of Wisconsin, by 
the inauguration of the State officers elect. On the 9th of the same month, commenced the 
thirty-first regular session of the Legislature. A. R. L-arrows was elected Speaker of the Assembly. 
On the day following, Governor Smith delivered his message — a calm, business-like document — to 
the Legislature. Both Houses adjourned sine die on the 21st of March following. On the ist day 
of April, Hirlow S. Orton and David Taylor were elected Associate Justices of the Supreme Court; 
the term of the first named to expire on the first Monday of January, 1S8S ; that of the last men- 
tioned, on the first Monday of January, 1SS6. In obedience to a proclamation of the Governor, 
the Legislature convened on the 4th day of June, A. D. 1878, in extra session, to revise the statutes, 
A. R. Barrows was elected Speaker of the Assembly. The Legislature adjourned sine liie on the 
7th of the same month. In November following, the members chosen to the Forty-sixth Congress 
were C. G. Williams, in the First District ; L. B. Caswell, in the Second ; George C. Hazelton, in 
the Third ; P. V. Deuster, in the Fourth ; E. S. Bragg, in the Fifth ; Gabriel Bouck, in the Sixth ; 
H. L. Humphrey, in the Seventh; and T. C. Pound, in tlie Eighth. The thirty-second regular 
session of the Legislature commenced on the Sthday of January, 1S79. D. M. Kelly was elected 
Speaker of the Assembly ; the next day, the message of the Governor — a brief, but able State 
paper — was delivered to both Houses. On the 21st, Matthew H. Carpenter was elected United 
States Senator for six years, from the 4th of March thereafter, in place of Timothy O. Howe. 
The Legislature adjourned sine die on the 5th of March, 1S79. O" "'"^ i^t day of April following, 
Orsamus Cole was elected Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, for a term of ten years. 

VVisconsin has many attractive features. It is a healthy, fertile, well-watered and well-wooded 
State. Every where within its borders the lights of each citizen are held sacred. Intelligence and 
education are prominent characteristics of its people. .Ml the necessaries and many of the comforts 
and luxuries of life are easily to be obtained. .Agriculture, the chief source of wealth to so many 
nations, is here conducted with profit and success. Generally speaking, the farmer owns the 
land he cultivates. Here, the lal)oring man, if honest and industrious, is mo.3t certain to secure 
a competence for himself and family. Few States have made more ample provisions for the 
unfortunate — -the deaf and dumb, the blind, and the insane — than has Wisconsin. Nor has she 
been less interested in her reformatory and penal institutions. In her educational facilities, she 
already rivals the most advanced of her sister States. Her markets are easily reached by rail- 
ways and water-navigation, so that the iiroducts of the country find ready sale. Her commerce 
is extensive ; her manufactures remunerative; her natural resources great and manifold. In 
morality and religion, her standard is high. Her laws are lenient, but not lax, securing the 
greatest good to those who are disposed to live up to their reipiirements. Wisconsin has, in 
fact, all the essential elements of prosperity and good government. Exalted and noble, there- 
fore, must be her future career. 



TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY. 



By T. C. CHAMBERLIN, A. M., State Geologist. 



The surface features of Wisconsin are simple and symmetrical in character, and present a con- 
figuration intermediate between the mountainous, on the one hand, and a monotonous level, on the 
other. The highest summits within the state rise a little more than 1,200 teet above its lowest sur- 
faces. A few exceptional peaks rise from 400 to 600 leet above their bases, but abrupt elevations of 
more than 200 or 300 feet are not common. Viewed as a whole, the state may be regarded as oc- 
cupying a swell of land lying between three notable depressions; Lake Michigan on the east, about 
578 feet above the mean tide of the ocean, Lake Superior on the north, about 600 feet above the 
sea, and the valley of the Mississippi river, whose elevation at the Illinois state line is slightly below 
that of Lake Michigan. From these depressions the surface slopes upward to the summit altitudes 
of the state. But the rate of ascent is unequal. From Lake Michigan the surface rises by a long, 
gentle acclivity westward and northward. A similar slope ascends from the Mississippi valley to 
meet this, and their junction forms a north and south arch extending nearly the entire length oi th-^ 
state. From Lake Superior the surface ascends rapidly to the watershed, which it reaches within 
about thirty miles of the lake. 

If we include the contiguous portion of the upper peninsula of .Michigan, the whole elevation 
may be looked upon as a very low, rude, three-sided pyramid, with rounded angles. The apex is 
near the Michigan line, between the headwaters of the Montreal and Brule rivers. The 
northern side is short and abrupt. The southeastward and southwestward sides are long, and 
decline gently. The base of this pyramid may be considered as, in round numbers, 600 feet 
above the sea, and its extreme apex 1,800 feet. 

Under the waters of Lake Michigan the surface of the land passes below the sea level 
before the limits of the state are reached. Under Lake Superior the land-surface descends to 
even greater depths, but probably not within the boundaries of the state. The regularity of the 
southward slopes is interrupted in a very interesting way by a remarkable diagonal valley 
occupied by Green bay and the Fox and Wisconsin rivers. This is a great groove, traversing 
the state obliquely, and cutting down the central elevation half its height. rV line passing across 
the surface, from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi, at any other point, would arch upward from 
about 400 to 1,000 feet, according to the location, while along the trough of this valley it would 
reach an elevation barely exceeding 200 feet. On the northwest side of this trough, in general, 
the surface rises somewhat gradually, giving at most points much amplitude to the valley, but 
on the opposite side, the slope ascends rapidly to a well marked watershed that stretches across 
the state parallel to the valley. At Lake Winnebago, this diagonal valley is connected with a 
scarcely less notable one, occupied by the Rock river. Geologically, this Green-bay-Rock- 



TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY. Ill 

liver valley is even more noticeable, since it lies along the trend of the underlying strata, and 
vjras in large measure plowed out of a soft stratum by glacial action. Where it crosses the water- 
shed, near Horicon marsh, it presents the same general features that are seen at other points, 
and in an almost equally conspicuous degree. E.xcept in the southern part of the state, this 
valley is confined on the east by jia abrupt ascent, and, at many points, by a precipitous, rocky 
acclivity, known as "The Ledge " — which is the projecting edge of the strata of the Niagara 
limestone. On the watershed referred to — between the St. Lawrence and Mississippi basins — ■ 
this ledge is as conspicuous and continuous as at other points, so that we have here again the 
phenomenon of a valley formed by excavation, running up over an elevation of 300 feet, and 
connecting two great .systems of drainage. 

On the east side of this valley, as already indicated, there is a sharp a.->cent of 200 feet, 
on an average, from the crest of which the surface slopes gently down to Lake Michigan. The 
uniformity of this slope is broken by an e.xtended line of drift hills, lying obli(iuely along it and 
extending from Kewaunee county southward to the Illinois line and known as tlie Kettle range. 
A less conspicuous range of similar character branches off from this in the northwest corner of 
Walworth county and passes across the Rock river valley, where it curves northward, passing 
west of Madison, crossing the great bend in the Wisconsin river, and bearing northeastward 
into Oconto county, where it swings round to the westward and crosses the northern part of the 
state. As a general topographical feature it is not conspicuous and is rather to be conceived as 
a peculiar chain of drift hills winding over the surface of the state, merely interrupting in some 
degree the regularity of its slopes There will be occasion to return to this feature in our 
discussion of the drift. It will be oljserved that the southeastward slope is interrupted by 
valleys running across it, rudely parallel to Lake Michigan, and directing its drainage northward 
and southward, instead of directing it down the slope into the lake. 

The Mississippi slope presents several conspicuous ridges and valleys, but their trend is 
imuard the great river, and they are all due, essentially, to the erosion of the streams that 
channel the slo e. One of these ridges constitutes the divide south of the ^\"isconsin river, 
already referred to. Another of these, conspicuous by reason of its narrowness and sharpness, 
lies between the Kickapoo and the Mississippi, and extends through Crawford, Vernon and 
Monroe counties. Still another is formed by the quartzite ranges of Sauk county and others 
of less prominence give a highly diversified chaiacter to the slope. 

Scattered over the surface of the state are prominent hills, some swelling upward into rounded 
domes, some rising symmetrically into conical peaks, some ascending precipitously into castel- 
lated towers, and some reaching prominence without regard to beauty of form or convenience of 
description. A part of these hills were formed by the removal by erosion of the surrounding 
strata, and a part Liy the heaping uj) of drift material by tile glacial forces. In the former case, 
they are composed of rock; in the latter, of clay, sand, gravel and bowlders. The two forms 
are often combined. The highest peak in the southwestern [lart of the state is the West 
Blue mound, which is 1,151 feet above Lake Michigan; in the eastern part, Lapham's peak, S24 
feet, and in the central part. Rib hill, 1263 feet. The crest of Penokee range in the northern 
part of the state rises 1,000 feet, and upwards, above Lake .Michigan. 

The drainage systems correspond in general to these lopograpical features, though several 
minor eccentricities are to be observed. The streams of the Lake Superior system plunge 
rapidly down their steep slopes, forming numerous falls, some of them possessing great beauty, 
prominent among which are those of the Montreal river. On the southern slope, the rivers, in the 
upper portion of their courses, likewise descend rapidly, tiiough less so, producing a succession 
of rapids and cascades, and an occasional cataract. In the lower part of their courses, the 



112 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

descent becomes much more gentle and many of them are navigable to a greater or less extent. 
The rivers west of the Wisconsin pursue an essentially direct course to the Mississippi, 
attended of course with minor flexures. The Wisconsin river lies, for the greater part of its 
course, upon the north and south arch of the state, but on encountering the diagonal valley 
above mentioned it turns southwestward to the " Father of Waters,'' The streams east of the 
Wisconsin flow southerly and southeasterly until they likewise encounter this valley when they 
turn in the opposite direction and discharge northeasterly into Lake Michigan, through Green 
bay. Between the Green-bay-Rock-river valley and Lake Michigan, the drainage is again in 
the normal southeasterly direction. In the southern part of the state, the rivers flow in a gen- 
eral southerly direction, but, beyond the state, turn westward toward the Mississippi. 

If the courses of the streams be studied in detail, many exceedingly interesting and instruc- 
tive features will be observed, due chiefly to peculiarities of geological structure, some of which 
will be apparent by inspecting the accompanying geological map. Our space, however, 
forbids our entering upon the subject here. 

The position of the watershed between the great basins of the Mississippi and the St. Law- 
rence is somewhat peculiar. On the Illinois line, it lies only three and one half miles from Lake 
Michigan and about i6o feet above its surface. As traced northward from this point, it retires 
from the lake and ascends in elevation till it approaches the vicinity of Lake Winnebago, when 
it recurves upon itself and descends to the portage between the Fox and the Wisconsin rivers, 
whence it pursues a northerly course to the heights of Michigan, when it turns westward and 
passes in an undulating course across the northern part of the state. It will be observed that 
much the greater area of the state is drained by the Mississippi system. 

The relationship which the drainage channels have been observed to sustain to the topo- 
graphical features is partly that of cause and partly that of effect. The general arching of the 
surface, giving rise to the main slopes, is due to deep-seated geological causes that produce an 
upward swelling of the center of the state. This determined the general drainage systems. On 
the other hand, the streams, acting upon strata of varying hardness, and presenting different atti- 
tudes, wore away the surface une(jually and cut for themselves anomalous channels, leaving 
corresponding divides between, which gave origin to the minor irregularities that diversify the 
surface. In addition to this, the glacier — that great ice stream, the father of the drift — planed 
and plowed the surface and heaped up its debris upon it, modifying both the surface and drainage 
features Looked at from a causal standpoint, we see the results of internal forces elevating, and 
external agencies cutting down, or, in a word, the face of the state is the growth of geologic ages 
furrowed by the teardrops of the skies. 



GEOLOGICAL HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

In harmonv witlr the historical character of this atlas, it may be most acceptable to weave 
our brief sketch uf the geological structure of the state into the form of a narrative of its growth. 

THE .VRCH/E.-VN AGE. 

LAURENTI.\N PERIon. 

The physical history of Wisconsin can be traced back with certainty to a state of complete 
submergence beneath the waters of the ancient ocean, by which the material of our oldest and 
deepest strata were deposited. Let an extensive but shallow sea, covering the whole of the 
present territory of the state, be pictured to the mind, and let it be imagined to be depositing 



TOPOGRAPHY A\D CKOLOC.Y 113 , 

mud and sand, as at the present daV: and we have before us the first authentic stage of tlie history 
under consideration. Back of that, the liistory is lost in the mists of geologic antiquity. The 
thickness of the sediments that accumulated in that early period was immense, being measured 
by thousands of feet. These sediments occupied of course an essentially horizontal position, and 
were, doubtless, in a large degree hardened into beds of impure sandstone, shale, and other sedi- 
mentary rock. But in the ])rogress of time an enormous pressure, attended by heat, was brought 
to bear upon them laterally, or edgewise, by which they were folded and crumpled, and forced 
up out of the water, giving rise to an island, the nucleus of Wisconsin. The force which pro- 
duced this upheaval is believed to have arisen from the cooling and consequent contraction (jf 
the globe. The foldings may be imaged as the wrinkles of a shrinking earth. But the contor- 
tion of the beds was a scarcely more wonderful result than the change in the character of the 
rock which seems to have taken jilace simultaneously with the folding, indeed, as the result of the 
heat and pressure attending it. The sediments, that seem to have previously taken the form of 
impure sandstone and shale for the most ]jart, underwent a change, in which re-arrangement and 
crystalization of the ingredients jjlayed a conspicuous part. By this metamorjihism, granite, gneiss, 
mica schist, syenite, hornblende rocks, chloritic schists and other crystalline rocks were formed. 
These constitute the Laurentian formation and belong to the most ancient ]ieriod yet distinctly 
recognized in geology, although there were undoubtedly more ancient rocks. They are therefore 
very fittingly termed Archxan — ancient — rocks (formerly Azoic.) No remains of life have been 
found in this formation in Wisconsin, but from the nature of rocks elsewhere, believed to be of the 
same age, it is probable that the lowest forms of life existed at this time. It is not strange that 
the great changes through which the rocks have passed should have so nearly obliterated all 
traces of them. The original extent of this Laurentian island can not now be accurately ascer- 
tained, but it will be sufficiently near the trutli for our present purposes to consider the formation 
as it is now exposed, and as it is represented on the maps of the geological survey, as showing 
approximately the original extent. This will make it include a large area in the north-central 
portion of the state and a portion of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. All the rest of the state 
was beneath the ocean, and the same may be said of the greater portion of the United States 
The height of this island was doubtless considerable, as it has since been very much cut down by 
denuding agencies. The strata, as now exposed, mostly stand in highly inclined attitudes and 
present their worn edges to view. The tops of the folds, of which they are the remnants, seenx 
to have been cut away, and we have the nearly vertical sides remaining. 

in;R()NI.\N PERIOD. 

As soon as the Laurentian island had been elevated, the waves of the almost shoreless 
ocean began to beat against it, the elements to disintegrate it, and the rains of the then tropical 
climate to wash it; and the sand, clay and other debris, thus formed, were deposited beneath the 
waters around its base, giving rise to a new sedimentary formation. There is no evidence that 
there was any vegetation on the island: the air and water were, doubtless, heavily charged with 
carbonic acid, an efficient agent of disintegration: the climate was warm and doubtless very 
moist — circumstances which combined to hasten the erosion of the island and increase the 
deposition in the surrounding sea. In addition to these agencies, we judge from the large amount 
of carbonaceous matter contained in some of the Ijeds, that there must have been an abundance 
of marine vegetation, and, from the limestone beds that accuuiulated, it is probable that there 
was marine animal life also, since in later ages that was the chief source of limestone strata. 
The joint accumulations from these several sources gave rise to a series of shales, sandstones 
and limestones, whose combined thickness was several thou:,and feel. 



114 HTSTOKY OF WISCON'STX. 

At length the process of upheaval and metamorphism that closed the Laurentian period 
was repeated, and these sandstones Ijecame quartzites; the limestones were crystalized, the 
shales were changed to slates or schists, and intermediate grades of sediments became diorites, 
quartz- porphyries and other forms of crystalline rocks. The carbonaceous matter was changed 
in part to graphite. There were also associated with these deposits extensive beds of iron ore, 
which we now find chiefly in the form of magnetite, hematite and specular ore. These constitute 
the Huronian rocks. From the amount of iron ore they contain, they are also fittingly termed 
the iron-bearing series. As in the preceding case, the strata were contorted, flexed and folded, 
and the whole island was further elevated, carrying with it these circumjacent strata, by whii h 
its e.xtent was much enlarged. The area of the island after receiving this increment was con- 
siderably greater than the surface represented as Laurentian and Huronian on the accompanying 
map, since it was subsequently covered to a considerable extent by later formations. Penokee 
range, in Ashland county, is the most conspicuous development of the Huronian rocks in the 
state. The upturned edge of the formation forms a bold rampart, extending across the country 
for sixty miles, making the nearest approach to a mountain range to be found within the state. 
A belt of magnetic schist may be traced nearly its entire length. In the northern part of 
Oconto county , there is also an important development of this formation, being an extension 
of the Menomonee iron-bearing series. A third area is found in Barron county, which includes 
deposits of pipestone. In the south central part of the state there are a considerable number 
of small areas and isolated outliers of quartzite and quartz-porphyry, that, without much doubt, 
belong to this series. The most conspicuous of these are the Baraboo quartzite ranges, in 
Sauk and Columbia counties, and from thence a chain of detached outliers extends northeasterly 
through several counties. The most southerly exposure of the formation is near Lake Mills, in 
Jefferson county. 

THE COPPER-BEARING SERIES. 

Previous to the upheaval of the Huronian strata, there occurred in the Lake Superior region 
events of peculiar and striking interest. If we may not speak with absolute assurance, we may 
at least say with reasonable probability, that the crust of the earth was fissured in that region, 
and that there issued from beneath an immense mass of molten rock, that spread itself over an 
area of more than three hundred miles in length and one hundred miles in width. The action 
was not confined to a single overflow, but eruption followed eruption, sometimes apparently in 
quick succession, sometimes evidently at long intervals. Each outpouring, when solidified, 
formed a stratum of trap rock, and where these followed each other without any intervening 
deposit, a series of trappean beds were formed. In some cases, however, an interval occurred, 
during which the waves, acting upon the rock previously formed, produced a bed of sand, gravel 
and clav, which afterward solidified into sandstone, conglomerate and shale. The history of 
these beds is lithographed on their surface in beautit'ul ripple-marks and other evidences of wave- 
action. After the cessation of the igneous eruptions, there accumulated a vast thickness of 
sandstone, shale and conglomerate, so that the whole series is literally miles in thickness. 

. The eruptive portions have been spoken of as traps, for convenience; but they do not now 
possess the usual characteristics of igneous rocks, and appear to have undergone a chemical 
metamorphism by which the mineral ingredients have been changed, the leading ones now being 
an iron chlorite and a feldspar, with which are associated, as accessory minerals, quartz, epidote, 
prenite, calcite, laumontite, analcite, datolite, magnetite, native copper and silver, and, more 
rarely, other minerals. The rock, as a whole, is now known as a melaiihyr. The upper portion 
of each bed is usually characterized by almond-sized cells filled with the minerals above men- 
tioned, giving to the rock an amygdaloidal nature. The native copper was not injected in a 



TOPOCKAPHY AX]) fiEOLOGY. 115 

molten state, as has very generally been suppuscd, but was deposited by chemical means after 
the beds were formed and after a [lortion of the chemical change of the minerals above mentioned 
had been accomplished. The same is true of the silver. The copper occur; in all the different 
forms of rock — the melaphyrs, amygdaloids, sandstones, shales and conglomerates, but most 
abundantly in the amygdaloids and certain conglonler;lte^:.. 

This series extends across the northern portion of the state, occupying portions of Ashland, 
Bayfield, Douglas, Burnett and Polk counties. When the Huronian rocks were elevated, they 
carried these up with them, and they partook of the folding in some measure. The copper- 
bearing range of Keweenaw Point, Michigan, e.vtends southwestward through Ashland, Burnett 
and Polk counties, and throughout this whole extent the beds dip north-northwesterly toward 
Lake Superior, at a high angle; l)ut in Douglas and Bayfield counties there is a parallel range 
in which the beds incline in the ojiijosite direction, and undoubtedly form the opposite side of a 
trough formed by a downward flexure of the strata. 

PALEOZOIC TI M E — .S II.U RI AN AGE. 

Pi)TSL).\M .S AMDs TONE. 

After the great Archcean uiiheaval, there followed a long period, concei-nnig wnich very little 
is known — a "' lost interval" in geological history. It is only certain that immense erosion of 
the Archajan strata took place, and that in time the sea advanced upon the island, eroding its 
strata and redepositing the wash and wear beneath its surface. The more resisting beds with- 
stood this advance, and formed reefs and rocky islancL off the ancient shore, about whose bases 
the sands and sediments accumulated, as they did over the liottom of the surrounding ocean. 
The breakers, dashing against the rocky cliffs, threw down masses of roclc, which imbedded them- 
selves in the sands, or were rolled and rounded on the beach, and at length were buried, in 
either case, to tell their own history, when they should be again disclosed by the ceaseless gnaw- 
ings of the very elements that had buried them. In addition to the accumulations of wash and 
wear that have previously been the main agents of rock-formations, abundant life now swarms in 
the ocean, and the sands become the great cemetery of its dead. Though the contribution of each 
little being was small, the myriad millions that the waters brought forth, yielded by their remains, 
a large contribution to the accumulating sediments. Among plants, there were sea-weeds, and 
among animals, protozoans, radiates, moUusks and articulates, all the sub-kingdoms except the 
vertebrates. Among these, the most remarkable, both in nature and number, were the trilobites, 
who have left their casts in countless multitudes in certain localities. The result of the action 
of these several agencies was the formation of extensive beds of sandstone, with inlerstratified 
layers of limestone and shale. These surrounded the Archx-an nucleus on all sides, and reposed 
on its flanks. On the Lake Superior margin, the sea acted mainly upon the copper and iron- 
bearing series, which are highly ferruginous, and the result wa . the red Lake Superior sandstone. 
On the opposite side of the island, the wave-action was mainly ui)on ipuirtzites, pori)hyries and 
gianites, and resulted in light-colored sandstones. The former is confined to the immediaie 
vicinity of Lake Superior; the latter occupies a broad, irregular belt bordering the Archa;an 
area on the south, and, being widest in the central jiart of the slate, is often likened to a rude 
crescent. The form and position of the area will be best aiiprehended by referring to the 
accompanying map. It will be understood from the foregoing description, that the strata of this 
formation lie in a nearly horizontal position, and repose unconformably upon the worn surface 
of the crystalline rocks. The close of this period was not marked by any great upheaval; there 



116 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN!. 

was no crumpling or metamorphism of the strata, and they have remained to the present day 
very much as they were originally deposited, save a slight arching upward in the central 
porti jn of the state. The beds have b^en somewhat compacted by the pressure of superin- 
cumbent strata and solidified by the cementing action of calcareous and ferruginous waters, and 
by their own coherence, but the original character of the formation, as a great sand-bed, has not 
been obliterated. It still bears the ripple-marks, cross-lamination, worm-burrows, and similar 
markings that characterize a sandy beach. Its thickness is very irregular, owing to the uneven- 
ness of its Archsan bottom, and may be said to range from i,ooo feet downward. The strata 
slope gently away from the Archaean core of the state and underlie all the later formations, and 
may be reached at any point in southern Wisconsin by penetrating to a sufficient depth, which 
can be calculated with an approximate correctness. As it is a water-bearing formation, and the 
source of fine Artesian wells, this is a fact of much importance. The interbedded layers of lime- 
stone and shale, by supplying impervious strata, very much enhance its value as a source of 
fountains. 

Lower Magnesi.\n Limestone. 

During the previous period, the accumulation of sandstone gave place for a time to the 
formation of limestone, and afterward the deposit of sandstone was resumed. At its close, with- 
out any very marked disturbance of e.xisting conditions, the formation of limestone was resumed, 
and progressed with little interruption till a thickness ranging from 50 to 250 feet was attained. 
This variation is due mainly to irregularities of the upper surface of the formation, which is 
undulating, and in some localities, may appropriately be termed billowy, the surface rising and 
falling 100 feet, in some cases, within a short distance. This, and the preceding similar deposit, 
have been spoken of as limestones simply, but they are really dolomites, or magnesian limestones, 
since they contain a large proportion of carbonate of magnesia. This rock also contains a 
notable quantity of silica, which occurs disseminated through the mass of the rock; or, variously, 
as nodules or masses of chert ; as crystals of quartz, filling or lining drusy cavities, forming 
beautiful miniature grottos; as the nucleus of oolitic concretions, or as sand. Some argillaceous 
matter also enters into its composition, and small quantities of the ores of iron, lead and copper, 
are sometimes found, but they give little promise of value. The evidences of life are very 
scanty. Some sea-weeds, a few mollusks, and an occasional indication of other forms of life 
embrace the known list, except at a few favored localities where a somewhat ampler fauna is 
found. But it is not, therefore, safe to assume the absence of life in the depositing seas, for it 
is certain that most limestone has orignated from the remains of animals and plants that secrete 
calcareous material, and it is most consistent to believe that such wab the case in the present 
instance, and that the distinct traces of life vi^ere mostly obliterated. This formation occupies an 
irregular belt skirting the Potsdam area. It was, doubtless, originally a somewhat uniform band 
swinging around the nucleus of the state already formed, but it has since been eroded by 
streams to its present jagged outline. 

St. Peter's Sanpstone. 

At the close of this limestone-making period, there appears to have been an interval of which 
we have no record, and the next chapter of the history introduces us to another era of sand 
accumulation. The work began by the leveling up of the inequalities of the surface of the Lower 
Magnesian limestone, and it ceased before that was entirely accomplished in all parts of the 
State, for a few prominences were left projecting through the sand deposits. The material laid 
down consisted of a silicious sand, of uniform, well-rounded — doubtless well-rolled — grains. This 
was evidently deposited horizontally upon the uneven limestone surface, and so rests in a sense 



TUl'cGKAl'UV AM) (iKOLOCJY. 117 

unconformably upon it. Where the sandstone al)uts against the sides of the limestone promi- 
nences, it is mingled with material derived by wave action from them, which tells the story of 
its formation. But aside from these and other e.xceptional impurities, the formation is a very 
pure sandstone, and is used for glass manufacture. At most points, the sandstone has never become 
firmly cemented and readily crumbles, so that it is used for mortar, the simple handling with pick 
and shovel being sufficient to reduce it to a sand. Owing to the unevenness of its bottom, it 
varies greatly in thickness, the greatest yet observed being 212 feet, but the average is less than 
100 feet. Until recently, no organic remains had ever been found in it, and tlie traces now col- 
lected are very meager indeed, but they are sufficient to show the existence of marine life, and 
demonstrate that it is an oceanic deposit. The rarity of fossils is to be attributed to the porous 
nature of the rock, which is unfavorable to their preservation. This porosity, however, subserves 
a very useful purpose, as it renders this pre-eminently a water-bearing horizon, and supplies some 
of the finest Artesian fountains in the state, and is competent to furnish many more. It occupies 
but a narrow area at the surface, fringing that of the Lower Magnesian limestone on the south. 

Trenton Limestone. 
A slight change in the oceanic conditions caused a return to limestone formation, accompa- 
nied with the deposit of considerable clayey material, which formed shale. The origin of the 
limestone is made evident by a close examination of it, which shows it to lie full of fragments of 
shells, corals, and other organic remains, or the impressions they have left. Countless numbers 
of the lower forms of life flourished in the seas, and left their remains to be comminuted and 
consolidated into limestone. A part of the time, the accumulation of clayey matter predominated, 
and so layers of shale alternate with the limestone beds, and shaly leaves and partings occur in 
the limestone layers. Unlike the calcareous strata above and below, a portion of these are true 
limestone, containing but a very small proportion of magnesia. A sufficient amount of carl)on- 
aceous matter is present in some layers to cause them to burn readily. This formation is quite 
highly metalliferous in certain portions of the lead region, containing zinc especially, and con- 
siderable lead, with less quantities of other metals. The formation abounds in fossils, many of 
them well preserved, and, from their great antiquity, they possess uncommon interest. All the 
animal sub-kingdoms, except vertebrates, are represented. The surface area of this rock borders 
the St. Peter's sandstone, but, to avoid too great complexity on the ma]), it is not distinguished from 
the next formation to which it is closely allied. Its thickness reaches 120 feet. 

The (Ialena Limestone. 

With scarcely a change of oceanic conditions, limestone deposit continued, so that we find 
reposing upon the surface of the Trenton limestone, 250 feet, or less, of a light gray or buff 
colored highly magnesian limestone, occurring in heavy beds, and having a sub-crystalline struc- 
ture. In the southern jjortion of the state, it contains but little shaly matter, but in the north- 
eastern part, it is modified by the addition of argillaceous layers and leaves, and presents a bluish 
or greenish-gray aspect. It receives its name from the sulphide of lead, — galena, of which it 
contains large quantities, in the southwestern part of the state. Zinc ore is also abundant, and 
tiiese minerals give to this and the underlying formation great inqjortanie in that region. Else- 
where, although these ores are ]jrescnt in small quantities, they have not developed economic 
importance. This limestone, though changing its nature, as above stated, occupies a large area in 
the southwestern part of the state, and a broad north and south belt in e,isi-< entral Wisconsin. 
It will be seen that our island is growing apace by concentric additions, and that, as the several 
formations sweep around the central nucleus of Archaean rocks, they swing off into adjoining 
states, whose formation was somewhat nuire tardy than that of Wisconsin 



118 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN 



Cincinnati Shales. 



A change ensued upon the formation of the Galena limestone, by virtue of which there fol- 
lowed the deposition of large quantities of clay, accompanied by some calcareous material, the 
whole reaching at some points a thickness of more than 200 feet. The sediment has never 
become more than partially indurated, and a portion of it is now only a bed of compact clay. 
Other portions hardened to shale or limestone according to the material. The shales are of 
various gray, green, blue, purple and other hues, so that where vertical cliffs are exposed, as along 
Green bav, a beautiful appearance is presented. As a whole, this is a very soft formation, and 
hence easily eroded. Owing to this fact, along the east side of the Green-bay-Rock-river val- 
ley, it has been extensively carried away, leaving the hard overlying Niagara limestone projecting 
in the bold cliffs known as " The Ledge." The prominence of the mounds in the southwestern 
part of the state are due to a like cause. Certain portions of this formation abound in astonish- 
ing numbers of well preserved fossils, among which corals, bryozoans, and brachiopods, pre- 
dominate, the first named being espec'ally abundant. A little intelligent attention to these might 
have saved a considerable waste of time and means in an idle search for coal, to which a slight 
resemblance to some of the shales of the coal measures has led. This formation underlies the 
mounds of the lead region, and forms a narrow belt on the eastern margin of the Green-bay-Rock- 
river valley. This was the closing period of the Lower Silurian Age. 

Clinton Iron Ore. 

On the surface of the shales just described, there were accumulated, here and there, beds of pecu- 
liar lenticular iron ore. It is probable that it was deposited in detached basins, but the evidence 
of this is not conclusive. In our own state, this is chiefly known as Iron Ridge ore, from the 
remarkable development it attains at that point. It is made up of little concretions, which from 
their size and co'or are fancied to resemble flax seed, and hence the name " seed ore," or the 
roe of fish, and hence oolitic ore. "Shot ore" is also a common term. This ii a soft ore occur- 
ring in regular horizontal beds which are quarried with more ease than ordinary limestone. This 
deposit attains, at Iron Ridge, the unusual thickness of twenty-five feet, and affords a readily 
accessible supply of ore, adequate to all demands for a long time to come. Similar, but much 
less extensive beds, occur at Hartford, and near Depere, besides some feeble deposits elsewhere. 
Large quantities of ore from Iron Ridge have been sh'pped to various points in this and neigh- 
boring States for reduction, in addition to that smelted in the vicinity of the mines. 

Niagara Limestone. 

Following the period of iron deposit, there ensued the greatest limestone-forming era in the 
history of Wisconsin. During its progress a series of beds, summing up, at their points of great- 
est thickness, scarcely less th in eight hundred feet, were laid down. The process of formation 
was essentially thit already described, the accumulation of t le calcareous secretions of marine 
life. Toward the close of the period, reefs appeared, that closely resemble the coral reefs of the 
present seas, and doubtless have a similar history. Corals form a very promin-jnt element m the 
life of this period, and with them were associated great numbers of mollusks, one of which 
{Pentamcrus obloiigiis) sometimes occurs in beds not unlike certain bivalves of to-day, and may 
be said to have been the oyster of the Silurian seas. At certain points, thos- wonderful animals, 
the stone lilies {Criiwids), grew in remarkable abundance, mounted on stems like a plant, yet 
true animals. Those unique crustaceans, the trilobites, were conspicuous in numbers and variety, 
while the gigantic cephalopods held sway over the life of the seas. In the vicmity of thj reefs. 



TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY. 119 

there seem to have been extensive calcareous sand flats and areas over which fine calcareous mud 
settled, the former resulting in a pure granular dolomite, the latter in a compact close-textured 
stone. The rock of the reefs is of very irregular structure. Of other portions of the formation, 
some are coarse heavy beds, some fine, even-bedded, close-grained layers, and some, again, irregu- 
lar, impure and cherty. .^11 are highly magnesian, and some are among the purest dolomites 
known. The Niagara limestone occupies a broad belt lying adjacent to Lake Michigan. 

Lower Helderberg Limestone. 

On Mud creek, near Milwaukee, there is found a thin-bedded slaty limestone, that is 
believed to represent this period. It has negle "ted, however, to leave us an unequivocal record 
of its history, as fossils are extremely rare, and its stratigraphical relations and lithographical 
character are capable of more than one interpretation. Near the village of Waubeka in 
Ozaukee county, there is a similar formation, somewhat more tossiliferous, that seems to repre- 
sent the same period. The area which these occupy is very small and they play a most insignifi- 
cant part in the geology of the state. They close the record of the Silurian age in Wisconsin.- 
During its progress the land had been gradually emerging from the ocean and increasing its 
amplitude by concentric belts of limestone, sandstone and shale. There had been no general 
disturbance, only those slight oscillations which changed the nature of the forming rock and 
facilitated deposition. .\t its close the waters retired from the borders of the state, and an 
interval supervened, during which no additions arc known to have been made to its substructure. 

DEVONIAN AGE. 

Hamilton Cement Rock. 

.\fter a lapse of time, during which the uppermost .Silurian and the lowest Devonian strata,, 
as found elsewhere, were formed, the waters again advanced slightly upon the eastern margin of 
the state and deposited a magnesian limestone mingled with silicious and almuninous material, 
forming a combination of which a portion has recently been shown to possess hydraulic 
properties of a high degree of excellence. With this deposition there dawned a new era in the 
life-history of Wisconsin. While multitudes of protozoans, radiates, mollusks and articulates 
swarmed in the previous seasi no trace of a vertebrate has been found. The Hamilton period 
witnessed the introduction of the highest type of the animal kingdom into the Wisconsin series. 
But even then only the lowest class was represented — the fishes. The lower orders of life, as 
before, were present, but the species were of the less ancient Devonian type. Precisely how far 
the deposit originally extended is not now known, as it has undoubtedly been much reduced by 
the eroding agencies that have .acted upon it. That portion which remains, occupies a limited 
area on the lake shore immediately north of Milwaukee, extending inland half a dozen miles. 
The cement rock proper is found on the Milwaukee river just above the ciiy. At the close of 
the Hamilton period the oceanic waters retired, and, if they ever subsequently encroached upon 
our territory, they have left us no permanent record of their intrusion. 

The history of the formation of the substructure of the state was, it will be observed, in an 
unusual degree, simple and progressive. Starting with a firm core of most ancient crystalline 
rocks, leaf upon leaf of stony strata were piled around it, adding belt after belt to liie margin of 
the growing island until it extended itself far beyond the limits of our state, and coalesced with 
the forming continent. .\n ideal map of the state would show the .-Vrchaian nucleus surrounded 
by concentric bands of the later formations in the order of their deposition. But during .ill the 



li:0 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

vast lapse of time consumed in their growth, the elements were gnawing, carving and channeling 
the surface, and the outcropping edges of the formations were becoming more and more jagged, 
and now, after the last stratum had been added, and the whole had been lifted from the waters 
that gave it birih, there ensued perhaps a still vaster era, during which the history was simply 
that of surface erosion. The face of the state became creased with the wrinkles of age. The 
edges of her rocky wrappings became ragged with the wear of time. The remaining Devonian 
periods, the great Carboniferous age, the Mesozoic era, and the earlier Tertiary periods passed, 
leaving no other record than that of denudation. 

THE GLACIAL PERIOD. 

With the approach of the great Ice Age, a new chapter was opened. An immense sheet of 
ice moved slowly, but irresistibly, down from the north, planing down the prominences, filling up 
the valleys, polishing and grooving the strata, and heaping up its rubbish of sand, gravel, clay and 
bowlders over the face of the country. It engraved the lines of its progress on the rocks, and, by 
reading these, we learn that one prodigious tongue of ice plowed along the bed of Lake Michi- 
gan, and a smaller one pushed through the valley of Green bay and Rock river, while another 
immense ice-stream flowed southwestward through the trough of Lake Superior and onward 
into Minnesota. The diversion of the glacier through these great channels seems to have left 
the southwestern portion of the state intact, and over it we find no drift accumulations. With 
the approach of a warmer climate, the ice-streams were melted backward, leaving their debris 
heaped promiscuously over the surface, giving it a new configuration. In the midst of this 
retreat, a series of halts and advances seem to have taken place in close succession, by which the 
drift was pushed up into ridges and hills along the foot of the ice, after which a more rapid 
retreat ensued. The effect of this action was to produce that remarkable chain of drift hills and 
ridges, known as the Kettle range, which we have already described as winding over the 
surface of the state in a very |)f( uliar manner. It is a great historic rampart, recording the 
position of the edge of the glacier at a certain stage of its retreat, and doubtless at the same time 
noting a great climatic or dynamic change. 

The melting of the glacier gave rise to large quantities of water, and hence to numerous 
torrents, as well as lakes. There occurred about this time a depression of the land to the north- 
ward, which was perhaps the cause, in part or in whole, of the retreat of the ice. This gave 
origin to the great lakes. The waters advanced somewhat upon the land and deposited the red 
clay that borders Lakes Michigan and Superior and occupies the Green bay valley as far up as 
the vicinity of Fond du Lac. After several oscillations, the lakes settled down into their present 
positions. Wherever the glacier plowed over the land, it left an irregular sheet of commingled 
clay, sand, gravel and bowlders spread unevenly over the surface. The depressions formed by 
its irregularities soon filled with water and gave origin to numerous lakelets. Probably not one 
of the thousands of Wisconsin lakes had an existence before the glacial period. Wherever the 
great lakes advanced upon the land, they leveled its surface and left their record in lacustine 
clays and sandy beach lines. 

With the retreat of the glacier, vegetation covered the surface, and by its aid and the action 
of the elements our fertile drift soils, among the last and best of Wisconsin's formations, were 
produced. And the work still goes on-. 



CLIMATOLOGY OF WLSCONSIN. 

Bv Prof. H. H. OLDENHAGE. 

The climate of a country, or that peculiar state of the atmosphere in regard to heat and 
moisture which prevails in any given place, and which directly affects the growth of plants and 
animals, is determined by the following causes: ist. Distance from the equator. 2d. Distance 
from the sea. 3d. Height above the sea. 4th. Prevailing winds; and 5th. Local influences, 
such as soil, vegetation, and proximity to lakes and mountains. 

Of these causes, the first, distance from the equator, is by far the most important. The 
warmest climates are necessarily those of tropical regions where the sun's rays are vertical. But 
in proceeding from the equator toward the poles, less and less heat continues to be received by 
the same extent of surface, because the rays fall more and more obliquely, and the same amount 
of heat-rays therefore spread over an increasing breadth of surface ; while, however, with the 
increase of obliquity, more and more heat is absorbed by the atmosphere, as the amount of air 
to be penetrated is greater. If the earth's surface were either wholly land or water, and its 
atmosphere motionless, the gradations of climate would run parallel with the latitudes from the 
equator to the poles. But owing to the irregular distribution of land and water, and the prevail- 
ing winds, such an arrangement is impossible, and the determination of the real climate of a given 
region, and its causes, is one of the most difficult problems of science. 

On the second of these causes, distance from the sea, depends the difference between oce- 
anic and continental climates. Water is more slowly heated and cooled than land ; the climates 
of the sea and the adjacent land are therefore much more equable and moist than those of the 
interior. 

A decrease of temperature is noticeable in ascending high mountains. The rate at which 
the temperature falls with the height above the sea is a very variable quantity, and is influenced 
by a variety of causes, such as latitude, situation, moisture, or dryness, hour of the day and season 
of the year. As a rough approximation, however, the fall of 1° of the thermometer for every 
300 feet is usually adopted. 

Air in contact with any part of the earth's surface, tends to acquire the temperature of that 
surface. Hence, winds from the north are cold ; those from the south are warm. Winds from 
the sea are moist, and winds from the land are usually dry. Prevailing winds are the result of 
the relative distribution of atmospheric pressure blowingyV'^w places where the pressure is high- 
est, toward places where it is lowest. As climate practically depends on the temperature and 
moisture of the air, and as these again depend on the prevailing winds which come charged with 
the temperature and moisture of the regions they have traversed, it is evident that charts show- 
ing the mean pressure of the atmosphere give us the key to the climates of the different regions 
of the world. The effect of prevailing winds is seen in the moist and equable climate of West- 
ern Europe, especially Great Britain, owing to the warm and moist southwest winds; and in the 
extremes of the eastern part of North America, due to the warm and moist winds prevailing in 
summer and the .\rctic blasts of winter. 



122 HISTORY (»F WISCONSTK. 

Among local influences which modify climate, the nature of the soil is one of the most 
important. As water absorbs much heat, wet, marshy ground usually lowers the mean tempera- 
ture. A sandy waste presents the greatest extremes. The extremes of temperature are also modi- 
fied by extensive forests, which prevent the soil from being as much warmed and cooled as it 
would be if bare. Evaporation goes on more slowly under the trees, since the soil is screened 
from the sun. And as the air among the trees is little agitated by the wind, the vapor is left to 
accumulate, and hence the humidity of the air is increased. Climate is modified in a similar man- 
ner by lakes and other large surfaces of water. During summer the water cools th^ air and 
reduces the temperature of the locality. In winter, on the other hand, the opposite effect is pro- 
duced. The surface water which is cooled sinks to lower levels; the warmer water rising to the 
surface, radiates heat into the air and thus raises the temperature of ihc neighboring region. 
This influence is well illustrated, on a great scale, in our own state by Lake Michigan. 

It is, lastly, of importance whether a given tract of country is diversified by hills, valleys and 
mountains. Winds with their warm vapor strike the sides of mountains and are forced up into 
higher levels of the atmosphere, where the vapor is condensed into clouds. Air coming in con- 
tact, during the night or in winter, with the cooled declivities of hills and rising grounds becomes 
cooled and consequently denser and sinks to the low-lying grounds, displacing the warmer and 
lighter air. Hence, frosts often occur at these places, when no trace of them can be found at 
higher levels. For the same reason the cold of winter is generally more intense in ravines and 
valleys than on hill tops and high grounds, the valleys being a receptacle for the cold-air currents 
which descend from all sides. These currents give rise to gusts and blasts of cold wind, which 
are simply the out-rush of cold air from such basins. This is a subject of great practical impor- 
tance to fruit-growers. 

In order to understand the principal features of the climate of Wisconsin, and the conditions 
on which these depend, it is necessary to consider the general climatology of the eastern United 
States. The chief characteristic of this area as a whole is, that -t is subject to great extreme.s — to 
all those variations of temperature which prevail from the tropical to the Arctic regions. This 
is principally due to the topographical conditions of our continent. The Rocky mountains con- 
densing the moisture of the warm winds from the Pacific and preventing them from reaching far 
inland, separate the climate of the Mississippi valley widely from that of the Pacific slope. Between 
the Gulf of Mexico and the Arctic sea there is no elevation to exceed 2.000 feet to arrest the 
flow of the hot southerly winds of summer, or the cold northerly winds of winter. From this 
results a variation of temperature hardly equaled in any part of the world. 

In determining the climates of the United States, western Europe is usually taken as the 
basis of comparison. The contrast between these regions is indeed very great. New York is in 
the same latitude with Madrid, Naples and Constantinople. Quebec is not so far north as Paris. 
London and Labrador are equi-distant from the equator ; but while England, with her mild, moist 
climate, produces an abundance of vegetation, in Labrador all cultivation ceases. In the latitude 
of Stockholm and St. Petersburg, at the 60th parallel, we find in eastern North America vast ice- 
fields which seldom melt. The moist and equable climate of western Europe in high latitudes 
is due to the Gulf Stream and the southwest vvinds of the .\tlantic, which spread their warmth 
and moisture over the western coast. Comparison, however, shows that the climate of the Pacific 
coast of North America is quite as mild as that of western Europe ; and this is due to the same 
kind of influences, namely, to the warm, moist winds and the currents of the Pacific. And to con- 
tinue the comparisoi. still further, in proceeding on both continents from west to east, or from 
ocean into the interior, we find a general resemblance of climatic conditions, modified greatly, it 
is true, by local influences. 



CLIMATOLOGY OF WISCONSIX. 1-i 

The extreme summer climate of the eastern United States is owing to the southerly and 
southwesterly winds, which blow with great regularity during this season, and, after traversing 
great areas of tropical seas, bear the warmth and moisture of these seas far inland, and give this 
region the peculiar semi-tropical character of its summers. The average temperature of summer 
varies between So" for the Gulf states, and 60° for tlie extreme north. While in the Gulf states 
the tliermometer often rises to 100°, in the latitude of Wisconsin this occurs very seldom. During 
winter the prevailing winds are from the northwest. These cold blasts from the Arctic sea are 
deflected by the Rocky mountains, sweep down unopposed into lower latitudes, and produce all 
the rigors of an arctic winter. The mean temperature for this season varies between 60° for the 
Gulf coast and 15° for the extreme northern part of Wisconsin. In the northern part of the 
valley the cold is sometimes so intense that the thermometer sinks to the freezing point of 
mercury. 

The extreme of heat and cold would give a continental climate if this extreme were not accom- 
panied by a profusion of rain. The southerly winds, laden with moisture, distribute this moist- 
ure with great regularity over the valley. The amount of rainfall, greater in summer than in 
winter, varies, from the Gulf of Mexico to Wisconsin, from 63 inches to 30 inches. On the At- 
lantic coast, where the distribution is more equal throughout the year on account of its proximity 
to the ocean, the amount varies, from Florida to Maine, from 63 to 40 inches. The atmospheric 
movements on which, to a great extent, the climatic conditions of the eastern United States 
depend, may be summed up as follows : 

"i. That the northeast trades, deflected in their course to south and southeast winds in 
their passage through the Carribean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, are the vv'arm and moist winds 
which communicate to the Mississippi valley and the Atlantic slope their fertility. 

"2. That the prevalence of these winds from May to October communicates to this region 
a sub-tropical climate. 

" 3. That in the region bordering on the Gulf of Mexico, the atmospheric disturbances are 
propagated from south to north ; but in the northern and middle states, owing to a prevailing 
upper current, from west to east. 

" 4. That while this upper current is cool and dry, and we have the apparent anomaly of 
rain storms traveling from west to east, at the same time the moisture supplying them comes from 
the south. 

"5. That, in the winter, the south and southeast winds rise into the upper current, while 
the west and northwest winds descend and blow as surface winds, accompanied by an extraor- 
dinary depression of temperature, creating, as it were, an almost arctic climate. 

" 6. That the propagation of the cold winds from west to east is due to the existence of a 
warmer and lighter air to the eastward. 

"7. That in summer the westerly currents seldom blow with violence, because, in passing 
over the heated plains, they acquire nearly tlie same temperature as the southerly currents, but in 
winter the conditions are reversed." 

The line of conflict of t?iese aerial currents, produced by unequal atmospheric pressure, 
shift so rapidly that the greatest changes of temperature, moisture, and wind, are experienced 
within a few hours, these changes usually affecting areas of great extent. In the old world, on 
the other hand, the mountain systems, generally running from east to west, offer an impediment, 
especially to the polar currents, and the weather is therefore not so changeable. 

Wisconsin, situated in the upper and central part of the Mississippi valley, is subject to the 
same general climatic conditions which give this whole area its peculiar climate. 

The highest mean summer temperature is 72° Fahrenheit in the southwestern part of the 



124 HISTORY OF WISCONSLNT. 

state, and the lowest 64" at Bayfield, Lake Superior. During the months of June, July and 
August, the thermometer often rises as hig?j as 90°, seldom to 100°. In 1874 the mercury reached 
this high point twice at LaCrosse, and three times at Dubuque, Iowa. There are usually two or 
three of these "heated terms '' during the summer, terminated by abrupt changes of temperature. 

The isotherm of 70° (an isotherm being a line connecting places having the same mean tem- 
perature) enters this state from the west, in the northern part of Grant county, touches Madison, takes 
a southerly direction through Walworth county, passes through southern Michigan, Cleveland, and 
Pittsburg, reaching the Atlantic ocean a little north of New York city. From this it is seen that 
southern Wisconsin, southern and central Michigan, northern Ohio, central Pennsylvania, and 
southern New York have nearly the same summer temperature. Northwestward this line runs 
through southern Minnesota and along the Missouri to the foot of the mountains. Eastern Ore- 
gon, at 47° 30' north latitude, has the same average summer temperature ; the line then returns 
and touches the Pacific coast at San Diego. 

The remarkable manner in which so large a body of water as Lake Michigan modifies the 
temperature has been carefully determined, so far as it relates to Wisconsin, by the late Dr. Lap- 
ham, of Milwaukee. It is seen by the map that the average summer temperature of Racine is 
the same as that of St. Paul. The weather map for July, 1875, in the signal service report for 
1876, shows that the mean temperature for July was the same in Rock county, in the southern 
part of the state, as that of Breckenridge, Minn., north of St. Paul. The moderating effect of 
the lake during hot weather is felt in the adjacent region during both day and night. 

Countries in the higher latitudes having an e.xtreme summer temperature are usually charac- 
terized by a small amount of rain-fall. The Mississippi valley, however, is directly exposed in 
spring and summer to the warm and moist winds from the south, and as these winds condense 
their moisture by coming in contact with colder upper currents f.'om the north and west, it has a 
profusion of rain which deprives the climite largely of its continental features. As already 
stated, the average amount of rain-fall in Wisconsin is about 30 inches annually. Of this amount 
about one-eighth is precipitated in winter, three-eighths in summer, and the rest is equally dis- 
tributed between spring and autumn — in other words, rain is abundant at the time of the year 
when it is most needed. In Wisconsin the rainfall is greatest in the southwestern part of the 
state; the least on and along the shore of Lake Michigan. This shows that the humidity of the 
air of a given area can be greater, and the rainfall less, than that of some other. 

In comparison with western Europe, even where the mean temperature is higher than in the 
Mississippi valley, the most striking fact in the climatic conditions of the United States is the 
great range of plants of tropical or sub-tropical origin, such as Indian corn, tobacco, etc. The 
conditions on which the character of the vegetation depends are temperature and moisture, and 
the mechanical and chemical composition of the soil. 

"The basis of this great capacity (the great range of plants) is the high curve of heat and 
moisture for the summer, and the fact that the measure of heat and of rain are almost or quite 
tropical for a period in duration from one to five months, in the range from Quebec to the coast 
of the Gulf." Indian corn attains its full perfection between the summer isotherms 72^^ and 77°, 
in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas; but it may be grown up to the line of 6^°, which includes 
the whole of Wisconsin. The successful cultivation of this important staple is due to the mtense 
heat of summer and a virgin soil rich in nitrogen. 

While Milwaukee and central Wisconsin have a mean annual temperature of 45°, that of 
southern Ireland and central England is 50°; the line of 72°, the average temperature for July, 
runs from Walworth county to St. Paul, while during the same month Ireland and England have 
a mean temperature of only 60°. In Wisconsin the thermometer rises as high as 90*^ and above, 



CLlMATOLOav OF WISCONSIN- 125 

wliile the range above the mean in England is very small. It is the tropical element of our sum- 
mers, then, that causes the grape, the corn, etc., to ripen, while England, with a higher mean 
temperature, is unable to mature them successfully. Ireland, where southern plants may remain 
out-doors, unfrosted, the whole winter, can not mature those fruits and grasses which ripen in 
Wisconsin. In England a depression of 2° below the mean of 60° will greatly reduce the quan- 
tity, or prevent the ripening of wheat altogether, 60" being essential to a good crop. Wheat, re- 
quiring a lower temperature tlian corn, is better adapted to the chmate of Wisconsin. This grain 
mav be grown as far north as Hudson bay. 

Autumn, including September, October and November, is of short duration in Wisconsin. 
North of the 42d parallel, or the southern boundary line of the state, November belongs projjerly 
to the winter months, its mean temperature being about 32''. The decrease of heat from August to 
September is generally from 8*^ to 9" ; 11° from Se; tember Ifo October, and 14° from October [o 
November. The average temperature for these three months is about 45". A beautiful season, 
commonly known as Indian summer, frequently occurs in the latter part of October and in No- 
vember. This period is characterized by a mild temperature and a hazy, calm atmosphere. 
According to Loomis, this appears to be due to "an uncommonly tranquil condition of the atmos- 
phere, during which the air becomes filled with dust and smoke arising from numerous fires, by 
which its transparency is greatly impaired." This phenomenon extends as far north as Lake 
Superior, but it is more conspicuous and protracted in Kansas and Missouri, and is not observed 
in the southern states. 

Destructive frosts generally occur in September, and sometimes in August. " A. temperature 
of 36° to 40° at sunrise is usually attended with frosts destructive to vegetation, the position of 
the thermometer being usually such as to represent less than the actual refrigeration at the open 
surface.' In 1875, during October, at Milwaukee, the mercury fell seven times below the freez- 
ing point, and twice below zero in November, the lowest being 14°. 

The winters are generally long and severe, but occasionally mild and almost without snow. 
The mean winter temperature varies between 23° in the southeastern part of the state, and 16'^ at 
Ashland, m the northern. For this season the e.xtremes are great. The line of 20*^ is of im- 
portance, as it marks the average temperature which is fatal to the growth of all the tender trees, 
such as the pear and the peach. In the winter of 1S75 and 1876, the mean temperature for De- 
cember, January and February, in the upper lake region, was about 4" above the average mean 
for many yearS; while during the previous winter the average temperature for January and Feb- 
ruary was about 12° below the mean for many years, showing a great difference between cold and 
mild winters. In the same winter, i875-'76, at Milwaukee, the thermometer fell only si.\ times 
below zero, the lowest being 12'-", while during the preceding winter the mercury sank thirty-six 
times below zero, the lowest being 23". In the northern and northwestern part of the state the 
temperature sometimes falls to the freezing point of mercury. During the exceptionally cold 
Winter of 1872-3, at La Crosse, the thermometer sank nearly fifty times below zero; on Decem- 
ber 24, it indicated 37° below, and on January 18, 43° below zero, averaging about 12° belov. 
the usual mean for those months. The moderating effect of Lake Michigan can be seen 
by observing how the lines indicating the mean winter temperature curve northward as they 
a])proach the lake. Milwaukee, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Two Rivers, and the Grand Traverse 
region of Michigan, have the same average wintei temperature. The same is true regarding 
Galena, 111., Beloit, and Kewaunee. A similar influence is noticed in all parts of the state. Dr. 
Lapham concludes that this is not wholly due to the presence of Lake Michigan, but that the 
mountain range which e.\tends from a little west of Lake Superior to the coast of Labrador (from 
1,100 to 2,240 feet higli) protects the lake region in no inconsiderable degree from the excessive 
cold of winter. 



126 HISTOEY OF WISCONSIN. 

According to the same authority, the time at which the Milwaukee river was closed wi h ice, 
for a period of nine years, varied between November 15 and December i ; the time at which it 
became free from ice, between March 3 and April 13. In the lake district, snow and rain are 
interspersed through all the winter months, rain being sometimes as profuse as at any other sea- 
son. In the northwestern part the winter is more rigid and dry. Northern New York and the 
New England states usually have snow lying on the ground the whole winter, but in the southern 
lake district it rarely remains so long. In i842-'43, however, sleighing commenced about the 
middle of November, and lasted till about the same time in April — five months. 

The average temperature for the three months of spring, March, April and May, from Wal- 
worth county to St. Paul, is about 45°. In central Wisconsin the mean for March is about 27", 
which is an increase of nearly 7*^ from February. The lowest temperature of this montli in 
1876 was 40° above zero. April shows an average increase of about 9° over March. In 1876 
the line of 45° for this month passed from LaCrosse to Evanston, 111., touching Lake Erie at 
Toledo, showing that the interior west of Lake Michigan is warmer than the lake region. The 
change from winter to spring is more sudden in the interior than in the vicinity of the lakes. 
"In the town of Lisbon, fifteen miles from Lake Michigan," says Dr. Lapham, " early spring 
flowers show themselves about ten days earlier than on the lake. In spriuig vegetation, in places 
remote from the lakes, shoots up in a very short time, and fiowers show their petals, while on the 
lake shore the cool air retards them and brings them more gradually into existence." The in- 
crease from April to May is about is''. In May, 1876, Pembina and Milwaukee had nearly the 
same mean temperature, about 55°. 

The extremes of our climate and the sadden changes of temperature no doubt have a 
marked influence, both physically and mentally, on the American people. And though a more 
equable climate may be more conducive to perfect health, the great range of our climate from 
arctic to tropical, and the consequent variety and abundance of vegetable products, combine to 
make the Mississippi valley perhaps one of the most favorable areas in the world for the develop- 
ment of a strong and wealthy nation. 

During the months of summer, in the interior of the eastern United States, at least three- 
fourths of the rain-fall is in showers usually accompanied by electrical discharges and limited to 
small areas. But in autumn, winter, and spring nearly the whole precipitation takes place in 
general storms extending over areas of 300, 500 and sometimes over 1,000 miles in diameter, and 
generally lasting two or three days. /Vn area of low atmospheric pressure causes the wind to blow 
toward that area from all sides, and when the depression is sudden and great, it is accompanied 
by much rain or snow. On account of the earth's rotation, the wind blowing toward this region 
of low pressure is deflected to the right, causing the air to circulate around the center with a 
motion spirally inward. In our latitude the storm commences with east winds. When the storm 
center, or area of lowest barometer, is to the south of us, the wind gradually veers, as the storm 
passes from west to east with the upper current, round to the northwest by the north point. 
On the south side of the storm center, the wind veers from southeast to southwest, by the south 
point. The phenomena attending such a storm when we are in or near the part of its center are 
usually as follows : After the sky has become overcast with clouds, the wind from the northeast 
generally begins to rise and blows in the opposing direction to the march of the storm. The 
clouds which are now moving over us, discharge rain or snow according to circumstances. The 
barometer continues to fall, and the rain or snow is brought obliquely down from the northern 
quarter by the prevailing wind. After a while the wind changes slightly in diiection and then 
ceases. The thermometer rises and the barometer has reached its lowest point. This is the center 
of the storm. .Aifter the calm the wind has changed its direction to northwest or west. The 



riJMATOI.OCV OF "WISCONSIN. 127 

wind blows again, usually more violently than before, accompanied by rain or snow, wliich is now 
generally of short duration. The sky clears, and the storm is suddenly succeeded by a tempera, 
tare lo or 20 degrees below the mean. Most of the rain and snow falls with the east winds, or 
before the center passes a given point. The path of these storms is from west to east, or nearly 
■so. and only seldom in other directions. These autumn, winter, and spring rains are generally 
first noticed on the western ])lains, but may originate at any point along their path, and move 
eastward with an average velocity of about 20 miles an hour in summer and 30 miles in winter, 
but sometimes attaining a velocity of over 50 miles, doing great damage on the lakes. In pre- 
dicting these storms, the signal service of the army is of incalculable practical benefit, as well 
as in collecting data for scientific conclusions. 

A subject of the greatest importance to every inhabitant of Wisconsin is the influence of 
forests on climate and the effects of disrobing a county of its trees. The general influence of 
forests in modifying the extremes of temperature, retarding evaporation and the increased 
humidity of the air, has already been mentioned. That clearing the land of trees increases the 
temperature of the ground in summer, is so readily noticed that it is scarcely necessary to men- 
tion it ; while in winter the sensible cold is never so e.xtreme in woods as on an open surface 
exposed to the full force of the winds. " The lumbermen in Canada and the northern United 
States labor in the woods without inconvenience: when the mercury stands many degrees below 
zero, while in the open grounds, with only a moderate breeze, the same temperature is almost 
insupportable." " In the state of Michigan it has been found that the winters have greatly 
increased in severity within the last forty years, and that this increased severity seems to move 
along even-paced with the destruction of the forests. Thirty years ago the peach was one of the 
most abundant fruits of that State; at that time frost, injurious to corn at any time from May to 
October, was a thing unknown. Now the peach is an uncertain crop, and frost often injures the 
corn.'' The precise influence of forests on temperature may not at present admit of definite solu- 
tion, yet the mechanical screen which they furnish to the soil often far to the leeward of them, 
is sufficiently established, and this alone is enough to encourage extensive planting wherever this 
protection is wanting. 

With regard to the quantity of rain-fall, " we can not positively affirm that the total annual 
quantity of rain is even locally diminished or mcreased by the destruction of the woods, though 
both theoretical considerations and the balance of testimony strongly favor the opinion that more 
rain falls in wooded than in open countries. One important conclusion, at least, upon the 
meteorological influence of forests is certain and undisputed: the proposition, namely, that, 
within their own limits, and near their own borders, they maintain a more uniform degree of 
humidity in the atmosphere than is observed in cleared grounds. Scarcely less can it be 
questioned that they tend to promote the frequency of showers, and, if they do not augment the 
amount of precipitation, they probably equalize its distribution through the different seasons." 

There is abundant and undoubted evidence that the amount of water existing on the surface 
in lakes and rivers, in many parts of the world, is constantly diminishing. In Germany, observa- 
tions of the Rhine, Oder, Danube, and the Elbe, in the latter case going back for a period of 142 
years, demonstrate beyond doubt, that each of these rivers has much decreased in volume, and 
there is reason to fear that they will eventually disappear from the list of navigable rivers. 

" The ' Blue-Grass ' region of Kentucky, once the pride of the West, has now districts of 
such barren and arid nature that their stock farmers are moving toward the Cumberland mount- 
ains, because the creeks and old sjjrings dried up, and their wells became too low to furnish 
-water for their cattle." In our own state " such has been the change in the flow of the Milwau- 



128 HISTORY OF "WISCONSIX. 

kee river, even while the area from which it receives its supply is but partially cleared, that the 
proprietor? ot most of the mills and factories have found it necessary to resort to the use of 
steam, at a largely increased yearly cost, to supply the deficiency of water-power in dry seasons 
of the year." '' What has happened to the Milwaukee river, has happened to all the other water 
courses in the state from whose banks the forest has been removed ; and many fafmers who 
selected land uqon which there was a living brook of clear, pure water, now find these brooks 
dried up during a considerable portion of the year. 

Districts stripped of their forest are said to be more exposed than before to loss of harvests, 
to droughts and frost. " Hurricanes, before unknown, sweep unopposed over the regions chas 
denuded, carrying terror and devastation in their track." Parts of Asia Minor, North Africa, 
and other countries bordering on the Mediterranean, now almost deserts, were once densely 
populated and the granaries of the world. And there is good reason to believe " that it is the 
destruction of the forests which has produced this devastation." From such facts Wisconsin, 
already largely robbed of its forests, should take warning before it is too late. 



TREES, SHRUBS AND \IXES. 

Bv P. R. HOY, M.D. 

It is not the purpose of this article to give a botanical description, but merely brief notes on 
the economical value of the woods, and the fitness of the various indigenous trees, shrubs and 
vines for the purpose of ornament, to be found in Wisconsin. 

White Oak — Quercus Alba. — This noble tree is the largest and most important of the 
American oaks. The excellent properties of the wood render it eminently valuable for a great 
variety of uses. Wherever strength and durability are required, the white oak stands in the first 
rank. It is employed in making wagons, coaches and sleds ; staves and hoops of the best quality 
for barrels and casks are obtained from this tree ; it is extensively used in architecture, ship- 
building, etc.; vast quantities are used for fencmg ; the bark is employed in tanning. The domes- 
tic consumption of this tree is so great that it is of the first importance to preserve the young 
trees wherever it is practicable, and to make young plantations where the tree is not found. The 
white oak is a graceful, ornamental tree, and worthy of particular attention as such ; found abun- 
dantly in most of the timbered districts. 

Burr Oak — Q. Macrocarpa. — This is perhaps the most ornamental of our oaks. Nothing 
can exceed the graceful beauty of these trees, when not crowded or cramped in their growth, but 
left free to follow the laws of their development. Who has not admired these trees in our exten- 
sive burr oak openings.' The large leaves are a dark green above and a bright silvery white 
beneath, which gives the tree a singularly fine appearance when agitated by the wind. The wood 
is tough, close-grained, and more durable than the white oak, especially when exposed to frequent 
changes of moisture and drying ; did the tree grow to the same size, it would be preferred for 
most uses. Abundant, and richly worthy of cultivation, both for utility and ornament. 

Swamp White Oak — Q. Bicolor. — Is a valuable and ornamental tree, not quite so large or 
as common as the burr oak. The wood is close-grained, durable, splits freely, and is well worthy 
of cultivation in wet, swampy grounds, where it will thrive. 

Post Oak — Q. Obtusiloba. — Is a scraggy, small tree, found sparingly in this state. The tim- 
ber is durable, and makes good fuel. Not worthy of cultivation. 



TREES, SHRUBS AXD VINES. 129 

Swamp Chestnut Oak — Q. Prinus. — This species of chestnut oak is a large, graceful tree, 
wood rather open-grained, yet valuable for most purposes to which the oaks are applied ; makes 
the best fuel of any of this family. A rare trc-c, found at Janesville and Brown's lake, near Bur- 
lington. Worthy of cultivation. 

Red Oak — Q. Rubra. — The red oak is a well-known, common, large tree. The wood is 
coarse-grained, and the least durable of the oaks, nearly worthless for fuel, and scarcely worthy 
of cultivation, even for ornament. 

Pin Oak — Q. Palustris. — This is one of the most common trees in many sections of the 
state. The wood is of little value except for fuel. Tlie tree is quite ornamental, and should be 
sparingly cultivated for this purpose. 

Shingle Oak — Q. Imbricaria. — Is a tree of medium size, found sparingly as far north as 
Wisconsin. It is ornamental, and the wood is used for shingles and staves. 

Scarlet Oak — Q. Coccinea. — This is an ornamental tree, especially in autumn, when its 
leaves turn scarlet, hence the name. Wood of little value ; common. 

Sugar Maple — Acer Saccharium. — This well-known and noble tree is found growing abun- 
dantly in many sections of the state. The wood is close-grained and susceptible of a beautiful 
polish, which renders it valuable for many kinds of furniture, more especially the varieties known 
as bird's-eye and curled maples. The wood lacks the durability of the oak ; consequently is not 
valuable for purposes where it will be exposed to the weather. For fuel it ranks next to hickory. 
The sugar manufactured from this tree affords no inconsiderable resource for the comfort and 
even wealth of many sections of the northern states, especially those newly settled, where it 
would be difficult and expensive to procure their supply from a distance. As an ornamental tree 
it stands almost at the head of the catalogue. The foliage is beautiful, compact, and free from 
the attacks of insects. It puts forth its yellow blossoms early, and in the autumn the leaves 
change in color and show the most beautiful tints of red and yellow long before they fall. Worthy 
of especial attention for fuel and ornament, and well adapted to street-planting. 

Red Maple — A. liubrum. — Is another fine maple of more rapid growth than the foregoing 
species. With wood rather lighter, but quite as valuable for cabinet-work — for fuel not quite so 
good. The young trees bear transplanting even better than other maples. Though higlily orna- 
mental, this tree hardly equals the first-named species. It puts forth, in early spring, its scarlet 
blossoms before a leaf has yet appeared. Well adapted to street-planting. 

Mountain Maple — A. Spicatum. — Is a small branching tree, or rather shrub, found grow- 
ing in clumps. Not worthy of much attention. 

Silver Maple — A. Dasycarpum. — This is a common tree growing on the banks of streams, 
especially in the western part of the state, grown largely for ornament, yet for the purpose it is 
the least valuable of the maples. The branches are long and straggling, and so brittle that they 
are liable to be injured by winds. 

Bo.\ Maple — N^egundo Aceroides. — This tree is frequently called box elder. It is of a rapid 
growth and quite ornamental. The wood is not much used in the arts, but is good fuel. Should 
be cultivated. It grows on Sugar and Rock rivers. 

White Elm — Ulmus Americma. — This large and graceful tree stands confessedly at the 
head of the list of ornamental deciduous trees. Its wide-spreading branches and long, pendu- 
lous branchlets form a beautiful and conspicuous head. It grows rapidly, is free from disease 
and the destructive attacks of insects, will thrive on most soils, and for planting along streets, in 
public grounds or lawns, is unsurpassed by any American tree. The wood is but little used in 
the arts ; makes good firewood ; siiould be planted along all the roads and streets, near eve: • 
dwellin;x, and on all public grounds. 



130 



HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 



Slippery Elm — f. Fulva. — This smaller and less ornamental species is also common. '1 he 
wood, however, is much more valuable than the white elm, being durable and splitting readily. 
It makes excellent rails, and is much used for the framework of buildings ; valuable for fuel; 
should be cultivated. 

Wild Black Cherry — Cerasus Serotina. — This large and beautiful species of cherry is one 
of the most valuable of American trees. The wood is compact, fine-grained, and of a brilliant 
reddish color, not liable to warp, or shrink and swell with atmospheric changes ; extensively em- 
ployed by cabinet-makers for every species of furnishing. It is exceedingly durable, hence is 
-valuable for fencing, building, etc. Richly deserves a place in the lawn or timber plantation. 

Bird Cherry — C. Pennsylvanica. — Is a small northern species, common in the state and 
worthy of cultivation for ornament. 

Choke Cherry -C. Virginiana. — This diminutive tree is of little value, not worth the trouble 
■of cultivation. 

Wild Plum — Primus Anieriiana. — The common wild plum when in full bloom is one of the 
most ornamental of small flowering trees, and as such should not be neglected. The fruit is 
rather agreeable, but not to be compared to fine cultivated varieties, which may be engrafted on 
the wild stock to the very best advantage. It is best to select small trees, and work them on the 
roots. The grafts should be inserted about the middle of April. 

Hackberry — Celtis Occidetitalis. — This is an ornamental tree of medium size ; wood hard, 
close-grained and elastic ; makes the best of hoops, whip-stalks, and thills for carriages. The 
Indians formerly made great use of the hackbeiry wood for their bows. A tree worthy ot a lim- 
ited share of attention. 

.American Linden or Basswood — Tilia Americana. — Is one of the finest ornamental trees for 
public grounds, parks, etc., but will not thrive where the roots are exposed to bruises ; for this 
reason it is not adapted to planting along the streets of populous towns. The wood is light and 
tough, susceptible of being bent to almost any curve ; durable if kept from the weather ; takes 
paint well, and is considerably used in the arts ; for fuel it is of little value. This tree will 
flourish in almost any moderately rich, damp soil; bears transplanting well; can be propagated 
readily from layers. 

White Thorn — Crataegus Coccinea, and Dotted Thorn — C. Punctata. — These two species 
of thorn are found everywhere on the rich bottom lands. When in bloom they are beautiful, and 
should be cultivated for ornament. The wood is remarkably compact and hard, and were it not 
for the small size of the tree, wcniK; l)e valuable. 

Crab .Apple — Pyrus Corona i la. — This common small tree is attractive when covered with 
its highly fragrant rose-colored blossoms. Wc>od 1 ', fine, compact grain, but the tree is too 
small for the wood to be of much practical value. W ell worthy of a place in extensive grounds. 

Mountain Ash — P. Americana.- — This popular ornament to our yards is found growing in 
the northern jiart of the state and as far south as 43°. The wood is useless. 

White Ash — Fraxiuus Acuminata. — Is a large, interesting tree, which combines utility with 
beauty in an eminent degree. The wood possesses strength, suppleness and elasticity, which 
renders it valuable for a great variety of uses. It is extensively employed in carriage manufact- 
uring; for various agricultural implements ; is esteemed superior to any other wood for oars; 
excellent fur fuel. The white ash grows rapidly, and in open ground forms one of the most 
lovely trees that is to be found. The foliage is clean and handsome, and in autumn turns from 
its bright grceii to a violet purple hue, which adds materially to the beauty of our autumnal syl- 
van scenery. It is richly deserving our especial care and protection, and wiU amjjly repay all 
labor and expense bestowed on its cultivation. 



TREKS SliUriis AND VIXES. 131 

Black Ash — F Sambucifolia. — This is another tall, graceful and well-known species of ash. 
The wood is used for making baskets, hoops, etc. ; when thoroughly dry, aftbrds a good article of 
fuel. Deserves to be cultivated in low, rirb, swampy situations, where more useful trees will not 
thrive. 

Bi.ACK Walnut — Jtiglans Nigra. — This giant of the rich alluvial bottom lands claims 
special attention for its valuable timber. It is among the most durable and beautiful of Ameri- 
can woods ; susceptible of a fine polish ; not liable to shrink and swell by heat and moisture. 
It is extensively employed by the cabinet-makers for every variety of furniture. Walnut forks, 
are frequently found which rival in richness and beauty the far-famed mahogany. This tree, 
in favorable situations, grows rapidly; is highly ornamental, and produces annually an abundant 
crop of nuts. 

Butternut — J. Cinerea. — This species of walnut is not as valuable as the above, yet for its 
beauty, and the durability of its wood, it should claim a small portion of attention. The wood 
is rather soft for most purposes to which it otherwise might be applied. When grown near 
streams, or on moist side-hills, it produces regularly an ample crop of excellent nuts. It grows 
rapidly. 

Shell-Bark Hickory — Carya Alba. — This, the largest and finest of American hickories, 
grow, abundantly throughout the state. Hickory wood possesses probably the greatest strength 
and tenacity of any of our indigenous trees, and is used for a variety of purposes, but, 
unfortunately, it is liable to be eaten by worms, and lacks durability. For fuel, the shell-bark 
hickory stands unrivaled. The tree is ornamental and produces every alternate year an ample 
crop of the best of nuts. 

Shag-Bark Hickory— C. Iiiclata. — Is a magnificent tree, the wood of which is nearly as 
valuable as the above. The nuts are large, thick-shelled and coarse, not to be compared to the 
C. alba. A rare tree in Wisconsin ; abundant further south. 

Pignut Hickory — C. Glabra. — This species possesses all the bad and but few of the good 
qualities of the shell-bark. The nuts are smaller and not so good. The tree should be pre- 
served and cultivated in common with the shell-bark. Not abundant. 

Bitternut — C. Amara. — Is an abundant tree, valuable for fuel, but lacking the strength and 
elasticity of the preceding species. It is, however, quite as ornamental as any of the hickories. 
Red Beech — Fagus Ferruginea. — This is a common tree, with brilliant, shining light-green 
leaves, and long, flexible branches. It is highly ornamental, and should be cultivated for this 
purpose, as well as for its useful wood, which is tough, close-grained and compact. It is much 
used for plane-stocks, tool handles, etc., and as an article of fuel is nearly equal to maple. 

Water Beech — Carpinus Americana. — Is a small tree, called hornbeam by many. The 
wood is exceedingly hard and compact, but the small size of the tree renders it almost 
useless. 

Iron Wood— Ostrya Virginica. — This small tree is found disseminated throughout most of 
our woodlands. It is, to a considerable d-gree, ornamental, but of remarkably slow growth. The 
wood possesses valuable properties, being heavy and strong, as the name would indicate ; yet, 
from its small size, it is of but little use. 

Balsam Poplar — Populus Candicatis. — This tree is of medium size, and is known by sev- 
eral names: Wild balm of Gilead, cottonwood, etc. It grows in moist, sandy soil, on river bot- 
toms. It has broad, heart-shajsed leaves, which turn a fine yellow after the autumn frosts. It 
grows more rapidly than any other of our trees; can be trans[)lanted with entire success when 
eight or nine inches in diameter, and makes a beatiful shade tree — the most ornamental of pop- 
lars. The wood is soft, spongy, and nearly useless. 



132 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

Quaking Aspen — P. Tretnuloides. — Is a well-known, small tree. It is rather ornamental, 
but scarcely worth cultivating. 

Large Aspen — P. Grandidentata. — Is the largest of our poplars. It frequently grows to 
the height of si.xty or seventy feet, with a diameter of two and one-half feet. The wood is soft, 
easily split, and used for frame buildings. It is the most durable of our poplars. 

Cotton Wood — P. MonoUfera. — This is the largest of all the poplars ; abundant on the 
Mississippi river. Used largely for fuel on the steamboats. The timber is of but little use in 
the arts. 

Sycamore or Buttonwood — Platanus Occidentalis. — This, the largest and most majestic 
of our trees, is found growing only on the rich alluvial river bottoms. The tree is readily 
known, even at a considerable distance, by its whitish smooth branches. The foliage is large 
and beautiful, and the tree one of the most ornamental known. The wood speedily decays, and 
when sawed into lumber warps badly; on these accounts it is but little used, although susceptible 
of a fine finish. As an article of fuel it is of inferior merit. 

Canoe Birch — Betula Papyracea. — Is a rather elegant and interesti-^j tree. It grows abund- 
antly in nearly every part of the state. The wood is of a fine glossy grain, susceptible of a good 
finish, but lacks durability and strength, and, therefore, is but little used in the mechanical arts. 
For fuel it is justly prized. It bears transplanting without difficulty. The Indians manufacture 
their celebrated bark canoes from the bark of this tree. 

Cherry Birch — B. Lenta. — T.iis is a rather large, handsome tree, growing along streams. 
Leaves and bark fragrant. Wood, fine-grained, rose-colored ; used largely by the cabinet- 
makers. 

Yellow Birch — B. Lutea. — This beautiful tree occasionally attains a large size. It is 
highly ornamental, and is of value for fuel; but is less prized than the preceding species for cab- 
inet work. 

Kentucky Coffee Tree — Gymnocladus Canadensis. — This singularly beautiful tree is only 
found sparingly, and on rich alluvial lands. I met with it growing near the Peccatonica, in 
Green county. The wood is fine-grained, and of a rosy hue ; is exceedingly durable, and well 
worth cultivating. 

June Berry — Amelanchier Canadensis. — Is a small tree which adds materially to the beauty 
of our woods in early spring, at which time it is in full bloom. The wood is of no particular 
value, and the tree interesting only when covered with its white blossoms. 

White Pine — Pinus Strohis. — This is the largest and most valuable of our indigenous pines. 
The wood is soft, free from resin, and works easily. It is extensively employed in the mechan- 
ical arts. It is found in great profusion in the northern parts of the state. This species is 
readily known by the leaves being \w fives. It is highly ornamental, but in common with all 
pines, will hardly bear transphmting. Only small plants should be moved. 

Norway or Red Pine — P. Resinosa, and Yellow Pine — P. Mitis. — These are two large 
trees, but little inferior in size to the white pine. The wood contains more resin, and is conse- 
quently more durable. The leaves of both these species are in twoi. Vast quantities of lumber 
are yearly manufactured from these two varieties and the white pine. The extensive pineries 
of the state are rapidly diminishing. 

Shrub Pine — P. Bankstana. — Is a small, low tree; only worthy of notice here for the orna- 
mental shade it produces. It is found in the northern sections of the state. 

Balsam Fir — Abies Balsamea — This beautiful evergreen is multiplied to a great extent on 
the shores of Lake Superior, where it grows forty or fifty feet in height. The wood is of but 



'IREES, SHRUBS AND \JXE,S. 133 

little value The balsam of fir, or Canadian balsam, is obtained from this tree. 

Double Spruce — A. Nigra. — This grows in the same localities with the balsam fir, and 
assumes the same pyramidal form, but is considerably larger. The wood is light and possesses 
considerable strength and elasticity, wiiich renders it one of the best materials for yard's and top- 
masts for shijjpmg. It is extensively cultivated for ornament. 

Hemlock — A. CaiiaJtnsis.—TVm hemlock is the largest of the genus. It is gracefully orna- 
mental, but the wood is of little value. The baik is e.xtensively employed in tanning. 

Tamarack — Laiix Americana. — This beautiful tree grows abundantly in swampy situations 
throughout the state. It is not quite an evergreen It drops its leaves in winter, but quickly 
recovers them in early spring. The wood is remarkably durable and valuable for a varietv of 
uses. The tree grows rapidly, and can be successfully cultivated in [jeaty situations, where other 
irees would not thrive. 

Arbor Vit/E — Thuja Occidentalis. — This tree is called the white or flat cedar. It grows 
abundantly in many parts of the state. The wood is durable, furnishing better fence posts than 
any other tree, excepting the red cedar. Shingles and staves of a superior quality are obtained 
froii< ihcse trees. A beautiful evergreen hedge is made from the young plants, which bear trans- 
planting better than most evergreens. It will grow on most soils if sufficiently damp. 

Red Cedar — Juniperus Virginiana. — Is a well known tree that furnishes those celebrated 
fence posts that " last forever." The wood is highly fo'agrant, of a rich r, ,' color, and fine 
grained ; hence it is valuable for a varietv of uses. It should be extensively cultivated. 

Dwarf Juniper — J. Sa/v'/.a. — This is a low trailing shrub. Is conside-ably prized for 
ornament. Especially worthy of cultivation in large grounds. 

Sassafras — .Sassafras I'ffic-inale. — Is a small tree of fine appearance, with fragrant leaves 
bark, (irows in Kenosha county. Shoukl be cultivated. 

Willows. — There are many species of willows growing in every part of the state, sever.il of 
which are worthy of cultivation near streams and jjonds. 

Whitf. Willow — .SW/.v al/>a. — Is a fine tree, often reaching sixty feet in height. The wood 
is soft, and makes the best charcoal ior the manufacture of gun-powder. Grows rapidly. 

Black Willow — S. Nigra. — 'I'his is also a fine tree, but not quite so large as the foregoing, 
it is used for similar purposes. 

There are many shrubs and vines indigenous to the state worthy of note. I shall, however^ 
call attention to only a few of the best. 

Dogwoods. — There are several species found in our forests and thickets. All are ornamen- 
tal when covered with a profusion of white blossoms. I would especially recommend : corui 
sericea, C. stolonijcra, C. paniculata, and C. alternifolia. All these will repay the labor ol trans- 
planting to ornamental grounds. 

Viburnums. — These are very beautit"ul. We have viburnum lentago, V. pruni/olium, V. nudum^ 
V. dentatum, V. puhescens, V. acerifolium, J', /rauciy/arum, and ]''. opulus. The last is known as 
the cranberry tree, and is a most beautiful shrub when in bloom, and also when covered with its 
red, acid fruit. The common snow-ball tree is a cultivated variety of the V. opulus. 

WncH Hazel — llanuxnuiis Virginica. — Is an interesting, tall shrub that flowers late in 
■autumn, when the leaves are falling, and matures the fruit the next summer. It deserves more 
attention than it receives. 

Burning Bush — Enonymus atropurpureus. — This fine shrub is called the American straw- 
berry, and is exceedingly beautiful when covered with its load of crimson fruit, which remains 
during winter. 



134 HISTORY OF WISC0XSI:N'. 

Sumach — Rhus typhina. — Is a tall shrub, 11 known, but seldom cultivated. When well 
grown it is ornamental and well adapted for planting in clumps. 

Hop Tree — Ptclca trifoliata. — This is a showy shrub with shining leaves, which should be 
cultivated. Common in rich, alluvial ground. 

Bladder Nut — Staphylca ti ifolia. — Is a fine, upright, showy shrub, found sparingly all over 
the state. Is ornamental, with greenish striped branches and showy leaves. 

Vines. 

Virginia Creeper — Ampelopsis qninquefolia. — This is a noble vine, climbing extensively by 
disc-bearing tendrils, so well known as to require no eulogy. Especially beautiful in its fall 
colors. 

Bitter Sweet — Ce/asinis scaiiJe/is. — Is a stout twining vine, which would be an ornament to 
any grounds. In the fall and early winter it is noticeable for its bright fruit. Common. 

Yellow Honeysuckle — Lonicera flava. — - Is a fine native vine, which is found climbing over 
tall shrubs and trees. Ornamental. There are several other species of honeysuckle ; none, how- 
ever, worthy of special mention. 

Frost Grape — Vita cordifolia. — This tall-growing vine has deliciously sweet blossoms, 
which perfume the air for a great distance around. For use as a screen, this hardy species will 
be found highly satisfactory. 



FAUNA OF WISCONSIN. 

By p. R. hoy, M.D. 
FISH AND FISH CULTURE. 

Fish are cold blooded aquatic vertebrates, having fins as organs of progression. They have 
a two-chambered heart; their bodies are mostly covered with scales, yet a few are entirely naked, 
like catfish and eels; others again are covered with curious plates, such as the sturgeon. Fish 
inhabit both salt and fresh water. It is admitted by all authority that fresh-water fish are more 
universally edible than those inhabiting the ocean. Marine fish are said to be more highly 
flavored than those inhabiting fresh waters ; an assertion I am by no means prepared to admit. 
As a rule, fish are better the colder and purer the water in which they are found, and where can 
you find those ccnditions more favorable than in the cold depth.-) of our great lakes f We have 
tasted, under the most favorable conditions, about every one of the celebrated salt-water fish, and 
can say that whoever eats a whitefish just taken from the pure, cold water of Lake Michigan will 
have no reason to be envious of the dwellers by the sea. 

Fish are inconceivably prolific; a single female deposits at one spawn from one thousand to 
one million eggs, varying according to species. 

Fish afford a valuable article of food for man, being highly nuiritious and easy of digestion ; 
they abound in phosphates, hence are valuable as affording nutrition to the osseous and nervous sys- • 
tem, hence they have been termed, not inappropriately, brain food — certainly a very desirable article 
of diet for some people. They are more savory, nutritious and easy of digestion when just taken 
from the water; in fact, the sooner they are cooked after being caught the better. No fish should 
be more than a few hours from its watery element before being placed upon the table. For con- 
venience, I will group our fish into families as a basis for what I shall offer. Our bony fish. 



FAFXA OF AVlsrOXSIX. ISf) 

having spine rays and covered with comb-like scales, belong to the iiercli family — a valuable 
family ; all take the hook, are gamey, and spawn in the summer. 

The yellow perch and at least four species of black or striped bass have a wide range, being 
found in all the rivers and lakes in the state. TliL-re is a large species of fish known as Wall- 
eyed pike {Lfiicoperca americana) belonging to this family, which is found sparingly in most of our 
rivers and lakes. The pike is an active and most rapacious animal, devouring fish of consider- 
able size. The flesh is firm and of good flavor. It would probably be economical to propagate 
it to a moderate extent. 

The six-spined bass {Pomoxys Jiexacanthus, Agas.) is one of the most desirable of the spine- 
rayed fish found in the State. The flesh is fine flavored, and as the fish is hardy and takes the 
hook with avidity, it should be protected during the spawning season and artificially propagated. 
I have examined the stomachs of a large number of these fish and in every instance found small 
crawfish, furnishing an additional evidence in its favor. Prof. J. P. Kirtland, the veteran ichthy- 
ologist of Ohio, says that this so-callea " grass bass" is the fish for the million. 

The white bass (^Roccits chrysops) is a species rather rare even in the larger bodies of water, 
but ought to be introduced into every small lake in the State, where I am certain they would 
flourish. It is an excellent fish, possessing many of the good qualities and as ^^w of the bad as 
any that belong to the family. There is another branch of this family, the sunfish, Po/iio/is, 
which numbers at least six species found in Wisconsin. They are beautiful fish, and afford 
abundant sport for the boys; none of them, however, are worth domesticating (unless it be in the 
aquariu7ti) as there are so many better. 

The carp family {Cypriiiidce) are soft finned fish without maxillary teeth. They includ,. by 
far the greater number of fresh-water fish. Some specimens are not more than one inch, while 
others are nearly two feet in length. Our chubs, silversides and suckers are the principal mem- 
bers of this family. Dace are good pan-fish, vet their small size is objectionable; they are the 
children's game fish. The Cyprinufa" all spawn in the spring, and might lie jirofitably projia- 
gated as food for the larger and more valuable fish. 

There are six or seven species of suckers found in our lakes and rivers. The red horse, 
found every where, and at least one species of the buft'alo, inhabiting the Mississippi and its trib- 
utaries, are the best of the genus Cahutoinus. Suckers are bony, and apt to taste suspiciously of 
mud ; they are only to be tolerated iu'the absence of better. The carp (Cypreniiis carpo) has lieen 
successfully introduced into the Hudsonriver. 

The trout family ^Salmoniihc) are soft-finned fish wi n an extra dorsal adipose fin without 
rays. They inhabit northern countries, spawning in the latter part of fall and winter. Their 
flesh is universally esteemed. The trout family embrace l)y far the most valuable of our fish, 
including, as it does, trout and whitefish. 'i'he famous speckled trout (Sa/iiio foniinalis) is a 
small and beautiful species which is found in nearly every stream in the northern half of the 
State. Wherever there is a spring run or lake, the temperature of which does not rise higher than 
sixty-five or seventy in the summer, there trout can be propagated in abundance. The great 
salmon trout {^Sal. amethystus) of the great lakes is a magnificent fish weighing from ten to sixty 
pounds. The Siscoivit salmo siscoisjit o{ Lake Superior is about the same size, but not quite so 
good a fish, being too fat and oily. They will, no doubt, flourish in the larger of the inland 
lakes. 

The genus Coregonus includes the true whitefish, or lake shad. In this genus, as now 
restricted, the nose is stjuare and the under jaw short, and when first caught they have the 
fragrance of fresh cucumbers. There are at least three species found in Lake Michigan. In my 



136 HISTOriY OF WISCOXSIN. 

opinion these fish are more delicately flavored than the celebrated Potomac shad ; but I doubt 
whether they will thrive in the small lakes, owing to the absence of the small crustacc ! ■ ' which 
they subsist. The closely allied genus Argyrosomus includes seven known species inhabiung the 
larger lakes, and one, the Argyrosomus sisco, which is found in several of the lesser lakes. The 
larger species are but little inferior to the true whitefish, with which they are commonly 
confounded. The nose is pointed, the under jaw long, and they take the hook at certain seasons 
with activity. They eat small fish as well as insects and crustaceans. 

Of the pickerel family, we have three or four closely allied species of the genus £sox, armed 
with prodigious jaws filled with cruel teeth. They lie motionles eady to dart, swift as an 
arrow, upon their prey. They are the sharks of the fresh water. The pickerel are so rapacious 
that they spare not their own species. Sometimes they attempt to swallow a fish nearly as large 
as themselves, and jjerish in consequence. Their flesh is moderately good, and as they are game 
to the backbone, it might be desirable to propagate them to a moderate extent under peculiar 
circumstances. 

The catfish {Silurida) have soft fins, protected by sharp spines, and curious fleshy barbels 
floating from their lips, without scales, covered only with a slimy coat of mucus. The 
genus Pimlodus are scavengers among fish, as vultures among birds. They are filthy in habit 
and food. There is one interesting trait of the catfish — the vigilant and watchful motherly 
care of the young by the male. He defends them with great spirit, and herds them together 
when they straggle. Even the mother is driven far ofl ; for he knows full well that she would 
not scruple to make a full meal off her little black tadi)ole-like progeny. There are four species 
known to inhabit this State — one peculiar to the great lakes, and two found in the numerous 
affluents of the Mississippi. One of these, the great yellow catfish, sometimes weighs over one 
hundred pounds. When in good condition, stuffed and well baked, they are a fair table fish. 
The small bull-head is universally distributed. 

The sturgeons are large sluggish fish, covered with plates instead of scales. There 
are at least three species of the genus Acipenser found in the waters of Wisconsin. Being so 
large and without bones, they afford a sufficiently cheap article of food; unfortunately, however, 
the quality is decidedly bad. Sturgeons deposit an enormous quantity of eggs ; the roe not 
unfrequently weighs one fourth as much as the entire body, and numbers, it is said, many 
millions. The principal commercial value of sturgeons is found in the roe and swimming 
bladder. The much prized caviare is manufactured from the former, and from the latter the best 
•of isinglass is obtained. 

The gar-pikes {Lepii/osieus) are represented by at least three species of this singular fish. 
They have long serpentine bodies, with jaws prolonged into a regular bill, which is well provided 
with teeth. The scales are composed of bone covered on the outside with enamel, like teeth. 
The alligator gar, confined to the depths of the Mississippi, is a large fish, and the more common 
species, Lepidosteus bison, attains to a considerable size. The Lepidosteous, now only found in 
North America, once had representatives all over the globe. Fossils of the same family of which 
the gar-pike is the type, have been found all over Europe, in the oldest fossiliferous beds, in the 
strata of the age of coal, in the new red sandstone, in oolitic deposits, and in the chalk and 
tertiary formations — being one of the many living evidences that North America was the first 
country above the water. For all practical purposes, we should not regret to have the gar-pikes 
follow in the footsteps of their aged and illustrious predecessors. They could well be spared. 

There is a fish {Lo/a maculosc) which belongs to the cod-fish family, called by the fishermen 
the "lawyers," for what reason I am not able to say — at any rate, the fish is worthless. There 
are a great number of small fish, interesting only to the naturalist, which I shall omit to men- 
tion here. 



FAl'XA OF WISCOXSIX. 137 

Fish of the northern countries are the most vahiablc, for the reason that the water is colder 
and purer. Wisconsin, situated between forty-two thirty, and forty-seven degrees of latitude, 
bounded on the east and north by the largest lakes in the world, on the west by the " Great river,' 
traversed by numerous fine and rapid streams, and sprinkled all over with beautiful and pictu 
resque lakes, has physical conditions certainly the most favorable, perhaps of any State, for an 
abundant and never-failing supply of the best fish. Feu- persons have any idea of the importance 
of the fisheries of Lake Michigan. It is difficult to collect adequate data to form a correct 
knowledge of the capital invested and the amount of fish taken; enough, however, has been 
ascertained to enable me to state that at Milwaukee alone $100,000 are invested, and not less 
than two hundred and eighty tons of dressed fisli taken annually. At Racine, during the entire 
season of nine months, there are, on an average, one thousand jjounds of whitefish and trout, 
each, caught and sold daily, amounting to not less than $16,000. It is well known that, since the 
adoption of the gill-net system, the fishermen arc enabled to ])ursue their calling ten months of 
the year. 

When the fish retire to the deep water, they are followed with miles of nets, and the poor 
fish are entangled on every side. There is a marked falling off in the number and size of white- 
fish and trout taken, when compared with early years. When fish were only captured with seines, 
they had abundant chance to escape and multiply so as to keep an even balance in number. 
Only by artificial propagation and well enforced laws protecting them during the spawning 
season, can we hope now to restore the balance. In order to give some idea of the valuable 
labors of the state fish commissioners, I will state briefly that they have purchased for the 
state a piece of property, situated three miles from Madison, known as the Nine Springs, 
including forty acres of land, on which they have erected a dwelling-house, barn and hatchery, 
also constructed several ponds, in which can be seen many valuable fish in the enjoyment of 
perfect health and vigor. As equipped, it is, undoubtedly, one of the best, if not the best, hatchery 
in the states. In this permanent establishment the commission design to hatch and distribute 
to the small lakes and rivers of the interior the most valuable of our indigenous fish, such as 
bass, pike, trout, etc., etc., as well as many valuable foreign varieties. During the past season, 
many fish have been distributed from this state hatchery. At the Milwaukee Water Works, the 
commission have equipped a hatchery on a large scale, using the water as pumped directly from 
the lake. During the past season there was a prodigious multitude of young trout and whitefish 
distributed from this point. The success of Superintendent Welcher in hatching whitefish at 
Milwaukee has been the best yet gained, nearly ninety per cent, of the eggs "laid down" 
being hatched. Pisciculturists will appreciate this wonderful success, as they well know how 
difficult it is to manage the spawn of the whitefish. 

I append the following statistics of the numlier of fish hatched and distributed from the 
Milwaukee hatchery previous to 1878 : 

Total number of fish hatched, 8,000,000 — whitefish, 6,300,000; salmon trout, 1,700,000. 

They were distributed as follows, in the month of May, 1877 : Whitefish planted in Lake 
Michigan, at Racine, 1,000.000; at Milwaukee, 3,260,000; between Manitowoc and Two Rivers 
1,000,000; in Green bay, 1,000,000; in Elkhart lake, 40,000. 

Salmon trout were turned out as follows: Lake Michigan, near Milwaukee, 600,000; 
Brown's lake, Racine county, 40,000: Delavan lake, Walworth county, 40,000; Troy lake, Wal- 
worth county, 40,000 ; Pleasant lake, Walworth county, 40,000 ; Lansdale lake, Walworth 
county, 40,000; Ella lake, Milwaukee county, 16,000; Cedar lake, Washington county, 40,000: 
Elkhart lake, Sheboygan county, 40,000; Clear lake. Rock county, 40,000; Ripley lake. 



138 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

Jefferson county, 40,000; Mendota lake, Dane county, 100,000; Fox lake, Dodge county. 
40,000 ; Swan and Silver lakes, Columbia county, 40,000 ; Little Green lake, Green Lake 
county, 40,000; Big Green lake, Green Lake county, 100,000; Bass lake, St. Croix county, 
40,000; Twin lakes, St. Croix county, 40,000; Long lake, (,'hippevva county, 40,000; Oconomo- 
woc lake, Waukesha county, 100,000; Pine lake, Waukesha county, 40,000; Pewaukee lake, 
Waukesha county, ico,ooo; North lake, Waukesha county, 40,000 ; Nagawicka lake, Waukesha 
county, 40,000; Okanche lake, Waukesha county, 40,000. 

LARGE ANIMALS.— TIME OF THEIR DISAPPEARANCE. 

Fifty years ago, the territory now included in the state of Wisconsin, was nearly in a state 
of nature, all the large wild animals were then abundant. Now, all has changed. The ax and 
plow, gun and dog, railway and telegraph, have metamorphosed the face of nature. Most of 
the large quadrupeds have been either exterminated, or have hid themselves away in the wilder- 
ness. In a short time, all of these will have disappeared from the state. The date and order 
in which animals become extinct within the boundaries of the state, is a subject of great interest. 
There was a time when the antelope, the woodland caribou, the buffalo, and the wild turkey, 
were abundant, but are now no longer to be found. 

The Antelope, Antilocarpa Americana, now confined to the Western plains, did, two hun- 
dred years ago, inhabit Wisconsin as far east as Michigan. In October, 1679, Father Hennepin, 
with La Salle and party, in four canoes, coasted along the Western shore of Lake Michigan. In 
Hennepin's narrative, he says; " The oldest of them " (the Indians) " came to us the next morn- 
ing with their calumet of peace, and brought some wild goats." This was somewhere north of 
Milwaukee. "Being in sore distress, we saw upon the coast a great many ravens and eagles 
(turkey vultures), "' from whence we conjectured there was some prey, and having landed upon 
that place, we found above the half of a fat jvild goat, which the wolves had strangled. This 
provision was very acceptable to us, and the rudest of our men could not but praise the Divine 
Providence which took so particular care of us. " This must have been somewhere near Racine. 
"On the i6th" (October, 1679), " we met with abundance of game. .A savage we had with us. 
killed several stags (deer) and ivild goats, and our men a great many turkeys, very fat and big." 
This must have been south of Racine. These goats were undoubtedly antelopes. Schoolcraft 
mentions antelopes as occupying the Northwest territory. 

When the last buffalo crossed the .Mississippi is not precisely known. It is certain they 
lingered in Wisconsin in 1825. It is said there was a buffalo shot on the St. Croix river as late 
as 1832, so Wisconsin claims the last buffalo. The woodland caribou — Rangifer caribou — were 
never numerous within the limits of the state. A few were seen not far from La Pointe in C045. 
The last wild turkey in the eastern portion of the state, was in 1846. On the Mississippi, one 
was killed in 1856. I am told by Dr. Walcott, that turkeys were abundant in Wisconsin previoi's 
to the hard winter of 1842-3, when snow was yet two feet deep in March, with a stout crust, so 
that the turkeys could not get to the ground. They became so poor and weak, that they could 
not fly, and thus became an easy prey to the wolves, foxes, wild cats, minks, etc., which exter- 
minated almost the entire race. The Doctor says he saw but one single individual the next 
winter. Elk were on Hay river in 1863, and I have little doubt a few yet remain. Moose are 
not numerous, a few yet remain in the northwestern part of the state. I saw moose tracks on 
the Montreal river, near Lake Superior, in the summer of 1845. A few [janthers may still 
inhabit the wilderness of Wisconsin. Benjamin Bones, of Racine, shot one on the headwaters of 



FAT'XA OF WISCONSIN. 139 

Black river, DL-ccmber, 1863. Badgers are now nearly gone, and in a few years more, the only 
badgers found within the state, will be two legged ones. Beavers are yet numerous in the 
small lakes in the northern regions. Wolverines are occasionally met with in the northern 
forests. Bears, wolves, and deer, will continue to flourish in the northern and central counties, 
where underbrush, timber, and small lakes abound. 

.\11 large animals will soon be driven by civilization out of Wisconsin. 'I'he railroad and 
improved firearms will do the work, and thus we lose the primitive denizens of the forest and 
prairies. 

PECULlARiriKS OF THE BIRD FAUNA. 

The facts recorded in this paper, were obtained by personal observations within fifteen 
miles of Racine, Wisconsin, latitude 42° 46' north, longitude 87" 48' west. This city is situated 
on the western shore of Lake Michigan, at the extreme southern point of the heav,- lumbered 
district, the base of which rests on Laks Superior. Racine extends si.\ miles further into the 
lake than Milwaukee, and two miles further than Kenosha. .\t this point the great prairie 
approaches near the lake from the west. The e.xtremc rise of the mercury in summer, is from 
90" to 100" Fahrenheit. The isothermal line comes further north in summer, and retires further 
south in winter than it does east of the great lakes, which physical condition will sufficiently 
explain the remarkable peculiarities of its animal life, the overlapping, as it were, of two distinct 
faunas. More especially is this true of birds, that are enabled to change their locality with the 
greatest facility. Within the past thirty years, I have collected and observed over three hundred 
species of birds, nearly half of all birds found in North America. Many species, considered 
rare in other sections, are found here in the greatest abundance. .\ striking peculiarity of the 
ornithological fauna of this section, is that southern birds go farther north in summer, while 
northern species go farther south in winter than they do east of the lakes. Of summer birds 
that visit us, I will ennumerate a few of the many that belong to a more southern latitude in the 
Atlantic States. Nearly all nest with us, or, at least, did some years ago. 

Yellow-breasted chat, Icteria rirt/is : mocking bird, Mimus poUyglottus : great Carolina wren, 
Thriothorus ludo'i'iciaiuis : prothonotary warbler. Protonolaria citi-ea ; summer red bird, Pxrangia 
cef-iivii; wood ibis, Tantalus loculator. 

Among .Arctic birds that visit us in winter are : 

Snowy owl, N'vclca iih'fa; great gray owl, Svnuiiiii cinei-us: hawk owl, Suniia ulula : .\rctic 
three-toed woodpecker, Picoides arcliciis ; banded three-toed woodpecker, Picoidcs hirsulus; mag- 
pie. Pica hudsonica; Canada jay, Perisoriiis canadensis ; evening grosbeak, Hesperiphona vcspcr- 
tina; Hudson titmouse. Pants hitdsoniciis ; king eder, Soma/cria spfclabilis ; black-tluoated diver, 
Colymbus arcticus; glaucus gull, Laurus g/aiuus. 

These examples are sufficient to indicate the rich avi fauna of Wisconsin. It is doubtful if 
there is another locality where the Canada jay and its associates visit in winter where the mock- 
ing bird nests in summer, or where the hawk owl flies silently over the spot occupied during 
the warmer days by the summer red l)ird and the yellow-breasted chat. But the ax has already 
leveled much of the great woods, so that there is now a great falling off in numbers of our old 
fami'iar feathered friends. It is now extremely doubtful if such a collection can ever again be 
mad' within the boundaries of this state, or indeed, of any other. 



EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. 

Bv Prof. EDWARD SEARING, State Superintendent of Public Instruction. 

From the time of the earliest advent of tlie families of French traders into the region now 
known as Wisconsin, to the year iSi8, when that region became part of Michigan territory, 
education was mostly confined to private instruction, or was sought by the children of the 
wealthier in the distant cities of Quebec, Montreal, and Detroit. The early Jesuit missionaries, 
and — subsequently to 1816, when it came under the military control of the United States — 
representatives of various other religious denominations, sought to teach the Indian tribes of 
this section. In 1823, Rev. Eleazar Williams, well known for his subsequent claim to be the 
Dauphin of France, and who was in the employ of the Episcopal Missionary Society, started a 
school of white and half-breed children on the west side of Fox river, opposite " Shanty-Town.'" 
A Catholic mission school for Indians was organized by an Italian priest near Green Bay, in 
1830. A clause of the treaty with the Winnebago Indians, in 1832, bound th; United States to 
maintain a school for their children near Prairie du Chien for a period of twenty-seven years. 

The Origin.al School Code. 

From 1S18 to 1836, Wisconsin formed part of Michigan territory. In the year 1837, Michi- 
gan was admitted into the Union as a state, and Wisconsin, embracing what is now Minnesota, 
Iowa, and a considerable region still further westward, was, by act of congress approved April 
20th of the year previous, established as a separate territory. The act provided that the existing 
laws of the territory of Michigan should be extended over the new territory so far as compatible 
with the provisions of the act, subject to alteration or repeal by the new government created. 
Thus with the other statutes, the school code of Michigan became the original code of Wiscon- 
sin, and it was soon formally adopted, with almost no change, by the first territorial legislature, 
which met at Belmont. Although modified in some of its provisions almost every year, this 
imperfect code continued in force until the adoption of the state constitution in 1848. The 
first material changes in the code were made by the territorial legislature at its second session, 
in 1837, by the passage of a bill " to regulate the sale of school lands, and to (irovide for organ- 
izing, regulating, and perfecting common schools." It was provided in this act that as soon as 
twenty electors should icmJc m a sur\eycd township, they should elect a board of three com- 
missioners, holding office three years, to lay off districts, to apply the proceeds of the leases of 
school lands to the payment of teachers' wages, and to call school meetings. It was also pro- 
vided that each district should elect a board of three directors, holding office one year, to locate 
school-houses, hire teachers for at least three months in the year, and levy taxes for the support 
of schools. It was further provided that a third board of five inspectors should be elected 
annually in each town to examine and license teachers and inspect the schools. Two years 
subsequently (1839) the law was revised and the family, instead of the electors, was made the 
basis of the town organization. Every town with not less than ten families was made a school 
district and required to provide a competent teacher. More populous towns were divided into 
two or more districts. The office of town commissioner was abolished, its duties with certain 
others being transferred to the inspectors. The rate-bill system of taxation, previously in 
existence, was repealed, and a tax on the whole county for building school-houses and suoport- 



EDIT AT I ox A I. HISTORY. 1^1 

ing schools was provided for. One or two years later the office of town commissioners was 
restored, and the duties of the inspectors were assigned to the same. Other somewhat important 
amendments were made at the same time 

In 1840, a memorial to congress from the legislature represented that the people were 
au.\ious to establish a common-school system, with suitable resources for its support. From 
lack of sufficient funds many of the schools were poorly organized. The rate-bill ta.x or private 
subscription was often necessary to sujiplement the scanty results of county ta.xation. Until a 
stale government should be organized, the fund accruing from the sale of school lands could not 
be available. Congress had made to Wisconsin, as to other new states, for educational purposes, 
a donation of lands. These lands embraced the sixteenth section in every township in the state, 
the 500,000 acres to which the state was entitled by the provisions of an act of congress passed 
in 1841, and any grant of lands from the United States, the purposes of which were not speci- 
fied. To obtain the benefits of this large fund was a leading object in forming the state con- 
stitution. 

Agitation for Free Schools.. 

Shortly before the admission of the stale the subject of free schools began to be quite 
widely discussed. In February, 1845, Col. M. Frank, of Kenosha, a member of the territorial 
legislature, introduced a bill, which became a law, authorizing the legal voters of his own town 
to vote taxes on all the assessed pro])erty tor the full support of its schools. A provision of the 
act required its submission to the people of the town before it could take effect. It met with 
strenuous opposition, but after many public meetings and lectures held in the interests of public 
enlightenment, the act was ratified by a small majority in the fall of 1845, and thus the first free school 
m the state was legally organized. Subsequently, in the legislature, in the two constitutional con- 
ventions, and in educational assemblies, the question of a free-scliool system for the new state 
soon to be organized provoked much interest and discussion. In the constitution framed by the 
convention of 1846, was provided the basis of a free-school system similar to that in our present 
constitution. The question of establishing the office of state superintendent, more than any 
other feature of the proposed school system, elicited discussion in that body. The necessity of 
this office, and the advantages of free schools supported by taxation, were ably presented to the 
convention by Hon. Henry Barnard, of Connecticut, in an evening address. He afterward pre- 
pared, by request, a draft of a free-school system, with a state superintendent at its head, which 
was accepted and subsequently embodied in the constitution and the school law. In the second 
constitutional convention, in 1848, the same questions again received careful attention, and the 
article on education previously prei)ared, was, after a few changes, brought into the shape in 
which we now find it. Immediately after the ratification by the people, of the constitution pre- 
, pared by the second convention, three commissioners were appointed to revise the statutes. To 
one of these. Col. Frank, the needed revision of the school laws was assigned. The work was 
acceptably performed, and the new school code of 1849, largely the same as the present one, 
went into operation May first of that year. 

The School System under the State Government. 

In the state constitution was laid the broad foundation of our present school system. The 
four corner stones were: (i) The guaranteed freedom of the schools; {?.) the school fund 
created; (3; the system of supervision; (4) a state university for higher instruction. The 
school fund has five distinct sources for its creation indicated in the constitution: (i) Proceeds 
from the sale of lands granted to ihe state by the United States for educational purposes; (2) 



142 



HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 



all moneys accruing from forfeiture or escheat; (3) all fines collected in the several counties for 
breach of the penal laws ; (4) all moneys paid for exemption from military duty; (5) five per cent. 
of the sale of government lands within the state. In addition to these constitutional sources of 
the school fund, another and sixth source was open from 1856 to 1870. By an act of the state 
legislature in the former year, three-fourths of the net proceeds of the sales of the swamp and 
overflowed lands, granted to the state by congress, Sept. 28, 1850, were added to the common- 
school fund, the other fourth going into a fund for drainage, under certain circumstances ; but if 
not paid over to any town for that purpose within two years, to become a part of the school 
fund- The following year one of these fourths was converted into the normal-school fund, 
leaving one-half for the common-school fund. In 1858, another fourth was given to the drainage 
fund, thus providing for the latter one-half the income from the sales, and leaving for the school 
fund, until the year 1865, only the remaining one-fourth. In the latter year this was transferred 
to the normal-school fund, with the provision, however, that one-fourth of the income of this 
fund should be transferred to the common-school fund until the annual income of the latter 
fund should reach $200,000. In 1870 this provision was repealed, and the whole income of the 
normal fund left applicable to the support of normal schools and teachers' institutes. 

At the first session of the state legislature in 1848, several acts were passed which carried 
out in some degree the educational provisions of the constitution. A law was enacted to pro- 
vide for the election, and to define the duties, of a state superintendent of public instruction. A 
district board was created, consisting of a moderator, director, and treasurer; the office of town 
superintendent was established, and provision was made for the creation of town libraries, and 
for the distribution of the school fund. The present school code of Wisconsin is substantially 
that passed by the legislature of 1848, and which went into operation May i, 1849. The most 
important change since made was the abolition of the office of town superintendent, and the 
substitution therefor of the county superintendency. This change took effect January i, 1862. 

The School-Fund Income. 

The first annual report of the state superintendent, for the year 1849, gives the income of 
the school fund for that year as $588, or eight and three-tenth mills per child. Milwaukee 
county received the largest amount, -1)69.63, and St. Croix county the smallest, twenty-four cents. 
The average in the state was forty-seven cents per district. The following table will show at a 
glance the quinquennial increase in the income of the fund, the corresponding increase in the- 
number of school children, and the apportionment per child, from 1849 to 1875, inclusive; also, 
the last published apportionment, that for 1878. It will be seen that since 1855 the increase of 
the funtl has not kept pace with the increase of school population : 



Year. 



1849.. 
1850. _ 
1855-- 
1S60.. 



NO. CHILDREN 
OF SCHOOL-AGE. 



70,457 

92,105 

186,085 

288, qS4 



INCOME OF 
SCHOOL FUND 



S588 00 

47,716 00 

125,906 02 

184.949 76 



RATE PER 
CHILD. 



).oo83 
■51S 
.67 
.64 



Year. 



1865. 
1870. 

1875- 
1878. 



NO. CHILDREN 
OF SCHOOL-AGE. 



335.582 
412,481 
450,304 
478,692 



INCOME OK 
SCHOOL FUND 



151,816 34 

159.271 38 
184.624 64 
185,546 01 



RATE PER 
CHILD. 



.46 
.40 
.41 
.39 



The amount of productive school fund reported September 30, 187S, was 52,680. 703. 27^ 
The portion of the fund not invested at that date, was 558,823.70. 



EDFCATION^AL HISTORY. 143 

Thk State University. 

In his message to the first terntoiial legislature, in 1S36, Governor Dodge recommended 
asking from congress aid for the establishment of a state educational institution, to be governed 
by the legislature. Tliis was the first official action looking to the establishment of a state 
university. The same legislature passed an act to estaljlish and locate the Wisconsin univer- 
sity at Belmont, in the county of Iowa. At its second session, the following year, the legislature 
passed an act, which was approved January 19, 1838, establishing "at or near Madison, the seat 
■of government, a university for the purpose of educating youth, the name whereof shall be ' The 
Universitv of the Territory of Wisconsin. " A resolution was passed at the same session, direct- 
ing the territorial delegate in congress to ask of that body an appropriation of $20,000 for the 
erection of the buildings ot said university, and also to appropriate two townships of vacant land 
for its endowment. Congress accordingly appropriated, in 1838, seventy-two sections, or two 
townships, for the support of a "seminary of learning in the territory of Wisconsin," and this 
was afterward confirmedto the state for the use of the university. No effectual provision, how- 
ever, was made for the establishment of the university until ten years later, when the state was 
organized. Congress, as has been said, had made a donation of lands to the territory for the 
support of such an institution, but these lands could not be made available for that purpose until 
the territory should become a state. The state constitution, adopted in 1848, declared that pro- 
vision should be made for the establishment ot a state university, and that the proceeds of all 
lands donated by the United States to the state for the support of a university should remain a 
perpetual fund, the interest of which should be appropriated to its support 

The state legislature, at its first session, passed an act, a])proved July 26, 1848, establishing 
the University of Wisconsin, defining its location, its government, and its various departments, 
and authorizing the regents to purchase a suitable site for the buildings, and to proceed to the 
erection of the same, after having obtained from the legislature the approval of plans. This act 
repealed the previous act of 1838. The regents were soon after appointed, and their first annual 
report was presented to the legislature, January 30, 1849. This report announced the selection 
of a site, subject to the approval of the legislature, announced the organization of a preparatory 
department, and the election ot a chancellor or president. The university was thus organized, 
with John H. Lathrop, president of the University of Missouri, as its first chancellor, and John 
W. Sterling as principal of the preparatory dei)artment, which was opened February 5, 1849. 
Chancellor Lathrop was not formally inaugurated until January 16, 1850. 

Owing to the short-sighted policy of the state in locating without due care, and in apprais- 
ing and selling so low the lands of the original grant, the fund produced was entirely inadequate 
to the support of the institution. Congress, therefore, made, in 1854, an additional grant of 
seventy-two sections of land for its use. These, however, were located and sold in the same 
inconsiderate and unfortunate manner, for so low a price as to be a means of inducing immigra- 
tion, indeed, but not of producing a fund adequate for the support of a successful state univer- 
sity. Of the 92,160 acres comprised in the two grants, there had been sold prior to September 
30, 1866, 74,178 acres for the sum of $264,570.13, or at an average price of but little more than 
S3. 50 per acre.* Besides this, the state had allowed the university to anticipate its income to the 
extent of over $100,000 for the erection of buildings. By a law of 1862 the sum of $104,339.43 
was taken from its fund (already too small) to pay for these buildings. The resulting embar- 
rassment made necessary the re-organization of 1866, which added to the slender resources of 
the institution the agricultural college fund, arising from the sale of lands donated to the state by 
the congressional act of 1862. 

•Compare the price obtained for the lands of the University of Michigan. The first sale of those lands averaged 
$22.85 per acre, and brought in a single year (1837) $150,447.90. Sales were made in succeeding years at $15, $17. 
and $iq per acre. 



1-14 HISTORY OF AVISCONSIJT. 

The first university building erected was the north dormitory, which was completed in 1851. 
This is no feet in length by 40 in breadth, and four stories in height. The south dormitory, of 
the same size, was completed in 1855. The main central edifice, known as University Hall, was 
finished in 1859. The Ladies' College was completed in 1872. This latter was built with an 
appropriation of $50,000, made by the legislature in 1870 — the first actual donation the univer- 
sity had ever received from the state. The legislature of 1875 appropriated $So,ooo for the 
erection of Science Hall, a building to be devoted to instruction in the physical sciences. This 
was completed and ready for occupancy at the opening of the fall term of 1877. 

The growth of this institution during the past fourteen years, and especially since its re- 
organization in 1866, has been rapid and substantial. Its productive fund on the 30th day of 
September, 1877, aside from the agricultural college fund, was $223,240 32. The combined uni- 
versity and agricultural funds amounted, at the same date, to $464,032 22. An act of the legis- 
lature in 1867 appropriated to the university income for that year, and annually for the next ten 
years, the sum of $7,303.76, being the interest upon the sum taken from tlie university fund by 
the law of 1S62 for the erection of buildings, as before mentioned. Chapter 100 of the general 
laws of 1872 also provided for an annual state tax of $10,000 to increase the income of the uni- 
versity. Chapter 119 of the laws of 1876 provides for an annual state tax of one-tenth of one 
mill on the taxable property of the state for the increase of the university fund incomr this tax 
to be "/« lieu of all other appropriations before provided for the benefit of said fund income," 
and to be " deemed a full compensation for all deficiencies in said income arising from the dis- 
position of the lands donated to the state by congress, in trust, for the benefit of said income." 
The entire income of the university from all sources, including this tax (which was $42,359.62), 
was, for the year ending September 30, 187S, $81,442.63. The university has a faculty of over 
thirty professors and instructors, and during the past )ear — 1S77-8 — it had in its various depart- 
ments 388 students. The law department, organized in 1868, has since been in successful opera- 
ation. Ladies are admitted into all the departments and classes of the university. 

Agricultural ("ollege. 

The agricultural college fund, granted to the state by the congressional act of 1862, was 
by a subsequent legislative enactment (1866) applied to the support, not of a separate agricultural 
college, but of a department of agriculture in the existing university, thus rendering it unneces- 
sary for the state to erect separate buildings elsewhere. Under the provisions of chapter 114, 
laws of 1866, the county of Dane issued to the state, for the purpose of purchasing an experi- 
mental farm, bonds to the amount of $40,000. A farm of about 200 acres, adjoining the univer- 
sity grounds, was purchased, and a four years' course of study provided, designed to be thorough 
and extensive in the branches that relate to agriculture, in connection with its practical application 
upon the experimental farm. 

The productive agricultural college fund has increased from ^8, 061. 86, in 1866, to §244,263, 18, 
in 1878. 

Norm.\l Schools. 

The propriety of making some special provision for the instruction of teachers was 
acknowledged in the very organization of the state, a provision for normal schools having been 
embodied in the constitution itself, which ordains that after the support and u,a;ntenance of the 



EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. 145 

common schools is insured, the residue of the school fund shall be appropriated to academies and 
normal schools. The state legislature, in its first session in 1S48, in the act establishing the Uni- 
versity of Wisconsin, declared that one of the four departments thereof should be a department 
of the theory and practice of elementary instruction. The first institution ever chartered in 
the state as a normal school was incorijorated by the legislature at its second session — 1849 — 
under the title of the " Jefferson County Normal School." This, however, was never organizeii. 

The regents, when organizing the university, at their meeting in 1849, ordained the estab- 
lishment of a normal professorship, and declared that in organizing the normal department it 
was tlieir fixed intention " to make the University of Wisconsin subsidiary to the great cause of 
popvilar education, by making it, through i.s normal department, tlie nursery of tiie educators of 
the popular mind, and the central point of union and harmony to the educational interests of ihe 
commonwealth." They declared that instruction in the normal department should be free to all 
suitable candidates. Little was accomplished, however, in this direction during the ne.vt ten 
years. In 1857 an act was passed by the legislature appropriating twenty-five per cent, of the 
income of the swamp-land fund '" to normal institutes and academies under the supervision and 
direction of a board of regents of normal schools," who were to be appointed in accordance 
with the provisions of the act. Distribution of this income was made to such colleges, acade- 
mies, and high schools as maintained a normal class, in proportion to the number of pupils pass- 
ing a successful examination conducted by an agent of the board. In 1S59, Dr. Henry Barnard, 
who had become chancellor of the university, was made agent of the normal regents. He 
inaugurated a system of teachers' institutes, and gave fresh vigor to the normal work throughout 
the state. Resigning, however, on account of ill-health, within two years. Professor Ciias. H. 
Allen, who had been conducting institutes under his direction, succeeded him as agent of the 
normal regents, and was elected principal of the normal department of the university, entering 
upon his work as the latter in March, 1864, He managed the department with signal ability and 
success, but at the end of one or two years resigned. .Meantime the educational sentiment of 
the state had manifested itself for the establishment of separate normal schools. 

In 1865, the legislature passed an act repealing that of two years before, and providmg 
instead that one-half of the swamp-land fund should be set apart as a normal-school fund, the 
income of which should be apj^lied to establishing and supporting normal schools under the 
direction and management of the board of normal regents, with a proviso, however, that one- 
fourth of such income should be annually transferred to the common-school fund income, until 
the latter should amount annually to $200,000. This proviso was repealed by the legislature o( 
1870, and the entire income of one-half the swamp-land fund has since been devoted to normal- 
school purposes. During the same year proposals were invited for aid in the establishment of a 
normal school, in money, land, or buildings, and propositions from various places were received 
and considered. In 1066, the board of regents was incorporated by the legislature. In the 
same year Platteville was conditionally selected as the site of a school, and as there was already 
a productive fund of about $600,000, with an income of over $30,000, and a prospect of a steady 
increase as the lands were sold, the board decided upon the policy of establishing several schools, 
located in different parts of the state. In [jursuance of this policy, there have already been 
completed, and are now in very successful operation, the Platteville Normal School, opened 
October 9, 1866; the Whitewater Normal School, opened April 21, 1868; the Oshkosh Normal 
School, opened September 19, 1871, and the River Falls Normal School, opened September 
2, 1875. Each assembly district in the state is entitled to eight representatives in the 
normal schools. These are nominated by county and city superintendents. Tuition is 
free to all normal students. There are in the normal schools two courses of study — an 



146 HisTOTtY OF wiscoNsnsr. 

elementary course of two years, and an advanced course of four years. Tlie student completing 
the former, receives a certificate ; the one completing the latter, a diploma. The certificate, when 
the holder has successfully taught one year after graduation, may be countersigned by the sup- 
erintendent of public instruction, when it becomes equivalent to a five-years' state certificate. 
The diploma, when thus countersigned, after a like interval, is equivaleni t i n permanent state 
certificate. 

It is believed that the normal-school system of Wisconsin rests upon a broader and more 
secure basis than the corresponding system of any other state. That basis is an independent 
and permanent fund, which has already reached a million dollars. The precise amount of this 
securely invested and productive fund, September 30, 1878, was §1,004,907.67, and the sum of 
§33, 290.88 remained uninvested. 

Teachers' Institutes. 

In addition to the work of the normal schools, the board of regents is authorized to expend 
$5,000 annually to defray the expenses of teachers' institutes. .\ law of 1S71, amended in 1876, 
provides for normal institutes, which shall be held for not less than two consecutive weeks, and 
appropriates from the state treasury a sum not exceeding $2,000 per annum for their support. 
There were held in the State, in 1878, sixty-six institutes, varying in length from one to two 
weeks. The total number of persons enrolled as attendants was 4.944 

Gk.'^ded Schools. 

Including those in the cities, the graded schools of the State number about lour hundred. 
The annual report of the State superintendent for 1878 gives the number uith twu departments 
as 207, and the number with three or more as 225. 

A law of March, 1872, provided that "all graduates of any graded school of the state, who 
shall have passed an examination at such graded school satisfactory to the faculty of the univer- 
sity for admission into the sub-freshman class and college classes of the university, shall be at 
once and at all times entitled to free tuition in all the colley;c^ i>f the university." .\ consider- 
able number of graduates of graded schools entered the university under this law during the 
next four years, but it being deemed an unwise discrimination in favor of this class of students, 
in 1876, in the same act which provided for the tax of one tenth of one mill, the legislature pro- 
vided that from and after the 4th of July of that year no student, except students in law and 
those taking extra studies, should be required to pay any fees for tuition. Few graded schools 
>of the state are able as yet to fully prepare students for entrance into the regular classes of the 
classical department of the university. The larger number prepared by them still enter the 
scientific department or the sub-t"reshman class. 

The Township System. 

In 1869 the legislature passed a law authorizing towns to adopt by vote the " township sys- 
tem of school government." Under this system each town becomes one school district, and the 
several school districts already existing become sub-districts. Each sub-district elects a clerk, 
and these clerks constitute a body corporate under the name of the " board of school directors," and 
are invested with the title and custody of all school houses, school-house sites, and other prop- 
erty belonging to the sub-districts, with power to control them for the best interests of the 
schools of the town. The law provides for an executive committee to execute the orders of the 



EDTTATTONAL HISJTORY. 147 

board, employ teachers, etc., and for a secretary to record proceedings of the board, have imme- 
diate charge and supervision of the schools, and perform other specified duties. But few towns 
have as yet made trial of this system, although it is in successful operation in Pensylvania, Mas- 
sachusetts, and some other states, and where fully and fairly tried in our own, has proved entirely 
satisfactory. It is the general belief of our enlightened educational men that the plan has such 
merits as ought to secure its voluntary adoption by the people of the state. 

Frek High Schools. 

In 1875 the legislature enacted that any town, incorporated village, or city, may establish 
and maintain not more than two free high schools, and provided for an annual appropriation of 
not to exceed $25,000, to refund one-half of the actual cost of instruction in such schools, but 
no school to draw in any one year more than $500. At the session of 1877 the benefits of the 
act were extended to such high schools already established as shall show by a proper report that 
they have conformed to the requirements of the law. If towns decline to establish such a 
school, one or more adjoining districts in the same have the privilege of doing so. The law has 
met with much favor. For the school year ending August 31, 1876 (the first year in which it was 
in operation), twenty such schools reported, and to these the sum of $7,466.50 was paid, being 
an average of $373-32 per school. For the year ending August 31, 1878, eighty-five schools 
reported and received a pro rata division of the maximum appropriation. The high school law 
was primarily designed to bring to rural neighborhoods the twofold advantages of (i)a higher 
instruction than the common district schools afford, and (2) a better class of teachers for these 
schools. It was anticipated, however, from the first that the immediate results of the law would 
be chiefly the improvement of existing graded schools in the larger villages and in cities. 

School Officers. 
The school officers of Wisconsin are, a state superintendent of public instruction, sixty-four 
county superintendents, twenty-eight city superintendents, and a school board in each district, 
consisting of a director, treasurer, and clerk. The state and county superintendents hold office 
two years, the district officers three years. In each independent city there is a board of educa- 
tion, and the larger cities have each a city superintendent, who in some cases is also principal of 
the high school. He is appointed for one year. The county board of supervisors determine, 
within certain limits, the amount of money to be raised annually in eacli invn and ward of their 
county for school purposes, levy an additional amount for the salary of the county sui:ierintend- 
ents, may authorize a special school tax, and may under certain circumstances determine that 
there shall be two superintendents for their county. The town board uf supervisors have authority 
to form and alter school districts, to issue notice for first meeting, to form union districts for high 
school purposes, and appoint first boards for the same, to locate and establish school-house sites 
under certain circumstances, to extinguish districts that have neglected to maintain school for 
two years, and to dispose of the property of the same. The district clerks report annually to the 
town clerks, the town clerks to the county superintendents, and the county and city superintend- 
ents to the state superintendent, who in turn makes an annual report to the governor. 

State Teachers' Certifilates. 

The state superintendent is authorized by law "to issue state certificates of high grade to 
teachers of eminent qualifications." Two grades of these are given, one unlimited, and the 
other good for five years. The examination is conducted by a board of three examiners, 
appointed annually by the state superintendent, and acting under rules and regulations jirescribed 
bv iiim. 



.148 HISTORY OF WISCOXSIX. 

Teachers' Associations. 

Besides the Wisconsin State Teachers' Association, holding its annual session in the summer 
and a semi-annual or " executive " session in the winter, there are, in several parts of the state, 
county or district associations, holding stated meetings. The number of such associations is 
annually increasing. 

LlBR.\RIES. 

The utility of public libraries as a part of the means of popular enlightenment, was early 
recognized in this state. The constitution, as set forth in 1848, required that a portion of the 
income of the school fund should be applied to the " purchase of suitable libraries and appa- 
ratus " for the common schools. The same year the legislature of the state, at its first session, 
enacted that as soon as this income should amount to $60,000 a year (afterwards changed to 
$30,000), each town superintendent might devote one tenth of the portion of this income received 
by his town annually, to town library purposes, the libraries thus formed to be distributed among 
the districts, in sections, and in rotation, once in three months. Districts were also empowered 
to raise money for library books. The operation of this discretionary and voluntary system was 
not successful. In ten years (1858) only about one third of the districts (^1,121) had libraries, 
embracing in all but 38,755 volumes, and the state superintendent, Hon. Lyman C. Draper, urged 
upon the legislature a better system, of " town libraries," and a state tax for their creation and 
maintenance. In 1857, the legislature enacted that ten per cent, of the yearly income of the 
school fund should be applied to the purchase of town school libraries, and that an annual tax of 
one tenth of one mill should be levied for the same purpose. The law was left incomplete, how- 
ever, and in 1862, before the system had been perfected, the exigencies of the civil war led to 
the repeal of the law, and the library fund which had accumulated from the ten per cent, of the 
school fund income, and from the library tax, amounting in all to $88,784.78, was transferred to 
the general fund. This may be considered a debt to the educational interests of the slate that 
should be repaid. Meanwhile the single district library system languishes and yearly grows 
weaker. The re-enacting of a town library system, in which local effort and expenditure shall 
be stimulated and supplemented by State aid, has been recommended by the State Teachers' 
Association, and will, it is hoped, be secured, at no distant day, as a part of a complete town 
system of schools and of public education. 

List of .State Superintendents. 

The act creating the office was passed at the first session of the state legislature, in 1848. 
The incumbents up to the present time have been as follows : 

NAME OF INCUMBENT. DURATION OF INCUMBENCY. 

Hon. E. Root -. Three years — 1849-50-51. 

Hon. A. P. Ladd Two years— 1852-53. 

Hon. H. A. Wright* One year and five months — 1854-55. 

Hon. A. C. Barry Two years and seven months — 1855-56-57. 

Hon. L. C. Draper Two years— 1858-59. 

Hon. J. L. Pickardf Three years and nine months — 1S60-61-62-63. 

Hon. J. G. McMynn-- Four years and three months — 1S63-64-65-66-67. 

Hon. A. J. CraigJ Two years and six months — 1S68-69-70. 

Hon. Samuel Fallows-.. Three years and six months — 1S70-7 1-72-73. 

Hon. Edward Searing Four years — 1874-75-76-77. 

Hon. \V. C. Whitford_ Two years— 1878-79. 

* Died. May 29, 1845. f Resigned, October i, 1S63. | Died, July 3, 1S70. 



EDT7CATTOXAI. HISTORY. 149 

Sketches ok C'oi.lkgf.s in Wisconsin.* 

Beloit Colleje was founded in 1847, at Beloit, under the auspices of the Congregational and 
Presbyterian churches of Wisconsin and northern Illinois. In 1848, Rev. Joseph Emerson and 
Rev. J. J. Bushnell were appointed professors, and in 1849, Rev. A. L. Chapin was appointed 
l)residenl, and has continued such until the [jresent time The institution has had a steady 
growth, has maintained a high standard of scholarship and done excellent work, both in its pre- 
paratory and college departments. Two hundred and thirty-six young men have graduated. 
Its lands and buildings are valued at $78,000, and its endowments and funds amount to about 
$122,000. 

Lawrence University, at .Vppleton, under the patronage of the Methodist church, was 
organized as a college in 1850, having been an " institute " or academy for three years previous, 
under the Rev. W. H. Sampson. The first president was Rev. Edward Cook ; the second, R. 
Z. Mason ; the present one is the Rev. George M. Steele, D. D. It is open to both sexes, and 
has graduated 130 young men, and 68 young women. It still maintains a preparatory depart,- 
ment. It has been an institution of great benefit in a new region of country, in the northeastern 
part of the state. Receiving a liberal donation at the outset from the Hon. Amos A. Lawrence, 
of Boston, it has land and buildings valued at $47,000, at Appleton, and funds and endowments 
amounting to $60,000. 

Milton College, an institution under the care of the Seventh Day Baptistr, .\as opened as a 
college in 1867, having been rrrducted as an academy since 1844. Rev. W. C. Whitford, the 
president, was for many years the princi]«l of the academy The institution has done much 
valuable work, (larticularly in preparing teachers for our public schools. The college has gradu- 
ated 38 young men and women, having previously graduated 93 academic students. It has lands, 
buildings and endowments to the amount of about $50,000. 

Ripon College, which was known till 1864 as Brockway College, was organized in 1853, at 
Ripen, and is supported liy the Congregational church. Since its re-organization, in 1S63, it has 
graduated 77 students (of both sexes) in the college courses, and has always maintained a large 
and flourishing preparatory department. Lender its present efficient head, the Rev. E. H. Mer- 
rell, A. M., it is meeting with continued success. Its property amounts to about $125,000. 

Racine College was founded by the Episcoj)al Church, at Racine, in 1852, under the Rev. 
Roswell Park, D. D., as its first President. It w:is for a long time under the efficient administra- 
tion of Rev. James De Koven, D. D., now deceased, who was succeeded by Rev. D. Stevens 
Parker. It maintains a large boys' school also, and a preparatory department. It was designed, 
in part, to train young men fijr the Nashotnh Theological Seminary. It has property, including 
five buildings, to the amount of about §180,000, and has graduated ninety-nine young men. Its 
principal work, in which it has had great success, is that of a boys' school, modeled somewhat 
after the English schools. 

The Seminary of St. Francis of Sales, an ecclesiastical school, was established at St. Fran- 
cis Station, near Milwaukee, chiefly by the combined eff'orts of two learned and zealous priests, 
the Rev. Michael Heiss, now bishop of La Crosse, and the Rev. Joseiih Salzmann. It was 
opened in January, 1856, with Rev. M. Heiss as rector, and with 25 students. Rev. Joseph 
' alzmann was rector from September, 1868, to the time of his death, January 17, 1874, since 
which time Rev. C. Wapelhorst has held the rectorship. The latter is now assisted by twelve 
professors, and the students number 267. of whom 105 are theologians, 31 students of philosophy, 
and the rest classical students. 

Pio Nono College is a Roman Catholic institution, at St. Francis Station, in the immediate 
neighborhood of the Seminary of St. Francis. It was founded in 187 i, by Rev. Joseph Salzmann, 
The statistics ''r this division were obtained ir. 1877, and are for tlie nrcvious vear. 



* Tti 



150 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

who was the first rector. He was succeeded in 1874 by the [iresent rector, Rev. Thomas Brue- 
iier, vvho is assisted by a corps of seven professors. Besides the college proper, there is a nor- 
mal department, in which, in addition to the education that qualifies for teaching in common and 
higher schools, particular attention is given to church music. There is also, under the same 
management, but in an adjoining building, an institution for the instruction of the deaf and dumb. 
The pupils in the latter, both boys and girls, numbering about 30, are taught to speak by sounds, 
and it is said with the best success. 

An institution was organized in 1865, at Prairie du Chien, under the name of Prairie du 
Chien College, and under the care of J. T. Lovewell, as principal. In the course of two or three 
years it passed into the hands of the Roman Catholic church, and is now known as St. Jolm's 
College. It has so far performed principally preparatory work. 

Sinsinawa Mound College, a Roman Catholic institution, was founded in 1848, through the 
labors of Father Mazzuchelli, but after doing a successful work, was closed in 1863, and in 1867 
the St. Clara academy was opened in the same buildings. 

The Northwestern University, which is under the Lutheran church, was organized in 1865, 
at AVatertovvn, under Rev. August F. Ernst, as president. It has graduated 21 young men, and 
has a preparatory department. Its property is valued at $50,000. 

Galesville University was organized in 1859, under the patronage of the Methodist church 
at Galesville, in the northwest part of the state. The first president was the Rev. Samuel Fal- 
lows, since state superintendent. It has graduated ten young men and eight young women, its 
work hitherto having been mostly preparatory. It is now under the patronage of the Presby- 
terian denomination, with J. W. McLaury, A. M., as president. It has property valued at 
$30,000, and an endowment of about $50,000. 

Carroll College was established at Waukesha, by the Presbyterian church, in 1846. Prof. J. 
W. Sterling, now of the state university, taught its primary classes that year. Under President 
John A. Savage, D.D., with an able corps of professors, it took a high rank and graduated 
classes; but for several years past it has confined its work principally to academic studies. 
Under W. L. Rankin, A. M.,the present principal, the school is doing good service. 

Wayland University was established as a college, by the Baptists, at Beaver Dam, in 1854, 
but never performed much college work. For three years past, it has been working under a new 
charter as an academy and preparatory school, and is now known as Wayland Institute. 

In 1841, the Protestant Episcopal church established a mission in the wilds of Waukesha 
county, and, at an early day, steps were taken to establish in connection therewith an institution 
of learning. This was mcorporated in 1847, by the name of Nashotah House. In 1852 the 
classical school was located at Racine, and Nashotah House became distinctively a theological 
seminary. It has an endowment of one professorship, the faculty and students being otherwise 
sustained by voluntary contributions. It has a faculty of five professors, with Rev. A. D. 
Cole, D.D., as president, buildings pleasantly situated, and has graduated 185 theological students. 

Female Colleges. 

Two institutions have been known under this designation. The Milwaukee Female College 
was founded in 1852, and ably conducted for several years, under the principalship of Miss Mary 
Mortimer, now deceased. It furnished an advanced grade of secondary instruction. The Wis- 
consin Female College, located at Fo.x Lake, was first incorporated in 1855, and re-organized in 
1863. It has never reached a collegiate course, is now known as Fox Lake Seminary, and 
admits both sexes. Rev. A. O. Wright, A. M., is the present principal. 



AGEICULTUKE. 151 



Academies and Seminariks. 

The following institutions of academic grade, are now in operation: Albion Academy ; 
Benton Academy ; Big Foot Academy ; Elroy Seminary ; Fox Lake Seminary ; two German and 
English academies in Milwaukee; Janesville Academy; Kemper Hall, Kenosha ; Lake Geneva 
Seminary, Geneva; Lakeside Seminary, Oconomowoc; Marshall Academy, Marshall; Merrill 
Institute, Fond du Lac; Milwaukee Academy; Racine Academy; River Falls Institute; 
Rochester Seminary; St. Catherine's Academy, Racine; St. Clara Academy; Sinsinawa 
Mound; St. Mary's Institute, Milwaukee; Sharon Academy; and Wayland Institute, Beaver 
Dam. Similar institutions formerly in operation but suspended or merged in other institu- 
tions, were : Allen's Grove Academy; Appleton Collegiate Institute ; Baraboo Collegiate Insti- 
tute; Beloit Female Seminary; Beloit Seminary; Brunson Institute, Mount Hope; Evansville Sem- 
inary; Janesville Academy (merged in the high school); Kilbourn Institute; Lancaster Institute; 
Milton Academy; Platteville Academy ; Southport Academy (Kenosha); Waterloo Academy j 
Waukesha Seminary; Wesleyan Seminary, Eau Claire; and Patch Grove Academy. The 
most important of these were the Milton and Platteville Academies, the former merged in Mil- 
ton College, the latter in the Platteville Normal School. Of the others, several were superseded 
by the establishment of public high schools in the same localities. 

Commercial Schools. 

Schools of this character, aiming to furnish what is called a business education, exist in Mil- 
waukee, Janesville, Madison, LaCrosse, Green Bay, Oshkosh and Fond du Lac. The oldest and 
largest is in Milwaukee, under the care of Prof. R. C. Spencer, and enrolls from two to three 
hundred students annually. 



AGRICULTURE. 



By W. W. DANIELLS, M.S., Prof, of Che.mistry ant) .Xgricultuke .at the University 

OF Wisconsin. 

The trend of the earliest industries of a country, is the result of the circumstances under 
which those industries are developed. The attention of pioneers is confined to supplying the 
immediate vi'ants of food, shelter, and clothing. Hence, the firs tsettlers of a country are farm- 
ers, miners, trappers, or fishermen, according as they can most readily secure the means of pres- 
ent sustenance for themselves and their families. In the early history of Wisconsin this law is- 
well exemplified. The southern part of the state, consisting of alternations of prairie and tim- 
ber, was first settled by farmers. As the country has develojied, wealth accumulated, and means 
of transportation have been furnished, farming has ceased to be the sole interest. Manufactories 
have been built along the rivers, and the mining industry of the southwestern part of the state has 
grown to one of considerable importance. The shore of Lake Michigan was first mainly settled 
tied by fishermen, but the later growth of agriculture and manufactures has nearly overshadowed 
the fishing interest; as has the production of lumber, in the north half of the state, eclipsed the 
trapping and fur interests of the first settlers. That the most important industry of \V'isconsin 
is farming, may be seen from the following statistics of the occupation of the people as given by 
the LTnited States census. Out of each one hundred inhabitants, of all occupations, 6S were 



152 



HISTORY OF --.viscoysiisr. 



farmers, in 1840; 52 in 1S50; 54 in 1S60; 55 in 1S70. The rapid growth of the agriculture of 
the state is illustrated by the increase in the number of acres of improved land in farms, and in 
the value of farms and of farm implements and machinery, as shown by the following table, com- 
piled from the United States census : 





ACRES IMPROVED LAND 
IN FARMS. 


VALUE OF FARMS, 
INCLUDING IMPROV- 
ED AND UNIMPROV- 
ED LANDS. 


VALUE OF FARM 
IMPLEMENTS 




TOTAL. 


TO EACH 
INHAB. 


AND 
MACHINERV. 


1850 
IS60 
IS70 


1,045,499 

3.746.167 
5,899,343 


3-4 
4.8 
5.6 


$ 28,528,563 
131.117,164 
300,414,064 


$ 1,641,56s 

5,758,847 

14.239.364 



Farming, at the present time, is almost entirely confined to the south half of the state, the 
northern half being still largely covered by forests. A notable exception to this statement is 
found in the counties on the western border, which are well settled by farmers much farther north. 
The surface of the agricultural portion of the state is for the most part gently undulating, afford- 
ing ready drainage, without being so abruptly broken as to render cultivation difficult. The soil 
is varied in character, and mostly very fertile. The southern portion of the state consists of 
undulating prairies of variable size — the largest being Rock prairie — alternating with oak openings. 
The prairies have the rich alluvial soil so characteristic of the western prairies, and are easily 
worked. The soil of the "openings " land is usually a sandy loam, readily tilled, fertile, but not 
as " strong " as soils having more clay. The proportion of timber to prairie increases passing north 
from the southern boundary of the state, and forests of maple, basswood and elm, replace, to 
some extent, the oak lands. In these localities, the soil is more clayey, is strong and fertile, not 
as easily tilled, and not as quickly exhausted as are the more sandy soils of the oak lands. In 
that portion of the state known geologically as the " driftless " region, the soil is invariably good 
where the surface rock is limestone. In some of the valleys, however, where the lime-rock has 
been removed by erosion, leaving the underlying sandstone as the surface rock, the soil is sandy 
and unproductive, except in those localities where a large amount of alluvial matter has been 
deposited by the streams. The soils of the pine lands of the north of the state, are generally 
sandy and but slightly fertile. However, where pine is replaced by maple, oak, birch, elm and 
basswood, the soil is "heavier " and very fertile, even to the shores of Lake Superior. 

The same natural conditions that make Wisconsin an agricultural state, determined that 
during its earlier years the main interest should be grain-growing. The fertile prairies covering 
large portions of the southern part of the state had but to be plowed and sowed with grain to 
produce an abundant yield. From the raising of cereals the pioneer farmer could get the 
quickest returns for his labor. Hence in 1850, two years after its admission to the Union, Wis- 
consin was the ninth state in order in the production of wheat, while in i860 this rank was raised 
to third, Illinois and Indiana only raising more. The true rank of the state is not shown by 
these figures. Were the number of inhabitants and the number of acres of land in actual culti- 
vation taken into account in the comparison, the state would stand still higher in rank than is 
here indicated. There is the same struggle for existence, and the same desire for gain the world 
over, and hence the various phases of development of the same industry in different civilized 
countries is mainly the result of the widely varying economical conditions imposed upon that 
industry. Land is thoroughly cultivated in Europe, not because the Europeans have any 
inherent love for good cultivation, but because there land is scarce and costly, while labor is 
superabundant and cheap. In America, on the other hand, and especially in the newer states. 



AGRICrLTI'RE. 153 

land is abundant and cheap, while lalior is scarce and costly. In its ])roductive industries each 
country is alike economical in the use of the costly element in production, and more lavish in 
the use of that which is cheaper. Each is alike economically wise in following such a course 
when it is not carried to too great extremes. With each the end sought is the greatest return for 
the expenditure of a given amount of capital. In accordance with this law of economy, the 
early agriculture of Wisconsin was mere land-skimmiuL;. Good cultivation of the soil was never 
thought of. The same land was planted successively to one crop, as long as it yielded enough 
to pay for cultivation. The economical principle above s'.aied was carried to an extreme. Farm- 
ing as then practiced was a quick method of land exhaustion. It was always taking out of the 
purse, and never putting in. No attention was paid to sustaining the soil's fertility. The only 
aim was to secure the largest crop for the smallest outlay of capital, without regard to the future. 
Manures were never used, and such as unavoidably accumulated was regarded as a great nuis- 
ance, often rendering necessary the removal of stables and outbuildings. Straw-stacks were 
invariably burned as the most convenient means of disposing of them. Wheat, the principal 
product, brought a low price, often not more than fifty cents a bushel, and had to be marketed 
by teams at some point from which it could be carried by water, as this was, at an early day, the 
only means of trans])ortation. On account of the sparse settlement of the country, roads were 
poor, and the farmer, after raising and threshing his wheat, had to spend, with a team, from two 
to five days, marketing the few bushels that a team could draw. So that the farmer had every 
obstacle to contend with except cheap and very fertile land, that with the poorest of cultivation 
gave a comparatively abundant yield of grain. Better tillage, accompanied with the use of 
manures and other fertilizers, would not, upon the virgin soils, have added sufficiently to the 
yield to pay the cost of applying them. Hence, to the first farmers of the state, poor farming was 
the only profitable farming, and consequently the only good farming, an agriculturo-economical 
paradox from which there was no escape. Notwithstanding the fact that farmers could economi- 
cally follow no other system than that of land-exhaustion, as described, such a course was none 
the less injurious to the state, as it was undermining its foundation of future wealth, by destroy- 
ing the fertility of the soil, that upon which the permanent wealth and prosperity of every agri- 
cultural community is first dependent. Besides this evil, and together with it, came the habit of 
loose and slovenly farming acquired by pioneers, which continued after the conditions making 
that method a necessity had passed away. With the rapid growth of the northwest came better 
home markets and increased facilities for transportation to foreign markets, bringing with them 
higher prices for all products of the farm. As a consequence of these better conditions, land in 
farms in the state increased rapidly in value, from $9.58 per acre in 1850, to §16.61 in i860, an 
increase of 62 per cent., while the total number of acres in farms increased during the 
same time from 2,976,658 acres to 7,893,587 acres, or 265 per cent. With this increase in the 
value of land, and the higher prices paid for grain, should have come an improved system of hus- 
bandry which would prevent the soil from deteriorating in fertility. This could have been 
accomplished either by returning to the soil, in manures and fertilizers, those ingredients of which 
it was being rapidly drained by continued grain-growing, or by the adoption of a system of mixed 
husbandry, which should include the raising of stock and a judicious rotation of crops. Such a 
system is sure to come. Indeed, it is now slowly coming. Great progress upon the earlier 
methods of farming have already been made. But so radical and thorough a change in the 
habits of any class of people as that from the farming of pioneers to a rational method that will 
preserve the soil's fertility and [lay for the labor it demands, requires many years for its full 
accomplishment. It will not even keep pace with changes in those economical conditions which 



154 



HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 



favor it. In the rapid settlement of the northwestern states this change has come most rapidly 
with the replacement of the pioneer farmers by immigrants accustomed to better methods of 
culture. In such cases the pioneers usually ' go west '' again, to begin anew their frontier farming 
upon virgin soil, as their peculiar method of cultivation fails to give them a livelihood. In Wis- 
consin as rapid progress is being made in the system of agriculture as, all things considered, 
could reasonably be expected. This change for the better has been quite rapid for the past ten 
years, and is gaining in velocity and momentum each year. It is partly the result of increased 
intelligence relating to farming, and jiartly the result of necessity caused by the unprofitableness 
of the old method. 

The estimated value of all agricultural products of the state, including that of orchards, 
market gardens, and betterments, was, in 1870, as given in the census of that year, $79,072,967, 
which places Wisconsin twelfth in rank among the agricultural states of the Union. In 1875, 
according to the " Report of the Commissioner of Agriculture," the value of the principal farm 
crops in this state was $58,957,050. According to this estimation the state ranks ninth in agri- 
cultui-al importance. .\s has been before stated, Wisconsin is essentially a grain-growing state. 
This interest has been the principal one, not because the soil is better adapted to grain-growing 
than to general, stock, or dairy farming, but rather because this course, which was at an early 
day most immediately profitable, has been since persistently followed from force of habit, even 
after it had failed to be remunerative. 

The following table shows the bushels of the different grains raised in the state for the years 
indicated : 



Year. 


WHE.\T. 


RYE. 


CORN. 


OATS. 


BARLEY. 


BUCK- 
WHEAT. 


1850 

i860 

1870 

1875*--- 


4,286,131 
15,657,458 
25,606,344 
25,200,000 


81,253 
888,544 

1,325,294 
1,340,000 


1,988,979 

7,517.300 

15,033,988 

15,200,000 


3,414,672 
11,059,260 
20,180,016 
26,600,000 


209,672 

707,307 
1,645,019 
2,200,000 


79,87s 

38,987 
408,897 
275,000 



From these statistics it will be seen that the increase in the production of grain was very 
rapid up to 1870, while since that time it has been very slight. This rapid increase in grain 
raising is first attributable to the ease with which this branch of farming was carried on upon the 
new and very rich soils of the state, while in the older states this branch of husbandry has been 
growing more difficult and expensive, and also to the fact that the war in our own country so 
increased the demand for grain from 1861 to 1866 as to make this course the most immediately 
profitable. But with the close of the war came a diminished demand. Farmers were slow to 
recognize this fact, and change the character of their productions to accord with the wants of 
the market, but rather continued to produce the cereals in excess of the demand. The chinch 
bug and an occasional poor season seriously injured the crops, leaving those who relied princi- 
pally upon the production of grain little or nothing for their support. Hard times resulted from 
these poor crops. More wheat and corn was the farmer's usual remedy for hard times. So that 
more wheat and corn were planted. More crop failures with low prices brought harder times, 
until gradually the farmers of the state have opened their eyes to the truth that they can succeed 
in other branches of agriculture than grain growing, and to the necessity of catering to the 

♦Estimated in report of commissioner of agriculture. 



AGKicrr.TrRE. 155 

demands of the niark(.-t. 'I'he value in 1S69 of all farm products and betterments of tile state 
was $79,072,967. There were raised of wheat the same year 25,606,344 bushels, which at $1.03 
per bushel, the mean price re[)orted by the Milwaukee board of trade, for No. 2 wheat (the lead- 
ing grade), for the year ending July 31, 1S70, amounts to $26,374,524, or one third the value of 
all agricultural |)roducts and betterments. The average production per acre, as estimated by the 
commissioner of agriculture, was 14 bushels. Hence there were 1,829,024 acres of land devoted to 
this one croj), nearly one third of all the improved land in the state. t)f the wheat crop of 1869 
24,375,435 bushels were spring wheat, and 1,230,909 bushels were winter wheat, which is 19.8 
bushels of spring to i bushel of winter wheat. The latter is scarcely sown at all on the prairies, 
or upon light opening soils. In some of the timbered regions hardy varieties do well, but it is 
not a certain crop, as it is not able to withstand the winters, unless covered by snow or litter. It 
is not injured as seriously by the hard freezing, as by the alternate freezing and thawing of Feb- 
ruary and March. 

The continued cropping of land with grain is a certain means of exhausting the soil of the 
phosjihates, and of those nitrogenous compounds that are essential to the production of grain, and 
yet are present even in the most fertile soils in but small quantities. To the diminished yield, 
partly attributable to the overcropping of the land, and partially to poor seasons and chinch bu^rs 
and to the decline in prices soon after the war, owing to an ovet production of wheat, may largely 
be attributed the hard times experienced by the grain growing farmers of Wisconsin from 1872 to 
1877. The continued raising of wheat upon the same land, alternated, if any alternation 
occurred, with barley, oats, or corn, has produced its sure results. The lesson has cost the 
farmers of the state dearly, but it has not been altogether lost. A better condition of affairs has 
already begun. Wheat is gradually losing its prestige as the farmers' sole dependence, while 
stock, dairy, and mi.xed farming are rapidly increasing. The number of bushels of wheat 
raised to each inhabitant in the state was in 1850 fourteen, in i860 twenty-three and eight tenths, 
in 1870 twenty-four, and in 1875 twenty and four tenths. These figures do not indicate a dimin- 
ished productiveness of the state, but show, with the greatly increased production in other 
branches of husbandry, that farmers are changing their system to one more diversified and 
rational. Straw stacks are no longer burned, and manure heaps are not looked upon as alto'^ether 
useless. Much more attention is now paid to the use of fertilizers. Clover with plaster is looked 
upon with constantly increas'ing favor, and there is a greater seeking for light upon the more 
difficult problems of a profitable agriculture 

Corn is raised to a large extent, although Wisconsin has never ranked as high in corn, as in 
wheat growing. Sixteen states raised more corn in 1870 than this state, and in 1875, seventeen 
states raised more. Corn requires a rich, moist soil, with a long extended season of warm sun- 
shine. While this crop can be raised with great ease in the larger portion of the state, it will 
always succeed better farther south, both on account of the longer summer.-, and the greater 
amount of rainfall. According to the statistics of the commissioner of agriculture, the average 
yield per acre for a period of ten years, is about 30 bushels. Corn is an important crop in the 
economy of the farmer, as from it he obtains much food for his stock, and it is his principal 
dependence for fattening pork. On these accounts it will, without doubt, retain its place in the 
husbandry of the state, even when stock and dairy farming are followed to a much greater extent 
than at present. Karley is cultivated largely throughout the state, but five states i)roduced more 
in 1870, than Wisconsin. The great quantity of beer brewed here, furnishes a good home market 
for this grain. Barley succeeds best in a rather moist climate, having a long growing season. 
The dry, short summers of Wisconsin, are not well adapted to its growth. Hence the avera"e 



156 HISTORY or WISCONSIN. 

yield is but a medium one, and the quality of the grain is only fair. According to the returns 
furnished the commissioner of agriculture, the average yield for a period of ten years, is 22 
bushels per acre. 

Next to wheat, more bushels of oats are raised than of any other grain. Wisconsin was, in 
i860, fifth in rank among the oat-growing states; in 1870, si.xth. The rich soils of the state 
raise an abundant crop of oats with but little labor, and hence their growth in large quantities is 
not necessarily an indication of good husbandry. They will bear poor cultivation better than 
corn, and are frequently grown upon land too weedy to produce that grain. It is a favorite 
grain for feeding, especially to horses. With the best farmers, oats are looked upon with less 
favor than corn, because it is apt to leave land well seeded with weeds which are difficult to 
exterminate. In the production of rye, Wisconsin ranked seventh in i860, and fourth in 1S70. 
It is a much surer crop in this state than winter wheat, as it is less easily winter-killed when not 
protected by snow, than is that grain. Besides, it ripens so early as not to be seriously injured 
by drouth in summer, and succeeds well even upon the poorer soils. The average yield per acre 
is about 16 bushels. 

But few hops were grown in Wisconsin, up to i860, when owing to an increased demand by 
the breweries I f the state,. there was a gradual but healthful increase in hop culture. A few 
years later the advent of the hop louse, and other causes of failure at the east, so raised the price 
of hops as to make them a verj' profitable crop to grow. Many acres were planted in this state 
from 1863 to 1865, when the total product was valued at nearly $350,000. The success of those 
engaged in this new liranch of farming, encouraged others to adopt it. The profits were large. 
Wheat growing had not for several years been remunerative, and in 1867 and 1868, the " hop 
fever " became an epidemic, almost a plague. The crop of Sauk county alone was estimated at 
over 4,000,000 pounds, worth over $2,000,000. The quality of the crop was excellent, the yield 
lar^e and the price unusually high. The secretary of the State .\gricultural society says, in his 
reirort for that year, " Cases are numerous in which the first crop has paid for the land and all 
the improvements." To many farmers hop raising appeared to offer a sure and speedy course to 
wealth. But a change came quickly. The hop louse ruined the crop, and low prices caused by 
over production, aided in bringing ruin to many farmers. In 1S67, the price of hops was from 
40 to K^i cents per pound, while in 1S69 it was from 10 to 15 cents, some of poor quality selling 
as low as 3 cents. Many hop yards were plowed up during 1869 and 1S70. The area under 
cuUivation to this crop in 1875, was, according to the " Report of the Secretary of State," 10,932 

acres. 

The production of tobacco has greatly increased since i860, when there were raised in the 
state 87,340 pounds. In 1870, the product was 960,813 pounds. As is well known, the quality 
of tobacco grown in the northern states is greatly inferior for chewing and smoking, to that grown 
in the south, although varieties having a large, tough leaf, suitable for cigar wrappers, do well 
here. The variety principally grown is the Connecticut seed leaf. Tobacco can only be grown 
successfully on rich, fertile soils, and it is very exhausting to the land. Of the amount produced 
in 1870, there were raised in Rock county 645,408 pounds, and in Dane county, 229,568 pounds; 
the entire remaining portion of the state raised but 85,737 pounds. According to the report of 
the secretary of state, the whole number of acres planted to tobacco in 1875, was 3,296. Of this 
amount Rock county planted 1,676 acres, and Dane county, 1,454 acres, leaving for the remain- 
der of the state but 166 acres. While the crop has been fairly productive and profitable, these 
statistics show that up to the present time tobacco-raising has been a merely local interest. 

The production of flax is another merely local industry, it being confined principally to the 



AGRICTLTT'RE. 157 

counties of Kenosha, (irant, Iowa and LaFayettc. Of Oax ril)rc, Kenosha county raised in 1869, 
nearly four fifths of the entire amount grown in the state, the total being 497,398 pounds. With 
the liigh price of labor and the low price of cotton now ruling, it is scarcely possible to make the 
raising of flax fibre i)rofuable. Flax seed is raised to a small extent in the other counties men- 
tioned. The present price of oil makes this a fairly profitable crop. If farmers fully appreciated 
that in additit)n to the oil, the oil cake is of great value as a food for cattle and sheep, and also 
that the manure made by the animals eating it, is of three times the value of that made by ani- 
mals fed ujion corn, doubtless much more flax seed would be raised than is at present. Ameri- 
can oil-cake finds a ready market in England, at prices which [jay well for its exportation. If 
English farmers can afford to carry food for their stock so far, American farmers may well strive 
to ascertain if ihey can afford to allow the exportation of so valuable food. When greater atten- 
tion is paid in our ovvn country to the quality of the manure made by our stock, more oil-cake 
will be fed at home, and a much smaller proportion of that made here will be exported. 

The amount of maple sugar produced diminishes as the settlement of the state increases, 
and is now scarcely sufficient in amount to be an item in the state's productions. The increase 
in the price of sugar from 1861 to 1868 caused many farmers to try sorghum raising. But the 
present low prices of this staple has caused an abandonment of the enterprise. Two attempts 
have been made in Wisconsin to manufacture beet-root sugar, the first at Fond du Lac in 1867 
the second at Black Hawk, Sauk county, in 1870. The Fond du Lac company removed their 
■works to California in 1869, not having been successful in their efforts. The Black Hawk com- 
pany made, in 1S71, more than 134,000 pounds of sugar, but have since abandoned thebusiness. 
Both these failures may be attributed to several causes, first of which was the want of sufficient 
cajntal to build and carry on a factory sufficiently large to enable the work to be done economi- 
cally ; secondly, the difficulty of sufficiently interesting farmers in the business to induce them 
to raise beets on so large a scale as to warrant the Iniildingof such a factory; and, thirdly, the high 
price of labor and the low price of sugar. The ([uality of beets raised was good, the polarization 
test showing in many instances as high as sixteen per cent, of sugar. The larger proportion of 
hay made in the state is from the natural meadows, the low lands or marshes, where wild grasses 
grow in abundance, and hay only costs the cutting and curing. Cultivated grasses do well 
throughout the state, and " tame hay " can be made as easily here as elsewhere The limestone 
soils, where timber originally grew, are of the uplands, most natural to grass, and, consequently, 
furnish the richest meadows, and yield the best pasturage. Ye e only soils where grasses do 
not readily grow, are those which are so sandy and dry as to be nearly barrens. Clover grows 
throughout the state in the greatest luxuriance. There is occasionally a season so dry as to make 
*' seeding down " a failure, and upon light soils clover, when not covered with snow, is apt to win- 
ter-kill. Yet it is gaining in favor with farmers, both on account of the valuable pasturage and 
hay it affords, and on account of its value as a soil renovator. In wheat-growing regions, clover 
is now recognized to be of the greatest value in a " rotation," on account of its ameliorating 
influence upon the soil. Throughout the stock and dairy regions, clover is depended upon to a 
large extent for pasturage, and to a less extent for hay. 

There has been a growing interest in stock raising for the past ten years, although the 
increase has not been a rapid one. Many of the herds of pure-blood cattle in the state rank 
high for their great excellence. The improvement of horses has been less rapid than that of cattle, 
sheep, and swine; yet this important branch of stock farming is improving each year. The most 
attention is given to the improvement of draught and farm horses, while roadsters and fast horses 
are not altogether neglected. There are now owned in the state a large number of horses of the 
heavier Englisli and French breeds, which are imparting to their progeny their own characteristics 



158 



HISTOEY OF WISCONSIN. 



of excellence, the effects of which are already visible in many of the older regions of the state. 
Of the different breeds of cattle, the Short-horns, the Ayrshires, the Devons, and the Jerseys are 
well represented. The Short-horns have met with most favor with the general farmer, the grades 
of this breed being large, and possessing in a high degree the quiet habits and readiness to fat- 
ten, so characteristic of the full-bloods. Without doubt, the grade Short-horns will continue in 
the high favor in which they are now held, as stock-raising becomes a more important branch of 
the husbandry of the state. Of pure blood Short-horns there are many herds, some of which 
are of the very highest excellence. At the public sales of herds from this state, the prices 
have ranked high universally, and in a few cases have reached the highest of "fancy" prices,, 
showing the estimate placed by professional breeders upon the herds of Wisconsin. The Ayr- 
shires are increasing in numbers, and are held in high esteem by many dairymen. They are not 
yet, however, as generally disseminated over the state, as their great merit as a milking breed 
would warrant. The rapid growth of the dairy interest will doubtless increase their numbers 
greatly, at least as grades, in the dairying region. Of pure bred Devons and Jerseys, there are 
fewer than of the former breeds. The latter are principally kept in towns and cities to furnish 
milk for a single family. The following table shows the relative importance of stock raising in 
the state for the years mentioned. The figures are an additional proof to those already given> 
that the grain industry has held sway in Wisconsin to the detriment of other branches of farming,, 
as well as to the state's greatest increase in wealth. 



1S50 
1S60 
1870 

1875^ 



WHOLE NUM- 
BER OF NEAT 
C.\TTLE. 



183,433 
521,860 
693,294 
922, goo 



NO. TO EACH 

100 ACRES OF 

IMPROVED 

LAND. 



17 
14 
12 
II 



WHOLE NUM- 
BER OF SHEEP. 



124,896 

332,954 
1,069,282 
1,162.800 



NUMBER TO 
EACH 100 
ACRES OF 
IMPROVED 
LAND. 



12 

9 

18 

14 



POUNDS OF 
WOOL PRO- 
DUCED. 



253,963 
1,011,933 
4,090,670 
(?) 



POUNDS 

OF WOOL 

PER 

HEAD. 



2.03 

3.04 

3.82 

(?) 



* E'itimated in report of commissioner of agriculture. 

The growth and present condition of sheep husbandry, compare much more favorably with' 
the general development of the state than does that of cattle raising. In a large degree this 
may be accounted for by the impetus given to wool raising during our civil war by the scarcity 
of cotton, and the necessary substitution to a great extent, of woolen for cotton goods. This 
great demand for wool for manufacturing purposes produced a rapid rise in the price of this 
staple, making its production a very profitable branch of farming. With the close of the war 
came a lessened demand, and consequently lower prices. Yet at no time has the price of wool 
fallen below that at which it could be profitably produced. This is the more notably true when 
the value of sheep in keeping up the fertility and productiveness of land, is taken into account. 
The foregoing table shows the improvement in this branch of husbandry since 1S50 

Although many more sheep might profitably be kept in the state, the above figures show that 
the wool interest is fairly developed, and the average weight of fleece is an assurance of more 
than ordinarily good stock. The fine-wooled sheep and their grades predominate, although 
there are in the state some excellent stock of long-wools — mostly Cotswold — and of South- 
downs. 

Of all the agricultural interests of the state, no other has made as rapid growth during the 
last ten years, as has that of dairying. With the failure of hop-growing, began the growth :S 
the factory system of butter and cheese making, and the downfall of the one was scarcely more- 
rapid than has been the upbuilding of the other. The following statistics of the production of 
butter and cheese illustrate this rapid progress. It will be remembered that for the years 1850,. 



AGKICULTrRE. 



159 



i860, and 1S70 the statistics are from tlie U. S. census, and hence include all the butter and 
cheese made in the state, while for the remaining years, only that made by factories and pro- 
fessional dairymen as reported to the secretary of the State Dairymen's Association, is included 
It has been found impossible to obtain the statistics of butter, except for the census years. 



YE.'^R. 


BUTTER. 


CHEl SE. 


1850 

i860 -- 

1870 

1874 ---- 

IS75 -- 

1876 


lbs. 

3.633.750 
13,611,328 
22,473,036 


lb.. 

400,283 

1,104,300 

1. 591. 798 

13,000.000 

15,000,000 

17,000,000 









The quality of Wisconsin dairy products is excellent, as may be judged by the fact that, at 
the Centennial E.xhibition, Wisconsin cheese received twenty awards, a larger number than was 
given to any other state except New York, and for butter Wisconsin received five awards. No 
state received more, and only New York and Illinois received as many. Wisconsin received one 
award for each fourteen cheeses on exhibition No other state received so large a proportion. 
New York received the largest number of awards, viz., twentv-one, but only secured one award 
for each thirty cheeses on exhibition. The number of cheese and butter factories is increasing 
each year, and tliere is being made in the better grazing regions of the state, as rapid a transition 
from grain to dairv-farming as is consistent with a healthful growth. Tiiis interest, which is now 
an important one in the state's industrial economy, has before it a promising future, both in its 
own development, and in its indiiect influence upon the improvement of the agriculture of the 
state. 

The history of the earlier attempts in fruii raising in Wisconsin would be little more than a 
record of failures. The pioneers planted apple, i)each, plum, and cherry trees, but they gathered 
little or no fruit. As was natural, they planted those varieties that were known to do well in the 
older states of the same latitude. Little was known of the climate, and there was no apparent 
reason why those varieties should not do well here. 'I'he first orchards died The same varie- 
ties were replanted, and again the orchards died. Gradually, through the costly school of 
experience, it was learned that the climate was different from that of the eastern states, and that 
to succeed here varieties of fruit must be such as were adapted to the peculiar climate of this 
state. These peculiarities are hot, and for the most part, dry summers, cold and dry winters. 
The dryness of the climate has been the greatest obstacle to success, as this is indirectly the cause 
of the great extremes of temperature experienced here. The summers are often so dry that the 
growth of the trees is not completed, and the wood sufficiently well ripened to enable it to with- 
stand the rigors of winter. And the clear, dry atmosphere of winter allows the sun's rays to 
pass through it so unobstructedly as to warm the body of the tree upon the sunny side, above 
the freezing point, even though the temperature of the air is much lower. The alternate thawing 
and freezing ruptures the tender cells connecting the bark and wood, producing a complete sepa- 
ration of these parts, and often besides bursts the bark. The separation of bark and wood 
destroys the circulation of the sap upon that side of the tree, thus enfeebling the entire 
plant. The tree is not able to form new bark over the ruptured part, and a diseased spot 
results. Such a plant makes but a feeble growth of poorly ripened wood, and soon dies 



160 HISTOEY OF WISCONSIN. 

altogether. Besides the above cause, the extreme cold weather occasionally experienced will kill 
healthy trees of all varieties not extremely hardy. Notwithstanding these natural obstacles, a 
good degree of success has been attained in the raising of apples and grapes. This success has 
been the result of persevering effort upon the part of the horticulturists of the state, who have 
sought the causes of failure in order that they might be removed or avoided. It is thus by intel- 
ligent observation that the fruit growers have gained the experience which brings with it a 
creditable success. The first requisite to success is the planting of varieties sufficiently hardy 
to withstand our severe winters. This has been accomplished by selecting the hardiest of the 
old varieties, and by raising seedlings, having besides hardiness, qualities sufficiently valuable to 
make them worthy of cultivation. The second requisite to success is in the selection of a situa- 
tion having suitable soil and exposure, and thirdly, proper care after planting. Among the 
hardy varieties of apples regarded with greatest favor are Tetofski, Red Astrachan, and Duchess 
of Oldenberg, all Russian varieties, and Fameuse from Canada. Besides these there are a few 
American varieties so hardy as to prove reliable in the south half of the state. Among these 
are a few seedlings that have originated in Wisconsin. Apple trees are less apt to be injured by 
the winter upon a site sloping to the northeast or north, where they are less directly exposed to 
the rays of the winter's sun. High ground is much better than low, and a good, strong, not too- 
rich soil is best. Apples do better upon soils where timber originally grew than on the p' !iies^, 
and they are grown more easily along the border of Lake Michigan than in the interior of the 
state. Pears are raised to but a slight extent, as only a few of the hardiest varieties will succeed 
at all, and these only in favorable situations. Grapes are grown in great abundance, and in 
great perfection, although not of the more tender varieties. The Concord, on account of its 
hardiness and excellent bearing qualities, is cultivated most generally. Next to this comes the 
Delaware, while many other varieties, both excellent and prolific, are raised with great ease. The 
season is seldom too short to ripen the fruit well, and the only precaution necessary to protect 
the vines during the winter is a covering of earth or litter. Cranberries grow spontaneously 
upon many marshes in the interior of the state. Within a' few years considerable attention has 
been given to improving these marshes, and to the cultivation of this most excellent fruit. 
Doubtless within a few years the cranberry crop will be an important one among the fruit pro- 
ductions of the state. All of the small fruits adapted to this latitude are cultivated in abundance, 
and very successfully, the yield being often times exceedingly large. Altogether, the horticul- 
tural interests of the state are improving, and there is a bright prospect that in the near future 
fruit growing will not be looked upon with the disfavor with which it has been regarded here- 
tofore. 

Of the associations for advancing the agricultural interests of the state, the first organized 
was the " State Agricultural Society." The earliest efforts to establish such an organization were 
made at Madison in December, 1S46, during the session of the first constitutional convention of 
the territory. A constitution was adopted, but nothing further was done. In February, 1849^ 
another meeting was held in Madison, at which it was " Resolved, That in view of the great 
importance of agriculture in the west, it is expedient to form a state agricultural society in 
Wisconsin." Another constitution was adopted, and officers were elected, but no effectual 
organization resulted from this second attempt. The "Wisconsin State Agricultural Society" — 
the present organization — had its inception in a meeting held at Madison, March 8, 1S51, at 
which a committee was appointed to report a constitution and by-laws, and to nominate persons 
to fill the various offices of said society. At its organization, the society was composed of annual 
members, who paid one dollar dues each year, and of life members, who, upon the payment of 
ten dollars, were exempt from the annual contribution. The annual membership was afterward 



ACllTCULTrTiK 161 

abolished, and in 1S69 the fee constituting one a life member was raised to twenty dollars. The 
first annual fair of the society was held in Janesville, in October, 1851 Fairs have been held 
annually since, except during the years 1861, 1862 and 1863. In 1851 premiums were paid to 
the amount of only $140, while at the present time they amount to nearly ^10,000. In 1851 
there were five life members. At the present time there are over seven hundred, representing all 
the various industries of the state. The fairs held under the auspices of tliis society have been 
of excellent character, and have been fruitful of good to all the industries of the state, but more 
especially to the farmers. The state has been generous in aid of this society, having furnished 
commodious rooms for its use in the capitol building, printed the ann\ial report of the secretary, 
a volume of about 500 pages, and donated annually, for many years, $2,000 toward its support. 
Besides its annual fairs, for the past five years there has been held an annual convention, under 
the auspices of this society, for the reading and discussmg of papers upon topics of interest to 
farmers, and for a general interchange of ideas relating to farming. These conventions are held 
in high esteem by the better class of farmers, and have added greatly to the usefulness of the 
society. The " ^V'isconsin State Horticultural Society" was originally the "Wisconsin State 
Fruit Growers' Association," which was organized m December, 1853, at \Vhitewater. Its 
avowed object was "the collecting, arranging, and disseminatingfacts interesting to those engaged 
in the culture of fruits, and to embody for their use the results ol the practice and experiments 
of fruit growers in all parts of the state." Exhibitions and conventions of the association were 
held annually up to i860, after which the society was disorganized, owing to the breaking out of 
the war of the rebellion A volume of " Transactions " was published l)y the association in 
1S55. In 1859 its transactions were published with those of the state agricultural society. From 
1S60 to 1S65 no state horticultural association was in existence. In September of the latter 
year the " Wisconsin Fruit Growers' Association " was reorganized as the " Wisconsin State Hor- 
ticultural Society.'' The legislature had pieviously [irovided for the publication of the proceedings 
of suc'i a society, in connection with those of the State .\gricultural Society. The new society has 
held annual exhibitions, usually in connection with those of the State Agricultural Society, and 
annual conventions for the reading of papers upon, and the discussion of, horticultural subjects. In 
1S71 an act was [lassed by the legislature incorporating the society, and providing for the separate 
printing of 2,000 copies annually of its transactions, of which there are now seven volumes. The 
most active, intelligent, and persevering of the horticulturists of the state are members of this 
association, and to their careful observation, to their enthusiasm and determined ])eisis'^ence in 
seeking means to overcome great natural difficulties, the state is largely indebted for the success 
already attained in horticulture. Besides these state associations, there are many local agricul- 
tural and horticultural societies, all of which have been useful in aiding the cause for which they 
were organized. Farmers' clubs and granges of the " Patrons of Husbandry " have also 
done much, both directly and indirectly, to promote the industrial interests of the state. By thei' 
frequent meetings, at which discussions are held, views compared, and experiences related, much 
valuatile intelligence is gained, thought is stimulated, and the profession of farming advanced. 
As agriculture, like all kindred [jrofessions, depends upon intelligence to direct its advancement, 
all means intended to stimulate thought among farmers will, if wisely directed, aid in advancing 
this most complex of all industries. To those above named, and to other like associations, 
is in a large degree to be attributed the present favorable condition of the agriculture of 
the state. 

Wisconsin is yet, comparatively, a new State. It was mainly settled by men who had little 
moneyed capital. Markets were distant, and means of transportation poor. The early settlers had 
consecpiently t') struggle for a livelihood in the face of the greatest diffiiulties. When these opposing 



162 HISTORY or WISCONSIN. 

circumstances are taken into account, and the improvement in methods of culture, and changes 
from grain to stock and dairy-farming that are now being made, are given their due weight, it 
must be acknowledged that the present condition of- the agriculture of the state is excellen% and 
that the future of this most important industry is rich in promise of a steady, healthful growth, 
■toward a completer development of all the agricultural resources of the state. 



MINERAL RESOURCES. 

By ROLAND D. IRVING, Professor of Geology, etc., at the University of 

Wisconsin. 

The useful mineral materials that occur within the limits of the state of Wisconsin, come 
under both of the two grand classes of such substances : the metallic ores, from which the 
metals ordinarily used in the arts are extracted ; and the non-metallic substances, which are used in 
the arts for the most part without any preliminary treatment, or at least undergo only a very 
partial alteration before being utilized. Of the first class are found in Wisconsin the ores of 
lead, zinc, iron and copper, besides minute traces of the precious metals ; of the second class, the 
principal substances found are brick-clay, kaolin, cement-rock, limestone for burning into quick-lime, 
limestone for flux, glass sand, peat and building stone. 

LE.-^D AND ZINC. 

These metals are considered together because they are found occurring together in the same 
region and under exactly the same circumstances, being even obtained from the same openings. 
Lead has for many years been the most important metallic production of Wisconsin, and, together 
with zinc, whose ores have been utilized only since i860, still holds this prominent position, 
although the production is not so great as formerly. Small quantities of lead and zinc ores have 
been found in the crystalline (.Archaean) rocks of the northern part of the state and in the copper- 
bearing rocks of the Lake Superior country, but there are no indications at present that these 
regions will ever produce in quantity. All of the lead and zinc obtained in Wisconsin comes 
then from that portion of the southwestern part of the state which lies west of Sugar river and 
south of the nearly east and west ridge that forms the southern side of the valley of the Wis- 
consin, from the head of Sugar river westward. This district is commonly known in Wisconsin 
as the " Lead Region," and forms the larger part of the " Lead Region of the Upper Missis- 
sippi," which includes also smaller portions of Iowa and Illinois. 

What European first became acquainted with the deposits of lead in the upper portion of~ 
valley of the Mississippi is a matter of some doubt. Charlevoix (Histoire de la Nouvelle France, 
III, 397, 398.) attributes the discovery to Nicolas Perrot, about 1692 ; and states that in r72i 
the deposits still bore Perrot's name. Perrot himself, however, in the only one of his writings 
that remains, makes no mention of the matter. The itinerary of Le Sueur's voyage up the 
Mississippi, 1700-1701, given in La Harpe's History of Louisiana, wliich was written early in 
the i8th century, shows that the former found lead on the banks of the Mississippi, not far from 



MINEKAT. ]:::s()ri!CKs. 



163 



the present southern boundary of Wisconsin, August 25, 1700. Captain Joliathan Carver, 
1766, found lead in abundance at the Blue Mounds, and found the Indians in all the country 
around in possession of masses of galena, which they had obtained as " float mineral," and 
which they were incapable of putting to any use. There is no evidence of any one mining 
before Julien Dubuque, who, 1788 to 1S09, mined in the vicinity of the flourishing city which 
nowbears his name. After his death in 1809 nothing more was done until 1S21, when the 
attention of American citizens was first drawn to the rich lead deposits of this region. By 1827, 
the mining had become (juite general and has continued to the 'present time, the maximum 
production having been reached, liowever, between the years 1845 and 1847. 

The following table, prepared by the late Moses Strong, shows the mineral production of 
southwestern Wisconsin for the years i860 to 1873 in pounds: 



YE.\RS. 


GALENA. 


SMITHSONITE. 


YEAR. 


GALENA. 


SMITHSONITE, 


BLENDE. 


i860 




320,000 
266,000 

1,120,000 

3,173.333 
4,198,200 

7,373.333 


1867 
1 868 
1S69 
1870 
1871 
1S72 
1873 


13820.784 
13.869.619 
13.426,721 

13.754.159 

13,484.210 

11,622,668 

9.919.734 


5.181,445 
4,302,383 

4.547,971 

4.429.585 

16,618,160 

27,021,383 

18,528,906 


841,310 

3,078,435 
6.252,420 
7,414,022 
9,303,625 
16,256,970 
15,074,664 


I861 




1862 
1863 
1864 
1865 
1866 


17,037,912 

15,105,577 
I3.OI4.2IO 

14.337,895 
14,029,193 



Until within the last decade the lead mines of tiie Mississippi valley, including now both 
the " Upper " and the " Lower " regions^the latter one of whicli lies wholly within the limits of 
the state of Missouri — have far eclipsed the rest of the United States in the production of lead, 
the district being in fact one of the most important of the lead districts in the world. Of late 
years, however, these mines are far surpassed in production by the " silver-lead " mines of Utah 
and other Rocky Mountain regions, which, though worked especially for their silver, produce 
incidentally a very large amount of lead. Nevertheless, the mines of the Mississippi valley will 
long continue to be a very important source of this metal. The lead ore of the Wisconsin lead 
region is of one kind only, the sulphide known a.% galena, ox galenitc. This ore, when free from 
mechanically mingled impurities, contains 86.6 per cent, of lead, the balance being sulphur. 
Small quantities of other lead ores are occasionally found in the uppermost portions of the deposits, 
having been produced by the oxidizing influence of the atmosphere. The chief one of these 
oxidation products is the earthy carbonate known as certissite. Galena almost always contains 
some silver, commonly enough to pay for its extraction. The Wisconsin galenas, however, are 
unusually free from silver, of which they contain only the merest trace. 

The zinc ores are of two kinds, the most abundant being the ferruginous sulphide, or the 
"black-jack " of the miners. The pure sulphide, sphalerite, contains 67 per cent, of zinc, but the 
iron-bearing variety, known minerallogically as marmatite, generally contains 10 per cent, or 
more of iron. A ferruginous variety of the carbonate, j-;;«'//;i-c«//t', also occurs in abundance, and 
is known to the miners as "dry-bone," the name being suggested by the peculiar structure of the 
ore. 

Both lead and zinc ores occur in limited deposits in a series of limestone beds belonging to 
the Lower Silurian series. The lead region is underlaid by a nearly horizontal series of strata, 
with an aggregate thickness of 2,000 feet, which lie upon an irregular surface of ancient crystal- 
line rocks (gneiss, granite, etc.). The names and order of succession of the several strata are 
indicated in the following scheme, the last named being the lowest in the series : 



164 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 



Formation, Thickness. 

Niagara dolomitic limeslone ._--- 300 — 300 feet, 

Cincinnati shales 60 — 100 " 

^ Galena dolomitic limestone 250-- 275 " 

Lead Horizon -I Blue limestone _ 50 — 75 " 

' Buft dolomiticlimestone . 15 — 20 " 

Lower Magnesian (dolomitic) limestone - _ 250 " 

Potsdam sandstone series 800 — 1000 " 

The first two of these layers, in the Wisconsin part of the lead region, are met with only in a 
few isolated peaks and ridges. The prevailing surface rock is the Galena limestone, through 
which, however, the numerous streams cut in deep and narrow valleys which not unfrequently 
are carved all the way into the Lower Magnesian. 

The lead and zinc ores are entirely cou^ned to the Galena, Blue 1 H guff limestones, an 
aggregate vertical thickness of some 350 to 375 feet. The upper and lower strata of the series 
are entirely barren. Zinc and lead ores are found in the same kind -f deposits, and often 
together, by far the larger part of the zinc ores, however, come from the Blue and Buff limestones, 
and the lowest layers of the Galena, whilst the lead ores, though obtained throughout the whole 
thickness of the mining ground, are especially abundant in the middle and upper layers of the 
Galena beds. 

The ore deposits are of two general kinds, which may be distinguished as vertical crevices* 
and flat crevices, the former being much the most common. The simplest form of the vertical 
crevice is a narrow crack in the rock, having a width of a few inches, an e.\tension laterally from 
a few yards to several hundred feet, and a vertical height of 20 to 40 feet, thinning out to noth- 
ing in all directions, and filled from side to side with highly crystalline, brilliant, large-surfaced 
galena, which has no accompanying metallic mineral, or gangue matter. Occasionally the vertical 
extension e.xceeds a hundred feet, and sometimes a number of these sheets are close together 
and can be mined as one. Much more commonly the vertical crevice shows irregular expan- 
sions, which are sometimes large caves, or openings in certain layers, the crevice between retain- 
ing its normal character, while in other cases the expansion affects the whole crevice, occasion- 
ally widening it throughout into one large opening. These openings are rarely entirely filled, 
and commonly contain a loose, disintegrated rock, in which the galena lies loose in large masses, 
though often adhering to the sides of the cavity in large .stalactites, or in cubical crystals. The 
vertical crevices show a very distinct arrangement parallel with one another, there being two 
systems, which roughly trend east and west, and north and south. The east and west crevices are 
far the most abundant and most productive of ore. The vertical crevices are confined nearly 
altogether to the upper and middle portions of the Galena, and are not productive of zinc ores. 
They are evidently merely the parallel joint cracks which affect every great rock formation, filled 
by chemical action with the lead ore. The crevices with openings have evidently been enlarged 
by the solvent power of atmospheric water carrying carbonic acid, and from the way in which the 
ore occurs loose in the cavities, it is evident that this solving action has often been subsequent 
to the first deposition of lead ore in the crevice. 

The "flat crevices," " flat sheets," and "flat openings," are analogous to the deposits just 
described, but have, as indicated by the names, a horizontal position, being characteristic of 
certain layers, which have evidently been more susceptible to chemical action than others, the 
dissolving waters having, moreover, been directed along them by less pervious layers above and 
below. The flat openings differ from the vertical crevices also, in having associated with the 



MTNERAI, KKSofUCES. 165 

galena mucli of either the lihick-jai:k or ilry-hone /.inc ores, or both, the galena not unfrequently 
being entirely wanting. Cleavable ealcite also acconi[)anies the ores in these openings in large 
([uantities, and tlie same is true of the sul[)hide of iron, which is the variety known as marcasite. 
These materials have sometimes a symmetrical arrangement on the bottom and top of the open- 
ing, the central portion being empty. The fiat openings characterize the Blue and iJuff and 
lower Galena beds, and from them nearly all the zinc ore is obtained. 

It is not possible, in the limits of this short papei, even to mention the various mining 
districts. It may merely be said that the amount of galena raised from single crevices has often 
been several hundred thousand, or even over a million pounds, and that one of the principal, 
mining districts is in the vicinity of Mineral Point, where there are two furnaces constantly- 
engaged in smelting. Between the years 1862 and 1873, these two establishments have produced 
23,903,260 pounds of metallic lead, or an average of 1,991,938 pounds, the maximum being, in 
1869, 2,532,710 pounds, the minimum, in 1873, 1,518,888 pounds. 

The zinc ores were formerly rejected as useless, and have only been utilized since iS6o. An 
attempt to smelt them at Mineral Point was not successful, because the amount needed of fuel 
and clav. both of which have to come from a distance, e.\ceeding even the amount of ore used, 
caused a very heavy expense for transportation. The ores are therefore now taken altogether to 
LaSalle, Illinois, where they meet the fuel and clay, and the industry at tiiat place has become 
a floirishing one. The amount of zinc ore in the Wisconsin lead region is, bevond doubt, very 
great, and will be a source of wealth for a long time to come. 

Since the ores of zinc and lead in this region are confined to such a small thickness of strata 
greatly eroded by the atmospheric waters, the entire thickness having frequently been removed, 
it becomes a matter of great importance to know how much of the mining ground remains at 
every point throughout the district. The very excellent topographico-geological maps of thc- 
region, made by Mr. Moses Strong, and since published by the State in the Report of the 
Geological Survey, make this knowledge accessible to all. 

IRON. 

Iron mining in Wisconsin is yet in its infancy, although some important deposits ar^ 
producing a considerable fiuantity of ore. A number of blast furnaces have sprung up in the- 
eastern part of the state, but these smelt Michigan ores almost entirely. Much remains yet to- 
be done in the way of exploration, for the most promising iron fields are in the heavily timbered 
and unsettled regions of the north part of the state, and are as yet imperfectly known. It 
appears probable, however,.that iron ores will, lu the near future, be the uiost important mineral 
production of Wisconsin. The several ores will be noted in the order of their present im- 
portance. 

Red Hi'.matites. 

The iron in these ores exists as an anhydrous sesquioxide, which is, however, in an earthy 
condition, and entirely without the brilliant metallic luster that characterizes the specular hema- 
tites. Pure hematite contains seventy per cent, of metallic iron, but the red hematites, as mined, 
are always so largely mingled with mechanical impurities that they rarely contain more than fifty 
per cent. The n-iost important red hematite mined in Wisconsin is that known as the Clinton iron 
ore, the name coming from the formation ii-i which the ore occurs. This formation is a member 
of the Upper Silurian series, and is named from a locality in Oneida county. New York, where it 
was first recognized. Associated with its rocks, which are limestones and shales, is con- 
stantly found a peculiar red hematite, which is so [jcrsistent in its characters, both [ihysical andl 



166 HISTOKY OF WISCONSIN. 

and chemical, that one familiar with it from any one locality can hardly fail to recognize it when 
coming from others. The iron produced from it is always "cold-short," on account of the large 
content of phosphorus; but, mingled with siliceous ores free from phosphorus, it yields always 
a most excellent foundry iron. It is mined at numerous points from New York to Tennessee, 
and at some points reaches a very great total thickness. In Wisconsin the Clinton rocks merge 
into the great Niagara limestone series of the eastern part of the state, but at the bottom of the 
series, in a few places, the Clinton ore is found immediately overlying the Cincinnati shales. The 
most important locality is that known as Iron Ridge, on sections twelve and thirteen in the town 
of Hubbard, in Dodge county. Here a north-and-south ledge of Niagara limestone overlooks lower 
land to the west. Underneath, at the foot of the ridge, is the ore bed, fifteen to eighteen feet in 
thickness, consisting of horizontally bedded ore, in layers three to fourteen inches thick. The 
ore has a concretionary structure, being composed of lenticular grains, one twenty-fifth of an inch 
in diameter, but the top layer is without this structure, having a dark purplish color, and in places 
a slight metallic appearance. Much of the lower ore is somewhat hydrated. Three quarters of 
a mile north of Iron Ridge, at Mayville, there is a total thickness of as much as forty feet. 
According to Mr. E. T. Sweet, the percentages of the several constituents of the Iron Ridge ore 
are as follows: iron peroxide, 66.38; carbonate of lime, 10.42; carbonate of magnesia, 2.79; 
silica, 4.72; alumina, 5.54; manganese oxide, 0.44; sulphur, 0.23 ; phosphoric acid, 0.73; water, 
8.75 = 100: metallic iron, 46.66. 

Two small charcoal furnaces at Mayville and Iron Ridge smelt a considerable quantity of 
tliese ores alone, producing an iron very rich in phosphorus. An analysis of the Mayville pig 
iron, also by Mr. Sweet, shows the following composition: iron, 95.784 per cent; phosphorus, 
1.675 : carbon, 0.849; silicon, o.ioS = 100.286. The average furnace yield of the ore is forty- 
five per cent. By far the larger part of the ore, however, is sent away to mingle with other ores. 
It goes to Chicago, Joliet and Springfield, 111., St. Louis, Mo., Wyandotte and Jackson, Mich., 
and Appleton, Green Bay and Milwaukee, Wis. In 1872, the Iron Ridge mines yielded 82,371 
tons. The Clinton ore is found at other places farther north along the outcrop of the base of 
the Niagara formation in Wisconsin , but no one of these appears to promise any great quantity 
of good ore. Red hematite is found at numerous places in Wisconsin, highly charging certain 
layers of the Potsdam sandstone series, the lowest one of the horizontal Wisconsin formations. 
In the eastern part of the town of Westfield, Sauk county, the iron ore e.xcludes the sandstone, 
forming an excellent ore. No developments have been made in this district, so that the size of 
the deposit is not definitely known. 

Brown Hematites. 

These ores contain their iron as the hydrated, or brown, sesquioxide, which, when pure, 
has about sixty per cent, of the metal; the ordinary brown hematites, however, seldom 
contain over forty per cent. Bog iron ore, a porous brown hematite that forms by deposi- 
tion from the water of bogs, occurs somewhat widely scattered underneath the large marshes of 
Portage, Wood and Juneau counties. Very excellent bog ore, containing nearly 50 per cent, of 
iron, is found near Necedah, Juneau county, and near Grand Rapids, Wood county, but the 
amount obtainable is not definitely known. The Necedah ore contains: silica, 8.52 ; alumina, 
3.77; iron peroxide, 71.40; manganese oxide, 0.27; lime, 0.58; magnesia, trace; phosphoric 
acid, 0.21; sulphur, 0.02; organic matter, 1.62; water, 13.46=99.85, metallic iron, 49.98 — 
according to Mr. E. T. Sweet's analysis. An ore from section 34, twp. 23, range 6 east, Wood 
county, yielded, to Mr. Oliver Matthews, silica, 4.81 ; alumina, i.oo; iron peroxide, 73.23 ; lime, 
0.1 1, magnesia, 0.25; sulphuric acid, 0.07 ; phosphoric acid, o. 10 ; organic matter, 5.88; water, 



o 



MlXKItM. MKSOT'RCES. I'iT 

14.24; =99.69: metallic iron, 51.26. 

Brown hematite, mingled with more or less red ore, occurs also in some quantity filling cracks 
and irregular cavities in certain portions of the Potsdam series in northwestern Sauk county and 
the adjoining portion of Richland. A small charcoal furnace has been in operation on this ore 
at Ironton, Sauk county, for a number of years, and recently another one has been erected at 
Cazenovia in the same district. 

Ma(;nktic Ores and Specular Hemaiites. 

These are taken together here, because their geological occurrence is the same, the two ores 
occurring not only in the same group of rocks, but even intimately mingled with one another. 
These ores are not now produced in Wisconsin ; but it is cjuite probable that they may before 
many years become its principal mineral production. In magnetic iron ore, the iron is in the 
shape of the mineral magnetite, an oxide of iron containing 724 per cent of iron when pure, and 
this is the highest percentage of iron that any ore can ever have. Specular hematite is the same 
as red hematite, but is crystalline, has a bright, metallic luster, and a considerable hardness. .\s 
mined the richest magnetic and specular ores rarely run over 65 per cent., while in most regions 
where they are mined they commonly do not reach 50 per cent. The amount of rich ores of this 
kind in the northern peninsula of Michigan is so great, however, that an ore with less than 50 per 
rent, finds no sale; and the same must be true in the adjoining states. So largely does this mat- 
ter of richness affect the value of an ore, that an owner of a mine of 45 per cent. " hard " ore in Wis- 
consin would find it cheaper to import and smelt Michigan 65 per cent, ore, tiian to smelt his own, 
even if his furnace and mine were side by side. 

The specular and magnetic ores of Wisconsin occur in two districts — the Penokee iron dis- 
trict, ten to twenty miles south of Lake Superior, in Bayfield, Ashland and Lincoln counties, and 
the Menomonee iron district, near the head waters of the Menomonee river, in township 40, 
ranges 17 and 18 east, Oconto county. Specular iron in veins and nests is found in small quan- 
tities with the quartz rocks of the Baraboo valley, Sauk county, and Necedah, Juneau county; 
and very large quantities of a peculiar quartz-schist, charged with more or less of the magnetic 
and specular iron oxides, occur in the vicinity of Black River Falls, Jackson county ; but in none 
of these places is there any promise of the existence of valuable ore. 

In the Penokee and Menomonee regions, the iron ores occur in a series of slaty and 
quartzose rocks known to geologists as the Haronian series. The rocks of these districts are 
really the extensions westward of a great rock series, which in the northern Michigan peninsula 
contains the rich iron ores that have made that region so famous. In position, this rock series 
may be likened to a great elongated parabola, the head of which is in the Marquette iron district 
and the two ends in the Penokee and Menomonee regions of Wisconsin. In all of its extent, this 
rock series holds great beds of lean magnetic and specular ores. These contain large quantities 
of quartz, which, from its great hardness, renders them very resistant to the action of atmospheric 
erosion. As a result, these lean ores are found forming high and bold ridges. Such ridges of 
lean ores have deceived many explorers, and not a few geologists. In the same rock series, for 
the most part occupying portions of a higher layer, are found, however, ores of extraordinary 
richness and purity, which, from their comparative softness, very rarely outcrop. The existence 
in quantity of these very rich ores in the Menomonee region has been definitely proven. (Tne 
deposit, laid open during the Summer of 1877, shows a width of over 150 feet of first class 
specular ore; and exceeding in size the greatest of the famous deposits of Michigan. In the 
Penokee region, however, though the indications are favorable, the existence of the riciier 
ores is as yet an inference only. The Penokee range itself is a wonderful development of 



Ifi8 HISTORYOF AVISCOXSIK. 

lean ore, which forms a continuous belt several hundred feet in width and over thirty miles in 
length. Occasionally portions of this belt are richer than the rest, and become almost merchant- 
able ores. The probability is, however, that the rich ores of this region will be found in the 
lower country immediately north of the Penokee range, where the rocks are buried beneath 
heavy accumulations of drift material. 

Copper. 

The only copper ore at present raised in Wisconsin is obtained near Mineral Point, in the 
lead region of the southwestern part of the state, where small quantities of chalcopyrite,\.\\e yellow 
sulphide of copper and iron, are obtained from pockets and limited crevices in the Galena lime- 
stone. Copper pyrites is known to occur in this way throughout the lead region, but it does not 
appear that the quantity at any point is sufficient to warrant exploration. 

Copper occurs also in the northernmost portions of Wisconsin; where it is found under alto- 
igether different circumstances. The great copper-bearing series of rocks of Keweenaw point and 
Isle Royale stretch southwestward into and entirely across the state of Wisconsin, in two parallel 
belts. One of these belts enters Wisconsin at the mouth of the Montreal river, and immediately 
leaving the shore of Lake Superior, crosses Ashland and Bayfield counties, and then widening 
greatly, occupies a large area in Douglas, St. Croi.x, Barron and Chippewa counties. The other 
"belt forms the backbone of the Bayfield peninsula, and crosses the northern part of Douglas 
county, forming a Ijold ridge, to the Minnesota line. The rocks of this great series appear to 
be for the most part of igneous origin, but they are distinctly bedded, and even interstratified 
with sandstone, shales, and coarse boulder-conglomerate, the whole series having generally a 
tilted position. In veins crossing the rock-beds, and scattered also promiscuously through the 
layers of both conglomerates and igneous rocks, pure metallic copper in fine flakes is often 
found. Mining on a small scale has been attempted at numbers of points where the rivers 
flowing northward into Lake Superior make gorges across the rock series, but at none of them 
has sufficient work been done to prove or disprove the existence of copper in paying quantity. 

Gold and Silver. 

Small traces of gold have been detected by the writer in quartz from the crystalline rocks 
of Clark county, but there is no probability that any quantity of this metal will ever be found in 
the state. Traces of silver have also been found in certain layers of the copper series in Ash- 
land county. Judging from the occurrence of silver in the same series not far to the east in 
Michigan, it seems not improbable that this metal may be found also in Wisconsin. 

Brick Clays. 

These consti':ute a very important resource in Wisconsin. Extending inland for many miles 
Tiom the shores of Lakes Michigan and Superior are stratified beds of clay of lacustrine origin, 
having been deposited by the lakes when greatly expanded beyond their present sizes. All of 
these clays are characterized by the presence of a large amount of carbonate of lime. Along 
Like Superior they have not yet been utilized, but all through the belt of country bordering 
Lake Michigan they are dug and burned, fully 50,000,000 bricks being made annually in this 
region. A large proportion of these bricks are white or cream-colored, and these are widely 
Icnown under the name of ''Milwaukee brick,'" though by no means altogether made at Mil- 
waukee. Others arc ordinary red brick. The difference between the light-colored and red 
bricks is ordinarily attributed to the greater amount of iron in the clay from which the latter are 



MINER.VL HKSorRf'ES. 



1G9 



burned, but it has been sliown by Air. E. T Sweet that the white bricks are burned from clay 
which often contain.s more iron than that from which the red bricks are made, but which also 
contains a very large amont of carbonate of lime. The following analyses show (i) the compo- 
sition of the clay from which cream-colored brick are burned at Milw.iukee, (2) the composition 
of a red-brick clay from near Madison, and (3) the composition of the unutilized clay from 
Ashland, Lake Superior. Nos. i and 2 are by Mr. E. T. Sweet, No. 3 by Professor W. W. 
Daniells : 





(I) 


(2) 


(3) 

5S.0S 

25-38 

4-44 

S.30 




'I) 


(2) 


(3) 


Silica 


3S.22 

975 

2.84 

1. 16 

16.23 

7-54 
18.50 


75.S0 

11.07 

3-53 

0.31 ; 

1.S4 ■ 
.08 > 
1.09 


Potash 


2.16 
0.65 
0.95 
I.S5 


1-74 
0.40 
1,54 
216 

9956 




Alumina 


Soda.. 




Iron peroxide 

(ron protoxide... 


Water 


) 


Moisture 

Totals 


\ 4.09 


Magnesia 


99.85 


100.19 









.\t Milwaukee 24,000,000 cream-colored brick are made annually ; at Racine, 3,500,000 ; at 
Appleton and Menasha, 1,800,000 each; at Neenah, 1,600,000; at Clifton, 1,700,000; at Wat- 
erloo, 1,600,000; and in smaller quantities at JetTerson, Ft. Atkinson, Edgerton, Whitewater, 
Geneva, Ozaukee, Sheboygan Falls, Manitowoc, Kewaunee, and other places. In most cases the 
cream-colored bricks are made from a bright-red clay, although occasionally the clay is light- 
colored. At Whitewater and other places tile and pottery are also made from this clay. 

Although these lacustrine clays are much the most important in Wisconsin, excellent brick 
clays are also found in the interior of the state. In numbers of places along the Yahara valley, 
'n Dane county, an excellent stratified clay occurs. .\t Madison this is burned to a red brick ; at 
Stoughton and Oregon to a fine cream-colored brick. .\t Platteville, Lancaster, and other points 
in the southwestern part of the state, red bricks are made from clays found in the vicinity. 



K.-\OLiN (Porcelain -Cl.w — Fire - Ci..\v). 

The word "kaolin*" is applied by geologists to a clay-like material which is used in making 
chinaware in this country and in Europe. The word is of Chinese origin, and is applied by the 
Cliinese to the substance from which the famous porcelain of China is made. Its application to 
the European porcelain-^An' was made under the mistaken idea — one which has prevailed among 
scientists until very recentU — that the Chinese material is the same as the European. This we 
now know to be an error, the Chinese and Japanese wares being both made altogether from a 
solid rock. 

True kaolin, using the word in its European sense, is unlike other ordinary clays, in being 
the result of the disintegration of felspathic crystalline rocks "in place,' that is without being 
removed from the place of its first formation. The base of kaolin is a mineral known as kaolinite, a 
compound of silica, alumina and water, which results from a change or decay of the felspar of 
felspar-bearing rocks. Felspar contains silica, alumina, and soda or potash, or both. By perco- 
lation through the rocks of surface water carrying carbonic acid, the potash and soda are 
removed and kaolinite results. Mingled with the kaolinite are, however, always the other ingre- 
dients of the rock, quartz, mica, etc., and also always some undecom])osed, or only partly decom- 
posed felspar. These foreign" ingredients can all, however, l)e more or less perfectly removed by 
a system of levigation, when a pure white clay results, composed almost wholly of the scales of 



170 



Hli^TORY (IF AVlStOXSIX. 



the mineral kaolinite. Prepared in this way the kaolin has a high value as a refractory material, 
and for forming the base of fine porcelain wares. 

The crystalline rocks, which, by decomposition, would produce a kaolin, are widely spread 
over the northern part of Wisconsin ; but over the most of the region occupied by them there is no 
sign of the existence of kaolin, the softened rock having apparently been removed by glacial 
action. In a belt of country, however, which extends from Grand Rapids on the Wisconsin, 
westward to Black river, in Jackson county, the drift is insignificant or entirely absent; the glacial 
forces have not acted, and the crystalline rocks are, or once were, overlaid by sandstone, along 
whose line of junction with the underlying formation numerous water-courses have existed, the 
result being an unusual amount of disintegration. Here we find, in the beds of the Wisconsin, 
Yellow, and Black rivers, large exposures of crystalline rocks, which between the rivers 
are overlaid by sandstone. The crystalline rocks are in distinct layers, tilted at high angles, 
and in numerous places decomposed into a soft white kaolin. Inasmuch as these layers 
strike across the country \n long, straight lines, patches of kaolin are found ranging 
themselves into similar lines. The kaolin patches are most abundant on the Wisconsin 
in the vicinity of the city of Grand Rapids, in Wood county. They vary greatly in size, 
one deposit even varying from a fraction of an inch to a number of feet in thickness. 
The kaolin varies, also, greatly in character, some being quite impure and easily fusible 
from a large content of iron oxide or from partial decomposition only, while much of it is very 
pure and refractory. There is no doubt, however, that a large amount of kaolin exists in this 
region, and that by selection and levigation an excellent material may be obtained, which, by 
mingling with powdered quartz, may be made to yield a fire-brick of unusual refractoriness, and 
which may even be employed in making fine porcelain ware. 

The following table gives the composition of the raw clay, the fine clay obtained from it by 
levigation, and the coarse residue from the same operation, the sample having been taken from 
the opening on the land of Mr. C. B. Garrison, section 5, town 22, range 6 east. Wood county : 





RAW CLAY. 


LEVIGATION PRODUCTS. 




RAW CLAY. 


LEVIGATION PRODUCTS 




FINE CLAY. 


COARSE 
RESIDUE. 


FINE CLAY. 


COARSE 
RESIDUE, 




7S.S3 

13-43 
0.74 
0.64 
0.07 
0.37 


4994 

3680 

0.72 

trace 
0.51 


92. 86 
2 08 

0.74 
0.96 

o.io 

0.2S 


Soda .. 

Carbonic Acid 

Water 

Totals 


0.0,7 
001 

5-45 


O.OS 
I 1.62 


0.05 


Alumina 


Iron peroxide 

Lime -. 

Magnesia -. 

Potash 


2.53 


99.60 


99.67 


99.60 







Cement - Rock. 



Certain layers of the Lower Magnesian limestone, as at Ripon, and other points in the east- 
ern part of the state, are known to produce a lime which has in some degree the hydraulic 
property, and the same is true of certain layers of the Blue limestone of the Trenton group, in 
the southwestern part of the state ; the most valuable material of this kind, however, that is as yet 
known to exist in Wisconsin, is found near Milwaukee, and has become verv recently somewhat 
widely known as the " Milwaukee " cement-rock. This rock belongs to the Hamilton formation, 
and is found near the Washington street bridge, at Brown Deer, on the lake shore at Whitefisii 



]\ITNERAI. ■RESOI-Rf'ES. 



171 



bay, and at other points in the immediate vicinity of Milwaukee. The quantity attainable is 
large, and a very elaborate series of tests by D. J. Whittemore, chief engineer of the Milwau- 
kee and St. Paul railroad, shows that the cement made from it exceeds all native and foreign 
cements in strength, except the famous English " Portland " cement. The following are 
three analyses of the rock from different points, and they show that it has a very constant 
composition : 





I. 


2. 


3- 


Carbonate of Lime 


45-54 

32.46 

17,56 

1.41 

3-03 

100.00 


48.29 

29.19 

17-36 

1.40 

2.24 


41-34 

34-88 

16.99 

5.00 

1,79 


Carbonate of Magnesia 

Silica 


Alumina 


Iron Sesquioxide. ., 




Totals 


9S.68 


100.00 



Limestone for M.\king Quick -lime. 

Quick-lime is made from all of the great limestone formations of Wisconsin, but more is 
burnt from the Lower Magnesian and Niagara formations, than from the others. The Lower 
Magnesian yields a very strong mortar, but the lime burned from it is not very white. It is burned 
largely in the region about Madison, one of the largest quarries being on the south line of section 
53 of that town, where some 20,000 bushels are produced annually, in two kilns. The lime from 
this place has a considerable local reputation under the name of " Madison lime." The Trenton 
limestone is burned at a few points, but yields an inferior lime. The Galena is not very generally 
burned, but yields a better lime than the Trenton. In the region about Watertown and White- 
water, some 40,000 to 50,000 barrels are made annually from this formation. 

The Niagara, however, is the great lime furnislier of the northwest. From its purity it is 
adapted to the making of a most admirable lime. It is burned on a large scale at numbers of 
points in the eastern part of the state, among which may be mentioned, Pellon's kilns, Pewau- 
kee, where 12,000 barrels are made weekly and shipped to Chicago, Grand Haven, Des Moines, 
etc.; and Holick & Son's kilns, Racine, which yield 60,000 to 75,000 barrels annually. .A. total 
ot about 400,000 barrels is annually made from the Niagara formation in eastern Wisconsin. 



Limestone for Fi-vx in Iron Smelting. 

The limestones of Wisconsin are rarely used as a flu.\, because of their prevalent magnesian 
character. The stone from Schoonmaker's (juarry, near Milwaukee, is used at the Bay View 
iron works, and is one of the few cases. There are certain layers, however, in the Trenton lime- 
stone, widely spread over the southern part of the state, which are non-magnesian, and freciucntly 
sufficiently free from earthy impurities to be used as a flu.\. These layers deserve the attention 
of the iron masters of the state. 

Glass Sand. 

Much of the St. Peter's sandstone is a purely siliceous, loose, white sand, well adajJted to 
the making of glass. It is now being put to this use at points in the cistern p.irt of the slate. 



172 HISTOKY 07 WISCONSIN. 



Peat. 

Peat exists in large quantities and of good quality underneath the numerous marshes of the 
eastern and central parts of the state. Whether it can lie utilized in the future as a fuel, will 
depend altogether upon the cost of its preparation, which will have to be very low in order that 
it may compete with superior fuels. As a fertilizer, peat has always a great value, and requires 
no -^reliminarv treatment. 

Building Stones. 

All the rocky formations of Wisconsin are used in building, and even the briefest synopsis 
of the subject of the building stones of the state, would exceed the limits of this paper. A few 
of the more prominent kinds only are mentioned. 

Granite occurs in protruding masses, and also grading into gneiss, in the northern portions 
of the state, at numerous points. In many places on the Wisconsin, Yellow, and Black rivers, 
and especially at Big Bull Falls, Yellow river, red granites of extraordinary beauty and value 
occur. These are not yet utilized, but will in the future have a high value. 

The handsomest and most valuable sandstone found in Wisconsin, is that which extends 
along the shore of Lake Superior, from the Michigan to the Minnesota line, and which forms the 
basement rock of the .Vpostle islands. On one of these islands a very large quarry is opened, 
from which are taken masses of almost any size, of a very close-grained, uniform, dark brown 
stone, which has been shipped largely to Chicago and Milwaukee. At the latter place, the well 
known court house is built of this stone. An equally good stone can be obtained from the neigh- 
boring islands, and from points on the mainland. A very good white to brown, indurated sand- 
stone is obtained from the middle portions of the Potsdam series, at Stevens Point, Portage 
county; near.Grand Rapids, Wood county; at Black River Falls, Jackson county; at Packwau- 
kee, Marquette county; near Wautoma, Waushara county; and at several points in the Baraboo 
valley, Sauk county. A good buff-colored, calcareous sandstone is quarried and used largely in 
the vicinity of Madison, from the uppermost layers of the Potsdam series. 

All of the limestone formations of the state are quarried for building stone. A layer known 
locally as the " Mendota" limestone, included in the upper layers of the Potsdam series, yields a 
very evenly bedded, yellow, fine-grained rock, which is largely quarried along the valley of the 
lower Wisconsin, and also in the country about Madison. In the town of Westport, Dane 
county, a handsome, fine-grained, cream-colored limestone is obtained from the Lower Magne- 
sian. The Trenton limestone yields an evenly bedded, thin stone, which is frequently used for 
laying in wall. The Galena and Niagara are also utilized, and the latter is capable, in much of 
the eastern part of the state, of furnishing a durable, easily dressed, compact, white stone. 

In preparing this paper, I have made use of Professor Whitney's " Metallic Wealth of the 
TJnited States," and " Report on the Geology of the Lead Region;" of the advance sheets of 
Volume II of the Reports of the State Geological Survey, including Professor T. C. Chamberlin's 
Report on the Geology of Eastern Wisconsin, my own Report on the Geology of Central Wisconsin, 
and Mr. Strong's Report on the Geology of the Lead Region ; Mr. E. T. Sweet's account of the 
mineral exhibit of the state at the Centennial Exposition ; and of my unpublished reports on the 
geology of the counties bordering Lake Superior. 



WISCONSIN RAILROADS. 

By Hon. H. H. GILES. 

The territor}' of Wisconsin offered great advantages to emigrants. E.vplorers had published 
accounts of the wonderful fertility of its soil, the wealth of its broad prairies and forest openings, 
and the beauty of its lakes and rivers. Being reached from the older states by way of the lakes 
and easily accessible by a long line of lake coast, the hardships incident to weeks of land travel 
were avoided. Previous to 1836 hut (cw settlements had been made in that part of the 
then territory of Michigan, that year organized into the territory of Wisconsin, e.xcept 
as mining camps in the southwestern jjart, and scattered settlers in the vicinity of the 
trading posts and military stations. From that time on, with the hope of improving their condi- 
tion, thousands of the enterprising yeomanry of New England, New York and Ohio started for 
the land of p^mise. Germans, Scandinavians and other nationalities, attracted by the glowing 
accounts sent abroad, crossed the ocean on their way to the new world; steamers and sail-craft 
laden with families and their household goods left Buffalo and other lake ports, all bound for 
the new Eldorado. It may be doubted if in the history of the world any country was ever peo- 
pled with the rapidity of southern and eastern Wisconsin. Its population in 1840 was 30,749; 
in 1850,304,756; in i860, 773,693; in 1870, 1,051,351; in 1875, 1,236,729. With the develop- 
ment of the agricultural resources of the new territory, grain raising became the most prominent 
interest, and as the settlements extended back from the lake shore the difficulties of transporta- 
tion of the products of the soil were seriously felt. The expense incurred in moving a load of 
produce seventy or eighty miles to a market town on the lake shore frequently exceeded the gross 
sum obtained for the same. All goods, wares and merchandise, and most of the lumber used 
must also be hauled by teams from Lake Michigan. Many of our early settlers still retain 
vivid recollections of trying experiences in the Milwaukee woods and other sections bordering 
on the lake shore, from the south line of the state to Manitowoc and Sheboygan. To meet the 
great want — better facilities for transportation — a valuable land grant was obtained from 
congress, in 1838, to aid in building a canal from Milwaukee to Rock river The company which 
was organized to construct it, built a dam across Milwaukee river and a short section of the canal ; 
then the work stopped and the plan was finally abandoned. It was early seen that to satisfy the 
requirements of the people, railroads, as the most feasable means of commuuicatiou withm 
their reach, were an indispensable necessity. 

Chicago, Milwaukee cS; St. Paui, Railway. 

Between the years 1838 and 1841, the territorial legislature of Wisconsin rhartered several 
railroad companies, but with the exception of the " Milwaukee & Waukesha Railroad Company,'' 
incorporated in 1847, none of the corporations thus created took any particular shape. The 
commissioners named in its charter met November 23, 1847, and elected a president, Dr. L. W. 
AVeeks, and a secretary, A. W. Randall (afterward governor of Wisconsin). On the first Monday 
of February, 1848, they opened books of subscription. The charter of the company provided 



174 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

that $100,000 should be subscribed and five percent, thereof paid in before the company should 
fully organize as a corporation. The country was new. There were plenty of active, energetic 
men, but money to build railroads was scarce, and not until April 5, 1849, was the necessary 
subscription raised and percentage paid. A board of directors was elected on the loth day of 
May, and Byron Kilbourn chosen president. The charter had been previously amended, in 1848,^ 
authorizing the company to build a road to the Mississippi river, in Grant county, and in 1850, 
its name was changed to the "Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad Company." After the company- 
was fully organized, active measures were taken to push the enterprise forward to completion. 
The citv of Milwaukee loaned its credit, and in 1S51 the pioneer Wisconsin railroad r3ached 
Waukesha, twenty miles out from Milwaukee. In the spring of 1S52, Edward H. Broadhead, a 
prominent engineer, from from the state of New York, was put in charge of the work as chief 
engineer and superintendent. Under his able and energetic administration the road was pushed 
forward in 1852 to Milton, in 1853 to Stoughton, in 1854 to Madison, and in 1856 to the Mis- 
sissippi river, at Prairie du Chien. In 1851 John Catlin of Madison, was elected president 
in place of Kilbourn. 

The proposed length of this article will not admit of any detailed statement of the trials,, 
struggles and triumphs of the men who projected, and finally carried across the state, from the 
lake to the river, this first Wisconsin railroad. Mitchell, Kilbourn, Holton, Tweedy, Catlin, 
Walker, Broadhead, Crocker and many others, deserve to be remembered by our people as bene- 
factors of the state. In 1S59 and i860, the company defaulted in the payment of the interest on 
its bonds. A foreclosure was made and a new company, called the " Milwaukee & Prairie du 
Chien," took its place, succeeding to all its rights and property. 

The "Southern Wisconsin Railway Company" was chartered in 1852, and authorized to build 
a road from Milton to the Mississippi river. When the Milwaukee and Mississippi road reached 
Milton in 1852, it was not authorized by its charter to go to Janesville, but, under the charter of 
the Southern Wisconsin, a company was organized that built the eight miles to Janesville in 1853. 
Under a subsequent amendment to the charter, the Milwaukee and Mississippi company wa& 
authorized to build from Milton to the Mississippi river. The Janesville branch was then 
purchased and extended to Monroe, a distance of about thirty-four miles, or forty-two miles west 
of Milton. Surveys were made and a line located west of Monroe to the river. The people of 
La Fayette and Grant counties have often been encouraged to e.xpect a direct railroad communi- 
cation with the city of Milwaukee. Other and more important interests, at least so considered 
by the railroad company, have delayed the execution of the original plan, and the road through 
the counties mentioned still remains unbuilt. 

The " LaCrosse & Milwaukee Railroad Company" was chartered in 1852, to cortstruct a road 
from LaCrosse to Milwaukee. During the year in which the charter was obtained, the company 
was organized, and the first meeting of the commissioners held at LaCrosse. Among its pro- 
jectors were Byron Kilbourn and Moses M. Strong. Kilbourn was elected its first president. 
No work was done upon this line until after its consolidation with the " Milwaukee, Fond du Lac 
& Green Bay Railroad Company" in 1854. The latter company was chartered in 1853, to build a 
road from Milwaukee via West Bend to Fond du Lac and Green Bay. It organized in the spring of 
1853, and at once commenced active operations under the supervision of James Kneeland, its 
first president. The city of Milwaukee loaned its credit for $200,000, and gave city bonds. The 
company secured depot grounds in Milwaukee, and did considerable grading for the first twenty- 
five miles out. Becoming embarrassed in January, 1854, the Milwaukee, Fond du Lac & Green 
Bay consolidated with the LaCrosse & Milwaukee company. Work was at once resumed on 
the partially graded line. In 1855 the road was completed to Horicon, fifty miles. 



WISCONSIN RAILI!f)ADS. 175 

The Milwaukee & Watertown company was chartered in 1S51, to build from Milwaukee to 
Watertown. It soon organized, and began the construction of its line from Brookfield, fourteen 
miles west of Milwaukee, and a point on the Milwaukee & Mississippi road leading through 
Oconomowoc to Watertown. The charter contained a provision that the company might extend 
its road by way of Portage to La Crosse. It reached Watertown in 1856, and was consolidated 
with the LaCrosse & Milwaukee road in the autumn of the same year. 

In the spring of 1S56 congress made a grant of land to the state of Wisconsin, to aid in the 
building of a railroad from Madison, or Columbus, via Portage City, to the St. Croix river or 
lake, between townships 25 and 31. and from thence to the west end of Lake Superior, and to 
Bayfield. An adjourned session of the Wisconsin legislature met on September 3 of that year, 
to dispose of the grant. The disposal of this grant had been generally discussed by the press, 
and the public sentiment of the state seemed to tend toward its bestowal upon a new company. 
There is little doubt but that this was also the sentiment of a large majority of the members of 
both houses when the session commenced. When a new company was proposed a joint com- 
mittee of twenty from the senate and assembly was appointed to prepare a bill, conferring the 
grant upon a company to be created by the bill itself. The work of the committee proceeded 
harmoniously until the question of who should be corporators was to be acted upon, when a 
difference of opinion was found to exist, and one that proved difficult to harmonize. In the mean- 
time the LaCrosse and Watertown companies had consolidated, and a sufficient number of the 
members of both houses were "propitiated" by " pecuniary compliments" to induce them to 
pass the bill, conferring the so called St. Croix grant upon the LaCrosse & Milwaukee railroad 
company. The vote in the assembly in the passage of the bill was, ayes 62, noes 7. In the senate 
it stood, ayes 17, noes 7. 

At the session of the legislature of 1858 a committee was raised to investigate the matter, 
and their report demonstrated that bonds were set apart for all who voted for the LaCrosse bill; 
to members of assemlily ;|5,ooo each, and members of senate $10,000 each. A few months 
after the close of the legislative sesssion of 1856 the land grant bonds of the LaCrosse road 
became worthless. Neither the LaCrosse company nor its successors ever received any portion 
of the lands granted to the state. During the year 1857 the LaCrosse company completed its 
line of road through Portage City to LaCrosse, and its Watertown line to Columbus. 

The "Milwaukee & Horicon Railroad Company" was chartered in 1852. Between the 
years 1855 and 1857 it built through Waupun and Ripon to Berlin, a distance of forty-two miles. 
It was, in effect, controlled by the LaCrosse & Milwaukee company, although built as a separate 
branch. This line was subsequently merged in the LaCrosse company, and is now a part of the 
northern division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railway. 

The '■ Madison, Fond du Lac & Lake Michigan Railroad Company" was chartered in 1855, 
to build a road from Madison via Fond du Lac to Lake Michigan. In 1857 it bought of the 
LaCrosse company that portion of its road acquired by consolidation with the Milwaukee & 
Watertown company. Its name was then changed to " Milwaukee & Western Railroad Com- 
pany." It owned a line of road from Brookfield to Watertown, and branches from the latter 
place to Columbus and Sun Prairie, in all about eighty miles in length. 

In 1858 and 1859 the La Crosse & Milwaukee and the Milwaukee & Horicon companies 
defaulted in the payment of the interest on their bonded debts. In the same years the bond- 
holders of the two companies instituted foreclosure proceedings on the different trust deeds given to 
secure their bonds. Other suits to enforce the payment of their floating debts were also com- 
menced. Protracted litigation in both the state and federal courts resulted in a final settlement 
in 1868, by a decision of the supreme court of the United States. In the meantime, in 1862 and 



176 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

1863, both roads were sold, and purchased by an association of the bondholders, who organized 
the " Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company." The new company succeeded to all the rights 
of both the La Crosse and Horicon companies, and soon afterward, in 1863, purchased the 
property of the Milwaukee & Western company, thus getting control of the roads from Mil- 
waukee to La Crosse, from Horicon to Berlin, from Brookfield to Watertown, and the branches 
to Columbus and Sun Prairie. In 1864 it built from Columbus to Portage, from Brookfield to 
Milwaukee, and subsequently extended the Sun Prairie branch to Madison, in 1869. It also 
purchased the Ripon & Wolf River road, which had been built fifteen miles in length, from 
Ripon to Omro, on the Fox river, and extended it to Winneconne on the Wolf river, five miles 
farther, and twenty miles from Ripon. In 1867 the Milwaukee & St. Paul railway company 
obtained control of the Milwaukee & Prairie du Chien railroad. The legislature of 1857 had 
passed an act, authorizing all stock-holders in all incorporated companies to vote on shares of 
stock owned by them. The directors of the Milwaukee & St. Paul company had secured a 
majority of the common stock, and, at the election of 1S67, elected themselves a board of 
directors for the Prairie du Chien company. All the rights, property and interests of the 
latter company came under the ownership and control of the former. 

In 1865, Alexander Mitchell, of Milwaukee, was elected president, and S. S. Merrill general 
manager of the Milwaukee & St. Paul railway company. They were retained in their respective 
positions by the new organization, and still continue to hold these offices, a fact largely owing to 
the able and efficient manner that has chaiacterized their management of the company's affairs. 
The company operates eight hundred and thirty-four miles of road in Wisconsin, and m all two 
thousand two hundred and seven miles. Its lines extend to St. Paul and Minneapolis in 
Minnesota, and to Algona in Iowa, and over the Western Union to Savanna and Rock Island 
in the State of Illinois. 

The " Oshkosh & Mississippi Railroad Company " was chartered in 1866 to build a road 
from the city of Oshkosh to the Mississippi river. Its construction to Ripon in 1872 was a 
move on the part of citizens of Oshkosh to connect their town with the Milwaukee & St. Paul 
road. It is twenty miles in length and leased to the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul company. 

In 1871 and 1872 the "Wisconsin Union Railroad Company," of which John W. Cary was 
president, built a road from Milwaukee to the state line between Wisconsin and Illinois, to 
connect with a road built from Chicago to the state line of Illinois. This new line between 
Milwaukee and Chicago was built in the interest of, and in fact by, the Milwaukee & St. Paul 
company to afford a connection between its Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota system of roads, 
and the eastern trunk lines centering in Chicago. It runs parallel with the shore of Lake 
Michigan and from three to six miles from it, and is eighty-five miles in length. 

The Chicago & Northwestern Railway. 

The territorial legislature of 1S48 chartered the " Madison & Beloit Railroad Company" 
with authority to build a railroad from Beloit to Madison only. In 1850, by an act of the 
legislature, the company was authorized to extend the road to the Wisconsin river and La Crosse, 
and to a point on the Mississippi river near St. Paul, and also from Janesville to Fond du Lac, 
Its name was changed, under legislative authority, to the "Rock River Valley Union Railroad 
Company." In 1851, the line from Janesville north not being pushed as the people expected, 
the legislature of Illinois chartered the " Illinois & Wisconsin Railroad Company " with authority 
to consolidate with any road in Wisconsin. In 1855, an act of the Wisconsin legislature consoli- 
dated the Illinois and Wisconsin companies with the " Rock River Valley Union Railroad Com- 
pany," and the new organization took the name of the " Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac Rail- 



AVISCONSIX KAILltOADS. 177 

road Company." In 1S54, and previous to the consolidation, the company had failed and 
passed into the hands of the bondholders, who foreclosed and took stock for their bonds. The 
old management of .\. Hyatt Smith and John B. Macy was superseded, and \Vm. B. Ogden was 
made president. Chicago was all along deeply interested in reaching the rich grain fields of the 
Rock river valley, as well as the inexhaustible timber and mineral wealth of the northern part 
of Wisconsin and that part of Michigan bordering on Lake Superior, called the Peninsula. It 
also sought a connection with the upper Mississippi region, then being rapidly peopled, by a line 
of railroad to run through Madison to St. Paul, in Minnesota. Its favorite road was started from 
Chicago on the wide (si-x feet) gauge, and so constructed seventy miles to Sharon on the Wis- 
consin state line. This was changed to the usual (four feet, eight and one-half inches) width, 
and the work was vigorously pushed, reaching Janesville in 1855 and Fond du Lac in 185S. The 
Rock River Valley Union railroad company had, however, built about thirty miles from Fond 
du Lac south toward Minnesota Junction before the consolidation took j)lace. The partially 
graded line on a direct route between Janesville and Madison was abandoned. In 1852 a new 
charter had been obtained, and the '' Beloit & Madison Railroad Company " had been organized 
to build a road from Beloit via Janesville to Madison. .\ subsequent amendment to this charter 
had left out Janesville as a point, and the Beloit branch was pushed through to Madison, reach- 
ing that city in 1S64. 

The "Galena and Chicago Union Railroad Company" had built a branch of the Galena 
line from Belvedere to Beloit previous to 1854. In that year, it leased the Beloit & Madison 
road, and from 1S56 operated it in connection with the Milwaukee & Mississippi, reaching Janes- 
ville by way of Hanover Junction, a station on its Southern Wisconsin branch, eight miles west 
of Janesville. The consolidation of the Galena & Chicago Union and the Chicago, St. Paul & 
Fond du Lac companies was effected and approved by legislative enactment in 1855, and a new 
organization called the "Chicago & Northwestern Railwav Company " took their place. 

The "Green Bay, Milwaukee & Chicago Railroad Company " was chartered in 1S51 to build 
a road from Milwaukee to the state line of Illinois to connect with a road from Chicago, called 
the Chicago & Milwaukee railroad. Both roads were completed in 1855, and run in connection 
until 1863, when they were consolidated under the name of the "Chicago & Milwaukee Railroad 
Company." To prevent its falling into the hands of the Milwaukee & St. Paul, the Chicago & 
Northwestern secured it by perpetual lease, May 2, 1866, and it is now operated as its Chicago 
division. 

The " Kenosha & Beloit Railroad Company " was incorporated in 1853 to build a road from 
Kenosha to Beloit, and was organized soon after its chartenwas obtained. Its name was after- 
ward changed to the " Kenosha, Rockford & Rock Island Railroad Company," and its route 
changed to run to Rockford instead of Beloit. The line starts at Kenosha, and runs through the 
county of Kenosha and crosses the state line near the village of Genoa in the county of Wal- 
worth, a distance of thirty miles in the state of Wisconsin, and there connects with a road in 
Illinois running to Rockford, and with which it consolidated. Kenosha and its citizens were the 
principal subscribers tc its capital stock. The company issued its bonds, secured by the usual 
mortgage on its franchises and property. Failing to pay its interest, the mortgage was foreclosed, 
and the road was sold to the Chicago & Northwestern company in 1863, and is now operated by 
it as the Kenosha division. The line was constructed from Kenosha to Genoa in 1862. 

The "Northwestern Union Railway Company " was organized in 1872, under the general rail- 
road law of the state, to build a line of road from Milwaukee to Fond du Lac, with a branch to 
Lodi. The road was constructed during the years 1872 and 1873 from Milwaukee to Fond du 
Lac. The Chicago & Northwestern company were principally interested in its being built, to 



178 HISTORY OF WISCOIS'SIN. 

shorten its line between Chicago and Green Bay, and now uses it as its main through line between 
the two points. 

The " Baraboo Air-Line Railroad Company" was incorporated in 1870,10 build a road from 
Madison, Columbus, or Waterloo via Baraboo, to La Crosse, or any point on the Mississippi 
river. It organized in the interest of the Chicago & Northwestern, with which company it con- 
solidated, and the work of building a connecting line between Madison and Winona Junction 
was vigorously pushed forward. Lodi was reached in 1870, Baraboo in 187 1, and Winona Junc- 
tion in 1874. The ridges between Elroy and Sparta were tunneled at great expense and with 
much difficulty. In 1874 the company reported an expenditure for its three tunnels of 
$476,743.32, and for the 129 i-io miles between Madison and Winona Junction of $5,342,169.96, 
and a large expenditure yet required to be made on it. In 1S67 the Chicago & Northwestern 
company bought of D. N. Barney & Co. their interest in the Winona & St. Peters railway, a line 
being built westerly from Winona in Minnesota, and of which one hundred and five miles had 
been built. It also bought of the same parties their interest in the La Crosse, Trempealeau & 
Prescott railway, a line being built from Winona Junction, three miles east of La Crosse, to 
Winona, Minn. The latter line was put in operation in 1870, and is twenty-nine miles long. 
With the completion of its Madison branch to Winona junction, in 1873,11 had in operation a 
line from Chicago, via Madison and Winona, to Lake Kampeska, Minn.; a distance of six hundred 
and twenty-three miles. 

In the year 1856 a valuable grant of land was made by congress to the state of Wisconsin 
to aid in the construction of railroads. The Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac company claimed 
that the grant was obtained through its efforts, and that of right it should have the northeastern 
grant, so-called. At the adjourned session of the legislature of 1856, a contest over the dispo- 
sition of the grant resulted in conferring it upon the " Wisconsin & Superior Railroad Company," 
a corporation chartered for the express purpose of giving it this grant. It was generally believed 
at the time that the new company was organized in the interest of the Chicago, St. Paul & 
Fond du Lac company, and at the subsequent session, in the following year, it was authorized to 
■consolidate with the new company, which it did in the spring of that year, and thus obtained the 
grant of 3,840 acres per mile along its entire line, from Fond du Lac northerly to the state line 
between Wisconsin and Michigan. It extended its road to Oshkosh in 1859, to Appleton in 
1861, and in 1862 to Fort Howard, forming a line two hundred and forty-two miles long. The 
line from Fort Howard to Escanaba, one hundred and fourteen miles long, was opened in Decem- 
ber, 1S72, and made a connection with the peninsular railroad of Michigan. It now became a part 
■of the Chicago & Northwestern, extending from Escanaba to the iron mines, and thence to 
Lake Superior at Marquette. Albert Keep, of Chicago, is president, and Marvin Hughitt, a 
gentleman of great railroad experience, is general superintendent. The company operates five 
hundred and sixty-seven miles of road in Wisconsin, and in all sixteen hundred and sixteen miles. 
Its lines extend into five different states. Over these lines its equipment is run in common, or 
transferred from place to place, as the changes in bi:siness may temporarily require. 

Wisconsin Central Railroad. 

The " Milwaukee & Northern Railway Company " was incorporated in 1S70, to build a road 
from Milwaukee to some point on the Fox river below Winnebago lake, and thence to Lake 
Superior, with branches. It completed its road to Menasha, one hundred and two miles from 
Milwaukee, with a branch from Hilbert to Green Bay, twenty-seven miles, in 1873, ^"d '" ^'''^t 
vear leased Us line to the " Wisconsin Central Railroad Company," which is still operating it. In 



WISCONSIN l!AILIlO.\r>S. 17?^ 

1864 congress, made a grant of land to the state of Wisconsin to aid in the construction of a rail- 
road from TJerlin, Doty's Island, Fond du Lac, or Portage, by way of Stevens Point, to Bayfield 
or Suii^-rior, granting the odd sections within ten miles on each side of the line, with an indem- 
nity limit of twenty miles on each side. The legislature of 1865 failed to dispose of this grant, 
but that of 1866 provided for the organization of two companies, one to build from Portage City 
by way of Berlin to Stevens Point, and the other from Menasha to the same point, and then 
jointly to Bayfield and Lake Superior. The former was called tlie "Winnebago and Lake Superior 
Railroad Company," and the latter the " Portage & Superior Railroad Company." In 1869 an act 
was passed consolidating the two companies, which was done under the name of the " Portage, 
Winnebago & Superior Railroad Company." In 1S71 the name of the company was changed to 
the " Wisconsin Central Railroad Company." The Winnebago & Lake Superior company was 
organized under Hon. George Reed as president, and at once commenced the construction of its 
line of road between Menasha and Stevens Point. In 187 i the Wisconsin Central consolidated 
with the " Manitowoc & Mississippi Railroad Company." The articles of consolidation provided 
that Gardner Colby, a director of the latter company, should be president, and that George Reed, 
a director of the former, should be vice president of the new organization ; with a further provision 
that Gardner Colby, George Reed, and Elijah B. Phillips should be and remain its executive 
committee. 

In 187 I. an act was passed incorporating the " Phillips and Colby Construction Company," 
which created E. B. Phillips, C. L. Colby, Henry Pratt, and such others as they might associate 
with them, a body corporate, with authority to build railroads and do all manner of things relat- 
ing to railroad construction and operation. Under this act the construction company contracted 
with the Wisconsin Central railroad company, to build its line of road from Menasha to Lake 
Superior. In November, 1873, the Wisconsin Central leased of the Milwaukee & Northern com- 
pany its line of road extending from Schwartzburg to Menasha, and the branch to Green Bay, for 
the term of nine hundred and ninety-nine years, and also actjuired the rights of the latter com- 
pany to use the track of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul company between Schwartzburg and 
Milwaukee, and to depot facilities in Milwaukee. The construction of the land grant portion 
of this important line of road was commenced in 187 i, and it was completed to Stevens Point in 
November of that year. It was built from Ste\'ens Point north one hundred miles to Worcester 
in 1872. During 1872 and 1873, it was built from Ashland south to the Penoka iron ridge, a dis- 
tance of thirty miles. The straight line between Portage City and Stevens Point, authorized by 
an act of the legislature of 1S75, was constructed between October i, 1875, and October, 1876, 
seven .y-one miles in length. The gap of forty-two miles between Worcester and Penoka iron 
ridge was closed in June, 1877. E. B. Phillips, of Milwaukee, is president and general manager. 
This line of road passes through a section of our state hitherto unsettled. It has been jjushed 
through with energy, and opened up for settlement an immense region of heavily timbered land, 
and thus contributed to the growth and prosperity of the state. 

The Western Union R.^ilroad. 

The " Racine, Janesville & Mississippi Railroad Company " was chartered in 1852, to build 
a road from Racine to Beloit, and was organized the same year. The city of Racine issued its 
lionds for $300,000 in payment for that amount of stock. The towns of Racine, Elkhorn, Dele- 
van and Beloit gave $190,000, and issued their bonds, and farmers along the line made liberal 
subscriptions and secured the same by mortgages on their farms. The road was built to Burling- 
ton in 1855, to Delavan early in 1856, and to Beloit, sixty-eight miles from Racine, during the 
same year. Failing to meet the interest on its bonds and its floating indebtedness, it was sur- 



180 HISTOKY OF WISCOl^SIN. 

rendered by the company to the bond-holders in 1S59, who completed it to Freeport during that 
year, and afterward built to the Mississippi river at Savannah, and thence to Rock Island. The 
bond-holders purchased and sold the road in 1866, and a new organization was had as the " West- 
ern Union Railroad Company," and it has sinee been operated under that name. In 1869, it 
built a line from Elkhorn to Eagle, seventeen miles, and thus made a connection with Milwau- 
kee over the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul line. The latter company owns a controlling 
interest it its line. Alexander Mitchell is the president of the company, and D. A. Olin, 
general superintendent. 

West Wisconsin Railroad. 

The lands granted by congress in 1S56 to aid in the construction of a railroad in Wisconsin, 
from Tomah to Superior and Bayfield, were disposed of as mentioned under the history of the 
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul company. The La Crosse company, as we have seen, prevailed in 
the legislature of 1856, and secured legibiation favorable to its intercs'.,; but it failed to build the 
line of road provided for, and forfeited its right to lands granted. In 1863, the "Tomah & Lake 
St. Croix Railroad Company " was incorporated, with authority to con^^-uct a railroad from some 
point in the town of Tomah in Monroe county, to such point on Lake St. Croix, between town- 
ships 25 and 31 as the directors might determine To the company, by the act creating it, was 
granted all the interest and estate of this state, to so much of the lands granted by the United 
States to the state of Wisconsin, known as the St. Croix grant, as lay between Tomah and Lake 
St. Croix. A few months after its organization, the company passed substantially into the hands 
of D. A. Baldwin and Jacob Humbird, who afterward built a line of road from Tomah, z>ia Black 
River Falls, and Eau Claire to Hudson, on Lake St. Croix, one hundred and seventy-eight miles. 
Its name was afterward changed to the "West Wisconsin Railroad Company." In 1873, it built 
its road from Warren's Mills rv'a Camp Douglass, on the St. Paul road to Elroy, and took up its 
track from the first-named place, twelve miles, to Tomah. A law-suit resulted, which went against 
the railroad company, and the matter was finally compromised by the payment of a sum of money 
by the company to the town of Tomah. The road was built through a new and sparsely settled 
country, and its earnings have not been sufficient to enrich its stock-holders. It connects at 
Camp Douglass with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul road, and at Elroy with the Chicago & 
Northwestern railway company's line, which gives the latter a through line to St. Paul. It is 
operated in connection with the Chicago & Northwestern railway, and managed in its interest. 
It is now in the hands of AVm. H. Ferry, of Chicago, as receiver; H. H. Potter, of Chicago, as 
president^; and E. W. Winter, of Hudson, superintendent. 

The Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western Railway. 

In 1870, the "Milwaukee, Manitowoc & Green Bay Railroad Company " was chartered to 
build a road from Milwaukee to Green Bay by way of Manitowoc. It built its line from Mil- 
waukee to Manitowoc in 1873, when its name was changed to " Milwaukee, Lake Shore & West- 
ern Railroad Company." Under a decree of foreclosure, it was sold Dec. 10, 1875, "1"^ its name 
was changed to " Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western Railway Company," by which name it is 
still known. 

In t866, the " Appleton & New London Railroad Company" was incorporated to build a 
road from Appleton to New London, and thence to Lake Superior. A subsequent amendment 
to its charter authorized it to extend its road to Manitowoc. It built most of the line from 
Appleton to that city, and theni under legislative authority, sold this extension to the Milwau- 



WISCOXSIX KAILROADS. 18i 

kee, Lake Shore & Western railroad company. The last-named company extended it to New 
London, on the Wolf river, twenty-one miles, in 1S76, where it connects with the Green Bay & 
Minnesota road. It now operates one hundred and forty-six miles of road, extending from Mil- 
waukee to New London, passing through Sheboygan, Manitowoc and Appleton, which includes 
a branch line six miles in length from M,;nitowoc to Two Rivers. F. W. Rhinelander, of New 
York, is its president, and H. f'l. H. Reed, of Milwaukee, superintendent. 

Thk (Irkicn Pjay & Minnesota Railroat). 

The line of road operated by this company extends from Fort Howard to the Mississippi 
river, opposite Winona, Minnesota. It is two hundred and sixteen miles in length, and was 
built through a sparsely settled and heavily timbered section of the state. It began under most 
discouraging circumstances, yet was pushed through by the energy of a lew men at C'.reen Bay 
and along its line. It was originally chartered in 1866 as the "Green Bay & Lake I'epin Rail- 
road Company " to build a road from the moutli of the Fox river near Green Bay to the Missis- 
sip]ji river opposite Winona. But little was done except the making of preliminary surveys in 
1S70. During 1S70 and 1S71, forty miles were constructed and put in operation. In 1872, one 
hundred and fourteen miles were graded, the track laid, and the river reached, sixty-two mile.s 
farther, in 1S73. In 1876, it accpiired the right to use the " Winona cut-off " between ^Vinona 
and Onalaska, and built a line from the latter point to La Crosse, seven m ,...,, thus connecting its 
road with the chief city of Wi^'-onsin on the Mississippi river. The city of La Crosse aided this 
extension by subscribing $75,000 and giving its corporation bonds for that amount. Henry 
Ketchum, of New London, is president of the company, and D. M. Kelly, of Green Bay, gen- 
eral manager. 

Wisconsin Valley Road. 

The "Wisconsin Valley Railroad Company " was incorporated in 1S71 to build a road from 
a point on or near the line of the Milwaukee & La Crosse railroad, between Kilbourn City and 
the tunnel in said road to the village of Wausau, in the county of Marathon, and the road to pass 
not more than one mile west of the village of Grand Rapids, in the county of Wood. The road 
was commenced at Tomah, and graded to Centralia in 1S72, and opened to that village in 1873, 
and during 1874 it was completed to Wausau, ninety miles in its whole length. Boston capitalists 
furnished the money, and it is controlled in the interest of the Dubuque & Minnesota railroad, 
through which the equipment was [jrocured. The lumber regions of the Wisconsin river find an 
outlet over it, and its junction with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul road at Tomah enables 
a connection with the r.Tilroads of Iowa and Minnesota. It gives the people of Marathon county 
an outlet long needed for a large lumber traffic, and also enables them to receive their goods and 
supplies of various kinds for the lumbering region tributary to Wausau. Jai\)ea F. Joy, of 
Detroit, is president, and F. O. Wyatt, superintendent. 

Siti.BovGAN & Fond du Lac Railroad. 

The " Sheboygan & Mississijjpi Railroad Company " was incorporated in 1852, to build .t 
road from Sheboygan to the Mississippi river. It was completed from Sheboygan to Plymouth 
in 1858, to Glenbeulah in 1S60, to Fond du Lac in 1868, and to Princeton in 1872. The extension 
from Fond du Lac to Princeton was built under authority of an act passed in 1871. 

Under a foreclosure in 1861 the line from Sheboygan to Fonddu Lac was sold, and the name 
of the com[)any changed to "Sheboxgan & Fond du Lac Railroad Comjiany." The length of 



182 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

the line is seventy-eight miles, and it passes through a fertile agricultural country. The city of 
Sheboygan, county, city and town of Fond du Lac, and the towns of Riverdale, Ripon, Brooklyn, 
Princeton, and St. Marie, aided in its building to an amount e.\ceeding $250,000. D. L. Wells 
is president, and Geo. P. Lee, superindendent. 

The Mineral Point Railroad. 

The "Mineral Point Railroad Company" was chartered in 1 85 2, to build a road from Mineral 
Point, in the county of Iowa, to the state line, in township number one, in either the county of 
Green or La Fayette. It was completed to Warren, in the state of Illinois, thirty-two miles, in 

1855, making a connection at that point with the Illinois Central, running from Chicago to Galena. 
Iowa county loaned its credit and issued its bonds to aid in its construction. It M'as sold under 
foreclosure in 1856. Suits were brought against Iowa county to collect the amount of its bonds, 
and judgment obtained in the federal courts. Much litigation has been had, and ill feeling 
engendered, the supervisors of the county having been arrested for contempt of the decree of 
the court. Geo. W. Cobb, of Mineral Point, is the general manager. 

The Dubuque, Platteville & Milwaukee railroad was completed in July, 1870, and extends 
from Calamine, a point on the Mineral Point railroad, to the village of Platteville, eighteen miles, 
and is operated by the Mineral Point railroad company 

Madison' & Portage Railroad. 

The legislature of 1855 chartered the " Sugar River Valley Railroad Company " to build a road 
from a point on the north side of the line of the Southern Wisconsin road, within the limits of 
Green county, to Dayton, on the Sugar river. In 1S57 it was authorized to build south to the state 
line, and make its northern terminus at Madison. In 1861 it was authorized to build from Madi- 
son to Portage City, and from Columbus to Portage City, and so much of the land grant act of 

1856, as related to the building of the road from Madison, and from Columbus to Portage City, 
was annulled and repealed, and the rights and privileges that were conferred upon the LaCrosse 
company were given to the Sugar River Valley railroad company, and the portion of the land 
grant, applicable to the lines mentioned, was conferred upon the last named company. Under 
this legislation about twenty miles of the line between Madison and Portage were graded, and 
the right of wav secured for about thirty of the thirty-nine miles. The La Crosse company had 
done considerable grading before its right was annulled. In 1S66 the company was relieved 
from constructing the road from Columbus to Portage City. In 1S70 the purchasers of that part 
of the Sugar River Valley railroad lying between Madison and Portage City were incorporated 
as the " Madison & Portage Railroad Company," and to share all the rights, grants, etc., that 
were conferred upon the Sugar River railroad company by its charter, and amendments thereto, 
so far as related to that portion of the line. 

Previous to this time, in 1864 and 1865, judgments had been obtained against the Sugar 
River Valley company ; and its right of way, grading and depot grounds sold for a small sum. 
James Campbell, who had been a contractor with the Sugar River Valley company, with others, 
became the purchasers, and organized under the act of 1870, and, during the year 1871, com- 
pleted it between Madison and Portage City, and in March, 1871, leased it to the Milwaukee & 
St. Paul company, and it is still operated by that corporation. In 187 1 the Madison & Portage 
company was authorized to extend its road south to the Illinois state line, and north from 
Portage City to Lake Winnebago. The same year it was consolidated with the " Rockford Central 



WISCONSIN KAU.KOADS. 183 

Railroad Company," of Illinois, and its name changed to tlie " Chicago & Superior Railroad 

Company," but still retains its own organization. The Madison & Portage railroad company 

claims a share in the lands granted by acts of congress in 1856, and have comtnenced proceed- 
■ngs to assert its claim, which case is still pending in the federal courts. 

North Wisconsin R.-^ilroau. 

The "North Wisconsin Railroad Company" was incorjiorated in i86g, to build a road from 
Lake St. Croix, or river, to Bayfield on Lake Superior. The grant of land by congress in 1856, to 
aid in building a road from Lake St. Croix to Bayfield on Lake Superior, under the decision of 
the federal court, was yet at the disposal of the state. This company, in 187 1, built a short 
section of its line of road, with the expectation of receiving the grant. In 1S73, the grant was 
conferred upon the Milwaukee & St. Paul company, but under the terms and restrictions con- 
tained in, the act, it declined to acceiit it. The legislature of 1874 gave it to the North Wiscon- 
sin company, and it has built forty miles of its road, and received the lands pertaining thereto. 
Since 1876, it has not completed any part of its line, but is trying to construct twenty miles 
during the present vear. The company is authorized to construct a road both to Superior and 
to Bayfield, but the act granting the lands confers that [jortion from Superior to the intersection 
of the line to Bayfield upon the Chicago & North Pacific air-line railroad. This last-named 
company have projected a line from Chicago to the west end of Lake Superior, and are the 
owners of an old grade made through Walworth and Jefferson counties, by a company chartered 
in 1853 as the "Wisconsin Central," to build a road from Portage City to Geneva, in the county 
of W'al worth. The latter company had also graded its line between Creneva and the state Hne 
of Illinois. This grade was afterward appropriated by the Chicago \: Northwestern, and over it 
they now operate their line from Chicago to Geneva. 

Prairie du Chien & McGregor Railroad. 

This is a line two miles in length, connecting Prairie du Chien in Wisconsin, with McGregor 
in Iowa. It is owned and operated by John Lawler, of the latter-named place. It extends across 
jjoth channels of the Mississippi river, and an intervening island. The railroad bridge consists 
of substantial piling, except a pontoon draw across each navigable channel. Each pontoon is four 
hundred feet long and thirty feet wide, provided with suitable machinery and operated by steam 
power. Mr. Lawler has secured u patent on his invention of the pontoon draw for railroad 
bridges. His line was put in operation in April, 1874. 

The Chippewa Falls & Western Railroad. 

This road was built in 1874, by a company organized under the general law of the state. It 
is eleven miles in length, and connects the " Falls " with the West Wisconsin line at Eau Claire. 
It was constructed by the energetic business men and capitalists of Chippewa Falls, to afford an 
outlet for the great lumber and other interests of that thriving and prosperous city. The road 
is substantially built, and the track laid with steel rails. 

Narrow Gauge Railroads. 

The "Galena & Southern Wisconsin Railroad Company" was incorporated in 1857. Under 
its charter, a number of capitalists of the city of Galena, in the state of Illinois, coimnenced. 



184 HISTORY OF AVISCONSIJN. 

the constractio:i of a narrow (three feet) gauge road, running from that city to Platteville, thirty- 
one miles in length, twenty miles in Wisconsin. It runs through a i)art of La Fayette county to 
Pla:teville, in Grant county, and was completed to the latter point in 1875. Surveys are being 
made for an extension to Wingville, in Grant county. 

The ••Fond du Lac, Amboy & Peoria Railway Company" was organized under the general 
law of the state, in 1S74, to build a narrow gauge road from the city of Fond du Lac to the south 
line of the state in the county of Walworth or Rock, and it declared its intention to consolidate 
with a company in Illinois that had projected a line of railroad from Peoria, in Illinois, to the south 
line of the state of Wisconsin. The road is constructed and in operation from Fond du Lac to 
Iron Ridge, a point on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railway, twenty-nine miles from Fond 
du Lac. 

The " Pine River & Steven's Point Railroad Company " was organized by the enterprising 
citizens of Richland Center, and has built a narrow gauge road from Lone Rock, a point on the 
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul road, in Richland county, to Richland Center, sixteen miles in 
length. Its track is laid with wooden rails, and it is operated successfully. 

The '■ Chicago & Tomah Railroad Company " organized under the general railroad law of 
the state, in 1872, to construct a narrow gauge road from C'hicago, in Illinois, to the city of 
Tomah, in Wisconsin. Its president and active manager is D. R. Williams, of Clermont, Iowa, 
and its secretary is L. M. Culver, of Wauzeka. It has graded about forty-five miles, extending 
from Wauzeka up the valley of the Kickapoo river, in Crawford county. Wisconsin. It expects 
to have fifty-four miles in operation, to Ploomingdale, in Vernon county, the present year (1877). 
The rolling stock is guaranteed, and the president is negotiating tor the purchase of the iron. 
South of Wauzeka the line is located to Belmont, in Iowa count)-. At Wauzeka it will connect 
with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul line. 

The public-spirited citizens of Necedah, in Juneau county, have organized under the general 
law of the state, and graded a road-bed. from their village to New Lisbon, on the Chicago, Mil- 
waukee & St. Paul company's line. The latter company furnish and lay the iron, and will 
operate the road. It is thirteen miles in length. 

Conclusion. 

The railroads of Wisconsin have grown up under the requirements of the several localities 
that have planned and commenced their construction, and without regard to any general 
system. Frequently the work of construction was begun before adequate means were provided, 
and bankruptcy overtook the roads in their early stages. The consolidation of the various 
companies, as in the cases of the Chicago, Milwaukee &: St. Paul, the Chicago & Northwestern, 
and others, has been effected to give througlr lines and the public greater facilities, as well as to 
introduce economy in management. At times the people have become apprehensive, and by legisla- 
tive action prohibited railroads from consolidating, and have sought to control and break down 
the power of these corporations and to harmonize the interests of the companies and the 
public. The act of 1S74, called the "Potter law," was the assertion, by the legislative power of 
the state, of its right to control corporations created by itself, and limit the rates at which freight 
and passengers should be carried. After a long and expensive contest, carried through the state 
and federal courts, this right has been established, being finally settled by the decision of the 
supreme court of the United States. 

Quite all the railroads of AVisconsin have been built with foreign capital. The plan pursued 
after an organization was elTected, was to obtain stock subscriptions from those immediately 



Li'MBKR MAXrV'AcrrRE. 185 

interested in the enterprise, procure the aid of counties and munici])alities, and then allure the 
farmers, with the prospect of joint ownership in railroads, to subscribe for stock and mortgage 
their farms to secure the jiiyment of their subscriptions. Then the whole line was bonded and 
a mortgage executed. The bonds and mortgages thus obtained, were taken to the money 
■centers of New York, London, .Vmsterdam and other places, and sold, or hypothecated to 
obta'n the money with which to prosecute the work. The bonds and mortgages were made to 
draw a high rate of interest, and the earnings of these new roads, through unsettled localities, 
were insufficient to pay more than running and incidental expenses, and frequently fell short of 
that. Default occurring in the payment of interest, the mortgages were foreclosed and the 
property passed into the hands and under the control of foreign capitalists. Such has bsen the 
history of most of the railroads of our state. The total number of farm mortgages given has 
been 3,785, amounting to $4,079,433 ; town, county and municipal bonds, amounting to 
$6,910,652. The total cost of all the railroads in the state, as given by the railroad commissioner 
in his report for 1876. his been $98,343,453.67. This vast sum is, no doubt, greatly in excess of 
what the cost should have been, but the roads have proved of immense benefit in the develop- 
ment of the material resources of the state. 

Other lines are needed through sections not yet traversed by the iron steed, and present 
lines should be extended by branch roads. The questions upo.i which great issues were raised 
Tjetween the railway corporations and the people, are now happily settled by securing to the latter 
their rights; and the former, under the wise and conciliatory policy pursued by their managers, 
are assured of the sa-fety of their investments. .\n era of good feeling has succeeded one of 
distrust and antagonism. The people must use the railroads, and the railroads depend upon the 
people for sustenance and protection. This mutuality of interest, when fully recognized on both 
sides, will result in giving to capital a fair return and to labor its just reward. 



LUMBER MANUFACTURE. 

By W. B. JUDSON. 

Foremost among the industries of Wisconsin is that of manufacturing lumber. Very much 
of the importance to which the state has attained is due to the development of its forest wealth. 
In America, agriculture always has been, and always will be, the primary and most important 
interest; but no nation can subsist upon agriculture alone. While the broad prairies of Illinois 
and Iowa are rich with a fertile and productive soil, the hills and valleys of northern Wisconsin 
are clothed with a wealth of timber that has given birth to a great manufacturing interest, which 
employs millions of capital and thousands of men, and has peopled the northern wilds with 
energetic, prosperous communities, built up enterprising cities, and crossed the state with a net- 
work of railways which furnish outlets for its productions and inlets for the new populations 
which are ever seeking for homes and employment nearer to the setting sun. 

If a line be drawn upon the state map, from Green Bay westward through Stevens Point, 
to where it would naturally strike the Mississippi river, it will be below the southern boundary of 
the pine timber regions, with the single exception of the district drained by the Yellow river, a 
tributary of the Wisconsin, drawing its timber chiefly from Wood and Juneau counties. The 
territory north of this imaginary line covers an area a little greater than one half of the state. 
The pine timbered land is found in belts or ridges, intersperse<l with ])rairie openings, patches 
-of hardwood and hemlock, and drainetl by numerous water-courses. No less than seven Urge 



16b HISTOHY OF WISCONSIN. 

rivers traverse this northern section, and, with their numerous tributaries, penetrate every county, 
affording facilities for tloating the logs to the mills, and, in many instances, the power to cut them 
into lumber. This does not include the St. Croi.K, which forms the greater portion of the 
boundary line between Wisconsin and Minnesota, and, by means of its tributaries, draws the most 
and best of its pine from the former state. These streams divide the territory, as far as ^umbering 
is concerned, into six separate and distinct districts : The Green bay shore, whic.'.?. includes the 
Wisconsin side of the Menomonee, the Peshtigo and Oconto rivers, with a number of creeks 
which flow into the bay between the mouths of the Oconto and Fox rivers ; the Wolf river 
district; the Wisconsin river, including the Yellow, as before mentioned ; the Black river; the 
Chippewa and Red Cedar; and the Wisconsin side of the St. Croix. 

Beginning with the oldest of these, the Green bay shore, a brief description of each will be 
attempted. The first saw-mill built in the state, of which there is now any knowledge, was put in 
operation in 1809, in Brown county, two or three miles east from Depere, on a little stream which 
was known as East river. It was built by Jacob Franks, but probably was a very small affair. 
Of its machinery or capacity for sawing, no history has been recorded, and it is not within the 
memory -of any inhabitant of to-day. In 1829, John P. Arndt, of Green Bay, built a water- 
power mill on the Pensaukee river at a point where the town of Big Suamico now stands. In 
1834, a mill was built on the Wisconsin side of the Menomonee, and, two years later, one at 
Peshtigo. Lumber was first shipped to market from this district in 1834, which must be termed 
the beginning of lumbering operations on the bay shore. The lands drained by the streams 
which flow into Green bay are located in Shawano and Oconto counties, the latter being the 
largest in the state. In 1S47, Willard Lamb, of Green Bay, made the first sawed pine shingles in 
that district ; they were sold to the Galena railroad company for use on depot buildings, and 
were the first of the kind sold in Chicago. Subsequently Green Bay became one of the greatest 
points for the manufacture of such shingles in the world. The shores of the bay are low, and 
gradually change from marsh to swamp, then to level dry land, and finally become broken and 
mountainous to the northward. The pine is in dense groves that crowd closely upon the swamps 
skirting the bay, and reach far back among the hills of the interior. The Peshtigo flows into the 
bay about ten miles south of the Menomonee, and takes its rise far back in Oconto county, near 
to the latter's southern tributaries. It is counted a good logging stream, its annual product 
being from 40,000,000 to 60,000,000 feet. The timber is of a rather coarse quality, running but 
a small percentage to what the lumbermen term "uppers." About ten per cent, is what is 
known as Norway pine. Of the whole amount of timber tributary to the Peshtigo, probably 
about one third has been cut off to this date. The remainder will not average of as good quality, 
and only a limited portion of the land is of any value for agricultural purposes after being cleared 
of the pine. There are only two mills on this stream, both being owned by one company. The 
Oconto is one of the most important streams in the district. The first saw-mill was built 
on its banks about the year 1840, though the first lumbering operations of any account were 
begun in 1845 by David Jones. The business was conducted quite moderately until 1856, 
in which year several mills were built, and from that date Oconto has been known as quite 
an extensive lumber manufacturing point. The timber tributary to this stream has been of 
the best quality found in the state. Lumber cut from it has been known to yield the 
extraordinarily high average of fifty and sixty per cent, uppers. The timber now being cut 
will not average more than half that. The proportion of Norway is about five per cent. It is 
estimated that from three fourths to four fifths of the timber tributary to the Oconto has been 
cut away, but it will require a much longer time to convert the balance into lumber than was 
necessary to cut its equivalent in amount, owing to its remote location. The annual productioa 



LUMBKU MAXtFACTURE. 187 

of pine lumber at Oconto is from 50,000,000 to 65,000,000 feet. The whole ]iroduction of the 
district, exclusive of the timber which is ]jut into the Mcnomonee from Wisconsin, is about 
140,000,000 feet annually. 

The Wolf river and its tributaries constitute the next district, ])roceeding westward. The 
first saw logs cut on this stream for commercial jjurposes were floated to the government mill at 
Neenah in 1835. In 1S42, Samuel Farnsworth erected the first saw-mill on the upper Wolf 
near the location of the present village of Shawano, and in the following spring he sent the first 
raft of lumber down the Wolf to Oslikosh. This river also rises in Oconto county, but flows in 
a southerly direction, and enters Winnebago lake at Oshkosh. Its pineries have been very exten- 
sive, but the drain upon them within the past decade has told with greater effect than upon any 
other district in the state. The quality of the timber is very fine, and the land is considered good 
for agricultural purposes, and is being occupied upon the lines of the different raiUvays which 
cross it. The upper waters of the Wolf are rapid, and have a comparatively steady flow, which 
renders it a very good stream for driving logs. Upon the upper river, the land is quite rolling, 
and about the head-waters is almost mountainous. The pine timber that remains in this dis- 
trict is high up on the main river and branches, and will last but a few years longer. A few years 
ago the annual product amounted to upward of 250,000,000 feet; in 1876 it was 138,000,000, 
The principal manufacturing points are Oshkosh and Fond du Lac ; the former has 21 mills, and 
the latter 10. 

Next comes the Wisconsin, the longest and most crooked river in the state. It rises in the 
extreme northern sections, and its general course is southerly until, at Portage City, it makes a 
grand sweep to the westward and unites with the Mississippi at Prairie du Chien. It has numer- 
ous tributaries, and, together with these, drains a larger area of country than any other river in 
the state. Its waters flow swiftly and over numerous rapids and embryo falls, which renders log- 
driving and raft-running very difficult and even hazardous. The timber is generally near the 
banks of the main stream and its tributaries, gradually diminishing in extent as it recedes from 
them and giving place to the several varieties of hard-woods. The extent to which operations 
have been carried on necessitates going further up the stream for available timber, although there 
is yet what may be termed an abundant supply. The first cutting of lumber on this stream, of 
which there is any record, was by government soldiers, in 1828, at the building of Fort Winne- 
bago. In 1831, a mill was built at Whitney's rapids, below Point Bass, in what was then Indian 
territory. By 1840, mills were in operation as high up as Big Bull falls, and Wausau had a 
population of 350 souls. Up to 1876, the product of the upper Wisconsin was all sent in raits 
to markets on the Mississippi. The river above Point Bass is a series of rapids and eddies; the 
current flows at the rate of from 10 to 20 miles an hour, and it can well be imagined that the 
task of piloting a raft from Wausau to the dells was no slight one. The cost of that kind of 
transportation in the early times was actually equal to the present market price of the lumber. 
With a good stage of water, the length of time required to run a raft to St. Louis was 24 days, 
though quite freijuently, owing to inability to get out of the Wisconsin on one rise of water, sev- 
eral weeks were consumed. The amoimt of lumber manufactured annually on this river is from 
140,000,000 to 200,000,000 feet. 

Black river is much shorter and smaller than the Wisconsin, hut has long been known as a 
very important lumbering stream. It is next to the oldest lumber liistrict in the state. The 
first saw-mill west of Green Bay was built at Black River Falls in 1819 by Col. John Shaw, 
The Winnebago tribe of Indians, however, in whose territory he was, objected to the innovation 
of such a fine art, and unceremoni(jusly offered up the mill u[iun the altar of their outraged 



188 HISTORY OF WIsrOXSTX. 

soUtude. The owner abruptly quitted that portion of the country. In 1839 another attempt 
to establish a mill on Black river was more successfully made. One was erected at the same 
point by two brothers bv the name of Wood, the millwright being Jacob Spaulding, who 
eventually became its possessor. His son, Mr. Dudley J. Spaulding, is now a very extensive 
operator upon Black river. La Crosse is the chief manufacturing point, there being ten saw-miUs 
located there. The annual production of the stream ranges from 150,000,000 to 225,000,000 feet 
of logs, less than 100,000,000 feet being manufactured into lumber on its banks. The balance 
is sold in the log to mills on the Mississippi. It is a very capricious river to float logs in, which 
necessitates the carrying over from year to year of a very large amount, variously estimated at 
from 150,000,000 to 200,000,000 feet, about equal to an entire season's product. This makes the 
business more hazardous than on many other streams, as the loss from depreciation is very great 
after the first year. The quality of the timber is fine, and good prices are realized for it when 
sold within a year after being cut. 

The Chippewa district probably contains the largest and finest body of white pine timber 
now standing, tributary to any one stream, on the continent. It has been claimed, though with 
more extravagance than truth, that the Chippewa pineries hold one-half the timber supply of 
the state. The river itself is a large one, and has many trilnitaries, which penetrate the rich 
pine district in ail directions. The character of the tributary country is not unlike that through 
which the Wisconsin flows. In 1828 the first mill was built in the Chippewa valley, on Wilson's 
creek, near its confluence with the Red Cedar. Its site is now occupied by the village of Meno- 
monee. In 1837 another was built on what is the present site of the Union Lumbering Company's 
mill at Chippewa Falls. It was not until neari865 that the Chippewa became very prominent as a 
lumber-making stream. Since that date it has been counted as one of the foremost in the north- 
west. Upon the river proper there are twenty-two saw-mills, none having a capacity of less than 
3,500,000 feet per season, and a number being capable of sawing from 20,000,000 to 25,000,000 
The annual iiroduction of sawed lumber is from 250,000,00c to 300,000,000 feet; the production 
of logs from 400,000,000 to 500,000,000 feet. In 1S67 the mill-owners upon the Mississippi, 
between Winona and Keokuk, organized a corporation known as the Beef Slough Manufactur- 
inc, Log-Driving and Transportation Company. Its object was to facilitate the handling of logs 
cut upon the Chippewa and its tributaries, designed for the Mississippi mills. At the confluence 
of the two rivers various improvements were made, constituting the Beef Slough boom, which is 
capable of assorting 200,000,000 feet of logs per season. The Chippewa is the most difficult 
stream in the northwest upon which to operate. In the spring season it is turbulent and 
ungovernable, and in summer, almost destitute of water. About its head are numerous lakes 
which easily overflow under the influence of rain, and as their surplus water flows into the 
Cliippewa, its rises are sudden and sometimes damaging in their e.\tent. The river in many 
places flows between high bluffs, and, under the influence of a freshet, becomes a wild and 
unmanageable torrent. Logs have never been floated in rafts, as upon other streams, but are 
turned in loose, and are carried down with each successive rise, in a jumbled and confused mass, 
which entails much labor and loss in the work of assorting an 1 delivering to the respective 
owners. Previous to the organization of the Eagle Rapids Flooding Dam and Boom Company, 
in 1872, the work of securing the stock after putting it into the river was more difficult than to 
cut and haul it. At the cities of Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls, where most of the mills are 
located, ihc current, under the influence of high water, is very rapid, and for years the problem 
was, how to stoi) and retain the logs, as they would go by in great masses and with almost resist- 
less velocity. In 1847 is recorded one of the most sudden and disastrous floods in the history 
of log-running streams. In the month of June the Chippewa rose twelve feet in a single night, 



LI'MBEH MAXIFACTfltE. 189 

and, in the disastrous torrent that was created, piers, booms, or "pockets " for holding logs at the 
mills, together with a fine new mill, were swept away, and the country below where Eau Claire 
now stands was covered with drift-wood, saw-logs, and other dchris. Such occurrences led to 
the invention of the since famous sheer boom, which is a device placed in tlie river opposite 
the mill boom into which it is desired to turn the logs. The sheer boom is thrown diagonally 
across the river, automatically, the action of the current upon a number of ingeniously arranged 
"fins " holding it in position. J!y this means the logs are sheered into the receptacle until it is 
filled, when the sheer boom, by closing up the " fins" with a windlass, falls back and allows the 
logs, to go on for the next mill to stop and capture its pocket full in like manner. By this 
method each mill could obtain a stock, but a great difficulty was experienced from the fact that 
the supply was composed of logs cut and owned by everybody operating on the river, and the 
jirocess of balancing accounts according to the "marks," at the close of the season, has been 
one j)rolific of trouble and legal entanglements. The Ituilding of imi)rovements at Eagle 
Rapids by the company above mentioned remedied the difficulty to some extent, but the process 
of logging will always be a difficult and hazardous enterprise until adequate means for holding 
and assorting the entire log product are provided. Upon the Yellow and Ivui Claire rivers, two 
important branches of the Chippewa, such difficulties are avoided by suitable improvements. 
The entire lumber product of the Chippewa, with the exception of that consumed locally, is 
floated in rafts to markets upon the Mississippi, between its mouth and St. Louis. The quality 
of the timber is good, and commands the best market price in the sections where it seeks 
market. 

West of the Chippewa district the streams and timber are tributary to the St. Croix, and in 
all statistical calculations the entire product of that river is credited to Minnesota, the same as 
that of the Menomonee is given to Michigan, when in fact about one half of each belongs to 
Wisconsin. The important branches of the St. Croix belonging in this state are the Apple 
Clam, Yellow, Namekogan, Totagatic and Eau Claire. The sections of country through which 
they flow contain large bodies of very fine pine timber. The St. Croix has long been noted for 
the excellence of its dimension timber. Of this stock a portion is cut into lumber at Stillwater, 
and marketed by rail, and the balance is sold in the log to mills on the Jlississijipi. 

Such is a brief and somewhat crude descripti \\ of the main lumbering districts of the state. 
Aside from these, quite extensive operations are conducted upon various railway lines which 
penetrate the forests which are remote from log-running streams. In almost every county in 
the state, mills of greater or less capacity may be found cutting up pine or hard-woods into 
lumber, shingles, or cooperage stock. Most iinportant, in a lumbering point of view, of all the 
railroads, is the Wisconsin Central. It extends from Milwaukee to Ashland, on Lake Superior, 
a distance of 351 miles, with a line to Green Bay, 113 miles, and one from Stevens Point to 
Portage, 71 miles, making a total length of road, of 449 miles. It has only been com[)leted to 
Ashland within the last two years. From Milwaukee to Stevens Point it passes around to the 
east and north of Lake Winnebago, through an excellent hard-wood section. There are many 
stave mills in operation upon and triliutary to its line, together with wooden-ware establishments 
and various manufactories requiring cither hard or soft timfier as raw material. From Stevens 
Point northward, this road passes through and has tributary to it one of the finest bodies of tim- 
ber in the state. It crosses the upper waters of Black river and the Flambeau, one of the main 
tributaries of the Chippewa. From 30,000,000 to 50,000,000 feet of lumber is annually manu- 
factured on its line, above Stevens Point. The Wisconsin Valley railroad extends from Tomah 
to Wausau, and was built to afford an outlet, by rail, for the lumber produced at the latter point. 

The extent of the timber supply in this state has been a matter of much speculation, and 



190 



HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 



is a subject upon which but little can be definitely said. Pine trees can not be counted or 
measured until reduced to saw-logs or lumber. It is certain that for twenty years the 
forests of Wisconsin have yielded large amounts of valuable timber, and no fears are 
entertained by holders of pine lands that the present generation of owners will witness 
an exhaustion of their supply. In some sections it is estimated that the destruction to 
the standing timber by fires, which periodically sweep over large sections, is greater than 
by the axes of the loggers. The necessity for a state system of forestry, for the protection of 
the forests from fires, has been urged by many, and with excellent reason ; for no natural resource 
of the state is of more value and importance than its wealth of timber. According to an esti- 
mate recently made by a good authority, and which received the sanction of many interested 
parties, there was standing in the state in 1876, an amount of pine timber approximating 
35,000,000,000 feet. 

The annual production of lumber in the districts herein described, and from logs floated out 
of the state to mills on the Mississippi, is about 1,200,000,000 feet. The following table gives 
the mill capacity per season, and the lumber and shingles manufactured in 1876 : 



Green Bay Shore 

Wolf River _ - - 

Wisconsin Central Railroad 

Green Bay & Minnesota Railroad 

Wisconsin River 

Black River 

Chippewa River 

Mississippi River — using Wisconsin loi 

Total 



SEASON 
CAPACITY. 



206,000, ( 00 
258,500,000 
72,500 000 
34,500,000 
222,000.000 
101,000,000 
311,000,000 
509,000,000 



1,714,500.000 



LUMBER 

MANUFACTURED 

IN 1S76. 



138,250,000 

138,645,077 

31,530,000 

17,700,000 

139,700.000 

70.S52.747 

255,866,999 

380,067,000 

1,172,611,823 



SHINGLES 

MANUFACTURED 

IN 1876. 



85.400,000 
123.192,000 
132,700,000 

10,700,000 
106.250,000 

37,675,000 

79,250.000 
206,977,000 



782,144,000 



If to the above is added the production of m.ills outside of the main districts and lines of rail- 
way herein described, the amount of pine lumber annually produced from Wisconsin forests would 
reach 1,500,000,000 feet. Of the hard-wood production no authentic information is obtainable^ 
'I'o cut the logs and place them upon the banks of the streams, ready for floating to the mills, 
requires the labor of about iS,ooo men. Allowing that, upon an average, each man has a family 
of two persons besides himself, dependent upon his labor for support, it would be apparent that 
the first step in the work of manufacturing lumber gives employment and support to 54,000 
persons. To convert 1,000,000 feet of logs into lumber, requires the consumption of 1,200 
bushels of oats, 9 barrels of pork and beef, 10 tons of liay, 40 barrels of flour, and the use of 2 
pairs of horses. Thus the fitting out of the logging companies each fall makes a market for 
1,800,000' bushels of oats, 13,500 barrels of pork and beef, 15,000 tons of hay, and 60,000 barrels 
of flour. Before the lumber is sent to market, fully $6,000,000 is expended for the labor 
employed in producing it. This industry, aside from furnishing the farmer of the west with the 
cheapest and best of materials for constructing his buildings, also furnishes a very important 
market for the ])roducts of his farm. 

The cpiestion of the exhaustion of the pine limber supply has met with much discussion 
during the past few years, and, so far as the forests of Wisconsin are concerned, deserves a brief 
notice. The great source of supply of white pine timber in the country is that portion of the 
northwest between the shores of Lake Huron and the banks of the Mississippi, comprising the 



LT^MBER JIAXT^FACTTfRE. 191 

northern portions of the states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. For a quarter of a 
century these fieUIs have been worked by lumbermen, the amount of the yearly production 
having increased annually until it reached the enormous figure of 4,000,000,000 feet. With all 
of this tremendous drain upon tlie forests, there can be pointed out but one or two sections that 
are actually exhausted. There are, however, two or three where the end can be seen and the 
date almost foretold. The pineries of Wisconsin have been drawn upon for a less period and 
less amount than those of Michigan, and, it is generally conceded, will outlast them at the present 
proportionate rate of cutting. There are many owners of jjine timber lands who laugh at the 
prospect of exhausting their timber, within their lifetime. As time brings them nearer to the end, 
the labor of procuring the logs, by reason of the distance of the timber from the water-courses, 
-will increase, and the work will progress more slowly. 

In the future of this industry there is much promise. Wisconsin is the natural source of 
supply for a very large territory. The populous prairies of Illinois and Iowa are near-by and 
tinfailing markets. The broad jilains of Kansas and the rich valleys of Nebraska, which are still in 
the cradle of development, will make great drafts upon her forests for the material to construct cities 
in which the first corner-stone is yet unlaid. Minnesota, notwithstanding the fact that large 
forests exist within her own confines, is even now no mean customer for Wisconsin lumber, and 
the ambitious territory of Dakota will soon clamor for material to build up a great and wealthy 
state. In the inevitable progress of development and growth which must characterize the great 
■west, the demand for pine lumber for building material will be a prominent feature. With the 
growth of time, changes will occur in the methods of reducing the forests. With the increasing 
demand and enhancing values will come improvements in manipulating the raw material, and a 
stricter economy will be preserved in the handling of a commodity which the passage of time 
only makes more valuable. Wisconsin will become the home of manufactories, which will 
convert her trees into finished articles of daily consumption, giving employment to thousands of 
artisans where it now requires hundreds, and bringing back millions of revenue where is now 
realized thousands. Like all other commodities, lumber becomes more valuable as skilled labor 
is employed in its manipulation, and the greater the extent to which this is carried, the greater is 
the growth in prosperity, of the state and its [leople. 



BANKING IN WISCONSIN. 

p,v JOHN !'. McGregor. 

Wisconsin was organized as a territory in 1836, and the same year several acts were passed 
by the territorial legislature, incorporating banks of issue. Of these, one at Green Bay and 
another at Mineral Point went into operation just in time to play their part in the great panic 
of 1837. The bank at Green Bay soon failed and left its bills unredeemed. The bank at 
Mineral Point is said to have struggled a little longer, b\it both these concerns were short lived, 
and their issues were but a drop in the great flood of worthless wild-cat bank notes that spread 
over the whole western country in that disastrous time. The sufferings of the people of A\'is- 
consni, from this cause, left a vivid impression on their minds, which manifested its results in the 
legislation of the territory and in the constitution of the state adopted in 184S. So jealous were 
the legislatures of the territory, of banks and all their works, that, in every act of incorporatior 
for any purpose, a clause was inserted to the effect that nothing in the act contained shoukl he 



192 HISTOKY OF WTSCOJTSIX. 

taken to authorize the corporation to assume or exercise any banking powers ; and this proviso 
was even added to acts incorporating church societies. For some years there can hardly be said 
to have been any banking business done in the territory ; merchants and business men were left 
to their own devices to make their exchanges, and every man was his own banker. 

In the year 1839 an act was passed incorporating the " Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance 
Company," of Milwaukee. This charter conferred on the corporation, in addition to the usual 
powers of a fire and marine insurance company, the privilege of receiving deposits, issuing certifi- 
calcs 0/ deposit and lending money, — and wound up with the usual prohibition from doing a 
banking business. This company commenced business at once under the management of George 
Smith as president and Alexander Mitchell as secretary. The receiving deposits, issuing certifi- 
cates of deposit and lending money, soon outgrew and overshadowed the insurance branch of the 
institution, which accordingly gradually dried up. In fact, the certificates of deposit had all the 
appearance of ordinary bank notes, and served the purposes of an- excellent currency, being 
always promptly redeemed in coin on demand. Gradually these issues attained a great 
circulation all through the west, as the people gained more and more confidence in the honesty 
and ability of the managers ; and though " runs " were several times made, yet being successfully 
met, the public finally settled down into the belief that these bills were good beyond (Question, so 
that the amount in circulation at one time, is said, on good authority, to have ".^en over 
$2,000,000. 

As the general government required specie to be paid for all lands bought of it, the Wis- 
consin Marine and Fire Insurance company, by redemption of its " certificates of deposit," 
furnished a large part of the coin needed for use at the Milwaukee land office, and more or less 
for purchases at land offices in other parts of the state, and its issues were of course much in 
request for this pur[)ose. For many years this institution furnished the main banking facilities 
for the business men of the territory and young state, in the way of discounts and exchanges. 
Its right to carry on the operations it was engaged in, under its somewhat dubious and incon- 
sistent charter, was often questioned, and, in 1852, under the administration of Governor Farwell, 
some steps were taken to test the matter; but as the general banking law had then been passed 
by the leuislature, and was about to be submitted to the people, and as it was understood that the 
company -Aould organize as a bank under the law, if approved, the legal proceedings were not 
pressed. While this corporation played so important a part in the financial history and couiuier- 
cial development of Wisconsin, the writer is not aware of any available statistics as to the 
amount of business transacted by it before it became merged in the "Wisconsin Marine and 
Fire Insurance Company's Bank." 

In 1847, the foundation of the present well-known firm of Marshall & Ilsley was laid by 
Samuel Marshall, who, in that year, opened a private banking office In Milwaukee, and was joined 
in 1849 by Charles F. Ilsley. This concern has always held a prominent position among the 
banking institutions of our state. About this time, at Mineral Point, Washburn & Woodmaa 
(C. C. Washburn and Cyrus Woodman) engaged in private banking, as a part of their business- 
After some years they were succeeded by Wm. T. Henry, who still continues the banking office. 
Among the early private bankers of the state were Mr. Kellogg, of Oshkosh ; Ulmann and Bell, of 
Racine ; and T. C. Shove, of Manitowoc. The latter still continues his business, whiio that of 
the other firms has 1 een wound up or merged in organized banks. 

In 1848, Wisconsin adopted a state constitution. This constitution prohibited the legislature 
from incorporating banks and from conferring banking powers on any corporation; but provided 
the question of " banks or no banks " might be submitted to a vote of the electors, ar<i, if the 
decision should be in favor of banks, then the legislature might charter banks or migni.- enact a. 



BANKIXC IN WISCOKSIN. 193 

general lianking law, hiil no such special charter or general hanking law should hav^ any force 
until submitted to the electors at a general election, and approved liy a majority of votes cast on 
that subject. In 1S51, the legislature submitted tliis ipiestion to the people, and a majority of 
the votes were cast in favor of " banks." .\ccordingly the legislature, in 1852, made a general 
banking law, which was submitted to the electors in November of that year, and was approved 
l)y them. This law was very similar to the free banking law of the state of New York, which 
had then been in force about fifteen years, and was generally ap[)roved in that state. Our law 
authorized any number of individuals to form a corporate association for banking purposes, ;'nd 
its main provisions were intended to provide security for the circulating- notes, by deposit of state 
and United States stocks or bonds with the state treasurer, so that the bill holders should sustain 
no loss in case of the failure of the banks. Provision was made for a bank comptroller, whose 
main duty it was to see that countersigned circulating notes were issued to banks only in proper 
amounts for the securities deposited, and upon compliance with the law, and that the banks kept 
these securities good. 

The first bank comptroller was James S. Baker, who was appointed by (ioveruor Farwell. 

The first banks organized under the new law were the " State Bank," established at Madi- 
son by Marshall >5c Ilsley, and the "Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance Company's Bank," 
established at Milwaukee under the old management of that <jmi)any. These banks both went 
intooperation early in January, 1S53, and, later in that year, the '' State Bank' of Wisconsin " (now 
Milwaukee National Bank of Wisconsin), and the " Farmers' and Millers' Bank " (now First 
National Bank of Milwaukee), were established, followed in January, 1S54, by the " Bank of Mil- 
waukee " (now National E.xchange Bank of Milwaukee). From this time forward banks were 
rapidly established at different points through the state, until in July, 1S57, they numbered si.\ly 
— with aggregate capital, $4,205,000; deposits, $3,920,238; and circulation, $:;, 23 1,829. lu 
October, the great revulsion and panic of 1857 came on, and in its course and effects tried pretty 
severely the new banks in ^\"isconsin. Some of them succumbed to the pressure, Init most of 
them stood the trial well. 

The great source of loss and weakness at that time was found in the rapid decline of the 
market value of the securities deposited to protect circulation, which were niosth' state bonds, 
and largely those of the southern states; so that this security, when it came to be tried, did not 
prove entirely sufficient. Anotlier fault of the system, or of the practice under it, was developed 
at this time. It was found that many of the Ijanks had been set up without actual working capi- 
tal, merely for the purpose of issuing circulating notes, and were located at distant and inaccessible 
points in what was then the great northern wilderness of the state ; so that it was expensive and 
in fact impractical)le to present their issues for redemjition. While these evils and their rem- 
edies were a good deal discussed among bankers, the losses and inconveniences to the people 
were not yet great enough to lead to the adoption of thorough and complete measures of reform. 
The effect of these difficulties, however, was to bring the bankers of the staie into the habit of 
consulting and acting together in cases of emergency, the first bankers' convention having been 
held in 1857. This was followed by others from time to tiine, and it would be difficult to over- 
7alue the great good that has resulted, at several important crises from the har . onions and con- 
Krvative action of the bankers of our state. Partly, at least, upon their recommendations the 
.egislature, in 1858, adopted amendments to the l)anking law, ijroviding that no bank should be 
located in a township containing less than two hundred inhabitants; and that the comptroller 
should not issue circulating notes, e.xcei)t to banks doing a regular discount deposit and exchange 
business in some inhabited town, village, city, yr where the ordinary business of inhabited towns, 
villages and cities was carried on. The':e ^'p-en<in'ents were approved by the peojile at the i.d! 



194 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

election of that year. 

Banking matters now ran along pretty smoothly until the election in i860, of the republican 
presidential°ticket, and the consequent agitation in the southern states threatening civil war, the 
■effects of which were speedily felt; first, in the great depreciation of the bonds of the southern 
states, and then in a less decline in those of the northern states At this time (taking the state- 
ment of July, i860,) the number of banks was 104, with aggregate capital, $6,547,000; circula- 
tion, $4,075,918; deposits, $3,230,252. 

During the winter following, there was a great deal of uneasiness in regard to our state cur- 
rency, and CO .tinuous demand upon our banks for the redemption of their circulating notes in 
coin. Many banks of the wild-cat sort failed to redeem their notes, which became depreciated 
and uncurrent ; and, when the rebellion came to a head by the firing on Fort .Sumter, the banking 
interests of the state were threatened with destruction by compulsory winding up and enforced 
sale at the panic prices then prevailing, of the securities deposited to secure circulation. Under 
these circumstances, on the 17th of April, 1S61, the legislature passed "an act to protect the 
holders of the circulating notes of the authorized banks of the state of Wisconsin." As the 
banking law could not be amended e.\cept by app.oval of the electors, by vote at a general 
election, a practical suspension of specie payment had to be effected by indirect methods. So 
this act first directed the bank comptroller to suspend all action toward banks for failing to 
redeem their circulation. Secondly, it prohibited notaries public from protesting bills of banks 
until Dec i, 1S61. Thirdly, it gave banks until that date to answer complaints in any proceed- 
ing to compel specie payment of circulating notes. This same legislature also amended the 
banking law, to cure defects that had been developed in it. These amendments were intended 
to facilitate the presentation and protest of circulating notes, and the winding up of banks 
failing to redeem them, and provided that the bank comptroller should not issue circulating notes 
except to banks having actual cash capital; on which point he was to take evidence in all cases; 
that after Dec. I, 1861, all banks of the state should redeem their issues either at Madison or 
Milwaukee, and no bonds or stocks should be received as security for circulation except those of 
the United States and of the state of Wisconsin. 

Specie payment of bank bills was then practically suspended, in our state, from April 17 to 
December i, 1861, and there was no longer any plain practical test for determining which were 
good, and which not. In this condition of things, bankers met in convention, and, after discus- 
sion and inquiry as to the condition and resources of the different banks, put forth a list of those 
whose issues were to be considered current and bankable. But things grew worse, and it was 
evident that the list contained banks that would never l;e able to redeem their circulation, and 
the issues of such were from time to time thrown out and discredited without any concert of 
action, so that the uneasiness of people in regard to the financial situation was greatly increased. 
The bankers finally met, gave the banks another sifting, and put forth a list of seventy banks 
whose circulating notes they pledged themselves to receive, and pay out as current, until Decem- 
ber I. There had been so many changes that this pledge was thought necessary to allay the 
apprehensions of the public. But matters still grew worse instead of better. Some of the 
banks in the " current " list closed their doors to their depositors, and others were evidentl}' 
unsound, and their circulation so insufficiently secured as to make it certain that it would never 
be redeemed. There was more or less sorting of the currency, both by banks and business men, 
all over the slate, in the endeavor to keep the best and pay out the poorest. In this state of 
things, some of the Milwaukee banks, without concert of action, and acting under the apprehen- 
sion of being loaded up with the very worst of the currency, which, it was feared, the country 
banks and merchants were sorting out and sending to Milwaukee, revised the list again, and 



]1AXKI\(i IX WISCOXSIX. 195 

tlirew out ten of the seventy hanks whose issues it liad been agreed should Ije received as 
current. Other banks and Ijankers were compelled to take the same course to j)rotect then - 
selves. The consequence was a great disturbance of the public mind, and violent charges of 
bad faith on the jiart of the banks, which culminated in the bank riots of June 24, 1861. On 
that day, a crowd of several hundred disorderly people, starling out most probably only with the 
idea of making some sort of demonstration of their dissatisfaction with the action of the banks 
and bankers and with the failure to keep faith with the public, marched through the streets with 
a band of music, and brought up at the corner of Michigan and East Water streets. 

The banks had just sufficient notice of these proceedings to enable them to lock up their 
money and valuables in their vaults, before the storm broke upon them. The mob halted at the 
place above mentioned, and for a time contented themselves with hooting, and showed no dispo- 
sition to proceed to violence; but, after a little while, a stone was thrown through the windows 
of the Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance Company's Bank, situated at one corner of the 
above streets, and volley.-, of stones soon followed, not only against that bank, but also against 
the State Bank of Wisconsin, situated on the opposite corner. The windows of both these 
institutions and of the offices in the basements under them were effectually demolished. 
The mob then made a rush into these banks and offices, and completely gutte I them, offering 
more or less violence to the inmates, though no person was seriously hurt. The broken furni- 
ture of the offices under the State Bank of Wisconsin was piled up, and the torch was applied 
by some of the rioters, while others were busy in endeavoring to break into the safes of the offices 
and the vaults of the banks. The debris of the furniture in the office of the Wisconsin Marine 
and Fire Insurance (Company's Bank, was also set on fire, and it was plain that if the mob was 
net immediately checked, the city would be given up to conflagration and pillage — the worst 
elements, as is always the case vvith mobs, having assumed the leadership. Just at that juncture, 
the Milwaukee zouaves, a small military company, appeared on the scene, and with the help of 
the firemen who had been called out, the mob was put to flight, and the incipient fire was extin- 
guished. 

The damage so far done was not great in amount, and the danger for the moment was over; 
but the situation was still grave, as the city was full of threats, disturbance and apprehension. 
By the jirompt action of the authorities, a number of companies of volunteers were brought from 
different places in the state, order was preserved, and, after muttering for three or four days, the 
storm died away. The effect of that disturbance and alarm was, however, to bring home to the 
bankers and business men the conviction that effectual measures must be taken to settle our 
state currency matters on a sound and permanent basis, and that the issues of all banks that 
could not be put in shape to meet specie payment in December, must be retired from circulation 
and be got out of the way. A meeting of the bankers was held; also of the merchants' association 
of Milwaukee, and arrangements were made to raise $100,000, by these two bodies, to be used in 
assisting weak and crippled banks in securing or retiring their circulation. The bankers 
appointed a committee to take the matter in charge. 

It happened that just at this time Governor Randall and State Treasurer Hastings returned 
from New York City, where they had been making unsuccessful efforts to dispose of $800,000 of 
Wisconsin war bonds, which had been issued to raise funds to fit out Wisconsin volunteers. 

Our state had never had any bonds on the eastern market. For other reasons, our 
credit was not high in New York, and it had been found impossible to dispose of these bonds for 
over sixty cents on the dollar. The state officers conferred with the bankers to see what could 
be done at home; and it was finally arranged that the bankers' committee should undertake to 
get the state banks to dispose of their southern and other depreciated state bonds on deposit to 



196 HISTOKY OF AVISCOXSIK. 

secure circulation, for what they would bring in coin, in New York, and replace these bonds with 
those of our own state,. which were to be taken by our banks nominally at par — seventy percent, 
being paid in cash, and the different banks purchasing bonds, giving their individual obligation 
for the thirty per cent, balance, to be paid in semi-annual installments, with an agreement that the 
state should deduct these installments from the interest so long as these bonds should remain on 
deposit with the state. By the terms of the law, sixty per cent, of the proceeds of the bonds had to 
be paid in coin. The bankers' committee went to work, and with some labor and difficulty 
induced most of the banks to sell their southern securities at the existing low prices in New 
York, and thus produce the coin required to pay for our state bonds. From the funds provided 
by the merchants and bankers, they assisted many of the weaker banks to make good their 
securities with the banking department of the state. By the 19th of July, six of the ten rejected 
banks that had been the occasion of the riot, were made good, and restored to the list. The 
other four were wound up, and their issues redeemed at par, and, before the last of August, the 
value of the securities of all the banks on die current list were broughi up to their circulation, 
as shown by the comptroller's report. 

Wisconsin currency at the time of the bank riot was at a discount of about 15 per cent., as 
compared with gold or New York exchange. At the middle of July the discount was 10 to 12 
per cent., and early in August it fell to 5 per cent. The bankers' committee continued their 
work in preparation for the resumption of specie payment on December i. While the securities 
for the bank circulation had been made good, it was, nevertheless, evident that many of the 
banks on the current list would not be equal to the continued redemption of their bills in specie, 
and that they would have to be wound up and got out of the way in season. Authority was got 
from such institutions, as fast as possible, for the bankers' committee to retire their circulation 
and sell their securities. The Milwaukee banks and bankers took upon themselves the great 
burden of this business, having arranged among themselves to sort out and withhold from cir- 
culation the bills of these banks, — distributing the load among themselves in certain defined 
proportions. Instead of paying out these doubted bills, the different banks brought to the bank- 
ers' committee such amounts as they accumulated from time to time, and received from the 
committee certificates of deposit bearing seven per cent, interest, and these bills were locked up 
by the committee until the securities for these notes could be sold and the proceeds realized. 
Over $400,000 of this sort of paper was locked up by the committee at one time; but it was all 
converted into cash, and, when the first of December came, the remaining banks of this state 
were ready to redeem their issues in gold or its equivalent, and so continued to redeem until the 
issue of the legal-tender notes and the general suspension of specie payment in the United 
States. 

In July, 1S61, the number of our banks was 107, with capital, $4,607,000; circulation, 
$2,317,907; deposits, $3,265,069. 

By the contraction incident to the preparations for redemption in specie, the amount of cur- 
rent Wisconsin bank notes outstanding December i, 1S61, was reduced to about $1,500,000. 
When that day came, there was quite a disposition manifested to convert Wisconsin currency 
into coin, and a sharp financial pinch was felt for a few days ; but as the public became satisfied 
that the banks were prepared to meet the demand, the call for redemption rapidly fell off, and 
the banks soon began to expand their circulation, which was now current and in good demand 
all through the northwestern states. The amount saved to all the interests of our state, by this 
successful effort to save our banking system from destruction, is beyond computation. From 
this time our banks ran along quietly until prohibitory taxation by act of congress drove the bills 
of state banks out of circulation. 



]!AXKIX([ JX AVISCOXSIX. 197 

The national banking law was passed in 1863, and a few hanks were soon organized under 
it in different parts of the country. The first in Wisconsin was formed by the re-org,inization of 
the Farmers' and Millers' ISank, in August, 1863, as the First National i-5ank of Milwaukee, 
with Edward D. Ilolton as president, and H. II. Camp, cashier. The growth of the new system, 
however, was not very rapid; the state banks were slow to avail tiiemsclves of the privileges of 
the national banking act, and the central authorities concluded to comiiel them to come in ; so 
facilities were offered for their re-organization as national banks, and then a tax of ten per cent, 
was laid upon the issues of the state banks. Tl.is ta.x was imposed by act of March, 1865, and 
at once caused a commotion in our state. In July, 1S64, the number of Wisconsin state banks 
was sixty-si.\, with capital §3,147,000, circulation §2,461,728, deiiosits §5,483,205, and these 
figures were probably not very different in the spring of 1S65. The securities for the circulating 
notes were in great part the bonds of our own state, which, while known by our own peojile to 
be good beyond question, had never been on the general markets ul the country so as to be cur- 
rently known there; and it was feared that in the hurried retirement of our circulation these 
bonds would be sacrificed, the currency dejireciated, and great loss brought upon our banks and 
poople. There was some excitement, and a general call for the redemption ot our state circula- 
tion, but the banks mostly met the run well, and our people were disposed to stand by our own 
state bonds. 

In April, 1861, the legislature passed laws, calling in the mortgage loan'- of the school fund, 
and directing its investment in these securities. The state treasurer was required to receive 
Wisconsin bank notes, not only for taxes and debts due the state, but also on deposit, and to 
issue certificates for such deposits bearing seven per cent, interest. By these and like means 
the threatened panic was stopped; and in the course of a few months Wisconsin state currency 
was nearly all withdrawn from circulation. In July, 1S65, the luimljcr of state banks was 
twenty-six, with capital $1,087,000, circulation $192,323, deposits $2,284,210. Under the 
pressure put on by congress, the organization of national banks, and especially the re-organiza- 
tion of state banks, under the national system, was proceeding rapidly, and in a short time nearly 
every town in our own state of much size or importance was provided with one or more of these 
institutions. 

In the great panic of 1873, all the Wisconsin banks, both state and national (in common 
with those of the whole country), were severely tried; but the failures were few and unimpor- 
tant; and Wisconsin went through that ordeal with less loss and disturbance than almost any 
other state. 

We have seen that the history of banking in Wisconsin covers a stormy jjcriod, in which 
great disturbances and panics have occurred at intervals of a few years. It is to be hoped that 
a more peaceful epoch will succeed, but permanent quiet and prosperity can not rationally be 
expected in the present unsettled condition of our currency, nor until we have gone through the 
temporary stringency incidental to the resumption of specie payment. 

According to the last report of the comptroller of the currency, the number of national 
banks in Wisconsin in November, 1876, was forty, with capital $3,400,000, deposits $7,145,360, 
circulation $2,072,869. 

At this time (July, 1877) the number of state banks is twenty-six, with capital $1,288,231, 
deposits $6,662,973. Their circulation is, of course, merejy nominal, though there is no legal 
obstacle to their issuing circulating notes, except the tax imposed by congress. 



COMMERCE AND MANUFACTURES. 

Bv Hon. H. H. (,;ILES. 

The material philosophy of a people has to do with the practical and useful. It sees in 
iron, coal, cotton, wool, grain and the trees of the forest, the elements of personal comfort and 
sources of material greatness, and is applied to their development, production and fabrication for 
purposes of exchange, interchange and sale. The early immigrants to Wisconsin territory' found 
a land teeming with unsurpassed natural advantages; prairies, timber, water and minerals, invit- 
ing the farmer, miner and lumberman, to come and build houses, furnaces, mills and factories. 
The first settlers were a food-producing people. The prairies and openings were ready for the 
plow. The ease with which farms were brought under cultivation, readily enabled the pioneer 
to supply the food necessary for himself and family, while a surplus was often produced in a few 
months. The hardships so often encountered in the settlement of a new country, where forests 
must be felled and stumps removed to prepare the soil for tillage, were scarcely known, or greatly 
mitigated. 

During the decade from 1S35 to 1845, so great were the demands for the products of the 
soil, created by the tide of emigration, that the settlers found a home market for all their surplus 
products, and so easily were crops grown that, within a very brief time after the first emigration, 
but little was required from abroad. The commerce of the country was carried on by the 
exchange of products. The settlers (they could scarcely be called farmers) would exchange 
their wheat, corn, oats and pork for the goods, wares and fabrics of the village merchant. It 
was an age of barter ; but they looked at the capabilities of the land they had come to possess, 
and, with firm faith, saw bright promises of better days in the building up of a great state. 

It is not designed to trace with minuteness the history of Wisconsin through the growth of 
its commercial and manufacturing interests. To do it justice would require a volume. The 
aim of this article will be to present a concise view of its ju'esent status. Allusion will only be 
incidentally made to stages of growth and progress by which it has been reached. 

Few states in the Union possess within their borders so many, and in such abundance, 
elements that contribute to the material prosperity of a people. Its soil of unsurpassed 
fertility ; its inexhaustible mines of lead, copper, zinc and iron ; its almost boundless forests ; 
its water-powers, sufficient to drive the machinery of the world ; its long lines of lake shore on 
two sides, and the " Father of waters " on another,- — -need but enterprise, energy' and capital to 
utilize them in building an empire of wealth, where the hum of varied^industries shall be heard 
in the music of the sickle, the loom and the anvil. 

The growth of manufacturing industries was slow during the first twenty-five years of our 
history. The early settlers were poor. Frequently the land they tilled was pledged to obtain 
means to pay for it. Capitalists obtained from twenty to thirty per cent, per annum for the use 
of their money. Indeed, it was the rule, under the free-trade ideas of the money-lenders for 
them to play the Shylock. ^Vhile investments in bonds and mortgages were so profitable, few 
were ready to imi)rove the natural advantages the country presented for building factories and 
work-shops. 



COMMERCE AXD MAXUFACTURES. 199 

For many years, quite all the implements used in farming were brought from outside tlie 
state. While this is the case at present to some extent with the more cumbersome farm 
machinery, quite a proportion of that and most of the simpler and lighter implements are made 
at home, while much farm machinery is now manufactured for export to other states. 

FUKN. 

The northwest was visited and explored by French voyageurs and missionaries from Canada 
at an early day. The object of the former was trading and gain. The Jesuits, ever zealous in 
the propagation of their religion, went forth into the unknown wilderness lo convert the natives 
to their faith. As early as 1624, they were operating about Lake Huron and Mackinaw. Father 
Mennrd it is related, was with the Indians on Lake Superior as early as 1661. The early 
explorers were of two classes, and were stimulated by two widely different motives — the tvyag- 
eitrs, by the love of gain, and the missionaries, by their zeal in the propagation of their faith. 
Previous to 1679, a considerable trade in furs had sprung up with Indian tribes in the vicinity of 
Mackinaw and the northern part of " Ouisconsin." In that year more than two hundred canoes, 
laden with furs, passed Mackinaw, bound for ISIontreal. The whole commerce of this vast region 
then traversed, was carried on with birch-bark canoes. The French used them in traversing 
wilds — otherwise inaccessible by reason of floods of water at one season, and ice and snow at 
another — also lakes and morasses which interrupted land journeys, and rapids and cataracts 
that cut off communication by water. This little vessel enabled them to overcome all difficulties. 
Being buoyant, it rode the waves, although heavily freighted, and, of light draft, it permitted the 
traversing of small streams. Its weight was so light that it could be easily carried from one 
stream to another, and around rapids and other obstructions. With this little vessel, the fur 
trade of the northwest was carried on, as well as the interior of a vast continent explored. 
Under the stimtilus of commercial enterprise, the French traders penetrated the recesses ot the 
immense forests whose streams were the home of the beaver, the otter and the mink, and in 
whose depths were found the martin, sable, ermine, and other fur-bearing animals. A vast trade 
in furs sprung up, and was carried on by different agents, under authority of tlie French 
government. 

When the military possession of the northwestern domain passed from the government of 
France to that of Great Britain in 1760, the relationship of the fur trade to the government 
changed. The government of France had controlled the traffic, and made it a means of strength- 
ening its hold upon the country it possessed. The policy of Great Brit.iin was, to charter 
companies, and grant them exclusive privileges. The Hudson bay company had grown rich and 
powerful between 1670 and 1760. Its success had excited the cupidity of capitalists, and rival 
organizations were formed. The business of the company had been done at theirtrading-stations 
— the natives bringing in their furs for exchange and barter. Other companies sent their 
T'oyageurs into every nook and corner to traffic with the trappers, and even to catch the fur-bear- 
ing animals themselves. In the progress of time, private parties engaged in trapping and dealing 
in furs, and, under the competition created, the business became less profitable. In 1815, 
congress passed an act prohibiting foreigners from dealing in furs in the United States, or any 
of its territories. This action was obtained through the influence of John Jacob .\stor. Mr. 
Aster organized the .\merican fur company in 1809, and afterward, in connection with the North- 
west company, bought out the Mackinaw company, and the two were merged in the Southwest 
company. The association was suspended by the war of 1812. The -Vmerican re-entered the 
field in 1816. The fur trade is still an important branch of traffic in the northern part of tlie 
state, and, during eight months of the year, employs a large numl)er of men. 



200 



IirsTOltY OF WISCONSIN. 



Lead axd Zinc. 

In 1824, the lea J ore in the southwestern part of Wisconsin began to attract attention. 
From 1826 to 1830, there was a great rush of miners to this region, somewhat like the Pike's 
Peak excitement at a later date. The lead-producing region of Wisconsin covers an area of 
about 2,200 square miles, and embraces parts of Grant, Iowa and La Fayette counties. Between 
1829 and 1S39, the production of lead increased from 5,000 to 10,000 tons. After the latter 
year it rose rapidly, and attained its maximum in 1845, when it reached nearly 25,000 tons. 
Since that time the iiroduction has decreased, although still carried on to a considerable extent. 

The sulphate and carbonate of zinc abound in great quantities with the lead of southwest 
Wisconsin. Owing to the difficulty of working this class of ores, it was formerly allowed to 
accumulate about the mouths of the mines. \\'ithin a few years past, metallurgic processes 
have been so greatly improved, that the zinc ores have been largely utilized. At La Salle, in the 
state of Illinois, there are three establishments for smelting zinc ores. There is also one at Peru, 
111. To smelt zinc ores economically, they are taken where cheap fuel is available. Hence, the 
location of these works in the vicinity of coal mines. The works mentioned made in 1875, 
from ores mostly taken from Wisconsin, 7,510 tons of zinc. These metals are, therefore, impor- 
tant elements in the commerce of Wisconsin. 



Irox. 

The iron ores of Wisconsin occur in immense beds in several localities, and are destined to 
prove of great value. From their product in 1S63, there were 3,735 tons of pig iron received at 
Milwaukee; in 1865, 4,785 tons; in 1S68, 10,890 tons. Of the latter amount, 4,648 tons were 
from the iron mines at Mayville. There were shipped from Milwaukee, in 186S, 6,361 tons of 
pig iron. There were also received 2,500 tons of ore from the Dodge county ore beds. During 
1S69, the ore beds at Iron Ridge were developed to a considerable extent, and two large blast 
furnaces constructed in Milwaukee, at which place there were 4,695 tons of ore received, and 
2,059 tons were shipped to Chicago and Wyandotte. In 1870, 112,060 tons of iron ore were 
received at Milwaukee, 95,000 tons of which were from Iron Ridge, and 17,060 tons from Esca- 
naba and Marquette, in Michigan. The total product of the mines at Iron Ridge in 187 1 was 
82,284 tons. The Milwaukee iron company received by lake, in the same year, 28,094 tons of 
Marquette iron ore to mix with the former in making railroad iron. In 1872, there were receivea 
from Iron Ridge 85,245 tons of ore, and 5,620 tons of pig iron. Much of the metal made by the 
Wisconsin iron company in 1872 was shipped to .St. Louis, to mix with the iron made from 
Missouri ore. 

The following table shows the production of pig iron in A\'isconsin, for 1872, 1S73 and 1874, 
in tons : 



Furnaces. 

Milwaukee Iron Company, Milwaukee- 
Minerva Furnace Company, Milwaukee 
Wisconsin Iron Company, Iron Ridge. 
Northwestern Iron Company, Mayville 

Appleton Iron Company, Appleton 

Green Hay Iron Company, Green Bay- 
National Iron Company, Depere_ 

Fox River Iron Company, \V. Depere. 
Ironton Furnace, Sauk county 



21,818 

3.350 
5.033 
4,883 
6,910 
3.420 
5,600 
1.7S0 



I 52-797 



1873. 



29,326 
5,822 
4.155 
4.137 
8,044 
6,141 

7.999 
6,832 
1,523 



3.306 
3,000 
6,500 
6,000 
6.500 
7.000 
1,300 



73,980 ' 66,600 



COMMKriCE AXn MAXIFACrrRRS. 201 

The Milwaukee iron company, during the year 1S72, entered into the manufacture of mer- 
chant iron — it having been demonstrated that the raw material could he reduced there clieaper 
than elsewhere. The Minerva furnace company built al.^o during the same year one of the 
most compact and complete iron furnaces to be found any where in the country. During the 
year 1873, the iron, with most other material interests, became seriously prostrated, so that the 
total receipts of ore in Milwaukee in 1S74 amounted to only 31,993 tons, against 69,418 in 1873, 
and 85,245 tons in 1872. There were made in Milwaukee in 1874, 29,680 tons of railroad iron. 
In 1875, 58,868 tons of ore were received at Milwaukee, showing a revival of the trade in an 
increase of 19,786 tons over the previous year. The operation of the works at Bay View having 
suspended, the receipts of ore in 1876, at Milwaukee, were less than during any year since 1869, 
being only 31,119 tons, of which amount only 5,488 tons were from Iron Ridge, and the total 
shipments were only 498 tons. 

Lumber. 

The business of lumbering holds an important rank in the commerce of the state. For 
many years the ceaseless hum of the saw and the stroke of the ax have been heard in all our 
great forests. The northern portion of the state is characterized by evergreen trees, principally 
pine; the southern, by hard-woods. There are exceptional localities, but this is a correct state- 
ment of the general distribution. I think that, geologically speaking, the evergreens belong to 
the primitive and sandstone regions, and the hard wood to the liinestone and clay formations. 
Northern Wisconsin, so called, embraces that portion of the state north of forty-five degrees, 
and possesses nearly all the valuable pine forests. The most thoroughly developed portion of 
this region is that lying along the streams entering into Green bay and Lake Michigan, and border- 
ing on the Wisconsin river and other streams entering into the Mississippi. Most of the pine in 
the immediate vicinity of these streams has been cut off well toward their sources ; still, there 
are vast tracts covered with dense forests, not accessible from streams suitable for log-driving 
purjioses. The building of railroads into these forests will alone give a market value to a large 
portion of the pine timber there growing. It is well, perhaps, that this is so, for at the present 
rate of consumption, but a few years will elapse before these noble forests will be totally destroyed. 
Most of the lumber manufactured on the rivers was formerly taken to a market by being floated 
down the streams in rafts. Now, the railroads are transporting large quantities, taking it directly 
from the mills and unloading it at interior points in Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin, and some of it 
in eastern cities. From five to eight thousand men are employed in the pineries in felling the 
trees, sawing them into logs of suitalile length, and hauling them to the mills and streams during 
every winter in times of fair prices and favorable seasons. The amount of lumber sawed in 
i860, as carefully estimated, was 355.055,155 feet. The amount of shingles made was 2,272,061, 
and no account was made of the immense number of logs floated otit of the state, for manufac- 
ture into lumber elsewhere. The amount of logs cut in the winter of 1S73 and 1874 was 
987,000,000 feet. In 1876 and 1S77 the Black river furnished 188,344,464 feet. The Chippewa, 
90,000,000; the Red Cedar, 57,000,000. There passed through Beef Slough 129,384,000 feet of 
logs. Hon. A. H. Eaton, for fourteen years receiver of the United States land office at Stevens 
Point, estimated the acreage of pine lands in his district at 2,000,000, and, taking his own district 
as the basis, he estimated the whole state at 8,000,000 acres. Reckoning this at 5,000 feet to the 
acre, the aggregate pine timber of the state would be 40,000,000,000 feet. The log product 
annually amounts to an immense sum. In 1876. 1,172,611,823 feet were cut. This is about the 
average annual draft that is made on the pine lands. There seems to be no remedy for the 



202 



HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 



wholesale destruction of our pine forests, except the one alluded to, the difficulty of transporta- 
tion, and this will probably save a portion of them for a long time in the future. At the rate of 
consumption for twenty years past, we can estimate that fifty years would see northern Wiscon- 
sin denuded of its pine forests; but our lumber product has reached its maximum, and will 
probably decrease in the coming years as the distance to be hauled to navigable streams 
increases. In the mean time lumber, shingles and lath will form an important factor in our 
commerce, both state and inter-state, and will contribute millions to the wealth of our citizens. 



(iRAIX. 

Up to 1841, no grain was exported from Wisconsin to be used as food; but, from the time 
of Its first settlement in 1836 to 1840, the supply of bread stuffs from abroad, upon which the 
people depended, was gradually diminished by the substitution of home products. In the winter 
of 1S40 and 1841, E. D. Holton, of Milwaukee, purchased a small cargo of wheat (about 4,000 
bushels), and in the spring of 1841, shipped it to Buffalo. This was the beginning of a traffic 
that has grown to immense proportions, and, since that time, wheat has formed the basis of the 
commerce and prosperity of the state, until the city of Milwaukee has become the greatest 
primary wheat mart of the world. 

The following table gives the exports of flour and grain from Milwaukee for thirty-two years, 
commencing in 1845 : 



1845 
1846 
1847 
1848 
1849 
1850 
1851 
1S52 
1S53 
1S54 
1855 
1S56 
1857 
1858 
1859 
i860 
1861 
1862 
1863. 
1864 
1865. 
1866. 
1867 
186S, 
l86g 
1870, 
1871. 
1872 

1873 
1874 
1875 
1876 



FLOUR, 

bbls. 



WHEAT, 

bus. 



CORN, 

bus. 



7.550 
15.756 
34.840 
92.732 
136.657 
100,017 
51.889 

92.995 
104.055 
145,032 
181,568 

l88,455 
228.442 
29S.668 
282,956 
457.343 1 
674.474 I 
711.405 
603.525 

414.833 I 
567.576 
720.365 
921,663 
.017.598 
220,058 
225,941 
,211,427 
,232,036 
805.200 
217.579 
163.346 
,654,028 



95,510 

213. 44S 

595,411 

602,474 

1,136,023 

297,570 

317.285 

564,404 

956,703 

1,809.452 

2,641,746 

2,761,976 

2,581.311 

3.994.213 

4.732.957 

7.56S.608 

13,300.495 

14,915,680 

12,837,620 

8.992,479 

10,479.777 

11,634,749 

9,598.452 

9,867,029 

14.272,799 

16,127,838 

13.409-467 
11.570.565 
24.994,266 
22,255,380 
22.6S1.020 
16,804.394 



2,500 

5,000 

13,828 

2,220 

270 

164,908 

112,132 

218 

472 

43.95S 

41.364 

37.204 

1.4S5 

9.489 

88,989 

140,786 

71.203 

480,408 

266,249 

342.717 
93. S06 

103.173 
419.133 
-557.953 
197.920 
556.563 
226.895 
96,908 



OATS, 

bus. 



4,000 
2,100 

7,892 

363.841 

131,716 

404,999 

I3.S33 

5.433 

2.775 

562,067 

299, 002 

64,682 

1,200 

79.094 

831,600 

811,634 

326.472 

1,636. 595 

622,469 

536.539 
351.768 
210,187 

772.929 
1,323,234 

990. 525 

726.035 

1,160,450 

1.377.560 



BARLEY, 

bus. 



15,000 

15,270 

103,840 
322,261 
291,890 

339.338 
63.379 
10,398 
800 
63.178 
53.216 
28,056 
5,220 
44,800 

133.449 
23.479 
29.597 
18,988 
30,822 
95,036 

120,662 

469.325 
576,453 
931.725 

688. 455 

464.837 

867,970 

1.235.481 



RYE, 

bus. 



54,692 
80,365 

113.443 
20,030 



5.37S 

11.577 

9.735 

29,810 

126,301 

84,047 

lS,2IO 

51.444 

255.329 

106,795 

91.443 
7S.O35 

62,494 
208,896 
209,751 
255.928 

79.879 

9S.923 

220,964 



COMMEKCE AXD M.VNrFACTURES. 



20S 



Up to 1856, the shipments were ahnost wiiolly of Wisconsin products ; but with the comple- 
tion of lines of railroad from Milwaukee to the Mississippi river, the commerce of Wisconsin 
became so interwoven with that of- Iowa and Minnesota, that the data furnished by the transpor- 
tation companies, give us no definite figures relating to the products of our own state. 

Dairy Products. 

Wisconsin is becoming largely interested in the dairy business. Its numerous springs, 
streams, and natural adaptai)ility to grass, make it a fine grazing country, and stock thrives 
remarkably well. Within a few years, cheese-factories have become numerous, and their owners 
are meeting with excellent success. Wisconsin cheese is bringing the highest price in the markets, 
and much of it is shipped to England. Butter is also made of a superior quality, and is exten- 
sively exported. At the rate of progress made during the last few years, Wisconsin will soon 
take rank with the leading cheese and butter producing states. The counties most largely inter- 
ested in dairying, are Kenosha, Walworth, Racine, Rock, Green, Waukesha, Winnebago, Sheboy- 
gan, Jefferson and Dodge. According to estimates by experienced dairymen, the manufacture 
of butter was 22,473,000 pounds in 1870; 50,130,000 in 1876; of cheese, 1,591,000 pounds in 
1870, as against 17,000,000 in 1S76, which will convey a fair idea of the increase of dairy produc- 
tion. The receipts of cheese in Chicago during 1S76, were 23,780,000 pounds, against 12,000,000 
in 1875 ; and the receipts of butter were 35,384,184, against 30,248,247 pounds in 1875. It is esti- 
mated that fully one-half of these receipts were from Wisconsin. The receipts of butter in 
Milwaukee were, in 1S70, 3,779,1 14 pounds ; in 1875, 6,625,863; in 1876,8,938,137 pounds ; ot 
cheese, 5,721,279 pounds in 1875, and 7,055,573 in 1S76. Cheese is not mentioned in the trade 
and commerce reports of Milwaukee until 1873, when it is spoken of as a new and rapidly 
increasing commodity in the productions of the state. 

Pork and Beef. 

Improved breeds, both of swine and cattle, have been introduced into the state during a 
few years past. The grade of stock has been rapidly bettered, and stock raisers generally are 
striving with commendable zeal to aval each other in raising the finest of animals for use and 
the market. 



The following table shows the receipts of live hogs and beef cattle at Milwaukee for thir- 
teen years : 



YEARS. 


LIVE HOGS. 


BEEK CATTLE. 

36,802 

46.717 
22,748 
17,262 
14,172 
9,220 
12,972 


YEARS. 


LIVE HOCS. 


BEEF CATTLE. 


1876 

1875 

1874 

1873 

1872. 

1871 

1S70 


254.317 
144,961 
242,326 
241,099 
138.106 
126,164 
66,138 


1869 

1868 

1867 

l866 

1865 

1864 

1863 


52,296 
4S.7I7 
76,75s 
31,881 
7.546 
42,250 
56,826 


12,521 
13,200 
15.527 
12.955 
14,230 

18.345 
14.655 



204 JTISTORY OF "WISCOXSIX. 

The following talilo shows the movement of hog products and l>eef from Milwaukee since 
1862 ■ 



Shipments by Rail 


rORK, HAMS, MIDDLES AND SHOULDERS. 


LARD. 


BEEF. 


and Lake. 


Barrels. 


Tierces. 


Boxes. 


Bulk, lbs. 


Barrels. 


Tierces. 


Barrels. 


Tierces. 


Totals 1S76 


62,461 
56,778 
53.702 
80,010 
90,038 
88,940 

77.655 
69,805 
73,526 
SS,3S8 
74.726 
34.013 
67.933 
90.3S7 
56,432 


15.439 
15.292 
17,124 

24.954 

20,115 

20,192 

15,819 

9.546 

13,146 

11,614 

7.S05 

2,713 

5.927 

15,811 

12,685 


42,678 
28,374 
39.572 
62,211 
39,209 
14.938 
5.S75 
5,29s 

3.239 
4.522 

34.164 
5,000 

11,634 


5,123,818 
2,736,778 
1,494,112 
1,915,610 
4.557.950 
5,161,941 
4,717,630 
2,325.150 
1,768,190 
454.786 
863,746 


3,301 
601 
9,110 
4,065 
6,276 
3.932 
2.535 
1,180 
3.637 
2.523 
3.287 
1,929 

5.677 
10,987 

13.533 


21,356 
18,950 
18,509 
24.399 
27.765 
19.746 
10,950 
8,568 

5.055 
8,820 
6,292 
2,487 
7,207 
10,546 
6,761 


7,333 

4.734 

5.015 

5.365 

4.757 

3,392 

4.427 

7.538 

10,150 

18,984 

11,852 

10,427 

36 866 

42.987 

33.174 


3.439 


■• 1875 

" 1S74 


421 
707 


" 1873 -.-- 

" 1072 


462 
1,500 


1871 


1,606 


" 1S70 _ 

iS6q 


925 
2,185 


■' 186S 


2,221 


" 1867 ..._ 

" 1866 

1S65. 


6,804 
4.584 

5.528 


•' 1S64,.- 


5.871 


*' 1S63 


6.377 


" 1862 


3.217 



Hops. 

The culture of hops, as an article af commerce, received but little attention prior to i860. 
In 1865, 2,864 bales only were shipped from Milwaukee. In addition, a large amount was used 
by the brewers througnout the state. In 1866, the amount exported was increased, and 5,774 
bales were shipped to eastern markets. The price, from forty-five to fifty-live cents per pound, 
stimulated production, and the article became one of the staple products of the counties of Sauk, 
Columbia, Adams and Juneau, besides being largely cultivated in parts of some other counties. 
In 1867, 26,562 bales were received at Milwaukee, and the prices ranged from fifty to seventy cents 
per pound. The estimated crop of the state for 1867 was 35,000 bales, and brought over 
$4,200,000. In 1868, not less than 60,000 bales were grown in the state. The crop everywhere 
was a large one, and in Wisconsin so very large that an over-supply was anticipated. But few, 
however, were prepared for the decline in prices, that far exceeded the worst apprehensions of 
those interested. The first sales were made at twenty-five to thirty-five cents per pound, and the 
prices were reluctantly accepted by the growers. The price continued to decline until the article 
was unsalable and unavailable in the market. Probably the average price did not exceed ten 
cents per pound. Notwithstanding the severe check which hop-growing received in 1868, by the 
unprofitable result, growers were not discouraged, and the crop of 1869 was a large one. So 
much of the crop of 1868 remained in the hands of the growers, that it is impossible to estimate 
that of 1869. The new crop sold for from ten to fifteen cents, and the old for from three to five cents 
per pound. Hop-cultivation received a check from over-production in 1868, from which it did not 
soon recover. A large proportion of the yards were plowed under in 1870. The crop of 1869 
was much of it marketed during 1870, at a price of about two and one-half to three and one- 
half cents per pound, while that of 1870 brought ten to twelve and a half cents. During 
the year 187 1, a great advance in the price, caused by the partial failure of the crop 
in some of the eastern states, and the decrease in price causing a decrease in production, 
what was left over of the crop of 1870 more than doubled in value before the new reached the 
market. The latter opened at thirty cents, and steadily rose to fifty and fifty-five for prime 



COMMEHCK AM) M AXlFACllilKS. 



205 



qualities. The crop of 1S72 was of good (lunlity, and the market opened at forty to fifty-five 
cents as the selling price, and fell fifteen to twenty cents l)efore the close of the year. A much 
larger 'quantity was raised than the year previous. In 1873 and 1874, the crop was fair and 
prices ruled from thirty-three to forty-five cents, with increased production. About 18,000 bales 
were reported as being shipped from the different railway stations of the state. Prices were 
extremely irregular during 1875, and, after the new crop reached market, fell to a point that 
would not pay the cost of production. In 1876, prices ruled low at the opening of the year, and 
advanced from five to ten cents in January to twenty-eight to thirty in November. Over 17,000 
bales were received at Milwaukee, over 10,000 bales being of the crop of the previous year. 
Over 13,000 bales were shipi)ed out of the state. 

Tobacco. 
Tobacco raising is comparatively a new industry in Wisconsin, but is rapidly growing in 
importance and magnitude. It sells readily for from four to ten cents per pound, and the plant 
is easily raised. It is not regarded as of superior quality. It first appears as a commodity of 
transportation in the railway reports for the year iS7i,when the Prairie du Chien division 
of the St. Paul road moved eastward 1,373,650 pounds. During the four years ending with 
1S76, there were shipped from Milwaukee an average of 5,118,530 pounds annually, the ; axi- 
mum being in 1874,6,982,175 pounds; the minimum in 1875,2,743,854 pounds. The crop of 
7876 escaped the early frosts, and netted the producer from five to seven cents per pound. The 
greataj- part of it was shipped to Baltimore and Philadelphia. Comparatively little of the leaf 
raised in the state is used here or by western manufacturers. The crop of the present year, 
1877, is a large one, and has been secured in good order. Itis being contracted for at from four to 
six cents per pound. 

Cr.vnberries. 

The cranberry trade is yet in its infancy. But little, comparatively, has been done in devel- 
oping the capabilities of the extensive bodies of marsh and swamp lands interspersed throughout 
the northern part of the state. Increased attention is being paid to the culture of the fruit; yet, 
the demand will probably keep ahead of the sup[)ly for many years to come. In 1851, less than 
1,500 barrels were sent out of the state. In 1872, the year of greatest production, over 37,000 
barrels were exported, and, in 1876, about 17,000 barrels. The price has varied in different 
years, and taken a range from eight to fifteen dollars a barrel. 

Spirituous and Malt Liquors. 

The production of liquors, both siiirituous and malt, has kept pace with the growth of 
population and with the other industries of the state. There were in Wisconsin, in 1872, two 
hundred and ninety-two breweries and ten distilleries. In 1876, there were two hundred and 
ninety-three of the former and ten of the latter, and most of them were kept running to their 
full capacity. Milwaukee alone produced, in 1876, 321,611 barrels of lager beer and 43,175 
barrels of high wines. In 1865, it furnished 65,666 barrels of beer, and in 1S70, 108,845 barrels. 
In 1865, it furnished 3,046 barrels of high wines; in 1870, 22,867 barrels; and in 1S75, 39,005. 
A large quantity of the beer made was shipped to eastern and southern cities. The beer made 
in 1876 sold at the rate of ten dollars per barrel, the wholesale price of the brewers bringing the 
sum of $3,216,110. The farne of Milwaukee lager beer is widely extended. This city has 
furnished since 1870, 1,520,308 barrels which, at the wholesale jjrice, brought $15,203,170. The 
total production of beer by all the two hundred and ninety-three breweries of the state for 1876, 
was 450,508 barrels. 



206 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

In 1876, Milwaukee produced 43,175 barrels of high wines, or distilled spirits, and the 
state of Wisconsin 51,959 barrels. In 1870, the former produced 108,845 barrels of beer and 
22,867 barrels of distilled spirits, and in the same year the state of Wisconsin produced 189,664 
barrels of beer and 36,145 barrels of distilled spirits. 

Miscellaneous. 

Porcelain clay, or kaolin, is found in numerous places in Wood and Marathon counties. The 
mineral is found in but few places in the United States in quantities sufficient to justify the 
investment of capital necessary to manufacture it. In the counties mentioned, the deposits are 
found in extensive beds, and only capital and enterprise are needed to make their development 
profitable. Clay of superior quality for making brick and of fair quality for pottery, is 
found in numerous localities. The famous " Milwaukee brick," remarkable for their beautiful 
cream color, is made from a fine clay which is abundant near Milwaukee, and is found in exten- 
sive beds at Watertown, Whitewater, Edgerton, Stoughton, and several places on the lake shore 
north of Milwaukee. At Whitewater and some other places the clay is used with success for the 
making of pottery ware. Water-lime, or hydraulic cement, occurs in numerous places throughout 
the state. An extensive bed covering between one and two hundred acres, and of an indefinite 
depth, exists on the banks of the Milwaukee river, and not over one and a half miles from the city 
limits of Milwaukee. The cement made from the rock of this deposit is first-class in quality, and 
between twenty and thirty thousand barrels were made and sold last year. The capacity of the 
works for reducing the rock to cement has been increased to 500 barrels per day. Stones suita- 
ble for building purposes are widely distributed throughout the state, and nearly every town lias 
its available quarry. Many of these ijuarries furnish stone of fine quality for substantial and 
permanent edifices. The quarry at Prairie du Chien furnished the stone for the capital building 
at !\Iadison, which equals in beauty that of any state in the Union. At Milwaukee, Waukesha, 
Madison, La Crosse, and many other places are found quarries of superior building stone. 
Granite is found in extensive beds in Marathon and Wood counties, and dressed specimens 
exhibited at the " Centennial " last year, attracted attention for their fine polish. Marbles of 
various kinds are likewise found in the state. Some of them are beginning to attract attention 
and are likely to prove valuable. The report of Messrs. Foster & Whitney, United States geol- 
ogists, speaks of quarries on the Menomonee and Michigamig rivers as affording beautiful varie- 
ties and susceptible of a high polish. Richland county contains marble, but its quality is gen- 
erally considered inferior. 

Wafer Powers. 

Wisconsin is fast becoming a manufacturing state. Its forests of pine, oak, walnut, maple, 
ash, and other valuable woods used for lumber, are well-nigh inexhaustible. Its water-power for 
driving the wheels of machinery is not equaled by that of any state in the northwest. The Lower 
Fox river between Lake Winnebago and Green Bay, a distance of thirty-five miles, furnishes 
some of the best facilities for manufacturing enterprise in the whole country. Lake Winnebago 
as a reservoir gives it a great and special advantage, in freedom from liability to freshets and 
droughts. The stream never varies but a few feet from its highest to its lowest stage, yet gives 
a steady flow. The Green Bay and Mississippi canal company has, during the last twenty-five 
years, constructed numerous dams, canals and locks, constituting very valuable improvements. 
.\11 the property of that company has been transferred to the United States government, which 
has entered upon a system to render the Fox and Wisconsin rivers navigable to the Mississippi. 
The fall between the lake and Depere is one hundred and fifty feet, and the water can be utilized 



COMMEKCK AM) MAXl'F.VrTT'KKS;. 207 

in propelling machinery at Neenah, Menasha, Appleton, Cedar, Little Chute, Kaukauna, Rapid 
Crqche, Little Kaukauna and Depere. The water-power at Appleton in its natural advantages 
is pronounced by Hon. Hiram Barney, of New York, superior to those at Lowell, Paterson 
and Rochester, combined. The water-power of the Fox has been improved to a considerable 
extent, but its full capacity has hardly been touched. Attention has been drawn to it, how- 
ever, and no doubt is entertained that in a few years the hum of machinery to be propelled 
by it, will be heard the entire length of the thirty-five miles. The facilities presented by its 
nearness to timber, iron, and a rich and productive agricultural region, give it an advantage over 
any of the eastern manufacturing points. 

The Wisconsin river rises in the extreme northern part of the state, and has its source in a 
great number of small lakes. The upper portion abounds in valuable water privileges, only a 
few of which are improved. There are a large number of saw-mills running upon the power of 
this river. Other machinery, to a limited extent, is in operation. 

The " Big Bull " falls, at Wausau, are improved, and a power of twenty-two feet fall is obtained. 
At iJttle Bull falls, below Wausau, there is a fall of eighteen feet, partially improved. There are 
many other water-powers in Marathon county, some of which are used in propelling flouring- 
mills and saw-mills. At Grand Rapids, there is a descent of thirty feet to the mile, and the 
water can be used many times. Each time, 5,000 horse-power is obtained. At Kilbourn City 
a large amount of power can be obtained for manufacturing purposes. 

Chippewa river has its origin in small streams in the north part of the state. Explorers 
tell us that there are a large number of water powers on all the upper branches, but as the 
country is yet unsettled, none of them have been improved, and very few even located on our maps. 
Brunette falls and Ameger falls, above Chippewa Falls city, must furnish considerable water- 
power, but its extent i? not known At Chippewa Falls is an excellent water-power, only partially 
improved. The river descends twenty-six feet in three-fourths of a mile. At Duncan creek at the 
same place, there is a good fall, improved to run a large flouring mill. At Eagle Rapids, five 
miles above Chippewa Falls, $120,000 has been expended in improving the .fall of the Chippewa 
river. The city of Eau Claire is situated at the confluence of the Chippewa and Eau Claire 
rivers, and possesses in its immediate vicinity water-powers almost unrivaled. Some of them 
are improved. The citizens of Eau Claire have, for several years, striven to obtain legislative 
■authority to dam the Chippewa river, so as to improve the water-power of the Dells, and a lively 
contest, known as the " Dells fight," has beer- carried on with the capitalists along the river above 
that town. There are immense water-jiowers in Dunn county, on the Red Cedar, Chippewa 
and Eau Galle rivers, on which there are many lumbering establishments. Li Pepin county also 
there are good powers. The Black river and its branches, the La Crosse, Buffalo, Trempealeau, 
Beaver, and Tamaso, furnish many valuable powers. The St. Croix river is not excelled in the value 
of its water privileges by any stream in the state, except the Lower Fox river. At St. Croix Falls, 
the water of the river makes a descent of eighty-five feet in a distance of five miles, and the vol- 
ume of water is sufficient to move the machinery for an immense manufacturing business, and the 
hanks present good facilities fur building dams, and the river is not subject to freshets. The 
Kinnekinnick has a large number of falls, someof them pardally improved. Within twenty-five 
miles of its entrance into Lake St. Croix, it has a fall of two hundred feet, and the volume of 
water averages about three thousand cubic feet per minute. Rock river affords valuable water- 
privileges at Watertown (with twenty-four feet fall), and largely improved; at Jefferson, Indian 
Ford and Janesville, all of which are improved. Beloit also has an excellent water-power, and 
it is largely improved. Scattered throughout the state are many other water-powers, not alluded 



208 HISTORY OV AVISCONSIN'. 

to in the foregoing. There are several in Manitowoc county ; in Marquette county, also. In 
Washington county, at AVest Bend, Berlin, and Cedar Creek, there are good water-powers, partly 
utilized. At Whitewater, in Walworth county, is a good power. In Dane county, there is a 
water-power at Madison, at the outlet of Lake Mendota ; also, a good one at Stoughton, below 
the first, or Lake Kegonsa ; also at Paoli, Bellvllle, Albany and Brodhead, on the Sugar river. 
In Grant county there are not less than twenty good powers, most of them well-developed. In 
Racine county, three powers of fine capacity at Waterford, Rochester and Burlington, all of 
which are improved. The Oconto, Peshtigo and Menomonee rivers furnish a large number of 
splendid water- powers of large capacity. The Upper Wolf river has scores of water-powers on 
its main stream and numerous branches ; but most of the country is still a wilderness, though 
containing resources which, when developed, will make it rich and prosperous. There are 
numerous other streams of less consequence than those named, but of great importance to the 
localities they severally drain, that have had their jiowers improved, and their waterfalls are 
singing the songs of commerce. On the rivers emptying into Lake Superior, there are numerous 
and valuable water-powers. The Montreal river falls one thousand feet in a distance of thirty 

miles. 

Manufactures. 

The mechanical and manufacturing industries of Wisconsin demonstrate that the people do 
not rely wholly upon agricultural pursuits, or lumbering, for subsistence, but aim to diversify 
their labors as much as possible, and to give encouragement to the skill and ingenuity of their 
mechanics and artisans. All our cities, and most of our villages, supix)rt establishments that 
furnish wares and implements in common use among the people. We gather from the census 
report for 1870 a few facts that will give us an adequate idea of what was done in a single year, 
remembering that the data furnished is six years old, and that great advancement has been made 
since the statistics were gathered. In 1870, there were eighty-two establishments engaged in 
making agricultural implements, employing 1,387 hands, and turning out products valued at 
$2,393,400. There \vere one hundred and eighty-eight furniture establishments, employing 1,844 
men, and making $1,542,300 worth of goods. For making carriages and wagons there were four 
hundred and eighty-five establishments, employing 2,184 men, and their product was valued at 
$2,596,534; for clothing, two hundred and sixty-three establishments, and value of product 
S2>340.40o ; sash, doors and blinds, eighty-one shops, and value of product $1,852,370; leather, 
eighty-five tanneries, employing 577 men, and value of products $2,013,000; malt liquors, one 
hundred and seventy-six breweries, S35 men, and their products valued at $1,790,273. 

At many points the business of manufacturing is carried on more or less extensively; 
indeed, there is hardly a village in the state where capital is not invested in some kind 
of mechanical industry or manufacturing enterprise, and making satisfactory returns; but for 
details in this respect, the reader is referred to the department of local history. 

The principal commodities only, which Wisconsin contributes to trade and commerce, have 
been considered. There remains quite a number of minor articles from which the citizens of the 
state derive some revenue, such as flax and maple sugar, which can not be separately considered 
in this paper. 

CoNCLuiiiNG Remarks. 

Statistics arc usually dry reading, but, to one desiring to change his location and seeking 
information regarding a new country and its capabilities, they become intensely interesting and 
of great value. The farmer wishes to know about the lands, their value and the productiveness 
of the soil ; the mechanic about the workshops, the price of labor, and the demand for such wares 



COMMKHCi: AMI M ANTFACTURES. 209 

as he is accustomed to make ; the capitalist, concerning all matters that pertain to resources, 
advantages, and the opportunities for investing his money. Our own people want all the infor- 
mation that can l)e gained by the collection of all obtainable facts. The sources of such infor- 
mation are now various, and the knowledge they impart fragmentary in its character. 

I'rovision should be made by law, for the collection and publication of reliable statistics 
relating to our farming, manufacturing, mining, lumbering, commercial and educational interests. 
Several of the states of the Union have established a " Bureau of Statistics," and no more valua- 
ble reports emanate from any of their state departments than those that exhibit a condensed 
view of the material results accomplished each year. Most of the European states foster these 
agencies with as much solicitude as any department of their government. Indeed, they have 
become a social as well as a material necessity, for social science e.xtends its inquiries to the 
physical laws of man as a social being; to the resources of the country; its [irodiictions ; the 
growth of society, and to <?// those facts or conditions which may increase or diminish the strength. 
growth or happiness of a i)eople. Statistics are the foundation and corner-stone of social science, 
which is the highest and noblest of all the sciences. 

A writer has said that, "' If ("lod had designed Wisconsin to be chiefly a manufacturing state, 
instead of agricultural, which she claims to be, and is, it is difficult to see more than one partic- 
ular in which He could have endowed her more richly for that purpose." She has all the mate- 
rial for the construction of articles of use and luxury, the means of motive [wwer to propel the 
machinery-, to turn and fashion, weave, forge, and grind the natural elements that abound in such 
rich profusion. She has also the men whose enterprise and skill have accomplished most sur- 
prising results, in not only building up a name for themselves, but in placing the stale in a proud 
position of independence. 

It is impossible to jiredict what will be the future growth and development of Wisconsin. 
From its commercial and manufacturing advantages, we may reasonably anticiiiate that she will 
in a few years lead in the front rank of the states of tlie Union in all that constitutes real great- 
ness. Her educational system is one of the best. With her richly endowed State University, her 
colleges and high schools, and the people's colleges, the common schools, she has laid a broad 
and deep foundation for a great and noble commonwealth. It was early seen what were the 
capabilities of this their newly explored domain. The northwestern explorer, Jonathan Carver. 
in 1766, one hundred and thirteen years ago, after traversing Wisconsin and viewing its lakes of 
crystal purity, its rivers of matchless utility, its forests of exhaustless wealth, its prairies of won- 
derful fertility, its mines of buried treas\ire, recorded this remarkable prediction of svhicli we see 
the fulfillment: "To what power or authority this new world will become dei)endentaftcr it has 
arisen from its present uncultivated state, time alone can discover. But as the seat of enijjire from 
time immemorial has been gradually progressive toward the west, there is no douljt but that at 
some future period mighty kingdoms will emerge from these wildernesses, and stately [lalaces 
and solemn temples with gilded spires reaching to the skies supplant the Indian huts, whose 
only decorations are the barbarous trophies of their vanquished enemies." 

" Westward the course of empire takes its way ; 

The four first acts alrejitly passed, 
A fifth shall close the dr.ima with the day ; 

Time's noblest offspring is the last." 



THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. 

By D. S. DURRIE. 

In the early part of the seventeenth century, all the *erritory north of the Ohio river, 
including the present state of Wisconsin, was an undiscovered region. As far as now known, it 
was never visited by white men until the year 1634, when Jean Nicolet came to the Green bay 
country as an ambassador from the French to the Wlnnebagoes. The Jesuit fathers in 1660 
visited' the south shore of Lake Superior; and, soon after, missions were established at various 
points in the northwest. 

The French government appreciating the imjjortance of possessing dominion over this sec- 
tion, M. Talon, intendant of Canada, took steps to carry out this purpose, and availed himself 
of the t'ood feelings entertained toward the French by a number of the Indian tribes, to establish 
the authority of the French crown over this remote quarter. A small party of men led by 
Daumont de St. Lusson, with Nicolas Perrot as interpreter, set out from Quebec on this mission, 
in 1670, and St. Lusson sent to the tribes occupying a circuit of a hundred leagues, inviting the 
nations, among them the Wisconsin tribes inhabiting the Green bay country, by their chiefs and 
ambassadors, to meet him at the Sault Sainte ALarie the following spring. 

In the month of May, 167 i, fourteen tribes, by their representatives, including the Miamis, 
Sacs, Winnebagoes, Menomonees, and Pottawattamies, arrived at the place designated. On the 
mornin? of the fourteenth of June, " St. Lusson led his followers to the top of the hill, all fully 
equipped and under arms. Here, too, in the vestments of their priestly office were four Jesuits : 
Claude Dablon, superior of the mission on the lakes, Gabriel Druillettes, Claude AUouez, and 
Andr6. All around, the great throng of Indians stood, or crouched, or reclined at length with 
eves and ears intent. A large cross of wood had been made ready. Dablon, in solemn form, 
pronounced his blessing on it ; and then it was reared and planted in the ground, while the 
Frenchmen, uncovered, sang the Vtixilla Jiegi's. Then a post of cedar was planted beside it, 
with a metal plate attached, engraven with the royal arms ; while St. Lusson's followers sang the 
exaudiaty and one of the priests uttered a prayer for the king. St. Lusson now advanced, and, 
holding his sword in one hand, and raising with the other a sod of earth, proclaimed in a loud 
voice " that he took possession of all the country occupied by the tribes, and placed them under 
the king's protection. 

This act, however, was not regarded as sufficiently definite, and on the eighth of May, 1689, 
Perrot, who was then commanding for the king at the post of Xadouesioux, near Lake Pepin on 
the west side of the Mississippi, commissioned by the Marquis de Denonville to manage the 
interests of commerce west of Green bay took possession, in the name of the king, with 
appropriate ceremonies, of the countries west of Lake Michigan as far as the river St. Peter. 
The papers were signed by Perrot and others. 

By these solemn acts, the present limits of Wisconsin with much contiguous territory, came 
under the dominion of the French government, the possession of which continued until October, 
1761 — a period of ninety years from the gathering of the chiefs at the Sault Ste. Marie in 1671. 

From the commencement of French occupancy up to the time when the British took posses- 
sion, the district of country embraced within the present limits of this state had but few white 
inhabitants besides the roaming Indian traders; and of these few, the locations were separated by 
a distance of more than two hundred miles in a direct line, and nearly double that distance by 



THE PrBLIC KOMAIX. 211 

the usual water courses. There was no settlement of agriculturists; there were no missionary 
establishments; no fortified posts at other points, except at Depere and Green bay on Fox -iver, 
aiid perhaps at Prairie du Chien, near the junction of the Wisconsin and the Mississippi. 

The French government made no grant of lands; gave no attention to settlers or agrica.- 
turists, and the occupation of the country was strictly military. There were, indeed, a few grants 
of lands made by the French governors and commanders, previous to 1750, to favored indi- 
viduals, six of which were afterward confirmed by the king of France. There were also others 
which did not require confirmation, being made by Cardillac, commanding at Detroit, under 
special authority of the king; of this latter kind, one for a small piece of thirty acres bears with 
it, says a writer, " so many conditions, reservations, prohibitions of sale, and a whole cavalcade 
of feudal duties to be performed by the grantee, that in itself, it would be a host in opposition to 
the agricultural settlement of any country." 

The grants just referred to, relate to that part of the French possessions outside the limits 
of the present state of Wisconsin. '\\'ithin its limits there was a grant of an extensive territory 
including the fort at the head of Green bay, with the exclusive right to trade, and other valuable 
privileges, from the Marquis de Vaudreuil, in October, 1759, to M. Rigaud. It was sold by the 
latter to William Gould and Madame Vaudreuil, to whom it was confirmed by the king of 
France in January, 1760, at a very critical period, when Quebec had been taken by the British, 
and Montreal was only wanting to complete the conquest of Canada. This grant was evidently 
intended as a perquisite to entrap some unwary persons to give a valuable consideration for it, 
as it would be highly impolitic for the government to make such a grant, if they continued mas- 
ters of the country, since it would surely alienate the affections of the Indians. The whole 
country had already been virtually conquered by Great Britain, and the grant of course was not 
confirmed by the English government. 

Of the war between the French and English governments in America, known as the French 
and Indian war, it is not necessary to speak, except in general terms. The P2nglish made a 
determined effort to obtain the possessions claimed by the French. The capture of Queliec in 
1759, and the subsequent capitulation of Montreal in 1760, extinguished the domi.ation of 
France in the basin of the St. Lawrence ; and by the terms of the treaty of Paris, concluded 
February- 10, 1763, all the possessions in, and all the claims of the French nation to, the vast 
country watered by the Ohio and the Mississippi were ceded to Great Britain. 

Among the first acts of the new masters of the country was the protection of the eminent 
domain of the government, and the restriction of all attempts on the part of individuals to acquire 
Indian titles to lands. By the King of England's proclamation of 1763, no more grants of land 
within certain prescribed limits could be issued, and all private persons were interdicted the 
liberty of purchasing lands from the Indians, or of making settlements within those prescribed 
limits. The indulgence of such a privilege as that of making private purchases of the natives, 
conduced to the most serious difficulties, and made way for the practice of the most reprehensible 
frauds. The policy pursued by the English government has been adopted and acted upon by the 
government of the United States in the extinguishment of the Indian title to lands in every part 
of the country. 

In face of the proclamation of 1763, and within three years after its promulgation, under 
a pretended purchase from, or voluntary grant of the natives, a tract of country nearly one hundred 
miles square, including large portions of what is now northern Wisconsin and Minnesota, was 
claimed by Jonathan Carver, and a ratification of his title solicited from the king and council. 
This was not conceded; and the representatives of Carver, after the change of government had 



212 HISTOTfV OF 'WlSCOXSIN". 

brought the lands under the jurisdiction of the United States, for a series of years presented the 
same claims before congress, and asked for their confirmation. Such a demand under all the 
circumstances, could not justify an expectation of success; and, of course, has often been refused. 
But notwithstanding the abundant means which the public have had of informing themselves of 
the true nature and condition of Carver's claim, bargains and sales of portions of this tract have 
been made among visionary speculators for more than half a century past. It is now only a 
short period since the maps of the United States ceased to be defaced by a delineation of 
the "Carver Gr.mt." 

The mere transfer of the dominion over the country from the French to the English govern- 
ment, and the consequent occupation of the English posts by the new masters, did not in any 
great degree affect the social condition of the inhabitants. By the terms of capitulation, the 
French subjects were permitted to remain in the country, in the full enjoyment of their civil and 
religious privileges. 

The English, however, did not hold peaceable possession of the tprritory acq..ired. The war 
inaugurated by Pontiac and his Indian allies on the military posts occupied by the English soon 
followed, and in the month of May, 1763, nine posts were captured with much loss of life. In 
the spring of 1764, twenty-two tribes who were more or less identified in the outbreak, concluded 
a treaty of peace with General Bradstreet at Niagara. 

The expedition of Colonel George Rogers Clark to the Illinois country, and the conquest 
of the British posts in 1778 and 1779, had the effect to open the way for the emigration of the 
Anglo-American population to the Mississippi valley, and at tiie close of the revolutionary 
war, Great Britain renounced all claim to the whole territory lying east of the Mississippi river. 
The dominion of the English in the Illinois and Wabash countries, ceased with the loss of the 
military posts which commanded the Northwestern territory of the United States. As a result of 
the enterprise and success of Clark, Virginia obtained possession of the Illinois country ; his 
expedition having been undertaken and carried forward under the auspices of that state. 

Several of the eastern states under their colonial charters, laid claim to portions of the land 
comprised in the territory northwest of the Ohio river. The claim of Massachusetts was derived 
from a grant from King James of November 3, 1620 ; and included from lat. 42° 2' to about lat. 
450, extending to the south sea; Connecticut claimed from lat. 4i<^ north to 420 2'. The claims of 
Virginia were from grants from King James, bearing date, respectively, April 10, 1606, May 23, 
1609, and March 12, 1611, and an additional claim for the territory conquered by Clark in the 
Illinois country ; but they extended no farther north than the southern end of Lake Michigan. 

It is a popular impression that the territory of the present state of Wisconsin was compre- 
hended in the lands northwest of the river Ohio, over which Virginia exercised jurisdiction, and, 
consequently, was included in her deed of cession of lands to the United States. This opinion so 
generally entertained by writers on American history, is a statement which does not appear to 
have any solid foundation in fact. Virginia never made any conquests or settlements in Wiscon- 
sin, and at no time prior to the proffer of her claims to the general government had she ever 
exercised jurisdiction over it. In fact, there were no settlements in Wisconsin except at Green 
Bay and Prairie du Chien before that time, and these were made by French settlers who were in 
no wise interfered with while the revolution continued. In Illinois it was otherwise; and the 
possession of its territory by Virginia was an undisputed fact. During the revolution the title of 
the sovereignty in Wisconsin was actually in Great Britain, and so remained until the definite 
treaty of peace in 1783; at which date England yielding her right constructively to the United 
States, retaining possession, however, until 1796; at which time the western posts were transferred 
to the United States. 



THK ITHI.K' DOMAIN'. 213 

All the claiming states finally ceded their interests to the general government, giving the 
latter a perfect title, subject only to the rights of tlie Indians. The deed of cession from Virginia 
was dated March i, 17S4. The other states ceded their claims, some liefore this date, others 
subsequent thereto. 

Virginia made a number of stipulations in her deed of cession; among others, that the 
French and Canadian inhabitants and the neighboring villages who had professed themselves 
citizens of Virginia, should have their possessions and title confirmed to them, and be protected in 
the enjoyment of their rights and liberties; that 150,000 acres of land near the rapids of the Ohio, 
should be reserved for that portion of her state troops which had reduced the country; and about 
3,500,000 acres between the rivers Scioto and Little Miami be reserved for bounties to her troops 
on the continental establishment. 

In consequence of certain objectionable stipulations made by Virginia as to the division of 
the territory into states, the deed of cession was referred back to that state with a recommenda- 
tion from congress that these stipulations should be altered. On the 30th of December, 1788, 
Virginia assented to the wish of congress, and formally ratified and confirmed the fifth article of 
compact which related to that subject, and tacitly gave her consent to the whole ordinance of 1787. 
The provisions of this ordinance have since been applied to all the territories of the United 
States lying north of the 36'^ 40'. .\fter the ado]>tion of the constitution of the United States the 
the new congress, among its earliest acts, passed one, recognizing the binding force of the ordi- 
nance of 1787. 

Of this ordinance it has been said : " It was based on the principles of civil liberty, maintained 
in the magna charta of England, re-enacted in tlie bill of rights, and incorporated in our differ- 
ent state constitutions. It was the fundamental law of the constitution, so to speak, of the great 
northwest, upon which were based, and witli which harmonized all our territorial enactments, as 
well as our subsequent state legislation, and, moreover, it is to that wise, statesman-like document 
that we are indebted for much of our prosperity and greatness." 

After the close of the revolutionary war, enterprising individuals traversed the whole country 
which had been ceded to the government, and companies were formed to explore and settle the 
fertile and beautiful lands beyond the Ohio; but the determination of the British cabinet not to 
evacuate the western posts, was well known, and had its effect on the people who were disposed 
to make settlements. 

The western tribes were also dissatisfied and threatened war, and efforts were made by the 
government to settle the difficulties. A grand council was held at the mouth of Detroit river 
in December, 1787, which did not result favorably, and two treaties were subsequently held, 
which were not respected by the savages who were parties to them. Soon an Indian war ensued, 
/hich resulted at first disastrously to the .American troops under Oenerals Harmar and St. Clair, 
but finally with success to the .\merican arms under General Wayne. The treaty of Greenville 
followed. It was concluded August 3, 1795. At this treaty there were present eleven hundred 
and thirty chiefs and warriors. It was signed by eighty-four chiefs and General Anthony Wayne, 
sole commissioner of the United States. One of the provisions of the treaty was that in consid- 
eration of'the peace then established, and the cessions and relinquisliments of lands made by the 
tribes of Indians, and to manifest the liberality of the United States as the great means of render- 
ing this peace strong and perpetual, the United States relinquished their claims to all other 
Indian lands northward of the river Ohio, eastward of the Mississippi, and westward and south- 
ward of the great lakes and the waters united by them, e-xcept certain reservations and portions 
before purchased of the Indians, none of wliich were within the ])resent limits of this .state. The 
Indian title to the whole of what is now Wisconsin, subject only to certain restrictions, became 



214 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN". 

absolute in the various tribes inhabiting it. By this treaty it was stipulated that, of the lands relin- 
quished by the ITniled States, ihe Indian tribes who have a right to those lands, were quietly to 
enjoy them ; hunting, planting, and dwelling thereon so long as they pleased ; but, when those 
tribes or any of them should be disposed to sell them, or any part of them, they were to be sold 
onlv to the United States, and until such sale, the United States would protect all of the tribes 
in the quiet enjoyment of their lands against all citizens of the United States, and all other white 
persons who might intrude on the same. At the same time all the tribes acknowledged them- 
selves to be under the protection of the United States, and no other person or power what- 
soever. 

The treaty also prohibited any citizen of the United States, or any other white man, settling 
upon the lands relinquished by the general government ; and such [jerson was to be considered 
as out of the protection of the United States; and the Indian tribe on whose land the settlement 
might be made, could drive off the settler, or punish him in such manner as' it might see fit. 

It will be seen that the Indians were acknowledged to have an unquestionable title to the 
lands they occupied until that right should be extinguished by a voluntary cession to the general 
government; and the constitution of the United States, by declaring treaties already made, as 
well as those to be made, to be the supreme law of the land, adopted and sanctioned previous 
treaties with the Indian nations, and consequently admitted their rank among those powers who 
are capable of making treaties. 

The several treaties which had been made between commissioners on the part of the United 
States and various nations of Indians, previous to the treaty of Greenville, were generally 
restricted to declarations of amity and friendship, the establishment and confirming of bounda- 
ries, and the protection of settlements on Indian lands; those that followed were generally for a 
cession of lands and provisions made for their payment. It is proposed to notice the several 
treaties that took jjlace after that held at Greenville, showing in what way the territory of the 
present state, came into possession of the government. As will be seen hereafter, it required trea- 
ties with numerous tribes of Indians to obtain a clear, undisputed title, as well as many years 
before it was fully accomplished. 

1. A treaty was held at .St. Louis, Noveml)er 3, 1804, between the Sacs and Foxes and the 
United States. William Henry Harrison was acting commissioner on the part of the govern- 
ment. By the provisions of the treaty, the chiefs and head men of the united tribes ceded to 
the Ignited States a large tract on both sides of the Mississippi, extending on the east from the 
mouth of the Illinois to the head of that river, and thence to the Wisconsin; and including on 
the west considerable portions of Iowa and Missouri, from the mouth of the Gasconade north- 
ward. In what is now the state of Wisconsin, this grant embraced the whole of the present 
counties of Grant and La Fayette and a large portion of Iowa and Green counties. The lead 
region was included in this purchase. In consideration of this cession, the general government 
agreed to protect the tribes in the quiet enjoyment of their land, against its own citizens and 
all others who should intrude on them. The tribes permitted a fort to be built on the upper 
side of the Wisconsin river, near its mouth, and granted a tract of land two miles square, adjoin- 
ing the same. The government agreed to give them an annuity of one thousand dollars per 
annum. The validity of this treaty was denied by one band of the Sac Indians, and this cession 
of land became, twenty-eight years after, the alleged cause of the Black Hawk war. 

2. Another treaty was held at Portage des Siou.x, now a village in St. Charles county, Mis- 
souri, on the Mississippi river, September 13, 1815, with certain chiefs of that portion of the 
Sac nation then residing in Missouri, who, they said, were compelled since the commencement of 



THE PTBLIC DOMAIN. 215 

the late war, to separate themselves from the rest of their nation. They gave their assent to the 
treaty made at St. Louis in 1S04, and promised to remain separate from the Sacs of Rock river, 
and to give them no aid or assistance, until peace should be concluded between the United 
States and the Foxes of Rock river. 

3. On the 14th of Sei>tember, a treaty was made with the chiefs of the Fox tribe at the 
same place. They agreed that all prisoners in their hands should be delivered up to the govern- 
ment. They assented to, recognized, re-established and confirmed the treaty of 1804, to the full 
extent of their interest in the same. 

4. A treaty was held at St. Louis, May 13, 1816, with the Sacs of Rock river, who affirmed 
the treaty of 1804, and agreed to deliver up all the property stolen or plundered, and in failure 
to do so, to forfeit all title to their annuities. To this treaty, Black Hawk's name appears with 
others. That chief afterward affirmed that though he himself had " touched the quill " to 
this treaty, he knew not what he was signing, and that he was therein deceived by the agent and 
others, who did not correctly explain the nature of the grant; and in reference to the treaty of 
St. Louis in 1804, and at Portage des Sioux in 1815, he said that he did not consider the same 
valid or binding on him or his tribe, inasmuch as by the terms of those treaties, territory was 
described which the Indians never intended to sell, and the treaty of 1804, particularly, was; 
made by parties who had neither authority in the nation, nor power to dispose of its lands. 
Whether this was a true statement of the case, or otherwise, it is quite certain that the grant of 
lands referred to was often confirmed by his nation, and was deemed conclusive and binding by 
the government. The latter acted in good faith to the tribes, as well as to the settlers, in the 
disposition of the lands. 

5. A treaty of peace and friendship was made at St. Louis, June 3, 1816, between the chiefs 
and warriors of that part of the Winnebagoes residing on the Wisconsin river. Li this treaty the 
tribe state that they have separated themselves from the rest of their nation ; that thev, for 
themselves and those they represent, confirm to the United States all and every cession of land 
heretofore made by their nation, and every contract and agreement, as far as their interest 
extended. 

6. On the 30th of March, 181 7, the Menomonee tribe concluded a treaty of peace anrt 
friendship at St. Louis with the United States, and confirmed all and every cession of land 
before made by them within the limits of the United States. 

7. On the 19th of August, 1825, at Prairie du Chien, a treaty was made with the Sioux, 
Chippewas, Sacs and Foxes, Winnebagoes, Ottawas and Pottawattamies, by which the boundary 
between the two first nations was agreed iqion ; also between the Chippewas, Winnebagoes and 
other tribes. 

8. Another treaty was held August 5, 1826, at Fond du Lac of Lake Superior, a small 
settlement on the St. Louis river, in Itaska county, Minn., with the same tribes, by which the 
previous treaty was confirmed in respect to boundaries, and those of the Chippewas were defined, 
as a portion of the same was not completed at the former treaty. 

9. A treaty was made and concluded August i, 1827, at Butte des Morts, between the United 
States and the Chippewa, Menomonee and Winnebago tribes, in which the boundaries of their 
tribes were defined ; no cession of lands was made. 

10. A treaty was made at Green Bay, August 25, 1S28, with the \\'innebagoes, Pottawat- 
tamies and other tribes. This treaty was made to remoxe the difficulties which had arisen in 
consequence of the occujjation by white men of that portion of the mining country in Mie south- 
western part of Wisconsin which had r.ot been ceded to the United States. A provisional 



216 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

boundary was ])rovided, and privileges accorded tlie government to freely occupy their territory 
until a treaty should be made for the cession of the same. This treaty was simply to define the 
rights of the Indians, and to give the United States the right of occupation. 

1 1. Two treaties were made at Prairie du Chien, on the 29th of July, 1829, and August i, 
1829 : at the first date, with the Chippewas, Ottawas and Pottawattamies, by which these nations 
ceded ali their lands which they claimed in the northwestern part of Illinois ; and at the latter 
date with the Winnebagoes, by which that nation ceded and relinquished all their right, title and 
claim to all their lands south of the Wisconsin river, thus confirming the purchase of the lead- 
mine region. Certain grants were made to individuals, which grants were not to be leased or 
sold by the grantees. 

I?y this important treaty, about eight millions of acres of land were added to the public 
domain. The three tracts ceded, and forming one whole, extended from the upper end of Rock 
river to the mouth of the Wisconsin, from latitude 41° 30' to latitude 43° 15', on the Mississippi. 
Following the meanderings of the river, it was about two hundred and forty miles from west to 
east, extending along the Wisconsin and Fox rivers, affording a passage across the country from 
the Mississippi to Lake Michigan. The south part of the purchase extended from Rock Island 
to Lake Michigan. 

12. Another impoitant treaty was made at Green Bay, February 8, 1S31, between the Meno- 
monee Indians and the United States. That nation possessed an immense territory. Its eastern 
division was bounded by the Milwaukee river, the sliore of Lake Michigan. Green bay, Fox river, 
and Lake Winnebago; its western division, by the Wisconsin and Chip])ewa rivers on the west. 
Fox river on the south. Green bay on the east, and the high lands which flow the streams into 
Lake Superior on the north. By this treaty all the eastern division, estimated at two and a half 
millions of acres, was ceded to the government. By certain other provisions, the tribe was to 
occupy a large tract lying north of Fox river and east of Wolf river. Their territory farther west 
■was reserved for their hunting-grounds until such time as the general government should desire 
to purchase it. Another portion, amounting to four millions of acres, lying between Green bay 
on the east and Wolf river on the west, was also ceded to the United States, besides a strip of 
country, three miles in width, from near the portage of the Wisconsin and Fox rivers north, on 
each side of the Wisconsin river, and forty-eight miles long — still leaving the tribe in peaceable 
possession of a country about one hundred and twenty miles long, and about eighty broad. By 
supplementary articles to the treaty, provision was made for the occupancy of certain lands by 
the New York Indians — two townships on the east side of Lake Winnebago. 

13. At the conclusion of the Black Hawk war, in 1832, for the purpose of <;learing up the 
Indian title of the Winnebago nation in the country, a treaty was made and concluded at Fort 
Armstrong, September 15, 1832. All the territory claimed by this nation lying south and east of 
the Wisconsin and Fox river of Green bay, was ceded to the United States, and no band or party 
of Winnebagoes was allowed to reside, plant, fish or hunt on these grounds, after June i, 1833, 
or on any part of the country therein ceded. 

14. On the 27th of October, 1832, articles of agreement were made and concluded at Green 
Bay between the United States and the Menomonee Indians, by the terms of which that nation 
ceded to the New York Indians certain lands or. Fox nvcr. 

15. An important treaty was made at Chicago, September 26, 1833, between the United 
States and the Chippewas, Ottawas an u Pottawattamies. Those nations ceded to the government 
all their lands along the western shore of Lake Michigan, and between that lake and the land 
ceded to the United States by the Winneliago nation at the treaty at Fort Armstrong, September 



THK I'l r.i.ic ])()>rATX. 217 

15, 1832, bounded on the nortli by the country hitcly ceded by the Menomonees, and on the 
south by the country ceded at the treaty at Prairie du Chien, July 19, 1829 — containing about 
five millions of acres. 

16. On the 3d of September, 1836, a tieaty was made ,it Cedar Point with the Menomonees, 
by which lands lying west of Green bay, and a strip on the upper \Visconsin, were ceded to the 
United States — the quantity of land ceded being estimated at four millions of acres in the Green 
bay portion ; on the Wisconsin river, a strip three miles wide on each side of the river, running 
forty-eight miles north in a direct line, equivalent to 184,320 acres. 

17. On the 29th of July, 1S37, a treaty was made with the Chippewas of the Mississippi, at 
Fort Snelling, and the United States, the nation ceding to the government all their lands in 
Wisconsin lying south of the divide between the waters of Lake Superior and those of the 
Mississippi. 

18. Certain chiefs and braves of the Sioux nation of the Mississippi, while visiting Washing- 
ton, September 29, 1837, ceded to the United States all their lands east of the Mississippi, and all 
their islands in said river. 

19. The Winnebago nation, by the chiefs and delegates, held a treaty with the government 
at Washington, Novembei i, 1837, That nation ceded all their lands east of the Mississippi, 
and obligated themselves to remove, within eight months after the ratification of the treaty, to 
certain lands west of the river Mississippi which were conveyed to them by the treaty of Sep- 
tember 21, 1832. 

20. The Oneida or New York Indians, residing near Green Bay, by their chief and repre- 
sentative, on the 3d of February, 1838, at Washington City, ceded to the United States their title 
and interest in the land set apart by the treaty made with the Menomonees, May 8, 183 1, and the 
treaty made with the same tribe, October 7. 1832, reserving about 62,000 acres. 

21. .\nother treaty was made at Stockbridge on the 3d of September, 1839, by which the 
Stockbridge and Munsee tribes (New York Indians) ceded and relinquished to the United States 
the east half of the tract of 46,080 acres which was laid off for their use on the east side of Lake 
Winnebago by treaty of October 7, 1832 

22. On the 4th of October, 1842, a treaty was made at La Pointe, on Lake Superior, with the 
Chippewas. All their lands in the northern and northwestern parts of Wisconsin were ceded to 
the United States. 

23. The Menomonee nation, on the i8th of October, 1848, at Pow-aw-hay-kon-nay, ceded 
and relinquished to the United States all tlicir lands in the state, wherever situated — the gov- 
ernment to furnish the nation as a home, to be held as Indian lands are held, all the country ceded 
to the United States by the Chippewa nation August 2, 1847, the consideration being the sum of 
$35°'°°°> to be paid according to the stipulations of the treaty. A supplementary treaty was 
made on the 24th of November, 1848, with the Stockbridges — the tribe to sell and relinquish to 
the United States the township of land on the east side of Lake Winnebago, secured to said tribe 
by treaty of February 8, 1831. 

24. A treaty was made with the Menomonee nation, at the falls of Wolf river, May 12, 1854, 
being a supplementary treaty to one made October 18, 1848. All the lands ceded to that nation 
under the treaty last named was ceded to the United States — the Menomonees to receive from 
the United States a tract of country lying on VVolf river, being townships 28,29 ^"d 30, of ranges 
13. 14, 15, 16. 

25. A treaty was made with the Chippewas of Lake Superior, at l,a Pointe, on the 30th of 
September, 1854. That nation ceded to the United States all lands before owned by them in 
common with the Chippewas of the Mississippi — lying in the vicinity of Lake Superior in Wis- 



218 HISTORY (»F AVISCOXSIX. 

consin and Minnesota. 

26. On the 5th of February, 1856, a treaty was held with the Stockbridge and Munsee tribes, 
at Stockbridge. All the remaining right and title to lands in the town of Stockbridge, possessed 
by them, was ceded to the United States ; and the said tribes were to receive in exchange a tract 
of land near the southern boundary of the Menomonee reservation, and by treaty made at 
Keshena, February 11, 1856, the Menomonees ceded two townships to locate the said tribes. 

With this last treaty, the Indian title to all the lands of the present state of Wisconsin was 
ceded to the United States government, except a few small reservations to certain tribes, and a 
perfect, indefeasible title obtained to all the territory within its borders. 

In the region of country which is now the state of Wisconsin, the settlements in early times 
were, as before stated, near Green Bay and at Prairie du Chien. Soon after the organization of 
the Northwest territory, the subject of claims to private property therein received much attention. 
By an act of congress approved March 3, 1805, lands lying in the districts of Vincennes, Kas- 
kaskia and Detroit, which were claimed by virtue of French or British grants, legally and fully 
executed, or by virtue of grants issued under the authority of any former act of congress by 
either of the governors of the Northwest or Indiana territory, which had already been surveyed, 
were, if necessary, to be re-surveyed; and persons claiming lands under these grants were to have 
until November i, 1805, to give notice of the same. Commissioners were to be appointed to 
examine, and report at the next session of congress. An act was also passed, approved April 25, 
1806, to authorize the granting of patents for lands, according to government surveys that had 
been made, and to grant donation rights to certain claimants of land in the district of Detroit, 
and for other purposes .-Vnother act was approved May 11, 1820, reviving the powers of the 
commissioners for ascertaining and deciding on claims in the district of Detroit, and for settling the 
claims to land at Green Bay and Prairie du Chien, in the territory of Michigan ; the commis- 
sioners to have power to e.\amine and decide on claims filed with the register of the land ofiice. 
and not before acted on, in accordance with the laws respecting the same. The commissioners 
discharged the duties imposed on them, and in their report to congress in reference to the claims 
at Green Bay, they said that the antiquity of this settlement being, in their view, sufficiently 
established, and that they, being also satisfied that the Indian title must be considered to have 
been extinguished, decide favorably on the clainis presented. About seventy-five titles were con- 
firmed, and patents for the same were sent to the proper parties by the government. In relation 
to the Prairie du Chien titles, they reported " that they had met few difficulties in their investi- 
gations ; that, notwithstanding the high antiquity which maybe claimed for the settlement of that 
place, no one perfect title founded on French or British grant, legally authenticated, had been 
successfully made out; and that but fe\v deeds of any sort have been exhibited.' This they 
attribute to the carelessness of the Canadians in respect to whatever concerned their land titles, and 
accords with whatever is known in this regard, of the French population throughout the country. 
They therefore came to the conclusion that whatever claim the people of the place possessed, 
and might have for a confirmation of their land titles, they must be founded upon proof of con 
tinned possession since the year 1796 The commissioners further say, that " since the ancestors 
of these settlers were cut off, by the treaty which gave the Canadas to the English, from all inter- 
course with their parent country, the people both of Prairie du Chien and Green Bay have been 
eft, until within a few years, quite isolated, almost without any government but their own; and, 
although the jiresent population of these settlements are natives of the countries which they 
inhabit, and, <:onse(iuenlly, are by birth citizens of the northwest, yet, until a few years, they have 
had as little political connection with its government as their ancestors had with the British. 
Ignorant of their civil rights, careless of their land titles, docility, habitual hospitality, cheerful 



THE PrBLlC Do.MAIX. 219 

submission to the requisitions of any government wiiich may be set over them, are their universal 
characteristics." 

In reference to grants by the French and English governments, the commissioners say, they 
"have not had access to any public archives by which to ascertain with positive certain'y, whether 
either the French or English ever effected a formal extinguishment of the Indian title at the 
mouth of the Wisconsin, which also may be said of the land now covered by the city of Detroit, 
that the French government was not accustomed to hold formal treaties for such purposes with 
the Indians, and when the lands have been actually procured from them, either by virtue of the 
assumed right of conquest, or by purchase, evidence of such acquisition is rather to be sought in 
the traditionary history of the country, or in the casual or scanty relations of travelers, than 
among collections of state papers. Tradition tides recognize the fact of the extinguisliment of 
the Indian title at Prairie du Chien by the old French government, before its surrender to the 
English; and by the same species of testimony, more positive because more recent, it is estab- 
lished also, that, in the year 1781, Patrick Sinclair, lieutenant governor of the province of Upper 
Canada, while the English government had jurisdiction over this country, made a formal jmrchase 
from the Indians of the lands comprehending the settlement of Prairie du Chien." 

The territories and states formed from the section known as the Northwest territory, 
were : 

I The Northwest territory proper (1787-1800) having jurisdiction over all the lands referred 
to in the ordinance of 1787. In 1802, Ohio was organized as a state with its present boun- 
daries. 

1. Indiana terrritory was formed July 4, 1800, with the seat of government at Vincennes 
That territory was made to include all of the northwest, except what afterward became the state 
of Ohio. 

3. Michigan territory was formed June 30, 1805. It was bounded on the south by a line 
drawn east from the south bend of Lake Michigan, on the west by the center of Lake Michigan. 
It did not include what is now Wisconsin. The upper peninsula was annexed in r836. The 
state of Michigan was formed January 26, 1837, with its present boundaries. 

4. Illinois territorv was formed March 2, 1810. It included all of the Indiana territory west 
of the Wabash river and Vincennes, and a line running due north to the territorial line. All of 
Wisconsin was included therein, except what lay east of the line drawn north from Vincennes. ■ 

5. Indiana was admitted as a state .Vpril ig, 1S16, including all the territory of Indiana 
territory, excejit a narrow strip east of tlu- line of Vincennes, and west of Michigan territory, her 
western boundary. 

6. Illinois was admitted as. a state .\pril 11, 1818. It included all of Illinois territory south 
of latitude 42° 30'. All of Wisconsin was added to Michigan territory. In the month of Octo- 
ber of that y^ar, the counties of Michilimackinac, Brown and Crawford were formed, comprising 
besides other territory, the whole of the present state of Wisconsin. 

7. Iowa district was attached to Michigan for judicial purposes, June 30, 1834, out of which 
Des Moines and Dubuque counties were formed. 

8. Wisconsin territory was formed .\pril 20, 1836. The state was formed May 29, 1848. 
The territory of Wisconsin being a part of the Northwest territory claimed, and congress by 

direct action confirmed to her, all the rights and privileges secured by the ordinance of 1787, 
one of which was that congress should have authority to form one or two slates in that pan of 
the territory lying north of an east and west line, drawn through the southerly bend or extreme 
of Lake Michigan. Notwithstanding tliis plain provision of the ordinance, whicli is declared to 



220 HISTOr.Y OF AVISCONSTX. 

be articles of ompnrt between the oriLjinal states and the people and states in the said territory, 
and forever to remiin unalterable unless by consent ; yet congress, in establishing the boundaries 
of the state of Illinois, extended that state about sixty miles north of the line established by the 
ordinance. This action was claimed to be unjust and contrary to the siiirit and letter of the 
compact with the original states. The legislative assembly of Wisconsin passed resolutions 
which were approved January 13, 1840, that it was inexpedient for the people of the territory to 
form a constitution and state government until the southern boundary to which they are so justly 
entitled by the ordinance of 1787 shall be fully recognized by the parties of the original com- 
pact. Owing to various complications over which the territory had no control, her jjeople never 
succeeded in obtaining from congress what they considered their just rights. 

It was also contended by many, that the portion of country set off to Michigan on Lake 
Superior given as a compensation in part for the stri|) of land awarded to Ohio from her south- 
ern border, should also have constituted a portion of Wisconsin, especially as Michigan never 
made the least claim to it by her delegate in congress, who was decidedly opposed to the exten- 
sion of Michigan beyond the limits of the lower peninsula. 

The first survey of the public lands northwest of the Ohio river, was made pursuant to an 
act of congress approved May 20, T785 The geographer of the confederation was diected to 
commence the survey of the government lands on the north side of the river Ohio — the first line 
running north and south, to begin on said river at a point that shoidd be found to be due north 
from the western termination of a line which had been run as the southern boundary of the stats 
of Pennsylvania; the first line running east and west, to begin at the same point, and to extend 
through the whole territory. The survey comprised seven ranges, composing ten counties of 
the present state of Ohio. Other surveys followed when the Indian title was extinguished. 
Thomas Hutchins, who held the office of geographer, is believed to be the inventor of the 
mode of laying out land which was then introduced bv him, and is still in general use by the 
government. 

Soon after the government had acijuired title to the Indian lands south of the Wisconsin 
river, the public authorities commenced a systematic survey of the lands, for the purpose of 
bringing the same into market at the earliest possible period. 

The public lands in Wisconsin are, as elsewhere in the west, surveyed in uniform rec- 
tangular tracts, each six miles square, by lines running north and south, intersecting others 
running east and west. These townships are numbered from two lines called the principal 
meridian and the base line. The principal meridian by which the \\'isconsin surveys are gov- 
erned is that known as the fourth, and extends from the Illinois boundary line to Lake Superior, 
at the mouth of Montreal river, aljout tuo hundred and eighty-two miles. It divides Grant 
from LaFayette county, and passes through the eastern parts of Vernon, Monroe, Jackson, Clark, 
Chippewa, and Ashland counties. The base line separates Wisconsin from Illinois in north 
latitude forty-two degrees, thirty minutes. There are nearly seventeen hundred townships in 
the state. Each township is subdivided into thirty-six sections by lines running parallel to the 
sides of the township, one mile apart. A section is, therefore, one mile square, and contains six 
hundred and forty acres. In fractional townships, each section is numbered the same as the 
corresponding section in whole townships. Each section is subdivided into half-mile squares, 
called quarter-sections, each containing one hundred and sixty acres, and the subdivision is 
carried still further into half-(|uarter or quarter-quarter sections. It is found necessary to estab- 
lish at stated intervals standard parallels, commonly called correction lines, to obviate the effect 
of the curvature of the earths surface. The convergence in a single township is small, though 
quite perceptible, the actual excess in length of its south over its north line being in the state 



TIIK ri'BJ.IC DOMAIN'. 



221 



about three rods. The townships north of the base line, therefore, become narrower toward the 
north, and if continued for too great a distance, this narrowing would cause serious inconvenience. 
In the state of Wisconsin there are four of these correction lines. The first is sixty miles 
north of the base line, and accordingly runs between townships ten , and eleven. The second is 
between townships twenty and twenty-one, and so on. They are usually sixty miles apart. On 
these parallels, which form new base lines, fresh measurements are made from the princi[)al 
meridian, and the corners of new townships are fixed six miles apart as on the original base line. 
This method of procedure not only takes up the error due to convergency of meridians, but 
arrests tliat caused by want of precision in the surveys already made. 

The northern or western sections of townshij)s, which contain more or less than si.x hun- 
dred and forty acres, are called fractional sections, for the reason that the surplusage or 
■deficiency arising from errors in surveying, and from other causes, is by law added to or 
deducted from the western or northern ranges of sections according as the error may be in run- 
ning the lines from east to west, or from north to ^outh. 

As soon as the surveys were completed in southern Wisconsin and the Green Bay section, 
and a knowledge of the superior qualities of the land for agricultural purposes were known to 
the people, the emigration became large. In fact much land was taken possession of by settlers 
in advance of being surveyed and brought into market. As soon as the land offices at Green 
Bay, Mineral Point, and Milwaukee were located, |)ublic announcement was made bv the govern- 
ment, of the time of the sale, when the lands were jiut uji to the highest bidder, and such as were 
unsold were afterward subject to private entry. The first sales were held at Green Bay and 
Mineral Point in the year 1S35. The sale at Milwaukee was in 1839. From the reports of the 
general land of3&ce, it appears that from 1S35 to 1845 inclusive, there were sold at the three land 
offices from public sale, 2,958,592/^'^ acres, amounting to $3,768,106.51. 

Fort Howard military reservation was set apart by order of the president March 2, 1829, 
and comprised all the lands lying upon Fox river and Green bay, in township 24 north, range 20 
east, 4th princijjal meridian, being about four thousand acres. The lands were abandoned for 
military purposes, by the war department, December 4, 1850. By an act of congress apjiroved 
March 3, 18C3, the commissioner of the general land office was authorized and directed to cause 
the reservation, including the site of the fort, containingthree and four-hundredths acres, situated 
in the county of Brown, between Fox river and Beaver Dam run, and which is not included in 
the confirmations to T. C. Dousman and Daniel Wliitney, nor in the grant to the state of Wis- 
consm, under resolutions of congress approved April 25, 1862, granting lands to Wisconsin to 
aid in the construction of railroads, to be surveyed and subdivided into lots not less than one- 
fourth of an acre, and not more than forty acres, deducting such portions of the same as the 
jjublic interest and convenience may require ; and when so surveyed and ])latted, to be sold sep- 
arately at auction. On the loth of November, 1864, under directions of the commissioner, the 
lands were offered for sale at auction at the fort. .\bout one-half of the lands were sold, and 
purchased by actual settlers, and but few for speculation. The fort and the lands contiguous 
were sold for si.x thousand four hundred dollars. The other lands sokl brought about the sum 
of nineteen thousand dollars. 

That portion of the reservation unsold was to be subject to private entry at the appraised 
value, and that i)ortion lying between Duck creek and Beaver Dam < reek, was subject to entry 
as other public lands were offered. 

On the 20th of May, 1868, a joint resolution of congress was a]>proved, by which the < om- 
missioner of the general land office was authtjri/.ed and directed to cause a ])atent to be issued 
to the Chicago & Northwestern railroad company in pursuance of a resolution passed by con- 



222 HISTOKY OF A\LSCOXSIK 

gress, granting the same to the state of Wisconsin, approved April 25,1862, and by act of the 
legislature approved June 16, 1862, granting the same to that company for eighty acres ofland, 
as was .surveyed and approved by said commissioner June 11, 1S64. The lands thus donated 
are now used by the railroad company for their depot grounds 

The Fort Crawford military reservation was purchased from J. H. Lockwood and James D. 
Doty by the government in the year 1829, and covered the front and main portions of farm lots 
numbered tliirty -three and thirty-four, of the private land claims at Prairie du Chien, and com- 
prised about one hundred and sixty acres. Fort Crawford was built on this tract in 1829, 1830- 
and 1831. There was also a reservation of section eighteen, townshij) seven, north of range 
four west, known as the Cattle Yard. This land was at the mouth of the Kickapoo river, and 
is now known as the village of Wauzeka. In addition to these lands which were located in Wis- 
consin, there was a reservation of lands lying on the west side of the Mississippi river, in Iowa. 
The lands in Wisconsin were relinquished by the secretary of wai, January 10, 1851, and were 
originally set apart by the president of the United States, February 17, 1S43. 

In the month of .\pril, 1857, the secretary of wai authorized Hon. H. M. Rice, of Minne- 
sota, to sell that part of the reservation not impioved, in tracts not exceeding forty acres each; 
and, in the month of June of that year, he sold at auction five bundled and seven acres of the 
reserve opposite Fort Crawford, none of which was claimed liy actual settlers ; and in the month 
of December, 1S57, he sold the remainder to claimants of lands, also on the west side, and the 
section in Wisconsin known as the Cattle Yard, amounting to 1771%- acres. A portion of this 
reservation was subdivided into town lots. So by 140 feet, with streets 66 feet and alleys 20 feet 
wide November 17, 1864, the acting commissioner of the general land office, by order 
of the war department, offered for sale at public auction at La Crosse the reservation at Fort 
Crawford, which had been surveyed and subdivided into town lots, eighty by one hundred and 
forty feet, with streets sixty-five feet and alleys twenty feet wide, conforming to the plat of the 
village of Prairie du Chien. The lands unsold were subsequently opened to private entry and 
disposed of 

The lands of the Fort Winnebago reservation were set ajjart by order of the president, 
February 9, 1835, and consisted of the following tenitory; sections two, three, and that part of 
four lying east of Fox river, and fractional section nine, all in township twelve, north of range- 
nine east , also fractional section thirty-three, in township thirteen, north of range nine east, 
lying west of Fox river, and the fraction of section four, township twelve north, of range nine 
east, lying west of claim numbered twenty-one of A. Grignon, and adjacent to Fort Winnebago, 
reserved by order of the president, July 29, 1S51 the whole amounting to about four thousand 
acres. September the first, 1853, these lands were by order of the president offered for sale 
at public auction at the fort, by F. H. Masten, assistant quartermaster United States army, 
having previously been surveyed into forty acre lots, and were purchased by J. B. Martin, G. C. 
Tallman, W. H. Wells, Wm. Wier, N. H. Wood, M. R. Keegan, and others. 

The first land offices in Wisconsin were established under an act of congress approved 
June 26, 1834, creating additional land districts in the states of Illinois and Missouri, and in the 
territory north of the state of Illinois. The first section provides " that all that tract lyin"- north 
of the state of Illinois, west of Lake Michigan, south and southeast of the Wisconsin and Fox 
rivers, included in the present territory of Michigan, shall be divided by a north and south line 
drawn from the northern boundary of Illinois along the range of township line west of Fort 
Winnebago to the Wisconsin river, and to be called — the one on the west side, the Wisconsin 
land district, and that on the east side the Green Bay land district of the territory of Michigan, 
which two districts shall embrace the country north of said rivers when the Indian title shall be 



TIIK ITALIC DOMAIN. 223 

■extinguished, and the Green Bay district may be divided so as to form two districts, when 
the president shall deem it proper;" and by section three of said act, the president was author- 
ized to appoint a register and receiver for such office, as soon as a sufficient number of townships 
are surveyed. 

An act of congress, approved June 15, 1836, divided the Green Bay land district, as estab- 
lished in 1834, " by a line commencing on the western boundary of said district, and running 
thence east between townships ten and eleven north, to the line between ranges seventeen and 
eighteen east, thence north between said ranges of townships to the line between townships 
twelve and thirteen north, thence east between said townships twelve and thirteen to Lake 
Michigan ; and all the country bounded north by the division line here described, south by the 
base line, east by Lake Michigan, and west by the division line between ranges eight and nine 
east," to be constituted a separate district and known as the " Milwaukee land district." It 
included the present counties of Racine, Kenosha, Rock, Jefferson, Waukesha, Walworth and 
Milwaukee, and parts of Green, Dane, Washington, Ozaukee, Dodge and Columbia. 

An act was approved March 3, 1847, creating an additional land district in the territory. 
All that portion of the public lands lying north and west of the following boundaries, formed a 
district to be known as the Chippewa land district: commencing at the Mississippi river on the 
line between townships twenty-two and twenty-three north, running thence east along said line 
to the fourth principal meridian, thence north along said meridian line to the line dividing town- 
ships twenty-nine and thirty, thence east along such township line to the Wisconsin river, thence up 
the main channel of said river to the boundary line between the state of Michigan and the territory 
of Wisconsin. The counties now included in this district are Pepin, Clark, Eau Claire, Dunn, 
Pierce, St. Croix, Polk, Barron, Burnett, Douglas, Bayfield, Ashland, Taylor, Chippewa, and parts 
of Buffalo, Trempeleau ar.d Jackson ; also, the new county of Price. 

An act of congress, approved March 2, 1849, changed the location of the land office in the 
Chippewa district from the falls of St. Croix to Stillwater, in the county of St. Croix, in the 
proposed territory of Minnesota; and, by section two of the act, an additional land office and 
district was created, comprising all the lands in Wisconsin not included in the districts of land 
subject to sale at Green Bay, Milwaukee, or Mineral Point, which was to be known as the Western 
land district, and the president was authorized to designate the site where the office should be 
licated. Willow River, now Hudson, was selected. The district was usually known as the St. 
Croix and Chippewa district, and included St. Croix, La Pointe, and parts of Chijjpewa and 
Marathon counties. By an act of congress, approved July 30, 1852, so much of the public lands 
in Wisconsin as lay within a boundary line commencing at the southwest corner of township 
fifteen, north of range two east of the fourth principal meridian, thence running due east to the 
southeast corner of township fifteen, north of range eleven, east of the fourth jirincipal meridian, 
thence north along such range line to the north line of the state of Wisconsin, thence westwardly 
along said north line to the line between ranges one and two east of fourth principal meridian, 
thence south to the place of beginning, were formed into a new district, and known as the 
Stevens Point land district, and a land office located at that place. 

The boundaries enclosed the present counties of Juneau, Adams, Marquette, Green Lake, 
Waushara, Waupaca, Portage, Wood, Marathon, Lincoln, Shawano, New and Marinette. The 
La Crosse land district was formed of the following territory : " Commencing at a point where 
the line between townships ten and eleven north touches the Mississippi river, thence due east to 
the fourth principal meridian, thence north to ,the line between townships fourteen and fifteen 
north, thence east to the southeast corner of township fifteen north, of range one east of the 



224 HISTORY OF NNiSCO-NblK 

fourth principal meridian, thence north on the range line to the south line of township number 
thirty-one north, thence west on the line between townships number thirty and thirty-one to the 
Chippewa river, thence down said river to its junction with the Mississippi river, thence down 
said river to the place of beginning." The present counties of Vernon, La Crosse, Monroe, Buf- 
falo, Trempealeau, Eau Claire, Clark, and parts of Juneau and Chippewa were included in 
its limits. 

By act of congress, approved February 24, 1855, an additional district was formed of all that 
portion cf the Willow river land district lying north of the line dividing townships forty and 
forty-one, to be called the Fond du Lac district — the office to be located by the president as he 
might from time to time direct. The present counties of Douglas, Bayfield, Ashland, and part 
of Burnett were included within its boundaries. 

By an act of congress, approved March 3, 1857, so much of the districts of land subject to 
sale at La Crosse and Hudson, in the state of Wisconsin, contained in the following boundaries, 
were constituted a new district, to be known as the Chippewa land district : North of the line 
dividing townships twenty-four and twenty-five north; south of the line dividing townships forty 
and forty-one north ; west of the line dividing ranges one and two east ; and east of the line 
dividing ranges eleven and twelve west. The location of the office was to be designated by the 
president as the public interest miglit require. The present counties of Chippewa, T.-ylor, Eau 
Claire and Clark were in this district. 

There are at the present time six land offices in the state. They are located at Menasha, 
Falls of St. Croi.x, Wausau, La Crosse, Bayfield and Eau Claire. By the provisions of law, when 
the number of acres of land in any one district is reduced to one hundred thousand acres, sub- 
ject to private entry, the secretary of the interior is required to discontinue the office, and the 
lands remaining unsold are transferred to the nearest land office, to be there subject to sale. The 
power of locating these offices rests with the president (unless otherwise directed by law), who is 
alsc authorized to change and re-establish the boundaries of land districts whenever, in his 
opinion, the public service will be subserved thereby. 

The pre-emption law of 1830 was intended for the benefit of actual settlers against compe- 
tition in open market with non-resident purchasers. It gave every person who cultivated any 
part of a quarter section the previous year, and occupied the tract at the date mentioned, the 
privilege of securing it by payment of tlie minimum jjrice at any time before the day fixed for 
the commencement of the public sale. To avail himself of this provision he was to file proof 
of cultivation and occupancy. As men frequently located claims in advance of the survey, it 
occasionally happened that two or more would find themselves upon the same quarter section 
in which case the pre-emption law permitted two joint occupants to divide the quarter section 
equally between them, whereupon each party received a certificate from the land office, author- 
izing him to locate an additional eighty acres, elsewhere in the same land district, not interfering 
with other settlers having the right of preference. This was called a floating right. This pro- 
vision of the law was ingeniously perverted from its plain purpose in various ways. 

As fast as these evasions came to the notice of the department, all certificates given to 
occupants of the same quarter section in excess of the two first, or to more than one member of 
the same family, to employees, to any person who had not jjaid for eiglity acres originally 
occupied, as well as those which were not located at the time of such payment, and the additional 
tract paid for before the public sale, were held to be worthless or fraudulent ; but a large number 
of tliese certificates liad been issued, and passed into the hands of speculators and designing 
men, and were a source of almost endless vexation and annoyance to settlers. The law of 1830 



THE PrHI.IC DO.MAIX. 225 

expired by limitation in one year from its passage, but was revived by the law of 1S34 for two 
years. In the interim no settler could obtain his land by jire-emption. The law of 1834 extended 
only to those who had made cultivation in 1S33, consequently the settlers of later date were 
excluded from its benefits. Meanwhile the fraudulent floats were freely used to dispossess actual 
settlers as late as 1835. 

The pre-emption law of congress, approved September 4, 1841, ])rovided that every person 
who should make a settlement in person on public land, and erect a dwelling, should be author- 
ized to enter a quarter section (one hundred and sixty acres), at the minimum price (one dollar 
and twenty-five cents per acre), and tiuis secure the same against competition ; and if any person 
should settle upon and improve land subject to private entry, he might within tliirty days give 
notice to the register of tlie land office of his intention to claim the land settled upon, and might 
within one year upon making proof of his right, enter the land at the minimum price. 

.■\t the public land sales at Mineral Point, held in 1S35, all those tracts on which lead was 
found, or on which it was supposed to exist, were reserved to the United States, and were leased 
under certain regulations by the government for a rent of ten per centum of all the lead raised. 
The quantity of land thus reserved was estimated at one million acres. Considerable difficulty 
was found in collecting these rents, and subsequently it was abandoned, as the amount 
expended in collecting exceeded the value of the lead coIlecir:d. In the period of four years 
the government suffered a loss of over nineteen thousand dollars. 

The act of congress, api)roved July 11, 1846, authorized the sale of the reserved mineral 
lands in Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa, and provided that, after six months' jniblic notice, the lands 
should not be subject to the rights of pre-emption until after the same had been offered at public 
sale, when they should be subject to private entry. The law also provided, that, upon satisfac- 
tory proof being made to tiie register and receiver of the proper land office, any tract or tracts 
of land containing a mine or mines of lead ore actually discovered and being worked, would be 
sold in sucli legal subdivisions as would include lead mines, and no bid should be received 
therefor at less than the sum of two dollars and fifty cents per acre, and if such tract or tracts 
should not be sold at such jjublic sale, at such price, nor should be entered at jjrivate sale within 
twelve months thereafter, the same should be subject to sale as other lands. This act was 
changed by an act approved March 3, 1S47, providing that any one being in possession by 
actual occupancy of a mine discovered prior to the passage of this act, who should pay the same 
rents as those who held leases from the secretary of war, should be entitled to purchase the lands 
l)rior to the day of sale at five dollars per acre. Mineral lands were to be offered for sale in forty 
acre pieces, and no bids were to be received less than five dollars per acre, and if not sold they 
were then to be subject to private entry at the same ])rice. In 1847 or 1848 the reserved mineral 
lands were sold at i)ublic sale at Mineral Point at two dollars and fifty cents ]jer acre, and ihey 
were all disposed of at that price. 

Soon after the formation of Wisconsin territory, an act was passed by its legishiture, 
approved January 5, 1838, incorporating the Milwaukee and Rock river canal company, and by 
an act of congress approved June 18 of the same year, a grant of land was made to aid in the 
construction of the canal. The grant consisted of the odd-numbered sections on a belt of ten 
miles in width from Lake Michigan to Rock river, amounting to 139,190 acres. Of ti.ose lands 
43,447 acres were sold at iniblic sale in July, 1839, at the minimum jirice of two dollars and fifty 
cents per acre. Work was commenced on the canal at Milwaukee, and the Milwaukee river for 
a short distance from its outlet was improved by the construction of a dam across the river, 
which was made available for manufacturing and (jther jnirposes. A canal was also built about 
a mile in length and forty feet wide, leading from it down on the west bank of llie river. Muchi 



226 HISTORY or AVISCONSI^r. 

dissatisfaction subsequently arose ; the purchasers at this sale, and others occupying these canal 
and reserved lands felt the injustice of being compelled to pay double price for their lands, and 
efforts were made to repeal all laws authorizing further sales, and to ask congress to repeal the 
act making the grant. The legislation on the subject of this grant is voluminous. In 1862 the 
legislature of the state passed an act to ascertain and settle the liabilities, if any, of Wisconsin 
and the company, and a board of commissioners was appointed for tliat purpose. At the session 
of the legislature in 1863, the committee made a report with a lengthy opinion of the attorney-gen- 
eral of th'e state. The views of that officer were, that the company had no valid claims for damages 
ai^ainst the state. In this opinion the commissioners concurred. On the 23d of March, 1875, 
an act was approved by the governor, giving authority to the attorney-general to discharge and 
release of record any mortgage before executed to the late territory of Wisconsin, given to secure 
the purchase money or any part thereof of any lands granted by congress to aid in the construc- 
tion of this canal. The quantity of lands unsold was subseipiently made a part of the 500,000 
acre tract granted by congress for school purposes. It is believed the whole matter is now closed 
against further legislative enactments. 

The next grant of lands made by congress lor internal improvements in Wisconsin, was one 
approved August 8, 1846, entitled "an act to grant a certain quantity of land to aid in the 
improvement of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, and to connect the same by canal." By this act 
there was granted to Wisconsin on her becoming a state, for improving the navigation of the 
above-named streams, and constructing the canal to unite the same, a quantity of land equal to 
one-half of three sections in width on each hide of Fox river, and the lakes through which it 
passes from its mouth to the point where the portage canal should enter the same, and each side 
of the canal from one stream to the other, reserving the alternate sections to the United States 
with certain provisions in relation thereto. On the 3d of August, 1854, an act of congress was 
approved, authorizing the governor of Wisconsin to select the balance of lands to which the state 
was entitled to under the provisions of the act of 1S46, out of any unsold government lands sub- 
ject to private entry in the state, the quantity to be ascertained upon the principles which gov- 
erned the final adjustment of the grant to the state of Indiana, for the Wabash and Erie canal, 
approved May 9, 1S48. In the years 1854 and 1855, acts of congress were passed, defining and 
enlarging the grant. Under the grants of 1S46, 1854 and 1855, the number of acres donated for 
this purpose and certified to the state, was 674,100. 

After the admission of Wisconsin into the Union, by an act of its legislature, approved 
.August 8, 1848, a board of public works was created, through which the work of improving the 
said rivers, by the application thereto of the proceeds of the sale of the lands granted by con- 
gress, was undertaken by the state. 

It soon became apparent that the moneys realized from the sale of lands were insufficient to 
meet the obligations of the state issued by its board of public works as they became due ; and 
in 1853 the work was turned over to the Fox and Wisconsin Improvement company, a corpora- 
tion created under an act of the legislature of Wisconsin approved July 6, 1853. In 1856, by an 
act of the legislature of Wisconsin, approved October 3, 1856, the lands granted by congress 
then unsold were granted by the state, through the said company, to trustees, with power to 
sell, and to hold the proceeds in trust for the payment of state indebtedness, the completion 
of the work, thereafter for the payment of bonds issued by the said company, and the balance, if 
any, for the company itself 

In February, 1866, the trustees, in execution of the powers contained in the deed of trust 
made to them, and jnirsuant to a judgment of the circuit court of Fond du Lac county, sold at 
public sale at Applcton, Wisconsin, the works of improvement and the balance of lands granted 



TUK in-l'.I.Ic DOMAIN'. 227 

by congress then unsold, and applied the proceeds to the purposes expressed in the deed of trust. 
The proceeds were sufficient to jiay in full the exjjenses of the trust, the then outstanding 
state indebtedness, and to provide a fund sufficient to complete the work according to the plan 
specified in the act approved October 3, 1S56. 

Under an act of the legislature of Wisconsin , pp oved April 13, 1S61, and the acts amend- 
atory thereof, the purchasers at said sale, on the 15th day of August, 1S66, filed their certificate 
in the office of the secretary of state, and thereby became incorporated as the Green Bay and 
Mississippi canal company, holding, as such company, the said works of improvement. 

At a subsequent date, under instructions from the engineer department of the United States, 
the surveys of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers were placed in the charge of General G. K. War- 
ren, and by act of congress approved July 7, 1S70, the secretary of war was authorized to 
appoint a board of arbitrators to ascertain how much the government should pay to the suc- 
cessors of the Improvement comjjany, the Green Bay and Mississipjji canal company, for the 
transfer of all its property and rights; .ind by a subseijuent act, approved June 10, 1872, an 
appropriation was made therefor. 

The legislation on matters connected with the Fox and Wisconsin river improvement would 
make a chapter of itself. The work is now in charge of the government, and will be prosecuted 
to completion in a sati;;factory manner. 

On the 29th of May, 1848, an act was approved by the president "to enable the people of 
Wisconsin territory to form a constitution and state government, and for the admission of such 
state into the Union," by which certain propositions were to be submitted to the convention 
which were to be acted upon, and subsequently submitted to the people for their approval. The 
first constitutional convention was held in October, 1846, and, having framed a constitution, it 
was submitted to a vote of the people at the election in 1847, and it was rejected. The second 
convention met December 15, 1S47, and, having formed a constitution, it was adopted by the 
people at the election in 184S. The following are the propositions proposed by congress : 

1. That section sixteen numbered in every township of the public lands of said state, and 
where such section has been sold or otherwise disposed of, other lands equivalent thereto, and 
as contiguous as may be, shall be granted to the said state for the use of schools. 

2. That seventy-two sections, or two entire townships, of land set a])art and reserved for 
the use and support of a university by act of congress approved June 12, 1838, are hereby granted 
and conveyed to the state, to be appropriated solely to the use and support of such university in 
such manner as the legislature may prescribe. 

3. That ten entire sections of land to be selected and located under the direction of the 
legislature, in legal subdivisions of not less than one quarter of a section from any of the unap- 
propriated lands belonging to the United States within the state are granted to the state for 
completing the public buildings, or for the erection of others at the seat of government, under 
the direction of the legislature. 

4. That all salt-springs within the state, not exceeding twelve in number, shall be granted to 
the state, to be selected by the legislature, and when selected, to be used or dis])osed of on such 
terms, conditions, and regulations as the legislature shall direct. 

The title to all lands and other jjroperty which accrued to the territory of Wisconsin by 
grant, gift, purchase, forfeiture, escheat, or otherwise, were, by the provisions of the constitution 
of the state, vested in the state; and the people of the state, in their right of sovereignty, were 
■declared to possess the ultimate property in and to all lands within its jurisdiction ; and all 
(ands, the title of which shall fail from a defect of heirs, shall revert or escheat to the people. 

The act of congress for the admission of the state into the Union gave formal assent to the 



228 HI8T0KY OF AVISCOXSIN. 

grant relative to the Fox and Wisconsin river improvement, and the lands reserved to the United 
States by said grant, and also the grant to the territory of Wisconsin, for the purpose of aiding 
in opening a canal to connect the waters of Lake Michigan with those of Rock river, were to be 
offered for sale at the same minimum price, and subject to the same rights of pre-emption as 
other public lands of the United States. 

By the provisions of the state constitution, the secretary of state, the state treasurer and 
attorney-general, were constituted a board of commissioners for the sale of the school and 
university lands, and for the investment of the funds arising therefrom. In the year 1850 the 
commissioners put into market, for the first time, the school lands which had been donated to the 
state. The total quantity of lands offered was 148,021, 44-100 acres, which sold for ihe sum of 
$444,265.19. 

By an act of congress, approved September 4, 1S41, there were granted to the state 500,000 
acres of land, which were, by act of the territorial legislature of 1849, appropriated to the school 
fund, and the unsold lands of the Milwaukee and Rock river canal company, amounting to about 
140,000 acres, were to be included as a part of the above grant. These lands, and the sixteenth 
section of each township, make up the whole of the school lands of the state. The whole 
number of acres sold up to the year 1877 is 1,243,984 acres, and there iemain unsold, subject 
to entry, 216,016 acres. 

The state university land grant was made in 1S38, and seventy-two sections set apart and 
reserved. The lands were selected in 1845 and 1846. On tlie 15th of December, 1854, an act 
of congress was approved, relinquishing to the state the lands reserved for the salt-springs, and 
seventy-two sections were granted in lieu thereof, in aid of the university of the state The 
number of acres amounts to 92,160, all of which have been sold except 4,407 acres, which are 
subject to entry. Under the re-organization and enlargement of the university, under provisions 
of chapter 114, of general laws of 1866, section thirteen provides, among other things, that the 
income of a fund to be derived from the sales of the two hundred and forty thousand acres, 
granted by congress by act approved July 2, 1862, entitled : "An act donating lands to the 
several states and territories which may provide colleges for the benefit of agriculture and 
mechanic arts," be devoted to the state university, and the funds arising therefrom to be known 
as the " agricultural college fund." All of the grant of lands have been sold except 51,635 acres. 
The quantity of lands donated by act of congress August 6, 1846, for the purpose of completing or 
erecting public buildings at the seat of government, known as "Capitol Lands," amounted to 
ten entire sections, or six thousand four hundred acres. A grant of lands was made to the state 
by act of congress, approved September 28, 1850, of all the swamp and overflowed lands within 
its limits. The total number of acres of this grant, as certified to the state from the government, 
to the year 1877, is 1,869,677. 

A grant of land was made by congress, approved March 3, 1S63, for the construction of a 
military road from Fort Wilkins, Michigan, to Fort Howard, Wisconsin, of every alternate 
section of public lands, designated by even numbers for three sections in width on each side of 
said road, and subject to the disposal of the legislature. In 1865 sales of land were made to 
the number of 85,961.89 acres, which realized the sum of $114,856.54. 

An act of congress was approved June 25, 1S64, granting lands to the state to build a military 
road from Wausau, Wisconsin, to Ontonagon, on Lake Superior, of every alternate section of 
land designated as odd sections, for three sections in width on each side of the road. The grant 
was accepted by the state by law, approved April 10, 1865. 

An act was also passed by congress, approved April 10, 1S66, granting to the state of Wis- 
consin a donation of public lands to aid in the construction of a breakwater and harbor and ship 



THE ]>rBI,]C TXnrATX. 229 

canal at the head of Sturgeon bay, Wis., to connect the waters of Green bay with Lake Michigan. 
The grant was for 200,000 acres of land. The grant was accepted by the legislature of 1868. 
In i874,thesamebody by resolution transferred to the Sturgeon bayandLake Michigan ship canal 
and harbor company 32,342 acres, and the remaining portion was authorized to be sold for agri- 
cultural purposes by said company. 

The first railroad grant in Wisconsin was by act of congress, api)roved June 3, 1856, by the 
first section of which there was granted to the state, for the jnirpose of aiding in the construction 
of a railroad from Madison or Columbus, by the way of Portage City, to the St. Croix river or 
lake, between townships twenty-five and thirty-one, and from thence to the west end of Lake 
Superior and to Bayfield ; and from Fond du Lac, on Lake Winnebago, northerly to the state line, 
every alternate section of land designated by odd numbers, for six sections in width on each side 
of said roads, respectively; the land to be applied exclusively in the construction of said roads,, 
and to no other purpose whatever, and subject to the disposal of the legislature, and the same 
shall remain public highways for the use of the government, free from toll and other charges 
upon the transportation of property or troops of the United States, with other conditions as to 
the disposal of said lands. 

The grant was accepted by the legislature by an act approved October 8, 1S56, and on the 
nth of the same month an act was approved granting a portion of the lands to the La Crosse & 
Mississippi railroad company, who were to carry out all the requirements of the original grant. 
A supplementary act was approved the same session, October 13, incorporating the Wisconsin &: 
Superior railroad, which company was required to commence the construction of their road on 
or before January i, 1857, and to complete the same to Oshkosh before August i, 1858. Of this 
land grant John W. Cary says: "That portion of the grant given to aid in the construction of 
a railroad northerly to the state line was conferred on the Wisconsin & Superior railroad companv. 
This company was organized in the interest of the Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac railroad 
company, and that part of the grant was transferred to it. The road was, in 1859, extended to 
Oshkosh, and thence to Menasha, and finally to Green Bay. In the panic of 1857, the company 
failed to meet its obligations, but was afterward enabled to go on, and continued in possession 
until June 2, 1859, when its road was sold on the foreclosures of the mortgages given thereon '> 
and on the sixth of the same month tlie jjresent Chicago & Northwestern railroad company was. 
organized under the statute, by purchasers at said sale, and took possession." 

A large portion of the original grant was given for the construction of a road from Madison 
or Columbus to the St. Croix river, as before stated. The La Crosse company, during the years 
1857 and 1S58, completed its main line to La Crosse; the Watertown line, from Watertown to 
Columbus, and partially graded the line from Madison to Portage City. Neither it nor its suc- 
cessors ever received any part of the lands of the land grant. 

In 1856 and 1857, the La Crosse & Milwaukee railroad graded most of the line from Madi- 
son to Portage. After the failure of the company, this line was abandoned, and so remained 
until 1870, when a new company was organized, under the name of the Madison & Portage City 
railroad company. In 1873, an act was j)assed chartering the Tomah & l^ake St. Croix railroad 
company, and repealing and annulling that portion of the land grant which bestowed the lands 
from Tomah to Lake St. Croix upon the La Crosse company, and bestowing the same upon the 
company chartered by this act. Th.is road is known as the West Wisconsin railroad. 

An act of congress was approved May 5, 1S64, granting lands to aid in the construction of 
certain roads in the state. This was a re-enactment of the law of 1856, and divided the grant 
in three sections, one of which was for a road from a point on the St. Croix river or lake, between 



0;3^) insTOKY OF WISCONSIN. 

townships twenty-five and thirty-one, to the west end of Lake Superior, and from some point on 
the line of said road, to be selected by the state, to Bayfield — every alternate section designated 
by odd numbers, for ten sections in width on each side of said road, with an indemnity extending 
twenty miles on each side, was granted, under certain regulations; another, for aiding in building 
a road from Tomah to the St. Croix river, between townships twenty-five and thirty-one — every 
alternate section by odd numbers, for ten sections in width on each side of the road ; another 
for aiding and constructing a railroad from Portage City, Berlin, Doty's Island, or Fond du Lac, 
as the legislature may determine, in a northwestern direction, to Bayfield, on Lake Sui^erior, and 
a grant of every alternate section designated by odd numbers, for ten sections in width on each 
side of said road, was donated. 

The legislature of 1S65 failed to agree upon a disposition of the grant. The succeeding 
legislature conferred the grant partly upon the " Winnebago & Lake Superior Railroad Company," 
and partly upon the " Portage & Superior Railroad Company," the former April 6, 1S66, and the 
latter April 9, 1866. The two companies were consolidated, under the name of the "Portage, 
Winnebago & Superior Railroad," by act of the legislature, March 6, 1869, and by act of legis- 
lature approved February 4, 1S71, the name was changed to the "Wisconsin Central Railroad." 



HEALTH OF WISCONSIN. 

By JOSEPH HOBBINS, M.D. 

An article on state health, necessarily embracing the etiology, or causes of disease, involves 
the discussion of the geographical position of the state ; its area, physical features ; its elevations, 
depressions; water supply; drainage; its mean level above the sea; its geology; climatolog}' ; 
the nationality of its people; their occupations, habits, food, education; and, indeed, of all the 
physical, moral and mental influences which affect the public health. 

Geographical Position. 

The geographical position of Wisconsin, considered in relation to health, conveys an imme- 
diate and favorable impression, which is at once confirmed by a reference to the statistica. .,tlas 
of the United States. On its north it is bounded by Lake Superior, Minnesota, and the northern 
peninsula of Michigan; on the south by Illinois; on the east by Lake Michigan, and on the 
west by the Mississippi. It lies between 42° 30' and 46" 55' N. latitude, and between 87° and 
92° 50' W. long.; is 285 miles long from north to south, and 255 in breadth from east to west, 
giving it an area of some 53,924 square miles, or 34,511,360 acres. Its natural surface divisions, 
or proportions, are 16 per cent, of prairie, 50 of timber, 19 of openings, 15 of marsh, mineral 
undefined. North of 45" the surface is nearly covered with vast forests of pine. The proportion 
of the state cultivated is nearly one-sixth. 

Physical Features. 

Among these, its lacustrine character is most conspicuous, so much so that it may not inaptly 
be called the state of a thousand lakes, its smaller ones being almost universal and innumerable. 



HEALTH OF AVISCOKSIX. 231 

It has an almost artificially perfect arrangement of its larger rivers, both for supply and drainage, 
is rolling in its surface, having several dividing ridges or water sheds, and varies from 600 to 1,600 
feet above the level of the sea. Blue Mounds being 1,729 feet above sea level. Its pine and 
thickly wooded lands are being rapidly denuded, and to some extent converted to agricultural 
purposes; its marshes in the north are being reclaimed for cranberry cultivation, and in the more 
thickly settled parts of the state for hay purposes. The surface of the state is beautifully diver- 
sified with stream, waterfall and rapids; richly wooded bluffs several hundred feet in height, 
assuming the most romantic and pleasing forms, and composed of sandstone, magnesian 
limestone, granite, trap, etc. The health and summer resorts of Wisccmsin are illustrative of its 
beauty, and its numerous mineral springs have long since formed an important feature of its 
character for salubrity. 

Geology. 

The geology of Wisconsin does not require from us but a very general notice, as it is only 
from its relation to disease that we have to consider it. This relation is in a measure apparent 
in the fact that everywhere the topographical features are governed by the strata below them. 
The relationship will be seen still further in the chemical or sanitary influence of the geological 
structures. Through the greater part of the south half of the state limestone is found, the clid 
prevailing in the mineral region, and the blue in the other parts; while in the north jiart of the 
state the primitive rocks, granite, slate, and sandstone prevail. South of the Wisconsin river 
sandstone in layers of limestone, forming the most picturesipie bluffs, abounds. While west of 
Lake Michigan e.xtends up to these rocks the limestone formation, being rich in timber or prairie 
land. Sandstone is found underneath the blue limestone. The general dip of tlie stratified 
rocks of the state is toward the south, about S feet 10 the mile. 

Medical geology treats of geology so far only as it affects health. Thus, some diluvial soils 
and s'ands are known to be productive of malarial fevers ; others, of a clayey character, retaining 
water, are productive of cold damp, and give rise to pulmonary and inflammatory diseases ; 
while others still, being very porous, are promotive of a dry and equable atmosphere. In 
the Potsdam rocks arise our purest waters and best supply, while our magnesian limestone rocks 
(a good quality of this kind of rock being composed of nearly equal parts of carbonate of lime 
and carbonate of magnesia) affect the water to the extent of producing simple diarrhoea in those 
unaccustomed to drinking it, as is observed in southern visitors, and was especially noticeable 
in the rebel prisoners at Cam]) Randall, though singularly enough do not seem to produce 
stone and gravel, as is alleged of the same kind of water in the north of England. Why this is 
so — if so — is a question of some interest. Goitre and cretinism are both attributed to the use 
of the same magnesian limestone water. Goitre is by no means an uncommon affection here 
but not common enough, perhaps, to warrant us in thinking its special cause is in the water. 
Boiling the water is a preventive of all injurious effects. There is still another objection -- partic- 
ularly applicable to cities — to this kind of water, the carbonates of lime and magnesia whi( h 
it contains, not simply making it hard, but giving it the power to jironiote the decomposition of 
organic matters, and thus where the soil is sandy or porous, endangering the purity of our well- 
water. Geology in general affects all our soils and their jiroducts; all our drainage; even our 
architecture, the material with which we build. Our building stone for half of the state is a 
magnesian limestone, a rather soft or poor quality of which will absorb one-third of its b\ilk of 
water, or two and a half gallons to the cubic foot, while most kinds of sandstone arc ne.uiv as 
porous as loose sand, and in some of them the penetrability for air and water is the same. (.V 
single brick of poor quality will absorb a pint of water). Such materials used in the construction 



232 IlISTOllY OF AVLSCOXSIN. 

of our dwellings, without precautionary measures, give rise to rheumatism, other grave diseases, 
and loss of strength. Besides, this character of stone absorbs readily all kinds of liquid and 
gaseous impurities, and though hardening in dry air, decays soon when exposed to underground 
moisture. The material of which our roads are made, as well as the kind of fuel we use in our 
homes, have the same unquestionable relationship to geology and disease. 

Drainage. 

The natural drainage of the state, bearing in mind that the mean elevation of its hydro- 
graphical axis is about i,ooo feet above the sea level, is as excellent as it is obvious. (A line 
running from Lake Michigan across the state to the Mississippi, shows an elevation of about 500 
feet). North its drainage is by a few rapid but insignificant streams into Lake Superior, while 
east it increases greatly and enters Lake Michigan by way of Green bay. The principal part of 
the supply and drainage, however, is from the extreme north to the southwest through the center 
of the state, by five large rivers, which empty themselves into the Mississippi at almost equal 
distances from each other. 

Climatologv. 

The climatology of Wisconsin will be exhibited in the observations taken at different times, 
for longer or shorter periods, and at different points of the state. But it must be borne in mind 
that climate depends quite as much and very frequently more upon the physical surroundings, 
upon the presence of large bodies of water, like our lakes, upon large forests, like our pineries, 
like our heavy hard-woods, and of land elevations and depressions, upon isothermal lines, etc., as 
it does upon latitude. Our historic period is of a character too brief for us to assume to speak 
of our climate, or of all the changing causes which influence it — in a positive manner, our 
horticultural writers, to make the difficulty still greater, affirming that it \\^'s, several climates within 
itself; still, sufficient data have been gathered from sufficiently reliable sources to enable us to 
form a tolerably accurate idea of the subject. 

The great modifiers of our climate are our lakes. These, bounding as they do, the one, 
Lake Superior (600 feet above the level of the sea, 420 miles long and 160 broad), on the north 
side of the state, and the other. Lake Michigan (.^yS feet above the sea level, 320 miles long and 
84 broad), on the east side of the state, serve to govern the range of the thermometer and the 
mean temperature of the seasons, as much as they are governed in New England by the ocean. 
Our climate is consequently very much like that of the New England sea-board. They both 
exhibit the same extremes and great extremes, have the same broadly marked continental features 
at some seasons, and decided tropical features at others. It is of special interest in this con- 
nection to know that the climate between the eastern coast and the lakes increases in rigor as 
one advances west until the lakes are reached, and again becomes still more rigorous as one 
advances into the interior west of the lakes, thus affording proof, if proof were wanting, of the 
modifying and agreeable influences of large bodies of water 

During the winter the mean temperature of the east on the New England coast is 8.38 
higher than the west (beyond the lakes) ; during the spring 3.53 lower ; during the summer 6.99 
lower; and during the autumn 1.54 higher. In the mean temperature for the year there is but a 
fractional difference. That the winters are less rigorous and the summers more temperate on 
the Great Lakes is demonstrated to be owing not to elevation, but, as on the ocean, to the equal- 
izing agency of an expanse of water. 

On the lakes the annual ratio of fair days is 117, and on the New England coast 215 ; the 



HKA]/rir OF AviscoNsiX. 233 

cloudy days are as 127 to 73; the rainy as 63 to 46 and the snowy as 45 to 29 In tlie former 
the prevailing weather is cloudy, and in the latter it is fair. The immense forests on the upper 
lake shores of course exercise a considerable influence in the modification of our temperature, as 
well as in the adding to our rain-fall and cloudy days. A climate of this character, with its 
attendant rains, gives us that with which wc are so abundantly supjjlied, great variety of food, 
both for man and beast, the choicest kinds of fruits and vegetables m the greatest profusion, and 
of the best quality, streams alive with fish, woods and prairies with game, the noblest trees, the 
most exquisite flowers, and the best breeds of domestic animals the world can boast of. 

The semi-tropical character of our summer, and its resemblance to that of New England, is 
shown by the mean temperature — 70'^ — for three months at Salem, Massachusetts, at Albany, 
New York, at southern Wisconsin, Fort Snelling and Fort Benton on the Upper Missouri, being 
the same ; while at lialtimore, Cincinnati and St. Louis, it is 75", and around the gulf of Mexico 
it is So". Another feature of our climate i> worthy the notice of invalids and of those who make 
the thermometer their guide for romfo ; It is a well-ascertained fact that during the colder 
seasons the lake country is not only relatively, but positively, warmer than places far south of it. 
The thermometer, during the severe cold of January, 1856, did not fall so low at the coldest, by 
lo*^ to 15° at Lake Superior as at Chicago at the same time. This remark holds true of the 
changes of all periods of duration, even if continued over a month. The mean temperature at 
Fort Howard, Green Bay, Wisconsin, 600 feet above the level of the Atlantic, latitude 44" 40', 
longitude 87°, observations for nine years, is 44.93 ; and at Fort Crawford, Prairie du Chien, 
Wisconsin, 580 feet above the level of the .\tlantic, latitude 43'^ 3', longitude 90" 53', observa- 
tions for four years, is 45.65, giving a just idea of our mean temperature for the state. Under 
the head of distribution of heat in winter, it is found that the maximum winter range at Fort 
Winnebago, Wisconsin, for sixteen years, is 9.4. 

HvKT.Ai. or R.\iN Char.\cter. 

Wisconsin is situated within what is termed the a/ra 0/ constant precipitation, neither affected 
by a rainy season, nor by a jiartial dry season. The annual quantity of rain on an average for 
three years at Fort Crawford, was 29.54 inches, and at Fort Howard the mean annual on an 
average of four years, was 38.83 im lies. The annual quantity of rain, on an average of three 
years was 31. 8S inches at Fort Winnebago, situate (opposite the portage between the Fox and 
Wisconsin rivers) 80 miles west of Lake Michigan and 112 miles southwest of Green Bay. The 
rain-fall is less in the lake district than in the valley of the Mississippi in the same latitudes. 
One of the peculiarities of our winters is the almost periodical rain-fall of a few days in the 
middle of the winter (usually in the middle of January), which extends to the Atlantic coast, 
while north and northwest of us the dry cold continues without a break, winter being uniform and 
severe, characterized by aridity and steady low temperature. Another peculiarity of our climate 
is, the number of snowy and rainy days is increased disproportionately to the actual (piantity — 
the large bodies of water on the boundaries of the state, contrary to the popular opinion, reduc- 
ing the annual quantity of rain in their immediate vicinity instead of adding to it, the heavier 
precipitation being carried further away. (Jne of the most pleasing features of our climate is its 
frequent succession of showers in summer, tempering as it does our semi-tropical heat, increasing 
the fertility of the soil, and carpeting our prairies with a green as grateful to the e\ c as that of 
England. 

The hygrometric condition of Wis( onsin may be judged of with proximate accuracy by that 
given of Poultney, Iowa : 



234 



HISTORY OF WlfSCOXSIX 



Day. 


Temperature 
of Air. 


Temperature 
uf Evaporat'n 


Humidity, 
per cent. 


Day. 


Temperature 
of Air. 


Temperature 
of Evaporat'n 


Humidity, 
per cent. 


loth 

11 

12 


92" 

8- 

92 

96 

93 


78° 

75 

77 

81 

78 


51 

55 
48 

50 
44 


19th 

20- - - 

21 

29 --- 

30 


94" 

97 

96 

81 

84 


81" 

81 

So 

72 

71 


55 
48 

47 


13-- ---- 

14 


63 
50 



The average depth of snow for three years, at Beloit, Wisconsin, was twenty-five inches, 
while at Oxford county, Maine, the average for twelve years was ninety inches. The isohyetal 
lines of the mean precipitation of rain and melted snow, for the year 1872, show that of Wiscon- 
sin to be thirtv-two. 

Isotherms. 

The mean temp;.iature of spring is represented by the isotherm of 45° F. which enters Wis- 
consin from the west about forty miles south of Hudson, passing in a nearly southeast direction, 
and crosses the south line of the state near the west line of Walworth county. It then passes nearly 
around the head of Lake Michigan, then northeast until it reaches the latitude of Milwaukee, 
whence it passes in a somewhat irregular course east through Ontario, New York, and Massa- 
chusetts, entering the ocean in the vicinity of Boston. The summer mean isotherm of 70^ F. 
enters Wisconsin from the west but little farther north than the spring isotherm, and passes 
through the state nearly jjarallel with the course of that line, crossing the southern boundary 
near the east line of Walworth county; passing through Chicago it goes in a direction a little 
south of east, and enters the Atlantic at New Haven. The mean isotherm of 47'' F. for autumn, 
enters the state about twenty miles north of Prairie du Chien, passing in a direction a little north 
of east through Portage, and enters Lake Michigan near Manitowoc. The isotherm of 20° F. 
representing the mean temperature of winter, enters the state near Prairie du Chien, passes east 
and north and enters Lake Michigan at .Sturgeon bay. The annual mean temperature is repre- 
sented by the isotherm of 45° F. which enters the state near Prairie du Chien, passes across the 
state in a direction a little south of east, and enters Lake Michigan a little south of Milwaukee. 

What influence these isotherms have upon our belts of disease there are no data to show. 
But from their influence upon vegetable life, one can not but infer a similar good influence on 
the animal economy. This is a question for the future. 

BARliMt.TKlCAL. 

Yearly mean of barometer at 32'' I', as observed at the University nf Wisconsin, altitude 
1,088 feet above the sea: 



1 869 28.932 inches. 

IS70 -- 28.867 " 

I87I-- 28.9S6 ■• 

1872 28.898 ■• 



1S73 . . - 28.892 inciies. 

1874 28.867 " 

1875 28.750 " 

1876 28.920 



Atmospheric pressure, as indicated by the barometer, is an important element in the causation 
of disease, far more so than is generally thought. The barometer indicates not only the coming 
of the storm, but that state of the atmosphere which gives rise to health at one time, and to 
disease at another. When the barometer is high, both the body and mind have a feeling of 
elasticity, of vigor and activity, and when the barometer ranges low, the feelings of both are just 
the reverse ; and both of these states, commonly attributed to temperature, are mostly the result 
of change in the barometric pressure. Many inflammations, as of the lungs, etc., commonly 



HEALTH OF AVISCONSIX. 235 

attributed to change in the temperature, have their origin in harometriral vicissitudes. 

Winds. 

(lenerally sjjeaking, the atnKJspheric movement is from llie west. ]t is of little purpose 
what the surface wind may be, as this does not affect the fact of the ionsiancy of the westerly 
ivinds in the middle latitudes. The showers and cumulus clouds of the summer always have this 
movement. The belt of westerly winds is the belt of constant and equally distributed rains, the 
feature of our winds \ipon which so much of our health and comfort depends. 

Climatologicvi. Cha.nicks I Ro.\r Sktti.ini, \\\y. Siaie. 

There are many theories afloat concerning the effects of reclaiming the soil and the destruc- 
tion of its forests. To us, a new people and a new state, the question is one of great moment, 
the more so that it is still in our jiower not only to watch the effects of such changes, but still 
more so to control them in a measure for our good. As to the effects upon animal and vegetable 
life, it would appear that so far as relates to the clearing away of forests, the whole change of 
conditions is limited to the surface, and dependent for the most part on the retention and slow 
evaporation in the forest, in contrast with tlie rapid drainage and evaporation in the open space. 
The springs, diminishing in numlier and volume in our more settled parts of the state, do not 
indicate a lessening rain-fall. It is a well ascertained fact that in other places so denuded, which 
have been allowed to cover themselves again with forests, the s]jrings reappear, and tiie streams 
are as full as before such denudation. With us, happily, while the destruction of forests is going 
on in various parts of tlie state, their seconii i;nncith is also going on, both in tiic pineries, where 
new varieties of hard-wood take the place of the jjine, and in the more cultivated parts of the 
state, cultivation forbidding, as it does, the jjractice so much in vogue some years ago, of running 
fires through the undergrowth. Thus, though the renewal of forests may not be keeping pace 
with their destruction, it would seem clear that as time advances, the springs and streams in the 
more cultivated sections of the state will fill and flow again, increasing in proportion as the second 
growth increases and expands. 

The change, however, from denudation, though strictly limited to the surface, affects the 
surface in other ways than simply in the retention and evaporation of rain. When the winter 
winds are blowing, the want of the sheltering i)rotection of belts of trees is bitterly felt, both by 
man and beast. And so, too, in the almost tropical heats of the summer ; both languish and suffel 
from tlie want of shade. Nor is the effect of denudation less sensibly felt by vegetable life. The 
growing of our more delicate fruits, like the peach, the plum, the pear, the better varieties of the 
cherry and gooseberry, with the beautiful half-hardy flowering shrubs, all of which flourished se 
well in a number of our older counties some twenty years ago, areas a rule no longer to be found 
in those localities, having died out, as is believed, from exposure to the cold winds, to the south 
west winds in particular, and for want of the protecting influence of the woods. In fruits, how 
ever, we have this compensation, that, while the more tender varieties have been disappearing, 
the hardier and equally good varieties, especially of apples, have been increasing, while the 
grape (than which nothing speaks better for climatology), of which we grow some 150 varieties, 
the strawberry, the raspberry, blackberry and currant, etc., hold their ground. Nor are the cattle 
suffering as much as formerly, or as much as is perhaps popularly believed, from this want of 
forests or tree shelter. With the better breeds which our farmers have been able of late years to 
purchase, with better blood and better food, and better care, our stock instead of dwindling in 
condition, or in number, from the effect of cold, has progressed in (juality and tpiantity, and 
competes with the best in the ('hicago and the New York markets. 



236 HISTORY OF WrSCOXSIX. 

There can, however, be no doubt that the planting of groves and belts of trees in exposed 
localities, would be serviceable in many ways; in tempering the air and imparting to it an 
agreeable moisture in the summer; in modifying the severity of the cold in winter ; in moderating 
the extreme changes to which our climate is subject; and thus in a measure preventing those 
discomforts and diseases which occur from sudden changes of temperature. Besides, these 
plantings, when made between our homes or villages and malarial marshes southwest of us, serve 
(by the aid of our prevailing southwest winds) to break up, to send over and above and beyond 
us the malarial substratum of air to which we are otherwise injuriously exposed. 

The effects of reclaiming the soil, or "breaking " as it is called in the west, have, years ago, 
when the state first began to be settled, been disastrous to health and to life. The moist sod 
being turned over in hot weather, and left to undergo through the summer a putrifylng fomen- 
tative process, gave rise to the worst kind of malarial, typhoid (bilious) and dysenteric disease. 
Not, however, that the virulence or mortality altogether depended upon the soil emanations. 
These were undoubtedly r.ggravated by the absolute poverty of the early settlers, who were 
wanting in everything, in proper homes, proper food and proper medical attendance, medicines 
and nursing. These fevers have ;;wept the state years ago, particularly in the autumns of 1844 
and 1S45, but are now only observed from time to time in limited localities, following in the 
autumn the summer's " breaking." But it is pleasing to be able to add that through the advancing 
prosperity of the state, the greater abundance of the necessaries and comforts of life, and the 
facilities for obtaining medical care, the diseases incident to " settling " are much less commoTi 
and much less fatal than formerly. 

K.EL.'MIONS OK t'.LIMATOLOGY TO SaNIIARY STATUS. 

One of the principal reasons for gathering climatological observations, is to obtain sanitary 
information, which serves to show us where man may live with the greatest safety to his health. 
Every country, we might perhaps correctly say every state, has, if not its peculiar diseases, at 
least its peculiar type of diseases. And by nothing is either this type or variety of disease so 
much influenced as by climate. Hence the great importance of the study of climatology to 
health and disease, nay, even to the kind of medicine and to the regulating of the dose to be 
given. It is, however, best to caution the reader that these meteorological observations are not 
always made at points where they would most accurately show the salubrity of a geographical 
district, by reason of the fact that the positions were chosen not for this special purpose, but 
for purely military purposes. We allude to the forts of Wisconsin, from which our statistics for 
the most part come, .\nother caution it is also well to bear in mind in looking over the class of 
diseases reported at these stations in connection with their observations. The diseases are those 
of the military of the period, a class from which no very favorable health reports could be 
expected, considering their habits, exposure, and the influences incidental to frontier life. 

The geography of disease and climate is of special interest to the jniblic, and a knowledge 
especially necessary to the state authorities, as it is only by such a knowledge that state legis- 
lation can possibly restrain or root out the endemic diseases of the state. In connection with 
the gathering of vital statistics must go the collection of meteorological and topographical 
statistics, as without these two latter the former is comparatively useless for sanitary purposes. 
More particularly does this apply to the malarial diseases of the state. 

Acclimation is very rarely discussed or even alluded to by our people in relation to Wisconsin, 
for the reason that, come from whatever part of Europe men may, or from the eastern states, 
acclimation is acquired for the most part unconsciously, rarely attended by any malarial affection, 
unless by exposure in such low, moist localities, where even the natives of the state could not 



liEAi/rir OF AvrscoxsTX. 237 

live with impunity. It seems to be well enough established that where malaria exists, whether 
in London, New York, or Wisconsin ; where the causes of malarial disease are permanent, the 
effects are permanent, and that there is no positive acclimation to malaria. Hence it should 
follow that since life and malaria are irreconcilable, we should root out the enemy, as we readily 
can by drainage and cultivation, or, where drainage is impossible, by the planting of those shrubs 
or trees which are found to thrive best, and thereby ]jrove the best evaporators in such localities. 
Our cliniate, approximating as it does the 45th degree (being equi-distant from the equator and 
pole), would a priori \t^ a common ground of compromise and safety, and from this geographical 
position is not liable to objections existing either north or south of us. 

InFLUENCF, 111' NaTIONAMI II s. 

Our population is of such a confessedly heterogeneous character that naturally enough it 
suggests the question : Has this intermingling of different nationalities sensibly affected our 
health conditions .' Certainly not, so far as intermarriages between the nations of the Caucasian 
race are concerned. This opinion is given first upon the fact that our classes of diseases have 
neither changed nor increased in their intensity by reason of such admixture, so far as can be 
learned by the statistics or the history of disease in the northwest. Imported cases of disease are 
of course excepted. Second, because all that we can gather from statistics and history concern- 
ing such intermingling of blood goes to prove that it is beneficial in every respect, physically, 
mentally and morally. 

England, of all nations, is said to be the best illustration of the good attending an 
intermingling of the blood of different nations, for the reason that the English character is 
supposed to be, comparatively speaking, good, and that of all countries she has been perhaps 
more frequently invaded, and to a greater or less part settled by foreign peo])les than any other. 

From a residence of nearly a quarter of a century in the center of Wisconsin, and from an 
adequate knowledge of its people, whose nationalities are so various and whose intermarriages 
are so common, it is at least presumable that we should have heard of or noted any peculiar or 
injurious results, had any such occurred. None such, however, have been observed. Some fears 
have been expressed concerning the influence of Celtic blood upon the American temperament, 
already too nervous, as is alleged. It is scarcely necessary to say that these fears are unsupported 
by figures or facts. Reasoning from analogy, it would seem safe to affirm diat the general inter- 
mingling by intermarriage now going on in our population, confined to the Caucasian nationali- 
ties, will tend to preserve the good old Anglo-Saxon character, rather than to create any new char- 
acter for our people. If this view needed support or confirmation, it is to be found in some very 
interesting truths in relation to it. Mr. Edwin Seguin, in his work on Idiocy, lays special stress 
on the influences of races in regard to idioc\' and other infirmities, like deafness. He says that 
the crossing of races, which contributed to the elimination of i-ome vices of the blood (as may be 
the case in the United States, where there are proijortionally less deaf and dumb than in Europe), 
produces a favorable effect on the health of the population, and cites as an example, Belgium, which 
has fewer deaf and dumb than any country in Europe, owing to the influence of the crossing of 
races in past ages from the crowds of northern tribes passing, mingling and partly settling there 
on the way to England. 

We are aware that it has been predicted that our future will give us a new /j/r, distinct from 
all other peoples, and that with tliis type must come not only new diseases but modifications or 
aggravations of the present diseases, in particular, consumption and insanity. But so long 
as we are in a formative state as a nation, and that this state seems likely to continue so long as 
the country has lands to l)e occupied and there are jieople in Europe to occupy them, such spec- 
ulations can be but of little value. 



238 HISTOKY OF -WISCONSIN. 

Occupations, Food, Education, etc., as akfecting Public Health. 

The two chief factors of the social and sanitary well-being of a people are a proper educa- 
tion of the man and a proper cultivation of the soil. ( )ur two principal occupations in Wisconsin 
are education and agriculture, the learners in the schools being in e.xcess of the laborers on the 
soil. A happier combination could scarcely be desired, to form an intelligent and a healthy 
people. How this will affect our habits in the future it is easy to conceive, but for the present it 
may be said (of so many different nationalities arc we composed), that we have no habits which 
serve to distinguish us from the people of other northwestern states. A well-fed and a well-taught 
people, no matter how nii.xed its origin, must sooner or later become homogeneous and a maker 
of customs. In the mean time we can only speak of our habits as those of a people in general 
having an abundance of food, though it is to be wished the workers ate more beef and mutton, 
and less salt-pork, and that whisky was less plentiful in the land. The clothing is sufficient, 
fuel is cheap, and the dwellings comfortable. Upon the whole, the habits of the people are 
conducive to health. It is thought unnecessary to refer to the influence upon health in general 
of other occupations, for the reason that manufacturers, traders and transporters are for the most 
part localized, and perhaps not sufficiently numerous to e.xercise any marked influence on the 
state health. 

History of Disease. 

In searching for historical data of disease in Wisconsin, we are able to go back to tne year 
1766, commencing with the aborigines. The Indians, says Carver, in his chapter on their diseases, 
in general are healthy and subject to few diseases. Consumption from fatigue and exposure he 
notices, but adds that the disorder to which they are most subject is pleurisy. They are like- 
wise afflicted with dropsy and paralytic complaints. It is to be presumed that while Carver is 
speaking generally, he means his remarks to apply, perhaps, more particularly to those Indians 
with whom he lived so long, the Sioux of this state. That they were subject to fevers is gathered 
from the use of their remedies for fever, the " fever bush " being an ancient Indian remedy, and 
equally valued by the inhabitants of the interior parts of the colonies. Besides this, they had 
their remedies for complaints of the bowels, and for all inflammatory complaints. These notices 
sufficiently indicate the class of diseases which have certainly followed in the wake of the Indi- 
ans, and are still occurring to his white brother, making it plain enough that lung diseases, bowel 
complaints, and fevers are in fact native to the state. The fact must not be ignored that the 
Indian is subject to the same diseases as the human race in general. 

After Carver, we may quote Major Long's expedition in 1S24. The principal disease of the 
Sacs appears to be a mortification of the intestinal canal, more common among men than women, 
the disease proving fatal in four days if not relieved. It is unaccompanied with pain, and is neither 
hernia, dysentery, nor hemorrhoids. Intermittents were prevalent, and the small-pox visited 
them at different periods. As the Chippewas have a common Algonquin origin with the Sacs, 
and as their home and customs were the same, it may be expected that their diseases were simi- 
lar. The principal disease to which the Chippewas are liable is consumption of the lungs, 
generally affecting them between the ages of 30 and 40 ; they linger along for a year or two, but 
always fall victims to it. Many of them die of a bowel complaint which prevails every year. 
This disease does not partake, however, of the nature of dysentery. They are frequently affected 
with sore eyes. Blindness is not common. Many of them become deaf at an early age. 

Referring to the report of the commissioner of Indian affairs for 1854, we find that the 
decrease in the number of the Menomonees is accounted for by the ravages of small-pox, in 1838,. 



II EA I /I' 1 1 OF WISCOXSIN. 



239 



of the cholera, in 1S47 (which latter was superinduced by misery and starvation), and by the 
fever, which from time to time, commonly in the winter, has been raging among them, being 
clearly the consequence of want of provisions and other necessaries. The report for 1850 says, 
there has been considerable sickness among the Winnebagoes for several months past ; dysentery 
has been the prevalent disease, confined mostly to children. For 1857 : the Winnebagoes have 
suffered considerably from chronic diseases, scrofula and consumption. For 1859: the chief 
malady among the Winnebagoes is phthisis puhnonalis and its analogous diseases, having its 
source in hereditary origin. Some of the malignant diseases are occasionally met with among 
them, and intermittent and remittent fevers. In 1863 : of the Menomonees, there is a large 
mortality list of the tribes under my charge. Measles and some of the more common eruptive 
diseases are the causes. But the most common and most fatal disease which affects the Indians 
at this agency is pneumonia, generally of an acute character. There is but little tubercular 
disease to be found in any of these tribes, Menomonees, Stockbridges, Oneidas, etc. In the 
report for 1865, one can not but notice with some regret the absence of all allusion, except to 
small-pox, to the diseases of the Indians. Regret, because reliable information of such diseases 
serves a variety of valuable purposes, for comparison, confirmation, etc., of those of the white 
population. For these reasons, if for none other, it is to be hoped that the attention of the 
proper authorities will be called to this feature of such reports. 

The first reliable report on the diseases of the people (as distinguished from the Indians) of 
Wisconsin to which we have had access, is Lawson's Army Report of Registered Diseases, for 10 
years, commencing 1829, and ending 1838 (ten years before the admission of Wisconsin into the 
Union as a state). 



FORT HOWARD, C.REEN BAY. 



This abstract exhibits the second quar- 
ters only, the mean strength being 
1.702. 

All other diseases 114, excepting vene- 
real diseases, abcesses, wounds, ul- 
cers, injuries, and ebriety cases. 



Intermittent fever . 30 

Remittent do __ 11 

Synoclial do _ _ 4 

Typhus do 

Diseases of respirator)- organs - loi 

Diseases of digestive organs _ 1S4 

Diseases of brain and nervous system 9 

Dropsies i 

Rheumatic affections 61 

Under the class of diseases of the respiratory organs, are comprised 384 catarrh, 6 pneu- 
monia, 60 pleuritis, and 28 phthisis pulmonalis; under the class of digestive organs, 376 diar- 
rhoea and dysentery, 184 colic and cholera, and 10 hepatitis; under the class of diseases of 
the brain and nervous system, 15 epilepsy, etc. The deaths from all causes, according to the 
post returns, are 25, being i J^ per cent, per annum. The annual rate of intermittent cases is 6, 
and that of remittent is 3, per 100 of mean strength. 

Table of Ratio ok Sickness at Fort Howard. 



Seasons. 


MEAN STRENGTH. 


NUMBER 
TREATED. 


RAIK I'tR 1. 000 OF 

MEAN STRENtnil 

TREATED QUARTERLY. 


10 first quarters 


1.764 
1,702 
1,526 
1.594 


715 
726 

1.073 
636 


405 
425 


9 third " - -- 


703 


10 fourth " . - 


399 








'.647 


3.150 


1,913 





240 



HISTORY (IF ■WISCOXSIN'. 



Every man has consequently, on an average, been reported sick about once in every six 
months, showing this region to be extraordinarily salubrious. The annual ratio of mortality, 
according to the medical reports, is y\ per cent.; and of the adjutant-general's returns, ij\ 
per cent. 



FORT WINNEBAGO. 



Intermittent fever 21 

Remittent fever lo 

.Synoch.iI fever i 

Typhus fever — 

Diseases of the respiratory organs. 141 

Diseases of digestive organs. _ _. 90 

Diseases of brain and nervous system.. 2 

Rheumatic affections 26 



This abstract exhibits the fourth quarters 
only, the mean strength being 1,571. 

All other diseases. So, with the exceptions as 
above. 



Under the class of diseases of the respiratory organs are comprised 448 catarrh, 1 1 pneu- 
monia, 29 pleuritis and 10 phthisis pulmonalis ; under the head of digestive organs, 193 diarrhoea 
and dysentery, 149 colic and cholera, and 17 hepatitis; under the class of brain and nervous 
system, i epilepsy. The total number of deaths, according to the post returns, is 20. Of these, 
3 are from phthisis pulmonalis, i pleuritis, 2 chronic hepatitis, i gastric enteritis, i splenitis, etc. 

1 ABLE OF RATIO OF SICKNESS AT FORT WINNEBAGO. 



Seasons. 


MEAN STRENGTH. 


NUM1!ER 
TREATED. 


RATE PER 1,000 OF 

MEAN STRENGTH 

TREATED QUARTERLY. 




1.535 
1.505 
1.527 
I.57I 


552 
517 
581 

495 


360 


lo second " 


343 


TO third " 


380 




315 






Annual ratio -. 


1.534 


2,145 


1,398 







Every man on an average is consequently reported sick once in eight months and a half. 



FORT CRAWFORD. 



Intermittent fever 262 

Remittent fever 61 

Synochal fever — 

Typhus fever — 

Diseases of respiratory organs --I77 

Diseases of digestive organs 722 

Diseases of brain and nervous system 16 

Rheumatic affections 58 



This abstract e.xhibits the third quarters 
only, the mean strength being 1,885. 

All other diseases, 309, with the same list of 
exceptions as above. 



Under the class of diseases of the respiratory organs are included 1,048 of catarrh, 28 pneu- 
monia, 75 pleuritis and 13 phthisis pulmonalis; under the head of digestive organs, 933 diarrhoea 
and dysentery, and 195 colic and cholera; under the head of brain and nervous diseases, 7 
epilepsy, etc. The total of deaths, according to the post returns, is 94, the annual ratio being 
2y^ per cent. The causes of death are: 6 phthisis pulmonalis, 6 epidemic cholera, i common 
cholera, 4 remittent fever, 3 dysentery, etc. In the third quarter of 1830 there were 154 cases of 
fever, while the same (piarter of 1836, with a greater strengtli, affords but one case, the difference 
seeming to depend upon the temperature. 



llEA],TiI OF AVisroxsiX. 



241 



The relative agency of tlie seasons in the production of disease in general is shown in the 
annexed table : 

TABLE EXHIBITING THE RATIO OK SICKNESS. 



Seasons. 


MEAN STRENCTH. 


NUMBER 
TREATED. 


KAIIO I'EK 1,000 OK 

MEA.N STRENGTH 

TREATED QUARTERLY. 


9 first quarters ._ 


i,06o 

1.749 

1,885 
1,878 


9S7 
1,267 
1,948 
1.270 


595 

724 

1,033 

676 




lo ihird " 

lo fourth " ._ 




.■\nnual ratio 


1.793 


5.472 


3,052 





Consequently every man on an average has been reported sick once in nearly every four 
months. But high as this ratio of sickness is, at this fort, and, indeed, at tlie others, it is low 
considering the topographical surroundings of the posts. But besides these injurious topograph- 
ical and other influences already alluded to, there were still other elements of mischief amung 
the men at these stations, such as " bad bread and bad whisky," and salt meat, a dietary table 
giving rise, if not to " land-scurvy," as was the case at the posts lower down in the Mississippi 
valley (more fatal than either small-pox or cholera), at least to i^s concomitant diseases. 

The reason for using these early data of the United States .\rmy medical reports in pref- 
erence to later ones is, that even though the later ones may be somewhat more correct in certain 
particulars, the former serve to establish, as it were, a connecting link (though a long one) between 
the historical sketch of the diseases of the Indian and those of the white settler; and again — 
these posts being no longer occupied — no further data are obtainable. 

To continue this historical account of tlie diseases of \\'isconsin, we must now nave recourse 
to the state institutions. 

The Institution for ihk Education of the Blind. 

'1 he first charitable institution established by the state was formally opened in 1850, at 
Janesville. The census of 1875 showed that there were 493 blind persons in the state, those 
of school age — that is — under 20 years of age, probably amounting to 125. The number of 
pupils in the institution that year, 82 ; the average for the past ten years being 68. If the health 
report of the institution is any indication of the salubrity of its location, then, indeed, is Janes- 
ville in this respect an enviable city. Its report for 1876 gives one death from consumption, and 
a number of cases of whooping-cough, all recovered. In 1875, ten cases of mild scarlet fever, 
recovered. One severe and two mild cases of typhoid fever, recovered. For 1873, no sick list. 
For 1872, the mumps went through the school. For 187 i, health of the school reasonably good ; 
few cases of severe illness have occurred. 

The Institute eok the Deaf and Dumb. 

This was organized in June, 1852, at Dclavan. The whole number of deaf and dumb per- 
sons in the state, as shown by the census of 1875, was 720. The rc[)ort for 1S66 gives the 
number of pupils as 156. 

Little sickness, a few cases of sore throat, and slight bowel affections comprise nearly all the 
ailments; and the physician's report adds: ''The sanitary reports of the institution from its 
earliest history to the present date has been a guarantee of the healthiness of the location. 
Having gone carefully over the most reliable tabulated statements of deaf-mutism, its parent- 



242 iriSTORY OF AVISCOXSIX. 

age, its home, its causes, and its origin, we would most earnestly call the attention of the public 
to the fact that the chief cause comes under the head of congenital, 75 of the 150 pupils in this 
institution having this origin. Such a fearful proportiou as this must of necessity have its origin 
in a cause or causes proportionately fearful. Nor, fortunately, is the causation a mystery, since 
most careful examination leaves not a shadow of doubt that consanguineous marriages are the 
sources of this great evil. Without occupying further space by illustrative tables and arguments, 
we would simply direct the attention of our legislators and thoughtful men to the Imv 0/ this dis- 
ease which is, that the number of deaf and dumb, imbeciles, and idiots is in direct keeping with the 

degree of consanguinity. With such a law and exhibit before us, would not a legislarive inquiry- 
into the subject, with the view of adopting preventive means, be a wise step? The evil is fear- 
ful; the cause is plain; so, too, is the remedy." 

Industrial School for Boys. 

This institution is situated on the banks of the Fox river, at Waukesha, and was organized 
in 1S60. The whole number of the inmates since it was opened in July, i860, to October 10. 
1876, was 1,291. The whole number of inmates for 1S76 was 415. Of these, since the period 
of opening up to date, October, 1876, 25 have died : S,of typhoid fever; i, of typhoid erysipelas; 
I, of gastric fever; 3, of brain fever; i, nervous fever; 2, congestion of the lungs; 2, congestive 
chills; 5, of consumption; i of drojjsy ; and i of inflammatory rheumatism. 

The State Prison. 

This was located at Waupun in July, 1857. On September 30, 1S76, there were 266 inmates. 
But one death from natural causes occurred during the year. The health of the prisoners has 
been unusually good, the prevalent affections attendant upon the seasons, of a mild and 
manageable character. 

State Hospital for the Insane. 

This institution, located near Madison, was opened for patients in July, i860. The total 
number of admissions down to the year 1877, was 1,227 males, 1,122 females, total 2,349. Over 
one half of these have been improved ; nearly one third recovered ; while less than one quarter 
have been discharged unimproved. Total number of deaths, 28S. At the commencement of the 
year, October i, 1875, there were in the hospital 376 patients. In the report for the year ending 
September 30, 1876, we find the past year has been one of unusual health in the hospital. No 
serious epidemic has prevailed, although 20 deaths have been reported, 7 fatally ill before admis- 
sion, 4 worn-out cases, etc. Insanity, coming as it does, under this head of an article on State 
Health, is of the highest interest from a state point of view, not only because so much may be 
done to remedy it, but that still more can and ought to be done by the state to prevent it. Our 
insane amount to i in 700 of the whole population, the total number in hospitals, poor-houses and 
prisons being iti round numbers 1,400. It is a striking fact, calling for our earnest consideration, 
that the Germans, Irish and Scandinavians import and transmit more insanity — three to one — 
than the American-born population produce. The causes assigned for this disparity, are, as 
affecting importation, ihat those in whom there is an hereditary tendency to disease constitute the 
migratory class, for the reason that those who are sound and in the full possession of their powers 
are most apt to contend successfully in the struggle to live and maintain their position at home; 
while those who are most unsound and unequal to life's contests are unable to migrate. In other 
words, the strongest will not leave, the weakest can not leave. By this, the character of the 
migratory is defined. As affects transmission, poverty is a most fruitful parent of insanity, so too is 
poor land. Says Dr. Boughton, sujierintendent of the Wisconsin State Hospital for the Insane; 



IIKAT.rir OF -WISCONSIN 243 

Wisconsin is characlerized liy a large poor class, especially in the northeri) part of the state, 
where people without means have settled on new and poorly paying farms, where their life is 
made up of hard work, exposure to a severe climate, bad and insufficient diet, cheerless homes, 
etc., etc. These causes are prolific in the production of insanitv. It is easy, therefore, to trace 
the causes that give us so large a per cent, of insane in many of the counties of the state. Nor is 
it of less interest to know, as Dr. B. adds : We draw our ])atients from those families where 
phthisis pulmonalis, rheumatism and insanity prevail. Insanity and rheumatism are interchange- 
able in hereditary cases, so too are insanity and phithisis. What may be accomplished by intel- 
ligent efforts to stem the increase of insanity in our state .'' Much. Early treatment is one means, 
this is of course curative in its character. And its necessity and advantage are well illustrated 
ill table No. lo of the annual report of Dr. Boughton, for 1876, where it is seen that 45.33 of 
males, and 44.59 of the females who had been sent to the State Hospital having been insane but 
three months before admission, were cured, the proportion of cures becoming less in proportion 
to the longer duration of insanity before admission. As a preventive means, the dissemination 
of the kind of knowledge that shows indisputably that insanity is largely hereditary, and conse- 
quently that intermarriage with families so tainted should on the one hand be avoided by the 
citizen, and on the other hand, perhaps, prevetiied by the state, (congress at the same time 
restraining or preventing as far as possible persons so tainted from settling in this country.) 
By the state, inasmuch as the great burthen of caring for the insane falls upon the state. Still 
other preventive means are found in the improved cultivation of our lands and in our improved 
education ; in fact, in whatever lessens the trials of the poor and lifts them out of ignorance and 
pauperism. It is only by culture, says Hufeland, that man acquires perfection, morally, mentally 
and physically. His whole organization is so ordered that he may either become nothing or 
anything, hypercullure and the want o{ cultivation being alike destructive. 

Thk Northern- Hospital for the Insane. 

This hospital was opened at Oshkosh, May, 1873. The total number under treatment 
September 30, 1876 was — males 246, females 257, total 503. No ailment of an epidemic charac- 
ter has affected the health of the household, which has been generally good. The report of Dr. 
Kempster is full of suggestive matter for the legislator and sociologist. 

C'lTv OF Milwaukee. 

Still adhering to the plan, in writing the sanitary history of the state, of gathering up all 
the health statistics which properly belong to us, we now take uji those of Milwaukee, the only 
city in Wisconsin, so far as we know, that has kept up a system of statistics of its diseases. 
The city is built on each side of the mouth of Milwaukee river, on the west shore of Lake Michi- 
gan in lat. 43" 3' 45" N., long. 87" 57' W., and is considered remarkable for its healthy climate. 
The board of health has furnished us with its report for 1870 and downward. The character of 
its mortality from June 19, 1869, to March 31, 1870, is thus summarized : In children under five 
years of age, 758 out of 1,249 deaths, consumption, 93; convulsions, 128; cholera infantum, 
59; diarrhoea, 128; scarlet fever, 132; typhoid fever, 52 ; inflamnuition of the lungs, 41 ; still- 
born, 79. This disproportionate number of still-born children is attributed in part to a la.xity of 
morals. The deaths from consumption in Milwaukee are 7^4 out of every 100, one third less out 
of a like number of deaths than in San Francisco, in which city, in 4,000 deaths, 441 died of con- 
sumption, being 11 out of every 100 deaths for the year ending July, 1869. The deaths for 1870 
numbered 1,655, 'l^"^ population beinsi at the last census report, 71.636. 



•244 HISTOKY OF AVISCOXSIX. 

Table of Principal Causes. 



Consumption I43 

Inflammation of lungs _ -- 56 

Convulsions --259 

Diarrhoea - 13 1 

Diptheria.-- - --74 

Scarlet fever - 5 = 

Typhoid fever 49 

Old age - 2S 

Still-born 123 



The Milwaukee population being about 
72.000, the death rate per annum for 
every 1,000 inhabitants would be 21, 
after proper deductions of deaths from 
other causes than from disease, showing 
very favorably as compared with other 
cities. 



?2 ; 



Glasgow has 39 to every 1,000; Liverpool, 36; London, 25 ; New Orleans, 54; New York, 
San Francisco, 24; Milwaukee, 21. Among seventeen of the principal cities of the Union, 
Milwaukee ranks the ninth in rate of mortality. An impression has prevailed that Milwaukee is 
subject to a large and disproportionate amount of lung and allied diseases. Statistics disprove 
this, its deaths from consumption being only 6 percent., while those of Chicago are 7.75 ; of 
St. Louis, 9.68; of Cincinnati, 11.95; 'i»d of Boston, 19.31. But few cases of malarial disease 
occur in Milwaukee, and fewer cases of intestinal fever than in the interior of the state. The 
mortality ahiong children is explained by its occurring chiefly among the poor foreign-born 
population, where all that can incite and aggravate disease is always to be found. 

This, (the historical part of the health article), will doubtless call forth from the profession 
much additional and desirable matter, but excepting what will further appear under the head of 
Madison it is proper to say that we have exhausted the sources of information on the si'bject 
within our reach. 

Health Resorts. 

Next in order would seem to come some notice of the summer and health resorts of Wiscon- 
sin, which, significant of the salubrity of the state, are not only becoming more numerous, but 
also more frequented from year to year. 

Madison, the capital of the state, with a population of 11,000, is built on an isthmus between 
two considerable lakes, from 70 to 125 feet above their level; 80 miles west of Milwaukee, in 
latitude 43° 5' north, and longitude 89° 20' west, in the northern temperate region. The lake 
basins, and also the neck of land between them, have a linear arrangement, trending northeast and 
southvi^est. The same linear topography characterises the whole adjacent country and the boun- 
dary lines of its various geological formations, this striking feature being due to the former move- 
ment of glacier ice over the face of the country. At two points, one mile apart, the Capitol and 
L'niversity hills, respectively 348 and 370 feet above the level of Lake Michigan, rise prominently 
above the rest of the isthmus. Both of these hills are heaps of drift material from 100 to 126 feet 
thickness, according to the record of the artesian well. The neck of land on which Madison stands 
is of the same material. The same boring discloses to us the underlying rock structure, pene- 
trating 614 feet of friable quartzose sandstone belonging to the Potsdam series, loj^ feet of red 
shale belonging to the same series, and 2091-^ feet of crystalline rocks belonging to the Archaean. 
In the country immediately around Madison, the altitude is generally considerably greater, and 
the higher grounds are occupied by various strata, nearly horizontal, of sandstone and limestone. 
The Potsdam sandstone rises about 30 feet above the level of Lake Mendota, on its northern 
shore, where at McBride's Point it may be seen overlaid by the next and hitherto unrecognized 
layer, one of more or less impure, dark-colored, magnesian limestone, to which the name of Men- 
d jta is assigned, and which furnishes a good building stone. The descent of these strata is about 



irEAi/nr of avisconsin'. 245 

9 feet to the mile in a due southerly direction. Overlying the Mendota beds are again sandstone 
layers, the uppermost portions of which are occasionally charged with lo to 20 per cent, of calca- 
reous and dolomitic matter, and tiien furnish a cream-colored building stone of considerable 
value. Most of this stratum which has been designated as the Madison sandstone, is, however, 
quite non-calcareous, being either a ferruginous brown stone, or a quite pure, white, nearly loose 
sand. In the latter phase it is of value for the manufacture of glass. In a number of quarries, 
cuttings and exposed places around the city, the Madison beds are seen to be overlaid by a gray- 
ish, magnesian limestone, the lower niagnesian, varying very considerably in its character, but 
largely composed of a flinty-te.\tured, heavy-bedded, (juite pure dolomite, which is burnt into a 
good quality of lime. Its thickness exceeds 80 feet. Madison, with the conveniences and com- 
forts of a capital city, from its easy access by railroads, from not only in itself being beautiful, 
but from its beautiful surroundings, from its good society, charming climate, and artesian 
mineral water, is naturally a great summer resort. 

Though there are no vital statistics of the city to refer to, a residence of nearly a quarter of 
a century has made us sufficiently acquainted with its sanitary history, which is more or less the 
sanitary history of this part of the state, and in a measure of the state itself. In 1844 and 1S45, 
it was visited by an epidemic malarial fever of a bilious type, and not unfrequently fatal, which 
passed very generally through the state, and was attributed to the turning up of the soil. It was 
most virulent in the autumns. Again in 1S54 it was visited by a light choleraic epidemic, which 
also swept the state, assuming very generally a particularly mild type. Again in 1057 it suffered 
lightly from the^epidemic dysentery, which jiassed through the state. In 1S65, it suffered from 
a visitation of diptheria, the disease prevailing generally over the state at that time. It hasalso 
had two visitations of the epidemic grip {grippe), or influenza. The last invasion, some five 
years since, commencing in a manner perhaps worthy of noting, by first affecting the horses very 
generally, and again, by beginning on the east side of the city, while the other epidemics for the 
past twenty-five years (unless the choleraic visitation was an exception) came in on the south- 
west side of the city, as has been the case, so far as we have been able to observe with the light 
epidemics to which children are subject. But little typhoid fever is found here, and the aguish 
fevers when they occur are light and easy of control. There is but little diarrhoea or dysen- 
tery. Pneumonia and its allied affections are more common, so is rheumatism, and so neuralgia. 
Inflammatory croup, however, is very rare, sporadic diptheria seeming to be taking its jjlace. 
All the ordinary eru])tive fevers of children are and always have been of a peculiarly mild 
type. 

Prairie du Chien, situated immediately at the junction of the Wisconsin with the Mississippi, 
is built about 70 feet above low water, and 642 feet above the level of the sea. The cliffs on 
both sides of the river present on their summits the lower strata of the blue Silurian limestone 
of Cincinnati, beneath which are found sandstone and magnesian limestone down to the water's 
edge. We give this notice of Prairie du (Hiien for the purpose of bringing to the knowledge of 
the public that it possesses one of the most superl) artesian wells in the state, which is attracting 
many persons by its remedial mineral properties. 

Green Bay sanitarily may be considered as sufficiently indicated under the head of Fort 
Howard. It is, however, proper to atld that from its geographical jiosition and beautiful situa- 
tion at the head of the bay, its easy access both by railroad and steamboat, its pleasant days and 
cool summer nights, it has naturally become quite a po[)ular summer resort, i)articiilarly for 
southern peo[ile. 

Racine, some 25 miles south by east by rail from Milwaukee and 62 by rail from Chicago, is 
built upon the banks and some 40 feet above the level of the lake. Its soil is a sandy loam and 



246 HISTORY or AVISCOXSIX. 

gravel, consetiuentlv it has a dry, healthy surface, and is much frequented in the summer for its 
coolness and salubrity. 

Waukesha, i8 miles west of Milwaukee by railroad, is a healthy, pleasant place of resort at 
all times on account of its mineral water, so well known and so highly appreciated throughout 
the country. 

Oconomowoc, 32 miles by railroad west by north of Milwaukee, is a healthy and de- 
lii'-htfully located resort for the summer. Its many lakes and drives form its chief attractions, 
and though its accommodations were considered ample, during the past summer they were found 
totally inadequate to meet the demands of its numerous visitors. 

The Dalles, at Kilbourn City, by rail 16 miles from Portage, is unsurpassed in the northwest 
for the novelty, romantic character, and striking beauty of its rock and river scenerj'. It is 
liich and dry ; has pure water and fine air, and every-day boat and drive views enough to fill 
up a month pleasantly. 

Lake Geneva, 70 miles by rail from Chicago, is built on the north side of the lake, is justly 
celebrated for its beauty, and its reputation as a summer resort is growing. 

Green Lake, six miles west of Ripon, and 89 northwest from Milwaukee, is some 15 miles 
long and three broad, surrounded by beautiful groves and prairies; and is claimed to be one of 
the healthiest little places on the continent. 

Devil's Lake is 36 miles by rail north of Madison. Of all the romantic little spots in Wis- 
consin, and they are innumerable, there is none more romantic or worthy of a summer visitor's 
admiration than this. It is, though shut in from the rude world by bluffs 500 feet high, a very 
favorite resort, and should be especially so for those who seek quiet, and rest, and health. 

Sparta, 246 miles by rail from Chicago, is pleasantly and healthily situated, and its artesian 
mineral water strongly impregnated with carbonate of iron, having, it is said, over 14 grains in 
solution to the imperial gallon, an unusually large proportion, attracts its annual summer 
crowd. 

Sheboygan, 62 miles by rail north of Milwaukee, from its handsome position on a bluff over- 
looking the lake, and from the beauty of its surroundings as well as from the character of its 
mineral waters, is an attractive summer resort. 

Elkhart Lake, 57 miles by rail north of Milwaukee, is rapidly acquiring a good name from 
those seeking health or pleasure. 

Change in Diseases. 

In order to ascertain whether the classes of diseases in the state at the date of Carver's 
travels are the same which prevail to-day, we have compared his description of them witli those 
tabulated in the army medical reports of Forts Howard, Crawford and Winnebago, and again 
with those given in the LT. S. Census for 1870, and with the medical statistics of the city of 
Milwaukee. The three distinct and prominent classes prevailing from Carver's to the present 
time, are, in the order of prevalence, diseases of the respiratory organs, consumption, pneumonia, 
bronchitis, etc.; diseases of the digestive organs, enteritis, dysentery, diarrhoea, etc.; and the 
malarial fevers. At Fort Howard alone do the diseases of the digestive organs seem to have 
outnumbered those of the respiratory organs. So far as it is possible to gather from the reports 
of the commissioners of Indian affairs, these features of the relative prevalence of the three 
classes of disease are not disturbed. 

There are, however, some disturbing or qualifying agencies operating and affecting the 
amount or distribution of these classes in different areas or belts. For instance, there are two 



liKAi;rii (IF ^\"Is^oNsI^^ 247 

irregular areas in the state; the one extending from the Mississippi east and nortli, anci the other 
starting almost as low down as Madison, and running up as far as Green Bay, wjiich are more 
. subject to malarial diseases than are the other parts of the state. AVhile it is found that those 
parts of the state least subject to diseases of the digestive organs arc, a belt along the western 
shore of Lake Michigan, and a belt running from near Prairie du Chien north into the ])ineries. 
Again, it is found that the ])art of the state most subjec' to enteric, cerebro-spinal and typhus 
fevers, is quite a narrow belt running north from the southern border line into the center of the 
state, or about two-thirds of the distance toward the pineries. All along the western shore of 
Lake Michigan, and stretching across the country by way of Fond du Lac to the Mississippi, is 
a belt much less subject to these disorders. It is equally beyond question that the western shore 
of Lake Michigan, and the southern shore of Lake Superior, as well as the western half of the 
southern boundary line of the pineries, are less affected with consumption than the interior parts 
of the state. 

The tendency of these diseases is certainly to amelioration. The sanitary history of Wiscon- 
sin does not differ from that of any other state east of us, in this striking particular; the farthei 
you trace back the history of disease, the worse its type is found to be. It follows, then, that 
the improvement in public health must jirogress with the general improvement of the state, as 
has been the case with the eastern states, and that the consequent amelioration of our malarial 
diseases especially will tend to mitigate infectious diseases. The ameliorating influences, how- 
ever, that sanitary science has brought to bear upon disease, of which England is so hajjpy an 
illustration, has scarcely as yet begun to be known to us. But the time has come at last when 
this science is moving both the hearts and minds of thinking and humane men in the state, and 
its voice has been heard in our legislative halls, evoking a law by which we are, as a people, to be 
governed, as by any other enactment. The organiisation of a state board of health is a new era 
in our humanity. In this board is invested all legal power over the state health. To it is com- 
mitted all the sanitary responsibility of the state, and the greatest good to the people at large 
must follow the efforts it is making. 

There are many other points of sanitary interest to which it is desirable to call the attention 
of those interested in Wisconsin. It is a popular truth that a dry climate, all other things being 
equal, is a healthy climate. Our hygronietrical records show Wisconsin to have one of the driest 
<-limates in the United States. Choleraic diseases rarely prevail unless in a comparatively 
stagnant state of the atmosphere, where tiiey arc most fatal, \\here high winds ])revail such 
diseases are rare. The winds in Wisconsin, while ])roverbially high and frequent (carrying away 
and dissipating malarial emanations), are not destructive to life or property, as is the case, by 
their violence, in some of the adjoining states. A moist, warm atmosphere is always provocative 
of disease. Such a state of atmos]ihere is rare with us, and still more rarely continuous beyond 
a day or two. Moist air is the medium of malarial poisoning, holding as it does in solution 
gases and poisonous exhalations. Its character is readily illustrated l)y the peculiar sniell of 
some marsh lands on autumnal evenings. Such a state of moisture is seen only in our lowest 
shut-in marshes (where there is but little or no air-current), and th.en only for a very limited 
period, in very hot weather. 

But too much importance is attached by the public to a simply dry atmosphere for respira- 
tory diseases. The same mistake is made with regard to the good effects in such disorders of 
simply high elevations. Dry air in itself or a high elevation in itself, or both combined, are 
not necessarily favorable to health, or curative of disease. In the ligfit and rare atmosphere of 
Pike's Peak, an elevation of 6,000 feet, the pulse is accelerated, the amount of sleep is dimin- 
ished, and the human machine is jnit under a high-pressure rale of living, conducive only to its 



248 



HISTOllY OF WISCONSIN. 



injury. The average rate of the pulse in healthy visitors is from 115 to 120 per minute (the 
normal rate, in moderate elevations, being about 75). And where there is any organic affection 
of the heart, or tendency to bleeding from the lungs, it is just this very dry atmosphere and high 
elevation that make these rcniedies {J) destructive. Hence it is that Wisconsin, for the generality 
of lung diseases, especially when accompanied with hemorrhage, or with heart disease, is prefer- 
able to" Colorado. It may be objected, that the diseases of the respiratory organs are in e.xcess 
of other diseases in Wisconsin. This feature, however, is not confined to the cold belt of our 
temperate latitudes — our proportion of respiratory diseases, be it noted, comparing most favor- 
ably with that of other states, as may be seen in the following table: 



CuM.\TOLOGiCAi, Distribution of Pulmo.xarv Diseases. 



Deaths Per cent. 

by of entire 

Phthisis. Mortality, 



Deaths by all 
diseases of Res- 
piratory Organs. 



Massachusetts, 1850, U. S. Census 

Ohio, 1849-50, U. S. Census 

Michigan, 1850, U. .S. Census 

Illinois, 1849-50. U. .S. Census 

Wisconsin, 1849-50, U. S. Census 



3.426 

657 
866 
290 



17.65 
S.83 

14-55 
7.36 
9.99 



4,41s 
3.98S 
1,084 
1,799 

535 



Per cent, 
of entire 
Mortality. 



22.27 

13-77 
24.00 
15-00 
1S.43 



Now, while the mortuary statistics of the United States census for 1S50 are acknowledged 
to be im[)erfect, they are, nevertheless, undoubtedly correct as to the causes of mortality. But 
besides this statistical evidence of the climatological causes of disease, there are certain relative 
general, if not special, truths which serve to guide us in our estimate. Respiratory diseases of 
all kinds increase in proportion as the temperature decreases, the humidity of the air being the 
same. .Another equally certain element in the production of this class of diseases is variableness 
of climate. .Still, this feature of our climate is only an element in causation, and affects us, as 
we shall see in the table below, very little as compared witli other states. Indeed, it is still 
disputed whether there is not more consumption in tropical climates than in temperate climates. 
This much is admitted, however, that consumption is rare in the arctic regions. Dr. Terry says 
the annual ratio of pulmonary diseases is lower in the northern than in the southern regions of 
the United States, and Dr. Drake, an equally eminent authority, recommends those suffering 
from or threatened with pulmonary affections, to retreat to the colder districts of the country, 
citing among others localities near Lake Superior — a recommendatiun which our experience of 
nearly half a century endorses. 

Proportion of Pnfi'moxia to Consumption in the DiFin-RiNi- States. 



STATES. 


CONS. 


PNEUM. 


STATES. 


CONS. 


I'NEUM. 


Massachusetts 

Ohio .._ 


3.424 

2,558 

866 


549 
S95 

647 


North Carolina 

Kentucky 


562 

1,288 

2go 


664 
429 
194 







When we compare the general death-rate of \\'isconsin with that of the other states of the 
Union, we find that it compares most favorably with that of Vermont, tlie healthiest of the New- 
England states. The United States census of 1S50, i860 and 1870, gives Wisconsin 94 deaths 
to 10,000 of the population, while it gives Vermont 101 to every 10,000 of her inhabitants. The 



STATISTICS OF WISCOXSIN. 



2i8 



censusof I S70 shows that the death-rate from consumption in Minnesota, Iowa, California and Wis- 
consin are alike. Tliese fourstates show the lowest death-rate among liie states from consumption, 
the mortality being 13 to 14 per cent, of the whole death-rate. 

Climatologically considered, then, there is not a more healthy state in the Union than the 
state of Wisconsin. But for health ])urposes something more is requisite than climate. Climate 
and soil must be equally good. Men should shun the soil, no matter how rich it be, if the climate 
is inimical to health, and rather choose the climate that is salubrious, even if the soil is not so 
rich. In Wisconsin, generally speaking, the soil and climate are e(|ually conducive to health, 
and alike good for agricultural purposes. 



STATISTICS OF WISCONSIN. 

1875. 



ADAMS COUNTY. 





POPULATION. 


TOWTJS, ClTIE.=l AND 

Villages. 


White. 


Colored 






c" 


_&j 


n 




Adams 


200 

244 

164 
261 
117 
204 
240 
163 
444 
74 
126 
121 
199 
189 
501 
127 


198 
71 
221 
153 
200 
100 
193 
229 
137 
403 
62 
118 
99 
131 
182 
433 
113 


'2' 


■4" 


398 
154 


Bit? Klats 


Dell Prairie 


4t)5 








401 


Leoia 


Lirit^uln 

Mouroe 


4G9 


New Haven 


847 
13t) 


Preston 


QllilKrj' 


244 


Kiclifleld 










371 


Strong's Prairie 


984 


Wtilte Creek 


243 






Total 


3.431 


3,045 


2 4 


tj 502 







ASHIi^VND COUNTY. 



Ashland 


868 
141 


180 
141 


.... 




448 


La Pointe 


282 








409 


321 













BAYFIELD COUNTY. 



Bayfield. 



638 193 1 



1,032 



BjVkkon county. 







POPfLATION. 




Towns. Cities and 
Villages. 


Wliite. 


Colored 






;c, 


s 





r: 
c 

< 




313 
439 
364 
326 
214 
122 
210 


283 
397 
319 
216 

1K2 

84 

186 






628 
856 
683 


Clierac 

Prairie Farm 




Sumner 


396 






Dallas 








Total 


2.068 


1.6B9 






3,737 





BROWN COUNTY'. 





210 
143 
371 
410 
943 
291 

I.8S9 
.'i91 

3.966 
381 
784 
687 
319 
499 
765 
616 
384 
838 
434 
774 
477 
982 

1,222 


175 
136 
337 
358 
956 
208 

1.721 
482 

4,017 
.342 
705 
379 
467 
408 
633 
529 
335 
792 
372 
696 
452 
941 

1.038 


"3" 

i'i 
•>■ 

"i' 

"i' 


•is' 

.... 

"i' 


385 




279 




711 




768 




1.911 




499 




3.610 


Gleinuore 


1,073 
8.037 




1,123 


Hollan<l 


1,489 


Howard 


1.266 
986 


Lawrence 

Morrison 

New Uenmariv 

Plttsfield 


909 
1,398 
1,145 

719 




1,642 




806 


Scott 


1,470 




929 


West Depere village 


1,923 
2.295 






Total 


18,376 


16.899 


53 


45 


35,373 



250 



HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 



BURNETT COUNTY. 





POPULATION. 




Towns, Cities and 


■White. 


Colored 




Villages. 




a 


S 


(4 


< 




433 

2:n 

«7 


379 
191 

83 


'I 
13 


4 
14 


827 




434 




195 








751 


653 


38 


35 


1.456 







BUFFALO COUNTY, 





296 
34 
307 
138 
376 
369 
293 
377 
413 
339 
875 
315 
403 
341 
717 
899 
5.53 
465 
500 


254 
293 
379 
137 
336 
321 
283 

373 
309 
240 
212 
383 
306 
671 
664 
501 
431 
494 


.... 


3 


550 




637 




586 


Buffalo Citj- 


275 

;i3 


Cross ...- 


690 
574 




504 




785 




648 




515 




427 




785 


Montana 

Kaples 

Nelson 

"Wall maTulee 

Alin;i villaite 

Fountain City village 


647 

1.388 

1.563 

1.053 

886 

994 




7.517 


6,702 


2 


3 


14.219 







CAL.XJMET COUNTY. 



Brothertown . 

Brilliou 

Chiltou 

Chariestowu.. 

Harrison 

Niw llolstein 

Kant. -Ill , 

StucUbridge... 
Woodville 

Total.... 



804 


809 


12 


7 


666 


50 7 






1.061 


1.000 


16 


It; 


668 


592 


3 


4 


1.008 


875 


1 




1.016 


949 






837 


753 






910 


865 


Itii 


Iht, 


690 


639 






7.730 


0.989 


193 


183 



1.692 
1.173 
2.093 
1.367 
1,884 
1.965 
1.590 
2.093 
1.329 

15.085 



CLARK COUNTY'. 



Beaver 

Colby 

Eatou 

Fremont.... 

Grant 

He wet 

Hixon 

Loyal 

Lynn 

Levis 

Mentor 

Mayville... 
Fine Valley 

Perkins 

Sherman ... 

Unity 

Warner 

Weston 

Washburn . 
York 

Total.. 



106 


91 






303 


210 






1H3 


1'2 






57 


'7 






353 


3 






58 


43 






205 


123 






262 


237 






84 


71 






151 


113 






347 


307 






137 


123 






789 


736 






36 


37 






133 


120 






133 


107 






186 


121 






336 


153 






70 


68 






171 


135 






3.988 


3.294 







197 
313 
335 
104 
663 
101 
338 
499 
1.55 
264 
654 
260 
1,525 
73 
252 
239 
307 
379 
138 
806 

7.282 



CHIPPEWA COUNTY. 





rOPULATION. 


Towns, citie.s and 


Wliite. 


Coloretl 


£ 


Villages. 




2 




(4 


as 

t 
bo 
< 


Anson 


361 

488 

654 

3.286 

329 

1.360 

1.046 

346 

443 


269 

420 
606 

1,755 
388 

1.074 
638 
353 
368 


"e" 


"3" 

'4' 


630 




90S 




1,360 


Chippewa Falls city 


6,050 
617 




2.434 




1,68 » 




59 J 




81 ) 








8.313 


5.670 


6 


7 


13,995 







COLUMBIA COUNTY. 





512 
639 
481 
912 
662 
662 
376 
749 
515 
596 
541 
705 
449 
444 
853 
759 
130 
2,164 
630 
409 
433 
486 
580 
33 


497 
584 
400 
991 
647 
618 
.351 
713 
497 
506 
505 
743 
437 
409 
863 
737 
119 
2.161 
556 
374 
347 
443 
540 
34 






1.009 


Caledonia 

Columbustown 

Columbus city 

Conrllaiut 

Dekorra 

Fort Wiuneba}.(0 

Fonnt;iini*raine 


1,223 

• 881 


"4" 
3 

7 


1' 
3 

■5' 


1,903 
1,309 
1,280 
727 
1,461 
1,013 


Leeds 

Le wiston 

Lodi 


1,103 
1,046 
1,448 




886 


Marcellon 


858 
1,721 


Otsego 


1,496 
249 


Portage city 


4,337 
1,186 




783 




770 




928 




1,120 


Westw. Vii. of Randolph.. 


67 




14,710 


14.069 


15 


9 


28,803 







CRAWFORD COUNTY. 



Bridgeport 

Clavion 

Eastman 

Freeman 

Haney 

Marietta 

Prairie du Cliien town. 
Prairiodn Chien city— 

First ward 

Second ward 

Tliird ward 

Fourth ward.- 

Scott 

Seneca 

Utlea 

Wauzeka 

Total 



177 


186 






851 


765 






755 


688 






79s 


766 






313 


358 






498 


404 


4 


3 


394 


326 






411 


353 






439 


535 





3 


404 


434 






184 


209 


I2 


ft 


485 


468 






704 


687 






773 


697 






583 


511 






7.759 


7.270 


18 


11 



363 

1,616 

1.443 

1,564 

671 

90S 

720 

763 

964 

838 

393 

953 

1,391 

1,470 

1.094 

15.035 



DOUGLAS COUNTY. 



346 3 6 



STATISTICS OF WISCONSIK. 



251 



DOOR COUNTY. 





POPULATION. 


Towns, Cities AND 


WJ 


ite. 


Coloreti 




Villages. 




ii 

s 




s 


to 


Bailey's H.arbor. 

llnissels 

Cl:iv Hunks 

Kkk HiirlH.r 

FDi-fstviOe 


210 
369 
344 
244 
420 
208 
377 
IBS 
394 
220 
268 
290 
331 
2S6 
220 


186 
31B 
279 
BIO 
382 
20(> 
32.'-. 
107 
278 
192 
211 
2.W 
301 
214 
181 


.... 




396 
675 
623 
454 
802 
414 


(Jitiralter 


703 


.lacksoiipitil 

I.iUfrly «iove 

Nasewaii iM-e 


273 
1)72 
418 
479 


S!urpeoti Hav 

Stlirj^.'f»n liay village 


549 
632 
530 




401 






Total 


4,343 


3.077 


.... 




8,020 







DUXN COUNTY. 



Colfa» 

Diltiii 

Eau Galle 

Kll; IMonuil... 

GniTit 

Lucas 

.^Iciio'iuilu'e ., 
Ni-w Ilaveii... 

I'cw 

R.'.l C.-ilar..., 
Kockt'n-i-k... 

SluTidail 

Slieniiatt 

Si)iiii.i,' i;vc)nk 

Stallion 

TainliT 

Tilfaiiy 

Weston 

Total..., 



178 
578 
577 
261 
490 
239 
1,959 
130 
130 
319 
327 
156 
379 
628 
271 
400 
128 
212 



170 
458 
490 
231 
463 
190 
1,467 
124 
115 
313 
203 
146 
808 
548 
229 
263 
117 
188 



394 6,021 



"5' 
■ 1' 

r 


"r 
'2 

"2 


7 


5 



DODGE COUNTY. 



348 

1,036 

1,067 

492 

954 

429 

,3,433 

254 

245 

662 

531 

302 

687 

1,176 

503 

663 

245 

400 

13.427 





743 
794 

1,656 
567 
593 
451 
694 
701 
724 
471 
451 
985 

1,143 
591 
907 
150 
833 
832 

1.014 

1,318 
532 

1,006 
668 
956 
149 
559 

1,072 
956 
586 
615 

1,435 
628 


700 
707 

1,795 
524 
519 
403 
636 
701 
632 
381 
508 
911 

1,097 
599 
841 
154 
804 
759 
929 

1,245 
537 
951 
653 
912 
168 
506 

1,026 
806 
558 
618 

1,.520 
441 


"4" 

25 
■ i) ■ 
"1" 


"i 

28 

■3 
"l" 




IJeavrr l>aui town 

lieavir Damciiy 


1..501 
3,4.55 
1,091 
1,112 
8.54 
1,330 
1,402 


('aianins 

CIlK.sliM- 

Clynian 

Ull)a 


Ko.'C Lake town 

Ko>c l^akevillage 

Herman 


853 
1.012 
1 896 


Ilnhbaul 




Hurlr-on village 

lln.stisroril 

.riiiieau village 

I*eiianon 


1,190 

1,7.;8 

310 

1 637 


Le Itov 

Loniii-a 


1.597 
1.943 
2 563 


Ma vville village 


1 064 












1,868 

318 

1.065 


Ii.'intloli)ii villaire. K. ward 
Shields 


TluTMsa 

Tn-ntoii 

W.stf.ird 

Willi.-unstown 

Watirlonn nltv, 5*6 Wds 
Waupun village, IsEwaid.. 


1" 


?3 


2,098 
1,762 
1,145 
1.233 
2.955 
1.070 


Total 


24,785 


2.3,541 


35 


48,394 



DANE COUNTY. 





population. 


Towns, Cities and 

ViLLAOES. 


White. 


Colored 




1 




— ' 




s 

< 


Albion 


679 
692 
451 
555 
559 
679 
675 
853 
680 
703 
697 
493 
677 
686 
676 
419 
4,858 
813 
726 
866 
.540 
655 
630 
470 
569 
592 
553 
.523 
728 
685 
515 
283 
647 
546 
562 
813 
629 
518 


582 






1.261 
1,135 

897 
1,030 
1,090 
1.137 
1.121 
1,593 
1,130 
1,430 
1,168 

906 
1,253 
1,173 
1.051 

7SS 
10.093 
1,635 
1.417 
1.718 
1,079 






' '4 

20 
1 

T 
i 


l!l.ai-k Kartii 


446 .... 


IJliie .Mounds 

ljrist<jl 


531 
558 
546 
740 
549 
727 
571 
413 
575 
587 
575 
361 
6,174 
818 
691 
860 
638 
704 
44 4 
448 
C87 
559 
504 
495 
661 
622 
457 
.306 
479 
491 
5*1 5 
8(18 
558 
484 


r 

r 

r 
'\ 

iV ' 

T 

Y 

1 

:::; 

■3 
1 


linrke ... 

Christiana 

Cottage drove 

Cross I'laiiis 

Dane 

Deerlield 




Fiteliljurg 


Madison town 






Middletou 

Montrose 








919 
1.057 
1 151 






Rutland 


1 057 




1.018 






1 207 


.Stm Prairie 

Sun I'laine viiiage 

Vienna 


'973 

589 
1,036 
1,039 
1,118 
1 621 








1,191 




1,003 




Total 


20,894 


25,814 j 60 


30 


53,798 





FON DU I/AC COUNTY. 





1.064 


9.38 


4 




2.006 




877 
725 
6K5 
733 


799 
686 
661 
649 






1.676 




1.411 




1.346 




1,372 


l.:dcn 


763 


713 
490 


7 


■'6' 


1,476 




1,039 


Kldorado 


810 


747 






1.587 


l^'ond du Lae 


768 


676 


1 




1.445 




793 


686 






1. 479 




682 


534 


1 




1.107 






Virst ward 


1,109 


1.175 


.5 


11 


2,300 


Seeonil ward 


1,156 


1.348 


3 


3 


2.409 




1.085 


1.304 


3 


3 


2.295 


Foiirtli ward 


1,374 


1.398 


1 


1 


2.774 


Fifth ward 


594 


.563 






1.157 


Si-\th ward 


739 


737 


8 




1.481 


Seveidh ward 


655 


659 


3S 


27 


1,369 


Eiglitit ward 


7211 


753 


33 




1,523 




780 

918 

1,055 


731 
919 
891 


1 

1 


1 
"4" 


1.513 




1.838 


Marshlicid 


1.952 


Oakfleld 


748 


673 






1.421 


()S(a!ola 


684 


667 






1,351 




630 
611 


581 
584 


■ ■.)■ ■ 


1 


1,211 


Rosendale 


1,200 


Uiponcity— 


873 
777 
613 


981 
862 
580 


"3 


1 
5 


1,854 




1,647 


Sprlngvaie — 




Tavriieedali 


783 


717 






l..')00 




666 
498 


644 
478 


1 

98 


"1" 


1.3U 


Waupun village, >'. ward.. 


979 


Total 


25,149 


24,604 


SO 


50.241 



252 



HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 



EAU CLAIRE COUNTY. 





POPCLATIOX. 




Towns, Cities and 


White. 


('oloreU 






^ 
S 


^ 




2 

a^ 
h 


is 

< 


Augnsta village 

liiiilpce Creek 

I'.iuiiswiL'k 

Eiiii Claire cit,v 

Kaiicliikl 

Laut 


549 
4bl 
419 
4.B4I) 
221 
158 
701 
49B 
200 
93 
327 
393 


507 
383 
387 
3.777 
179 
103 
553 
463 
243 
78 
290 
337 


13 


"4" 


1,056 
844 
700 

8.410 
400 
321 




1,254 




959 




503 




171 




617 




720 










Total 


8,724 


7,250 


13 


4 


15 991 







GREEN COUNTY. 





476 
565 
585 
669 
695 
759 
348 
450 
867 
540 
4B2 
1..525 
550 
530 
639 
446 
477 
520 


437 
.585 
554 
7.50 
654 
751 
350 
433 
847 
480 
44r 
1.693 
658 
445 
697 
530 
393 
496 


T 2' 
"e" '3" 

2 .... 
r 'l' 


913 




1.150 




l.l:iS 




1.428 
1 349 






1.510 




701 




883 




1.714 




1.026 


Monroe 

IMouroo villaRe 

ivlount Pleasafit 


903 
3.227 

l.lio 

975 




1.238 




876 








1 010 








Total 


11.102 


10.900 


14 11 


22 027 







GRANT COUNTY. 



Beetown 

Blue liiver 

B0SC0l)lH 

BlooiniiiKloii . 

Clitron 

Cassville 

ElIeiilKn-o 

Feimimure ... 
GleiiHavon... 
Hiolcory Grov 
Hazel (ireeii.. 

Harrison 

Jame-stown ... 

Lima 

Liberty 

Lancaster 

Little Grant... 

Muscoila 

Marlon 

Miilvllle 

Mount Hope.. 

Paris 

PLattville 

Potosi 

P.atcli Grove. 

Smelser 

Waterloo 

Watter.stown . 

WiuKville 

AVvalusing 

>Voo(lnian 

Tot.il 



865 
413 
974 
607 
487 
709 
425 
935 
611 
410 

1.047 
558 
636 
539 
4.W 

1.370 
359 
071 
309 
109 
400 
500 

2.000 

1.373 
429 
716 
486 
330 
5S6 
380 
293 



20.037 



805 


27 


30 


413 






990 


5 


3 


599 






512 






tJ77 






3S1 






835 






531 


2 




397 






1.074 






491 






557 




1 


481 
423 






1 




1.3.58 


6 


2 


349 






604 






357 






97 






381 






440 






3.054 


3 


3 


1.208 




1 


401 


10 


9 


013 


1 




469 






274 






481 






354 






209 




40 


18.944 


65 



1,717 

826 

1.978 

1.200 

999 

1,386 

S09 

1.770 

1,144 

843 

2.121 

1.049 

1.194 

1.020 

882 

2.742 

708 

1.275 

720 

200 

781 

940 

4.000 

2,044 

855 

1,330 

955 

604 

1,017 

734 

562 

39,086 



GREEN LAKE COUNTY. 





POPULATION. 


Towns, Cities AND 


White. 


Colored 




Villages. 




6 

s 


S 


3.* 


1 
< 


Berlin 

Berlin city 

Brooklyn 

Green 1 ,uke 

KiiiK^ton 

Ulanehesier 


.548 
1,586 
707 
729 
452 
630 
737 
537 
1.076 
390 
232 


554 
1.755 
691 
759 
442 
054 
682 
531 
1,015 
336 
225 






1.102 


.... 
.... 

6 

1 

"1" 




8.341 
1.399 
1.500 
895 
1.285 
1.419 




1,058 


PrineeloM 

■St. Marie 


2,091 
726 
458 








Total 


7.632 


7,642 


9 1 6 


15.274 











IOWA COUNTY. 



Arena 

Civile 

DoclReville 

Hislilaiid 

l.iTiilen 

Mifflin 

IVIiiiernl Point 

Mineral Point city 

]\Iosro\v 

Pulaski 

Ridffewav 

Waldwiik 

Wyoniini^ 

Total 



,004 
390 
.854 
505 
078 
818 
806 
,458 
484 
785 
,299 
480 
363 



13,384 



924 







30V 






SVO 






459 






9V2 




3 


705 






7 1 5 




2 


581 


n 


4 


443 






712 






174 






434 






358 






714 


20 


9 1 



JACK.SON COUNTY. 



1.930 

757 

3,735 

3.024 

2.059 

1.526 

1.527 

3.054 

927 

1,497 

2.473 

914 

720 

21.133 



Albion 


1.428 
699 
549 
714 
609 
836 
613 
138 
448 
505 


1.334 
620 
477 
554 
588 
19'i 
540 
82 
429 
407 






2 768 


Alma 


1.319 


Garden Valley 


1.026 
1.268 


Irvin" 


1 257 


Manehester 


433 

1,159 
210 
877 

1,032 


Millstoii 

Nortlltield 






Total 


6.039 


5.394 


5 




11.339 



JEFFERSON COUNTY. 



Aztalan.. 



Coin-Old 

Cold Sinliii; 

Far in I iii;ton 

Helironl 

1 xoii ia 

JelTi-rson 

Koshkonong 

Lake Mills 

Miironl 

tlakland 

Palmyra 

.Sullivan 

.Sninner 

Waterloo 

WaleiloovillaRe 

Wat. 'It own l.'Wii 

Wat.'rtowiiiitv, l.st. 2rt, 3d, 
4tli. and 7tli wards 



Total 17.702 



669 
770 
375 

1.215 
005 
920 

3.081 

1,744 
745 
799 
571 
798 
757 
248 
526 
418 

1.115 

3.2S6 



635 
747 
350 

1,193 
608 
857 

1,958 

1,810 
720 
752 
515 
778 
736 
255 
489 
397 

1,005 

3,283 



40 



1,312 
1,522 

734 
2.415 
1.273 
1.777 
4.041 
3.556 
1.499 
1.561 
1.086 
1.576 
1.483 

503 
1,016 

815 
2,180 

6,569 



34,908 



STATISTICS OF AVISCONSIN. 



253 



JUNEAU COUXTY. 





POPL'LATIOX. 




Whlto. 


Colored 




TOWN.S. CITIKS AX1> 








o 


















i 




i 


M 




















o 




















rt 








tt 




er. 


- 


' 


- 


< 


Arini'iiiH 


117 


119 






230 


(;U':irti.-l(l 


135 


1 15 






250 


fmiiiliiiii 


397 


313 






74 


(■•■riiiiiiitown 


390 


322 






712 


KiliJ;u.- 


309 


249 






558 


LiMii.mwfir 


533 


519 






1.072 


Liiuliiul 


556 


510 






1,000 


l.isl.Mii 


274 


210 






6M 


L\ int. Ml 


259 


221 






483 


M:irii.ii 


17S 


100 






338 


M;nist(>ii V i llage 


548 


509 






1,118 


N.Mwhih 


1.001 


864 






1.805 


Now Lisbon villiiRe 


558 


573 


1 


1 


1,133 


OnmRi^ 


267 


248 




1 


510 


rhMHiiilh 


748 


690 






1.43S 


Sfv.ii Miledrrek 


419 
510 


377 
460 






79 11 
970 


Siininiil 


\\ onewoc 


774 


719 


2 


3 


1.493 


Tot.-ll 


7.993 


7.301 


15.300 





KENOSHA COUNTY. 





501 
585 
2,420 
539 
734 
297 
793 
097 
434 


505 
552 
2.533 
479 
723 
232 
1157 

oiin 

4 33 


"2' 
7 

'5" 

5 


"i 
7 

■5 

"i' 


1.066 






4.959 

1.018 

1.457 

549 


l';iri» 

lMi-:is.int Prairie 

It.iiiOall 




1.450 




\Vhe:>tl;uid 


867 


Tot,al 


7.060 


6.803 


19 


19 


13.907 





IvlCWAUNEE COUXTY. 



Ah iiapee town 

A lui:iiH;e villuBf 

rarlluii 


087 
532 
700 
742 
747 
1,337 
497 
023 
917 
718 

7.500 


632 
506 
700 
657 
726 
1.233 
440 
534 
780 
685 

0..899 


.... 


... 


1.319 
1.038 
1 -ll"' 


<:as.^ 

Fnulvilii 

K<'w;niiH-(!to\va .V village. 

I.in.'Mlri 

Minit;.rlii-r 

I'ierri. 

RtMl Kivt-r 


1,399 
1.473 
2.570 
937 
1.157 
1.097 

1 .Mtt 




. . . . *, ..^.j 


Total 











UA CROSSE COUXTY. 



IJarn: 

UaiiKor 

)iurii.< 

Cainiihcll 

yariniiiKron 

Grcciiiii'ia 

Hamilton 

lIollaiKl 

La Crosse city— 

Fir.stwarrI 

St'i;o[iU ward 

Third ward 

I'otirth w;4i(Ifc... 

Fifth ward 

Oiiala.ska town 

Olialaska villatte 

.Shclliy ". 

Wusliingtuii 



366 
607 
516 
528 
919 
426 
803 
401 

1.131 
725 

1.7.84 
596 

1.195 
712 
393 
482 
499 



Total 12.263 



348 
004 
485 
375 
940 
380 
839 
402 

1,205 
640 

1.910 
753 
982 
000 
287 
355 
423 

11.590 





.... 
.... 


.J 


I 





1 


I 




33 


2,1 


6 









3 


2 


3 




55 


37 



714 
1.271 

991 

900 
1.802 

8O0 
1.703 

S63 

2.392 

1.373 

3.711 

1.354 

2.18^ 

1.378 

680 

837 

922 



23,945 



UV FAYETTE COUNTY. 





POPri-ATION. 


Towns. ctxiEs and 


White. Colored 









2 




So 

< 


Arj*yle 


.583 
600 
880 

1.330 
510 
tlO'J 
800 
408 
238 
922 

rj.».> 

1.233 
554 
231 
555 
935 

11.388 


571 
591 
795 
256 

1.341 
4 J 3 
595 
,835 
420 
231 
8S3 
410 

1,287 
527 
215 
509 
806 

10.781 


r 


T 

"1" 

4 


1.154 
1.251 
1.081 

529 
2.671 

933 
1.197 
1.721 

888 

409 
l.SillS 

!r)8 
2.540 
l.liSl 

440 
1.004 
1.801 

22.169 


lltdliioat 

lieiiton 

lilaiiohard 

Uailini^ton 

Klk Grovo 

FavBtte 

Gratiot 

Kendall 

-Moutieello 

New Difisiiigs 

.Seymour 

Shullsbiirg 

Wayne 

White Oak Spring.s 




Wiola. ' 







LINCOLN COUNTY. 



533 372 



MARQUETTE COUNTY. 



lUtftaU) 

Crystal Lake 


302 
384 
381 
200 
459 
356 
219 
331 
277 
274 
343 
343 
103 
338 

4.490 


370 
330 
338 
271 
425 
3.52 
179 
338 
253 
268 
326 
307 
140 
304 

4.207 


1 




732 
714 
719 
531 
884 
708 
398 
009 
530 
542 
009 
650 
309 
642 

8.697 


Hariis 


Moiitello 

Heeaii 


Newton 

Nesknro 

Oxford 

I'ack waukee 

Shield 

Sorlii!- field 

U'estlield 


Total 



MARATHOX' COUNTY. 



liergen 

lierrin 

Itriffhton 

Hull 

Kilowltoil... 

.Maine 

marathon... 

]\loslnee 

Stettin 

Wausan 

Wansan city 

Wi-in :. 

Weston 

Total... 



109 
585 
339 
373 
135 
4l4 
232 
307 
479 
159 
439 
1.50O 

no 

263 
5.524 



50 






539 






2^3 






298 






129 






235 






238 






430 






119 






883 






1.200 






114 






215 




1 


4.586 




' \ 



159 
1,124 
582 
671 
264 
765 
467 
545 
909 
278 
824 
2.820 
224 
4 79 

10,111 



254 



HISTORY OF AVISCONSIN. 



MANITOWOC COUNTY. 



Towns. C'itii:s and 

ViLLAdKS. 



POPULATION. 



Cato 

Centerviile 

Cooperstown 

Eaton 

Franklin 

Gib-sini 

Kossuth 

Liberty 

Manitowoc city 

Manitowoc town... 

Misliicotl 

Meeme 

Manitowoc Kapids. 

MapleGrove 

Newton 

Eool<laTi(l 

.Srlilrswi« 

Two Ivivcr.s villase, 
Two Kivors town... 
Two Creciis 

Total 



951 
824 
881 
773 
935 
934 

1,176 
728 

3.226 

ooi; 

SS5 
901 

1,060 
779 

1,057 
594 

1,005 

1,019 
858 
343 



780 
883 
791 
887 
875 

1,084 
692 

3.498 
528 
7B7 
853 

1,014 
644 

1,016 
549 
953 
932 
857 
313 



19,535 18,921 











l" 












1 





1.906 
1,004 
1,714 
1,564 
1,822 
1,809 
2,260 
1,420 
5,724 
1,234 
1,652 
1,754 
2,074 
1,423 
2,073 
1,143 
1,958 
1,951 
1,715 
656 

38,456 



MILWAUKEE COUNTY. 



Milwaulioe city— 

First ward 


4.427 
6,874 
8,693 
5.025 
4.315 
3.929 
3.289 
3.332 
4.330 
3.584 
3.397 
2.020 
1.758 
945 
1.343 
2,416 
1,232 
1,155 
2,876 
1,812 


5,101 
6,617 
3,483 
5.491 
8,978 
3,995 
3,774 
3,336 
2,328 
3,577 
3,250 
1.9S8 
1,694 
878 
1,299 
1,815 
1,199 
1,051 
2,370 
1,755 


1 

"s' 

70 
7 

■7' 

■'2" 

1 


3 

■ li ■ 

70 
10 

3' 

1 

— 


9.532 
13,491 

7,190 
10 li''.6 


Ttiird ward 


Konrlli ward 


1-iftIlward . 


8.310 

7,072 
6. 068 
8.6.5s 
7.161 
6,617 
4,014 
3,452 
1,823 
2,616 
■1.233 
2.431 
2,206 
.5,216 
3,567 


SIxtli waril 

Srvi-nlh ward 

ICtk'litli ward 

Nu'tli want 

■Li-iali ward 

l-;ifv.'rith ward 


Tlilrtecnth ward 

Franklin 




Wauwatos.a. ., 


Granville 


Oak Creek 

Lake 






Total 


61,758 


60,979 


90 


94 


122,927 



MONRO^ COUNTY. 



Adrian . 


373 
274 
193 
4118 
706 
387 
507 
234 
422 
404 
333 
462 
81 
370 
478 
630 
400 
1,814 
1,154 
460 
575 
335 

11,000 


308 
256 
138 
381 
591 
328 
459 
206 
396 
338 
277 

32:'; 
408 
616 
342 
1.923 
1.077 
397 
512 
294 


.... 
'33 


'35 


681 








Clifton 


789 
1,297 
715 
966 
440 
886 
742 
(:l*( 


Olendiile 

GreenHe Id 

Jeltersmi 

La Fayctto 

La Grange 


Leon 

Little Falls 






New Lyme 

Oak Dale 

Portland, 

UidifcvUle 

Sheldon 

Sparta 

Tomali 

Weillngton 


"6 




155 

710 

886 

1,146 

742 

8,7.50 

2,231 


Wilton 

Wells 


1,087 
629 


Total 


9.925 


47 


64 


21,026 





OCONTO COUNTY. 





I'OPULATION. 


TowNP. Cities AND 


\y\ 


ite. 


Colored 




Villages. 







"P. 


1 


bo 

< 


Gillett 


196 

651 

152 

1,446 

563 

2,371 

1,495 

744 

268 


179 

361 

108 

1,086 

453 

2.086 

1,022 

537 

185 


.... 




375 


Lilll.-Su;Hi:ir<.. 


912 
260 




3 

1 

"2" 
6 


2 

T 

3 


2.537 




1.017 




4 457 


hesUtigo 


2 520 




1,281 


Stile-s 


453 






Total 


7,786 


6,017 


13.812 







OUTAGAMIE COUNTY, 





.3,307 
489 
638 
546 
836 
238 
636 
170 
689 
850 
843 
719 
562 
980 
263 
408 
111 
100 
890 
759 


3,403 
492 
429 
463 
718 
179 
516 
140 
655 
731 
811 
669 
533 
937 
236 
333 
92 
100 
247 
624 


11 

4' 

"4' 


9 


6,730 

981 

974 

1,009 

1,559 

417 

1,052 


Bmdianan 








Dale 




Ellington 


2 




1,353 
1,581 
1,653 
1,388 
1,095 
1,917 
499 






T 










Liberty 






Maine 




New London, 3(1 ward 


2011 

537 

1,384 






Total 


13,233 


12..il3 


22 


20 


25,558 



OZAUKEE COUNTY. 



Cedarlmrg 

IJeliritim 

Fredonia 

Oraflon 

Metinon 

I'orl Washington 
SanUvilie 

Total 



1,376 
1,043 
992 
910 
1,617 
1,497 
1,081 

8,516 



1,268 

1,009 

924 

844 

1.522 

1,481 

979 

8.029 



'i" 

I 


T 

1 



2.644 
2.052 
1,916 
1,756 
3.139 
2.978 
2.060 

16.545 



PIERCE COUNTY. 



Clifton 


388 


324 






712 


Diamond ItlntT 


307 


250 






557 


Ellsworth 


645 


554 


1 




1,200 


El raso 




248 






635 


Gilin.an. 


380 


343 






723 


Harlland 


628 


642 






1,170 


Isaliella 


124 


101 






225 


Martoll 


656 


514 






1,070 


Maiden Kork 


644 

484 


480 
415 






1 024 


Oak Grove 






899 


rreseotl; city 


535 


544 


29 


'.M 


1,132 


River Falls 


963 


934 


10 


9 


1,916 


Rock Elm 


430 


369 






799 


Salem 


167 


141 






308 


Spring I.aUe 


403 


327 






730 




513 


454 


4 


2 


973 


Trenton 


297 


252 






549 


Union 


326 


253 






579 


Total 


7.977 


7,045 


44 


35 


16,101 



STATISTICS OF WISCONSIN. 



255 



POLK COIM Y. 







POPULATION 






Wlilto. 


Colored 




Towns, Citiks A^'D 










A ILLAtlKS. 




i 




i' 


n 












OJ 




GJ 


a 




s 






^ 


0. 


^ 


:j 


M 




r^ 


i^ 


r. 


" 




MiU'll 


510 


447 






957 


IthRk liroiik .. 


376 


318 






694 


Italsum Lake 


266 


268 


12 


9 


535 


Kurcica 


209 


174 






383 


Farmt iigton 


426 


352 






777 


Lilirolu 


399 


322 






731 


(.in'l\ 


209 


141 


56 


47 


453 


l-orain 


lil 


45 






106 




160 


157 






317 




105 
486 


85 
428 


.'". 


9 


209 




914 


St. Croix Falls 


208 


198 


.... 




406 




134 


110 


.... 




244 






Total 


.3.548 


3.045 


78 


65 


6,736 







PORTAGK COUNTY. 



Amhorst 


1150 
376 
248 
394 
'•77 
T2li 
5 "2 
:!09 
244 
.541 
.571 
111 
651 
783 
234 

719 
741 
313 


575 
345 
230 
332 
232 
120 
497 
295 
199 
496 
514 
130 
616 
711 
134 

613 

687 
289 


.... 




1.226 
721 




478 


Hueiia Vista 


726 
509 


Grant 


246 


Hull 


1.019 


lanarl; 

I,iii\v,.,«l 


604 
443 


\<>w Hop,- 


1.037 


i'lovor 

Pine (.; love 


1.085 




1,494 




:i(j8 


Stevens Point city— 


i.:i;n 




1.1 --JS 


Third wartl 


()04 








7.842 


7.0- 


1 




It. 856 







PEPIN COUNTY', 





194 
497 
271 
311 
759 
315 
693 
120 


181 
478 
233 
271 
641 
288 
B35 
117 


"i' 


'.'.'.'. 


375 


I>ui and 


975 
604 




685 


Pepin 

.Stockholm 


1.406 

606 

1,128 


VVauheek 


237 








3.0U0 


2,750 


2 




5.816 







ROCK COUNTY. 





445 

377 

2,lli'3 
506 
542 
966 

1.060 
B13 
46.'J 

5.040 
611 
434 
698 
662 
945 
483 
639 
609 
622 
680 
592 

1,009 

19.758 


433 


Hcloittown 

lielolt city 

Itraiirord 

Center 

(3li,ton 


314 
2,371 
473 
498 
952 




9.50 


Ilariitony 


523 
400 




5.015 




576 




.387 




633 




615 




930 




471 


Plymouth 


603 
546 


Rock 

.SlirliiKV.llley 

Turtle 

Union 


497 

.558 

537 

1.013 


Total 


19.127 



39 
T 

H' 
1 

i" 


33" 
} 

26' 

' 1 
1 


878 

723 
4,605 

981 
1.011 
1.923 
2.011 
1,136 

853 

10.113 

1,191 

822 
i.l31 
1.079 
J, 8, -7 

9, 1 
1.242 
l.l,3.-> 
1 019 


1 

90 


64 


1,13b 
l,13i 
a .125 

39.039 



ItAClNK COUNTY. 



Towns. Cfrii:s ani> 

VlLLAtiK.S. 



RICHLAND COUNTY. 



Akan 

Bloom 

Bueiia Vista. 

Da \' ton 

Eagle 

Forest 

Henrietta... 

Ithaca 

Marshall.... 

Orion 

Kicliland — 
Kiehwooil... 
Rockl)rid:,'e. 

.Sylvan 

Vfestford.... 
Willow 

Tot.al.. 



ST. CROIX COUNTY'. 



SAUK COUNTY, 



IJaraboo 

Bejir Creek 

r»elton 

Dt-IIona 

Excelsior 

Falrtii'Id 

Franklin 

Freedom ] 



2,026 


1.931 


11 


S 


406 


402 






416 


413 






311 


281 






667 


485 




1 


382 


84^ 






483 


449 






660 


497 















l-oPCLATION. 




\V1 


ite. 


Colored 


V 




















































3 


":: 


=: 




^- 


-^ 


^. 


^ 


-*: 



Bu.i ' 


1.403 


1.424 


1 




2.837 


Calf..,..,; 


1,502 


1.345 






2.847 


Dover 


638 


455 


1 




993 


Mt. Pleasant 


1,237 


1.104 






2.341 


Norway 


606 


457 


4 


a 


963 


Kaeine eitv 


6.571 


6.590 


62 


51 


13,274 




8'*1 


710 






1. 534 
£14 


Roi'liester 


436 


408 


1 




Waterford 


789 


725 




1.514 


YorUvllle 


810 


755 




1,565 


Total 


14.616 


13,973 


69 ■■3 


28.703 









361 
685 
560 
5T3 
598 
490 
463 
622 
4(13 
3.1.! 
902 
749 
588 
527 
' 527 
435 


381 
61 1 
626 
525 
587 
422 
448 
597 
440 
334 
965 
690 
514 
483 
477 
403 






742 
1.299 
1.086 
1.098 
1,185 


■5 

1 

'io 


■'3" 


911 

1,219 

903 

687 

1.874 

1.440 

1.133 

1.010 

1.004 

851 


8.890 


8,436 


16 


5 


17.353 



Baldwin 

Baldwin viilaKC 


160 
355 
184 
235 
636 
173 
877 
648 
341; 
979 
394 
861 
829 
604 
277 
372 
259 
358 
164 
520 
378 


119 
247 
145 
209 
667 
128 
250 
57'! 
297 
993 
831 
860 
816 
635 
261 
308 
233 
314 
166 
396 
804 






2.'fl 

6ja 
3,3 1 






447 


Erin Prairie 


■4" 

r 


i" 


.,3\:i 




»,.i 




u20 




l,2'2a 


iludson 

Illudsoii city 


1,977 

725 


I'leasaut Valley 

iiusii River 


621 
645 




1,140 




538 




680 




i 




482 




673 




330 


Troy 

Warren 


916 

683 




8.009 


6,941 


6 


1 


14.966 







3.976 
,<0,S 
129 
.,92 

1,053 
721 
933 

1.0.57 



256 



HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 



SAUK COUNTY.— Cont'd. 





POPDLATION. 


Towns, Cities and 


White. 


Colored 




Villages. 


—* 


ai 


u' 




7i 

< 



Greenfield 

Honey Creek.. 

Ironton 

La Voile 

IVIerriinack — 
Prairie liu Sac 

RetHtsljurs 

Spring Creek. 

Sumptei" 

Troy 

WashiiKjlon... 

Westfleld 

WinfieUl 

Woodland 

Total 



391 


374 


1 




766 


648 


622 




1.270 


678 


633 


— 




1.311 


604 


649 






1.163 


466 


430 






886 


954 


1.046 






1.999 


1,114 


1.126 


2 




2.242 


633 


516 






1.049 


392 


381 






773 


661 


601 






1.062 


667 


626 






1.093 


683 


632 


3 




1,320 


439 


378 






827 


646 


676 






1.220 


13,816 


13.088 


17 


11 


26.932 



SHAWANO COUNTY. 





53 
206 
363 
372 
160 
477 
147 
243 

,80 
238 
164 

90 

72 
131 
406 
239 
218 


30 

130 

346 

198 

134 

441 

136 

196 

68 

228 

13S 

89 

60 

93 

363 

316 

197 


"14 




83 




836 




708 




470 




291 




918 




282 




439 




148 


Palla 






466 
300 




•i3j-l6 


179 


Seneca 


1.33 
334 


Shaw.ino city 

Wa.shiiijiton 


789 
455 
415 










Total 


3.548 


3.048 


36 


13 


* 6.635 







•Stockbridge Indians. 



SHEBOYGAN COUNTY. 





1.004 

1.163 

1.535 

1.167 

864 

637 

652 

1,369 

793 

283 

7.54 

796 

565 
1,150 
736 
918 
993 
B13 
873 
616 


969 

1.085 

1.403 

1.119 

793 

544 

641 

1.306 

776 

267 

750 

710 

631 
1.192 
683 
953 
917 
663 
815 
606 






1.973 


Heiinuu 




2.337 
2.937 




.1 




2.316 








l.lSl 




1,093 




2.6T6 




1.569 




5.60 




1,504 


Sheboygan town 

Sheboygan city- 
First ward 

SeroinI ward 

Third ward .... 




.::; 


1,506 

1.196 
3.343 
1.419 




1.871 




1,910 


Sheltoygan Falls village ... 


1.175 
1.687 


Wilson 


1.323 






Total 


17,368 


16.653 


1 




34.031 







TBE3IPEALEAU COUNTY. 





P0FUL..VT10N. 


Towns, Cities and 


White. 


Colored 




Villages. 


6 


a; 


^ 


3> 

E 


< 


Arcailia 


1.464 
SOI 
547 
293 
385 
774 
889 
557 
410 
755 
316 
406 
882 


1,368 
169 
493 
213 
291 
741 
866 
463 
335 
706 
303 
412 
795 




.... 


2.832 
370 


Burnside 

Caledonia 

Dod»e 

Ettrick 






1.040 
610 






576 
1 515 


"i' 

r 




1.745 


Hale 


1.030 
745 


Preston 

Pigeon 


1.464 
619 

878 


Trenipealean 


1,678 


Total 


7.844 


7.144 


4 




14,992 







TAYLOR COUNTY. 



297 1 Til a I 



VERNON COUNTY. 






Bergen 

Cliristiaua 


476 
734 
483 
506 
361 
703 
358 
451 
6.50 
519 
584 
643 
554 
254 
484 
659 
355 
1,046 
622 
442 
403 


458 
640 
456 
451 
343 
638 
359 
434 
569 
487 
524 
552 
561 
333 
435 
631 
366 
970 
473 
441 
344 


1 
5.5 

T 
1 


1 
■53 

"i' 


936 

1.374 

939 


Coon 

Forest 


957 

813 

1.341 


Genoa 

Greenwood 


717 

885 

1.219 




1.006 
1.108 






1.194 




1.115 


Liberty 

Stark 


447 

899 

1.280 


Union 

Viroqua 


623 

2.016 

996 




883 




747 






Total 


11,166 


10,245 


58 


55 


21,524 







WALWORTH COUNTY. 



Bloonifiekl 


591 
713 

let 
510 

836 
541 
614 
506 
443 
736 
490 

1,001 
596 
502 
530 
665 

3.060 


616 
729 
933 
379 
685 
589 
844 
468 
495 
449 
427 
664 
435 
973 
684 
476 
481 
616 
8,326 


7 




1.107 


Darien 

DeUvvan villa;4e 

Delavan town 

East Troy 


1.443 
1,785 
764 
1,389 
1,099 




l" 
"1" 

"2' 


"i' 


1,680 




1,010 


La Fayette 


1,009 
955 


IJun 


iJffi 






936 




1,989 




1,180 


SuKar Creek 


978 
1,011 


Walworth 


1,370 




4.895 




Total 


13,149 


1.3,067 


18 


25 


26,359 







STATLSTICS OF WISCONSIN. 



257 



WASHINGTOX COUXTY. 







POPULATION. 




Towns, cities and 
V1LLA0E.S. 


• White. 


Colored 


aJ 




1 




1 


to 



.Vildison 


961 


857 






1,808 


IlJU-toIl 


660 


689 


1 




1,350 


Kriii 


612 


571 






1,183 


t arm i iigtou 


878 


839 






1,717 


(it'i-muiilowii 


1.030 


955 






1.985 


Haitforil 


1.403 


1,321 


3 




3.737 


Jackson 


1.028 


1,014 






2.042 


Kiwaskiim 


731 


703 






1.434 


Polk 


936 


830 






1,756 


Richfli'lcl 


921 
320 


819 
160 








Sclileisi iiKerville 


380 


Trentnii 


1.005 


907 




1.912 


Wavne 


855 


855 




1,710 


"West IliMuI town 


451 


444 




893 


West Beiul village .. 


601 


634 




1.325 




Total 


12,282 


11,576 


4 


33.862 





WAUKESHA COUNTY. 



BiookficM 

De!atiel<l 

EaRlf 

GPiiest'f 

Lisbon 

MeiiomoiR'v 

Mertoii , 

Mukwonago 

iMiiskt'j;o 

New IJerlin , 

Ottawa 

Ocorioinowoc town. 
Orommiowoc city.. 

Pewaukee 

Suiiiinit 

Vernon 

Wiinkt^sha town 

Waukesha village.. 



Total 15.140 



1,128 


1,095 


793 


716 


617 


605 


746 


639 


761 


658 


1,205 


1,143 


778 


736 


563 


573 


766 


684 


887 


820 


464 


419 


759 


710 


996 


1,115 


1,054 


1,016 


619 


540 


657 


588 


1.031 


700 


1.318 


1,449 







■4 
4 

4 
21 


1 

"4 
5 


33 


26 



WAUPACA COUNTY. 





393 
478 
436 
131 
411 
456 
111 
478 
388 
408 
534 
688 
192 
510 
875 
511 
566 
448 
305 
938 
413 
361 
427 


384 
451 
390 
119 
3li3 
402 
112 
439 
376 
363 
203 
532 
182 
426 
801 
495 
512 
397 
184 
1.036 
369 
237 
388 


1" 


"4" 


-r.- 






Dj.yl-on 


817 
250 




774 




858 


Hi^lVLlia 

loia 


223 
917 




764 




771 


Liiul 


1,037 


T.lnln Woir 


1,120 




373 


iWukwa 


966 
1,683 








1,078 




"i :':.:: 


845 




3S9 




1,976 




783 


Weyanwesa 


498 
815 






Total 


10.146 


9.451 


5 4 


19,646 







1,509 
1,234 
1,376 
1,431 
3.348 
1.522 
1.135 
1.4.50 
1.707 
893 
1.474 
2.121 
2.080 
1.159 
1.247 
1.735 
2.807 

29.425 



WAUSHARA COUNTY. 







POPULATION. 




Towns, Citiks and 
Villages. 


Wiiite. 


Colored 




a." 


6 


,2 




s 

til 

< 




537 
692 
137 
256 
132 
223 
443 
309 
300 
331 
459 
47.) 
193 
180 
384 
245 
322 
347 

5.953 


473. 
666 
147 
244 
114 
256 
399 
279 
369 

397 
437 
186 
186 
319 

325 
361 


4 


6 
'■■ ■ 


1.020 

1.358 
284 
500 
236 
479 
843 
588 
569 
608 
856 
910 
378 
366 
703 
471 
647 
708 


Blooiiirteia 




Coloin.a 

Dauota 

Deerrteki 

Hanoock 




.Mount Morri.s 




Marion 

Oasis 

ro,vsi))iii 

I'lainrtciil 

Rose 

Kiclifoid 




Saxville 








Warrpii 






Total 


.5.560 


4 


6 


11.523 





WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



Al^otna 

islack Wolf 


393 
459 
691 
389 

1.579 
276 
697 
5T3 

2.062 
610 

1.632 

8.672 
4li3 

1.055 
579 
588 
596 

1.342 
460 


39C 
438 
609 
331 

1.961 
352 
578 
550 

1.961 
510 

1.690 

8.363 
405 

1.018 
499 
553 
635 

1.230 
417 


'■■i' 

31 ' 

■;)■ 

■4 


'3" 
■3' 

Vi " 

"3' 
.... 


789 

897 
1,-300 

720 
3.170 

534 
1.275 
1,133 
4.023 
1.124 
3.812 
17.015 

868 
'* 1)79 




.Miniaslia 

Menaslia citj 

Ncfiiali 








Oshkosli 


Omro 

Oslikoslicily 

PovKan 

Rnsliford 


Utica 

Vlnlantl 


1.078 
1 141 








3.577 

877 


Wolf River. 




Tot.al 


33.106 


31.835 


51 


51 


45,033 



WOOD COUNTY 



Al'iirmiale 

Centralia city 

Dexter 

Grand Rapids city 

(Jrand Hapids 

Lincoln 

Port Edwards 

Rudol|>li 

KeminKton 

Saiafoga 

Sigcl 

Seneca 

Wootl 

Total 



102 
429 
191 
737 
376 
231 
193 



159 
231 
183 
125 



71 






371 


1 




113 






680 


1 




397 


3 




194 






117 






217 






73 






144 






201 


1 




ii;6 






104 






750 


6 


1 




258 



HLSTOUr OF WISCONSIN. 



POPULATION BY COUNTIES. 

SUMMARY FROM STATE AND FEDERAL CENSUS. 



Counties. 


1840. 


1850. 


1855. 


1800. 


1865. 


1870. 


1875. 


, 




187 


6,808 


6.492 

515 

13 

353 

11,795 

3,864 
12 

7.896 

1,895 

789 

24.441 

8.068 
43.922 
42.818 

3.948 
812 

2.704 

3.162 
34,154 
31,189 
19.808 
12,663 
18,967 

4,170 
30,438 

8.770 
13.900 

5.530 
13.186 
18.134 


5,698 
256 

■■269 
15,282 

6,776 
171 

8,638 

3,278 

1,1111 
26,112 
11,011 
50,192 
46,841 

3,098 
532 

5,170 

5,281 
42,029 
33,618 
30,646 
12,596 
20,657 

5,631 
30,597 
10,013 
13,676 

7,089 
14.834 
20,358 


6.601 

331 

538 

344 

25.168 

11,123 

706 

12,335 

8,311 

3,450 

28,802 

13,075 

53,096 

47,035 

4,919 

1,122 

9,488 

10,769 

46,273 

37,979 

33,611 

13,195 

24,644 

7,687 

34,050 

12,396 

13.177 

10.281 

20,395 

33,667 


6.503 




750 


KarriMi 

I!:ivflcl(l 

lliown 








3.737 








1.032 


2.107 


6.215 


6,699 
833 


35.373 
14,219 


Hnri If 






1,456 


Calumi-1 

Chlpi>i-«a 

Clark 


375 


1.743 
615 

""gis'es 

2,498 
16,639 
19.138 


3,631 

838 

232 

17.965 

3,323 

37,714 

34,540 

7S9 

385 

1,796 


1.5,065 
13,995 




7:383 


■■"li.'ibs 

314 

67 


38,803 




15.035 




62.798 


I-),)(i.r,. 


48.394 




8,020 


l>"ii^'las 

inuiii..... 

Eau Claire 






741 




13,427 






15,991 


139 
926 
933 


14.51U 
16,198 
8,566 


24,781 
23,170 
14,827 


50,241 


Grant 

{Jniii 

(iriM'ii Lake 


39.086 
22.037 
16.274 


3,978 


9,522 
■■'i5!317 


15,205 

1,098 

36,869 


24,133 


Jacksuu 


11,339 


914 


34,908 


Juneau 


1.5,300 




10.734 


12,397 
1,109 
3,904 

16,064 


13,907 


Kewaunee 

La Cinsse 

La Fayette 




14 405 




"ii'.Mi 


23,945 

22,169 

895 




235 


3,702 

489 

508 

31.077 


13,048 

447 

1,427 

46.265 
2.407 
1.501 
4.914 

12,973 


23.416 
2.892 
8.233 

62.518 
8.411) 
3.593 
9.587 

15.682 
2.392 
4.672 
1.400 
7.507 

21.360 
9.732 

36.690 
5.393 

18.963 
829 

86,875 


26,762 

3.678 

7.327 

72.330 

11.6.52 

4.858 

11,852 

14,882 

3,002 

6.324 

1.677 

8.145 

22.884 

13.186 

26.033 

20!T54 

1.369 

27.671 


33,369 

5,885 

8,057 

89,936 

16.563 

8.322 

18.440 

15.579 

4.659 

10,003 

3,432 

10,640 

26,742 

15.736 

39.030 

11.039 

23.868 

3.165 

31,773 

'■i6;728 
18,673 
35,993 
23,905 
28,2,58 
15,533 
11,379 
37,325 
3,911 


38,456 




10,111 




18 
,5.605 


8,597 




122.927 












13 812 






35 558 








16 545 








5.816 
15 101 






1,730 
547 

5,151 
30,673 

5,584 
31,364 

2,040 

13,614 

354 

20,391 








6. 736 




1.623 
3.475 

""i'.flii 

809 
102 


1.2,50 

14,973 

963 

20,750 

624 

4,371 


14.856 
3,S.702 


liacini' 








14 956 




26 933 








133 


8,370 


34,031 
849 


T,a\"loi' 








493 

4,833 

22,662 

18,897 

24,013 

4.437 

5.541 

17.439 


2,560 
11.007 
36.496 
23.623 
26.831 

8.851 

8.770 
23,770 

2,425 


5.199 
13.644 
25,773 
24.019 
27.029 
11.208 

9.(102 
29,767 

2.965 


14,993 










2,611 
343 


17,862 
19,485 
19,258 






83,863 
89.425 














11.523 

45.033 

6.048 




135 


10,167 














30,945 


305,391 


552.109 


775,881 


868.335 


1,054,670 


1.236,729 





In a note to the territory of Indiana returns appears the following: 
sippi. liad f»5, and Green Bay 50 inhabitants. 



'On the 1st of August, 1800, Prairie du Chien, on the Missis- 



STATISTICS OF WISCOXSIX. 



25» 



NATIVITY BY COUNTIES. 



CENSUS OF 18/0. 







Nativi.:. 










1 . 


Kt.I...N 


li.'LiN. 




' 








COUNTIES. 


x 


"r. 






i^ 










■^f 




s 








.= 


B. 




"^ ^ 


i| 


■s 


2 


E 


% 





B 


OJ 


c 


rt 




e 





1 
1,250 




s" 





■f. 


5 


c 




3 




5 



X 

6 


a 

S3 

Q 


A(l:im» 




5.351 


2,649 


127 


142 


~~2i5' 


26 


133 


5 


537 


4 


9 


32 


AslilaiiU 




1T4 


148 


47 


12 


4 


18 


1 


8 




3 








liiirroii 




24e 


132 


292 


127 


2 


7 


1 


41 




98 




14 






liayficUl 




288 


175 


56 


23 


2 


4 


88 


3 




1 










IJrowii 




M.TiS 


11.098 


10,440 


1.687 


273 


1.442 


112 


8,733 


"68 


451 


ip2 


31 


947 


371 


liultalo 




8.851 


4,433 


4,269 


173 


56 


242 


135 


1,971 


39 


656 


67 


941 


4 


lUirnett 




144 


100 


562 


4 


4 


1 


1 


1 




551 










Calumet 




7,661 


5.658 


4,674 


165 


167 


.500 


13 


3,267 


"si 


3 


168 


82 


"92 


"22 
20 

49 

n 

131 


Chippewa 




4.725 


2,764 


3,586 


1.437 


120 


417 


39 


958 


34 


439 


34 


35 


29 


Clark 




2.751 


1.196 


69i) 


226 


81 


45 


18 


835 


4 


79 


1 


1 




Culuinhia 




19.6.52 


12.233 


9,150 


511 


2,046 


1.332 


639 


2.774 


30 


1.615 


34 


67 


"44 


Crawford 




9,612 


5,808 


3.4 63 


397 


186 


906 


48 


640 


35 


764 


402 


46 


3 


Dane 




33.456 


22,738 


19.640 


684 


1,631 


3,955 


465 


6.276 


160 


6,601 


195 


216 


17 


Dodge 




28.708 


20,934 


18,327 


565 


1.236 


8,301 


856 


12,656 


187 


383 


167 


97 


77 


37 


Door 




2.806 


1,90.J 


2.113 


290 


89 


828 


23 


486 


37 


344 


43 


16 


3 


1 
51 

21 


Douglas 




712 


340 


410 


133 


41 


66 


6 


60 


4 


93 




2 


2 


Dunn 




6.268 


3.177 


3.220 


437 


147 


827 


51 


843 


17 


1.336 




44 


.3 


Kan (Mai re 




7,394 


3.336 


3.375 


767 


242 


487 


54 


835 


34 


871 


2 


39 


1 


Fond (In Lac... 




31.477 


20.112 


14.796 


1.7. -14 


1,891 


2,573 


317 


7,373 


185 


156 


7 


193 


627 


98 
13 


<;raut 




28,565 


19,390 


9,414 


386 


2,531 


1,281 


189 


3,585 


83 


543 


547 


118 


71 


Orecn 




18. .532 


10,643 


.5.079 


272 


598 


942 


60 


892 


39 


1,017 


4 


1.247 


3 


12 


CJreen Lake 




9.098 


4.535 


4.097 


290 


597 


412 


62 


2.634 


8 


27 




1 


2 


15 


Iowa 




15.366 


12.562 


9.178 


346 


3,897 


1,239 


86 


1,447 


21 


l.li47 


343 


31 


13 


Jackson 




5.764 


2,966 


1.923 


291 


15! 


137 


93 


850 


29 


944 


12 


6 


1 




.letferson 




21.747 


15,407 


12.293 


369 


931 


1.067 


182 


8.445 


41 


384 


309 


144 


19 


15 


.luni-au 




9.361 


5,359 


3.011 


336 


395 


1.104 


81 


518 


11 


379 


3 


11 


1 


55 


Keno-slia 




9,066 


5.959 


4.081 


138 


6,50 


813 


100 


2,082 


39 


29 


11 


30 


44 


"71 


Kewaunee 




4,642 


4.208 


5,486 


159 


47 


313 


16 


1,611 


33 


97 


2,011 


27 


48 


44 


Lacrosse 




11.695 


6.779 


8.602 


580 


570 


488 


109 


8,831 


62 


3.646 


489 


27 


94 


55 


La Fayelle 




15.935 


11.346 


6 724 


186 


2.281 


2,345 


111 


729 


17 


993 






g 


3 

38 


Manitowoc 




16868 


15,109 


16.496 


518 


223 


1,133 


52 


9.335 


93 


1.420 


3.360 


153 


51 


Marathon 




.3.139 


2,333 


2.746 


216 


49 


103 


86 


2.239 


19 


73 


3 


3 






^Iar<lnl■tte 




5.128 


3.342 


2.928 


151 


252 


537 


198 


1.661 


1 


31 




1 


4 


5 


Milwaukee 




47,697 


37183 


42233 


884 


1.973 


4,604 


502 


29,019 


388 


636 


I. .524 


447 


864 


130 


Monroe 




12,512 


6.722 


4.038 


356 


510 


641 


87 


1.601 


38 


573 


40 


43 


25 


2 


Oconto 




4.691 


2.677 


3.730 


1,645 


HI 


422 


38 


797 


23 


321 




3 


79 


f>0 


OuiaEamie 

Ozaukee 




11.741 


8,060 


6.689 


796 


171 


792 


85 


3.263 


61 


37 


^ 


54 


785 


56 




8.728 


8,214 


6.836 


no 


48 


475 


18 


4.422 


92 


98 


11 


20 


34 


It) 


Pepin 




3.351 


1.613 


1.30S 


208 


91 


118 


29 


300 




484 




7 






Pierce 




7.461) 


3.618 


2. 4 98 


310 


102 


422 


34 


449 


16 


1.0.52 




76 


"li 


19 


Polk 




2,249 


931 


1.173 


191 


46 


102 


19 


172 


27 


483 


" i 


8 


1 


106 


PortaRe 




7.213 


4.337 


3.421 


401 


217 


369 


99 


1.223 


39 


795 


11 


.5 


5 


47 


Racine 




1.5,949 


11.336 


10.791 


270 


1,878 


1,039 


889 


3.859 


88 


1.088 


703 


67 


49 


1.294 


RicUland 




13.954 


6,547 


1.777 


168 


222 


431 


46 


481 


25 


237 


124 


11 


4 


3 


Rock 




30.712 


15,209 


8.318 


755 


1,382 


3.870 


490 


1.148 


78 


1.438 


6 


50 


6 


52 


Sauk 




17.308 


9,795 


6.552 


386 


765 


946 


103 


3.433 


65 


93 


8 


601 


34 


g 


Shawano 




1,688 


1,133 


1.478 


111 


27 


24 


5 


1.096 


4 


146 




13 


8 




Sliel)oygan 




19.192 


14,957 


12.557 


323 


303 


943 


38 


8.497 


119 


334 


"38 


99 


1.682 


g 


St. Croi.x 




7.451 


4,158 


3.584 


816 


1,50 


1.202 


66 


294 


6 


940 




3 


38 


71 


Tre?n[ieaieau.. 




6.339 


3,700 


4.393 


209 


185 


286 


141 


776 


38 


2.633 


"41 


IB 


6 


9 


Vernon 




13.605 


7.232 


.5.040 


184 


189 


306 


87 


661 


30 


3.138 


881 


35 


3 


39 


Walworth 




20.822 


11.214 


5.1.50 


391 


921 


1.729 


148 


1.173 


81 


579 


1 


40 


15 


28 


\Vasliln;;ton ... 




13.868 


I2..504 


10.051 


97 


110 


888 


35 


8.813 


134 


40 


296 


79 


58 




Waukesha 




18.368 


13.304 


9.906 


332 


2.065 


1.593 


397 


4.335 


37 


486 


54 


96 


48 


278 


Waiip;ii-a 




11.011 


6.225 


4..528 


508 


260 


517 


60 


1.243 


39 


1.225 


8 


65 


2 


557 


Wausliara 




8.702 


hIsS 


2.577 


264 


508 


307 


43 


816 


11 


220 




3 


1 


8H9 


WiiineiiaBo .... 




25.209 


12.070 


1.558 


1.531 


1.399 


146 


5.261 


53 


762 


"26 


300 


23 


723 


Wood 




2.538 


1.587 


1.374 


636 


42 


171 


34 


299 


3 


106 




23 




M 



260 



HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 



VALUATION OF PROPERTY 



IN THE STATE OF WISCONSIN. 



Assessed Valuation of Taxable Property for the 
YEAR 1876. 



Adams 

AslilaiKl 

Barron 

Bayfiulil 

Brown 

BulTalo 

Burnett 

Calmuet 

CUippewa.... 

Clark 

Columbia 

Crawford 

Dane 

Dodge 

Door 

Doui?la3 

Dunn 

Eau Ulaire 

Fond (lu Lac. 

Grant 

Green 

(ireen Lake.. 

Iowa 

■larkson 

Jetfer.s»»n... . 

Juneau 

Kenosha 

Kewaunee... 

La Ci'osse 

La Fayette... 

Lini'ofn 

Manitowoc .. 

RIarathon 

Marquette... 
Milwaukee.. 

Monroe 

Oconto 

Outagamie... 

Ozaukee 

Pepin 

Pierce , 

Polk 

Portage 

Itadne... 
Kii'|]latid.. 

Kock , 

St, Croix 

.Sauk 

Sliewano 

Shelioygan... 

Taylor 

Trempealeau 

Vernon 

Walw<.rtli 

Washington. 
Waiikislia... 

Waupaca 

Waushara... 
Winneliago. . 
Wood 



Total 



Value of per- 
sonal property. 



$ 179,771 

42.6S6 

146.374 

21.705 

44-2,287 

438.501 

32.419 

373,940 

9li.5,H24 

281,813 

1,875,049 

527,043 

4,610,768 

2,446,793 

13.5,107 

19,434 

1,052.300 

1,354,142 

2,4811.759 

2,.5(I2,795 

1,91)0.599 

789.736 

1,233,676 

472.124 

1.753,985 

660,125 

1,320,957 

546.678 

1.336,271 

1.196,502 

13.654 

1.141,320 

335.078 

326,668 

15,345,281 

658,191 

4,55,741 

623,744 

381,784 

235,283 

738,082 

237,567 

564,079 

2,418,248 

612,171 

4,462,048 

816.768 

1,364,772 

121,267 

1,903.861 

53,812 

840.378 

924.835 

3.187,722 

1.062.347 

3.165.504 

480.837 

343.509 

3.081.308 

261,669 



Value of 
real estate. 



f 624.168 

889,523 
1.043.964 

533,167 
2,195,053 

890,028 

442,765 
2,107,211 
4.359,245 
2,355.972 
7.083. S92 
1,457,586 
14,882.179 
11,014,318 

659,650 

410,227 
1.875,148 
4,204.233 
11,649,769 
7,039,201 
6,290.829 
3.485,819 
4,348,452 
1,040,417 
7,896,833 
1,607,245 
4.488,186 
2,560,641 
4,01.5.568 
4,775.417 
1,532,542 
6,290,599 
1.744,901 
1,033,967 
46,477,283 
1,994,911 
3,411.557 
3,348.267 
2,803,688 

,595,316 
2,435,319 
1,121,599 
1,592,018 
8,071.811 
1,908,386 
1.3,931,410 
3,110,445 
4,036,813 

685.917 
7,096.170 

816,421 
1,904,988 
2,288,420 
10,.5.59,519 
4.927.634 
11,892.119 
1,826,908 
1,343.029 
9,810,290 

598. 920 



5274.417,873 



$ 803,939 

932,189 

1. 190.338 

554,872 

2,637.340 

1,328,529 

475.184 

2,481.157 

6,324,869 

2,637.785 

8.958.941 

1.984.629 

19.492,947 

13.461.111 

.794.757 

429,661 

2.927,448 

5.5.58.376 

14.139,528 
9,541,996 
8.257,428 
4.275,555 
.5.582.128 
1,512.541 
9.650,818 
2.267.370 
5,809,143 
3,107.319 
5,351,839 
5,971,919 
1,546.196 
6,431,923 
2,079.979 
1.360.635 

61.822,564 
2,6.53.102 
3.867.298 
3.972,011 
3,18.5,472 
830.599 
3.173.-,01 
1,359.166 
2,1.56,097 

10.490,059 
2,520,557 

18,393,458 
3.927,213 
6,401,585 
807.184 
9,000.031 
870.233 
2,745,366 
3.213.255 

13,747.241 
.5.989,981 

1.5.057,623 
2,311 r, 745 
1.68li 538 

12,891,598 
850.589 



S351, 780.3.54 



Valuation of Unt.\xed Property, from assessors' 
Returns for 1875 and 1876. 



Co.. town, 
city and 
village 

property. 



6,147 
2,340 



6,300 
43,325 
1.5,300 

■"iiido 

'".3! .366 
29.785 

"7! 200 
45.800 

"17,163 

■"72,136 
49,320 
52,505 
25,650 

"is^MO 

600 
12,600 

"19; 300 
10,760 
31,000 



28,210 

15,700 

5.680 

1,318.606 

5,368 

"'i6',40'6 

5,280 

25 

13,950 

""8,666 

22,700 

525 

28,000 

11,400 

9,000 

2,000 

10,726 

,356 

1,500 

70,200 

7,500 

700 

250 

21,350 

6,380 

1,500 



1 ,063,636 



.School, col- 
lege and 
academy 
property. 



9.900 
4,925 



1.400 
102.635 

27.787 
1,600 

""5,166 

3,000 

115,605 

11,000 

"so! 636 

""a 124 

3,200 

16,933 

60,500 

197,406 

66,875 

"36,774 

"6R20'6 

"4 6! 365 
17,720 

3,500 
56,930 

9,640 
21,248 
27,202 

8,736 

771,265 

13,200 

96!296 
18,416 
8,247 
73,676 
10,940 
26,916 
34,626 

" 5ft666 



7,211 
4,125 I 
2,800 I 
2,000 

"1,50,200 

.500 

34,940 
21,080 
29.495 



Church and 
cemetery 
property. 



S 4.713 

1,0011 

125 

2,f85 

83.369 

29,760 

3.000 

13.220 

55,014 

1,300 

91,142 

4,100 

359,390 

121,075 

7,029 

2,351 

3,200 

56,930 

259,900 

109,405 

76.995 

23.840 

56.026 

15.075 

172,300 

19,280 

46,81)0 

18,521 

110,643 

71,610 

" siisVi 

16.825 

12,080 

1,212,390 

33, 1 58 

38,100 

73.375 

32,920 

4,180 

25.115 

5,272 

42,470 

236,000 

37,915 

242,6,50 

41,370 

87,670 

5.714 

123,895 

"■26:366 

2,325 

129,310 

120,670 

218,760 

34.410 

22.524 

36.860 

27,000 



74,828 



Railroad 
property. 



.?l,a20.000 



94,025 
150 



73 



175,885 
64 095 

110,000 
89,800 
34,400 



431,604 

637,156 

95,450 

2,000 

■■■eiistio 

75,000 
237,915 
120,000 

61,800 
300 

■■162; 666 



146,901 
50,663 

i.^iinie^do 

17,686 

76,720 

347,615 

136.000 

22,026 



70,400 
250,975 

■■75i!956 
68,720 
22,500 

■■■55! 830 

336,400 

8,300 

■■i8fto'66 



84,' 



r,4S7,627 



U. S.. state] 

and all _, , , 

other lotal. 

property, j 



$ 400 



3,780 
900 



1,340 

10,421 

100 

252.987 

14,400 

200 



60,000 
16,780 
32,245 

,500 
2,730 

600 

■3i'200 
6,276 

10.500 
2,625 

15,300 

74,800 

400 

3,595 



682,800 
2,340 

"S.066 
3,470 
9.835 
1.000 
5,735 
900 

120,950 

■34.656 
5.850 
1,160 



41,600 

1,300 

140.000 

60,033 

200 

2.326 

1,200 

1.550 

7.740 



1.662.388 



$ 21,158 

1,238,265 

12.9 

10,385 
326.638 

73,897 
4, .500 

14.393 

60.174 
184,875 
312,028 
12.5.200 
699.367 
296 305 
7 229 

22 638 
428 004 
833 153 
478.9.50 
384.530 
170.020 

88.070 
183.680 
253.599 
402,300 

77,35f. 
123,825 

49.516 
264.043 
202.340 

10.040 
254.828 
110.380 

26,495 
5,257,555 

71 651 
114,820 
524.580 
196.090 

44,263 
11 1 740 

22,047 

147,686 
845,250 

38,440 

1,107,2.50 

217,:M0 

113.120 

14.925 
194.775 
380,800 

35,726 

26,060 
670,710 
188,213 
220,150 

74,225 

67,984 
159,065 

38.960 



18.624,196 



STATLSTICS OF WISCOXSIN'. 



26] 



ACREAGE OF PRINCIPAL CROPS 
GROWN IN 1876. 



Counties. 








KUMIiKl: OF .vcr.Es. 








Whcdt. 


Corn. 


Hats. 


Uarle.v. 


Rye. 
8,488 


Hops, 


Tnbaci,-o. 


Fhix-seed. 


A»l;uns 


5,146 
5 
4,070\ 


11.456 
26 
639!-;. 
20 
13.923 
9.2 1 3 'i 
216k. 
4.583 
2.734 
1.596 
40.274 
19.173 
84.072 
29,401V 
352 
5 
9,671 
11,765 
1S,208>.; 
98,709 
58,168 
]5,(;il8 
46,980 
.8,071!< 

i"i!kU!.< 

15,f -. 

10: 5 81 
61,51!) 


5,333 
84 

3,477!4- 
15 

5.732 

12,573)^ 

637 

9.858 

9.032 

2.408 
24.071 
10.584 
67.12(1 
25.592,'i 

3.391 

5(1 

13.833 

7.183 
20.763 
(.2.054 
34.191 

8.013 
34.433 
l'.'.I89!!; 
16.845 
14.272!-; 
14.174 
' ' 632 
249 
. 194 
712 
21,437k; 

6.020 

4,87^t 

ic.2i;;!^ 

12. '■..4 

3,(12 

2 .47^ 

h'473" 

4,4^; . 

8,3.,S 

1,842 

9.0sii'i 

15.2(1', 

ll,i.(l(,t, 

6(1,10:J 

17.511 

24.469\i 

4.4(I8H 

16.704 

. hW 

15.03 1 

23.055 

28225 

14.104 

18.980 

7.448 

8.847 

13.813 

1.029 


83 


660 


_5« 

i)<; 




Ashl:iiui 




Il:irrii[i 


759K 


282V 


27 




I>.ivlii-I(l 






16,384 
48,.507,w 

1,179 
32,860K 
10,442 

2, ■15 7 

64.472 

19.054 

89.253 

128.708 

4,771 


5.612 

2,751 

58 

4,a48»i 

1.258 

2(1S 

7.694 

3.912 

23.499 

11,463 

(i96 


5,254 

870 

264 

231k; 

185 
95 
7 648 
1. 588 
7,410 
2,134 V 

788 


17K 
9-Hi 






I'.iitlalu 






IJiirtu'll 








39 

10k; 

3 

693-V 

IS 
317K 
136 


9 




<'hilii>*'^va 




Clar.v 






(.'olmnbia 




45 

153)f 
1« 




15 
2.459M 








DonRlas 






nuiiii 


2- '8 

(5 

. ,.12 

29.043 

4.409 
37,064 
21.676 
19,953 
33,56;. 
11,598,1.!; 

4.782 
17.702 
38, 

4, . 
262 

4.538M 

4.54s 

9.51V 
11.774 
31,631 

2,.19() 

',5.« 
,0M 
41,187 

9,293 
15,701l<; 

7,88 (!< 
13,22,.!-.- 
12,384!-; 
77,810 
27.701 

6,485 
4.5,959 

60 X 
53,656 
42.277 
20.588 
53.691 
34.1.10 
13.516 
12 573 
49 999 
637 

1.445.650>i 


i,560 
1,242 
8 554 
2,839 

666!.j 
1.170 
2,6119>!; 
1,739 
8,773 

445 
1,649 
2,164 
3,045 
1,273 
20 
4.299 

670 

93 

5.063 

1.769 

357 

940!4 
4.116!< 

613 V 
2.851 

44(1 
1.284!^ 
.,>.,»■,. s'V 

'5S'.( \ 
1!).424 
2.022 
2.197M 

205 
7.51!l 

2.38T>i 

5.542 

8.934!<; 

6.614 

8..527 

1.060 

636 \ 
1,427 
29!.; 


1,156 

933 

751 >.: 
3,296 
3,793!^: 
3,455 
1.892 

613 
7.611 
3,137 

611 
3.520 
3,177 
1.735 


■((8 

11 

44 
11V4 

28 
212 
179k; 

71k; 

840 

1,169 

8 

249M 
13 




IH 




H 






Grant 


29 
44 


85,217 

363 

22 




Ghmmi Lake , 




1 


10,145 




JellVi-^Mi 


100 




Jnnrati 


6 


Kt'ii.Klia 




3,434 




7 
2^ 




La i'l'Ds.-; ' 




La l"a\i'U<' 


16 670 


Liii>-..fii 






854>i 
355 
1 -, 1 2 1 

'.104!< 
j (.(IS 

': '.4 
-• ;i;i 

■. ..81!^ 
(-.924 
8,9: ;4 
4,104 
■■,076 
"04 !i 
160,>< 
. .:I41!-: 

5,390 

33,8161.; 

1,904 

8,214 

32 

12,106 

22,499 

4,5,451i 

11.613 

26.318 

9.524 

18.726X 

15.401 

958 


5.233 

116 

10,503 

3,074\ 

1,277 
724 
514 

2,430!-; 
563 
2.58 
326 

7,665",; 

2,212 

I,77(i'4 

15,038!., 

17:1 

6.i(;i'i 
1,1 (;o'; 

4,332 

55;i 

633 

4,S75!.<; 

6.002 

7.659 

4,363 

15,416 

982 

372« 


3 


1 




MarailioM 


2 




139 

65 

390 

3 

UK 

15 

2_5H 


7 




Milwaukee 


22 


Mnjiroi- 








,V 












IIK 


Pepin 








10 




2 


3 


r<irla"e 


584 ■«• 
3 11-; 

499 V, 
41,K 


X 




4 k; 

2,I05X 


4.285H 


KHhlarid 


282 

4 






3,llSk! 
4!) 

42^ 
187 
l(175i- 

29 
239 
295 
340 
110 

14 








« 






13 






TrtMnjM-aleau 






14 

11.'^ 


9 


Walworth 


1,169 
113 




5 
3 


3 
3 
9 






3 


Wood 


(i 








Total 


1.02,5,801% 


834.86m; 


183.0305^ 


175,314,>< 


11,184k; 


■4.842 


62,008« 







262 



HISTORY OF WISCONSIK. 



ACREAGE OF PRINCIPAL CROPS 
GROWN IN 1876. 



Counties. 



Adams 

Ashland 

liatroii 

Hayfli-M 

lirowii 

ISuriali) 

Jiui'iiett 

Calumet 

ClUpnowa 

Clark 

Columliia 

Crawford 

I>aiio 

l>odgo 

Dtior 

Douglas 

l>unn 

Eaii Clalrt'. .. 
Fond du LiR'. 

Grant 

Green 

Green Lake.. 

Iowa 

.lackscin 

.lilliTson 

.luiieau 

Kenosha 

Kewaunee... 

La ('rosso 

La l''ayette... 

Lincoln 

Manitowoc... 

Mai'athou 

Marcjuette 

Milwaukee... 

Monroe 

Oconto 

OntaKamie. .. 

O/.aukee 

I'epln 

l*li»rce 

Polk 

Portage 

Kaclne 

Ulchland 

Koek 

St. Croix 

Sank 

Shawano 

Shehoygan. .. 

Taylor 

Trcnipealean, 

Vi-nioii 

Walw.irth 

NVaslilUKton. 
Waukesha.... 

\Vanpa<-a 

Waushara 

WlnnehaKO .. 
Wood........ 

Total.... 



NTMnKIl OK ACUKS. 



Cultivated 
Grasses. 



161 

241 

,84:w 

lot) 



769K 
39 

;iui 



10, 



348 
336 
935 
219 
.552 
257 
100 
033 



41. 
37, 
28, 
13, 
15, 

5, 
17, 

K, 
39, 

5, 
11 



609 

792 

833 

920 

566 

316 

407 

705 

K56 

665 

39(1 

719 

316 

25bM 

453 

387 

557 

217 

170 

681 

538 



,974 
,643 
,143K 
,515,1... 
,9311-, 
,133'-, 
393 

,111 
,133 
173 
73K 
197 
093 
513 
639 
541) 
770 
433 
a.j5 



889.018,l< 



771 
266 
34 Hi 

30 

1.50 

909 V 

130>!; 

1,017 



435 
1.9183f 
2.493 
3.585 
3,780K 
20 

100 

989 



2,70 Iki 

3.038 

1.159 

931 
1,650H; 

510 
3.309 
1.738 
MIKII 
1.4S7 

781 
1,633 

106 
3,351 

667 

936 
3,030K 
1,530 

836 

51 

1,5B6-:SC 



734 

591 
2.016V 
1,548¥ 
1.153,'< 
2,930 
1,176 
3,209,'< 

548 

2,723 

99 

878»i 
1.341 
2.183H; 
46.831 
3.982 
1,695 
1.343 
1.H30 

169 

123.420>< 



6 
75 
55X 



25K 
17K 
37 



104 

618 

80 

89 



10 
219 



61« 



16 
5 
46 
41 
94 
.52 M 
I8V 
10 
99 
26 



108 
138 

50 
137 H 

99 

71 

13 
100 



41 
178 
1383(' 

■UiH 

10« 
122,S 

10 
104 W 

64M 
133 
< 34 

4iH 
140 

55H 
9,430 
383 

98 

45 

35 



13,634X 



Apples. 



68 



219 
■552M 



1.533K 
2.460 
4.830,\i 
16,254 



61M 



2,935¥ 

2.766 

.5.9aOM 

1.467 

1,987!-!; 

100 
3,233 

339 

3,170 

44 

339 

994 



689 
46 
1,856 
1,934V 

406 



1,266-X' 



77 
11 

60X 
16,004 
479 
3,676 
457 
1.054V 
73,'< 
1.730 

375»» 
749 

4.056M 
50,095 

4.952 
205 
836;< 

1. 561 



■ ... .rated 
Cr.iiit.. riles. 



36 
■36 



45 
'521) 
!,757K 



151 

1 

4,413 

20 



1 



580 



3,101 



IV 



137 
30 
185 
1,053 
194 
400 



35,040 

1,152,000 

24,175 



136,000 
51,879 

■lii.463 
49,369>(: 

"506; 606 
5.414 

"'44.986 
136.116 
30.3I3>.., 
23.393 
51,036 
53 880 
33,774 



19.89(i 
37,573 
29.763 
24.037 

""3'57,34'i 


30.535 
16.311 
33.756 

19.433 

22,077 


182.671 



52.150 
28,718>i; 
65,394 
57,587M 

3,606 
88,0,58M 
80,533 
68,057 



13,149 
91,194 
.5I),331 
50 OSO 
43,690 
83,985 
66,510 
25,737 
93,242 



17.6643S 4,090 a26« 



(Jl.ivcr .Seed, 
liushels. 



1.733 



1,689 
50 
2,969!-i 
2.4S9M 



1.500 
3,848 
1.037 

566 
1,515 

107 
,5,369 

781 

1,334 

1,174 

30 

1,007 



74K 



1,073 
113 

1.666 



97 
1,349 



131 
2 

348 

840 

2,160K 

5,416 

80 

1.248K 

16 

10.738 



270 

1.134 

2,798 

16,080 

l.!>29 

610 

117 

720 



76.945X 



ABSTRACT OF LAWS, 

WISCONSIN. 



RLECTORS AND GENERAL ELECTIONS. 

Sec. 12. Every male person of the age of twenty-ono years or u])war(l, belonging to 
either of the following classes, who shall have resided in the State for one year next preceding 
any election, shall he deemed a ((ualified elector at such election : 

1. Citizens of the United States. 

2. Persons of foreign birth who shall have declared their intention to become citizens con- 

formably to the laws of the United States on the subject of natuniiizaiion. 

3. Persons of Indian blood who have once been declared by law of Cotigress to be citizens 

of the Unit( d States, any subsenucnt hiw of Congress to the contrary notwithstanding. 

4. Civilized ■ iis of Indian descent not members of any tribe. Every person convicted 

of brilicr\ ^hall be excluded from the right of suffrage unless restored to civil rights; 

and no person who shall have made or become directly or indirectly interested in any 

bet or wager depending upon the result of any election at which lie shall oiler to vote, 

shall be permitted to vote at .such election. 
Sec. 13. No elector shall vote except in the town, ward, village or election district in which 
he actually resides. 

Sec. 14. The general election presi-ribed in the Constitution shall be held in the several 
towns, wards, villates and election districts on the Tuesday next succeeding the first Monday in 
November in each year, at which time there shall be chosen such Representatives in (congress, 
Electors of President and Vice President, State officers, and county officers as are by law to be 
elected iti such year. 

Sec. 15. All elections shall be held in each town at the place where the last town meeting 
was held, or at such other place as shall have been ordered at such last meeting, or as shall have 
been ordered by the Supervisors wheti they establish more than one election poll, excc))t that the 
first election after the organization of a new town shall be held at the place directed in the act 
or proceeding by which it wa.s organized ; aiul all elections in villages constituting separate elec- 
tion districts and in the wards of cities, shall be held at the place to Re ordered by the Trustees 
of such village, or the Common Council of such city, at least ten days before such election, un- 
less a diflcrcnt provision is made in tlie act incorporating such village or city. 

Sec. 16. Whenever it shall become impossible or inconvenient to hold an election at the 
place designated therefor, the Board of Inspectors, after having assembled at or as near as prac- 
ticable to such place, and before receiving any votes may adjourn to the nearest convenient place 
for holding the election, and at such adjoiii-ned place shall forthwith proceed with the election. 
Upon adjourning any election as liereinijefoi-e provided, the i'oard of inspectors shall cause proc- 
lamation thereof to be made, ami shall station a Constable or some other proper person at the 
place where the adjournment was made, to notify all electors arriving at such place of adjoui-n- 
ment, and the place to which it was made. 



264 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN 

Sec. 20. A registry of electors shall annually be made : 

1. In each ward or election district of every city which, at the last previous census, had 

a |x>pulation of three thousand or more. 

2. In each ward or election district of every incorporated village in which, by law, sep- 

arate elections are held ; which village at the last preceding census, had a popula- 
tion of fifteen hundred or more. 

3. In every town containing a village which, at said census, hail a population of fifteen 

hundred or more, in wlucli village separate general elections are not by law required to 
be held. 

4. In all towns any part of which shall have been embraced in any part of any city or 

village in which a registration by this chapter is required. 

Such registration shall be made in the manner provided by this chapter. The persons 
authorized by law to act as Inspectors of Election in each of such towns, wards or election dis- 
tricts shall constitute the Board of Registry therefor. 

Sec. 21. The said Inspectors shall have their first meeting on Tuesday, four weeks pre- 
ceding each general election, at the place where said election is to be held ; and in election 
districts at which there were polled at tlie previous general election three hundred votes or 
less, they shall sit for one day, and in districts at which there were more than three hundred 
votes polled, they sliall have power to sit two days if necessary, for the purpose of making such 
list. They shall meet at 9 o'clock in tiio forenoon and hold their meetings open until 8 
o'clock in the evening of each day during which they shall so sit. The Clerks appointed by law 
to act as Clerks of Election shall act as Clerks of the Board of Registry on the day of election 
only. The proceedings shall be open, and all elcctin-s of the district shall be entitled to be 
heard in relation to corrections or additions to said registry. They sliall have the same powers 
to preserve order which Inspectors of Election have on election days, and in towns vacancies in 
the Board shall be filled in the sainc manner that vacancies arc filled at elections. 

Skc. 22. The said Inspectors Ht tiieir first meeting, and bef ire doing any business, sliall 
severally take and subscribe tiie o;illi of Inspectors at a general election, and said Inspectors shall 
at their first meeting make a registry of all tlie electors of their respective districts, placing 
thereon the full names, alphabetically arranged according to surnames, in one column, and in 
another the residence by number and name of street or other location, if known. If any elector's 
residence is at any hotel or public boarding-house the name of the hotel or boarding-house shall 
be stated in the registry. Tiiey sliall put thereon the names of all persons residing in their elec- 
tion district appearing on the poll-list kept at the last preceding general election, and are author- 
ized to take therefor such ])oll-list from tjio office where kept, omitting such as have died or 
removed i'rom the district, and adding the names of all other persons known to tlieiii to be elect- 
ors in such district. In case of the formation of anew election district since the last preceding 
general election, tiie said Board therein may make such registry from tlie best means at tiieir 
command, and may, if necessary, procure therefor certified copies of the last poll-list. They .sliall 
complete said registry as fiu- as practicable at their first meeting, and shall make four copies 
thereof and certify the original and each copy to be a true list of the electors in their district so far 
as the same are known to-them. One of said copies shall be immediately posted in a conspicuous 
place in the room in which their meeting was held, and be accessible to any elector for examina- 
tion or making copies thereof, and one copy shnll he retained by each Inspector for revision and 
correction at the second meeting. Tliey shall within two days after said first meeting file the original 
registry made by them, and said poll-list in the office of the proper town, city or village clerk, 
and may, in their discretion, cause ten printed copies of said registry to be made and posted in 
ten of the most public places of said election district, or may publish the same in a newspaper at 
an expense not exceeding one cent fir eacli name. 

Six. 2-3. The Inspectors shall hold tiieir second meeting at the same place designated for 
holding elections on the Tuesday two weeks preceding the election. They shall meet at 9 o'clock 
in the forenoon. In election districts having less than three hundred voters, as shown by the 



ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 265 

prelituinary registry, the Boanl shall complete the registry on the same day ; hut if there are more 
than that iiunibcr of voters, they shall sit two days. They shall remain in session utitil iS o'clock in 
the evening. 'I'hey shall revise and correct the registry first i)y erasing the name of any person 
who shall be proved to their satisfaction by the oatlis of two electors of the district to be not 
entitled to vote therein at the next ensuing election, uidess such person shall appear and if chal- 
lenged, shall answer the questions and take the oath hereinafter provided ; secondly, by entering 
thereon the names of every elector entitled to vote in the district at the next election who shall 
appear before the Board and require it, and state his place of residence, giving street and num- 
ber, if numbered, or location, as hereinbefore provided, if challetiged answer the questions, and 
take the oaths provided in case of challenge at an election; but if any person shall refuse to 
answer all such questions or to take such oath, his name shall not be registered. Any person 
who is not twenty-one years of age before the date when the registry is recjuired to bo corrected, but 
will be if he lives until the day of election, shall have his name put on the registry if he be other- 
wise (|ualifieil to be an elector. Any elector who did not vote at the previous general election 
shall be entitled to be registered either at the preliminary or the final registration of electors by 
apjjearing before the Board of Registration of his electioi^ district and establishing his right to 
be registered, or, instead of a personal appearance, ho may make his ap[)lication to he registered 
to the Board in writing. Such application shall state the name and period of continuous resi- 
dence in the election district and j)lace of residence therein, giving the number and street of the 
applicant, and, in case the person making the application is of foreign birth, he shall state when 
he came to the United States and to the State of Wisconsin, and tin; time and place of declaring 
his intention of becoming a citizen of the United States, and that he is entitled to vote at the 
election. U])on receiving such application, the Board of Registration shall register the name of 
such applicant, if it appears to the J'oard that the applicant is, by his statement, entitled to 
vote. Such statement shall be made under oath, and shall be preserved by the Board and be 
fileil in the office of the village or city clerk, as the case may be. All city and village clerks 
shall kee|) blanks for nuiking the application for registration, as provided by this section. The 
form shall be prescribed by the Secretary of State. Every person named in this section shall be 
subject to the same punishment for any false statement or other olVenso in respect thereto as 
is provided in case of such false statement or other offense by an elector offering to vote at an 
election. After such registry shall have been fully completed on the days above mentioned, 
no name shall be added thereto by any ]>erson or upon any pretext. Within three days after the 
second meeting the said Board shall cause four cojiies of the registry to be made, each of which 
shall bo certified by them to be a correct registry of the electors of their district, one of which 
shall be kept by each Inspector for use on election day, and one shall forthwith be filed in the 
office of the proper town, city or village clerk. All registries shall at all times be open to pub- 
lic inspection at the office where deposited without charge. 

Sec. 24. On election day the Inspectors shall designate two of their number at the opening 
of the polls, who shall check the names of every elector voting in such district whose name is on 
the registry. No vote shall be received at any general election in any ward or election district 
defined in Section 20, if the name of the person offering to vote he not on said registry made at 
the second meeting as aforesaid, except as hereinafter provided ; but in c.ise any one shall, after 
the last day for completing such registry, and before such election, become a qualified voter of 
the district, he shall have the same right to vote therein at such election as if his name had been 
duly regi-stered, provided he shall, at tlie time he offers to vote, deliver to the Inspectors his affi- 
davit, in which he shall state the facts, showing that he has, sitico the completion of such regis- 
try, become a qualified elector of such district, and the fuels showing that he was not such 
elector on the day such registry was completed, and shall also deliver to such Inspectors the affi- 
davits of two freeholders, electors in such election district, corroborating all the material state- 
ments in his affidavit. In case any person who was a voter at the last previous general election 
shall not be registered, such person shall bo entitled to vote on making affidavit tliat he was enti- 
tled to vote at the previous election, ami that he has not become dis(iualifie(l by reason of removal 



266 IllSTUKY OF WlsiCUX.SlN. 

from the election district or otherwise, since that election, wliich affidavit shall also be corrobo- 
rated by the affidavits of two freeholders, as is provided for other non-registered voters. No one 
freeholder shall be competent to make at any one election corroborating affidavits for more than 
three voters. All of said affidavits shall be sworn to before some officer authorized by the laws 
of this State to take depositions. The Inspectors shall keep a list of the names and residence 
of the electors voting whose names are not on said completed registry, and attach said list to the 
registry and return it, together with all such affidavits, to the proper town, city or village clerk. 
No compensation shall be paid or received for taking or certifying any such affidavits. On the day 
following the election, one of said poll-lists and one copy of the registry so kept and checked shall be 
attached together and filed iii the office of the proper town, city or village clerk, and the other of 
said poll-lists and copy of the registry so kept and checked shall be returned to the County 
Clerk with the returns of the election. Such Inspectors shall give notice by advertisement in a 
newspaper printed in the city, village or town where such registration was made, of the registry, 
and shall include in such notice all additions to and omissions from the preliminary list, and 
shall also state where the election is to be held. In ease there be no newspaper printed in such 
city, village or town, such notice shall be given by posting copies thereof in three or more public 
places in each ward or election district in such city, village or town. For publication of such 
notice in any such newspaper the publisher thereof shall be entitled to trie same compensation 
per folio as is prescribed for publishing other legal notices. 

COMMON SCHOOLS. 

Sec. 413. The formation of any school district shall be by written order of the Town 
Board, describing the territory embraced in the same, to be filed with the Town Clerk within 
twenty days after the making thereo.f. The Supervisors shall deliver to a taxable inhabitant of 
the district their notice thereof in writing, describing its boundaries, and appointing a time and 
place for the first district meeting, and shall therein direct such inhabitant to notify every <juali- 
fied voter of the district, either personally or by leaving a written notice at his place of resi- 
■lence, of the time and place of such meeting, at least five days before the time appointed 
therefor, and said inhabitant shall notify the voters of such district accordingly, and indorse 
thereon a return containing the names of all persons thus notified, and said notice and return 
shall be recorded as a part of the record of the first meeting in such district. 

Sec. 414. In case such notice shall not be sriven, or the inhabitants of a district shall nesr- 
lect or refuse to assemble and form a district meeting when so notified, or in case any schoc^l dis- 
trict having been formed or organized shall afterward be disorganized, so that no competent 
authority shall exist therein to call a special district meeting, in the manner hereinafter pro- 
vided, notice shall be given by the Town Board, and served in the manner prescribed in the pre- 
ceding section. Whenever a district meeting shall be called as prescribed in this and the 
preceding section, it shall be the duty of the electors of the district to assemble at the time 
and place so directed. 

Sec. 415. Whenever it shall be necessary to form a district from two or more adjoining 
towns, the Town Boards of such towns shall meet together and form such districts by their writ- 
ten order, describing the territory embraced in such district, signed by at least two of the Super- 
visors of each town ; and shall file one such order with the Town Clerk of each town, and 
deliver the notice of formation to a taxable iniiabitant of such district, and cause the same to be 
served and returned in the time and manner hereinbefore prescribed ; and anj' such district may 
be altered only by the joint action of the Town Boards of such towns in the same manner that 
other districts are altered. 

Si:c. 41 1). FA'ery school district shall be deemed duly organized Avlien any two of the offi- 
cers elected at the first legal meeting thereof shall have consented to serve in the offices to which 
they have been respectively elected, by a written acceptance thereof filed with the clerk of the 
first meeting, and recorded in the minutes thereof; and every school district shall be considered 



A15STRACT OX LAWS. 2l)T 

as duly organized after it shall have exercised the franchises and privileges of a district for the 
term of two years. 

Skc. 42;"). The annual meeting of all scliool districts in which graded schools of two or 
more departments are taught, shall be held on the second Monday of July, and of all other 
school districts on the last JNIonday of September, in each year. The hour of such meeting shall 
be seven o'clock in the afternoon, unless otherwise provided by a vote of the district, duly 
recorded at tlie last previous annual meeting; but at any annual meeting a majority of the 
electors pi-esent may determine tiiat the annual meeting of such district sliall l)e held on tiie last 
Muiulny of August instead of tlie last Monday of September. Said determination to take etl'ect 
when a cojiy of the proceedings of said annual meeting in reference to such change shall have 
been filed with the Town Clerk in which the sciioolhouse of such district is situated, and to 
remain in force until rescinded by a like vote of the electors of sucii district. 

Sec. 4i'G. The Clerk shall give at least six days' previous notice of every annual district 
meeting, by posting notices thereof in four or more public places in the district, one of which 
shall be affixed to the outer door of tlie sciioolhouse, if there be one in the district, and he shall 
give like notices for every adjourned district meeting when sucli meeting shall have been 
adjourned for more than one month ; but no annual meeting shall bo deemed illegal for want of due 
notice, unless it shall appear tluit the omission to give such notice was willful and fraudtdent. 

Sec. 427. Special district meetings may bo called by tlie Clerk, or, in his absence, by the 
Directors or Treasurer, on written request of five legal voters of the district, in the manner 
prescribed for calling an annual meeting; and the electors, when lawfully assembled at a special 
nueting, shall have power to transact the same business as at the first and each annual meeting, 
except the election of officers. The business to be transacted at any special meeting shall be 
particularly specified in the notices calling the same, and said notices shall be posted six full 
days prior to the meeting. No tax or loan or debt shall be voted at a special meeting, unless 
three-fourths ot the legal voters shall have been notified, either personally or by a written notice 
left at their places of residence, stating the time and place and objects of the meeting, and 
specifying the amount proposed to be voted, at least si.x days before the time appointed therefor. 

Si:c. 428. Every person shall be entitled to vote in any school district meeting who is 
qualified to vote at a general election for State and county officers, and who is a resident of such 
school district. 

ASSESSMENT AND COLLECTION OF DISTRICT TAXES. 

Skc. 4()n. All school district taxes, Tinless otherwise specially provided by law, shall be 
assessed on the same kinds of property as taxes for town and county purposes; and all personal 
property which, on account of its location or the residence of its owner, is taxable in the town, 
shall, if such locality or residence be in the school district, be likewise taxable for school district 
purposes. 

BORROWING MONEY. 

Sec. 474. Whenever, upon any unusual exigency, any school district shall, before the annual 
meeting, vote a special tax to be collected with tlie next levy, the district may, by vote, author- 
ize the District Board to borrow for a period not exceeding one year a sum not exceeding the 
amount of such tax, and by such vote set apart siu:li ta.K when collecteil to repay such loan, and 
thereupon the District Board may borrow such money of any person and on such terms and exe- 
cute and deliver to the lender such oldigation therefor, and such security for the repayment, 
including a mortgage or pledge of any real or personal property of the district, subject to the 
directions contained in the vote of the district as may be agreed upon and not prohibited by 
law. 

Sec. 408. Every District Clerk who shall willfully neglect to make the annual report for 
his district as required by law shall be liable to pay the whole amount of money lost by such 



268 HISTORY OF AVISCONSIN. 

district in consequence of his neglect, which shall be recovered in an action in the name of and 
for the use of the district. 

Sec. 499. Every Town Clerk who shall neglect or refuse to make and deliver to the County 
Superintendent his annual report, as required in this chapter within the time limited therefor, 
shall be liable on his official bond to pay the town the amount which such town or any school 
district tlierein, shall lose by such neglect or refusal, with interest thereon ; and every County 
Superintendent who shall neglect or refuse to make the report required of him by this chapter 
to the State Superintendent shall be liable to pay to each town the amount which such town or 
any school district therein shall lose by such neglect or refusal, with interest thereon, to be 
recovered in either case in an action prosecuted by the Town Treasurer in the name of the 
town. 

Sec. 503. Every member of a district board in any school district in this State in which 
a list of text-books has been adopted according to law, who shall, within three years from the 
date of such adoption, or thereafter, without the consent of the State Superintendent, order a 
change of te.xt-books in such district, shall forfeit the sum of fifty dollars. 

Sec. 513. Every womap of twenty-one years of age and upward may be elected or 
appointed as director, treasurer or clerk of a school district, director or secretary of a town board 
under the township system ; member of a board of education in cities, or county superintendent. 

Sec. 560. In reckoning school months, twenty days shall constitute a month and one hun- 
dred days five months. 

ASSESSMENT OF TAXES. 

Sec. 1035. The terms "real property," " real estate " and "land," when used in this 
title, shall include not oidy the land itself, but all buildings, fixtures, improvements, riglits and 
privileges appertaining thereto. 

Sec. 1036. The term " personal property," as used in this title, shall be construed to mean 
and include toll-bridges, saw-logs, timber and lumber, either upon land or afloat, steamboats, 
ships and other vessels, whether at home or abroad ; buildings upon leased lands, if such build- 
ings have not been included in the assessment of the land on which they are erected ; 
ferry-boats, including the franchise for running the same ; all debts due from solvent debtors, 
whether on account, note, contract, bond, mortgage or other secui'ity, or whether such debts are 
due or to become due ; and all good-i, wares, merchandise, chattels, moneys and effects of any 
nature or description having any real or marketable value and <not included in the term " real 
property," as above defined. 

Sec. 1037. The improvements on all lands situated in this State, which shall have been 
entered under the provisions of the act of C(.ingress entitled " An act to secure homesteads to act- 
ual settlers on the public domain," approved May twentieth, one thousand eight hundred and 
sixty-two, antl which shall be actually occupied and improved by the person so entering the same, 
or his heirs, shall be subject to taxation, and such improvements shall be assessed as personal 
property. All taxes levied thereon shall be collected out of the personal property of the occu- 
pant of such lands, and in no other manner. 

Sec. 1038. The property in this section described is exempt from taxation, to wit: 

1. That owned exclusively by the United States or by this State, but no lands contracted to 

be sold by the State shall be exempt. 

2. That owned exclusively by any county, city, village, town or school district; but lands 

purchased by counties at tax sales shall be exempt oidy in the cases provided in Sec- 
tion Eleven Hundred and Ninety-one. 

3. Personal property owned by any religious, scientific, literary or benevolent association, 

used exclusively for the purposes of such association, and the real property, if not 
leased, or not otherwise used for pecuniary profit, necessary for the location and con- 
venience of the buildings of such association, and embracing the same not exceeding 



Ai;>THA('T OF LAWS. 269 

ten acres ; and tlie ImiiiIs reserved for grounds of a cliiirteriMl college or university, 
not exceeding loriy acres; and parsonages, whether of local churches or districts, and 
whether occujiied by the pastor permanently or rented for his benelit. The occasional 
leasing of such buildings for schools, public lectures or concerts, or the leasing of such 
parsonages, shall not render theni liable to taxation. 

4. Personal property owned and used exclusively by the Stale or any county agricultural 

society, and tlie lands owned and used by any such society exclusively for lair grounds. 

5. Fire engines and other implements used for extinguishing fires, owned or used by any 

organized (ire com])any, ami the buildings and necessary grounds connected therewith, 
owned by such company, and used exclusively for its proper |)urposfs. 

6. The property ot Indians who are not citizens, exce])t lands held by them by purchase. 
• 7. Lands used exclusively as public burial-grounds, and tombs and monuments to the dead 

therein. 

8. Pensions receivable from the United States. 

9. Stock in any corporation in this State which is reijuired to pay taxes upon its property 

in tiie same manner as individuals. 

10. So mucii of the <lel)ts due or to become due to any person as shall e<[ual the amount of 
bona-fide and unconditional debts by him owing. 

11. Wearing aj)parel, family portraits and libraries, Idtchen furniture and growing ci-ops. 
1:1. Provisions and I'uel provided by tlie head of a family to sustain its members for six 

months ; but no person paying hoard shall be deemed a member of a family. 

13. All the personal property of all insurance companies that now are or shall be organized 
or doing business in this State. 

14. The track, right of way, depot grounds, buildings, machine-shops, rolling-stock and 
other property necessarily used in operating any railroad in this State belonging to any 
railroad company, including pontoon, pile and pontoon railroads, and shall henceforth 
remain exempt from taxation for any purpose, except that the same shall be subject to 
special assessments for local improvements in cities and villages and all lands owned or 
claimed by such railroad company not adjoining the track of such company, shall be 
subject to all taxes. The provision of this subdivision shall not apply to any railroad 
that now is or shall be operated by horse-power, whether now or hereafter constructed 
in any village or city. 

15. Tlie property, except real estate, of all companies which are or shall be engaged in tlie 
business of telegraphing in this State. 

16. The real estate of the Home of the Friendless in the city of Milwaukee, not exceeding 
one lot in amount, is exempted, so long as the same shall continue to be used assu('h home. 

17. All ])roperty of anj' corporation or association formed under tlie laws of this State for 
the encouragement of industry by agricultural and industrial fairs and exhibitions, 
which shall be necessary for fair grounds, while used exclusively for such fairs and 
exhibitions, provided the (juantity of land so exempt shall not exceeil forty acres. 

18. Such tree-belts as arc or may be planted and maintained in compliance with chapter 
sixty-six of one of these statutes. 

Sec. llDl. R(!al property, upon which the county holds any certilieates of tax sale, shall 
continue liabh; to taxation and to sale for unpaid taxes, and the county shall be the exclusive 
purchaser at the sale; but when a tax deed shall be issued to the county, and it shall hold tax 
certificates of sale unredeemed on the same property for two successive years subseipient to the 
date of the sale on which such deed shall issue, including certificates of sale made prior to tiie 
passage of these statutes, such proju'rty shall thereafter be exempt from taxation until the same 
is sold by the county. The County Clerk shall annually, before the first day of June, furnish 
to the Assessors of each town a list of the lands in such town exempt uniler this section. Noth- 
ing in this section shall be so construed as to apply to lamls owned by minors, married women, 
widowed women, idiots or insane ])ersons. 



270 IIISTOKY OF WISCOXSIN. 

COLLECTION OF TAXES. 

Sec. 1089. The Town Treasurer of each town, on the receipt of the tax-roil for tlio cur- 
rent year, shall forthwith post notices in tlireo or four public places in such towns, that the tax- 
roll for such town is in his hands for collection, and that the taxes charged therein arc subject 
to payment at his office at any time prior to the first day of .January in such year: and after 
the siiid first day of January he shall proceed t(j collect the taxes charged in such roll and 
remaining unpaid, and for that purpose shall call at least once on the person taxed, or at any 
place of his usual residence, if within the town, and demand payment of the taxes charged to 
him on such roll. 

Sec. 1090. On all taxes paid or tendered at the oilice of such Treasurer prior to said ^rst 
day of January, he shall remit all of the 5-per-cent collection fees, except so much thereof as 
he is authorized by law to have for his fees upon taxes so paid. 

Sec. 1091. Town orders shall be receivable for taxes in the town where issued, and shall 
be allowed the Town Treasurer on settlement of town taxes; and county orders and jurors' cer- 
tificates shall be receivable for taxes in the county where issued, and shall be allowed such Treas- 
urer on settlement of county taxes with the County Treasurer, but no Town Treasurer shall 
receive town orders in payment for taxes to a larger amount than the town taxes included in his 
assessment-roll exclusive of all taxes for school purposes, nor county orders and jurors' certifi- 
cates to a greater amount than the county tax included therein. 

Sec. 1097. In case any person shall refuse or neglect to pay the tax imposed upon him, 
the Town Treasurer shall levy the same by distress and sale of any goods and chattels belong- 
ing to such person, wherever the same may be fnind within his town ; and if a sufficient amount 
of such property cannot be found in such town, the Town Treasurer may levy the same by dis- 
tress and sale of the goods and chattels belonging to such person, wherever the same may be 
found in the county or in any adjoining counties. 

Sec. 1098. The Town Treasurer shall give public notice of the time and place of such 
sale, at least six days previous thereto, by advertisement, containing a description of the prop- 
erty to be sold, to be poste<l up in three public ])laces in the town where the sale is to be made. 
The sale shall be at public auction, in the daytime, and the property sold shall be present; 
such property rnay be released by tlio payment of the taxes and charges for which the same is 
liable, to be sold ; if the purchase-money on such sale shall not be paid at such time as the 
Treasurer may require, he may agnin, in his discretion, expose such property for sale, or sue, in 
his name of office, tlie purchaser for the purchase-money, and lecover the same with costs and 
10-per-centum damages. 

Sec. 1099. If the property so levied ujjon shall be sold for more than the amount of tax 
and costs, the surplus shall be returned to the owner thereof; and if it cannot be sold for want 
of bidders, the Treasurer shall return a statement of the fact, and return the property to the 
person from whose possession he took the same ; and the tax, if unsatisfied, shall be collected in 
the same manner as if no levy had been made. 

HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES. 

Sec. 1223. The Supervisors of tiie several towns shall have the care and supervision of 
the highways and bridges therein, and it shall be their duty : 

1. To give directions for repairing the highways and bridges within their respective towns. 

and cause to be removed all obstructions therefrom. 

2. To cause such of the roads used as highways as have been laid out but not sufficiently 

described, and such as have been lawfully laid out and used as such up to the then 
present time, but not fully and sufficiently recorded, to be ascertained, described and 
entered of record in the Town Clerk's office. 



ABSTHACT OF i.AWS. 271 

3. To cause bridges wliich are or may be erected over streams intersecting highways to be 

kept in repair. 

4. To divide their respective towns into so many road districts as tliey shall judge conven- 

ient, and specify every such division in writing under their hands, to be recorded in 
the oilice of the 'J'own Clerk : but no such division shnll be made witliin ten days next 
preceding the annual town meeting. 

5. To assign to each of the said road districts such of the inhabitants liable to pay taxes 

on highways as they think proper, having regard to the nearness of residence as much 
as practicable. 

6. To re((uire the Overseers of Highways from time to time, and as often as they shall 

deem necessary, to perform any of the duties required of them by law. 

7. To assess the highway taxes in their respective towns in each year, as provided by law. 

8. To lay out and establish upon actual surve3's, as hereinafter provided, such new roads in 

their respective towns as they may deem necessary and proper; to discontinue such 
roads as shall appear to them to have become unnecessary, and to widen or alter such 
roads when they shall deem necessary for public convenience, and perform all other 
duties respecting highways and bridges directed by this chapter. 

INTOXICATING LIQUORS. 

Sec. 1548. The Town Boards, Village Boards and Common Councils of the respective 
towns, villages and cities may grant license to such persons as they may deem proper, to keep 
groceries, saloons or other places, within their respective towns, villages or cities, for the sale in 
quantities less than one gallon of strong, spirituous, malt, ardent or" intoxicating liquors, to be 
drank on the premises ; and in like manner may grant licenses for the sale in any (juantity of 
such liquors not to be drank on the premises. The sum to be paid for such license for the sale 
of such liquor to be drank on the premises shall not be less than twenty-five nor more than one 
hundred and fifty dollars ; and for the sale of such licjuors not to be drank on the premises shall 
be not less than ten nor more than forty dollars. 

Sec. 1549. Every :ipplicant for such license shall, before delivery thereof, file with such 
town, village or city clerk a bond to the State in the sum of five hundred dollars, with at 
least two sureties, to be approved by the authorities granting the license, who shall each justify 
in double its amount over and above their debts and liabilities and exemptions, and be freehold- 
ers and residents of the county, conditioned that the applicant, during the continuance of his 
license will keep and maintain an orderly and well-regulated house; that he will permit no 
gambling with cards, dice or any device or implement for that purpose, within his premises or 
any out-house, yard or shed appertaining thereto; that he will not sell or give away any intoxi- 
cating liquor to any minor, having good reason to believe him to be such, unless upon the writ- 
ten order of the parents or guardian of such minor, or to persons intoxicated or bordering upon 
intoxication, or to habitual drunkards ; and that he will pay all damages that may be recovered 
by any person, and that he will observe and obey all orders of sucii Supervisors, Trustees or 
Aldermen, or any of them, made pursuant to law. In case of the breach of the condition of 
any such bond, an action may be brought thereon in the name of the State of Wisconsin, and 
judgment shall be entered against the principals and sureties therein named for the full penalty 
thereof; and execution may issue thereupon by order of the court therefor, to satisfy any 
judgment that may have been recovered against the principal named in said bond, by reason of 
any breach in the conditions thereof, or for any penalties of forfeitures incurred under this chap- 
ter. If more than one judgment shall have been recovered, the court, in its discretion, may 
apply the proceeds of said bond toward tiie satisfaction of said several judgments, in whole or 
in part, in such manner as it may see fit. 

Sec. 155U. If any person shall vend, sell, deal or tralfic in or for the purpose of evading 
this chapter, give away, any spirituous, malt, ardent or intoxicating liquors or drinks in any 



272 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

quantity whatever without first having obtained license therefor, according to the provisions of 
this chapter, he shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and, on conviction thereof shall be 
punished by fine of not less than ten nor more than forty dollars, besides the costs of suit, or, 
in lieu of sucli fine, by imprisonment in the county jail of the proper county not to exceed sixty 
days nor less than twenty days ; and, in case of punishment by fine as above provided, such per- 
son shall, unless the fine and costs be paid forthwith, be committed to the county jail of the proper 
county until such fine and costs are paid, or until discharged by due course of law ; and, in case 
of a second or any subsequent conviction of the same person during any one year, the punish- 
ment may be by both fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the court. 

Sec. 1551. Upon complaint made to any Justice of the Peace by any person that he 
knows or has good reason to believe that an offense against this chapter, or any violation thereof, 
has been committed, he shall examine the complainant on oath, and he shall reduce such com- 
plaint to writing and cause the same to be subscribed by the person complaining. And if it 
shall appear to such .Justice that there is reasonable cause to believe that such offense has been 
committed, he shall immediately issue his warrant, reciting therein the substance of such com- 
plaint and re(iuiring the officer to whom such warrant shall be directed forthwith to arrest the 
accused and bring him before such Justice, to be dealt with according to law ; and the same war- 
rant may require the officer to sumpaon such persons as shall be therein named to appear at the 
trial to give evidence. 

Sec. 1552. The District Attorney of the proper county shall, on notice given to him by 
the Justice of the Peace before whom any such complaint shall be made, attend the trial before 
such Juslice and conduct the same on bebalf of tlie State. 

Sec. 155-3. Every supervisor, trustee, alderman and justice of the peace, police officer; 
marshal, deputy marshal and constable of any town, village or city who shall know or be credi- 
bly informed that any offense has been committed against the provisions of this chapter shall 
make complaint ag.-iinst the person so offending within their respective towns, villages or cities 
to a proper Justice of the Peace therein, and for every neglect or refusal so to do every such 
officer shall forfeit twenty-five dollars, and the Treasurer of such town, village or city shall pros- 
ecute therefor. 

Sec. 1557. Any koep-jr of any saloon, shop or place of any name whatsoever for the sale 
of strong, spirituous or malt licjuors to be drank on the premises in any quantity less than one 
gallon, who shall sell, vend or in any way deal or traffic in or for the purpose of evading this 
chapter, give away any spirituous, ardent or malt liquors or drinks in any quantity whatsoever 
to or with a minor, having good reason to believe him to be such, or to a person intoxicated or 
bordering on a state of intoxication, or to any other prohibited person before mentioned, shall be 
deemed guilty of a misdemeanor ; nor shall any person sell or in any way deal or traflic in, or, 
for the purpose of evading this chapter, give away, any spirituous, ardent, intoxicating or malt 
liquors or drinks in any quantity whatsoever within one mile of either of the hospitals for the 
insane ; and any person who shall so sell or give away any such liquors or drinks shall be 
deemed guilty of a misdemeanor. 

BILLS OF EXCHANGE AND PROMISSORY NOTES. 

Sec. 1G75. All notes in writing made and signed by any person or for any corporation,, 
and all certificates of the deposit of money issued by any person or corporation, whereby he or 
it shall promise to pay to any person or order, or unto the bearer, any sum of money, as therein 
mentioned, shall be due and payable as therein expressed, and shall have the same efiect and 
shall be negotiable in like manner as inland bills of exchanjio, accordinjT to the custom of mer- 
chants. But no order drawn upon or accepted by the Treasurer of any county, town, city, village 
or school district, whether drawn by anj^ officer thereof or any other person, and no obligation nor 
instrument made by such corporation or any officer thereof, unless expressly authorized by law 



ABSTKACT OF LAWS. 273 

to be made negotiable, sball be, or shall be deemed to be, negotiable according to the customs of 
merchants, in whatever form they may be drawn or made. 

Sec. 1G!^0. On all bills of exchange payabl'=! at sij^ht, or at future day certain, within 
this State, and all negotiable promissory notes, orders and drafts payable at a future day cer- 
tain, within tills State, in wdiich there is not an o.xprcss stipulation to the contrary, grace should 
fao allowed in like manner as it is allowed by the custom of merchants on foreign bills of exchange 
payable at the expiration of a certain period after date or sight. The provisions of this section 
shall not extend to any bill of exchange, note or draft payable on demand. 

Sec. 1()<S4. All notes, di'afts, bills of excliangc or other negotiable paper maturing on 
Sunday or ujion any legal holiday shall be due and payable on the next preceding secular day. 

HOURS OF LABOR. 

Sec. 1728. In all manufactories, work-shops and other places used for mechanical or 
manufacturing purposes, the time of labor of children under eighteen yeai-s of age and of women 
employed therein, shall not exceed eight hours in one day ; and any cin])loyer, stockholder, 
director, officer, overseer, clerk or foreman who shall compel any woman or any child to labor 
exceeding eight hours in any one day, or who shall permit any child under fourteen years of age 
to lab(n- more than ten hours in any one day in any such place, if he shall have control over 
such child sufficient to prevent it, or who shall employ at manual labor any child under twelve 
years of age in any factory or work-shop where more than three persons are employed, or who 
shall employ any child of twelve and under fourteen years of age in any such factory or work- 
shop f )r more than seven months in any one year, shall forfeit not less than five nor more than 
fifty dollars for each such offense. 

Sec. 1729. In all engagements to labor in any manufacturing or mechanical business, 
where there is no express contract to the contrary, a day's work shall consist of eight hours, and 
all engagements or contracts for labor in such cases shall be so construed ; but this shall no/ 
apply to any contract for labor by the week, month or year. 

FORM OF CONVEYANCES. 

Sec. 2207. A deed of (piitclaim and release of the form in common use or of tiio form 
hereinafter provided, shall be sufficient to i)ass all the estate wliicli the grantor could lawfully 
convey by deed of bargain and sale. 

Sec. 2208. Conveyances of land may be in substantially the following form: 

AVAKRANTY DEED. 

A R, grantor of County, Wisconsin, hereby conveys ami warrants to D, grantee, 

of County, Wisconsin, for the sum of dollars, the following tract of land in 

County. 

[Here di>.scribe the premise:^.^ 

Witness the hand and seal of said grantor this day of , IS — . 

Iq the firesence of) 



QUITCLAIM DEED. [sEAL.] 

A B, grantor, of County, Wisconsin, hereby (faitclaims to C 1), grantee, of 

County, Wisconsin, for the sum of dollars, the following tract of laml in County, 

{ Ilfre lifscnfte the premises, ) 

Witness the hand and seal of said grantor this day of , 18 — . 

In presence of ) 

\ [SEAL.] 

. J [SEAL.] 



274 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

Such deeds, when executed and acknowleilged as re<iuii-ed by law, shall, when of the first 
of the above forms, have the efi'ect of a conveyance in fee simple to the grantee, his heirs and 
assigns of the premises therein named, together with all the appurtenances, rights and privileges 
thereto belonging, with a covenant from the grantor, his heirs and personal representatives, that 
he is lawfully seized of the premises ; has good right to convey the same ; that he guaran- 
tees the grantee, his heirs and assigns in the quiet possession thereof ; that the same are free from 
all incumbrances, and that the grantor, his heirs and personal representatives will forever war- 
rant and defend the title and possession thereof in the grantee, his heirs and assigns against all 
lawful claims whatsoever. Any exceptions to such covenants may be briefly inserted in such 
deed, following the description of the land ; and when in the second of the above forms, shall 
have the effect of a conveyance in fee simple to the grantee, his heirs and assigns, of all the right, 
title, interest and estate of the grantor, either in possession or expectancy, in and to the prem- 
ises therein described, and all rights, privileges and appurtenances thereto belonging. 

MORTGAGES. 

Sec. 2209. A mortgage may be substantially in the following form : 

A B, mortgagor, of County, Wisconsin, hereby mortgages to C D, mortgagee, of 

County, Wisconsin, for the sum of dollars, the following tract of land in 

County. 

{Here describe the premises.) 

This mortgage is given to secure the following indebtedness : 

'Here slate amount or amounts and form of indebtedness, whether on note, bond or otherwise, lime or times token due, rate 

of interest, by and to whom payable, etc.) 

The mortgagor agrees to pay all taxes and assessments on said premises, and the sum of 
dollars attorney's fees in case of foreclosure thereof. 

Witness the hand and seal of said mortgagor this day of , 18 — . 

In presence of i 

V [SEAL.] 

j [SE.^L.] 

when executed and acknowledged according to law shall have the effect of a conveyance of 
the land therein described, together with all the rights, privileges and appurtenances thereunto 
belonging in pledge to the mortgagee, his heirs, assigns and legal representatives for the payment 
of the indebtedness therein set forth, with covenant from the mortgagor that all taxes and assess- 
ments levied and assessed upon the land described .during the continuance of the mortgage shall 
be paid previous to the day appointed by law for the sale of lands for taxes, as fully as the forms 
of mortgage now and heretofore in common use in this State, and may be foreclosed in the same 
manner and with the same effect, upon any default being made in any of the conditions thereof 
iis to payment of either principal, interest or taxes. 

ASSIGNMENT OF MORTGAGE. 

Sec. 2210. An assignment of a mortgage substantially in the following form : 
For value received I, A B, of •, Wisconsin, hereby assign to C D, of , Wis- 
consin, the within mortgage (or a certain mortgage executed to by E F and wife, of 



County, AVisconsin, the day of , IS — , and recorded in the office of the Register of 

Deeds of County, Wisconsin, in Vol. of mortgages, on page ), together with 

the and indebtedness therein mentioned. 

Witness my hand and seal this day of , IS — . 

Tn presence of 1 

J A B. [.'^EAL.] 



ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 275 

sliall be sufficient to vest in tiie assignee for all purposes all the rights of the mortgagee 
under the mortgage, and the amount of the indebtedness due thereon at the date of assignment. 
Such assignment, when indorsed upon the original mortgage, shall not rc(|uire an acknowledg- 
ment in order to entitle the same to be recorded. 

TITLE TO REAL PROPERTY RY DESCENT. 

Skc. 2270. When any person shall die, seized of any lands, tenements or hereditaments, or 
any right thereto, or entitled to any interest therein in fee simple, or for the life of another, not 
having lawfully devised tlie same, they shall descend subject to his debts, except as provided in 
the next section, in the manner following: 

1. Li equal shares to liis children, and to the lawful issue of any deceased child, by right 

of representation; and if there be no child of the intestate living at his death, his 
estate shall descend to all his other lineal descendants ; and if all the said descendants 
are in the same degree of kindred to the intestate, they shall share the estate equally, 
otherwise they shall take according to the right of representation. 

2. If he shall leave no lawful issue, to his widow ; if he shall leave no such issue or widow, 

to his parents, if living; and if either shall not be living, the survivor. shall inherit 
his said estate. If a woman shall die, leaving no issue, her estate shall descend to 
her husband, if she shall have one at the time of her decease, and if she shall leave, 
surviving her, neither issue nor husband, to her parents, if living ; and if either shall 
not be living, the survivor shall inherit her said estate. 

3. If he shall leave no lawful issue, nor widow, nor father, nor mother, his estate shall 

descend in equal shares to his brothers and sisters, and to the children of any deceased 
brother or sister, by right of representation. 

4. If the intestate shall leave no lawful issue, widow, father, mother, brother nor sister, 

his estate shall descend to his next of kin in equal degree, except that when there are 
two or more collateral kindred in equal degree, but claiming through different ances- 
tors, those who claim through the nearest ancestor shall be preferred to those claiming 
through an ancestor more remote ; provided, however, 

5. If any person die leaving several children, or leaving one child, and the issue of one or 

more other children, and any such surviving child shall die under age, and not having 
been married, all the estate that came to the deceased child, by inheritance from such 
deceased parent, shall descend in e([ual shares to the other children of the same jiarent, 
and to the issue of any such other children who shall have died, by right of representation. 

6. If, at the death of such child, who shall die under age, and not having been married, all 

the other children of his said parent shall also be dead, and any of tliein shall have left 
issue, the estate that came to said child by inheritance from his said parent, shall 
descend to all the issue of the other children of the same parent ; and if all the said 
issue are in the same degree of kindred to said child, they shall share the said estate 
equally ; otherwise they shall take according to the right of representation. 

7. If the intestate shall have no widow nor kindred, his estate shall escheat to the State, 

and be added to the capital of the school fund. 
Sec. 227L When the owner of any homestead shall die, not having lawfully devised the 
same, such homestead shall descend free of all judgments and claims against such deceased 
owner or his estate, except mortgages lawfully executed thereon, and laborers' and mechanics' 
liens, in the manner following : 

1. If he shall have no lawful issue, to his widow. 

2. If he shall leave a widow and issue, to his widow during her widowhood, and, tqion her 

marriage or death, to his heirs, according to the next preceding section. 

3. If he shall leave issue and no widow, to such issue, acconling to the ])receding section. 

4. If he shall leave no issue or widow, such homestead shall descend under the next pre- 

ceding section, subject to lawful liens thereon. 



276 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 



OF WILLS. 



Sec. 2277. Every person of full age, and any married woman of the age of eighteen years 
and upward, being of sound mind, seized in his or her own I'ight of any lands, or of any right 
thereto, or entitled to any interest therein, descendible to his or her heirs, may devise and dis- 
pose of the same by last will and testament in writing; and all such estate not disposed of by 
will, shall descend as the estate of an intestate, being chargeable, in both cases, with the pay- 
ment of all his debts or her debts, except as provided in the next preceding chapter, and in sec- 
tion twenty-two hundred and eiglity. 

Sec. 2278. Every devise of land in any will shall be construed to convey all the estate 
of the devisor therein, whicli he could lawfully devise, unless it shall clearly appear by the will 
that the devisor intended to convey a less estate. 

Sec. 2279. Any estate, right or interest in lands acquired by the testator, after the making 
of his will, shall pass thereby in like manner as if possessed at the time of making the will, if 
such shall manifestly appear, by the will, to have been the intention of the testator. 

Sec. 2280. When any homestead shall have been disposed of by the last will and testa- 
ment of the owner thereof, the devisee shall take the same, free of all judgments and claims 
against the testator or his estate, except mortgages lawfully executed thereon, and laborers' and 
mechanics' liens. 

Sec. 2281. Every person of full age, and every married woman of the age of eighteen 
years and upward, being of sound mind, may, by last will and testament in writing, bequeath 
and dispose of all his or her personal estate remaining at his or her decease, and all his or her 
rights thereto and interest therein, subject to the payment of debts; and all such estate not dis- 
posed of by the will shall be administered as intestate estate. 

Sec. 2284r. All beneficial devises, legacies and gifts whatsoever, made or given in any will 
to a subscribing witness thereto, shall be wholly void, unless there be two other competent sub- 
scribing witnesses to the same ; but a mere charge on the lands of the devisor for the payment 
of debts, shall not prevent his creditors from being competent witnesses to his will. 

Sec. 2285. But if such witness, to whom any beneficial devise may have been made or 
given, would liave been entitled to any share of the estate of the testator, in case the will was 
not established, then so much of the share that would have descended or been distributed to 
such witness as will not exceed the devise or bequest made to him in the will, shall be saved to 
him, and he may recover the same of the devisees or legatees named in the will, in proportion 
to and out of the parts devised or be((ueathed to them. 

Sec. 2286. When any child shall be born, after the making of his parent's will, and no 
provision shall be made therein for him, such child shall have the same share in the estate of the 
testator as if he had died intestate; and the share of such child shall be assigned to him, as pro- 
vided by law, in case of intestate estates, unless it shall be apparent from the will that it was 
the intention of the testator that no provision should be made for such child. 

Sec. 2290. No will, or any part thereof, shall be revoked, unless by burning, tearing, can- 
celing or obliterating the same, with the intention of revoking it, by the testator, or by some 
person in his presence, and by his direction, or by some other will' or codicil in writing, executed 
as prescribed in this chapter, or by some other writing, signed, attested and subscribed in the 
manner provided in this chapter, for the execution of a will ; excepting, only, that nothing con- 
tained in this section shall prevent the revocation implied by law, from subsequent changes in 
the condition or circumstances of the testator. The power to make a will implies the power to 
revoke the same. 

OF THE ADOPTION OF CHILDREN. 

Sec. 402L Any inhabitant of this State may petition the County Court, in the county of 
his residence, for leave to adopt a child not his own by birth; but no such petition made by a 
married person shall be granted, unless the husband or wife of the petitioner shall join therein ; 



ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 277 

nor sluill any .-=ueli petition be granteil, unless tlie cliild, if of the age of fourteen years, or more, 
shall consent thereto in writing, in the presence of the court. 

Sr.c. 40'2"2. No such adoption shall be made, without the written consent of the living 
parents of such child, unless the court shall find that one of the parents has abandoned the child, 
or gone to parts unknown, when such consent may bo given by the parent, if any, having the 
care of the child. In case where neither of the parents is living, or if living, have abandoned 
the child, such consent maybe given by the guardian of such chdd, if any ; if such child has no 
guardian, such consent may be given by any of the ne.xt of kin of such child, residing in this State, 
or, in the discretion of the court, by some suitable person to be appointed by the court. 

2. In casi; of a child not born in lawful wedlock, such consent may be given by the mother, 
if she i.s living, and has not abandoned .such child. 

Sec. 4023. If upon such petition and consent, as herein provided, the County Court shall 
be satisfied of the identity and the relations of the persons, and that the petitioners are of sulli- 
cient ability to bring up, and furnish suitable nurture and education for the child, having refer- 
ence to the degree and condition of its jiarents, and that it is proper that such adoption shall 
take efliect, such court shall make an order, reciting said facts that, from and after the date 
thereof, such child shall be deemed, to all legal intents and purposes, the child of the petitioners ; 
and by such order the name of such child may be changed to that of the parents by adoption. 

Sec. 4024. A child so adopted, shall be deemed for the purposes of inlieritance and succes- 
sion by such child, custody of the person and right of obedience by such parents by adojition, 
and all other legal consequences and- incidents of the natural relation of ))arents and children, 
the same to all intents and purposes as if such child had been born in lawful wedlock of such 
parents by adoption, excepting that such child shall not bo capable of taking property 
e.xpressly limited to the heirs of the body of such parents. 

The natural parents of such child shall be deprived, by such order of adoption, of all legal 
rights whatsoever, respecting such child, and such child shall be freed from all legal obligations of 
maintenance and obedience to such natural parents. 

INTEREST. 

The legal rate of interest is 7 per cent. A higher rate of interest, not exceeding 10 per 
cent, may be contracted for, but the same must be clearly expressed in writing. If a higher 
rate than 10 per cent is collected or paid, the party so paying may, by himself or his legal rep- 
resentative, recover treble the amount so paid above the 10 per cent, if the action is brought 
within one year, and all bills, notes, or other contracts whatsoever, whereby a higher rate than 10 
per cent is secured, shall be liable for the i)rincipal sum, but no interest shall be recovered. 

JURISDICTION OF COURTS. 

The Circuit Courts have general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal actions within their 
respective circuits, subject to a re-examination by the Supreme Court. 

The County Courts shall have jurisdiction over the probate matters in their respective 
counties, and shall hav(! exclusive a]ipel!ate jurisdiction in the counties of Brown, Dodge, Fond 
du Lac, Milwaukee and Winnebago in all cases of appeals from Justices of the Peace in civil 
actions, and all cases commenced in Justices' Courts therein, there shall be an answer put in, 
showing that the title of lands will come in question. 

And such Courts .shall have concurrent and equal jurisdiction in all civil actions and pro- 
ceedings with the Circuit Courts of said counties to the following extent respectively : 

The County Court of IJrown, when the value of the property in controversy, after deduct- 
ing all payments and set-ofl's, shall not exceed five thousand dollars. 

The County Court of Dodge County, when such value shall not exceed twenty-five thousand 
dollars. 



278 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

The County Court of Fond du Lae, when such value shall not exceed twenty thousand 
dollars. 

The County Court of Milwaukee, when such value does not e.xceed five million dollars. 

The County of Winnebago, when such value does not exceed twenty thousand dollars. 

They shalfhave jurisdiction of all actions for foreclosure where the value does not exceed 
the above amounts, and of all actions for divorce or for affirmation or annullment of marriage 
contract. 

Justices of the Peace have jurisdiction in civil mattere where two hundred dollars or less 
are involved. 

The criminal jurisdiction of Justices extends to all cases where the fine is one hundretl dol- 
lars, or the imprisonment six months. 

JURORS. 

All persons who are citizens of the United States, and qualified electors of the State shall 
be liable to be drawn as jurors, except as provided as follows: 

The following persons shall be exempt from serving as juroi's : 

All officers of the United States, the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, 
Attorney General, State Superintendent and Treasurer; all Judges, Clerks of Courts of Record; 
all county officers, Constables, attorneys and counselors at law, ministers of the Gospel of any 
religious society, practicing physicians, surgeons, dentists, and the President, professors and 
instructors of the University and their assistants, and of the several colleges and incorporated 
academies ; all teachers of the State Normal Schools, one teacher in each common school, the 
officers and employes of the several State institutions, one miller in each grist-mill, one ferry- 
man at each licensed ferry, one dispensing druggist in each prescription drug-store, all telegraph 
operators and superintendents, conductors, engineers, firemen, collectors and station-agents of 
any railroad or canal, while in actual employment as such ; all officers of fire departments, and 
all active members of fire companies organized according to law ; all persons more than sixty 
years of age, and all persons of unsound mind or subject to any bodily infirmity amounting to 
disability ; all persons who have been convicted of any infamous crime, and all persons who have 
served at any regular term of the Circuit Court as a grand or petit juror within one year, except 
he shall be summoned on a special venire or as a talesman. 

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT. 

Capital punishment has been abolished in this State. 

WOLF SCALPS. 
A bounty of five dollars is paid for each wolf scalp. 

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. 

Whenever either of the articles, as commodities hereafter mentioned, shall be sold by the 
bushel, and no special agreement as to measure or weight thereof shall be made by the parties, 
the measure shall be ascertained by weight, and shall be computed as follows: 

Sixty pounds for a bushel of wheat, clover seed, potatoes or beans. 

Fifty pounds for a bushel of green apples : fifty-six pounds for a bushel of rutabagas, flax- 
seed, rye or Indian corn shelled, and seventy pounds of Indian corn unshelled; fifty pounds for 
a bushel of rape seed, buckwheat, beets, carrots or onions ; forty-eight pounds for a bushel of 
barley ; forty-five pounds for a bushel of timothy seed ; forty-four pounds for a bushel of pars- 
nips ; forty-two pounds for a bushel of common flat turnips ; thirty-two pounds for a bushel of 
oats; and twenty-eight pounds for a bushel of dried apples or dried peaches. 



ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 279 

No person shall sell, buy or receive in store any grain at any weight or measure per bushel 
other than the standard weight or measure per bushel fixed by law ; and, for any violation, the 
ofl'ender shall forfeit not less than five nor more than fifty dollars. 

DAMAGES FOR TRESPASS. 

Any person who shall willfully, maliciously or wantonly destroy, remove, throw down or 
injure any fence, hedge or wall inclosing any orchard, pasture, meadow, garden, or any field 
whatever on land belonging to or lawfully occupied by another, or open and leave open, throw 
down, injure, remove or destroy any gate or bars in such fence, hedge or wall, or cut down, root 
up, sever, injure, destroy or carry away when severed, any fruit, shade, ornamental or other tree, 
or any shrub, root, plant, fruit, flower, grain or other vegetable production, or dig up, sever or 
carry away any mineral, earth or stone, or tear down, mutilate, deface or injure any buildimr, 
sign-board, fence or railing, or sever and carry away any part thereof, standing or being upon the 
land of another or held in trust, or who shall willfully, maliciously or wantonly cut down, root 
up, injure, destroy or remove or carry away any fruit, ornamental or other tre'e, or any shrub, 
fruit, flower, vase or statue, arbor, or any ornamental structure, standing or being in any sti-eet 
or public ground in any city or village, in any private inclosure or highway, or destroy, remove, 
mutilate or injure any milestone or board, or any guide-post or board erected in any highway or 
public way, or on any turnpike, plank-road or railroad, or deface orobliterate any device or inscrip- 
tion thereon, or cut down, break down, remove, mutilate or injure any monument erected or tree 
marked for the pur])ose of designating the lioundaries of any town or tract of land or subdivision 
thereof, or deface or obliterate any figures, letters, device or inscription thereon, made for such 
purpose, or break, remove, destroy or injure any post, guard, railing or lamp-post or lamp 
thereon, erected or being on any bridge, street, sidewalk, alley, court, passage, park, public 
ground, highway, turnpike, plank or rail road, or extinguish or break any lamp on any such 
lamp-post, or tear, deface, mutilate or injure any book, map. pamphlet, chart, picture or other 
property belonging to any public library, or take and carry away the same with intent to con- 
vert to his own use, or shall injure or destroy any personal property of another, shall be pun- 
ished by imprisonment in the county jail not more than six months, or by fine not exceeding 
one hundred dollars. 

Any person who shall willfully, maliciously or wantonly kill, maim, mutilate, disfigure or 
injure any horse, mule, cattle, sheep or other domestic animal of another, or administer poison 
to such animal, or expose any poison, with intent that the same may be taken or swallowed by 
such animal ; and any person who shall overdrive, overwork, overload, maim, wound, torture, 
torment, cruelly beat or kill any such animal belonging to himself or another, or being tlie owner 
or having the care or charge thereof, shall fail to provide necessary food, water or shelter for any 
such animal, or who shall turn out and abandon, without proper care and protection, or cruelly 
work any such animal wlien old, diseased, disabled or unfit for work, or shall carry or confine 
any live animal, fowl or bird, in a cruel or inhuman manner, or who shall cause, procure or abet 
any cruelty above mentioned, or the lighting or baiting of bulls, dogs or cocks, shall be punished 
by imprisonment in tlie county jail not more than six months or by fine not exceeding one hun- 
dred dollars. 

ESTRAYS. 

No stray, except horses and mules, shall be taken up by any person not a resident of the 
town in which it is found ; nor unless it is found upon land owned or occupied by him. Every 
finder for a stray must notify the owner, if he is known, within seven days, and request him to 
pay all reasonable charges and take the stray away. If the owner is not known, he must file a 
notice with the Town Clerk within ten days, who shall transmit a copy thereof to the Countv 
Clerk. 

If the stray is not worth five dollars, the finder shall post a copv of such notice in two pub- 
lic places in such town ; if it exceed five dollars in value, lie shall publish such notice four 



280 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

successive weeks either in some newspaper published in the county or in an adjoining county, if one 
be pul)lished nearer his residence than any published in his county ; but if no newspaper is pub- 
lished witliin twenty miles of his residence, then he must post such notice in three public places 
in his county. Such notice shall describe the stray by giving its marks, natural or artificial, as 
near as po.ssible, the name and residence of the finder, specifying the section and town, and tiie 
time when such stray was taken up. For neglect to post up or publish as required, the finder 
shall be liable to double the amount of damages sustained by the owner. For neglect to post or 
publish for one year, the finder shall be liable for its full value, to be recovered in the name of 
the town, and the amount recovered to be added to the school fund of such town. 

Tiie finder shall, within one month, cause the stray to be appraised by a Justice of the Peace 
and a certificate of such appraisal signed by such Justice filed in the Town Clerk's office. The 
finder shall pay the Justice fifty cents for such certificate, and ten cents per mile for each mile 
necessarily traveled to make the same. 

The owner may have the same restored to him any time within one year after such notice 
is filed in the town Clerk's office, by proving that the stray belongs to him, and paying all lawful 
charges incurred in relation to the same. If the owner and finder cannot agree as to the charges, 
either party, on notice to the other, may apply to a Justice of such town to settle the same, who, 
for that purpose, may examine witnesses upon oath, and the amount found due, with the 
costs, shall be a lien upon such stray. If no owner applies for the return of such stray, as pro- 
vided, and the same is not worth more than ten dollars, it shall become the absolute property of 
such finder: but if the apjiraisal shall exceed ten dollars, it shall be sold at public auction by 
the Sheriff or any Constable of the county, on the request of the finder, and he shall be entitled 
to one-half the proceeds, and the other half shall be paid to the Treasurer of the town within 
ten days. If the finder shall neglect or refuse to cause such sale, he shall pay to the town the 
value of such stray, to be recovered by the town. 

If any person, without the consent of the owner, shall take away such stray, without first 
paying the lawful charges, he shall be liable to the finder for the value of such stray. If the finder 
shall neglect to do any act prescribed above, he shall be precluded from acquiring any right in 
such stray, and from receiving any charges or expenses relative thereto. 

FENCES. 

The Overseers of Highways in their respective towns, the Aldermen of cities in tiieir 
respective wards, and the Trustees of villages in their respective villages, shall be Fence Viewers, 
and in towns having less than three road districts, the Supervisijrs shall be Fence Viewers. 

All fences four and a half feet high, and in good repair, consisting of rails, timber, boards 
or stone walls, or any combination thereof, and all brooks, rivers, ponds, creeks, ditches and 
hedges or other things which shall be considered equivalent thereto, in the judgment of the 
Fence Viewers, within wliose jurisdiction the same may be, shall be deemed legal and sufficient 
fences. Every partition of a fence, or line upon which a fence is to be built, made by the owners 
of the adjoining lands, in writing, sealed and witnessed by two witnesses, or by Fence Viewers 
in writing, under their hands, after being recorded in the Town Clerk's office, shall oblige such 
owners and their heirs, as long as they remain owners, and after parting with the ownership, 
until a new partition is made. A division of a partition fence, or line upon which a partition 
fence between adjoining lands sluill be built, may be made by Fence Viewers in the following 
cases : 

1. When any owner of uninclosed lands shall desire to inclose the same, he may have the 
line between his land and the adjoining land of any other person divided, and the portion upon 
which tiie respective owners shall erect their share of the partition fence assigned, whether such 
adjoining land be inclosed or not. 

2. When any lands belonging to different persons in severalty, shall have been occupied 
in common, or without a partition fence between them, and one of the occupants shall be desirous 



ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 281 

to occupy his part in severalty, and tlio others sliiill refuse or neglect, on demand, to divide 
witli liim the line where the fence ought to be built, or to build a sulficiont fence on his part of 
the line, when divided, the occupant desiring it may have the same divided, and the share of 
each assigned. 

3. When any controversy shall arise about the right of the respective occupants in parti- 
tion fences, or their obligations to maintain tiie same, either party may have the line divided, and 
the share of each assigned. 

In eitiier case, application may be made to two or more Fence Viewers of the town where 
the lands lie, who shall give reasonable notice in writing to each party, and they shall in writing 
under their hands, divide the partition fence or line, and assign to each owner or occupant his 
share thereof, and in the second and third cases direct within what time each party shall build 
or repair his share of the fence, having regard to the season of the year, and sliall file such deci- 
sion in the Town Clerk's office. If either party .shall neglect or refuse to build or repair within 
the time so assigned, his part of the fence, the other may, after having comj)leted his own part, 
build or repair such part, and recover doublo the expense thereof 

Where the whole or a greater share than belongs to him has been built by one of the occu- 
pants, before complaint to the Fence Viewers, the other shall be obliged to pay for his share of 
such fence. 

Where uninclosed land is afterward inclosed, the owner sliall pay for one-half the partition 
fence upon the lino between him and any other owner or occupant. 

If any person shall determine not to keep inclosed any part of his land adjoining any par- 
tition fence, andshall give si.x months' notice of such determination to all adjoining occupants, 
he shall not be required to maintain any part of such fence during the time his lands shall lie 
open. 

LANDLORD AND TENANT. 

The common law right to destrain for rent is abolished. 

The atonement of a tenant to a stranger shall be absolutely void, and shall not in anywise 
effect the possession of his landlord, unless it be made 

1. With the consent of the landlord ; or 

2. Pursuant to, or in consequence of, a judgment or order of a court of competent juris- 
diction; or 

3. To a purchaser upon a judicial sale, who shall have acquired title to the lands by a 
conveyance thereof, after the period for redemption, if any, has expired. A tenancy, a will or 
sufferance may be determined by the landlord, giving one month's notice to quit, or the tenant 
giving one month's notice of his intention to quit, or if the terms of payment are for less than a 
month, notice equal to the time between payments, or for non-payment of rent, fourteen days' 
notice to quit. Such notice shall be served by delivering the same to such tenant, or to some 
person of proper age residing on the premises, or if no such person Can be found, by affixing the 
same in a conspicuous part of the premises, wliere it may be conveniently read, and, at the expi- 
ration of the time required after the service of such notice, the landlord may re-enter, or main- 
tain an action for the recovery of the possession thereof, or proceed in the manner prescribed by 
law to remove such tenant without further or other notice to quit. If, after giving notice of deter- 
mination to quit, the tenant neglects or refuses to deliver up the premises, he shall be liable to 
double the rent agreed upon, to be collected the same as single rent. 

MARKS AND BRANDS. 

Every Town Clerk shall, on application of any person residing in his town, record a 
description of the marks or brands with which such person may be desirous of marking his 
horses, cattle, sheep or hogs ; but the same description shall not be recorded or used by more 
than one resident of the same town. If any person shall mark any of his horses, cattle, sheep 



282 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

or hogs, with the same mark or brand previously recorded by any resident of the same town, 
and while the same mark or brand shall be used by such resident, he shall forfeit for every such 
offense $5 ; if any person shall willfully mark or brand any of the horses, cattle, sheep or hogs, 
of any other person with his mark or brand, he shall forfeit for every such offense $10 ; and, if 
any person shall willfully destroy oi' alter any mark or brand upon any of the horses, cattle, sheep 
or hogs of another, he shall forfeit $10, and pay to the party injured double damages. 

SURVEYORS AND SURVEYS. 

A County Surveyor is elected every two years. 

The surveyor may appoint and remove deputies at will, on filing a certificate thereof with 
the County Clerk. He shall be responsible on his bond for the faithful performance by every 
deputy of his duties. 

It shall be the duty of the County Surveyor: 

(1.) To execute, himself or by his deputy, any survey which may be required of him by 
order of court, or upon application of any individual or corporation. 

(2.) To make a record of the plat and field notes of each survey made by him or his 
deputies, in record books kept therefor, and to so arrange or index the same as to be easy of 
reference, and to file and preserve in his office the original field notes and calculations thereof. 

(3.) To safely keep all books, records, plats, files, papers and property belonging to his 
office ; afford opportunity to examine the same to any person desiring, and deliver the same to 
his successor in office. 

(4.) To furnish a copy of any record, plat or paper in his office, to any person on demand 
and payment of his legal fees therefor. 

(5.) To administer to every chainman and marker assisting in any survey, before com- 
mencing their duties as such, an oath or affirmation faithfully and impartially to discharge the 
duties of chainman or marker, as the case may be ; and the surveyor and his deputies are 
empowered to administer the same. 

(6.) To perform such other duties as may be required by law. 

The surveyor and his deputies may demand and receive the following fees, except it be other- 
wise agreed upon with the parties employing them, to wit : 

For each day's service, $3. 

For each mile traveled in going from his office to the place of rendering service and return- 
ing, 10 cents. 

For plat and certificate, except town plats, 50 cents. 

For recording a survey, 50 cents. 

For each chainman and marker necessarily employed, $1.50 per day, unless they be fur- 
nished by the person for whom the survey is made. 

For making a copy, 10 cents a folio, and 25 cents for his certificate. 

SUPPORT OF THE POOR. 

Every town shall relieve and support all poor and indigent persons lawfully settled therein, 
whenever they shall stand in need thereof, excepting as follows: 

The father, mother and children, being of sufficient ability, of any poor person, who is blind, 
old, lame, impotent or decrepit, so as to be unable to maintain himself, shall, at their own 
charge, relieve and maintain such poor person in such manner as shall be approved by the Super- 
visors of the town where such person may be, and, upon the failure of any such relative so to do, 
the Supervisors shall apply to the County Judge for an order to compel such relief 

Legal settlement may be acquired by one year's residence in a town of this State. 



ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 283 

MARRIED WOMEN. 

In Wisconsin, the marriage of a femme soli', executrix or administratrix, extinguishes iier 
authority ; and of a female ward, terminates the guardianship as to custody of person, but not 
as to estate. Tiie iiusband holds his deceased wife's lands for life, unless she left, by a former 
husband, issue to whom the estate might descend. I'rovisions exist by which powers may be 
given to married women, and regulating their execution of tiiem. If husband and wife are 
impleaded, and the husband neglects to defend the rights of the wife, she applying before judg- 
ment, may defend without him ; and, if he lose her land, by default, she may bring an action 
for ejectment after his death. The real estate of females married before, and the real and per- 
sonal property of those after February -1, 1850, remain their separate property. And any 
married woman may receive, but not from her husband, and hold any property as if unmarried. 
She may insure the life of her husband, son, or any other person, for her own exclusive benefit. 
The property of the wife remains to her separate use, not liable for her husband's debts, and 
not subject to his disposal. She may convey her separate property. If her husband desert 
her, or neglect her, she may become a sole trader; and she may insure his life for her benefit. 
Tier husband is not liable for her debts contracted before marriage ; the individual earnings of 
the wife are her separate property, and she may sue, and be sued alone, in I'egard to the same. 
She may make and hold deposits in savings-banks. She may, by a separate conveyance, release 
her dower in any lands which her imsband has conveyed. 

If a woman has authority, she can transact all her husband's business for him ; and while 
they live together, the wife can buy all family things necessary for the support of the family, 
and for which he is liable. 

The husband is responsible for necessaries supplied to his wife, if he does not supply them 
himself; and he continues so liable, if he turns her out of his house, or otherw'ise separates him- 
self from her without good cause. But he is not so liable, if she deserts him (unless on extreme 
provocation), or if he turns her away for good cause. If she leaves him, because he treats her 
so ill, that she has good right to go from him, this is the same thing as turning her away, and 
she carries with her his credit for all necessaries supplied to her ; but what the misconduct must 
be, to give this right, is uncertain. In America the law must be, and undoubtedly is, that the 
wife is not obliged to stay and endure cruelty and indecency. 

If a man lives with a woman as his wife, and represents her to be so, he is responsible, the 
same as if she were his wife, even if it is known that she is not his wife. 

ACTIONS. 

All distinctions have been abolished, and there is now but one form, which must be prose- 
cuted in the name of the real party in interest, except in case of executors, administrators and 
trustees, and which is begun by the service of a summons on the defendant, to be answered 
within twenty days. 

ARREST. 

Defendant may be arrested: 1. In an action to recover damages not on contract, where 
the defendant is a non-resident, or is about to remove from the State, or where the action is for 
injury to the person or character, or for injury to, or wrong taking, detaining or converting 
property, or in an action to recover damages for property taken under false pretenses. 

2. In an action for a fine or penalty or for money received or property embezzled or 
fraudulently misapplied by a public ofiicer or attorney, solicitor, or counsel or officer of a corpora- 
tion as such, or factor agent or broker, or for misconduct or neglect in olficial or professional 
employment. 

3. In an action to recover property unjustly detained where it is so concealed that the 
Sheriff cannot find the same. 



284 HISTOKY OF AVISCONSIN. 

4. Where the defendant was guilty of fraud in contracting the debt, or in concealing or 
disposing of the property for the taking, detaining or disposing of which the action is brought. 

An^affidavit must be made on tlie part of the plaintiff, stating the cause of action and one 
of the above causes. 

ATTACHMENT 

is allowed on an affidavit that the defendant is indebted to plaintiff, and statnig the amount and 
that it is due on contract ; and, 

1. That defendant has absconded, or is about to abscond, or is concealed to the injury of 
his creditors. 

2. That defendant has assigned, disposed or concealed his property or is about to do so 
with intent to defraud creditors. 

3. That the defendant has removed, or is about to remove, his property from the State 
^vith intent to defraud creditors. 

4. That tlie debt was fraudulently contracted. 

5. That he is a non-resident. 

6. Or a foreign corporation. 

7. That he has fraudulently conveyed or disposed of his property with intent to defraud 
creditors. 

The amount sued for must exceed $50. 

GARNISHMENT 

is allowed on an affidavit on behalf of the creditor, that he believes that any third person (naming 
him) has property effects, or credits of defendant, or is indebted to him, also in e.xecution, on a 
similar affidavit. 

JUDGMENT 

is a lien on real estate in the county where rendered from the date of docketing, and in other 
counties from the time of filing a transcript, and the lien continues for ten years. It bears 
interest at 7 per cent, or as high as 10 per cent if stipulated for in the contract. 

STAY LAWS. 

In Justices' Courts, on giving bond with surety within five days after judgment was ren- 
dered, stay of execution is allowed, as follows : 

On suras not exceeding $10, exclusive of costs, one month ; between $10 and $30, two 
months ; between $30 and $50, three months ; over $50, four months. 

EXEMPTIONS. 

A homestead not exceeding forty acres, used for agriculture and a residence, and not 
included in a town plat or a city or village ; or, instead, one-quarter of an acre in a recorded 
town plat, city or village. Also, 1, Family Bible ; 2, Family pictures and school-books ; 3, 
Private library ; 4, Seat or pew in church ; 5, Right of burial ; 6, Wearing-apparel, beds, bed- 
steads and bedding, kept and used in the family, stoves and appurtenances, put up and used, 
cooking utensils and household furniture to the value of $200, one gun, rifle or fire-arm to the 
value of $50 ; 7, Two cows, ten swine, one yoke of oxen and one horse or mule, or, in lieu 
thereof, a span of horses or mules, ten sheep and the wool therefrom, necessary food for exempt 
stock for one year, provided or growing or both, one wagon, cart or dray, one sleigh, one plow, 
one drag and other farm utensils, including tackle for the teams to the value of $50 ; 8, Provis- 
ions and fuel for the family for one year ; 9, Tools and implements or stock-in-trade of a 



ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 285 

iiaecliaiiic or miner, used and kept, not exceeding §200 in value, library and implements of a 
prolessioiial man to the value of $200 ; 10, Money arising from insin-ance of exempt property 
destroyed by fire ; 11, Inventions for debts against the inventor; 12, Sewing-machines; 13. 
Sword, ])late, books or articles presented by Congress or Legislature of a State; 14, Printing- 
material and presses to the value of $1,500; 15, Earnings of a married person necessary for 
family support for sixty days previous to issuing process. 

LIMITATIONS OF ACTIONS. 

Real actions, ttventii years ; persons under disabilities, five years after removal of the same. 
.Judgments of Courts of Record of the State of Wisconsin and sealed instruments when the 
cause accrues within the State, tiventy years. Judgments of other Courts of Record and sealed 
instruments accruing without the State, ten years. Other contracts, statute liabilities 
other than penalties and forfeitures, trespass on real property, trover detinue and replevin, 
six years. Actions against Slierifls, Coroners and Constables, for acts done in their official 
capacity, except for escapes, three years. Statutory penalties and forfeitures, libel, slander, 
assault, battery and false imprisonment, two years. Actions against Sheriffs, etc., for escapes, 
one year. Persons under disabilities, except infants, may bring action after the disability ceases, 
provided the period is not extended more thaxifive years, and infants one year after coming of 
age. Actions by representatives of deceased persons, one year from death ; against the same, 
one year from granting letters testamentary or of administration. New promise must be in 
writing. 

COMMERCIAL TERMS. 

$ — Means dollars, being a contraction of U. S., which was formerly placed before any 
denomination of money, and meant, as it means now, United States currency. 

£/ — Means ^'oMJic/.?, English money. 

@ — Stands for at or to ; lb for pounds, and bbl. for barrels ; ^ for per, or hy the. Thus : 
Butter sells at 20(«;30c f? Hi, and Flour at $8r<r;12 ^ bbl. % for per cent., and 5 for numbers. 

May 1. Wheat sells at §1.20(rt!.$1.25, " seller June." Seller June means that the person 
who sells the wheat has the privilege of delivering it at any time during the month of June. 

Selling short is contracting to deliver a certain amount of grain or stock at a fixed price, 
within a certain length of time, when the seller has not the stock on hand. It is for the interest 
of the person selling short to depress the market as much as possible, in order that he may buy 
and fill his contract at a profit. Hence the "shorts" are termed "bears." 

Buying long is to contrive to purchase a certain amount of grain or shares of stock at a 
fixed price, deliverable within a stipulated time, expecting to make a profit by the rise in ])rices. 
The " longs " are termed " bulls," as it is for their interest to " operate " so as to " toss " the 
prices upward as much as possible. 

SUGGESTIONS TO THOSE PURCHASING BOOKS BY SUBSCRIPTION. 

The business of publishing books by subscription having so often been brought into di.sre- 
pute by agents making representations and declarations not authorized by the publisher, in 
order to prevent that as much as possible, and that there may be more general knowledge of 
the relation such agents bear to their principal, and tlie law governing such cases, the following 
Statement is made: 

A subscription is in the nature of a contract of mutual promises, by which the subscriber 
agrees to pay a certain sum for the work described; the consideration is concurrent tiiat the 
publisher shall publish the book named, atid deliver the same, for which the subscriber is to 
pay the price named. The nature and character of the work is described by the prospectus 
and sample shown. These should be carefully examined before subscribing, as they are the 



286 IllSTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

basis and consideration of the promise to pay, and not the too often exaggerated statements of 
the agent, who is merely employed to solicit subscriptions, for which he is usually paid a com- 
mission for each subscriber, and has no authority to change or alter tlie conditions upon which 
the subscriptions are authorizec^ to be made by the publisher. Should the agent assume to 
agree to make the subscription conditional or modify or change the agreement of the publisher, 
as set out by the pi-ospectus and sample, in order to bind the principal, the subscriber should 
see that such condition or changes are stated over or in connection with his signature, so that 
the publisher may have notice of the same. 

All persons making contracts in reference to matters of this kind, or any other business, 
should remember that the law as written is, that they cannot be altered, varied or rescinded 
verbally, but, if done at all, must be done in writing. It is therefore important that all persons 
contemplating subscribing should distinctly understand that all talk before or after the sub- 
scription is made, is not admissible as evidence, and is no part of the contract. 

Persons employed to solicit subscriptions are known to the trade as canvassers. They are 
agents appointed to do a particular business in a prescribed mode, and have no authority to do 
it in any other way to the prejudice of their principal, nor can they bind their principal in any 
other matter. They cannot collect money, or agree tliat payment may be made in anything 
else but money. They cannot extend the time of payment beyond the time of delivery, nor 
bind their principal for the payment of expenses incurred in their business. 

It would save a great deal of trouble, and often serious loss, if persons, before signing 
their names to any subscription book, or any written instrument, would examine carefully what 
it is ; if they cannot read themselves call on some one disinterested who can. 




COXSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF WISCONSIN. 



CONDEN-SED. 



PREAMBLE. 



We, the People of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom ; in order to Stcure 
its blessings, form a more perfeet government, insure domestic tranquillity, and promote the 
general welfare, do establish this Constitution. 

Article I. 

DECLARATION OF RIGHTS. 

Section 1. All men are born free and independent, and have, among other rights, those 
of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. Governments are instituted to secure these rights. 

Sec. 2. There shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except for the punish- 
ment of crimes. 

Sec. 3. Liberty of speech and of the press shall not be abridged. 

Sec. 4. The right of the people to peaceably assemble to consult for the common good 
shall never be abridged. 

Sec. 5. The right of trial by jury shall remain inviolate. 

Sec. 6. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel pun- 
ishments inflicted. 

Sec. 7. In criminal prosecutions, the rights of the accused shall be protected. 

Sec. 8. Criminal offenses shall be prosecuted on presentment of a grand jury. No one 
shall be twice put in jeopardy for the same offense, nor be compelled to be a witness against 
himself Every one shall have the right of giving bail except in capital offenses ; and the writ of 
habeas corpus shall not be suspended, except in case of rebellion or invasion. 

Sec. 9. Every person is entitled to a certain remedy for all injuries or wrongs. 

Sec. 10. Treason consists in levying war against the State, or giving aid and comfort to 
its enemies. Two witnesses are necessary to convict a person of the crime. 

Sec. 11. The people are to be secure against unreasonable searches and seizures. 

Sec. 12. Bills of attainder, ex post facto laws, or laws impairing obligation of contracts, 
shall never be passed. 

Sec. 13. No property shall be taken for public use without compensation. 

Sec. 14. All laws in the State are allodial. Feudal tenures are prohibited. 

Sec. 15. The rights of property are the same in resident aliens and citizens. 

Sec. 16. No person shall be imprisoned for debt. • 

Sec. 17. Wholesome exemption laws shall be passed. 

Sec. 18. Liberty of conscience and rights of worship shall never be abridged. The 
public money shall never be applied to sectarian uses. 

Sec. 19. No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification for any office. 

287 



288 HISTOKY OF WISCONSIN. 

Sec. 20. Tlie military shall be in strict subordination to the civil power. 
Sec. 21. Writs of error shall never be prohibited by law. 

Sec. 22. A free government can only be maintained by adhering to justice, moderation, 
temperance, frugality and virtue. 

Article II. 

BOUNDARIES. 

Section 1. The boundary of the State, beginning at the northeast corner of the State of 
Illinois, runs with the boundary line of Michigan, through Tiuke Michigan and Green Bay, to 
the mouth of the Menoniinie River; up that stream and the Urule River to Lake Brule; along 
the southern shore of that lake to the Lake of the Desert; thence in a direct line to the heail 
of Montreal River ; down the main channel of that stream to the middle of Lake Superior ; 
thence through the center of said lake to the mouth of St. Louis River ; up the channel of that 
stream to the first rapids ; thence due south to the main branch of the St. Croix ; down that 
river and the Mississippi to the northwest corner of Illinois ; thence due cast with the northern 
boundary of that State to the place of beginning. 

Sec. 2. The propositions in the enabling act of Congress are accepted and confirmed. 

Article III. 

SUFFRAGE. 

Section 1. The (jualified electors are all male persons twenty-one years of age or upward, 
who are (1.) white citizens of the United States ; (2.) who are white persons of foreign birth that 
have declared their intentions, according to law, to become citizens ; (3) who are persons of 
Indian blood and citizens of the United States ; and (4.) civilized Indians not members of any 
tribe. 

Sec. 2. Persons under guardianship, such as are non corapus mentis or insane, and those 
convicted of treason and felony and not pardoned, are not qualified electors. 

Sec. 3. All votes shall be by ballot, except for township oOicers when otherwise directed 
by law. 

Sec. 4. No pei'son shall be deemed to have lost his residence by reason of his absence on 
business for the State or Utiited States. 

Sec. 5. No person in the army or navy shall become a resident of the State in conse- 
quence of being stationed therein. 

Sec. 6. Persons convicted of bribery, larceny or any infamous crime, or those who bet 
on elections, may be excluded by law from the right of sufl'rage. 

Article IV. 
legislative. 

Section 1. The Legislative power is vested in a Senate and Assembly. 

Sec. 2. Members of the^Assembly shall never number less than fifty-four, nor more than 
one hundred; of the Senate, not more than one-third, nor less than one-fourth of the mem- 
bers of the Assembly. 

Sec. 3. Census shall be taken, every ten years, of the inhabitants of the State, beginning 
with 1855, when a new apportionment of members of the Senate and Assembly shall be made ; 
also, after each United States census. 

Sec. 4. Members of the Assembly shall be chosen on the Tuesday succeeding the first 
Monday of November of each year. 

Sec. 5. Members of the Senate shall be elected for two years, at the same time and in 
the same manner as members of the Assembly. 



CONSTITL'TIOX OF TIIK STATE OF WISCGNSliN". 281) 

Sec. 6. No person shall be eligible to the Legishttiirc, unless a resident of the State one 
year, and a qualified elector. 

Sioc. 7. Each House shall be the judge of the qualifications of its members. A majority 
shall be necessary to form a quorum. 

Sec. 8. Each House shall make its own rules. 

Sec. 9. Each House shall choose its own ollicers. 

Sec. 10. Each House shall keep a journal of its proceedings. 

Sec. 11. Tlic Legislature shall meet at the seat of government once a year. 

Sec. 12. No member shall be chgible to any other civil ofilce in tlie State, during the 
term for which Wo was elected. 

Sec. 13. No member shall be eligible to any office of the United States, during the term 
for which he was elected. 

Sec. 14. Writs of election, to fill vacancies in either House, shall l)e issued by the Gov- 
ernor. 

Sec. 15. Except treason, felony and breach of the peace, members are privileged from 
arrest in all cases; nor subject to any civil process during a session. 

Sec. 16. Members ai'o not liable for words s]ioken in debate. 

Sec. 17. The style of all laws sliall be, " The people of the State of Wisconsin rep- 
resented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows: " 

Sec. 18. Private or local bills shall not embrace more than one subject. 

Sec. 19. Bills may originate in either House, and a bill passed by one House may be 
amended by the other. 

Sec. 20. Yeas and nays, at the request of one-sixth of the members present, sludl be 
entered on the journal. 

Sec. 21. [Each member shall receive, as an annual compensation, three hundred anil 
fifty dollars and ten cents for each mile traveled in going to and returning from the seat of gov- 
ernment]. As amended in 18ti7. 

Sec. 22. Boards of Supervisors may be vested with powers of a local, legislative and 
administrative character, such as shall be conferred by the Legislature. 

Sec. 23. One .system only, of town and county government, shall bo established by the 
Legislature. 

Sec. 24. The Legislature shall never authorize any lottery, or grant any divorce. 

Sec. 25. Stationery, for State use and State printing, shall be let by contract to the low- 
est bidder. 

Sec. 26. Extra compensation to any public officer shall not bo granted after service is 
rendered, nor shall his compensation be increased or diminished during his term of office. 

Sec. 27. The Legislature shall direct, by law, in what manner and in what Courts suits 
against the State may be brought. 

Sec. 28. Public officers shall all take an oath of office. 

Sec. 29. The Legislature shall determine what persons shall constitute the militia, ami 
may provide for organizing tho same. 

Sec. 30. Members of tho Legislature shall vote viva voce, in all elections made by 
them. 

Sec. 81. [Special legislation is prohibited (1) for changing the names of persons, or con- 
stituting one person the heir-at-law of another ; (2) for laying out, o|)ening or altering high- 
ways, except in certain cases; (3) for autliorizing persons to keep ferries; (4) for authorizing 
tho sale of tho property of minors; (5) for locating a county seat ; (6) for assessment of taxes ; 
(7) for granting corporate jwwers, except to cities; (8) for apportioning any part of the school 
fund; and (!•) for incorporating any town or village, or to award the charter thereof]. Added 
by amendment, in 1X71. 

Sec. 32. [General laws shall be passed for the transaction of any business prohibited by 
Section 21 of this Article.] Added by amendment, in 1871. 



290 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 



Article V. 



Sectiox 1. The executive power shall be vested in a Governor, who shall hold Jiis office 
two years. A Lieutenant Governor sliall be elected at tliesamo time and for the same 3rm. 

Sjoc. 2. Governor and Lieutenant Governor must be citizens of the United Sta ;es, and 
qualified electors of the State. 

Sec. 3. Governor and Lieutenant Governor are elected at the times and place? of choosing 
members of the Legislature. 

Skc. 4. The Governor shall be (1) comm;indor-in-chief of the military and naval forces of 
the State; (2) he has power to convene the Legislature in extra session ; (3) he shall communi- 
cate to the Legislature all necessary information; (4) he shall transact all necessary business 
with the officers of the State; and (5) shall expedite all legislative measures, and see that th.? 
laws are faithfully executed. 

Si:c. r>. [The Governor's salary shall be five thousand dollars per annum.] As amended 
in 18G9. 

Sec. G. The Governor shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons. 

Sec. 7. The executive duties shall devolve upon the Lieutenant Governor when, from any 
cause, the executive office is vacated by the Governor. 

Sec. 8. The Lieutenant Governor shall be President of the Senate. The Secretary of 
State shall act as Governor when both the Governor and Lieutenant Governor ai'e incapacitated 
from any causes to fill the executive office. 

Sec. 9. [The Lieutenant Governor shall receive a salary of one thousand dollars per 
annum.] As amended in LS()9. 

Sec. 10. All legislative bills shall be presented to the Governor for his signature before 
they become laws. Bills returned by the Governor without his signature may become laws by 
agreement of two-thirds of the members present in each house. 

Article VI. 

ADMINISTRATION. 

Section 1. A Secretary of State, Treasurer and Attorney General shall be elected at the 
times and places of choosing members of the Legislature, who shall severally hold their offices 
for two years. 

Sec. 2. The Secretary of State shall keep a record of the olficial acts of the Legislature 
and Executive Department. lie shall be ex officio Auditor. 

Sec. 3. The powers, duties and compensation of the Treasurer and Attorney General 
shall be prescribed by law. 

Sec. 4. Sherifl's, Coroners, Registers of Deeds and District Attorneys shall be elected 
every two years. 

Article ^'^I. 

JUDICIARY. 

Section 1. The Senate shall form the Court of Impeachment. Judgment shall not 
extend further than removal from office; but the person impeached shall be liable to indictment, 
trial and punishment, according to law. 

Sec 2. The judicial power of the State is vested in a Supreme Court, Circuit Courts, 
Courts of Probate, and in .Justices of the Peace. Municipal courts, also, may be authorized. 

Sec. 3. The Supreme Court shall have appellate jurisdiction only. Trial by jury is not 
allowed in any case. The Court shall have a general superintending control over inferior courts, 
and power to issue writs of habeas corpus, mandamus, injunction, quo warranto, certiorari, and 
■ ther original and remedial writs. 



CUXsriTiTIOX OF TIIK .STATE OF WISCONSIN. 293 

Si;c. 4. [Tlie SupRMiie Court shall cDiisist (if otio Chief Justice, and four Associate 
Justices, each fur tlie term often years.] As amended in 1877. 

Sec. 5. The State shall be divided into five Judicial Circuits. 

Sec. <). The Legislature may alter the limits or increase the number of the circuits. 

8i:c. 7. 'J'JK're shall he a Judge cliosen for each ('ircuit, vvlio shall reside therein : his 
term of udice shall be six years. 

Sec 8. The Circuit Courts shall have oriuinal jurisdic'tion in all matters civil and crim- 
inal, not e.Kcepted in this Constitution, and not jjrolubited hereafter by law, and appellate juris- 
diction from all inferior courts. They shall have i)u\ver to issue writs of hal)eas corpus, man- 
damus, injunction, quo warranto, certiorari, and all oilier writs necessary to carry their orders 
and judgments into effect. 

Sec. 'J. Vacancies in the office of Supreme or Circuit Judge sliall be (iIIimI liy the Gover- 
nor. Election for Judges shall not be at any general election, nor within thirty days before or 
aftei' said election. 

Sec. 10. Judges of the Supreme and Circuit Courts shall receive a salary of not less than 
one thousand five hundred dollars, and shall hold no otlu'r office, e.xcept a judicial oiu>. during 
the term for which they are respectively elected. Each Judge shall be a citizen of the United 
States, and have attained the age of twenty-five years. He siiall also be a (jualified elector within 
the jurisdiction for wiiich he may be chosen. 

Sec. 11. The Supremo Court shall hold at least one term atunially. A Circuit Court 
shall be lield at least twice in each year, in each county of this State organized for judicial pur- 
poses. 

Sec. 12. There shall be a Clerk of the Circuit Court chosen in each county, whose term 
of office shall be two years. The Su[)reme Court shall appoint its own Clerk. 

Sec. 13. Any Judge of the Supreme or Circuit Court may be removed from office by vote 
of two-thirds of all the members elected to both Senate and Assembly. 

Sec. 14. A Judge of Probate shall bo elected in each county, who shall hold his office for 
two years. 

Sec. 15. Justices of the Peace shall be elected in the several towns, villages ainl cities of 
the State, in such manner as the Legislature may direct, whose term of office shall be two years. 
Their civil and criminal jurisdiction shall be prescribed by law. 

Sec. 16. Laws shall be passed for the regulation of tribunals of conciliation. These may 
be established in and for any township. 

Sec. 17. The style of all writs and process shall be " The State of Wisconsin." Criminal 
prosecutions shall be carried on in the name and by authority of the State ; and all indictments 
shall conclude against the peace and dignity of the same. 

Sec. 18. A tax shall be imposed by the Legislature on all civil suits, which shall consti- 
tute a fund, to be applied toward the payment of the salary of Judges. 

Sec. 19. Testimony in equity causes shall be taken the same as in cases at law. The 
office of Master in Chancery is proliibited. 

Sec. 20. Any suitor may prosecute or defend his case in his own pi-oper person, or by 
attorney or agent. 

Sec. 21. Statute laws and such judicial decisions as are deemed expedient, shall be pub- 
lished. No general law shall be in force until published. 

Sec. 22. The Legislature at its first session shall provide for the ajipointment of three 
Commissioners to revise the rules of practice in the several Courts of Record in the State. 

Sec. 23. The Legislature may confer judicial powers on one or more persons in each 
organized county of the State. Powers granted to such Commissioners shall not exceed that of 
a Judge of a Circuit Court at chambers. 



294 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

Article VIII. 

FINANCE. 

Section 1. Taxation shall be uniform, and taxes shall be levied upon such property as the 
Legislature may prescribe. 

Sec. 2. [No money shall be paid out of the treasury except in pursuance of an appro- 

priation by law. Claims made against the State must be filed within six years after having 
accrued.] As amended in 1877. 

Sec. 3. The credit of the State shall never be given or loaned in aid of any individual, 
association or corporation. 

Sec. 4. The State shall never contract any public debt, except in the cases and manner 
provided in this Constitution. 

Sec. 5. A tax shall be levied each year suflBcient to defray estimated expenses. 

Sec. 6. Debts not to exceed one hundred thousand dollars may be contracted by the State, 
which shall be paid within five years thereafter. 

Sec. 7. The Legislature may borrow money to repel invasion, suppress insurrection or 
defend the State in time of war. 

Sec. 8. All fiscal laws in the Legislature shall be voted on by yeas and nays. 

Sec. 9. State scrip shall not be issued except for such debts as are authorized by the sixth 
and seventh sections of this article. 

Sec. 10. No debt for internal improvements shall be contracted by the State. 

Article IX. 
eminent domain and property of the state. 
Section 1. The State shall have concurrent jurisdiction on all rivers and lakes border- 
ing on Wisconsin. 

Sec. 2. The title to all property which has accrued to the Territory of Wisconsin shall 
vest in the State of Wisconsin. 

Sec. 3. The ultimate property in and to all lands of the State is possessed by the 
people. 

Article X. 
education. 

Section 1. The supervision of public instruction shall be vested in a State Superintend- 
ent and such other officers as the Legislature shall direct. The annual compensation of the 
State Superintendent shall not exceed twelve hundred dollars. 

Sec. 2. The school fund to support and maintain common schools, academies and nor- 
mal schools, and to purchase apparatus and libraries therefor, shall be created out of (1) the 
proceeds of lands from the United States; (2) out of forfeitures and esclieats; (3) out of 
moneys paid as exemptions from military duty: (4) out of fines collected for breach of penal 
laws; (5) out of any grant to the State where the purposes of such grant are not specified; (6) 
out of the proceeds of the sale of five hundred thousand acres of land granted by Congress Sep- 
tember 14, 1841 ; and (7) out of the five per centum of the net proceeds of the public lands to 
which the State shall become entitled on her admission into the Union (if Congress shall con- 
sent to such appropriation of the two grants last mentioned.) 

Sec. 8. District schools shall be established by law which shall be free to all children be- 
tween the ages of four and twenty years. No sectarian instruction shall be allowed therein. 

Sec. 4. Each town and city shall raise for common schools therein by taxation a sum equal 
to one-half the amount received from the school fund of the State. 



CONSTlTiriOX OF TIIK Sl'AI'K OF WISCONSIN. 295 

Sec. 5. Provisions shull ho made by law far (lie ilistribiition of the income of the school 
fund among the several towns ami cities for the support of common schools therein ; but no 
appropriation shall be made when there is a failure to raise the proper tax, or when a school 
shall not have been maintained at least three months of the year. 

Skc. (j. Provision shall be made by law for the establishment of a State University. The 
proceeds of all lands granted ibr the support of a university by the United States shall consti- 
tute " the University fund," the interest of which shall be appropriated to the support of the 
State University. No sectarian instruction shall be allowed in such university. 

Sec. 7. The Secretary of State, Treasurer and Attorney General shall constitute a Board 
of Commissioners to sell school and university lands and for the investments of the proceeds 
thereof. 

Sec. 8. School and university lands shall be appraised and sold ae<^ording to law. The 
Commissioners shall execute deeds to j)urchascrs, and shall invest the proceeds of the sales of 
such lands in such manner as the Legislature shall provide. 

Akticle XI. 

CORPORATIONS. 

Section 1. Corporations without banking powers may be formed under general laws, but 
shall not be created by special act, e.\ce])t for municipal purposes, and in cases where, in the 
judgment of the Legislature, the objects of the corporation cannot be attained under general laws. 

Sec. 2. No municipal corporation shall take private property for public use, against the 
consent of the owner, except by jury trial. 

Sec. 3. Cities and incorporated villages shall be organized, and their powers restricted by 
law so as to prevent abuses. [No county, city, town, village, school district, or other municipal 
corporation, shall become indebted to exceed five per centum on the value of the taxable property 
therein.] As amended in 1874. 

Sec. 4. Banks shall not be created except as provided in this article. 

Sec. 5. The question of " bank " or ''no bard< " may be submitted to the voters of the 
State; and if a majority of all the votes cast shall be in favor of banks, the Legislature shall 
have power to grant bank charters, or pass a general banking law. 

Article XIL 

Section 1. Amendments to the Constitution may be proposed in either house of the Legis- 
lature, and referred to the next Legislalute and jiublislied for three months ]irevious. If agreed 
to by a Tiiajority of all the mendiei's elected to each house, then the amendment or amendments 
shall submit them to the vote of the people; and if the people shall approve and ratify such 
amendment or amendments, they shall become a jiart of the Constitution. 

Sec. 2. If a convention to revise or change the Constitution shall be deemed necessary by 
the Legislature, they shall recommend to the electors of the State to vote at the nexi general 
election for or against the same. If the vote shall be for the calling of such convention, then 
the Legislature, at its next session, shall provide for the same. 



Article XIII. 

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS. 

Section 1. The political year for Wisconsin shall commence on the first Monday in Jan- 
uary in each year. General elections shall l>e hohlen on the Tuesday succeeding the first Monday 
in November. 

Sec. 2. A duelist shall not bo qualified as an elector in this State. 

Sec. 3. United States officers (oxcopt Postmasters), ]iubli(; defaulters, or persons convicted 
of iiil'amous crimes, shall not be elitrible to odico in this State. 



296 IIISTUKY OF WISCONSIN. 

Sec. 4. A great seal for the State shall be provided, and all official acts of the Governor 
(except his approbation of the laws), shall be autlienticated tiiereby. 

Sec. 5. Residents on Indian lands may vote, if duly qualified, at the polls nearest their 
residence. 

Sec. 6. Elective ofhcei-.s of the Legislature, other tluin the presiding officers, sliall be a 
Chief Clerk, and a Sergeant-at-Arms, to be elected by each House. 

Sec. 7. No county with an area of nine hundred square miles or less, shall be divided, 
■without submitting tlie question to the vote of the people of the county. 

Sec. 8. [The Legislature is ])rohibited from enacting any special or private laws, for locating 
or changing any county seat.] See amendment adopted in 1871, as Sec. 31 (Subdivision 5) of 
Art. IV. 

Sec. 9. Officers not provided for by this Constitution shall be elected as the Legislature 
shall direct. 

Sec. 10. The Legislature may declare the cases in which any office sliall be deemed 
vacant, and also the manner of filling the vacancy, where no provision is made for that purpose 
in this Constitution. 

Article XIV. 

SCHEDULE. 

Section 1. All rights under the Territorial government are continued under the State 
government. Territorial processes are valid after the State is admitted into the Union. 

Sec. 2. Existing laws of the Territory of Wisconsin not repugnant to this Constitution 
shall remain in force until they expire by limitation or are altered or repealed. 

Sec. 3. All fines, penalties or forfeitures accruing to the Territory of Wisconsin shall 
inure to the use of the State. 

Skc. 4. Territorial recognizances, bonds and public property shall pass to and be vested 
in the State. Criminal prosecutions, offenses committed against the laws, and all actions at law 
and suits in equity in the Territory of Wisconsin shall be contained in and prosecuted by the 
State. 

Sec. .5. Officers holding under authority of the United States or of the Territory of Wis- 
consin shall continue in office until superseded by State authority. 

Sec. 6. The first session of the State Legislature sliall commence on the first Monday in 
June next, and shall be held at the village of Madison, which shall be and remain the seat of 
government until otherwise provided by law. 

Sec. 7. Existing county and town officers shall*hold their offices until the Legislature of 
the State shall provide for the holding of elections to fill such offices. 

Sec. 8. A copy of this Constitution shall be transmitted to the President of the United 
States to be laid before Congress at its present session. 

Sec. 9. This Constitution shall be submitted to the vote of the people for ratification or 
rejection on the second Monday in March next. If ratified, an election shall be held for 
Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Treasurer, Attorney General, members of the State Legisla- 
ture and members of Congress, on the second Monday of May next. 

Sec. 10. \_OmVtcd. See Section 1, Chapter 3, Acts of Extra Session of 1878.] 

Sec. 11. The several elections provided for in this Article shall be conducted according 
to the existing laws of the Territory of Wisconsin. 

Sec. 12. [^Omitted. See Section 1, Chapter 3, Acts of Extra Session of 1878.] 

Sec. 13. The common law in force in the Territory of Wisconsin shall continue in force 
in the State until altered or suspended by tlie Legislature. 

Sec. 14. The Senators first elected in the even-numbered Senate districts, the Governor, 
Lieutenant Governor and other State officers first elected under this Constitution, shall enter 
upon their duties on the first Monday of June next, and hold their offices for one year from the 
first Monday of January next. The Senators first elected in the odd-numbered districts and the 



CONSTITUTION Ol'' Tllli I'NITKl) STATES. 297 

members of the Assembly first elected sliall enter upon their duties on the first Monday of June 
next, and continue in office until the first Monday in January next. 

Sec. 15. The oath of ofllrc may be administered by any Judge or Justice of the Peace, 
until the Legislature shall otherwise direct. 



We, the undersigned, member.s of the Convention to form a Constitution for the State of 
Wisconsin, to be submitted to the people thereof for their ratification or rejection, do hereby 
certify that the foregoing is the Constitution adopted by the Convention. 

In testimony whereof, wo have hereunto set our haii<ls, at Madison, the 1st day of Feb- 
ruary, A. D. 1848. 

Morgan L. Martin, 
President of the Convention and Delegate from Brown County. 
Thomas McHugii, 

Secreta7-y. 



CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. 



CONDENSED. 



PREAMBLE. 



We, the people if the United States, in order to form a more ferfect union, establish justice, 
insure domestic tranquiUitij, provide for the common defense, promote the general tvelfare, 
and seeiire the blessiitgs of liherty to ourselves and our p)OsteriUj, do ordain and establish 
this Constitution for the United States of America. 

ARTICLE I. 

Section 1. All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress, which shall 
consist of a Senate and House of Representatives. 

Sec. 2. The House of Representatives shall be composed of members chosen every second 
year by the people of _the States, and electors shall have qualifications for electors of the most 
numerous branch of the State Legislature. 

Representatives must be twenty-five years of age, and must have been seven years citizens 
of the United States, and inhabitants of the State in which they shall be chosen. 

Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several States according to 
po{)ulation, which shall be determined by adding to the whole number of free persons, including 
apprentices and excluding Indians not taxed, three-fifths of all other persons. The enumeration 
shall be made within three years after the first meeting of Congress, and every ten years there- 
after in such manner as Congress shall by law direct. States siiall have one Representative only 
fur each thirty thousand, but each State shall have at least one Representative; and until such 
enumeration shall be made. New Hampshire shall choose throe; Massachusetts, eight ; Rhode 
Island, one; Connecticut, five; New York, six; New Jersey, four; Pennsylvania, eight; Del- 
aware, one; Maryland, six; Virginia, ten; North Carolina, five; South Carolina, five, and 
Georgia, three. 

Vacancies in the representation from any State shall be filled by elections, ordered by tho 
executive authority of the State. 



298 HISTORY OF AVISCONSIK. 

The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other officers, and shall have 
the sole power of impeachment. 

Sec. 3. The Senate shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the 
Legislature thereof for si.x years ; and each Senator shall have one vote. 

Senators shall be divi<led as equally as may be into three classes immediately after assem- 
blinor, in consequence of the first election. The first class shall vacate their seats at the expira- 
tion of the second year; the second class, at the expiration of the fourth year, and the third 
class, at the expiration of the sixth year, so that one-third may be chosen every second year; 
and vacancies happening by resignation or otherwise during the recess of the Legislature of any 
State may be filled by temporary aiipointments of the Executive until the next meeting of the 
Legislature. 

All Senators shall have attained the age of thirty years, and shall have been nine years 
citizens of the United States, and sliall be inhabitants of the State for which they shall be 
chosen. 

The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall iiave 
no vote, unless they be equally divided. 

The Senate shall choose their other officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the 
absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the office of President, 

The Senate shall have the sole power to try impeachments. When sitting for that ])urpose, 
they shall be on oath or affirmation. When the President is tried, the Chief Justice shall pre- 
side, and concurrence of two-thirds of the members present shall be necessary to conviction. 

Judgment ''n cases of impeachment shall be limited to removal from office and dis(|ualifica- 
tion to hold any office under the United States ; but the party convicted shall be liable to trial 
and punishment according to law. 

Sec. 4. The Legislature of each State shall prescribe the times, places and manner of 
holding elections for Senators and Representatives, but Congress may make or alter such regu- 
lations, except as to the place of choosing Senators. 

Congress shall assemble annually, on the first Monday in December, unless a different day 
be appointed. 

Sec. 5. Each House shall be the judge of the elections, returns and qualifications of its 
own members, and a majority of each shall constitute a quorum to do business ; but a. smaller 
number may adjourn from day to day, and may compel attendance of absent members, under 
penalties. 

Each House may determine its own rules of proceeding, punish its members, and, by a two- 
thirds Vote, expel a member. 

Each House shall keep a journal, which shall be published at their discretion, and one-fifth 
of those present may re(juire the yeas and nays to be entered on the journal. 

Neither House shall adjourn for more than three days without the con.sent of the other, 
nor to any other place than that in which they are sitting. 

Sec. 6. The compensation of Senators and Representatives shall be fixed by law, and 
paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall be privileged from arrest during 
attendance at the session of their respective Houses, except for treason, felony and breach of 
the peace, and shall not be (juestioneil m any other place for any speech or debate in either 
House. 

No Senator or Representative shall, during the time for which ho was elected, be appointed 
to any civil office under the United States which shall have been created. or the emoluments 
whereof shall have been increased during such time ; and no person holding office under the 
United States s^iall be a member of either House during his continuance m office. 

Sec. 7. All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives, but 
may be amended by tiie Senate. 

Every bill passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate shall, before it becomes 
a law, be presented to the President ; if he approve, he shall sign it ; but if not, he shall return 



CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. 299 

it, with his objections, to that House in which it originated, who shall enter the objections on 
their journal and proceed to reconsider it. If, after reconsideration, two-thirds shall agree to 
pass the bill, it shall be sent, with the objections, to the other House, and, if approved by two- 
thirds of that House, it shall become a law. But in all such cases, the yeas and nays shall be 
taken, and entered upon the journal of each House, respectively. Any bill not returned bv 
the President within ten days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to hiin, shall 
be a law, as if he had signed it, unless Congress, by adjournment, shall pi'event its return, in 
which case it shall not be a law. 

Every order, resolution or vote requiring the concurrence of the Senate and House of Rep- 
resentatives (e.xcept a question of adjournment), shall be approved by the President before tak- 
ing effect ; or, being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by a two-thirds vote of each House, 
as in the case of a bill. 

Sec. 8. Congress shall have power: 

To lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the 
common defense and general welfare of the United States ; but all duties, imposts and excises 
shall be uniform throughout the United States ; 

To borrow money on the public credit; 

To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several States and with the 
Indian tribes ; 

To establish a uniform rule of naturalization, and uniform laws on tlie subject of bank- 
ruptcies ; 

To coin money, regulate the value thereof and foreign coin, and fix the standard of weights 
and measures ; 

To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities and current coin of the United 
States ; 

To establish post offices and post roads ; 

To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors 
and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries ; 

To constitute tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court ; 

To define and punish jiiracies and felonies committed on the high seas, and offenses against 
the laws of nations ; 

To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on 
land and water ; 

To raise and support armies, but no appropriation of money to that use shall be for a longer 
terra than two year.? ; 

To provide and maintain a navy ; 

To make rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval forces ; 

To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the Union, suppress insur- 
rection and repel invasions ; 

To provide for organizing, arming and disciplining the militia, and for governing such parts 
of them as may be employed in the service of the United States — the several States to appoint 
the officers and to train the militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress ; 

To exercise exclusive legislation, in all cases, over the seat of Government, and over all 
forts, magazines, arsenals, dock -yards and other needful buildings ; and 

To make all laws necessary and proper for carrying into execution all powers vested by this 
Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any department or officer thereof. 

Sec. 9. Foreign immigration or the importation of slaves into the States shall not be pro- 
hibited by Congress prior'to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a tax or duty 
may be imposed not exceeding ten dollars for each person so imported. 

The writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless required by the public safetv in 
cases of rebellion or invasion. 

No bill of attainder or ex post facto law shall be passed. 



300 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

No capitation or other direct tax shall be laid, unless in proportion to the census or enu- 
meration hereinbefore directed to be made. 

No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from any State. 

In refjlatinc commerce or revenue, no preference shall be given to the ports of one State 
over those°of anofher ; nor shall vessels bound to or from one State be obliged to enter, clear or 
pay duties in another. 

No money shall be drawn from the Treasury unless appropriated by law ; and accounts of 
the receipts and expenditures of all public money shall h& published from time to time. 

No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States ; and no person holding any 
office under them shall accept any present, emolument, office or title from any foreign State, 
without the consent of Congress. 

Sec. 10. No State sliall enter into any treaty, alliance or confederation ; grant letters of 
marque and reprisal; coin money; emit bills of credit; make anything but gold and silver coin 
a tender in payment of debts; pass bills of attainder, ex post facto laws, or law impairing the 
obligation of contracts, or grant any title of nobility. 

No State shall, without the consent of Congress, lay any imposts or duties on imports or 
exports, except for the execution of its inspection laws; and all such duties shall be for the use 
of the United States; and all such"laws shall be subject to the revision and control of Congress. 

No State shall, without the consent of Congress, lay any duty of tonnage, keep troops or 
ships of war in time of peace, enter into any agreement or compact with another State or with a 
foreign power, or engage in war unless actually invaded or in imminent and immediate danger. 

Article II. 

Section 1. The executive power shall be vested in a President. He shall hold office for 
four years, and, together with the Vice President chosen for the same term, shall be elected as 
follows : 

Each State shall appoint m the manner directed by the Legislature, a number of electors 
equal to the whole number of its Senators and Representatives in Congress; but no Senator or 
Representative or person holding any office under the United States shall be appointed an 
elector. 

\_The tJtird clmisf of this section has been superseded and amended by the 12th Amendment 7\ 

Congress may determine the time of choosing the electors, and the day on which they shall 
give their votes, which day shall be the same throughout the United States. 

A natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States at the time of the adoption of this 
Constitution, only shall be eligible to the office of President; and he must have attained the age 
of thirty-five years, and been fourteen years a resident within the United States. 

If the President be removed from office, die, resign, or become unable to discharge the duties 
of his office, the same shall devolve upon the Vice President, and Congress may provide by law 
for the case of removal, death, resignation or inability of both the President and Vice President, 
declaring what Officer shall then act as President, and such officer shall act accordingly, until the 
disability be removed or a President elected.* 

The President shall receive a compensation for his services, which shall be neither increased 
nor diminished during the period for which he shall have been electedf and within that period 
he shall not receive any other emolument from the United States or from any of them. 

Before entering upon office he shall take the following oath or affirmation: "I do solemnly 
swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and 
will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United 
States." 

* By act of March 1, 1792, Congress provided fur this contingency, designating the President of the Senate i^ro tempore, or if there be none 
the Spealter of the House of Representatives, to succeed to the chief Executive office in the event of a vacancy in the offices of both President 
and Vice President. 

t The President's salary was fixed February IS, 1793, at $25,000, and was increased March 3, 1873, to $50,000. 



COXSTITUTIOX OF THE UXITED STATES. 301 

Sec. 2. Tlic President shall be the Cmninandcr-iu-Chief of the army and navy of tiie 
United States, and of the militia of the several States, when in actual service of the United 
States; he may require the written opinion of the principal officers of the several e.xecutive 
departments upon subjects relating to the duties of their respective offices, and shall have power to 
grant reprieves and pardons for oil'enses against the Ignited States, except in cases of impeachment. 

He shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to make treaties, 
provided two-thirds of the Senators present concur, and shall nominate to the Senate ambassa- 
dors, otlier public ministers ami consuls, Judges of the Supremo Court, and all other officers of 
the United States whose api)ointment is not otherwise provided for; but Congress may vest the 
appointment of inferior officers in the President alone, in the courts of law, or in the heads of 
departments. 

The President may fill all vacancies that may happen during the recess of the Senate, by 
granting commissions which shall expire at the end of their next session. 

lie shall, from time to time, give Congress information of the state of the Union, and 
recommend measures to their consideration ; he may, on extraordinary occasions, convene both 
Houses or either of them, atid, in case of disagreement between them as to the time of adjourn- 
ment, he may adjourn them to such time as he shall think proper ; he shall receive ambassadors 
and other public ministers ; he shall take care that the laws be fiiithfully executed, and shall com- 
mission all the officers of the United States. 

Sec. 4. The President, Vice Presiilcnt and all civil officers of the United States, shall l>e 
removed from office on impeachment for and conviction of treason, bribery, or other high crimes 
and misdemeanors. 

Article III. 

Section 1. The judicial power of the United States shall be vested in one Supreme 
Court, and in such inferior courts as Congress may establish. The Judges, both of the Supreme 
and inferior Courts, shall hold their offices during good behavior, and shall receive a compensa- 
tion which shall not be diminished during their continuance in office. 

Sec. 2. The judicial power shall extend to all cases, in law ami e([uity, arising under this 
Constitution, the laws of the United States, treaties, cases aftecting ambassadors, other public 
ministers and consuls, all cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction ; to controversies to which 
the United States shall be a party ; controversies between two or more States ; between a State 
and citizens of another State; between citizens of different States ; between citizens of the same 
State claimint; lands under grants of difl'erent States, and between a State or the citizens thereof 
and foreign States, citizens or subjects. 

In all cases affecting Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State is a party, the 
Supreme Court shall have original jurisdiction. In all other cases mentioned, the Supreme 
Court shall have appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and fact, subject to exceptions and regu- 
lations made by Congress. 

All crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall be tried by jury, and in the State where 
the crime was committed ; but Congress shall fix the place of trial for crimes not committed 
within any State. 

Sec. .3. Treason against the United States shall consist ordy in levying war against them, 
or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted of 
treason unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open 
court. 

Congress shall have power to declare the punishment of treason, but no attainder of treason 
shall work corruption of blood or forfeiture, except during the life of the person attainted. 

Article IV. 

Section 1. Each State shall give full faith and credit to the public acts, records and judi- 
cial proceedings of every other State, and Congress may prescribe the manner in which such 
acts, records and proceedings shall be proved, and the effect thereof. 



302 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

Sec. 2. The citizens of each State shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of 
citizens in the several States. 

Fugitives from justice in any State found in another State, shall, on demand of the Execu- 
tive, be delivered up and removed to the State having jurisdiction of the crime. 

No person held to service or labor in one State under the laws thereof, escaping into another, 
shall, in consequence of any law or regulation therein, be discharged from such service or labor, 
but shall be delivered up on claim of the party to whom such service or labor may be due. 

Sec. 3. New States may be admitted to the Union, but no new State shall be formed 
within the jurisdiction of any other State; nor by the junction of two or more States, or parts 
of States, without the consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned, as well as of Congress. 

Congress shall have power to dispose of and to regulate and govern the territory or other 
property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be construed to 
prejudice any claims of the United States, or any particular State. 

Every State shall be guaranteed a republican form of government, and shall be protected 
against invasion ; and on an application of the Legislature, or of the executive (when the Legis- 
lature cannot be convened), against domestic violence. 

Akticle V. 

Congress, whenever two-thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amend- 
ments to this Constitution, or, on application of two-thirds of the Legislatures of the several 
States, shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all 
intents and purposes, as part of this Constitution when ratified by the Legislatures of three-fourths 
of the several States, or by conventions in three-fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of 
ratification may be proposed by the Congress ; provided that no amendment which may be made 
prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any manner affect the first and 
fourth clauses in the ninth section of the fii'st article; and that no State, without its consent, 
shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in the Senate. 

Article VL 

All existing debts and engagements shall be valid against the United States under this 
Constitution. 

This Constitution and the laws of the United States made in pursuance thereof, and all 
treaties made under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land, 
and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby ; anything in the Constitution or laws of 
any State to the contrary notwithstanding. 

Senators and Representatives, members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive 
and judicial officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by oath 
or affirmation, to support this Constitution ; but no religious test shall ever be required as a 
qualification to any office or public trust under the United States. 

Article VII. 

The ratification of the Convention of nine States shall be sufficient for the establishment of 
this Constitution between the States so ratifying the same. 

Done in convention by the unanimous consent of the States present, the seventeenth day 
of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-seven, and of the 
independence of the United States of America the twelfth. 

Lv WITNESS WHEREOF we have hereunto subscribed our names. 

GEORGE WASHINGTON, 
President and Deputy from. Virginia. 
[Other signatures omitted.] 



CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. 3U3 

Amendments to the Constitution of the United States of America. 

Proposed by Congress and ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to 
the Filth Article of the original Constitution. 

Article I. 

Congress shall make no law respecting religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; 
or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press ; or of the right of the people peaceably to 
assemble and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. 

Article II. 

A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the 
people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. 

Article III. 

No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house without the consent of the 
owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to Ije prescribed by law. 

Article IV. 

The right of the people to be secure in tlieir persons and property against unreasonable 
searches and seizures sliall not be violated, ami no warrants shall issue but upon probable cause, 
supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched and the 
persons or things to be seized. 

Article V. 

No person shall be held to answer for any infamous crime unless on an indictment of a 
grand jury, except in cases arising in the laud or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual 
service in time of war or public danger ; nor shall any person be twice put in jeopardy of life 
or limb for the same offense ; nor shall he be compelled, in any criminal case, to be a witness 
against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law ; nor 
shall private property be taken for oublic use without just compensation. 

Article A^I. 

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to speedy and public trial, 
by an impartial jury of the State atid district wherein the crime shall have been committed, and 
to be informed of the nature atul cause of the accusation ; to be confronted with the witnesses 
against him ; to have compulsory process for obtaining witne.sses in his favor, and to have the 
assistance of counsel for his defense. 

Article VII. 

In suits at common law, when the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the 
right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise 
re-examined in any court of the United States than according to the rules of the common law. 

Article VIII. 

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual pun- 
ishments inflicted. 



304 HISTORY (3F WISCONSIN. 

Article IX. 

The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or dis- 
parage others retained by the people. 

Article X. 

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to 
the States, are reserved to the States respectively or to the people. 

Article XI. 

The judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law 
or equity commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by citizens of another 
State, or by citizens or subjects of any foreign State. 

Article XII. 

The electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by ballot for President and Vice 
President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same State ■with thesiselvea ; 
distinct ballots shall be made for President and Vice President, and distinct lists made of such 
ballots and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify and transmit 
sealed to the seat of government, addressed to the President of the Senate ; the President of the 
Senate shall, in presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates, 
and the votes shall then be counted ; the person having the greatest number of votes for Presi- 
dent shall be President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed ; 
if no person have such majority, then from those having the highest numbers, not exceeding 
three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose imme- 
diately by ballot the President. But, in choosing the President, the vote shall be taken by 
States, each State having one vote ; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or mem- 
bers from two-thirds of the States, and a majority of all the States shall be necessary to a choice. 
If, whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, the House of Representatives shall not 
choose a President before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice President shall 
act as President, as in the case of death or disability of the President. The person having the 
greatest number of votes as Vice President shall be the Vice President, if such number be a 
majority of the whole number of electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from 
the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice President ; a quorum for 
the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the 
whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person ineligible to the office of President 
shall be eligible to that of Vice President of the United States. 

Article XIII. 

Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime 
whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any 
place subject to their jurisdiction. 

Sec. 3. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. 

Article XIV. 

Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, or subject to the juris- 
diction thereof, are citizens of the United States, and of the State wherein they reside. No 
State shall make or enforce any law which shall !i,bridge the privileges or immunities of citizens 
of the United States ; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty or property without 



CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. " 305 

due process of law, nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the 
law. 

Sec. 2. Representatives shall be apportioned among the States according to population, 
counting the whole number of persons in each State, including Indians not taxed. But when 
the right to vote is denied to any of the male inhabitants of a State, being twenty-one years of 
age and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in 
rebellion or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion 
which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty- 
one years of age in such State. 

Sec. 3. No person shall hold any ofiBce under the United States or under any State, who 
having previously, as an officer of the United States of any State, taken an oath to support the 
Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the 
same, or given aid and comfort to the enemies thereof But Congress may, by a vote of two- 
ihirds of each House, remove such disability. 

Sec. 4. The validity of the public debt of the United States, including pensions and 
bounties, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall assume 
or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United 
States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave ; but all such debts, obligations 
and claims shall be held illegal and void. 

Sec. 5. Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions 
of this article. 

Article XV. 

Section 1. The right of citizens to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United 
States, or by any State, on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. 

Sec. 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. 






'^"iWW' 



ai 




306 



ALPHABETICAL LIST OF COUNTIES AND CITIES 

WITH GUBERNATORIAL AND PRESIDENTIAL VOTES. 



Note. — The Republican or Democratic majority in each county is given as between Smith and Mallory. Green- 
back majority is only given when the vote for AUis exceeds the others, and is taken from the highest vote. 



COUNTIES. 



GOVERNOR. 

]S77. 



PRESIDENT. 
1S76 



Smith. Mallory. 



Adams 580 

Ashland 86 

Barron 45'J 

Bayfield 40 

Brown 1387 

Buffalo 107.5 

Burnett 336 

Calumet 450 

Chippewa g85 

Clark 449 

Columbia 2048 

Crawford 806 

Dane , 3613 

Dodge I 2.333 

Door I 4 

Douglas i 21 

Dunu j 11 

Eau Claire [ 1208 

Fond du Lac [ 3086 

Grant , 2620 

Green 1823 

Green Lake 879 

Iowa 1461 

Jackson 802 

Jefferson igi 

Juneau 104.5 

Kenosha 938 

Kewaunee 1 24 

La Crosse 1968 

La Fayette 1409 

Lincoln 27 

Manitowoc 1365 

Marathon 3OI 

Marquette 447 

Milwaukee 5843 

Monroe i 1102 



Oconto. 

Ouliigamie.. 

Ozaukee.... 

Pepin 

Pierce 

Polk 

Portage 

Racine 



1059 
777 
437 
.521 

1523 
916 

1080 

2.304 



233 
163 
203 
34 
1740 
810 
24 
1130 
69. 
153 
1597 
1008 
3903 
4267 
126 
28 
40 
805 
3414 
1938 
849 
896 
1175 
391 
2418 
883 
907 
558 
1115 
1300 
15 
1951 
755 
730 
6388 
1096 
764 
2005 
1579 
171 
545 
363 
917 
1906 



116 



53 

2 

1015 

76 

"389 
589 
816 
118 
146 
614 
381 
283 



412 

597 

1249 

103 

580 

215 

1021 

521 

296 

463 

51 

20 
524 
269 
169 

98 
746 

76 

1228 

1019 

1 

992 

17 
123 
408 

60 
728 
112 



Maj. 



R. 

D. 

R. 

R. 

D. 

R. 

R. 

D. 

D. 

G. 

R 

D. 

D. 

D. 

R. 

D. 

R. 

R. 

D. 

R. 

R. 

D. 

R. 

R. 

D. 

R. 

R. 
D. 
R. 
R. 
G. 
D. 
D. 
D. 
D. 
R. 
R. 
D. 
D. 
R. 
R. 
R. 
R. 
R. 



347 
77 
256 
6 
353 
265 
312 
680 

1 

367 

451 

202 

290 

1934 

351 

7 

767 

403 

328 

682 

974 

17 

286 

411 

201 

162 

31 

311 

853 

109 

142 

686 

4-54 

283 

545 

6 

29. 

1228 

1142 

350 

978 

553 

163 

398 



Hayes. 



Tilden. 



981 
109 
644 
86 
2755 
1186 
285 
1012 
1596 
12.55 
3532 
13.55 
5435 
3236 
1095 
42 
2033 
2266 
4845 
4723 
2601 
1739 
2651 
1507 
2874 
1714 
1610 
561 
2644 
2424 
71 
2700 
668 
697 
9981 
2558 
1813 
1859 
583 
836 
2135 
1019 
18.55 
3560 



Miy. 



442 

189 

257 
74 
3647 
1162 
28 
2145 
1774 

660 
249. 
1604 
5726 
6361 

596 
67 

894 
1785 
5660 
3198 
1735 
1514 
2348| R. 

718 R. 
41.34' D. 
14.58; R. 
1432 
1654 
2481 
2299 

174 



3908: D. 



1796 

1112 

12026 

2030 

1174 

3608 

5480 

394 

985 

362 

1794 

2880, 



539 

80 

.387 

12 

892 

24 

257 

1133 

178 

595 

1039 

249 

291 

3125 

499 

25 

1139 
481 
815 

1526 
866 
225 
303 
789 

1260 
256 
178 

1093 
163 
125 
103 

1208 

1128 
415 

2045 
528 
639 

1749 

1897 
447 

1152 

6.50 

61 

680 



307 



Gubernatorial and Presidential Votes— 1877-1876— Conit«((cc/. 



COCSTIKS— Coiifiiurii. 



Richlauil . 

Rock 

St. Croix.. 
Sauk 



GOVERNOR. 

1877. 



Smith. Mallmy. 



Shawano ... 
Sheboygan.. 
Taylor 



Trempealeau 

Vernon 

Walworth — 
>¥asbingloii.. 
Waukesha... . 

Waupaca 

Waushara ... 
Winnebago .. 
Wood 



Appleton 

Beaver Dam 

Beloii 

Berlin 

Buffalo 

Centralia 

Chilton 

Chippewa Falls... 

Columbus 

Kau Claire 

Fond <hi Lac 

Fort Howard 

Grand Hapids 

Green Bay 

Hudson 

Janesville... 

Kenosha 

La Crosse 

Madison 

Manitowoc 

Menasha 

Milwaukee 

Mineral I'oint 

Neenali 

New London 

Oconomowoc 

Oconto 

Oshkosh 

Plymouth 

I'ortage 

Prairie du Chien. 

Prescott 

Hacine 

Ripon 

Shawano 

Sheboygan 

Stevens Point 

Waterlown 

Waupaca 

Wauaau 



1201 
oo75 
l.WS 
1820 

269 
IfilKS 

195 
2483 
](i78 
2904 

994 
2484 
14 

1282 
2068 

247 



231 
320 
37 
219 

25 

16 

31 
229 
210 
G20 
862 
150 

GO 
432 
226 
771 
281 
712 
740 
349 
146 
4816 
260 
115 

84 
172 
270 
724 

69 
245 
155 

87 

1052 

270 

55 
248 
252 
232; 
2101 

76' 



729 

1620 

1489 

922 

605 

1737 

254 

731 

416 

1374 

2187, 

2388' 

990 

25 7 1 

2238| 

196' 



622 
361 
109 
197 

17 
5 
128 
294 
123 
469 
884 

85 

42 
333 
20' 
605 
314 
671 
1057 
284 
311 
5027 
249 
146 
125 
167 
311 
954 
127 
405 
267 

61 
921 
239 

( 3 
440 
270 
687 

49 
170 



705 
781 

93 
574 

92 
750 

53 
176 
846 
160 
187 
276 
772 
377 
1887 
601 



201 

6 

240 

36 



97 

33 

143 

250 

520 

195 

110 

181 

8 

31 

42 

351 

13 

17 

67 

105(1 

21 

376 

118 

24 

6 

37 

2K 

7 

3 

10 

82 

33 

13 



Maj. 



68 1). 



472 

1755 

70 

9041 

336| 

1391 

59! 

1452. 

1262 

1530 

1993 

96 

483 

1025 

170 

354 



D. 
D. 
R. 
11. 
H. 
G. 
D. 
1). 
K. 
K. 
I). 
G. 
G. 
K. 
R. 
R. 
D. 
R. 
1>. 
R. 
I>. 
I). 
K. 
G. 
D. 
R. 
D. 
D. 
I). 
V. 
D. 
R. 
R. 
R. 
1) 



145 

164 

20 

300 



1). 
1). 
R. 
G. 



291 
41 

268 
22 
8 
81 
97 
65 
87 

161 
22 
45 
60 
99 
19 

166 
33 
41 

317 
61 

165 

211 
11 

230 

41 

5 

41 

230 
58 

160 

112 
26 

131 
31 
18 

192 
18' 

445 

161 

130 



PRESIDENT. 

1876. 



Hayes. 



2038 
5755 
1775 
3395 

582 
3224 

240 
2360 
2764 
4212 
1321 
3129 
2642 
20S0 
5092 

658 



549 
357 
745 
456 
14 
64 



475 
254 

120. 

1382 
669 
121 
696 
250 

1036 
514 

1085 
834 
660 
291 

8218 
348 
511 
206 
222 
399 

149( 



Tilden. 



360 
215 
143 
1672 
397 
87 
575 
423 
372 
280 
210 



1591 
2814 
1736 
2201 

873 
3633 

24( 

790 
1117| 
1970 R. 
3047' D, 
3335; D. 
1592! R. 

548[ R. 
4426 R. 



Maj. 



45 D. 



911 

465 

627 

312 

31 

93 



21: 

lOlf 
1542 
288 
191 
647 
224 
84 S 



644 D. 



1.549 

1252 
512 
344 

96-j 
324 
385 
208 
238 
50(i 

1910 



532 

37 

108 
1324 

333 
83 

873 

663 
1295 
52j R. 

5951 D. 



447 

2893 

3,9 

1194 

291 

409 
6 
1670 
1647 
2242 
1726 

206 
1050 
1632 

666 



D. 
D. 
R, 
R. 
D. 
D 



362 
108 
118 
144 
17 
29 



97 

42 

189 

160 

81 

70 

49 

26 

188 

30 

464 

418 

148 

53 

1407 

24 

126 

2 

16 

107 

414 



166 
162 

35 
348 

64 
4 
298 
140 
923 
228 
385 



POPULATION OF THE UNITED STATES. 



States and 

TERltlTORIES. 

States. 

Alalv-iiiKl 

Arl.ans;is 

Ciiiiforiiia 

Connecticut 

Delaware 

rioiida 

Gfdi-Rla 

Illinois 

Iiiiliana 

Iowa 

Kansas 

Kititucky 

Louisiana 

Maine 

Maryland 

Massachusetts.. 

Michigan* 

Minnesota 

Mississippi 

Missouri 

Nehraska 

Nevada...- 

New Hampshire 

New Jersey 

New York 

North Carolina. 

Ohio 

Oregon 

• Last CeUBU 



Area in 
sijuare 
Miles. 



[ ToprLATTON. 



47. 
50. 
.39. 
95. 

S of 



.'i'l'.i 1.: 
U45 
,318 
,6I>0 
,346 
,776 
,184 
,800 
,451 
531 
156 
,350 
,9B5 
,090 
,380 
3-20 
000 
704 
964 
244 
Mich 



996.992 
484,471 
560.247 
537.454 
125.015 
1S7.748 
.1M.1I)9 
,'tl 

191.792 
.■^61,399 
321.011 
726,915 
626.915 
780,894 

,457,351 
184.059 
439.706 
827.922 

,721.395 
123.993 
43.491 
318.300 
906,096 
382.759 
1171.361 
66.5.260 
90,933 

igan tak 



1.350.,544 
628,349 



857.039 



1,651.912 

1,334,031 

598,429 



246.280 
52.540 



1.02fi..502 
4,705.208 



Miles 
R. K. 
1872. 



1.671 

25! 

1,013 

820 ' 

227 

460 

2.108 

5.904 

3.529 

3.160 

1.760 

1,123' 

539 

871 

820 

1.606 

2,335 

1.613 

990 

2,580 

828' 

593 

790 

1,265 

4,47U' 

1.1901 

3,T40i 

lo9l 



States ani> 

TERUITOIilES. 



Sliilis. 

Pennsylvania 

KlHKle Islanil. .. 
South Carolina.. 

Tennessee 

Texas 

A i-rmoht 

AiiRinia 

West Virginia 

Wisconsin 



Total States. 



Territories. 

.\rizoua 

Coloiailo 

Dakota 

Dist. of Columbia. 

Malio 

Moiit.iiia 

New Me-xico 

Utah 

AVashington 

Wyoiuiiig 



Total Territories, 



Ai ea 111 
siiiiure 
Miles. 



POPUT.ATIUN. 



46. 
1, 
29. 
45. 
237. 
10. 
40. 
33, 
53. 



1870. 



258,239 
925,145 



3,521,791 

217,353 

705,606 
1,258,520 

818.579 

330.551 
1,225.163 

442.014 
1.054.670 1.236.72C 



li' 



1,950,171 38,113,253 



113. 
104, 
147, 

90, 
143, 
121, 
80, 
69, 
93, 



9, 
39, 
14, 
131, 
14, 
20, 
91, 
86. 
23 



874 . 
786 . 
955 . 

116'. 



.Miles 
K. R. 
1872. 



5,113 
136 

1.201 

1.520 
865 
675 

1,490 
485 

1.725 

MnOS7 



965,082 442,7.30, 



375 
■■■498 
1.365 



ggregate of U. S.. 2.91o,203'3S,555,983 1 00.85 1 

• Included in the Railroad Mileage of Marylard. 



PRINCIPAL COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD; 
Population and Akea. 



Countries. 



Population. 



China 

Itritish Empire 

Russia 

United States with Alaska 

l-'rance 

Austria and Hungary 

.Japan 

Gieat Britain and Ireland 

German Jimpire 

Italy 

Spain 

Itrazil 

Turkey 

Mexico 

Sweden and Norway 

Persia 

Belgium 

liavaria 

I'ortugai 

Holland 

i^ew Grenad.a 

Chill 

Switzerland 

I'eru 

Uol i via 

Argentine Repuljlic 

Wnrte 111 burg ^ 

Don mark 

Veiieiuela 

B;idell 

Greece 

(fiiatemala 

Keuador 

I' iraguay 

Hesse 

Liiieria 

.S.in Salvador 

Ilayti 

.Nicaragua 

t' ruguay 

i 1 o ud u ras 

San Domingo 

<'osta Rica 

Hawaii 



446, 

326 

81, 

38, 

36 

35, 

34, 

31, 

29, 

27, 

16, 

10, 

16, 

9, 

5, 

5, 

5, 

4. 

3, 

3. 

3. 

o 

2: 
2. 
2. 
1, 
1. 
I. 

1! 
1. 
1 
1 
1 



500.000 
817,108 
925,400 
925.600 
469 800 
904,400 
785,300 
,817,100 
906.093 
,439.931 
,642.000 
000.000 
463.000 
,17.3.000 
,921.500 
,000.0(10 
,031.300 
.861,400 
,995.200 
,688.300 
,000.000 
,000,000 
.669.100 
500.000 
000.000 
812,000 
818.500 
784.700 
500.000 
,461.400 
457.900 
,180.000 
.300.000 
000.000 
823.138 
718.000 
600.000 
573.000 
3.'i0.000 
3011.000 
350.000 
136.0011 
165. onu 
1.2 O.iO 



Date of 
Census. 



1871 
1871 
1871 
1870 
1866 
1869 
1871 
1871 
1871 
1871 
1867 



1869 
1870 
1870 
1869 
1871 
1868 
1870 
1870 
1869 
1870 
1871 

'1869 
1871 
1870 

'isVi 

1870 
1871 



1871 
1871 

■1871 
1871 
1871 



Area in 
Square 
Miles. 



3,741.846 

4.677,432 

1.003.778 

2,603.884 

304,091 

240.348 

149.399 

131,315 

160,207 

118,847 

195 775 

3.253.029 

672.621 

761.526 

293.871 

635.904 

11,373 

29.293 

84.494 

12.680 

357.157 

132.616 

15.992 

471.838 

497,321 

871.B48 

7,533 

14,753 

368,338 

5,912 

19.353 

40.879 

218,928 

63.787 

2,969 

9,576 

7,835 

10,205 

58.171 

66,722 

47.092 

17.R37 

21.. 505 

7.c.!3 



Inhabitant; 

to Square 

Mile. 



119.3 

48.6 

10.2 

7.78 

178.7 

149.4 

232.8 

262.3 

187. 

230.9 

85. 

3.07 
34.4 



30. 
7.8 
441.5 
165.9 
115.8 
290.9 
8.4 
15.1 
166.9 
5.3 
4. 
2.1 
241.4 
120.9 
4.2 
247. 
76.3 
28.9 
5.9 
15.6 
277. 
74.9 
81.8 
56. 
6. 
6.5 
7.4 



Pekin 

London 

St. Petersburg. 

Washington 

Paris 

Vienna 

Yeddo 

London 

P.erliu 

Rome 

M.aarid 

Rio .laueiro 

Cniistantiiioiilc , 

Mexico 

stockliolm 

TelKTan 

linissels 

Mmucli 

Lislion 

ll:ii;ne 

no,!,'uta 

.Santiago 

llcriie 

Lima 

ctuKjiiisaca 

JUienos Ayres. . 

Stuttgart 

Copenhagen 

Caraccas 

lailsruhe 

Ala. 'lis 

ciiatemala 

i.uuto 

.\suiicion 

liainistadc 

-Monrovia 

Sal Salvador 

I'nrt au Prince 

.Managua 

.Monte Video .. 

Comayagua 

San T)oihingo... 

Sin tlose 

l|.>noliilii 



Population. 



1.648,800 

3,351,800 

667,000 

109,199 

1,835,300 

833,900 

1.554.900 

3,351,800 

836.400 

244.484 

332.000 

420.000 

1,(175,000 

2 III. 31 lU 

136,900 

120.000 

814.100 

169.500 

224,063 

911,10(1 

45,01)11 

115,4011 

36,000 

160,100 

25,000 

177.8110 

Hl.iaiii 

lo-.n-ij 

47, 

31., 600 
4:).4IH1 
40.111)0 
70.0011 
48.000 
30.000 
3.1100 
15,0lKl 
211,11011 
lu,iio:) 
44, 500 
12.000 
20.000 
2-O00 
7.033 




ii:xvjs.ig^:^W^MMSOWji.^KVi-E. € o7^. n.:svaEl^^AIIMMS:^LA. b.xvut.e. iy o. 




HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 



CHAPTER 1. 

Topographical Sketch — The Indians — The Indian Village — First Settlement by White Men 

FOEMATION OF THE CoCNTY ThE RoADS OF 1836 ThE FiRST RoAD MaDE BY WhITE MeN 

The First White Settlers — The Early Neighborhoods — War at Geneva — First Town 
Organizations — Further Subdivisions — Early Surveys. 

topographical sketch. 

WALWORTH COUNTY is one of the southern tier of coimties in Wisconsin. It is hounded 
on the north by the counties of Jefferson and Waukesha; east, by Racine and Kenosha 
Counties: south, by the State line; and west by Rock County. Its eastern line is twenty-fom- 
miles west of the shore of Lake ^Michigan. Elkhorc, the county seat and geographical center of 
the county, is in latitude 42' 48' north, and longitude 88° 26' west. The county embraces six- 
teen Congi-essional tovmships of six miles square, and constitutes a square of four towns on each 
side. The towns in the governmental survey are numbered and designated as Towns 1, 2, 3 and 
4 north, in Ranges 15, 16, 17 and 18 east. It contains an area of 576 square miles, or 368,640 
acres, two-thirds of which is arable land, the surface of the lakes and some small tracts of 
swamp lying along the creeks and streams comprising the remaining portion. 

The siu'face is. throughout, gently undulating, in no place breaking into sharp hills or ris 
ing t,o suffitncnt elevation to prevent its being denoniinated a level country. It is not, however, 
a plain, and has few of the characteristics of the vast stretches of prairie lauds lying south and 
east in the States of Illinois and Michigan. It is, by the measure of geological epochs, a much 
older country than that of the Illinois prairies. It was high and diy, 500 feet above the jiresent 
level of Lake Michigan, ages before the lake had an existence, and was planed down to its rough 
level by the glacial drift that preceded the formation of the gi-eat lakes, which are believed for 
an iiidcfiuito ()oriod to have covered Illinois, and to have found an outlet tlu'ough the Valley of 
the Mississippi. The formation of an eastern outlet for these great inland seas, and the conse- 
<|Uont subsidences of the level of the lakes, brought up to the sunlight the vast alluvial ])rairies 
at the South at a much later period than tliat which marks the existence of Walworth County 
with essentially its present to])ogra]ihical features. 

Marks of the glacial action and conse(]uent formation of its surface are ajjpareiit. The 
ledges of the rock, wherever tliey appear, have the glacial jiolish and marks, while the sand 
deposits, with gi'avel and bowlders of rock not of the underlying strata, ju'ove conclusively the 
exti'eme anti(jiiity of the formation as diy land. 

At that remote ])eriod, the coimty was thickly studded with inland lakes, where now are seen 
the small prairies. The deeper oni>s, like Geneva and Delavaii, still remain. Their shoi-t-lived 
ulsters, which once covered S[)riiig Prairie, Delavan Prairie and other fertile spots of the county, 
subsided Ix'fore the alluvial deposit of ages had leveled the buttoms and loft them the rolling 
laud seen to-day, with a thin l)lack soil compared with the uniform groat depth of that deposit 
foiuul in the ])rairies further south. 

It is not imlikely that the mysterious people whom tradition has forgotten, only known now 
through the shadowy memoi'ialsof the mounds of Wisconsin, might have occupied the land, built 
tlieir fortifications and flourished in the heydoy of their semi-barbarous civilization, at a period 



310 llISiTOKY OF WAJ. WORTH COL'XTY. 

so remote tliut their most adventurous explorers kuew Illinois and the vast prairie laud beyond 
only as the Southern home of the water-fowl, and a boundless water-waste of unexjilored lagoon. 

The evidences that the pre-historic race now generally designated as the Mound-Builders 
once inhabited this region were not infretpient when the first white settlers came in. They con- 
sisted of the mounds that apjjcar in other parts of the State, many of them in form resembling 
animals, reptiles and implements. They were raised from two to live feet above the level of the 
surrounding ground. Often the soil or debris of which they were composed was entirely differ- 
ent from that surrounding them, and, however extensive the mounds, the excavations from which 
the supply of earth to rem- them was obtained is never discernible. Their great antiquity is in 
no way more plainly shown than in the fact that they have existed a sirfficient time to allow all 
traces of excavation or other physical evidences attending their construction to have become en- 
tirely obliterated. Only the mounds themselves, lying prone upon the earth, covered often with 
the accumulated soil deposit of a thousand years, and bearing aljove the ancient oak, that was 
old before the first white man visited the region, tell of the race that liuilded them. 

These animal mounds were less numerous in AValworth County than at the mouth of 
Milwaukee River, through the Rock River Valley and along the com'ses of the other large 
rivers of the State, but suiBciently numerous and mai'ked to prove that the Mound-Builders 
formerly occujiied the region as a part of their domain.. They appeared mostly in the vicinity 
(if the large lakes in the southeastern part of the coimty. 

Mr. James Simmons, in his excellent history of Geneva, states that, as late as 1843, several 
were still to be seen; one, a large mound in the form of a tm'tle, or lizard, nearly sixty feet long, 
lay with its head toward the lake, its legs spread out on either side, and its tail extending north- 
ward across what is now the jimctionof Main and Lake streets in Geneva Village. Mr. Simmons 
describes it as " clear in its outlines, and rising some two or thi-ee feet in the center above the 
surface of the ground surrounding," and as " bearing upion its back the witness of its age — the 
stump of a large oak tree, whose concentric rings kept the tally of many a passing year." 
Anotlier, of much larger size, " stretched his brawny limbs and foimidable tail completely across 
Main street." Many others less notable for size and form, but evidently belonging to the same 
class, are mentioned. On the old Beckwith farm, five miles west of Geneva Village, on the Del- 
avan road, was a peculiar mound, some ninety feet in length, in the form of a bow, drawn, with 
its arrow pointing toward Geneva Lake. Other circular moiuids were found in the vicinity; also, 
rude specimens of pottery, evincing more skill in the mechanical arts than was possessed by any 
of the aborigines inhabiting this region since it was known to Europeans. 

Few human " remains " are found in these ancient mounds, and such as have been found 
are perhaps not cotemporary with them, but may have been interred by Indians at a compara- 
tively modem period, as it is known that they often chose them as places of sepultm'e, viewing 
them as too sacred for desecration. The Indians knew as little of their origin as do the Ameri- 
cans of to-day, and held them in a mj'sterious awe that shielded them from destnictiou till the 
advent of modern civilization, that fell destroyer of sentiment and mystery which makes the old 
so sacred to the simple mind. Few, if any, of these mounds remain to-day, and soon only the 
record of an unknown people will remain in the printed pages to tell that the mounds themselves 
existed. 

INDIANS. 

The history of Walworth County, so far as it is of interest or value to the present or future 
reader, dates fi-om the first occupancy of white men, and, prior to that time, little is known of it 
beyond what is in the geological record and what ajipears in the mound relics, of which note 
has been made. 

It is not recorded that any white man ever visited the region pi-ior to 1830. As fallback as 
1663, Joliet coasted up the western shore of Lake Michigan, and touched at jwints along the 
coast, and Allouez, as early as 1665, was at Green Bay. In 1671, the Jesuits had established a 
mission at what is now De Pere, Brown County, and fi-om that point ministered to the benighted 
Indian tribes of Wisconsin. 

In none of the records of these early explorers is any menticm made of the region lying in- 
land between the foot of the lake and the mouth of the Milwaukee River, and it is therefore almost 



IIISTOHY OF WAI.WOlil'Jf COINTY. ?)11 

certain that the hiiul was unknown to tlic cxphji-ers of the si'vcntccnth and eighteenth centuries, 
and that, up to the time of <>;eneral AVestern imun<?ration, which commenced after the close of 
the Black Hawk war. in the summer of 1<S;]2, no white man had lived within the boundaries of 
the present county, and none had visited the region, exce])t, perchance, some fur-trader from Mil- 
waukee or Chicago, and of s>ich visits, if they occurred, no retrords have been preserved and no 
tra<litions exist. Mrs. Kinzie. wife of John Kinzie. one of the early jiioneers of Chicago, crossed 
the county with her husband in the fall of bS;J2, on a journey to Fort "Winnebago. Siie has left 
an account of tlit> journey in her story entitled " Waubun," in which she describes the scenery 
al)out the head of Geneva Lake. She was [irobably the first white woman who ever visited Wal- 
worth County, and her party was the first of the white race known to have viewed the land. 

At the close of the Black Hawk war, in ]83'2, the Government set about extinguishing the 
Indian title to the lands of the Northwestern Territory, and thus ojieniug them to the settlement 
of the whites. At that time, the Pottawatomies and their allies, the Chii)pewas and Ottawas, 
were the acknowledged possessors of a vast domain eml.iracing all of the jiresent State of Wiscon- 
sin lying south and west of the Milwaukee Eiver, i.nd extending into the interior an indetiuite 
distance to the boundaries of the territory of the Winnebagoes, wherever that might be. The 
und(>lined western boundary was no bar to obtaining a full title to the domain, as will be seen, 
September 15, lN;i2, the Government made a treaty with the Winnel)agoes, whereby they relin- 
quished all claim to lands lying " south and east of the "Wisconsin and Fox Rivers of Green Bay. 
September 26, 1S88, a treaty was made with the Pottawatomies, Chippewas and Ottawas, by 
which those nations ceded to the Government all their lands along the western shore of Lake 
^lichigau, and between that lake and the land ceded f<i thf Vnifed Slatex bi/ flic Wiinicbcuja na- 
tion bij the treaty of Sciitciubcr 7."), 1i^'.i2. The northern Ijoundary of the land ced(>d was 
the coimtiy lately ceded by the INIeuomonees (north and east of the jNIilwaukee Kiver). The 
southern boundary was defined by the land ceded in a. treaty with the same tribes in 1S2U, 
wherein- th(>y had ceded all lands claimed by them in Northwestern Illinois. The territory thus 
acquired by the Government by the treaty of Septemlier 2(5, bSUH, extingnished the Indian title 
to y.UCK ).()(.)() acres of land, and incltided all of the southeastern part of "Wisconsin. The provis- 
ions of the treaty were that the tribes should remain in peaeeal)le possession of the lands for two 
yeai's from the ratification of the treaty. Owing to some informalities occasioning delay, the 
treaty was not duly ratified and signed by both the high contracting parties till so late 
in 1834 as to delay the final evacitation till 18;5(). Prior to that time, the Government could 
give no clear title to the land, and white men had, in Walworth County, no rights which an In- 
dian was bound to resjiect. 

The Indians who owned and occujjied the territory, and sold or ceded it to th(» T'nited 
States, are worthy of a passing notice. The leading trilse was known as the Pottawatomies, and 
had, ever since known to white men, shown capabilities and tendencies to civilization in advance 
of neighboring tribes. They were more peaceful in their disposition, showed little deceit or 
treachei'y, and, among their fellow-tribes, had managed to cement friendships that remained un 
broken through the vicissitudes of tribulation that followed the appearance of a strange i-ace, 
which, by ways and means inscrutable to them, dispossessed them of their heritage. 

In HMm, when the French Jesuits first knew them, they were settled aliout Green Bay. and 
received the Gospel of the Great Master with a readiness that showed them endued with an a]>- 
preciation of th(* doctrines of ])eace and mercy which He taught. Even then, the great doctrines 
of civilization — an alliance to preserve peace and prevent war had brought them into a close 
communion of interest with other tribes, so intimate that only the trilial rehititms of government 
distinguished then) from the Chippewas and Ottawas, who held with them in common a joint 
interest in the lands they claimed as their hunting-grounds and tlmir homes. It was a barbaric 
confederacy of nations, which all the craft and cunning of enlightened diplomacy was never able 
to destroy, and it is an historical fact that no treaty or alliance was (wc^r made with one of these 
tribes, (>xcept it was confirmed and ratified by all. So the motto " JO phu'ibus unum," had its 
inception in the union of nations, for the common good, in tlie hearts of (hese barbarians, long 
before the days of thi> Ajnerican Republic. 

They gradually moved south and west during the period embraced fi-om IfiiO to bSIJO, giv- 
ing wav to the Menomonees ami the Sacs and Foxes on the north, and the Winnebagoes on the 



312 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COT^NTY. 

west, occupying, in liS3(), just prior to the Blacli Hawk wiir, the southeastern part of Wis- 
consin. 

Several villages were located about the shores of Lakes Geneva and Delavan. There was 
one at the foot of Geneva Lake, on the site of the present village; another at Williams' Bay. 
some four miles further west; and still another at the head of the lake — the most important, it 
being the family residence of Mauk Suck (Big Foot), one of the leading chiefs of the Pottawato- 
mies. Big Foot is remembered as the last of the chiefs who ruled his people while they re- 
mained in the land of their fathers. He was a stm-dy hater of the whites, and refused to cede 
the lands until all tih<> othin- chiefs had signed the treaty. He had, however, a sense of honor 
which made him hold his jVledges sacred when given, and. having given his word, he held it 
inviolal>le. So. in the Black Hawk war, being bound under former treaties not to take up anns 
against the whites, he remained neutral, and surlily kept his faith, against all the instincts of his 
savage nature, and later, in 1830, the terms of the treaty re(juiring him to leave forever the 
huntiug-groiinds of his fathers and the home he loved, with the instinctive intensity of his wild 
blood, he remembered his vow, and disappeared, never to return. 

Yet liB reached no high ideal, eithsr in character or demeanor. Like all Indians, he took 
on the vices of the whites more readily than their virtues, and would get most beastly di-unk 
when circumstances were favorable. Mrs. Kinzie saw him on her visit in 1832, and describes 
him as " a large, raw-boned, ugly Indian, with a eoixntenance liloated by intemperance, and with 
a sinister, unpleasant expression." With this most uncomjilimentary and probably truthful por- 
ti'ait, he should still be remembered as the Indian type of honor and truf^hfulness, which goes to 
the extreme of keeping faith, once pledged, even with an enemy. 

THE INDIAN VILLAGE. 

The village of Big Foot was iit the western extremity of Geneva Lake, on what is now Sec 
tiou 14 in the town of Walworth. It consisted of a cluster of huts reaching along the shore for 
a (quarter of a mile, and back nearly as far; and was the home of about sixty families. Big 
Foot's wigwam was quite pretentious in its dimensions, and, for the time, might be considered a 
permanent structure. It was on a knoll, a little way from the shore of the lake. It was some 
twenty feet in diameter, and circular in form. It was made from posts set into the gi-ound, and 
was covered with mats woven from grasses and bark. It was the council house and seat of justice 
for the section of the b.-ibe that gave allegiance to Big Foot. On the elevation, near the council 
house, was a tall tree, from which was often displayed the insignia of his rank and ])ower; the 
stump was, at a very recent date, still standing, and known as Big Foot's Flag-Staft'. No traces 
of the village remain. Rev. S. A. Dwinnell, an early pioneer and a chronicler of the earlier days 
gives the following entertaining sketch of the tribe as living in 183(3, just prior to leaving the 
country, and of their final departure, which took place in September, 1836. His account is as 
follows: 

" The Pottawatomies possessed much of the southern part of the Territory, as well as of 
Northern Illinois and lands further east. In the year 1832,* John Kinzie, of Chicago, as ao-ent 
of the United States, bought of them their title to all their lands west of Lake Michigan, aoi-ee- 
ing to make anmial payments, as was usual in such cases, in coin, guns, Wankets antl other arti- 
cles needed by them. The G-overument agreed also to protect them in the occupancv of the soil 
for four years more, or until lS3(i, then provide another possession for them, west of the Missis- 
sippi, and remove them to it. 

'"The lands which they sold wore )uuch better adapted to the wants of the red man, in his un- 
civilized state, than the vast prairie regions west of the Mississippi, although less so, by far, than 
the heavy timbered lands of Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana, with a mild climate and abundance of 
game of almost every variety. 

"Although our climate was rigorous, and, in consequence of abounding prairies and openino-s, 
and the absence of hills and mountains, was often swejjt in winter by cold northern blasts, they 

*.Mr. Dninnvll win in trror iis to tho treaty «h.»rcl.y tlie Pjtlawatomies rolinqinalieil their claims to the territory in question Kinzie's 
Irciily, if liny sucli Wiis rniide in l.s:ii, wm never riitiri.Ml, or ncknowledged as the basis of a Government treaty. As Las been previously shown 
Ilie land was ceded by the treaty of September 20, 183:!, made at Chicago. The error occurs from confoundinR the lireliminarv treaty of peace ' 
at the close of the Black Hawk war, in which Kinzie was a OoTernment agent, with the su'.sequent treaty wheri'by the lands were ceded bv 
(he Pottawatomies, wlio took no part in tlie war. 



Illsroin' OF \VAI-\V()1!TI1 corNTV. 313 

obtuiuod a eoml'ortablo Hviui,', for savaf^'cs, i'nmi tlio animalH of the forest, tlie lisli of the lakes 
and streams, wild honey from th(^ trees and sugar fi'om the rock inai)le. Their game was taken 
with guns, their tish with hooks and traps, and their honey Ly oliiuliing trees by means of nide 
hidders and cutting into them with thinr hatchets, taking out the comb, often obtaining fifty or 
sixty pounds in each tree. Their sugar was made by boiling down the sap in brass kettles. The 
sap w;is caught in trays made of white binrh bark. Most of the Indians also cultivated patches 
of («rn and beans, eating them not only in their green state, l)ut drying them f(jr winter use. 

"Their largest villages in the region where I settled, soon after the Indians l<<ft, were at 
Mukwanago, also at the li;iy of Big Foot Lake, and at the head (jf that lake. 

"At the last-named place lived Big Foot, a prominent chief of the tribe. His village was 
situated upon an elevated plateau, overlooking the upper portion of the lake. It had a council 
house made of posts set in the ground and covered with mats, near which was planted a signal 
))ole some twenty-five feet in height. Their permanent wigwams were usually about ten feet in 
diameter. Some of them were scjuare, made of ]5osts and poles, fastened together with bark, and 
covered with slabs made from hollow trees, both on the sides and the roof. Upon each side of 
the wigwam was a ])]atforni some four feet wide, elevated two feet fr(jm the level of the earth, 
which served for a bedstead, while the fronts were used in place of chair.s. Th(?y could, by this 
means, enjoy the warmth of the tire, which was made in the middle of the cabin, a hole being 
left in the center of the roof for the egress of the smoke. Other and more temporary wigwams 
were circular and oval, the fi-ame-work being made of saplings and covered witli mats woven 
from rushes and flags. 

" Wlien the time arrived, in 183<), for their removal, the ludian agent collected the various 
liands at Chicago, preparatory to their removal to their lands on the north banks of the Kansas 
Kiver, opposite to where thi> city of Lawrence has since been built. 

" Big Foot's band was all gathered into liis village at the head of the lake, so as to be taken 
to Chicago. This was in the month of September. James Van Slyke had removed to that ])oint 
a few weeks before, and his family were living in a partially finished log cabin, in full view of 
their encampment. Noticing one morning a great commotion in the Indian camji, and not know- 
ing the cause of it. he imagined that an outbreak upon the white settlers who had trespassed 
upon their lands was contemplated. For some reason not now known — whether from cowardice 
or not — he at once fled for his life, leaving his family in the cabin. Mrs. Van Slyke watched 
every movement of her savage neighbors through the iinchinked walls of her dwelling. After a 
time, slio was relieved of au.xiety by seeing them [)ack their movable property upon their ponies and 
s(|uaws, and, taking a trail toward the South, disappear one after another through a wooded ravine. 

'"After all were gone, as she supposed. Big Foot appeared, and, pi'oceeding to Ihe council 
house and placing one arm around the signal poU\ stood for some time in silence, thoughtfully 
viewing the scenes which had been familiar to him from chililhood. and which he was never to 
behold again. 

"He had refused to sign the treaty of |iS:5:2, but was overruled by a majority of the other 
chi(>fs, who, thi'ough some influence brought to bear upon them, either just or unjust, were in- 
duced tocede their lands. The time had now come for his ixnwilling removal. H(( was evidently 
sad. His soul was bunh'iied. He wished to \w alone with the Great S])irit and the graves of 
his fathers and kindred. A year or two previously, he had lost a youthfiU son, whose body he 
caused to be encased in a rude coffin and fastened to the limlis of an oak some forty feet from 
the ground and overlooking the lake. He gav(^ as a reason for tliis novel mode of sepulture that 
his son was unusually fond of lak(! scenery, and he wished him to enjoy a line view of it from 
that country to which he had gone. The usual mode of disposing of the d(^ad among the tribe 
was by a slight burial in the (>arth, protecting the graves from the inroads of wild beasts by a 
small covered pen made of small tre(!s. They usually deposited with tin* d((ad. food, tobacco. 
trinkets and other articles of which the dei^-ased was fond, or which they imagined they would 
use in the state to which he had gone. ***#«**»* 

"After this silent l(>ave-taking, the chief walked over to see Mrs. Van Slyla?. L(>aning his 
tall form against the doorless doorway of her cabin, he talked kindly to the woman who was ever 
a friend t<j his i-ace. and then. I)iddiiig her a tinal farewell. turn<'ii away to j;.in liis l)and and 
was seen no more. 



314 HISTORY OF WALWOliTH COUNTY. 

" The Pottiuvatomii's were not pleased with their location on the Kansas River, and many 
of them afterward returned to Wisconsin, and are found roving over the wild and jiartially settled 
portions of the State. In June, 1807, 1 met at Necedah, Juneau County, an Indian who was for- 
merly connected with Big Foot's band, and removed with them in 1880 to the West. He seemed 
to be intelligent. His answers to my inquiries as to the Indian names of several lakes and streams 
in Walworth County convinced me that he was truthful, as they corresponded precisely with those 
given by the Indians to the whites before they left. He told ma that Big Foot was alive when 
he left Kansas in ISOo, although a very old man, and that the reason of their olissatisfaction with 
their new home was a sickly climate and the scarcity of wild gami» in that locality. 

'• The United States, liy recent treaties or legislative enactments, have admitted to citizen- 
ship l.<>()4 of this tribe, and we have information, ottieial and semi-official, to the effect that a 
majority of them, after selling their lands in Kansas, which each family received when made 
citizens, have gone to the Indian Territory and associated themselves as a tribe." 

FIRST SETTLEMENT BY WHITE MEN. 

The foregoing sketch will have prepared the reader for the advent of the white race. The 
first steps toward the settlement of the county were made by the Government, in surveying the 
domain acquired from the Indians by the treaty of ISHH. John Brink and John Hodgson were 
the original surveyors, having taken the contract to run the town lines of what are now Rock 
and Walworth Counties. The two surveyors had each a separate corps, and took separate routes 
of sm'vey. Brink's party surveyed the southern range of towns. He had with him Reulieu T. 
O^trander, William Ostrander and Jesse Egglestou. Hodgson, with Henry jMullet and others, 
whose names have not l>eeu recorded, ran the lines of the towns north. Brink completed his sur- 
vey of towns numbered ] to the eastern boundaiy of Walworth County in October, 1835, ami he, 
with his party, first reached the foot of Geneva Lake early in that month. 

The jsarty, all practical surveyors and engineers, were not slow in discerning the splendid 
water-])owerat the outlet of the lake, and made the only claim convenient at that time by blazing 
trees to indicate the priority of their claim, and entering a description in their field notes. The 
land thus claimed bv Brink and the two Ostranders was upon Section 3(i, in the present town of 
Geneva, and covered a part of the present site of the village, including the outlet of the lake and 
the water-power. They at that time named the spot Geneva, and wtmt on with their survey, 
intending to return and improve their claim at some subsecpient time. This was the first claim 
made in the county after the Governminit survey was made. It diil not, as will ajipear, prove in 
all particulars valid, yet, as the A'r-'^', is worthy of record. The claim was made jointly, on Octo- 
ber 8, 1835, by John Brink, John Hodgson, Reuben T. Ostrander and William Ostrander. On 
the return of the party, later in the fall, claims were mad(^ by individuals of the party of land 
adjoining their first joint claim, which were not contested. Eighty acres lying west of the "vil- 
lage, claimed by Reuben T. Ostrander, was held by him for many years, and subsequently vyent 
liy purchase into the possession of H. B. Couant, and, later, of Shelton Sturges. This latter 
tract is probably the first of which a clear and undis]>uted title was obtained from the Govern- 
ment. The claim was made by Rtmlien T. Ostrander in October or November, b835, and the 
l>urchHse made in accordance therewith at the fii'st Government land sale, held in j\[ilwaukee in 
February, 18:'.il. 

The actual settlement of the county dates from 18;i(). Prior to that date, no claims were 
made on which the claimimts remained as settlers. The most interesting period in its history is 
embraced within the two years .succeeding Brink's attempted location at Geneva in the fall of 
1885. Early in \H?>i't, immigrants began to appear, and the settlement of the country was act- 
ually begun. The surveys had been completed, the Indian title to the land had been extin- 
guished, and the country lay in its native loveliness, waiting to welcome the sturdy pioneers, who, 
with th(ur df^scendants, have made it to " bud and blossom as the rose," and lieeo'me the home of 
as happy and content(Hl a civilized community as exists anywhere on ( iod's fair earth. So, start- 
ing at 18;3r), the i)roper history of Walworth County begins. 



HISTOKV or WALWORTtI COUNTY. 315 

FORMATION OF THE COUNTY. 

The liist.orv of Walvvovtli County bogau with the history of tlic, Territory of Wisconsin. One 
of the earliest iu'ts of the first Tei-ritoriul Legislature was to divide, geograjihieally, the domain 
into counties sulHciontly small to (uiahle the citizens of the new country to begin under the forms 
of law. At that time. Milwaukee and Brown Counties, under the ohl laws of Michigan Territory, 
omhraced all of what is now Wisconsin east of a meridian running north and south through the 
four lak(>s near the jiresent site of Madison. In the division of those two counties, the j)resent 
boundaries of Walworth Coimty were defined. It was one of the original counties of Wisconsin, 
and was named "Walworth" in honor of Chancellor Walworth, of New York, at the suggestion 
of C'ol. Samuel F. Phrenix, then a pioneer settler of Delavan, who attended the session as a lobby 
member. The county, by the organic act which detined its goograjjliical Vwundaries, had none 
of t.hi^ functions of self-government conferred upon it. It was attached to Racine County for 
judicial purposes, and. except in the election of Commissioners, who had the power to lay oiit 
roads and le^y school taxes, was essentially a part of that county till LSHS, at which time the first 
town organizations were made, and provisions made whereVty i*^^ to(jk U])on itself the functions of 
an independent government. During the time intervening between the erection of the county, 
in IS^C), and its organization, in 1S8S and 1N:{'.). the county was settled, and experienced all the 
throes incident to the birth and establishment of a new life in a new country. 

The country at that time was in a state of uatiu'e. There was not a house within its bor- 
ders, except the rude wigwams of the Indian, and its soil had never been touched by the plow or 
haiTow. Here and there a jiatch of corn showed that the Indian farmer sought to gain from 
Mother Eai-th sometliing to add to the fruits of the chase. A few Indian villages skirted the 
lower lakes, and beyond that no ti-aees of human occupancy were apiiarent. The roads were 
only the trails that stretched from one Indian village to another, and were, according to the ac- 
counts of early settlers, as follows: 

THE ROADS Of^ 188t). 

The only roads found by the tirst settlers were the Indian trails, many of them trodden for 
hundreds of "years. Unlike the raised turn[)ike of the whites, they were depressed, by constant 
travel, below the sm'face of the ground, and. but for the instinctive wit of the Indian, which 
unerringlv led him to the highest elevation, would have proved only drains and ditches for the 
floods of spring, and have been im})assable for foot travelers during a large part of the yeai-. 
They were, however, although trodden some six to ten inches below the sm-face, always passable, 
and are now the chosen grades for the railroads laid out by the engineers, who, with level and 
com;):i.ss, have only confirmed the traveling instincts of the al)origines. The trails were perhaps 
two feet wide, and looked more like ditches than roads. The beds were trodden almost to the 
solidity of a macadamized road, and are. after the lapse of forty years of disuse, quite plainly 
marked in some ])arts of the county. The ]irincipal trail led fi-om the head of Big Foot Lake 
((ieneva) in a northeasterly direction, through the towns of La Fayette and ]<last Troy to an In-, 
dian village in what is now the town of Mukwanago. This was known as the " army trail," it 
being the route taken by a regiment of Government soldiers on their march from Fort Deiu'born 
to Fort Howard in 1830. Another trail started from the foot of Geneva Lake, led through 
Spring Prairie, and thence easterly to Lake Michigan, with a diverging branch to the Mukwan- 
ago Village. Still another started' from the foot of Delavan Lake, passed thi-ough Elkhorn, La 
Fayette and Troy to Prairi(!ville, now Waukesha. There was also an old trail loading from Mil- 
waukee to the Rock River, near where Janesville now stands. It ]kiss(m1 t,hrough East Troy, 
Troy, Sugar Creek and Richmond. Thes(* were the only paths or roads in W'alworth County in 
]S3(), except a track made in the fall of that year, from S])ring Prairie to !)(>hivau Lake, wliich 
was 

THE EIHST ROAD MADE BY WIUTE MEN. 

The road was very ])rimitive in its construction, and was m:ide by dragging an oak tri^e fi'om 
the settlement in Si)ring Prairie to the present site of Delavan — a distance of twelve miles. The 
track thus marked out Ix^caun' the main traveled road between those two iilaces, and oik^ of the 
main thoroughfares of to-dav is essentiallv on the line then marked out. 



316 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

To the euvlv explorers, the country seemed a very paradise, waiting only for man to enter 
into possession. The southern and eastern part, generally first viewed by prospectors, was wa- 
tered by the most consideraljle lakes in the county. Geneva Lake, lying east and west, stretched 
for a distance of nine miles through a heavily wooded, rolling conutry, opening oat at its south- 
ern extremity on to the beautiful prairie of Big Foot. Across the country, some three miles 
northwest, another beautiful lake, then known as Swan Lake (now Delavan), lay in all its native 
loveliness, quite heavily wooded about its banks, but flanked fiu'ther north by open prairie and 
gi-oves, or openings, as they are termed, of oak. 5Iany smaller lakes dotting the counlry were 
inters]iersed with stretches of prairie, bordered with oak opening's, entirely free from undergrowth. 
In the soiithwestern part of the county, the country was more heavily wooded, with a more diver- 
sified hard-wood growth, consisting of birch, maple and other varieties not generally found bor- 
dering the prairie lands. 

In the northern part of the county, a cluster of small lakes lay stretching fi'om what is now 
East Troy, thi'ough Troy, La Grange and Richmond, in a continuous chain, there being sixteen 
in a distance of as many miles east and west, within a belt five miles wide. Small creeks and 
streams threaded the country. Those to the west of the highest land along the center of the 
county are tributary to Rock River. Those fiu'ther east mostly run into White River, which has 
its som'ce in Geneva Lake. 

Deer in large herds fed upon the ]irairies or browsed in the thick woods south of the lakes. 
Animals of prey were not plenty. Accounts of bear, and occasionally lynx, and of one catamount, 
are given by the early settlers, but they woi'o never numerous enough to occasion any inconven- 
ience to the settlers, and disappeared almost simultaneously with the settlement of the country. 
Wolves were for awhile a pest to such as kept sheep, and commanded a bounty till a quite recent 
date. Even now. a gi'ay wolf is sometimes seen, and are increasing. Fur-bearing animals were, 
except the muskrat and mink, not plenty. Otter were occasionally seen at an early day, and the 
dams of the beaver were to be seen in the vicinity of the Troy lakes. Fish were abundant in 
all the lakes, and, in the season, water-fowls covered the marshes in flocks innumerable. Prairie 
chickens and other fowl of the grouse species were plenty. A few flocks of wild turkeys were 
noted by the settlers who came in prior to 1838. The deer ceased to be co mm on after 1842, and 
by 1844, had virtually disappeared from the county. The lakes still abound in fish, but neither 
fowl nor animal are now sufficiently numerous to make it favorite ground for sportsmen. 

Before the disappearance of the deer, their abundance was such as to furnish an easy 
supply of food to the hunter. Rufus B. Clark, of Troy, shot ninety- eight during^ the winter of 
1838-39. '■ 

The principal prairies became known as soon as the early settlers came in by the following 
names, which they still retain: Meacham's Prairie, in Troy; Roimd and Heart Prairies, in La 
Grange; Elkliorn Prairie, in Elkhorn, Geneva and Delavan; Spring and Gardner's Prairies, in 
Spring Prairie; Turtle Prairie, in Sharon and Darien: Big Foot Prairie, in Walworth; and Su- 
gar Creek Prairie, in Sugar Creek. 

The oak openings had a peculiar fascination for the incoming explorers. Few of them had 
ever seen the like before. Emerging from the deep woods lying east and south, they came upon 
these natm-al parks, as clear of underlwush as an ordinary orchard, and skirting the j)rairies on 
(>very side. As an old pioneer expressed it, " They seemed like the old apple orchards of York 
State, only the fences ivere all (joiie, and they extended as far as the eye could penetrate the shade." 
Along the borders of these openings where they skirted the prairies, the first farmers' claims were 
made, generally embracing a strip of the timber and a strip of the adjoining prairie. 

THE FIRST WHITE SETTLERS. 

Prior to January. 183G. it is believed that no efforts had been made tosecm-e any permanent 
land title, except those of Hodg.son-Brinks party, which have already been noticed. Early in 
183(), the prospectors liegan to appear, and, by the opening of the winter of 183(3-37, considera- 
ble settlements had been mad(f at several jioints in the county, where the most important villages 
now are. 

The actual residents, who had erected cabins and determined to remain, numbered not far 
from two huncb'ed, including men, women and children. 



HISTORY OF WAl.WOKTII (OINTY. 317 

A peculiar iutwt'st attiichcs to tliesi" early settlers of 18:J(). They weri^ the Pilgrim Fathers 
of Walworth County. They comprised thirty-one families, and somi^ thirty men without fami 
lies. The names of such as iu-o known, with tu-st place of settlement, are given below: 

In East Troy were livG heads of families — Asa Blood, Austin McCrackeu, Daniel (iritWn, 
D(>lanson Griflin and Allen Harrington. 

In Troy, thn^e families had settled, viz.: Those of Jesse Meaoham, Adolphus Spoor ami 
Othni Beardsley. 

At Spring Prairie. Dr. A. A. Hcnuonway. David Pratt, Solomon llarvey, Isaac Chase, Rob- 
ert t!ampl)ell, Rufus Billings, Daniel Adams, Luke Taylor, Benjuiuin I'mx-e. R(mben Clark and 
Gilman Hoyt. 

In La Fayette, lying directly west of Spring Prairie, and at lirst emliraced within its bound- 
aries, Isaiah Hamblin, Sylvaniis Laugdon and Isaac Fuller had settled with their families. 

In Geneva, at the foot of the lake, where the beautiful village of that name now stands, 
C. Payne, Robt. W. Warren, G. S. Wai-ren and P. K. Vanvelzer had taken up family quarters. 

In Walworth, at the head of Geneva Lake, at the Indian village, lived James Van Slyke, 
with his wife and one or two ehikh-en. Mrs. Van Slyke was one of the first women (perhaps the 
first) U) permanently settle in Walworth County. She was brave to the (>xtent of heroism, as 
appears in fiu'ther accounts of her, elsewhere given. 

At Delavan. Allen Perkins and William Ph(*nix had settled with their families. 

At Linn. Israel Williams, Jr.. had erected his cabin and settled his family on Section (). 
Lucien Wright also had a cabin on Section 1. 

In addition, several men without families had taken up claims. Palmer Gardner, I. T. Himt, 
Horace Coleman, A. L. Merrick, Samuel Britton, David Patten, Perrin Smith, Joel Smith, Will- 
iam J. Bentley, Daniel Salisbury and Benjamin C. Perce were located in the vicinity of the Spring 
Prairie settlements: Alpheus Johnson, Henry Johnson and S. A. Dwinnoll were in La Fayette; 
John Davis was at Sugar Cnnsk: (Job Samuel F. Phcenis and several hired men were at Dela- 
van; and Charles A. Noyes, William Ostrander, Samuel Ross, Jonathan Ward, George W^. Trim- 
ble aud two or three others, whose names are not remembered, wintered at Geneva. 

There were also several men without families at the Troy settlements. At East Troy were 
Gorham Bunker and Elias Jennings, both married men, who made their claims, but did not bring- 
in their families till ]8;^7; also, Delanson and Reuben Griffin, and possibly Allen Harrington 
aud Gaylord Graves. In Troy were the three grown-up sons of Jesse Meacham, Edwin and Ed- 
gar, long since deceased, and Urban D., now a lawyer, living in Freeport, 111.; also, Sylvanus 
Spoor, a cousin to Adolphus; Alex Beardsley, a young man named Roberts, aud one or two other 
unmarried men. who came in from Indiana with Othni Beai'dsley and family. The Robinson 
brothers, John and Simeon, made claims and stayed during the smnmer, but did not winter there. 
A young man named Rtiggles also came in with Spoor. 

TlIK E.\RLY NEIGHBORHOODS. 

.•Vt this time, there were no town oi'ganizations. yet it will be seen that tiny settlers had located 
suffii'lently near to make defined ntiighborhoods. There were live in the county —Geneva, Spring- 
Prairie, Delavan, Troy and East Troy — not then known, however, by those names. Spring Prai- 
ri(> was by far the largest, comprising some twenty families and a dozen siugli> men — perhaps a 
hundred in all within a distance of five miles from Dr. Hemeuway's house. 

The next in importance was the settlement at the outlet of Genevji Lak(\ where the water- 
power had been already improved by the building of a dam and the erection of a saw-mill, not 
completed till spring of 18:57- the tirst erected inthecounty. There were six families at Geneva 
and ab(Mit the lake, and some six or eight single men — perhaps thirty in all 

Delavan was the only settlenieut in the western part of the county, and consisted of the 
families of Allen Perkins ami William Plwenix, Col. Samuel F. I'hojnix. one of the founders of 
the village, and two or throe liinvl men, engaged by him in fencing, plowing and getting out 
timber for a saw-mill, which h(> built the following spring. Two log houses constituted the only 
settlement there at that time, and the only settlement in the western jiart of the county. 

The Spring Prairie settlement became known at a (|uite early day as Franklin Post Office. 
The lu'stsi'ttler in the towmship was Palmer Gardner. He came in and took his claim on Section 



318 HISTORY OF W.VLWO.JTfl COLTNTY. 

25 or 2(1, ou the I'ltli day of April, 1886. He was at that time over thirty years of age, and un- 
married. His claim was made on a beautiful prairie, w'hieh still bears his name. It was heavily 
wooded along its western edge, and he built his cabin in the edge of the timber, ou the northeast 
quarter of Section 21). He is still living in Bnrlingtou, Raciue County. A more complete biog- 
ra])liy a])]iears elsewhere. 

Mr. Daniel Salisbury, now living at Eikhorn, gives the material for the following sketch of 
Spring Prairie settlers in lS;-36 and 1837, before there was any town organization: 

The settlors near Palmer Gardner, in the east part of the townshiia, were: Israel T. Hunt, 
who was from Ohio, and worked a year for Palmer Gardner. James Nelson, wife and two chil- 
dren, came in April 30, 183(), and lived in Gardner's house a month, and then moved into Racine 
County. Mrs. Nelson was the/first white woman who ever lived in Walworth County, but her 
residence was of too short duration to render her the tirst woman settler. Mrs. '\'an Slyke came 
in a few weeks later than Mrs. Nelson, but remained for years, and raised a family in the county. 

LiMuuel R. Smith came in from Racine County and made a claim on Section 25 May 20, 
1830. He jilowed the first week in July, and made sufficient improvements to establish his claim, 
but did not take up hisjiermanent residence in the county till 1841. He is not living. He was 
a Whig, afterward a Republican. His religioiis faith is not known. His son is still living in 
the town. 

The Spring Prairie settlement, which was known afterward as Franklin Post Office, was in 
the western part of the township, at the half-section corners of Sections 3(.) and 29, some three 
miles west of Palmer Gardner's cabin. 

The claims in this vicinity were made on Sections 28 and 29, by Isaac Chase, William Bent- 
ley and Joel Smith, who came from Western New York. Thi^ claims were made May 20, 1836. 
Mr. Chase was married, but his wife did not come till fall. Beutleyand Smith were single men. 
The next iu'rival was Daniel Salislnu'v, an unmarried man, \\ho came in live days later and made 
his claim on Section 29. 

David Pratt, wife and five children, and Solomon Harvey, wife and three children, came in 
June 1, 1836. The two families settled on Section 30. 

Dr. A. A. Hemenway, with his wife and one child, came June 6, 183(j. He setthsd on Sec- 
tion 30. He came fi'om Indiana, and, being naturally a man of afl'airs, started the village by 
opening his house as a tavern. He was a Free-Thinker and a Whig, as everybody discovered 
who stopjied at his house over night. A further sketch of him appears elsewhere. 

June 23. 1836, Col Perez Merrick arrived from Delaware County. N. Y., and took a claim 
on Section 28. His family, a wife and six children, joined him the following spring. He re- 
mained on his farm till 1853, when he sold and moved into Racine Coimty. Both he and his 
wife died several years ago. He was a Democrat and a Universalist. At the same date, Aiistin 
L. Merrick settled on Section 29. He sold out his first claim within a year, and bought on Sec- 
tion 21, where he still lives. He was married in 1839. The family by this marriage consisted 
of two sons and fom- daughters. His wife died May 5, 1855. He is now living with his second 
wife. He, like his brother, was a pronounced Democrat, and, in religious faith, a Universalist. 

Horace Coleman, then an immarried man, came in with the Merricks, and settled on Section 
3(1. He subsequently marrietl Miss Juliette Merrick He died some years since. He was a 
I'niversalist. 

Luke Taylor and wife moved in from Racine County some time in the summer of 1836, and 
settled on Section 25, near Palmer Gardner. He attempted to piit up the fu-st fi-ame house in 
the town, but was thwart(^d by ill luck. He erected a frame, and, to procure lumber to cover it 
and finish it inside went into the Racine woods and cut and drew logs to the mill, and had them 
sawed on shares. He drew his part home and packed them up in shajie to kiln-dry. In a day 
or two, the pile took ijro and was totally destroyed. He became discouraged, and moved to Del- 
avan the next s])ring. It is stated that he took the Allen Perkins ])laee. Allen came to Spring 
Pi-airie about the time that Luke left, Perhai)s they swajiped claims. Taylor fought throuo-h 
the rebellion, and is now an inmate of the Soldiers' Asylum at Milwaukee. ' He is a Methodist, 
a Repulilican, and a worthy veteran. 

Robert Campbell, long deceased, came from Pennsylvania in September. 1836, with his 
family— a wife and six children. He was a Baptist and a Whig. Daniel Camiibell, brother to 



IIISIOKV OF WALWORTH COINTY. -^1^ 

Uoliwt, cjiini' in at the suuu' tiuic with a wife and four (;liililron, and settled on Section "iS. where 
he lived three years. He died in Lyons some two years ago. He was a Methodist and a Whig. 

Kufus Billings came from Oneida Gouuty, N. Y., and settled on S(!Ption 2H in November. 
His family consisted of a wife and two boys — Rnfns M. and Levi. He lived there till ISCi'.t, 
when he sold out and reinovi>d to Burlington, Racine Co., wlun-e he still resides. He was for- 
merly a Whig. His religious aftiliations were with the Congregationali.sts. Daniel Adams and 
David Patten, also from Oneida ('ounty, came in at about the same time. Adams had a wife 
and one child, and wintered in the house of Palmer (iardner. He liv(Hl in the town some eight 
years. Patten took u]) a claim on Si>ction 21, and brought his wife and on(^ child the next spring. 
He sold out and moved away in bSOU. He was a Whig and a Congrogationalist. Benjamin O. 
Porce. a native of New York, came in from Racine County some time in the summer of 183G, 
and made a claim on Sei^tion 3<j, and built the first frame house in the county. He was unmar- 
ried, but the family, consisting of the father. Rev. Benjamin Perce, his mother and a sister, 
moi'ed into the new house in Decembei', 1836. The shingles and clajiboards were all hand- 
made, riven from oak logs and shaved with a commcm di-aw-shave. 

Samuel Daniels came from Indiana in the fall of 1M30. and remained through the winter 
with Dr. Hemenway. He located on Section 21, afterward married, and sold out and removed 
from the country in IS-ir). 

Capt. Charles Dyer, from Herkimtr County, N. Y., came in July. 1^30, and purchased his 
claim on Section 23. His family did not arrive till the following spring. His children were 
Norman. William, Arvilla, Mary and Hattie. Norman is still living in Illinois. William, a 
most e.xemplary young man, closely identified with the Baptist Church as Superintendent of the 
Sabbath school, and Chorist..-r, met a sudden and untimely death in the autumn of 1848, by fall- 
ing from a tree. Hattie (now Mr.s. Bunnell) is still living in La Fayette. Other children did 
not come with the family. Among them was Dr. E. (Jr. Dyer, of Burlington. Capt. Dyer was 
honored, before emigrating from New York, by being elected to the State Assembly. His son. 
Dr. E. G. Dyer, has had the same honor in Wisc(jnsin, as has had his grandson. Charles E. Dyei'. 
of Racine, now District Judge of the Ignited States Coiu't — one of the most ]iopular and learned 
jurists of the West. 

George Gillispie came in the fall of 1836, and settled on Section 15. He was married in 
l8r)l, and still lives on his claim. He is one of the oldest male settlers now living in the to\vn. 
He was formerly a stimcli Whig in politics, and an exemplary member of the Free- Will Baptist 
Church. 

The oldest settliM'still living in the town of Spring Prairie, wiio made up the colony of 1836, 
is Austin L Merrick. 

The above are believed to ccjmjirise all settlers of 1831) who caiu(^ into the towushi]) now 
known as Spring Prairi(>. There were several settlers in the La Fayette Townshiji on the west, 
and in the Troy Towushi ]»s north. Tlu^ accounts which can be gathered of them are fr<im v.'irious 
som-ces, believed to be reliable, though not complete. 

Jesse Meacham and Adolplms Spoor were the earliest prespc^ctors. They came into the 
coiinty in the fall of 183-"), from Lodi, Mich., and chose the spot they subseqni^ntly claimed for 
their homes, on Honey Creek, in Section 25. On the 28th of May, 1836, they retui-ned with their 
families, and there remained as long as they lived. IVL'. Meacham died about the year 187(1 A 
full biographical sketch of him a])pears elsewhere. 

Adolphus Spoor die.l in tlie fall of 18(')7. He was a good farmer anil generally liked by his 
neighbors. None of the family remain. One son, Henry, is in San Francisco, ('al.. doing a 
prosj)erous busine.ss. Another. Aai'on H.. resides in Milwaukee. \ daugiiter. Mrs. Bovee. is 
believed to bo living in Washington. D. C. 

Othni Beardsley was the first family man in the neighborhood. He arrivtnl a few days be- 
fore Meacham and Spoor, and had already plowed round his claims and otherwise marked them 
when they arrived. In the later years of his life, he was afflicted with a pulmonary disease, and. 
with the ho])e of regaining his health, spent some time in the South, and subsecpnmtly in Min- 
nesota, where he died. His widow and family retnrne.l East. He was a shrewd business man. 
a good, relial)l<' citizen, and represcMited his district one or more terms in the Territorial Ijcgis- 
lature. The present w'hereabouts of the suryiving members of his family are not known. 



320 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

Sylvamis Spoor was a cousiu of Adolphus. He was a native of Clareuce, Erie Co., N. Y., 
where he was horn December lU, 1796. He was bred a farmer, and on attaining to years of man- 
hood, kept a hotel in his native town till he was forty years old. In the spring of 1S;3<), he 
sold out and eame West, arriving in Troy June \C>, 1836. . He bought a claim of 157 acres on 
Section "24, where he built a house. There he lived till 1S78, at which time he sold out and 
moved to the village of East Troy, wh(»re he died Jiuie 12, 1879. at the advanced age of eighty- 
two years. 

He married Miss Caroline Goodrich, a sister of Mrs. Adolphus Spoor, who had come in with 
tiie family November 16, 1837. They had three children — a son, Austin, who died at the age of 
eighteen; and two daughters, still living— Maria, now Mrs. P. F. Adams; and Sophia, now Mrs. 
A. J. Hayes — both residents of Milwaukee. Mr. Spoor was strictly upright in all his dealings, 
a strong temperance man, and an exemplary member of the Congregational Chiu-ch for twenty- 
five years preceding his death. He left a reputation untarnislied, and a memory unblemished. 

The Robinson brothers returned in the spring of 1837 and held their claims made the jire- 
ceding year. Simeon died November 22, 1838. He was bm-ied on a hill a little west of East 
Troy Village. His was the second btu'ial in the town. John Robinson went to New Orleans and 
died there. 

Concerning the first settlers in the East Troy neighliorhoo<l, the following has been ascer- 
tained from those still living: 

Austin McCracken, who kept the first tavern- in East Troy, moved many years ago into Mar- 
quette County, where he repeated his experience of beginning a village, which was named 
Mackford, the tii'st syllable of the name being in honor of McCracken, familiarly known in that 
region as " Mack." He was a man of more than ordinary natural abilities, and, in addition to 
rmming his tavern, workecl at his trade — that of a cooper — and often aj.ipeared as an -advocate 
in the Justice courts, where, although he had never been admitted to the bar, and had only a 
smattering of the law, with his strong common sense he often proved no mean adversary for 
Lawj'er Babcock and other "regulars" of the legal profession. He was an inveterate checker- 
player, and no worldly misfortune threw hint into such litter despair as to be beaten at the game. 
He was a man of uj)right habits, and refused to sell his land to any |)arties who desired to sell 
strong drink on their premises. Mrs. McCracken was one of the most zealous adherents to the 
Methodist faith, and one of the earliest members, who organized the first Methodist Church in 
the town. 

Daniel Griflin was another Mi.'thodist, a very loud exhorter, and did much toward the estab- 
lishment of Methodism in the vicinity. He died iu East Troy nearly thirty years ago. Delau- 
son, his son, moved into some nortlu^'n county of this State many years since. Daniel, a younger 
son, is now living in Jericho, near Eagle. 

Allen Harrington remained on his farm but a few years. He sold out to Cyrus Cass and 
moved away. He married a daughter of Daniel Griffin. 

Goi-ham Bunker was a blacksmith — one of the first, if not the first, who moved into the 
county. He had a shop on his place, where he worked, in addition to carrying on his farm, 
which was near the old Jennings Mill. He died some time about \S~il or 1872. He was a sub- 
stantial citizen, a man of strict integrity, and a most determined Democrat. 

Elias Jennings was a worthy, industrious and valuable citizen. He built a grist-mill on 
his claim on Section 23, in the eastern |)art of the town. He died iu East Troy twenty-five years 
ago. 

Asa Blood came in from Indiana. He remained but a short time. He moved into the pres- 
ent town of Sugar Creek in 1837 and took up a claim adjoining that of John Davis, on Section 
14. He was very eccentric, and is well remembered by the old settler.?* He claimed to have 
gi-oat skill in the curative art, and, although lacking a diploma, was known as Dr. Blood. The 
children, a sou and two or three daughters, evinced great musical talent, and often furnished the 
music for the social gatherings of tliirty years ago. Some twenty years ago, he sold out and 
moved to Inde[)ondence, Iowa, where lie died not manv years since. 

John Davis, who built his cabin n<^ar Silv(>r Lake, in the present town of Sugar Creek, came 
from Indiana. He was unmarried, and remained but a few years. He sold his claim to John 
S. Boyd in 1.S88. It cannot b(> ascertained where he went, nor whether he is still livino-. 



IIISTOKV OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 321 

Such furtluT iiifoi-niatiou of tlicsi' rarly scttltTs as can he gatlicreilwill apix'ar iu the sketches 
cif tlie various towns where they ri'sided. 

WAK AT GENEVA. 

Tlie(f(>iievasetth'in(>iit commenced inauspiciously. It will be remembered that Brink, Hodg- 
son and Ostniudor had made claims at the foot of Geneva Lake, while* running the to\vn lines iu 
the fall of INH.J. ()strand(>r, on his return iu the spring of 18;i('), found no disputant to the 
claim he had ])ersonally mad(>, but Brink and Hodgson were less fortunate. During their ab- 
sence. Christopher l'a\ ne. an old frontiersman, then living at Scjuaw I'rairit*, on the Kishwau- 
kee, in Illinois, who had known of the place from the description of tra[>pers and ti'aders as early 
as 1832, and had already made one ineffectiral attempt to discover it, set out frtim his home a 
second time in seai'ch of it, early in February, 1836, accompanied by two companions, G. W. 
Trimble and Daniel Mosher. His second attempt was successful. On the evening of the second 
day, the party arrived at the foot of Geneva Lake. A thorough examination, as to the fall of 
water, the aniount flowing from the lake, and the heavy growth of timber skirting the shore, 
convinced Payne that the value of the site for a mill and a futm-e village had not been overstated, 
and. like Brinks" party, he determined to make claim to the valuable property. He found no 
shantv. brush-heaps, or other signs of previous occupation then common and familiar to the pio- 
neer land prospeetoi's — nothing to show that white men had been there before excejit the town 
line marks of the sm-veyors bptween Geneva and Linn. The party accordingly jiroceeded to oc- 
cupy and make claim in the usual way. They cut down trees, made the usual number of con- 
spicuous brush-heaps, and marked trees all along the boundaries of their claims, which embraced 
the quarter-section at the outlet of the lake. They remained tive days, and then, being short of 
provisions, retm-ned to Squaw Prairie. In March, Payne came the second time to his Geneva 
claim, accompanied by G. W. Trimble, Daniel Mosher, and his son, Uriah Payne, They briilt a 
log house. l()xlS feet iu size, on their claim, and returned again to Payne's home iu Illinois. 
Earlv in April, Pa_\-ne's party made their third visit to Geneva, moved into the house they had 
built, with the intention of remaining through the summer, and l)(*giuning improvements by 
building a dam and erecting a saw-mill. They discovered at this time indications that some one 
had visited the spot during their absence, aucl made fresh claim marks by blazing trees. These 
indications gave Payne no uneasiness, as he was a man of undaunted conrag(>, and felt able and 
willing to defend against all comers what he deemed his undoubted rights, now doubly estab- 
lished by actual occupation. The party at once set about building a dam. and hewing and fi-am- 
ing the oak timber for a sluice-way to the projected saw-mill. 

Things moved on quietly till near the end of April, when a i>arty appeared on the scene in 
the em])loy and interest of Brink and Hodgson, the surveyors before mentioned, who sujijiosed 
they had made a valid claim to the pro])(>rty jirior to Payne's first ai>pearanci\ There is no proof 
that, up to the ])eriod between Payne's second and third visits, either jtarty had any suspicion 
that the other had mad(> claim to th(> coveted property. 

They had, it is believed, been working at cross purpose.s, each ignorant of the otluu-'s designs. 
and with information as to the value of the claim, gathered from widely divei-se sources. Brink 
Hrst saw the land in th(! fall of 183"), and, as he supposed, made a valid claim, although the evi- 
dence that he marked his claim at that time is as obsciu'e as the marks he claimed to have j^ut 
upon the trees, but which Payne failed to discover on his first and second visits. It is quite 
probable that his field-book aad entries of th(> (daim on his note-book were tleemed by him sufli 
cient evidence of his claim, till he discovered, the following spring, that it had been occupied, 
and a house built upon it l)y other parties. Payne, from his first visit to the time of the appear- 
ance of the op[)Osing party, had no reason to Ixdieve that he was not the first liona iide claimant. 
He had known of it since 1832, and. u|) to his second and successful effort to r(>ach it, had l>ei'n 
infonned l)y hunters and trad<>rs that it still remained unoccupied. 

It is ai)|>aront that, on the amval of the Brink party, there was little chance for com])romis(> 
with so sturdy and determined an occui)ant as Payne. His substantial log house, his partly iin- 
ished dam and hewn timbers (all in spite of the blazed trees he had discovered on his last return) 
showed plaiidy that he had come to stay luiless he should be forcibly ejected. William Ostran- 
d'M-. one of the early claimants, headed the invading party. Tliey immediatoly att(>mi)ted to driv(> 



322 HISTORY or WALWORTH COUNTY. 

off Payne's iwrtv, but. in tlio tir.st contest, came off second best, and withdrew from the iield till 
re-enforcements sh'.iuld arrive from Milwaukee, to which place they had dispatched a messenger 
for aid on discovering the fiill vigor and corn-age of the enemy they had to encounter. In due 
time, more men arrived from Jlilwaukee, increasing the numerical strength to twelve men. The 
recruited army did not immediately commence active hostilities in the Held, but built a substan- 
tial log house on the east side of the outlet, a little northeast of the present seminary grounds, 
which was the headquarters and general living-})lace of the party. The claim of Payne, the 
northwest quarter of Section 36, extended but a short distance below the outlet of the lake, but 
controlled the flow. He was building his dam and mill at the immediate outlet within its bound- 
aries. The Brink claim took in the whole of Section 36. including Payne's. So long as they 
kept off his quarter, Payne raised no objections to the operations of the intruders, though he 
kei)t a sliai'p eye upon them, and worked or sat in the door of his tent, with his loaded rifle within 
easy reach. Having the fear of Payne before their eyes, the plan was adoiited to build a dam 
further down the stream, near where the grist-mill now stands, on laud northeast of his claim, 
and thereby, by back flowage, render his water privilege valueless. As they found it dangerous 
to drive him out, they resorted to strategy, and adopted the less coLU'ageous method of drowning 
him out. 

They made so)ne efforts and a slight beginning on the projjosed dam, but the formation of 
the ground rendered it an unfeasible undertaking, and, by the advice of Mr. Charles A. Noyes, 
who had purchased a quarter-interest in Brink & Hodgson's claim, and joined the force May 
21, 1836, the project was abandoned, and it was decided to build a race from the outlet to where 
they proposed to erect their mill. This could only be done by trespassing on Payne's rights, 
and the war clouds began to lower. They continued to get out timber ior their mill, but con- 
lined their warlike demonstrations to dire threats of vengeance on Payne whenever they might 
catch him alone without his gun. Payne, meanwhile, kept with his men siu-lily at work on his 
dam and sluice, in a constant state of armed neutrality. Some time in May, the Brink men 
built two more log houses, one near the eastern boundary line of Payne's claim, neai' where they 
proposed to open their sluice-way, and the other on the west side of the line, on his land. Payne 
made no move till the latter house was finished, but, on its completion, coolly jiroceeded to occupy 
it, by establishing in it, as his tenant, the family of -James Van Slyke. The occupancy was 
silently effected in the night, and, when the fact became known to the builders, their rage knew 
no bounds. It was not long before they got temporary satisfaction. They had set tire to and 
destroyed the frame-work of his bulk-head, and were watching every opjiortunity to get between 
him and his gun, tlu-eatening his life whenever they could get him in their power. One morn- 
ing, near the 1st of June, Payne, being alone, concluded to go over and visit the Van Slykes, in 
the cabin he had so unceremoniously taken from his enemies and api^rojariated to their use. 
Unfortunately, he forgot his gun. The Philistines were upon him before his visit was fairly 
begun, put him under guard, and, after a most determined resistance on the part of Payne's men, 
took the provisions out of his house and demolished it completely. The victory was complete, 
and Payne and his men, with bruised faces and black eyes, received in the fray, sullenly left the 
field and tm'ned their faces toward Squaw Prairie. On their way, on Big Foot Prairie, they met 
Robert W. Warren, a millwright, whom they had engaged, with an assistant, on their way to 
G-eneva to assist in building the mill. The pummeled faces and disheveled ai)pearauce of the 
returning party told them plainer than words that the times were not propitious for building a 
mill on Payne's claim, and they accordingly turned back with the retreating party. 

The history thus far has treated Christopher Payne as the sole proprietor of the Geneva 
claim, but he had made over a third interest to Daniel Mosher, one of his companions, on his tu-st 
visit to the place, and his faithful co-worker ever since; and one-third to his son, Uriah, reserv- 
ing one-third for himself. The disastrous end of their attempt to establish themselves completely 
disheartened the two partners. Mosher went to Chicago, and forthwith sold out his share in the 
vontm-e to Lewis B. Goodsell, then doing business as a merchant, in connection with George L. 
Cami)bell and Anth-ew Ferguson. The consideration is differently stated by different authori- 
ties. One statement is that Mosher received a coat and a pair of pants; another, that Van Slyke, 
an old Eastern friend and acquaintance of the members of the firm, sold the share to them for 
$30, which he received in pork and <.ither family stores. At any rate, the price paid was exceed- 



IIlSTOIiV OF WALWOHTH COIXTY. 32B 

iiif^ly small, and Moslicr's (it In by some inwius passiul int.) the haiuls of the lii'iii. and Im left the 
sceue of bis pioneer labors and disapjiointTiieiits never to return. 

Ui'iah oliered bis share to Uobei't W. \Vari-(>u, on condition tliat ho would assist his fathei- 
in reclaiming tbo property. Warren readily accepted the projiosition, to th(> great satisfaction 
of the old pioneer, who it'lt that he had now a partner of equal pluck with himself, and, greatly 
elated and inspired with fresh hope, be and Warren sot out for Chicago to lay the case before 
tbo tirm who held a joint interest with them in the conliseated proj)erty at Geneva. On consult- 
ing with the tirm, Mi', (ioodstdl was averse to any attempt to recover the jiroperty if it was to 
entail any further outlay, deeming the small amount already paid a sutticient investment in so 
uu[)romising a speculation. Mr. Ferguson, however, became sulHcicsntly interested to ])ro])Ose to 
join Payne and Warren in a reconnoiter Itefore giving an adverse decision. Accordingly, the 
three, accompanied by (t. S. Warren and IVIi'. Thi'all, set oi;t for Geneva. Having arrived on the 
southern shore of the lake, they spent a day in exploring the woods and in taking a general sur- 
vey of the country aroiuid the lake, taking care not to make their presence known to the occu- 
jiants of the claim. Mi'. Ferg-uson, being convinced that the claim was worth contending for. he, 
in company with R. W. Wairen, went over to have a parley with the enemy. They oifered 
various tenns of com]iromise, all of which were jieremptorily rejeetcnl. Finding friendly nego- 
tiation impossible, tbey retiu'ued to their companions for further consultation. They spent the 
night at a log house then standing on the Manning farm, anil at that time occupied by Lucien 
Wright. It was certain that the claim could not be recovered by peaceable means, and the party, 
if unanimously in favor of resorting to force — which was not the ease-— was not strong enough to 
cope with the Brink party, which outnumbered them three to one. They accordingly started 
on the trail for Chicago the following morning, discussing the situation as they went on their 
way. Warren and Payne were fully determined to repossess themselves of the claim, at all haz- 
ai'ds, and it was finally decided that Payne should go home and gather recruits in his neighbor- 
hood, while Warren went on to Chicago to raise a force there. This was on Saturday, and the 
two parties were to meet at a spring near the head of the lake on the following Tui'sday. At 
the appointed time, Warren apjieared at the jilace of rendezvous with Ijetween thirty and forty 
determined men, where he found Payne, with his force, just prejiaring diimer. Some of the men 
had brought their families and household goods along, loaded in wagons in true emigrant style. 
The men were well armed. After diimer. the tvain took up its Hue of march for Geneva, where 
it arrived in early evening, and camped near the present seminary grounds. The party, assured 
of their success if force should become necessary, again resorted to diplomacy, and invited their 
adversai'ies to come over and have a talk. As none of the proprietors were then on the ground, 
a truce was gi-anted, to enaljle them to send to Prairieville (now Waukesha) for John Hodgson, 
who promjitly answered the summons and jiut in an appearance. He saw the situation at a 
glance, and it took but little time for him and Warren to arrange terms of ca]ntulation and 
evacuation. The entire Brink & Hodgson claim, with improvements, was sold to Payne, Warren 
& Co., for the sum of -S'i.OOd, possession to be given on the full ])aynn'nt of that sum. A jiart 
|)ayment was made in teams and provisions on the spot. For the balance due on the pnirchase. 
R. W. Warren set out for Chicago on foot, traveling in a direct line, by the aid of his compass. 
He made the journey thither in two days, spent some days there in raising thi> money, and, at 
the end of nine days, retm'ned with the funds required, paid off Hodgson, who. in turn, paid oft" 
Ilia men. They immediately dispersed, and Payne, Wan-en and their followers took jieaceable 
|)ossession of the disjnited claim, as well as of the remaining land of Hodgson and Brink, to 
which they had never claimed title until it was established by the purchase above mentioned. 
Thus ended the first war in Walworth (jounty. Those of the Chicago and S(|uaw Prairie war- 
riors not inclined to peaceful and industrial avocations returned to their homes, and jjcace smiled 
on the Geneva neighboi'hood. Further sketches and notices of the early settlers of Geneva ap 
pear elsewhere in this volume. 

Tiie Delavan neighborhood was. during its first year, little more than the home of the Phfe- 
nixes and their hired men. Tlu>y were prepiU'ing for a " Tem])erance Colony," which was to be 
m.ide up from iimnigrants whom they expected to join them fi-om the vicinity of Peny, N. Y., 
their Eastern home, together with such others as might come in who were morally, religiously 
and tetotally disposed. Col. Samuel F. Phoenix, the leading spirit, was a man of remarkabh^ 



•324 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

energy and strong traits of character. His religious and moral convictions seemed to be the 
ruling forces of his life, and on the temj^erance question he took what, even in these latter days, 
would be cousidereil radical ground. He inserted in all deeds of conveyance made by him a 
proviso forbidding the sale or manufacture of spirituous liquors on pain of the reversion of the 
title to himself and his heirs. Whether or not the provision was valid in law, or whether it wfis 
ever tested in the courts, does not a])pear, but it is certain that this proviso, backed by the deter- 
mination of Col. Phieuis, kept the settlement virtually free from the evils arising from the liq- 
uor traffic till the time of his death. He died in the jirime of life> at the age of forty-two — 
Sej^tember 0, 1840. A more extended biographical sketch of this early pioneer apj)ears else- 
where. 

Of the settlers in Troy and East Troy, Asa Blood and Austin McCracken had located their 
cabins on the north bank of Honey Creek, where the " army trail " crosses it. it being on the site 
of the present village of East Troy. On the jirairie (afterward known as Meacham's Prairie), 
two miles west, had settled the families of Jesse Meacham, A. Spoor and Othni Beardsley. They 
were possessed of means, being 2)erhaps the wealthiest of all the comers of 1S3(). with the excep 
tion of Col. Phcenix, of Delavan. 

They built themselves veiy comfortable log houses, with board floors. The boards were 
sawed by hand, with whiji-saws. They were located on what is now the site of the village of 
Troy. 

Thus it appears that the commencement of five of the villages of the county was cotempor- 
aneous with the earliest settlements in 1836. These oldest villages are Geneva, Delavan, Sjjring 
Prairie, Troy and East Troy. 

In 1887, owing to the extremely severe and long winter, immigration did not set in till late 
in the spring. l)ut, when fairly commenced, was large, and constantly increased till fall. Durino- 
that yeai', settlements were made in every township, and the po])ulation was quadrupled. At the 
beginning of 1.S87, the population did not exceed 200. At the close, it was at least 800. It is 
impracticable to attempt to give the names of those who came in during the year. Such as ai'e 
known, with special mention, will be found in the various town histories. During this year-, 
settlements were made on the sites of the present villages of Elkhorn and Whitewater. The 
settlers at Elkhorn were Hollis Latham, Albert Ogden, Le Grand Rockwell and Milo Bradley. 
Those settling on or near the present site of the village of Whitewater, all being on Sections 5,6 
and 7, were Samuel Prince, the first settler in the town; Norman and Freeman L. Pratt, Will- 
iam and Leander Birge, Charles Hamilton. Dr. Edward Brewer. Rufus Clai-k and Dean Williams. 

FIRST TOWN ORG.\NIZATIONS. 

In 1838, January '2. the county was for the fii-st time, by act of the Ten-itorial Legislature, 
set off into towns. Their boundaries were defined as follows: 

Delavan embraced the fom- townships comprising the southwestern quarter of the county, 
being Towns 1 and 2, in Ranges 15 and 16 east — now Darien, Sharon, Walworth, Delavan — 
and the southwest section of the present village of Elkhorn. 

Elkhorn embraced the northwestern quarter of the county, being Towns 3 and 4, in Ranges 
15 and 16 east — now Richmond, Whitewater, La Grange, Sugar Creek — and the northwest sec- 
tion of the present village of Elkhorn. 

Geneva embraced the southeast quarter of the county, being Towns 1 and '2, in Ranges 17 
and 18 east — now Linn, Bloomfield, Lyons, Geneva — and the southeast section of the village of 
Elkhorn. 

Si)nng Prau-ie embraced two townships, described as Tovms 3, in Ranges 17 and 18 — now 

g Prairie, La Fayette — and the northeast section of the village of Elldiorn. 

Troy embraced the two adjoining townships in the noi'theastern corner of the county, de- 

d as Towns 4, in Ranges 17 and 18 — now Troy and East Troy. 

FURTHER SUBDIVISIONS. 

Further subdivisions were subsequently made, which, although chronologically are out of 
l)lace, are, for the convenience of the reader, given here, showing the various changes that have 
brought the several towns of the county to their present geographical limits. 




■■^■-■^■'i.m'y}tM-A-A^ 



(dec ETAS ED) 



iiisroHY ((F wAi.woRrii ( (nxrv. -327 

Tlic subdivisions of the original town of Di^lavaii liavo hci'ii as follows: Walworth, Towns 
1, Raniros JT) ami i() east, set off into a separate town in IS:{U. Sliaron, Town 1, Range 15 east, 
setoff from Walworth March ^1, KS4;i. Darien, Town 2, Kaug(> IT) oast, set off from Delavan 
January 6, 1S4(), leaving the limits of Delavan as th(!y now are, embracing Town 2, Range 16, 
less Section 1, which was set off to form a part of the present town of Elkhorn February 2, 1840. 

The subdivisions of the original town of Elkhorn have been as follows: Whitewater, Towns 
3 and 4, Range 15 oast, was set off into a town August 13, 1S4(). Richmond, Town 3, Range 15 
east, was set off from Whitewater January 12, 1841. La Grange, Town 4, Range Itj east, was 
detached from Elkhorn March 21, 1S43. Sugar Creek was incor])orated from what remained of 
the original town of Elkliorn February 2, bS4f:), being Town 3, Range 1(1 east, with the excep- 
tion of Section 3(5, which was reserved as a part of the present town of Elkhorn. which was 
formed at thedat(> last named. 

The subdivisions of the original town of Geneva have been as follows: Hudson (now 
Lyons), Town 2, Range 18 east; Bloomiield, Town 1, Range 18; and Linn, Town 1, Range 17, 
were all set off' by act of the Territorial Legislature January 23. 1844, with the exception of five 
acres, a part of the Geneva Village plat, which was reserved fronj the Hudson Towushij), and 
remained attached to Geneva. February 2, 1840, Section (.') was detached from Geneva, and be- 
came a part of Elkhorn. 

The original town of Spring Prairie' was divided March 21, 1S43, La Fiiyette, Town 3, 
Range 17 east, being at that date set oil' into a separate town. February 2, 1X40, Section 3] 
was detached frow La Fayette, and became a part of the present town of Elkhorn. 

The original town of Troy was divided April 10, 1843, at which date the town of Meacham 
(now Troy), Town 4, Range 17 east, was set off". Subsequently, the name of Meacham was 
changed to Troy, and Town 4, Range 18, took the name of East Troy. 

The town and village of Elkhorn was incorporated, and its present limits defined, by act of 
the Legislatiu-e, February 2, 1840. It consists of four sections, cornering at the geogi'aphical 
center of the county, detached from the adjoining towns as foll(_)\vs: Section 30, from SugiU' 
Greek; Section 31, from La Fayette; Section 0, from Geneva; Section 1, from Delavan. It con- 
tains an area of foiu' square miles, and is the seat of justice of the coimty. 

From 1838, when the original towns were incorporated, up to the time that they had been 
generally subdivided — say 1842 or 1843 —they were little more than election precincts. No rec- 
ords of town meetings for the election of town officers are found of any of the original towns ear- 
lier than 1842. The voting-places, designated in the incorporating act of 1838, were as follows: 
Troy, at the house of Othni Beardsley; S])ring Prairie, at the house of Dr. Hemenway; Elkhorn. 
at the house of Asa Blood; Delavan, at the house of Col. Samuel F. Phcenix; Geneva, at th(! 
house of Andi'ew Ferguson. 

EARLY SURVEYS. 

The? Goverament surveys began in 1835. At that time, the range and town lines were run. 
The sm-vey was completed in 1830 and 1837. and township limits and section lines run as apjtears 
below : 

Sharon. — Contract made January 7, 183(); completed July 13, ]83(). Orson Lyon, Dc^pnty 
Surveyor; John H. Diamond and Oliver Ragiot, Chainmen; John Guest. Miu-ker. 

Dariav, Ri<-li)ii<nid and Siajnr Creek. — Completed July 13, 1S30, by the same party as 
Sharon. 

Whitevater. — Contract dated Deceuil)er 20, 1835; completed June 15, 1N30. H. Burnham. 
Deputy Surveyor; Jonathan Hicks and A. Stout, Chainmen. 

Wuhrorth, Delarnii, Linn ami (lencni. — Contract datiid January 20. I.S3(); com]Jot(Hl July 
20. 1830. Sylvester Sybloy. Deputy Surveyor; .lohn Newman and Samuel Hubble. Chainmen; 
Christoi)her Bate, Marker. 

Im Uru)i(ie. — No date of contract; doni; in summer of 1830. Noah Brooklield and Rt)bert 
Clark, Jr., Deputy Surveyors; Franklin Emerson, Thomas Barker, E. Stewart, S. Holmes, John 
S. Gallup and William R. Thompson, Chainmen and Markers. 

La Fai/efte.— 'Dvite oi contract, January 19, 1830; begim survey April 7, 1830; finish(H3 
April 14, 1830. Robert Clark, Jr., Dei)uty Surveyor; Franklin Emerson and Ephraim Stewart, 
Chainmen; Thomas Barker, Marker. 

B 



328 



HISTOEY OF WALWORTH COIINTY. 



Troy. — No date of contract. Robert Clark, Jr., Deputy Surveyor: Noah Brookfield, S. 
Holmes, J. S. Gallup aud William R. Thompson, Chainmen; Thomas Barker, Axman. 

Bloomfield. — Contract, January 26, 1836; work bejrun April 25; finished May 4. Sylvester 
Sybley, Deputy Sui-veyor; Samuel Hubble and John Newman, Chainmen: Chris Babe, Marker. 

Lyons and Spring Prairie. — By same corps, in month of May, 1836. 

East Troy. — In spring of 1836. Names of surveyors not recorded. 

Of the settlers of 1836, except the children, of whom there are many still living, the fol- 
lowing are still alive: Daniel Salisbury, living at Elkhorn; Liike Taylor, Milwaukee Soldiers' 
Home: Palmer Gardner, Biu'lington, Wis.; Rufus Billings and wife, Burlington, Wis.; William 
J. Bentley, Iowa; Mrs. David Pratt, Minnesota: Mr. and ]\Irs. Solomon Harvey, Iowa; Mr. Aus- 
tin L. Merrick, Spring Prairie; Mr. Samuel Britton, Spring Prairie; Mr. Gilman Hoyt, in the 
northern part of Wisconsin; Mrs. Sylvanus Spoor, in East Troy; Urban D. Meacham, Freeport, 
III; Dr. A. A. Hemenway, Oregon; Mi-s. Daniel Adams, California; Samuel Britton, Spring 
Prairie; George Gillispie, Spring Prairie; Mrs. Susan Phcenix, wife of William Phcenix, titter's 
Corners, Richmond, Wis.; Aiidrew Fergiison, Geneva; Gaylord Graves, Iowa. 

Perhaps others, but the above are all the adults of 1836 known to be still alive. 











Incidents and Reminiscences, 188fi to 1842 — First Thohoughfares First Voyagers — Early 
Mail Facilities — Their Houses — Annoyances- Hardships— First Conflagration— Claim 
Associations — Legal Lore — The First Judge — The First Influx of Swine — Recreation 
— The Pie Story (First Version in Print.) — The Pie Story (Manuscript Version.) 
— Moral and Religious Germs— Moral Agitation — Walworth County Branch Underground 
Railroad— The Beginning of Husbandry. 

incidents .\nd reminiscences, 18o() to 184'J. 

IT will not be .ittempted to give a connected or chi'oaological account of events tran8[)iring 
dm-ing the six years succeeding the first settlement, so much as to ])r('sent to the reader a 
varied pictiu'e of the experiences, trials and pleasm'es of jiioueer life in AValworth County forty 
years ago. From it each reader may gain information as to the ethical development of refined 
society from these crude elements; or he may, it is hoped, derive the more wholesome and 
natm-al jtleasure of reading the traditionary tales of his fathers, unsickened l)y the pale cast of 
philosophic thought. 

It will be seen that as early as \HH1, there were at least seven well-defined centers of po})n 
lation or neighborhoods within the limits of the county, at each of which was a tavern, or, at 
least, a place of entertainment for all who might come. Spring Prairie was often known as 
Franklin, a name given the post office at the four corners where Dr. Hemenway lived. The doc- 
tor utilized his house to its fullest possibilities. It was his home, office, store, a boarding-house 
and a tavern, and. among the early .settlers. " Hemeuway's " meant Spring Prairie, as that was 
where thoy could get lodged and fed. 

Maj. Meacham kept the tavern at what is now Troy, so that " Meacham's " meant Troy. He 
was not only the first tavern-keeper, but the Postmaster in that town, being appointed some time 
in 1838. The neighborhood two and one-half miles east of Meacham's, now the village of East 
Troy, was kno^vn as " McCracken's," while the whole Troy region when the tii'st settlements 
were made, was known as Honey Creek. '• Bradley's " tavern at Elkhorn designated that lo- 
cality, while "Phcenix's" and " Tiu'tle Creek" designated Delavan, at the foot of Swan Lake, 
where Col. Phcenix first designed to have his village; and the present site of the village, where 
Allen Perkins, in 1880, and William Phcenix, a cousin of the Colonel, subsecjiiently ki>]it tavern. 
Whitewater was somewhat " ofi' the trails," and seemed, from its geogi'a])hic;il position, to he for 
som(! years l)ut a distant, relative of the Walworth County family, though she always (u)mforted 
herself with cordiality, and was held in warm regard by the other neighborhoods. 

At Geneva, the Widow Wan-en and hei- two sons, kept open house from their arrival in the 
summor of 1886. In 1837, R. W. Wan-en built a log-house near the ])resent site of the St. 
Dennis Hotel in that village, and opened a regular tavern. 

Outside localities were knowTi by namt's still familiar to old settlers, liut conveying no very 
definite id(!a of locality to modern visitors or strangers. Big Foot Prairie design;it(>d the present 
town of Walworth, called " Big Foot" for short. East Delavan w.is for ;i long time called Shat- 
takee. 

the first thoroughfares. 

The first stage rout(t was estalilished through the county in 1830 or 1837 by John Inman and 
his iissociates, who had made a settlement on Rock River, at what h<> t("rmed the "head of navi- 
gation," near the present city of Janesvilh\ There they had laid out a city on ]ia])ei-, and 
named it Wisconsin City. The city went out of sight in the financial crash of 1837, which 
ruined the 1i()]k's of thousands who had become infected with the speculative mania that raged 
for the two preceding year.s. It never exi.sted except in name and in the visionary brain of its 



330 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

■ santruine founder. Its name and mytliical existence, however, resulted in benefit to the settlers 
of Walworth County, as luman's staj^e route from Racine to Wisconsin City passed through the 
county from east to west, by way of Hi^menway's and Turtle Creek. The stage made but a few 
trips before the {)roject was abandoned, but the road. I'nugh as it was, remained as a passable 
thoroughfare for the inhabitants. 

In IS-iS, through the efforts of Jesse Meacham and other settlers in the northern range of 
towns, a mail route was established from Milwaukee to Janesville, and a Grovernment road laid 
out. It was ou the direct route from Milwaukee to Madison, and, for mauj' years, was a much 
traveled thoroughfare. It is notable that, after the lapse of forty-four years, stages are still 
running essentially over the same route, carrying the mail to East Troy, Mayhew (in Troy), 
Millard (inSu^ar Creek) and Richmond. Two railroads now run on either side the entire 
length of the route, and the whistle of the locomotives, that long ago superseded the stages on 
the other old r,)ads, can be heard ou one hand or the other the whole way. It is a remarkable 
instance of the survival of a time-houored institution against the pressure of modern improve- 
ment. It is now the oldest stage line in the State, if not in the Northwest. The mail was at 
first carried once a week, on horseback. It is now carried tri-weekly west from East Troy, and 
daily by two routes from Milwaukee, ou alternate days to that point. 

Another quite important road was laid out early from Southport (now Kenosha) to Beloit 
It was an important thoroughfare. It extended tlirough the southern tier of towns, passing 
through the (ieneva settlement. Much of the grain and produce from Southern Wisconsin and 
Northern Illinois, as far west as Rock River, found its way to market by teams over this road, 
and Greneva ):)ecame the favorite half-way stopping-] ilace for the teamsters. It was also the out- 
let to the civilized world for the earlier settlers of Sharon and Walworth. 

The present means of railway t)'ansp)rtation which are now accessible to nearly every town- 
ship in the county, did not enter into the i<rophetic dreams of the most far-seeing. Those who 
saw clearly that the laud was destined to teem with an industrious and productive joopulation, 
looked, not to the railroads, but to water navigation as the fntui'e means of transportation. In- 
crease A. Lapham, then a young sm-veyor, who had come out in the employ of Byron Kilborn, 
the projector of the Rock Rivt^r Canal, in 1842, spoke of the advantages of the locality. He 
said: '■ The position of AValworth County, midway between Lake Michigan and Rock River 
(which will ultimately be made navigable) must render it important, by having a chance for two 
msu-kets for the surplus products." The Rock River was never made navigable sufficiently to 
Ijeoome an important factor in the development of the interior counties. The only water navi- 
gation of which any mention is made in the history of Walworth County, has been confined to 
the ])leasin-e craft on her lakes and two commercial voyages, made at an early day, of which the 
following accounts have been ])reserved. 

FIRST VOYAGEHS. 

Enrly chroniclers state that Christopher Payne made the fii'st voyage, on his return from his 
first visit to Geneva. One account states that, "having cut down trees, made piles of brush and 
marked the trees ou the border of the lake as evidence of his claim and of its extent, he made 
himself a log canoe out of a black walnut tree, and in it floated down the outlet to Fox River, 
and down that stream to the big woods in Illinois, and then went home." Other accounts of 
Payne's return are silent as to the voyage down White River, f)ut it is certain, if he floated 
down, he did not retmm by the same route. 

A more .successful voyage was m^ide from Spi-ing Prairie, of which the following accoimt is 
furnished l)y Daniel Salisbmy, then living at that place: 

"If Geneva claims to be the head-waters of navigation in Walworth County, because of 
flavin ^' shipii(>d the first boat-load, in 1S30. l>er claim should be closely contested, as Spring 
Prairie shi|ip(Hl three loads to her one in \S'^1, the boats arriving well loaded on their retium 
voyage, and we have never heard of the return of the boat which sailed from Geneva — only 
the living freight." 

The energetic men of Spring Prairie, in the spring of 1837, wishing to sow and plant all 
the grain possible, and being short of seed, and finding it impossible to drive a wagon, owing 
the wet and soft condition of the soil, after due deliberation, agreed that the only way to pro- 
cure it was by means of water navigation to some point in Illinois accessible by way of Fox 



HISTORY OF WALWORIII CorXTV. 331 

liivf'i'. Accor(liiii;l_v, tliri'f conipanit's wi^nt into the woods, near Sujiar ('reek, cut three of the 
largest trees tliey could find suited to the purpose, aud from them made three canoes. They 
launched them in Suijar CJrook, and started ou their voyai^e down Honey Greek into White 
Kiver, thence into Fox Itiver to the ''big woods'' in Illinois. There they ])urchased grain and 
potatoes sufficient to load their boats to within three inches of the water's edge, and started on 
the return voyage, which was, as nitiy be easily discerned, not an (*asy one to make against the 
curreut, with no " prosperous gales,"' but only the propelling power of muscle exerted with the 
paddle and setting-pt)l(>. The lioats did not return in com])any, Init were several days' voyage 
apart. No misfortune occun-ed on the return voyage till one of t\w boats entennl a lake where, 
the water being high, the navigators could not keep in the cuirent, and the l)oat foundered. 
The unfortunate craft was in the (command of Daniel Campbell, assisted liy David Patten. In 
attempting to exti'icate their boat fi'om its perilous position, they broke one of their setting. 
poles, and, for some time, absolute shipwreck stared them in the face. By dint of much hai-d 
labor, and with the exercise of cool judgment, they were at last relieved of their difficulty, with 
oidy a little gi'ain wet, Mr. Patten's coat well soaked from having fallen into- the river, together 
with some books which he had borrowed to read, to while away the passing hours as they floated 
<li)wn the sti'eam. One of thf books is kept in remembrance by the wi'iter, aiid shows the stains 
from the soaking it received during that memorable voyage of forty-four years ago. This tleet. 
with its return cargo, arrived in Spring Prairie in the latter part of May, 1S;^7.'" The only 
names of these old Walworth navigators that are remembered are Campbell and Patten before 
mentioned, and Sylvanus Laugdon and Solomon Harvey, who were in another boat. The 
crew of the third boat has faded from the remembrance of the f(^w surviv(^rs of that time. 

E.VKLY M.\IL FACILITIES. 

The mail facilities were somewhat restricted. In lS;^r), when the first settlers came in. 
there was no post office nearer than Racine, where all letters were sent for residents of the 
county, and all letters mailed, written by them. The difficulties and delays attending the re- 
ceiving and transmission oi intelligence to and from the outer world, was one of the annoyances 
if not hardships, of pioneer life. Some time in ISliT. a ])ost office was established at Burlingion. 
and the mail matter for Walworth County distriljuted from that place. In IS^iS, several post 
offices were established in the county. Among the first was that at Spring Prairie, named Frank- 
lin Post Office: Dr. Hemeuway was appointed Postmaster. The Oeneva Post Office was estal)- 
lished soon after and Andi-ew Ferguson a])poiuted Postmaster. For two years after its establish- 
ment the mail was carried to and from Spring Prairie weekly, in the ]iockets and hat of a man 
named Harvey, who made his trips ou horsel>ack or on foot,. Another was (>stal)lished at Troy, 
Maj. ffesse ^Meacham being ajjpointtxl the first Ptjstmaster. The exact date of his commission 
is not known. Mr. Dwinnell, in a biographical sketch, says; "I'pon the (wtablishment of a 
mail route from Milwaukee to Janesville and the Mississippi River, in ISHS. i\raj. AFeacham was 
appointed Postmaster at Troy, which office he held many years.'" Mr. Sol<len Powers, still living 
in Troy, came in May, 1S37, from Milwaukee. He states that on his way he met Maj. Meach- 
am on horseback, who. having been appointed Postmaster, was going to Milwaukee afti>r his 
mail. The statement of Mr, Powers leads to the belief that Mr. Meac^ham was the first Post- 
master appointed in the county, and that he brought in his own mail from ^lilwankee, before 
the mail route was established. The same year, a f)ost office was estalilished at Delavau. and 
William Phcenix appoint(Hl Postmaster. The first mails wore carried ovt^i' this route by a man 
named L>ouns, on horsc^back. He sowed white clover all along the trail which grcnv luxuriantly. 
This was the first white clover-seed sown in the county. During the succ(>ediiig two years, |iost 
offices were established at or ni^ar (wery considerable settlement in the ccjuniy. but the [)(>riods 
of arrival were not offconer than once a week. an<l the mail service so imperfect that the miscar 
riage or losing of letters was as nearly tint rule as the exception. Tli(>se aniio\'ances did not 
cejise for many years, and did not entirely disappear till good roads and well appointed stag(5 
and mail lines threaded the entire county. Mr. S. A. Dwinnell. in one of the historical sketch 
OS, portrays his trials, which were commim to all the early s(>ttl(n-s, as follows: 

"During my tir.st six months ia Wisconsin. T was almost entirely shutout from the civilized 
world. I knew but litth* of what was going ou outside the range of my own vision. During 



382 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COrNTY. 

that wiiitei- there was uo emigration or travel. The spring of 1837 was very late, and emigra- 
tion did not I'eacb us until some of the last days of May. 

"For this entire [leriod I think I saw uo news})apor, except two or three numbers of the 
Milwaukee A<lr(;rfi.<ier, then recently estal.)lished and containing bnt little news. It was the only 
paper pulilishod north of Chicago and south of Green Bay. 

■•After this long seclusion, word was sent me that the \Vorcester Spi/. from my native State, 
had been i-egiilarly forwarded to my address from my paternal home, to Racine, the nearest jjost 
office, thirty-tive miles distant. I had several times sent for my mail and received letters only. 
U]ion going to the post office myself, about the middle of June, I found all my papers. They 
had been kept in a se])arate place from letters and had been overlooked when my mail was called 
for. During most of those lonely months my reading had. from nece.ssity, been limited to Good 
rich's history of the United States and the Bible. Could I have received the Spi/ and have thus 
obtained a glim[)se of the outside world occasionally, it would have Ijeeu a source of pleasiu-e 
and instruction which none can fully appreciate but those who have been similarly situated. 

■'A few years subsequent to the esttiblishment of a ])Ost office at S[)ring Prairie, and diu-ing 
the period when we received only a weekly horseback mail from the East, we were informed that 
a letter had come to the office for us. Letters from Eastern relatives were then esteemed of 
great value and were filled, usually, with information eigerly sought for. As postage was then 
charged by the piece and not by weight, as at present, large sheets of paper were iised, and often 
those of mammoth size. After the paper was once written over, it was generally written cross- 
wise, with red ink; so that each letter contained a large fund of information and was regarded 
as no small treasure. At that time postage was '25 cents on all letters carried over 300 miles. 
Cash was not plenty and letters of not every day occurrence. 

"As we had been looking for one for some tim:>, I hastened to the office, on foot, four miles 
away, eager to obtain it. You can judge of ray disappointment when no letter could be found 
for U.S. The Postmaster said that the mail brought one, but he conld give no further account of 
it. It seems that he carelessly put it into the mail-bug again and it was carried west. It re- 
turned about a year afterwai-d. How far it had traveled we never knew; but as Wisconsin Ter- 
ritory embraced what is now Iowa and Minnesota, it had a chance for an extended circuit, which 
it probably made. 

"In the year 1844, a letter was forwarded to us, from New Hampshire, containing the news 
of the sudden death, with all particulars of the funeral, of a very dear relative, which did 
not reach us. Other letters came, containing allusions to the sad bereavement. We waited in 
suspense for the facts, some three months, when the letter was forwarded to us from an office ten 
miles away, from which we never received our mail. It had been illegally detained. These are 
specimens of the trials and annoyances experienced by the pioneers, from incompetent men in 
public po.sitions.'' The i>ost offices in the county in 1.840 are given in the United States census 
report of that year as follows: Big Foot, Darien, Delavan. Elkhorn, Fairfield, Franklin, Heart 
Prairie. Lyonsdale. Round Prairie, Sugar Creek, Troy, Whitewater — twelve in all. 

THEIR HOU.SES. 

A few of the jiioneers wlui came in with abundant means erected houses having all the re- 
<iuirements for comfort and convenienci^ that could be brought or supplied in a new and un- 
settled country. But, at the best, these dwellings lacked most of the modern conveniences. With 
no stores within fifty miles, and no roads over the intervening distance, no Imnber except 
as it stood in the trees, no saw-mills, no tools, exeei)t what they lirought. no brick, no lime, till 
it was (piai-ried and burned, and uo carpenters, liuilders or laborers except themselves, the cir- 
cumstances were not favorable for architectural display. 

Most of the houses were of rude construction, made to keep out the cold and wet, and to 
fm-nish a i)lace to live. l\Iauy of them were made without the use of any tools save an ax 
and a hammer. Four tools were considered a full "kit" with which to build a comfortable 
house- ^ an ax, a saw, a hammer and an auger: hapjiy he who came thus well equijiped. Rev. S. 
A. Dwinnell, who came in 1836. descril)es the dwellings of the inhaliitauts at that time: 

"In I83(), there were two frame houses, one of Benjamin C. Pearce. covered with sidino' 
rived from the trees standing on the banks of the Whit? River, on the e;isteru line of the county^ 



HLSTOltV OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 333 

near Bm-lingtou, thi' otluT bciu^' Imilt. by Lnko Taylor a little west of it; neither of them were 
tinislied and wore morc^ uncomfortable than the rudest log caVnns. There were thirty-live dwell- 
ings constructed of logs — generally of one story, covered with clapboards rived fi-om the oaks 
called shakes, fastened to their jilace with small logs laid upon th(>ni: the doors of the same ma- 
terial were pinned to upright j)osts at tht; sides, hung upon wooden hinges and fastened with a 
wooden latch the string of which always " hung out." Some of these cabins had the natm-al earth 
for a floor: others had floors made of puncheons, or planks, hewed from th(! trees, and laid upon 
sleepers and kept in their places by their own weight: a few had board floors. Meacham and 
Spoor sawed theirs by hand with a whipsaw. Some were without chimneys, as were those at 
Geneva, the smoke and sparks making their way through an o])euing left in the roof for that 
purpose; others had chimneys made of sticks covered with mud mingled with grass. The chim- 
neys were usually large and were often the best and sometimes the only window to light the 
apartment. Very few of these cabins had more than six panes of 8x10 glass, to let the sunlight 
in upon their inmates. Many of them were made without a nail in any part, not even in the 
door. Some of them were furnished with two or thi-ee old kitchen chairs; others had only three- 
legged stools to sit upon. The tables were usually made from the trees, the top fastened upon 
foiu- legs which crossed each other in the manner of those of a cot bed. The bedsteads were 
made in the same rude manner as the other furniture, illustrating the truth of the old adage 
that "necessity is the mother of invention." Each bedstead was made to stand upon one leg — 
the other ends of the rails being inserted in the logs which composed the walls of the building. 
The bed, which was made of dried grass called " prairie feathc»rs," was laid ujion shakes in the 
place of .cords. The bedstead thus constructed was called by the strange and unaccoimtable 
name of "catamount." The covering tt) the bed was generally so light as to require the clothing 
of the sleepers to be added to it to make them comfortable. 

ANNOYANCES. 

Tools were few and a general co-operative system of borrowing and lending was in vogue 
till the first scarcity was over; till then individual rights in personal property seldom asserted 
themselves against the mt)re communistic and human rights of a needy neighlsor. If a tool was 
not in use. it was ch(>erfully passed into the temporary possession of him who had need of it. 
BoiTowing and lending and " changing works " made a oommimity of interest not now knowTi, 
and cemented friendships only to be lii-oken by death. One man hewed timber for his neighbor 
and helped him build his cabin: he r<>paid him iu ]ilowing, lending him his oxen or ])low. or 
oth(!rwise reciprocating. 

The long distances traveled to obtain conveniences now in every house or easily accessible, 
was no small hardshiji and illustrates the great value of insignificant things l)rought out by 
being deprived of them. The veiy earliest settlers carried their grist from ten to forty miles to 
mill, or resorted to the UKjre pi'imitive mode of grinding them with a round stone on the top of 
an oak stump hollowed out for that pur])iise. For several years there was Init one fanning-mill 
on Spring Prairie, which was borrow<'d indiscriminately by all living within five miles of 
its owner. The miles that were traveled in search of it and in returning it are incomjiutable. 
S. A. Dwinnell states that before commencing work on his claim, he was obliged to send to 
Chicago, eighty miles, to ])urchase an ax, as the one he had in his trunk wlnni he started from 
Indiana, was accidentally left at South Bend. An ax was one of the few things hard to borrow, 
as it was the one indis]iei)sable article that could not be spared even for a day. Palmer Gard- 
ner, of Spring Prairie, had the Ih-st grind stone in the county. It was too heavy to borrow, and 
peojile came long distances to use it, always in couy)les, as it took an extra man to turn. It was 
thus sometimes a good day's work for a man to get his ax or scythe ground. First, some niil(>s 
journey to get the man or boy to turn, and then some miles further to g(!t to tlu" stone. It is 
rolato<l that, July IS, lS;i(), Dr. Hemenway persuaded the wealthy ])ros[)ector. Col. Phienix, then 
bis guest, to go ovei- to (iardnor's with him, three miles, to lusl]) him grind his scythe. Even 
after some blacksmiths had come into (ieneva. Spring Prairie, Troy and Delavan, the majority 
of the settlers had to go many miles, at a very slow pace, to get an ox shod. 

>L\ James Aram, an early settlor still living in Delavan, relates that at au early day, having 
immediate occasion for a whole and presentable ])air of boots, he found it impossible to buy a 



334 HISTOriY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

pair in the county, and was obliged to hire a pair for the occasion, paying therefore 2 shillings 
in current money. 

One settler iu Honey Creek purchased a barrel of flour in Milwaukee and wheeled it in a 
wheelbarrow all the way hom'e — some thirty mdes. over a very rough road to travel. Another 
relates that as late as 1838 or 1889. he went to Milwaukee with an ox-team and there purchased 
what was then a rare household luxury — a cooking stove. On reaching home with his treasure, 
it was found to be so cracked as to be useless until it was rej)aired, which could not be done 
■newer than Milwaukee. Without unloading, he started again for Milwaukee. In foi'ding a 
stream which had become swollen by recent rains, he unfortunately dumped his box, which, after 
much labor and delay, he succeeded in getting across the stream. At the end of seven days he 
returned with the stove in condition for use. 

The mending of plows or other castings involved a jom'uey of three days, to Racine or Mil- 
waukee. Plow-shares, recpiiring to be mended, and other ironwork, even often carried on the 
backs of men a distance of fifteen miles to the nearest blacksmith. 

Mr. Baker, in his historical address before the old settlers' society, states that one j^ioneer 
brought on his back, a stone churn from Chicago. The gentleman to whom was attributed this 
extraordinary feat, is still living, enjoying in quiet affluence, the lengthening years. In vindica- 
tion of the truth of histoiy, it must be said that it was not a stone churn which he brought in, 
but a fire-gallon stone Jar. 

When, as occurred as early as 1840, there began to be asm-plus of grain, it had to be hauled 
from forty to sixty miles to the nearest market — Racine, Southport or Milwaukee, when 50 cents 
per liushel, half store-pay, was the average price for wheat. If the cash paid the expense of 
the journey, and the farmer got homo with the goods he considered it a lucky trip. Any break- 
down on the road or unusal delay swallowed up the entire value of the load. 

In the siunmer, constant annoyance and miTch suffering was occasioned to both man and 
beast by dense swarms of insects. Black flies tormented the cattle, and clouds of mos(|uitoes 
infested the openings, and drove sleei^ and slumber from the settlements at night. They occa- 
sionally alighted in bunches, swarming like bees on the necks and heads of the cows, who would 
thus come home at night bellowing with tonnent. Here sympathy for the sufferings of the pio- 
neer cattle would not be misplaced. 

The massasauga, a torpid rejitile of the rattlesnake species, was (juite numerous on the wet 
lands. Its bite was very venomous, but, owing to its warning rattle, which was promptly and 
loudly given, few serious results occurred from encounters with them. They were soon thinned 
out, and ceased to be a source of anxiety, but while plenty, as they were for the first two or three 
years, they were certainly annoying, if not dangerous. 

The inconveniences of distances met the pioneer at every turn. The eai'ly marriages were 
not seasons of feasting and dancing so often as fasting and traveling. The securing of the bride 
often cost the gz'oom less trouble than the getting of the proper license and oI;)taining a magis- 
trate to tie the connubial knot. 

(Jharles A. Noyes and Nancy W^arren, the fu-st persons living in the county to be married, 
could find no magistrate within its limits to perform the marriage ceremony, and accordingly 
took the " Indian Trail " for Milwaulcee, where they were married. The wedding tour was made 
over the same trail, back to Geneva Lake, which was their home. 

Sylvester Spoor, who married Miss Caroline Goodrich in November, 1837, lived in Troy. 
H(> was obliged to go to Racine for his license, and to Rochester for a Justice of the Peace to 
perform the ceremony. 

A. H. Bunnell, still living in La Fayette, married, in the fall of 1839, Miss Mary, daughter 
of Capt. Charles Dyer, then living on Gardner's Prairie. The marriage took place at the house 
of the bride's father. This involved considerable extra exertion on the part of the groom, liefore 
the young couple were fairly settled in their ovm cabin. He was determined to bring his bride 
home in style, and he ransacked W'aukesha County for a rig worthy of the occasion. He hired 
a horse of L. G. Smith, of Spring Prairie, and a buggy (the only one in the coimty) of Henry 
Phcenix, of Delavan. It took a journey of some miles to get his horse and buggy together, and 
more miles to get to the place of the wedding. The wife Ijeing secured, he ch-ove home with her, 
and then proceeded to Delava7i to return the buggy. Returning on horseback, he stopped at 



IllsroUV OF WALWOHTII ("OIXTY. , 33.5 

(lark at the hmiso of Mr. llollis Lallirtin, Elkhoru. From there, it heini^ a moonlight evening. 
ho conchided to loiive the beaten path, which was somewhat indirect, and make a " Ijee line " 
through the openings to his home and his bride. He pushed on withu light heart, riding, as he 
expressed it, " miles and many miles away," and, after several hoiirs, arrived again at Latliam's 
lionJie. He turned his horse's head homeward a second time, iu a wiser and more contemplative 
mood. This time ho took the beaten path, and reached home some time during the night. 

There were tow horses, the work being mostly done by oxen, and the light travel, by the 
men, on foot. Not unfrequently, in traveling off the trails, foot travelers became bewildered, 
and lost their bearings com])letely, coursing round in a small com[)ass till discovered by some one 
who had not lost his course. 

Mr. Allen Perkins, the first settler at Tm'tle Creek, where the village of Delav;m uow stands, 
selected his claim July 'id, ISHfJ, and started for H(>menway's in the evening. He intended to 
keep the track which Inmau's teams had recently made on a trip from Racine to " Wisconsin 
City," but soon lost it, and, becoming bewildered, wandered about in the openings north of Elk- 
horn Prairie all night, and till the afternoon of the next day, without food or sleep, when he was 
met by Col. Phoenix returning fi-om a ]irospecting trip, who piloted him to his place of destina- 
tion. Mi\ S. A. Dwinnell states that Perkins" mishap was the cause of the first roads being laid 
out. as, to prevent the recurrence of lilie or more serious perils, the settlers of Spring Prairie 
soon after tm-ned out and drew a tree through the grass to make a track a distance of twelve 
miles — to where Delavau now is. 

Mr. Dwinnell himself also got lost. His story, as he tells it himself in one of his historical 
sketches of early times, is as follows: 

" The dangers connected with losing one's way, especially after the cold weather set iu, were 
greater than can now be realized. A little incident in the experience of the vsTiter, trivial in it- 
self, will illustrate this: A few days after coming to the county, on a Saturday, I set out on an 
exploring toiu' to tind me a claim, as the land was not then in the market. I came to the beauti- 
ful buiT-oak openings on Sections 19 and 20, in the present town of La Fayette, three miles 
northeast of what is now Elkhorn. The east half of Section '20, now occupied as farms by R. B. 
Burroughs, Joseph Bell. John Bell. William Baumis, was a fine tract for a farm, composed of 
timber, grass, pi-airie laud and openings, and supplied with water. I went to the northeast cor- 
ner and made what was then called a jack-knife claim, which would hold for thirty days, by blaz- 
ing a tree and writing my name and tlie day of the month upon it. Then, going west to the 
quarter-stake, I did the same there. Fearing to cross the center of the section to the south with- 
out any guide, and the day being cloudy, I undertook to follow the lines around the west side of 
the section. "SVTien near wher(> the road now runs, not far from where the house of X. H. Bun 
nell is built, I took my line across a wet prairie before me that I might strike the sm-veyors' 
blazes again in the openings l)eyond, and was pi-oceeding along the west side of the present farm 
of Jeremiah Parmelee wIk-u a large flock of deer crossed my path and diverted my sight from 
my course. After crossing the low and untimbered land, I had a long search in vain to find the 
section line again. I then prcjceoded south, as I supposed, t(j find the (nist and west line on the 
south side of the section. After looking a long time, I struck a line which I thought to be the 
right one, and followed it, as it seemed to me, toward the east. The country lookinl strange; a 
stream seemed to be on the south of me which I had not anticipated. I soon, howovei', saw a 
fresh claim blaze ahead of mo, and sup|)osod that some one had just been there making a claim 
in advance of me. Judge of my suri)risi! when I came to the corner to read on the tree, in large 
black letters, " S. A. Dwinnell, November 19, bSSC)." I saw at once that 1 was lost, and the 
points of the compass wi're all wrong. I was at the quarter-stake on the rorth side of Section 
20, instead of the south side, as I supposed. I stood there until, by force of will, I brought my- 
self straight. I then took my course one mile through the center of the section, measuring the 
distance by pacing, and cami; out within a few feet of the quarter-stake on the south side, when 
I finislunl marking my claim and returned to Sjunng Prairie. T ran an immense risk of losing 
my life, without a compass, without lire-works, as lucifer matches were then not to be obtained here. 
1 might have wandered for days, and, in some directions, for scores and hundreds of miles, with- 
out Coming to a settlement. The ri.sk I ran of perishing of cold and hunger was very great." 



336 IlLSTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

« 

HARDSHIPS, 

The early settlers of Walworth County sufferecl as little from hardships incidental to pio- 
neer life as was possible in a new country, when the first croi) was yet to be harvested. Indeed, 
they were [)ecnliarly favored. No hostile tribes of Indians remained to molest them or make 
them afraid. The timber stood at convenient distance, ready for the ax. The surface of the 
land was neither covered with rocks nor broken into bleak and barren hills, rs in New England. 
The soil was fertile and ready for the plow. Food and supplies could already be obtained by a 
journey to the lake. So it will be seen that the first occupancy of the land was fraught with no 
exciting danger, and accompanied by no extreme perils or hardships, except such as were inci- 
dental to pioneer life forty years ago, under the most favorable circumstances. Nevertheless, 
such as they were, they were endured with indomitable ])luck, and, to their descendants living 
in these later days, surrounded by all the comforts and luxuries of life, they should teach the 
needed lesson of perseverance and patience, lacking which their fathers would have l(>ft them no 
such heritage as they now enjoy. Their hardshij)s, though then the common lot. were cheerfully 
endured, and through them the path of ease was hewn for their descendants. 

It is not known that any case of starvation or of extreme suffering from the pangs of hunger 
ever trans]5ired. Several, fi'om peculiar circumstances, got short of food during the winters of 
1880, 1887 and 1888, and suffered all the uatold agonies of apjjrehension and anxiety. Subse- 
quent to 1888, the second crop had been raised by the first-comers, and there was no lack of food, 
those too poor to get in a crop being able to supply their wants by working for their more for- 
tunate neighbors till they could get a start for themselves. 

Deacon John Reader, who settled in the town <^f Walworth in February, 1887, went to Illi- 
nois for supplies. Owing to various causes, his trip was prolonged till the family were reduced 
to the verge of starvation. It is stated that only a little bran was left, which had been sifted 
for the third time bj' Mrs. Reader, and that, on the night of Mr. Reader's retiu-n, she had put the 
children to bed with a scanty meal even of that. She met her husband some distance from the 
house, and cautioned him to silence, lest the hungry children miglit awake before she could have 
a meal cooked for them. Of the hoirrs of weary waiting of this faithful wife and mother, alone 
in the lonely cabin, with only the voices of her helpless children within, and the moan t)f the 
winter wind or yelp of the prairie wolves without, through the long days and the longer nights, no 
z'ecord has been preserved. She was one of the " silent heroes " who wrought to the full measure 
of her strength, and died unsung. May these lines awaken in the heart of the reader affectionate 
and tender memories for her and the other faithful women who silently and uncomplainingly 
bore their noble part in the labors and anxieties of those early times. 

Milo E. Bradley, during the winter of 1887-38 — the first winter after moving on to his fami 
— depended for his supplies on his rifie and the results of his labor as a carpenter. Sickness in 
his family kept him from labor and the hunt for many weeks, and thus shut up, his provisions 
became reduced to a few crusts of bread and a marrow bone. Of these he made a soup for break- 
fast, which left absolutely nothing in the house for the next meal. His wife was too ill to be 
left alone while he should go for supplies. He was a fii-m believer in the direct efficacy of 
prayer, and, in his sore ilistress, he fell upon his knees, and, as he says. " prayed as he had never 
prayed before." He further stated that, while thus engaged, he saw in a vision, as plainly as he 
ever saw anything with his natural sight, a large buck standing near abm-r-oak tree some eighty 
rods from his house. He peremjitorily closed his prayer, took his rifle, went out and found the 
deer standing exactly as he had soeu it while im his knees in the house. He killed it, and was 
thus supplied with food until he was al>le to otherwise provide himself. The truth of the above 
is established on the testimony of the late S. A. Dwinuell, who had the narrative fi-om Mr. Brad- 
ley himself. 

Diu'ing the fii-st year of settlement, liefore the first bounteous crop could be harvested, the 
food lacked variety, to say the least. Many families subsisted almost entirely upon beans and 
potatoes, without meat, butter or milk, and instances are related of families being found in a 
state of health and hap])iu(!ss Jiving on potatoes alone, without even a seasoning of salt, Som<> 
affluent families of to-day well rememl)er when bean souii. jjotatoes and milk at oni> meal were 
considered a bounteous n![)ast. 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COINTY. 3:^7 

Tho dantjor aud sutl'i'i-iiii;- I'nmi i-xtroine coU was great, as placi's of covert were widely scat- 
tered. Th(> memorable cold siiaj) of Decenilier. 18;-i(j, is still reiiieiiil)ered with a chill by the sm- 
vivors of that time. Mr. Dwiiruoll thus describes it: 

" The pioneers of Wisconsin must ever remember the 20th of December for one of the most 
sudden changes to severe cold ever experienced incur history. It had rained all day upon some 
tifte(m inches of snow. Early in tho evening, the wind veered to the northwest and the temper- 
ature ran dowm at a rapid rate. Having no thermometer, I can form no certain estimate of the 
intensity of the cold. It soon became unendurable in our cabin, and, building a large tire and 
hanging up biank(^ts before it, I sat down in front of them to keep from freezing. 

" It was so terribly C(jld that, had a jiersou been caught four or five miles fi'om a house, he 
must have perished. Fortunately, few were thus' exposed. James Van Slyke, with his hired 
man, were on their way from IJelviden', 111., to his house, at the head of (xoueva Lake, with a 
drove of hogs. They' had reached Big Foot Prairie, three miles from home, when the change 
came. They scion left their drove and started at a rapid rate for their house. Van Slyke suc- 
ceeded in the undertaking, but his boots were so loaded with ice that it took a teakettle full of 
boiling water to thaw it off, as his wife afterward told me. 

■'A mile from home, the hired man, named Disbro, fell, exhausted and overcome with the 
intensity of the cold. He nnist have perished had not a man, providentially at the house, stai'ted 
out :\.t once and brought him in. As it was, his feet were so frozen that he lost several of his 
toes, which Mrs. Van Slyke amputated with her shears, having made unsucctwsful efforts to ob 
tain a surgeon to do it. .\11 the hogs, except two. froze to death that night." 

THE FIRST (CONFLAGRATION. 

The first desti-uction of a dwelling house by fire in the county occurred in Spring Prairie, 
and came near depriving the county of two of her future citizens. Samuel C. Vaughn came in 
1887 and built a log house, in which he lived till the fall of 183U, at wliich time he built him 
a frame house some eighty rods from his cal)in. Into this he moved, and his brother David 
took possession of the cabin, with his family, consisting of a wife and two boys, George and 
Henry, then two and four years old. On a bright moonlight evening in Decemlier (188'.)), David 
proposed to go over to Samuel's house to settle up some unfinishetl business. His wife proposed 
to accompany him, leaving the two children asleep in the house. Mr. Vaughn, without any good 
r(>as(m at that time known to himself, strenuously insisted on taking the !)oys along, which was 
accordingly done. The house of his brother where they went was over a knoll, out of sight of 
the cabin. 

About lU o'clock in the evening. Dr. Hemenway. who lived a mile away, discovered a fire in 
the direction of Vaughn's cabin, and, on reaching the spot, found it a |)ile of glowing embers, 
with no signs of any of its inmates alive. In great pertiu'bfttion, he rushed off to Samuel's, 
where, greatly to his relief, he found Davi<l. with his wife, just starting for home, each with one 
of the boys in their arms. Dr. Hemenway, with a gasp ot relief on finding them safe, asked 
them where they were going. " Home," was the reply. "You have no home," said the Doctor; 
wiiich was true, and they had little, also, except the clothing they had on, and the two l)oys, safe 
and sound. They fiiund a shelter for the winter at the house of Isaiah Dike, a brother-in-law. 
David Vaughn and his wife; see now a reason for taking the boys along. (T(H)rge and Henry 
Vaughn, plucked as Ijrands from the burning shanty, are still living near the scen(» of their early 
escape from premat\u'e destruction in the first conflagration of Walworth County. 

rl.AIM ASSOCIATIONS. 

When the tirst ('laiius were iiiuile. just subse(juent to the completion (.)( the Crovernment sur- 
vey, the temu'e to the land was not assured to the claimant by the (Tovernment, exc(-pt liy ap]>eal 
for relief through the 'I'erritorial Courts, which, from the distance and the expense attending sueli 
resort, rendered it unavailabl(> to the poor claimant whose worldly |io>sessions often comprised 
little more than his ax and gun, and the land he had claimed, and on which he hoped to make 
his home. By custom rather than by sanction of written law, certain acts became acknowledged 
as necessary to identify a claim m;i<le, and certain others to hold the claim against future com- 
ers. Trees along the line of the claim, if in the openings, wore blazed, and tho name of the 



338 iriSTORY (JF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

claimant marked legibly upon them, with the date of the claim. The quarter-stakes set by the 
siu'veyors were generally marked in like manner. As proof of occupancy, the claimant, if not 
making an immediate settlement, was expected to leave unmistakable marks of occupation and 
" improvements " on the land. The most common consisted of the cutting down of a few trees, 
piling heaps of In'ush where they would easily be discovered l\y explorers, and, if time permittetl, 
the erection of a rude shanty. Having thus secured priority of title, the claimant often left his 
claim for months, to prepare for a more permanent settlement. Sometimes, on his return, he 
would find some iuterlojier, not having the sanctity of the right of discovery before his eyes, 
quietly settled on his claim, and perhaps determined to hold it unless forcibly ejected. The dis- 
putes arising fi-om this cause increased in numlier as the settlers became more numerous, and 
there wei'e many cases of extreme hardship and injustice, when the claims of honest settlers were 
jumped and held against them by brute force or intimidatiun. regardless of all i)rinciples of 
humanity or right. 

Further, many bogus claims were marked, and thvis formally made by speculators who never 
intended to settle, but only to cause the bona tide settler to buy him oft' to gain ])eaceable pos 
session. 

To obviate these diiidculties, and to secure each other in thr peaceable jiossession of their 
lands, the settlers of the different neighborhoods early formed societies for mutual jirotectiou 
against the prevailing evil. They were known as " Claim Associations." The by-laws of these 
societies were the tirst, laws concerning the tenure of property ever observed or enforced in Wal- 
worth County. They were primarily intended to protect all Ixma tide settlers in possession of 
their riglits, as against all comers and at all hazards, even to that of forcible ejectment, if milder 
m3aiis failed. Tlie Dumb.T of acres was di>tined which should constitute a claim for the head of a 
family or for an unmarried man, and the conditions under which his claim should be deemed 
valid by the members of the association. Such claim having been recorded on the books of the 
association, each and every member was bound to defend him in its possession till such time as 
he might acquire it by purchase from the Government. These associations were the only reliable 
safe-guard to the squatters ]n'ior to the first laud sale, which did not take jilace until I'ebruary, 
1839. The exact number of associations cannot be ascertained, but they embraced in their jm-is- 
diction the entire territory of the county, and, by the moral force that lay in their numerical 
strength, put a stop to claim jumi)iug, or, in exceptional cases, by more vigorous and arbitrary 
proceedings, promptly reinstated the true claimant in his possession.s. 

The institutions worked harmoniously throughout tlie county, with rare exceptions. A slight 
unpleasantness grew out of an amendment made to the by-laws of tln^ Claim Association of Round 
Prairie, which withdrew protection from unmarried men holding claims there. On the justice 
of this by-law, which dififered from those of the other societies — which gave equal rights of pre- 
emption to single and married men — o})inion was divided, as it acted as an e.r /losf fiicf.n law in 
the case of all single men who had alreiidy taken claims. 

Out of this grew a (juarrel between Bradley Newall, a single m-m, and a man of family named 
Day, who, under this by-law, ignoring Newall's claim, built a shanty and settled upon it with 
his family. Newall went to Troy, where he enlisted the sympathy of Maj. Meacham and others, 
who retm-ned with him to mete out what they deemed justice. They found Day with some of 
his fi-iends in a state of siege in the cabin, with the door barricaded. The Isesiegers held a short 
parley through the window, and were assured by Day and his party that they were armed, and 
that the resistance would be desperate. The besiegei's thereupon commenced active siege opera- 
tions. They procured an oak log or timber, and, usiag it as a battering ram, stove the door in at 
the first assault. At this time, a gun was tired in the air from the window, with such undeadly 
effect as to rouse Maj. Meacham to feats of valor. He led the assaulting pai'tv through the 
deadly breach, entered the house, collared Mr. Bigelow, father-in-hiw of Dav, and the heaviest 
man in the besieged party, dragged him out of the htmse and sat down on him, while his fol- 
lowers over])owered the remaining force, took out th(^ household goods and tore down the house. 
This was one of the few cases on record wliere the claim associations failed to adjust conflicting 
claims witlxjut resort to violence. 

As the time ajiproached for the land sale, a new danger, outsid(% threatened the settlers. Many 
of them had not sufficient means to purcluise their claims, even at th(> minimum Government 



IIISTOKV OF WAI. WORTH (OINTV. :'.39 

jiriiH' of $1.2") per acre. The lands wen- to br oH'iTcd by aucliuii, and sold to the hiylK^st bid 
diT. at or above the iiiiiiiiiniiu |)ric'i'. It was certain that these, the most desirable farmiuj^ lands 
in tlie State, would liiid ready s|>ec'ulative purchasers, with cash in hand, n-ady and willing to 
])ay double and triable the Government price for most of the desirable claims in the coimty, un- 
less some means could be devised to j^et rid of their competition at th(^ sale. 

The functions of the claim associations were accordingly extended, and the members entered 
in a solemn comjiact to stand or fall together at the land sali\ and to allow no member to be 
overbid till all the land of the actual S(^ttlers had been bid in at th(^ Government price. 

Full lists of all claimants were made, and a committee or agent appointed to bid in each 
lot at the Govenuuent price when ofl'ered. The names of these important agents, so far as thev 
(^an be usc<'rtained, w(>re as follows: Jesse Meacham, Gaylord (xraves, for Troy and East Troy; 
l{. H. Mallory, for Geneva and vicinity; Le Grand Rockwell, for Elldiorn; Jeduthan Spooner, 
of Sugar Cret'k, bid for the towns of Whitewater, La GraQg(% Sugar Creek and Richmond; Will- 
iam Hollinshead was the agent for Delavan and vicinity; he employed James H. Reese, of Chi- 
cago, to assist him in the work. 

The sale was at tirst proclaiminl to take ])laee in November, IS;i,S. The settlers were many 
of them imprepared to pay for their lands, and, through the intercession of Jesse M(>acham, C. 
M. Baker and other leading residents of the county, it was postponed to February, 1S3U. It 
was a season of more intense interest to the settlers than any other that had ever occiuTed. 
Every town sent, in addition to their purchasing agent, a strong delegation of their most iniiu 
ential. determined and muscular men. From some to\\Tis, n(>arly (>very man holding a claim 
went up in person to see fair play and secure his land. A thorough undei-staiiding between the 
associations of this and other counties within the limits of the Milwauk(H< Land District, that 
no person should be allowed to mak(> a speculative bid on the claims of actual s(^ttlers, on pain 
of ])(>rsonal indignity or violence morc^ or less disagreeable, as th(> case might warrant. So the 
sale opened and progressed, under the management of the United States officers, but under the 
supervision of a mild form of latent lynch law, which occasionally threatened activity sufficient 
to ke(>p speculators in the Ijaekground. The sale was attended l.)y vast crowds from all parts of 
the district. They camc^ in on foot, on horseback, and every other conceivable vehicle of locomo- 
tion then known, and the town was filled to overtlowinu; while the sale last(>d. DeloL''ations from 
the same section generally took (quarters together, often sleeping three in a bed or on the 
floor. Many took their rations along with them. All had a common interest in seeing the land 
soki to actual occuj)ants, and few cas(>s occurred where a speculator had the temerity to bid 
against the agent of a "claim club." "Whenever such a bid occm-red, the luckless bidder was 
seized and summarily dealt with. A ducking in Milwaukee River, accompanied with dire tlu"eats 
on a repetition of the offense, kejit things satisfactory. Prosper Cravath, in an allusion to the 
sale in an adtb-ess delivennl before the Old Settlers" Society, s>uum(>d u]) tlie discipline main- 
tained thus: 

" In IS;'U, at the land sale, yoiu' own squatter sovereign law [)rotected your homest(>ads from 
the money power and the land-sharks. He who had the audacity to lireal; the least of your 
commands. you baptized in the Milwaukee River, and (mt he came, converted and reconstructed." 

.Mr. James Simmons, in his history of (reueva, gives the following sketch of th<' experiences 
of the Geneva delegation: 

" Tne first land sale, as Ix'fore stated, was uj)j)ointed for November, 1S;!S, and among those 
who w(>nt up to att(>nd it w-as C. M. Bakt^r, who, in his capacity of farmer, and to accommodate 
a friend, went on foot, driving a yoke of fat oxen to be sold for beef. On his return alone, upon 
an extremely dark night, he got benighted in the pathless depths of Milwaukee woods, but came 
out rigiit in the morning. H(> also went up with some forty others fi-om this plac(> and its vicinity 
in Fel)ruary, lS3y, wading thi'ough slush and swollen stn>ams; and. on his retm'u, the thermom- 
eter marking zero, he was ol)liged to hire an Indian pony from some squaws to carry Jiim across 
Root River. An ag(>nt who liad been sent to Milwaukee by thi' Gi'iieva Claim Club for that 
purpose seciu-ed (piarters for th(>ni at a tav(>rn on Walker's Point. Among the number who 
stopped ther(> was Dr. McNish. The fare was coarse and the^cookeiy bad, and the Docttor, hav- 
ing endured it as long as he cotild without boiling over, one morning, just as he was sitting down 
to the full breakfast table, picked up a biscuit, cold, hard, baked to a dark l)rown, and as suita- 



340 HISTORY OF WAI.WORTH COUIJTY. 

ble for ;i o-rape-sbot sis a Dutoh eheese is for a cannon ball, and startled the whole company by 
throwiuc it with all his might against a thin pine door directly opi>osite, and then, rising in- 
stantly, he declared that it was an insnlt to a dog to oft'er him such trash, and left the table in 
high dudgeon. 

" The Genevans remained at Milwaukee about two weeks, occupying a room hired for them- 
selves, and, when at length their lands were ofl'ered for sale in their turn, McKaig. holding a 
map in his hand, announced the names of the claimants, and Mallaiy bid off the lauds in their 
names." 

It is believed that in every instance the settlers of Walworth County secm-ed their land or 
had it bid off in their name. The u-^urers and land-sharks, though thwarted at the sale, did not 
fail of reaping a rich harvest from those so unfortunate as to lack the money with which to make 
the payment after it had been Ijid off to them. Having no longer the fear of the claim clubs 
liefore their eyes, they did a thriving l)usiness by furnishing the money re(juired to make the 
payment. This had to be done within twenty-four hours of the time it was bid off to prevent a 
resale, and for such money furnished, the lender took for seciu'ity the Government deed of the 
land, giving the borrower a bond for a deed on the payment of double the amount fm'nished, on 
such terms of payment and at such rates of interest as might be agreed upon. Thus many a 
poor settler paid double the jjrice paid by his more fortunate neighbor, and it was many years 
before these usurious claims were all wijjed out. 

As a matter of coiu'se. the close of the land sale ended the mission of the claim clul)s, and 
they became extinct. 

LEG.\L LORE. 

The administration of i'(juity and justice began tirst in the courts of the early Justices of 
the Peace, who were ajipointed as siton after the settlements were begun as men of intelligence 
and probity were indicated by the settlers as eligible and fit for the position. Among the early 
Justices of the Peace some are remembered for their impartial decisions, some for their soimd 
judgment, some for their sterling common sense, and others for their arbitrary and eccentric 
modes of disposing of questions of law lieyond their grasp of intellect, or outside their range of 
legal knowledge. 

It is told of a Squire in Sharon, that, on becoming completely bewildered in a maze of legal 
sophistries, put forth by Roliert Menzie, Esq., he brought the case to an unexpected termination. 
Bringing his list down upon the table with an oath, he loudly proclaimed: " This court is riz! " 
aud, taking his copy of the statutes mider his arm, marched home, thus leaving the court and 
Menzie in a cataleptic state of suspended animation. 

Among the early Justices of the Peace, before whom many important cases were tried, were: 
Perez ^lerrick, Spring Prairie, believed to be the first Justice appointed in the county: Thomas 
McKaig, Geneva; Gaylord (Graves, East Troy; Daniel Salisbm-y, Spring I'rairie; Hollis Latham, 

Elkborn; Solomon Thomas, Darien; Searles, either in Sharon or Darien; Israel "Williams, 

Williams' Bay, near the northeast corner of Walworth; Jasper Griggs, Delavan; Perkins S. 
Childs, Richmond; Christoj)her Douglass, Walworth. These, with perhaps one or two others, 
whose names are forgotten, were the e.irly conservators of law and order, and it is believed that, 
though not o>erlearned in the law, their decisions were given as nearly in accordance with prin- 
cijiles of etpiity and justice as in these more enlightened but less scrupulous times. 

The majesty of the law with which they were invested enshrouded them with a dignity, 
when hearing a case, that no Chief Justice now possesses, and their decisions were considered as 
too important to be lightly made. There was no venality in the courts of those days. In that 
region, the old " Squires " of Walworth County kept the ermine spotless. 

A few stories of the olden time will revive the memories of the ancient courts: 

Thomas McKaig, of Geneva, was a Justice of acknowledged integrity, and intelligent, but 
not deeply versed in the law. Thi^ tirst criminal case in the county was tried before him, and 
Squirc! Williams as Associate. Two brothers named Huff", then living in the town of Salem. 
Racine County, came to Gentwa to mill. On their retm-n, they discovered a fat ox belonging to P. 
K. Van Velzer, which they drove into the woods, slaughtered, and hid the hide and beef under 
their meal bags, where they were found by the owner and others in search of the missing ox. 
Thieves were rare, and the sjiirits of the exemplary Genevans were stin-ed with righteous indig- 



IIISTOHY OF ■WAI.WOliTll COl'XTV. 341 

nation. A purse was luadi' u]) to bring the miscn'unts imilcr thf pains and penalties of the law, 
and C. M. Bal<(>r emj^loyed to coniiuct the prosticution. The elder brother was arrested and 
hroTight before Sipiire McKaij;;, who, not over-confident that he could nianatfe so imjiortant a cas(> 
single-handed, against two ex])ert lawyers, associated with him S(piire Williams. Before this 
full bench th(> case was tried. Gen. Bullen, of Southpoi't, conducting the defense. The trial re- 
sulted in the conviction of Huff, who was thereupon sentenced to pay a fine of $4(\ and adjudged 
to work out the fine on the highway. The bond was given, but, owing to its getting misplaced, 
the line was never worked out in full. It is not a matter of I'ecord as to whether Huft" retained 
the beef and hide or not. If he did, the sentence showed that " the quality of mercy was not 
strained" on that occasion, as the ox stolen was viorth $80. It is stated that Hulf afterward 
paid Van Velzer for the ox, and subsequently changed his residence, becoming a forehanded and 
respected citizen. 

In the first criminal trial in the District Court, that of K. T. Ostrander, indicted for perjiu'v 
in swearing falsely before Squire McKaig, he being a witness, it came out in his cross-examina- 
tion by H. N. Wells, who was defentliug Ostrander, that the Squire had never been fully natiu'- 
alized, not having made his second application. This rendered him ineligible to the office, and 
iill his acts and decisions as Justice of the Peace void ;ind of no effect. As a consequence, in 
the case of Ostrander, a nolle prosequi was entered, and the sentence against Huff fell through. 
Worse still, several very worthy couples, who supposed they had been married Ijy the Squire, 
were astounded at the disreputable life they had Ijeen leading since that time. A law was passed 
by the next Legislatvire, legalizing the official acts of the worthy but mis-appointed magistrate. 
Judge Baker, in commenting on the law passed, said: 

" Now, I jH'opose it as a moot question to my brethren of the bar, whether this law made 
valid the judgment against Huff to work out his tine on the highway, or made the alleged false 
swearing of Ostrander perjiuy." 

Another novel and important ease was that of Caprou, Wheeler & Whi])ple, who sued 
Charles M. Goodsell, t\u'n a miller in Geneva, for damages resulting from his refusal to gi'ind 
their gi'ists (for their distillery) in tm'n, as then required by law. E. Estabrook was for the 
prosecution, and C. M Baker for the defense. The case, owing to local prejudice, was to be 
tried before Hollis Latham, Esq., at Elkhorn, some ten miles distant. The day apjiointed for 
the trial was bitter cold, and a di'iving snow-storm had set in. Mi-. Baker proposed a postpone- 
ment to Estabrook, who ciu'tly refused. Accordingly, both parties started for Elkhorn, Baker 
on horseback, and the prosecutors, with their witnesses and attorney, in a lumber wagon. Baker, 
unencumbered, reached the com-t at the appointed time, but the storm and a lost linchpin so de- 
layed the oth(>r party that a non-suit was granted, and Baker was on his return home before 
they ]Hit in an appearance. 

Subsecjuently, the same suit was brought again, the second time before Christopher Doug- 
lass, Esq., of Walworth. This time it came to trial. The refusal of Mr. Goodsell to " gi'iud tlie 
grist in tiu-n" was in plain violation of the existing law, however it might appear in the higher 
code by which Mr. Goodsell conscientiously sought to sqnai'e his actions. The case was decided 
against him, and judgment rendered. He appealed to the Circuit Court, and, pending the trial 
there, went to Madison, and procured the passage of an act, which is still in force, exempting 
inill(>rs fi-oni grinding for distillation. The act was approved Februiuy 5. 1841. 

Of Squire Williams, who sat in judgment with McKaig in the ox suit before related, the 
following is told by James Simmons, Esq., alike creditable to his head and heart: 

" During the absence of James Van Slyke from his home at the head of Geneva Lake, a 
suit was brought against him before Justice Williams, and judgment rendered against him far 
exceeding the justice jurisdiction (then limited to $50), and his ])ro]ierty sold to satisfy it. The 
Justice, although intelligent and well informed on other matters, was not posted as to the du- 
ties and pow(>rs of his office. On learning the position in which this assumjjfion of power 
had placed him, he bought back the prop(>rty sold and returned it to Van Slyke." 

One of the most celebrated cases of expensive^ litigation that occurn-d in early times was 
known as the " black slack " suit. Th(> litigants were living in what is now the town of Sugar Creek. 
.\sa Blood, Freeborn AVelch and WMIliam Bohall. three neighbors, entered into a joint arrangi^ineiit 
to cut some hay on tht? Government lands. The result of their joint labors was, unfortunately 



342 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COITNTV. 

for them, four staekts of bay. Each took a stack, leaving the foiu'th as common property, to be 
divided at some futm-e time. Before the division was made, the stack began to sensibly dimin- 
ish, each hauling from what he deemed his share at his own convenience. Asa became dissatis- 
fied with the rapid shrinkage, and felt, when it had all disap))eared without any division being 
made, that he had not got his share of the stack. He accordingly brought suit before Squire 
Thomas to recover from his partners his full share of what became afterward known as the 
black stack. The whole value thereof would not have exceeded $8. The case, for the conven- 
ience of the litigants, was tried before Squire Thomas, at the house of Hollis Latham, in Elk- 
horn. The array of counsel was out of all i>ro])ortiou to the amount involved in the suit. Ed- 
ward Elderkin and Charles M. Baker appeared for the plaintiff; Milo Kelsey and O. D. Pulver, 
for the defendants. A cloud of witness(/s were summoned from Sugar Creek to prove the quan- 
tity, the quality and the value of the whole stack, and the quantity and value appropriated by 
the defendants, as well as to give testimony as to the terms of the copartnership, and the various 
conversations they had held or heard concerning the said stack and its joint ownership. The 
claims of the United States were not brought into the case. Eveiything else, relevant or other- 
wise, was offered in testimony. The case lasted four days, the intervening nights being 
spent by the witnesses and counsel in dancing. H. Bradley, now the Postmaster of Elkhorn, 
fm-nislied the music. AVliether it went into the costs of the snit, dejionent saith not. 

Blood won his case before the Justice, but the defendants took an appeal to the District 
Court, where the case was tried before Judge- David Irvin. The case was eventually decided as 
in the coiu't below. Mr. Elderkin, one of the counsel employed, who fiu'nished a verbal report 
of the case, states that the total ct)st of the " black stack siiit " to both parties, including lawyer's 
fees, could not have fallen short of $1,1)00, while the amount in dispute did not exceed $3. 

Another, nearly as expensive, grew out of a misunderstanding between Christopher Payne 
and Elias Hicks. Hicks hauled three logs — one black walnut and two [>oplar — to Payne's mill 
to be sawed. The custom was to notify the owner the day his logs were to be sawed, and he 
was expected to take his boards away forthwith. If they remained, they were at the owner's 
risk. Hicks was notified, but failed to appetir, and, on demanding his sawed lumber, got neither 
satisfaction nor boards from Payne. He brought suit before Justice Dvvinnell, who awarded 
him 6J cents damages, which threw the costs on Payne. He carried it to the higher coui't, 
where the case was tried three times, the jury failing to agree. At last the Judge got tired of 
the case, and threatened to strike it from the docket. Through the kind offices of mutual friends, 
the litigants agreed to a compromise. Their two sons were to flip coppers, best two in three, 
heads to win. The loser was to lose the case; the winner was to treat the crowd. Jackson 
Payne represented the interest of his father, as did Jackson Hicks that of Elias Hicks. The 
crowd adjourned to the hotel, whore young Payne won the case for his father (flipping two heads 
to Hicks' one), who fulfilled his jjart of the agreement by treating, as he said, " about half the 
county." Ml-. Edward Elderkin. one of the attorneys in the case, estimates the cost of the suit 
at over $1,000. 

The ends of justice wei'e not always subserved, nor the summonses of the magistrates heeded. 
A case of contempt of both court and officers occurred in Troy. Maj. Meacham, as has been 
recounted, led the party who demolished Day's house and ejected him from the jsremises. Day 
at once resorted to Justice Merrick for such relief or vengeance on his assailants as the law pro- 
vided or the court would administer. He prociu'ed a warrant from Justice Merrick, of Spring 
Prairie, for the arrest of the Major and his party. It was placed in the hands of Constable 
Solomon Harvey, who went up to Troy and arrested Meacham. The papers being duly served, 
he e.xjiressed himself as willing to be earned, but under no obligations to put forth any personal 
exertions in getting there. If the law required his presence at Scaring Prairie, the law must get 
him there. He should neither walk ten miles to see Justice Merrick, nor would he fiu-nisli a 
conveyance, but he would offer no resistance. On the contrary', his passive carcass, weighing 
not less than 250 pounds, was at the disposal of Harvey, who was himself a man of slight build, 
and who had come unprepared for the emergency, mounted on a pony as diminutive as himself. 
The Constable returned, without his prisoner, for further instructions. Squire Merrick foimd 
no law precedents that would warrant liim iu sending an ox team and a posse of men to load 
and haul in an unresisting ])ris(jner, so fhe case was droi>ped fi-om his docket. 





(deceascd^ 



HISTORY OF WALWoirril COUNl'V. 345 

THE riRST .n'DQK. 

Tlie tirst District (!oiu-t was Liold in tlu> comity in April, is;ilj. From that time forth, there 
was a convcniont place of ai)i)eal from the judgments and decisions of the local magistrates, 
and litigation, as a natural consecpience, increased. Tlioso having a natural bent for the law 
had a new avenue o])ehed where tlu) strife could be prolonged and the costs accumulated. 

The court was held in a small frame building in Elkhorn, built and owned by Le Grand 
Rockwell. Its conveniences were limited to one room, used also as the Register's and Clerk's 
office, and pi_)st office. 

The tirst two cases tried were ajipeals from a Justice's court. It is stated by a chronicler 
that " the jiu'v l)efore whom the causes were tried was sent out under a burr-oak tree to agi'ee 
upon their verdict. 

Hon. David Irviu was the tirst United States District Judge who })resided in the county. 
He was a Virginia gentleman of the old school, and sustained the dignity of the law, while on 
the bench, as only such a gentleman could. He was a bachelor, of somewhat eccentric habits, 
;"^d. having no family on whom to lavish his afl'ections, bestowed them in full measure! cm his 
horse, Pedi'o, and his dog, York. He was passionately fond of hunting, and prided himself on 
being an unerring marksman. It is stated that, although above all worldly bribes, the sm-est 
avenue to his favor was through praises bestowed on Pedro, or favors shown to York. Be that 
as it may, it is an historical fact that no prudent attorney practicing in his court ever spoke of 
Pedro except in terms of adulation, nor failed to keep on intimate terms of friendship with 
York. 

Ho was a constant sutierer from neuralgic pains in his back, and heard his cases in a half- 
reclining position when the pai'oxysms of j)ain were most severe, having his seat consti'ucted in 
the -fonn of a loimge, with one end raised, into which clamps were set to sustain an upright 
board slanting liack a little, against which he could recline. 

His favorite game to himt were of the smaller varieties- -prairie chickens, squirrels and jiig- 
eons — as he averred the skill of a marksman was required to bring them down without shooting 
them to pieces. 

No attack of his malady was so severe as to prevent his going on a hunt if he had set his 
heart on it. On a sunny Saturday in the late fall, he was holding court. The leaves had just 
turned brown and the sun shone brightly. The air was that of the balmiest Indian simimer 
days. The sipiirrels, chattering in the near woods, could be heard even upon the bench, and 
diverted the attention of the worthy Judge to that extent that he was strongly moved to adjourn 

the court for the afternoon and go a-hunting He told to W , a member of the bar, who 

was himself a "mighty hunter," the struggles between duty and inclination which had filled his 
breast dm'ing the forenoon, and assured him that if the counsel could be induced to ask a con- 
tinuance of the case till Monday, he should accede to the request, and that, in that case, he saw 
no further obstacle in the way of a squirrel shoot during the afternoon. 

W undertook to bring about the desired result. During noontime, he casually men- 
tioned to the counsel in the pending case that the Judge was evidently lalioring under one of 
his severest nom'algic attacks, and that it would be the handsome thing to at least ofi'er a res- 
])ite till Monday, as they knew his reluctance to adjotu'ning the coiu't on account of his ailment. 
On the opening of com-t in the afternoon, the counsel who was to be tirst heard stated to the 
court that he had noticed with regret the physical suffering under which His Honor had labored 
through the forenoon, and that lu; deemed it but courteous to postpone the further argument 

of the case till Monday, should the com't so pl(>ase. The Judge, at a glance from W , took 

in the situation, and, reclining on his lounge, with his face ex])r(>ssive of suppressed agony, 
thank(!d the gentleman for his kind oiler, but did not feel free to adjom-n the case, if he could 
]iossil)ly endm'e, unless the opposing counsel saw fit to join him in a request for a postponement. 
As the party was about to arise to address the court, Judgi! Irviu saw, through the ojion win- 
dows, his dog, York, and Barney, anotlu* favorite hunting dog, trudging oil' toward the wt)ods. 

He beckoned to W , and, on his coming to his side, feebly rose from his reclining position, 

and, with a countenance that told the spectators of his pent u|) sutrering, whispered huiriedly 
in his ear: " I fear the counsel will insist on the adjournment of this case. I observe Barney 

c 



346 HrSTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

and York making for the woods. Hadn't you better go after them? They may be wanted in 
the next case." Then, falling back upon the lounge, he listened to the oxjposing counsel, who 
cheerfully joined his brother in requesting a postponement. The Judge, after a moment's con- 
sideration, reluctantly consented to the postponement and adjom-ned the comrt. The remainder 
of the day he spent in the woods with W and the two dogs. 

He never acknowledged that he had missed a shot. One day, when he was in ill luck, he 
tired into a flock of ducks several times, failing to bring down the game. At each futile dis- 
charge he would exclaim: " It is astonishing what an amount of lead those birds will carry! " 
His legal attainments were siunmed up by Judge Baker as follows: 

"But of triith it can be said of him, he was a lover of justice, detested meanness, was well 
grounded in the principles of the law, and was possessed of very respectable perceptive and 
reasoning powers. He seldom consulted law books, with which the bar of those days was poorly 
supplied, bvit on the whole, for the times, was a fair and respectable Judge." 

THE FIRST INFLUX OF SWINE. 

During the earlier years, a pig-sty, or a hog-pen, was unknown. The hogs nin in the 
woods, and fatted on aeorus or gi-ew poor for the want of them. The first considerable drove 
was brought in by Ephi-aim Perkins, of Bm-lington, from Illinois, in July, 1S37. There were two 
hundred or more. They were left in the woods on Sugar Creek, in the town of Spring Prairie, 
where they remained until late in the fall of that year. They thrived well, and were most of 
them recovered by their owner, or sold on sight and captui-ed by the purchaser. They grew 
quite wild and shy of pursuers. Mr. Daniel Salisbmy, noticing three or fom- of them in the 
woods near his place, entered into negotiations with Perkins for the piu-chase of one. They dis- 
covered them, but to capture them was impossible. Salisbury pointed out the one he wanted, as 
they were making through the woods, and bought him on the run for .!^16. At the end of two 
weeks, by strewing corn in their way, he so gained their confidence that they came near enovigh 
to enable him to shoot his hog. Other large droves were driven in in 1838. One driven in 
from Central Illinois by R. H. MalLiiy and C. L. Oatman, of Geneva, was thus described by 
James Simmons in his histoiy of Geneva: 

" These animals were of a breed then familiarly known as the Center breed. Tradition 
(which sometimes exaggerates a little) describes them as being slab-sided, with slim legs, skins 
clinging closely to their bony fi-ames and the crown of their heads just in the center between the 
beginning of the snout and the conclusion of the tail. They were no doubt nearly related to the 
Third Row breed, whose long slender necks enabled them to reach and devour the third row of 
corn through the interstices of the fence. Some of their descendants are probably still to be 
found in the country. On their arrival, they were turned into the woods to fatten on acorns, and 
when wanted for use, were hunted and shot down like deer." 

It was years before the wild hogs, sprung from these early tb'oves, were exteiToinated. 
Long after the deer had left, the discovery of a wild hog's nest, or the killing of a wild boar, 
were among the sports of the huntsmen of Walworth County. 

RECREATION. 

The people were not so altsorbed in the labor or overcome by hardships as to lose zest for 
healthy recreation and relaxation. The violin was tuned early, as soon as couples could be found 
to dance a squai'e dance. Foiu'th of July was celebrated in Troy as early as 1.S37. An old set- 
tler, in answer to the question whether he celebrated "the f ovu'th " in 1840, replied, ''There were 
only thi'ee of us in the town and one gim, but we fired the gim." The singing- school also j)ut 
in an early appeai'ance. The fi'equent " raisings " brought men together from long distances. 
At these gatherings, the work went vigorously on, and the fun was always uproai-ious before the 
separation. A broad smile immediately overspread the face of an old settler at the slightest 
allusion to an old-time "raising." The memoiy of the healthy recreations of those days throws 
a ruddy tint of cheerfulness over the somber and serious labors that made up the daily life of 
the pioneers. 

The long distances necessary to travel have been already classed as among the annoyances 
and hardships endured by the early settlers. This proved no obstacle in the way of the young 



HISTOItY OF WAJ.WOJrni COINTY. 347 

folks, if a daufo was at tlio fiul uf tho jimruey. Tht' swain who received au iuvitatioii to a ball 
tifteen miles away tlirougli the woods would lose favor in the (^yes of his lass should he fail to 
f^et her there in time for the first danC(>. Ilie ride, or walk, even, was no hardship to thi-m — 
quite the reverse. 

The tirst grand hall was held in Geneva on the opening of Warren's new hotel, January S, 
1838. It was held in the dancing-hall on the second floor; the plastering was not yet on, but 
the spring floor, which was the esj)ecial pride of the landlord, was finished and testetl for the 
first time that night. One hundi-ed gentlemen and ninety ladies were j)reseut, from all parts 
of the county — Spring Prairie, Elkhorn, Delavan, Troy, and <^ven from Elgin, Beloit and other 
towns beyond the limits of the county. Warren took in §7(K1, which was a princely haul for 
those times. 

The above was by no means the first dance. Mention is made in the annals of Troy of a 
dance held at Othni Beardsley's on July 4, 1837. That is beli(wed to have lx>en the first in the 
county. Althotigh not so elaborately gotten up as the Geneva ball, it was a season not to be 
forgotten by those who participated. It was the closing act in the celebration of the day. It 
came o& in Beardsley"s upper room — a sort of crtjss between a hall and a garret. The roof came 
down low on the sides, making it necessary for the taller couples to confine themselves to the 
center of the floor along the line of the ridge-jiole. Windows in each end allowed air sufficient 
for breathing purposes. Here, to the music of two violins, i)layed by Horatio J. Murray and his 
brother, the dancing went on from the afternoon, all through tin* night, till the 5th of July had 
broken into daylight. The women had no surcease, as they were scarce. They numbered only 
seven — foiu- married and three unmarried Busy as they were, it is related that each of the 
maidens received a hm-ried proposal of marriage before the dance was over fi'om a thrifty young 
farmer who had an eye to business. One of ihem accepted, and was married a fortnight after. 
The marriage proved a happy one. 

Following the ball at ^^ arren's was a dancing-school, the first kept in the county. The 
teacher was A. M. Clark, whose home was somewhere in Illinois. He taught that winter on a 
sort of weekly circuit, at Chicago, Waukegan, Racine, Milwaukee and Geneva, making the 
rounds once a week in a rather dilapidated jumper. He carried with him his violin and his 
rifle, and often came in to till one of his numerous appointments with a deer he had shot on the 
way. Ancient fame places him high as a hom-pipo jilayer. He furnished music for dances and 
taught the accomplishment of dancing in the county for several years, and, in the eyes of the 
young folks, stood at the head of his profession. Two years ago, he returned to visit the scenes 
of his early labors and triumphs. He was over seventy, but [)layed for a dance at Spring Prairie 
diu'ing his visit, which was attended by many old and gray, like himself, who, in the ruddy days 
of youth, had stepped nimbly to the sound of his mtisic forty years ago. There was a tinge of 
melancholy in the pictiu'e, as the dances of Auld Lang Syne, trod with somewhat stifi'ened steps, 
the maze of the old dances to the old familiar tunes of the gray-haired fiddler, now broken with 
the weight of years. 

Other early musicians who were favorites were Charley Abbott, of Milwaukee, who died 
some twelve' years ago, and Hess, the German, who still lives in Milwatikee. There were also 
the MtuTay brothers; Asa Blood, Jr., and his sister Sally, both left-handed i)layers; Hiram 
Boyce and Henry Bradley, now, and for many }ears, the Postmaster at ElklK)rn. 

The first singing-master was Monsieur Durgin, a French teacher who lived at Southport 
(now Kenosha). He taught at tTeneva, S])ring Prairie and other ])laces in the county during 
th(! winters of 1838, 183!) and 1S40. Seth Cowles was the first resident singing-master. He 
lived in the north part of Geneva. He only taught the rudiments, liut that was sufficient to 
bring the young folks together, and Cowles' singing- schools wen* popular if his pupils did not 
attain to a high degree of proficiency in the art or science he professed to teach. 

Social gatherings were not confined lo dancing parties. Invitations to social parties, where 
games, storytelling and a bounteous repast made up the entertainment, wiTe responded to from 
a distance with a hearty unanimity that showed how warmly those old hearts beat for each oflier. 

An ac(^)unt has been given by s(!veral of the early cliroiiiclers of a hulicrous denomnent. 
after a panic of fright, which occurred at one of the early gatherings. Two versions of the 
stoiT are given, differing widely in detail, though both retaining the cathartic ingredient which 



348 HISTORY OF WALWOKTH C'OUNTV. 

gives them the stainji of essential truth and traces them to a common orii^'iu. It serves as a fit 
ilhistratiou of how honest authorities may dift'er: 

THE PIE STORY. (FIRST VERSION IN PRINT.) 

'' Some of the residents of our viUage who participated in it, with many from other parts 
of the county, cannot restrain their laughter when reminded of the pumpkin-]iie party at Dr. 
Hemenway's, on Spring Prairie. The doctor had that year raised a croji of |)uiupkins, the lirst 
in the county, and, to make the most of them, gave notice that a hall would be held at hi.s house, 
and his guests would be regaled with a plentiful supply of pumpkin pie. The bait took, and 
scores of Yank(H>s scattered through the ojuntry, attracted by it, thronged his double log house 
and tilled it to overflowing. The pies were produced and duly eaten, and the dau(ie commenced, 
and, for a time, "all went merry as a marriage bell," but suddenly one and another turned ])ale 
and left the chamber. Soon all was confusion and dismay. Countenances so lately lighted up 
with smiles of joy and mirth were now distorted with pain and fear, and the voice of laughter 
and gayety was changed to signs and groans of distress. The house was at once turned into a 
hospital, and the doctor had more patients on his hands that night than had ever before fallen 
to his lot at one time. He immediately began to search for the cause of this alarming state of 
affairs, and to inquire into the constituents of the feast. He learned that his family, being en- 
tirely out of other spices, had seasoned the pies with allspice. This did not cxjilain the mystery 
until some of the berries were brought for his inspection, when it flashed upon his mind that he 
had Ijrought with him into the country a large lot of Lee's jiills, and laid them carefully away 
in his pantry. These, after lying ther(> forgotten and undisturbed for a long time, hai-l become 
dry and hard and been mistaken for allspice. The murder was now out and the wild fears of 
the company soon subsided and gave place to renewed merriment under the doctor's assurances 
that this wholesome and timely medication would prove beneficial to their health, although it 
would be likely to destroy his prospects as a physician for the season. In due time the com- 
pany separated in high good humor notwithstanding the disasters of the evening." 

THE PIE STORV. (MANUSCRIPT VERSION.) 

"In the fall of 1837, Col. Pi>rez Merrick's family, consisting of foiu- sons and three daugh- 
ters, a number of whom had passed beyond their teens, desired to enlarge their acquaintance 
with the young people of the siuTounding settlements, and proposed having an evening party, as 
in the days of former years, and, accordingly, an invitation was sent abroad for the young people 
to assemble at their house (which wa.s comfortable and commodious for those days) on a certain 
evening designated When the time came, a large company assembled, some from ten miles 
distant. All were joyous and happy at meeting each other, and in pronouncing the jests and 
jokes upon the conveniences of a new country. No time was lost in renewing old acquaintances 
and making new ones. In due time supper was announced. No pains had been spared to make 
it a bountiful luxury. 

•' They having succeeded well in raising poultry that season from a stock which they 
brought with them fi-om the State of New York, and which was then a great rarity, had a full 
(|uantity of chicken-pie. In due time recreations commenced, and the dancing went merrily on 
for some time, but after awhile one after another was taken sick and obliged to leave the room, 
and then came a time when all was confusion, dismay and distress among the throng recently so 
happy and joyous. The strange sensation of the guests led to the suspicion that poison had in 
some way been aihninistered, and a search was immediately made for the cause, and it was soon 
discovered to be in the allspice, which they had procured at the store the day before. Mr. Craw- 
ford, having ])laced a lot of goods in Dr. Hemenway's bar-room, the doctor's medicines had 
l.)een crowd(>d into a small corner at one end of the siielf where some of the goods were placed, 
anil his ])ills had been sold for allspice, which was ground and put into the pie. No fears were 
eut(>rtained then but what the cholera would abate, and that they should again be permitted to 
see daylight." 

Still another account has been tendered, locating the scene at the house of Dr. Mills, in La 
Fayette, in which a pumpkin-pie becomes the mysterious soiu-ce of trouble. The latter story is 
deemed too apocry[)lial to be embalmed in history. 



IllSldliV OF WALWOinil COINTV. 349 

MOKAI. AND RELIGIOUS GERMS. 

Tlic moral aiul rcli<rioiis ch'iiu'iits aiul forces brought to bear in moldiiii;; tho general cou- 
ilnct and character of the commnnity are worthy of record and consideration. Many of the ear- 
liest setth>rs who (vinie in, tliongh not, perhaps, ranking above tlie average of their neighbors for 
integrity. U])rig1ilness and large-liearted g(>nerosity, were men of strong moral and religious con- 
victions, which th(>y held with conscientious tenacity and jiropagatcd with untiring vigor. 
Som(> of them came out with the express purpose of helping to establish a higher standard of 
righteous living and a place of refug<> for the opi)ri>ssed. Col. Sanuiel F. Phoenix and his 
brother Hemy weiv doubtless im})elled to sell out a lucrative Viusiness in P(>rry, N. Y., and to 
move West, in the hope of here establishing a colony, free fi-om the curse of intemperance and 
irreligiou. Samuel marked uj)oii the stakes as he made his th'st claims about Delavan Lake 
and Turtle Creek, "Temperance Colony," and wrote home to his brother of killing cm the 
ground a rattlesnake, which he deemed an omen of coming success, in killing the venomous serpent 
— intemperance,"' among the peo|)le who might settle there. His religious convictions were too 
ardent for silence, and almost as .soon as he set foot in the county, h(> is found leading a ju'ayer- 
meetiug and preaching lay sermons. On the second Sunday after his arrival, he held what is 
stated by Rev. S. A.. Dwiunell to b(> the iirst religious meeting ev(>r held Ix'tween Fox and Kock 
Kivers. in Wisconsin.* The meeting was held in the house of Dr. Hemenway, who, though himself 
a most decided doubter, showed a commendable s])irit of tolerance in throwing open his house for 
th(> occasion. The account of this and a subsequent meeting, held at the same place on the 
Sabbath following, is thus given in ('ol. Phoenix's jom-nal: 

•'Sunday morning, July 1(1: I hn'l deeply my responsibility in respect to the meeting I am 
about to hold. My dependence is in God — nevertheless I look anxiously across the ])rairie to 
set^ if brother Danii^l Salisbury is coming • that there may be at least two or three to meet in the 
name of the Lord." .\t meeting tim(\ all (lie neighbors, save one family, came together, making 
an assembly of tiftec^n souls. A portion of Scripture was read and prayer offered for the special 
lilessing of God on this tirst effort to hold a religious meeting in the settlement and observe the 
Sabbath in a religipus way. We sung a hymn. I then read my letter of commendation from 
tlie Chm'ch in Perry. I also gave a little of my religious experience and the blessetbiess I 
found in the religion of Christ. I gave reasons for appointing the meeting and spoke of my 
desire to do good to the souls of my fellow-men. I then addressed the company from Gal., vi, 
7 — Be not deceived; God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 
I endeavored, as I always do, to adaj)t my subject to the wants of my hearers. Brother Salis- 
bury offered a good ])rayer and we clo.sed by singing the hymn. ' ^Vhen I can read my title clear,' 
et(% There were four professors of religion ]>resent."' 

"Sumlay, July 17th: I again held meeting at Dr. Hemenway"s. When the hour of meet- 
ing cami", there were ])resont, besides the family, Daniel S:disbury, Palmer Gar<lner and David 
I'ratt and his daughters. Nothing daunted, I went forward and opened the meeting with read 
iug the Scriptui'es and prayer. Had no singing. I discoursed ujwn the parable of the barren 
fig tree. Although I was as animated as usual, soon two of my unbelieving auditors were cod- 
ding. Dr. H. got sound asleeji. I had only three adults to preach to. I shortened my dis- 
course to some twenty minutes. As I closed my discourse, seven more came in, which ma(li> the 
usual number. So we sung a hymn, Bro. Salisbury prayed and we closed. The late comers 
apologized for their tardiness. I felt to say, '(Jan thesis dry bones live." Thus has the Gospel 
l)een ])reuched for the first time l)etween Fox and Rock Rivers in this itd'ant I'erritory. Alay 
the Loi'd bless the effort and cause tliat some gocd may result! 1 hope this week to elVect an 
an-angement foi' holding meeting at G-odfrey's (Rochest(>r) and >[eacliam"s (Troy). 

" Dr. Hemenway I find to be a i-ejecfDi- nf the Bililc In convi^rsation witli liini I realize 
how wretched a soul is who has not the luick, Christ, to build its hi)])es upon. 'I'hc j>ii)l(( is 
doubly sweet to my taste. ()! it is good tn be like a new born babe desii-iiig the sincere milk of 
the word that we may grow thereby."' 

Rev, Solomon A. Dwinnell, iuiotlirr early settler, came in 1^:10. and. from his ;iri'ival, was 

*Mr. Dwinnell tnil (^»I. IMne-iix iir<- pnd.iMy in '-rrov ii-* t ) this l.'im the flrdt roligimis turi'tiiiK- ivf v. Mr. Griltiii ln-hl uii npni-jiir 
I'r;iyer-rneeting in Ku-st Trc.v Siiiiil,iy. July ■>. \»Mi. Nj sorm-Hi waa preached on the occBsion. 



350 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUMTY. 

an earnest advocate of tempex'ance. He instituted and conduoted the first series of weekly 
prayer-meetings held in the county. Of his early religious work, he gives the following ac- 
count : 

" The first prayer-meeting in the county was established in May, 1837, at the cabin of D. 
Campbell, on Spring Prairie, on the spot where Deacon Bacon and his son John have since 
lived. Some of those who attended walked from Burlington, and others fi-om the northwest 
part of Spring Praifie an extreme of ten miles, and made an assembly of aboiit a dozen in all. 
The first sermon was preached in June, or July, by n visiting Methodist minister — the only one 
I heard for some eleven months, at the same house. The earliest Salibath school known to me 
was commenced at my house in June, in 1838, by my wife and myself." 

Elder Benjamin Perce was the first ordained minister who preached a sermon and held 
]mblic religious services in the western part of the county. The service was held at the house 
of Allen Perkins, in Delavan, on the evening of October 7, 183(i; his test was from Matthew 
xis, '20—" What lack I yet? " 

The fii'st denominational Christian organization in the county was effected by the Method- 
ists in East Troy. The old Aztalan Circuit held a quarterly meeting at that place, February 3, 
1838. The Presiding Elder was Rev. Salmon Stebliius. The meeting was held at the house 
of Daniel GrifBn, where a class was formed. The first preacher was Rev. Jesse Halstead. 
There was occasional preaching at other points in the county on Mr. Halstead's circuit diu'ing 
that and the following year; at Meacham's Prairie (Troy), Spring Prairie and Elkhorn. 

In 188U, the Aztalan Circuit was divided and a new circuit formed fi-om its southern half. 
It was called the Walworth Circuit and at first took in Bm'lington and Rochester, with various 
points in Walworth County. In 18 K), Burlington and Rochester were detached and made into 
a new circuit, and the name of the Walworth Circuit changed to Troy, as the oldest and largest 
class was at that place (now East Troy). At that time, Mr. Halstead was succeeded on the cir- 
cuit by Rev. James McKean. The following sketch of the labors of himself and his immediate 
successor. Rev. L. F. Malthrop, is from Dr. W. G. Miller's book, entitled, " Thirty Years in the 
Itineracy." The sketch also alludes to work done in the county during the same years by Rev. 
David Worthington, who had charge of the R'ichester and Burlington Circuit after it was 
formed, in 1840, and did missionary work in the towns of Walworth County nearest his charge. 
The sketch is as follows: 

"On the new charge (Rochester and Biirlingtou), there were two classes formed by Bro. 
Worthington during this year. The first was formed in Putifer's Schoolhoiise on Spring Prairie 
in the summer of \HW, and included in its membership, Mr. and Mrs. John M. Cowham, Lan- 
.sing Lewis and Mrs. Lewis, his mother. Bro. Cowham was the leader. The other class was 
organized in Lyonsdale, with Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Lyon, Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher Lyon, Mr. 
and Mrs. Ansel Waite, Mr. and Mrs. Marshall and Mrs. Jones. Hon. William P. Lyon, of 
the Supreme Court, subsequently became identified with the society. 

* * * *■* * * iiijit ^ ** 

"In 1811, Rev. L. F. Moulthroi) was appointed to the Troy Circuit. He remained the 
second year, and had as a c>lleagir:» the exc.41ent R3v. Henry Whitehead, so long and well 
knowQ by the preachers of the Northwest in connection with the Chicago Book Depository. 

"At Round Prairie a class was forme i. The members, as far as ascertained, were" Rev. 
James Flanders, local ])reaohei-, Mr. and Mrs. Houghten, Mrs. Noreross, Father Cornice and 
Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Cornice. 

"At Heart Prairie, the services were held in Father Worthiugton's log house, where a class 
was also organized. Father Worthington, his wife and two sous, Elijah and Theodore and 
Mrs. Lewis, were the first members. 

"At Delavan, the meetings were held alternately in Mr. Bradway's log house in the village, 
and at the residence of Mr. Phcenix on the prairie. The class at "this place was small, and I 
a'n uuable t) insert in ths rasjrd moi\> than the names of Mr. and Mrs. Bradway. 

"Elkh(.)ru at this early day. but. as the county seat, commanded an appointment." 

The first Baptist Church in the county was organized in Delavan September 21. 1839. 
Rev. Henry Topping was the fir.st pastor. An extended notice of this church appears in the 
town history of D,>lavan. A little later, daring thf> year following- ISIO -a Baptist Church 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 351 

Wiis formed iu Geneva. Tlu> lirst iuo;'tiu<i;, at whioli the orgauizatiou was oftVctod, was held at 
the house of C. M. Baker. The first pastor was Rev. P. W. Lake. 

Still another Biiptist Church was formed in Si)rin<^ Prairie May 27, ISU. Rev. William 
R. Manning was the first |)astor. It was an offslioot from the Baptist Church at Rochester, which 
was organized by the Baptists of Spring Pi-airie, Burlington and Uoohestor in the fall of 18;^7. 
Further mention of this church appears in the town history of Spring Prairie. The three above 
mentioned are b,>lioved to be tlio earliest Baptist Churclies organized in the county. 

The Congri^gationalists organized a church in Spring Prairie in lS4-(). The first meeting 
was lield in the sehoolhous," of District No. '"). The churcli membership comprised those of 
like faith living iu tlie t )wu of Burlington, as well as those of Spring Prairie. Rev. S. A. 
Dvvinuell was one of the organizers of the ehu'-ch. Rev. Cyrus Nichols was the first pastor. 

The Presbyterians organized a church iu Geneva in the spring of lS:iU. Rev. Lemuel Hall 
was the first preacher. This was the first church organized in Geneva, and the first of that 
denomination in the county. 

The Congregationalists of Whitewater were the first to organize a cliui'ch in that part of 
the county— perhaps the first in tiie county. The exa'it date of the organization at Spring 
Prairie cannot bs obtained: that of the church at Whitewater was July 3, 1S4(). The first 
pastor was Rev. Dani(d Sinith, Fiu'tlu-r mention of this church appears in the historical sketch 
of the village of Whitewater. 

The tu'st Episcopalian Chm'ch iu the county was organized in Elkhorn iu October, 184] — 
St. John's Church in the Wilderness. It was established by Bishop Kempt^r, and was, in its 
earlier years, under the pastoral charge of the Reverend professors of the Nashotah Divinity 
School — Breck Hobert and Adams — who held services alternately. 

These are believed to be the earliest churches organized in the county. They are all now 
in existence, having stood through two generations as the early watch-towers on the walls of 
Zion. Thus it appears that the instrumentalities of church organization early Ijeeame a potent 
element in the development of the character of the growing community. 

The pioneer ministers did no holiday work. They were conscientious laborers iu the 
Master's vineyard, and felt the heavy weight of responsibility that rested on them as the 
guardians of His trust in a "far country." They were poor in purse, and many of them eked 
out a livelihood by cultivating the land in addition to the scanty income derived from their 
clerical work Much of their work gave only the return of the approval of their consciences, 
and the hopes of the coming verdict of approval — "Well done, thou good and faithful servant "' 
— after eai'th's labors had ended. Funerals were attended wherever calhnl, at whatever distance, 
regardless of the hardships incuiTed. Their efforts in missionary work, before the churches 
were organized, involved labor and ])rivations that could have be(>n performed and endm-ed only 
under the exaltation that comes from a thorough devotion to duty and an unquestioning, un- 
complaining and trustfiil spirit. 

The devoted followers of Loyola, at the command of the church, went to the uttermost 
parts of the earth to plant the seed of the church, " without staff or scrip, without question and 
without hope of earthly reward." In obedience to the commands of the Most High, the pioneer 
preachers of forty years ago, with the same spirit of self-sacrifice, came into the wilderness to 
plant the colors of the Christian Church in the van of the coming civilization of the West. 

Among the earliest clergymen! wercj Benjamin Perce, Lemuel Hall. 1'. W. Lake. Orra Mar- 
tin. Henry Topping, A. Gaston, C. Morgan. Daniel Smith, Cyrus Nichols, William R. Manning 
and Jesse Halstead. Tlnu-e were other vigorous workers who preached as occasion offered — 
Solomon A. Dwinnell, Col. Samuel F. Phfenix, Daniel Griffin and others, whose names cannot 
i)e r((membered. In the town histories, further mention will be found of these early pioneers 
in Christian work. 

MORAL MUTATION. 

Without discussing the merits or demerits of the moral cpiestions that forced themselves 
into notice, not only in this (■ounty l)ut all over the land, it is a matter to be recorded in history 
that the initiative somves of agitation, far back of the times whiMi they entei'(Hl into politics, 
iu^e to be traced to the (>arly churches. The abolition of slavery liecamc^ oiu> of the tenets of the 
Methodist Episco])al Church, and resulted in its separation into two organizations. North and 



352 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

South. Out of this aud other churches, to which must be added a few sturdy and conscientious 
men outside, came tlie early agitators of the slavery (|uestion on purely mural grounds. They 
were the early Abolitionists. 

The agitation of the temperance cjuestion began vigorously at au early day, and has kept Wal- 
worth County foremost iu the line of reform and prevention of the evil of intemperance even to 
the i^resent time. In this it is not intended to attribute the entire moral force on the tem]ier- 
ance side to the churches, but to treat them as the most aggressive and best organized opponents 
to the evil, leaving it an open question as to the wisdom of their varied and various methods of 
propagating the reform. 

Allusion has been already made to the earnest and efficient work of Col. Phcenix, one of 
the tu'st religious exliorters who ever preached in the county, to establish temperance as the 
hand-maid of religion in his infant colony at Delavan. His brother Henry was no less zealous 
in the temperance cause. Solomon A. Dwinnell, a clergyman as well as a reformer, thus wi'ote 
of his early labors in the temperance cause: "'I came to Wisconsin a teetotaler, having assisted 
in forming the tu'st society in the United States pledged against the use of all that intoxicates, 
at Andover, Mass., June, 183"2. I have here labored to siistain these principles. In July, 1838, 
I lectured at Spring Prairie Corners, and assisted in forming a society of about twenty members 
— the fii-st known to us in Walworth County. 

"On the 1st day of January, 1839, twenty of us, men and women, met in a small room at 
Elkliorn, exchanged greetings, some for the first time, listened to an address by B. C Perce, 
Esq., of Gardner's Prairie, and organized a County Temperance Society which lived manj' years 
and its influence still survives. Among those present were C. M. Goodsell. S. F. Phcenix, J. 
Spooner, J. W. Vail and John F. Pottei-. 

"In January, 1840, a small band of us met iu a log schoolhouse in Troy, the same in which 
the Presbyterian and Congregational Convention was organized, in Octob(n' of the same year, 
and formed a society for the Territory. We were very zealous and full of hope for the future. 
Addresses were given by S. ^f. Phcenix, Stephen Peet, A. Finch, Jr., JI. Frank and others." 

Another temperance society was formed in Geneva, December 25, 1839. The first meeting 
was held at the house of C. M. Baker. Fifty members took the pledge at the time of its organi- 
zation. During the year 1840, seventy more joined the society. The first officers of this vigor- 
ous association were: President, Benjamin Ball; Vice President, John Chapin; Secretary, C. M. 
Baker; Executive Committee, C. M. Goodsell, William K. May and Morris Boss. 

Among the articles of faith of the lirst Baptist Church in Dc^lavan, were the following: 

AitTicLE 16 — Believin,;^ the use of all intoxicating ilrinks as a licvcnige to be needless, dang-erous and 
Inirtfiil, Ave will neither drink nor vend, nor mannfaetnre the same to be drank, nor admit to our communion 
aiij' who do not eonform to this rule. 

Article 17 — Believing thai American slavery is an institution in oinxisition to the law of God and the 
advancement of the kingdom of Christ, and the happiness and saered priveleges of more than 100,000 of our 
brethren, therefore, we, iu the face of God. solemnly protest against it. and cannot fellowsliip those who are 
directly or indirectly engaged in it. 

Thus this, the flrst Baptist Church in the county became a temperance society and an anti- 
slavery organization. 

On December '.). 1843, the articles and covenants of the Spring Prtiirie Baptist Church were 
revised, and in the covenant the following clause was inserted: 

That w(^ will not countenance the use id', or the trallic in, inloxieatinglicjuors, or the Imying or holding of 
human beings as jiroperly. 

Thus tuiotlier of the early churches arrayed herself beside her elder sister. It is quite likely 
that a perusal of the articles iind covenants of the other early churches would show that they 
had taken a like positive stand against the twin evils. The above- have come to notice, and are 
recorded its showing the general stand taken on these two absorbing questions, one of which was 
washed out in rivers of blood, the other, unhappily, remaining yet to vex the souls of humani- 
tarians and Christians who, with forty years of faithfttl labor, have stayed the flood of tribula- 
tion and sorrow, bttt luive not dried its sources. 



IIISTOKY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 353 

THE WALWORTH COUNTY BRANCH UNDEH-GROnND RAILROAD. 

As has alroady bi>oii stated, the anti-shivery cause found stanch adhc>rents in Walworth 
C'ounty from the beginning. Even among tlio comers of 1S:](( were several of the then impopular 
race of Garrisouian Abolitionists. Dwinnell, the Phfeuixes, Dyin-. Elder Manning and many 
others, were the uucomproiEising eneTuies of the system and bi-aved danger and contTunely in 
defense of their principles. 

The first '■ Underground Itailway " from Milwaukee^ to ('anada was located through the 
eastern [lart of the county as early as US48, and no fleeing slave was ever captured on the Wal- 
worth section of the line. Tiie first passenger sent safely through was th(» slave girl, Caroline 
Quarlles, a quadroon who had escaped from her owners and ttvd to Milwaukee, to which place 
her i)nrsuers had tracked lu-r. It soon came to the ears of the Abolitionists of the town that 
she was to be claimed by process of law and returned to slavery. It was at once determined to 
ship her to Canada by the Underground Railway. The starting-point oP the journey was in 
\Vank(>slia County, to which point she was carried in the night, being conveyed across the river 
and out of the city liy Asahel Finch, now <ine of the leading lawyers of Milwaukee. From the 
boundary of the city she was taken to Pewaukee by Samuel Brown, father of the present Mayor 
of Milwaukee. On the way he was met by a party from Waukesha, who were returning fi-om a 
fruitless search for the girl. They passed him, not suspecting that he carried the object of 
their search in the bottom of his wagon. Farther on, his vehicle broke down. He mounted 
his horse, took the girl before him, and landed her at the first station of the Underground Rail- 
way, in Pewaukee, before daylight. For several days she was secreted there, in Waukesha, and 
other parts of Waukesha Ci)Tinty, being removed from place to ])lace by night t<i avoid her pur- 
suers, as often as they discovered her place of concealment. Early in August, IStH. her jom'ney 
to Canada and freedom by the I^nd(^rground Railway began. 

Lyman Goodenow. of Waukesha, was the man chosen to take Caroline through to Canada. 
8he had been sent into Walwtirth County for safety, from whence Goodiuiow was to take her on 
her jjerihuis joiu'ney. She was at first s(^creted in the house of Solomon A. Dwinnell. who gives 
the following account: 

•'Early of an August morning, in the year 1S48, a loud rap was heard at om- door at S|iring 
Prairie. Walworth County. I at once arose, and, upon opening the door, was accosted 1)V Deacon 
Ezra Mendall, of Waukesha, and two associates, with a slave girl ap]iarently about eighteen years 
old, of fine figure and light yellow comiilexion. They said to me, "We hav(> work hi-re for you. 
This girl is hotly jmrsued, and a large reward is ofTered, and many are out hunting for her. 
We wish you to conceal her to-day, and to-night remove her to another place, so that she cannot 
be tracked. We will come in .a fi'w days and take her. We must leave at once to avoid being 
seen here by daylight. As they arose to leave, the poor girl looking at them anxiously, and 
with an expre-ssiim of terror that I can never forget, inquired, 'Are you leaving m(> with friends' 
Am I safe here.'' (living her an affirmative answer, they took leave. The girl was concealed 
during the day, and the following night was ])laced in care of Deacon J. (1 P., at Gardner's 
Prairie, where she remained a few days, when the cars of the Undergroun<l Kailroad convc^yed 
her to what was then "the land of th(> free" in the dominion of the liritisli (^ueen. wiiere at 
th<^ last advices she was pros])i'rous and liap])y."' 

(roodenow and Deacim ^leiulall. having l(4't the slave in the care of Dwinnell. retunuMl to 
Waukesha. The story is continued substantially in his own words: 

'' We came home l)y a different route from that on which we went, and found everylhing 
s<>rene. We had not been missed from Prairieville ( Wa\dc(>slia). Thost' fellows were satisfied 
she had left the place, and, for t.wo or three days, a few friends of us talked of the affair, and 
con('lu<led that, though the ])eo])le the girl was with were stanch Aliolitionists, we did not know 
how good managers th(>v were. The mori; wo talked the more fearful W(> were she would be 
found. Finally, we decided that one of us should go and take the girl through to som(> statiim 
on the Underground Railroad, and they i)it(du!d upon me, being an old liachelor with no family 
to keej) me from going, as the proper one to do the jol). At this time money was not |)l(>nty in 
Prairieville. as every one was l>aying for his land. I had to start away with very little money. 
I rode mv horse U) I)(>acon Edmund Clinton's, as I always did wluni I wanted to get him shod. 



354 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

with a ropo-halter on so as not to look suspicions. It was abont dark. I told the Deacon I 
wanted his saddle, bridle and all the money he had. ' I am j^oing on a skeerup, and I may be 
obliged to ])ay the Queen a visit before I get l)aek,' said I. He handed mo |5, all the money he 
had by him. That made $8 with what I had, to start with. I mounted my horse and started 
for the oak openings. Went through North Prairie, Eagle and to West Troy. Before reaching 
the last place it began to rain, and it was the darkest night I had ever seen. Lost my way 
.several times, and did not reach my destination till 7 or 8 o'clock in the morning, I had break- 
fast, baited my horse and dried my clothes till noon. I was startled to find Caroline gone. I 
was more easy, however, when I found that they had moved her Tuesdaj' night to Gardner's 
Prairie (two miles from Burlington), where she was left, but they didn't know at whose house. 
I started for Gardner's Prairie to hunt her up, and on the way sto]iped at Elder Manning's. 
He had not heard there was siich a girl as Caroline, and knew nothing about the e.^citement con- 
nected with her case, having been conlined to the house by illness. He declared his intention 
of going with me to the Prairie to tind the girl, in spite of the pleadings of his wife, who 
thought it too great a risk for his health, this being his first day out of bed. The weather had 
cleared and we started, the Elder going straight from his bed to his horse. We rode to Mr. 
Peffers', who, knowing the Elder, upon being questioned, said the girl was there. I was ac- 
quainted with the l)rothers Arms, Abolitionists, and went to them. They called in two or three 
other friends to consult what to do, and, while talking. Dr. Dyer, father of Judge Charles E. 
Dyer, came along. He proved to be the Commander- in chief — a strong Abolitionist, the gi-eatest 
and best friend to humanity. We could not keeji the doctor from seeing the girl ; so we all went 
down where she was. and held another consultation, when it was decided that I should take Mr. 
Chenery's buggy and harness and continue the journey to safety and freedom. Dr. Dyer went 
home and made preparations. He came back with a pillow-case full of cakes, pies and cheese, 
to be used incase of an emei'geney. He inquired into my finances. I told him what I had. He 
commanded the friends to dravy their wallets, and took up enough to make 120 with what I had. 
The doctor gave me a recommendation, the best I ever had, and an appeal to the friends of hu- 
manity to assist me without question to the extent of my asking. I believe there was never an 
appeal like that written by mortal man before or since. It would almost stir the heart of a 
stone. 

" While at this jilace just befoi'e night, who should we see coming up the hill but Ai'nold and 
Spencer, still wearily but doggedly pm-suing the fugitive girl. Caroline, myself and the rest of 
the party were out in the yard, lint, fortunately, were not seen. When night came on, we 
started from Dr. Dyer's, Caroline on the liufi'alo-robe in the bottom of the l)Uggy, which covered 
her so no one would know but that I had a sheej) or a ([uarter of veal." 

Mr. Chenery accompanied Goodenow to the next stopping- pi ace, which was Elder Fitch's; 
thence by stages, mostly at night, stopjiiug with trusted friends by day, through Illinois and 
Michigan, to Windsor, Canada, oiijiosite Detroit, where the fugitive was left a fi-ee woman on 
British soil by her faithful conductor. The jom-ney going and retm'ning took Goodenow five 
weeks, during which time he was fed and sped from station to station by the willing employes 
of the Underground Railway, a branch of which, as will be seen liy the aliove story, ran through 
the eastern part of Walworth County. 

THE BEGINNING OF HUSB.iNDRY. 

In 1881, there were, under cultivation in Walworth County, 9-">,0()0 acres of plowed land- 
Besides, there were 47,()(»() acres of fenced mowing and pasture land, giving sustenance to 10," 
000 horses, '27,000 neat cattle. 108,000 sheep and lambs and 25,000 swine. There were also 
4,000 acres of fruit-bearing trees. 

At the commencement of the year 183<), the plow had never turned a furrow; there was not 
a white inhabitant in the county, nor horse, nor ox, nor sheep, nor swine. That yeai- saw the 
beginning of the vast agi'ieultm-al domain of 1881 above mentioned. 

The first sod was turned by Palmer Gardner, still living in Burlington, Racine Coimty, and 
owning the land he first tilled. He comuaenoed plowing on Section 2r> in the present town of 
Spring Prairie, May 2, 183^), and ])lowod eighteen acres, which he sowed to wheat, bai'ley and 
oats. This was also the first of these cereals sown in the county. About a week later, Othni 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. SSft 

Beardsley plowcil a few acres arouiul souu' ((iiartiT stakos in Troy, to secure his claim, aud the 
same s])riiig Jossd M(<acliam ami Ailol[)hiis Spoor plowed some eiijlit acres. Mr. David Pratt 
and Solomon Harvey plowed five acn^s (>acli in Spring Prairie, in June, 18:50, on Section 80. 
On it they ]>lanted a few potatoes and sowed the rest to Imckwheat. Isaac Chase and Willfam 
J. Bentley also broke ground aud put in their first seed in the same year, on Sections *J8 and 29. 
Dani(>l Salisbury broke four acres in the summer of 1S3(), which was planted to potatoes in 
1887. According to Mr. Solomon A. Dwinnell. who came in himself in 188(), the above consti- 
tutes the whole of the tillage of 1880. He wrote, January 1, 1868: 

"Thirty-one years ago, there were but four fenced and plowed fields in the county within 
my knowledg^^. Spoor and Meacham had one at Honey Creek, now Troy, of ten acres; David 
Pratt ami Solomon Harvey, one of fivi* acres each, fenced together, where Calvin Hempsted now 
lives, on Spring Prairie: Isaac Chase and William J. Bentley. a field of twelve acres just east of 
the large burr-oak tree on the pi-esent farm of Iv. B. Billings, a mihi east of Spring Prairie Cor- 
ners and Palmer G.irduer, one of forty acres, on his farm just east of his present residence on 
Gardners Prairie The grain then raised must have been limited to a few hundred bushels of 
.sod corn and buckwheat, and the vegetables to a score or two of bushels of potatoes aud tiu-nips." 

The total number of acres cultivated the first year could not have exceeded one hundred 
acres, including a few small patches of vegetable garden at Geneva, Delavan and East Troy. 

The first apple-seeds were ])lauted by Dani(>l Salisbury on his claim in Spring Prairie in 
the fall of 188(). They grew well and made stocks on which to graft, ^h: Salisbury obtained 
the seeds fi-om Mrs. William Phwnix. Samuel C. Vaughn, of Spring I'rairie, brought from 
Michigan two dozen grafted apple trees and put them out in March, 1887. They l)ore the fii'st 
apples grown in the county. Mr. E. Cheesebro, of Darien, brought about two (juarts of ajiple- 
seeds in when he came, in 1887, and planted them the same fall. Many of the trees are still 
living and bear good fruit. John Bell had quite a nursery on Palmer Gardner's farm, in Spring 
Prairie, in 1887 and 1888. He fm-nished the trees for many of the earliest orchards set out. 

In 1887, the comers of 1886, having got generally settled in their cabins, went at the soil 
in earnest and tracts were put under cultivatiou in nearly every town in the county. Some 
very hu'ge tracts were plowed, the largest of which mention is made was tui Big Foot Prairie, 
where Van Slyke, who settled there in the fall of 188(5, plowed 100 acres, and Collins Wadhams 
t(jok a contract to break -"iOO acres for five settlers between Walworth Center and the State line. 
The fmTows were two and one half miles long. The Phfenixes, at Delavan, the colony at Elk- 
horn and others all over the county, j)lowed large tracts and farming may be said to have been 
fairly begun that year 

"In 188(')," says Mr. Dwinnell, "there were about one hundred head of cattle in the county, 
five or six horses, a few swine, perhaps fifty, and no sheep. From these small beginnings the 
increase and progress was unexampled, as will bo seen by the following reliable statistics of the 
county for 1889, which are taken from the United States census report of 1840: Population, 
'2,()11; domc'stic animals — 409 horses, 2,S()l neat cattle, 410 sheep and 6,880 swine. Products 
of 1889— r)9,,")S0 bushels of wheat, 1,499 bushels of barley, 85.1."),") bushels of oats, 205 bushels 
of rye, 40.887 bushels of corn, 4"2. 155 Imshels of potatoes, 8,1)2 1 tons of hay aud 1 pound of 
reeled silk. 

It will be seen by the above stattMueut that at the close of IS89, the settlers had, from the 
crops of only two years, come to have a surplus of grain, beef and pork, far beyond their wants, 
and were, so far as provisions went, a prosperous and forehanded community. Su(^h sudden and 
bounteous returns for agricultural labor wer(> uni)rocedented, and the fame of the Walworth 
farming country brought in a deluge of immigration, which made its ra])id settlement no less 
phenomenal than its fertility. .'Vt the bi'giuning of 1887, the population did not exceed 200: 
at the clos(> of that year, it had increased to I,()19; in 1840, it had more than doubled, being 
2.611, which numl)er again more than doul)led in the succeeding two vears, being, in 1842, 
4,618. 



CHAPTER III. 

WAK HISTUP.Y. 

\Valwoeth County Militia — Sixth Regiment Wisconsin Militia — The Grand Muster — A Court 
Martial — Moral Indignation — The War of the Rebellion — Fourth Wisconsin Cavalry — 
Tenth Wisconsin Infantry — Thirteenth Wisconsin Infantry — Twenty-second AVisconsin In- 
fantry — Twenty- eighth Wisconsin Infantry — Fortieth AVisconsin Infantry — Forty-ninth 
Wisconsin Infantry — Roster of Officers Walworth County — Troops and Money Furnished. 

WALWORTH county MILITIA. 

THE statutes of the Territory of Wisconsiu were profuse iu provisions for the enronmeut. 
organizatiou, ecjuiiiment, drill and inspection of the militia, and in accordance therewith, 
the first Governor, Henry Dodge, had an enrollment taken, commissioned the officers, and had 
the whole militia force of the Territory on a war footing, on paper. There was, however, little 
military ardor among the pioneers. They were more engr(_)ssed in the serious business of sub- 
duing the soil and making for themselves homes, than in playing soldier in time of peace. So 
it came to pass that the militaiy statutes, by common consent, wei'e disregarded, and the ap- 
pointed Captains and Colonels had never mustered their commands in accordance with the law, 
nor even seen them, except in small squads, plowing in the fields, or in detachments at the var- 
ious "raisings" in the county. Thus it was in January, 1842, when Gov. Doty took the 
gubernatorial chair. 

At that time, rumors were rife that an alliance had lieeii formed by all the various tribes of 
Indians west of the Mississippi, who had ceded their lands, with the intent of invading the 
Territory, massaereing the whites, and re-possessing themselves of their former hunting- grounds. 
The I'umor ol)tainod sufficient credence to impel Gov. Doty to prepare for the impending danger. 
He accordingly issued his proclamation for a thorough organization of the militia throughout 
the Territory, and ordered the officers then commissioned to see their commands fully enrolled, 
drilled and mustered for review, at the time and in mannt>r as by law [irovided, on pain of the 
penalties prescribed for uon-])erformance of military duty. 

The law recpiired. first, that the commissioned and non-commissioned officers and musicians 
of the several regiments and separate battalions should meet within their several districts not 
less than three nor more than six days, successively, between the 1st day of June and the 1st 
day of September in each year, for the purpose of discipline and imjiroving in martial exercise; 
second, all uniformed companies were to meet, in addition to the general rendezvous, not less 
than three nor more than eight days iu each year, and as much oftener as a majority of all the 
members of their company may direct, for the [nirpose of drill and martial exercise: third, the 
regiments, or separates battalions, to meet once in each year, between the 10th day of September 
and the 15tli day of October, at such time and place as the commanding officer of the brigade 
should direct, for the purpose of inspection, review and martial exercise. 

The penalties varied in accordance with the offense committed — !flO fine against any per.son 
refusing to give information to the em-olling officer; |5 for non-attendance of a ya-ivate, besides 
such other penalties as a court martial miglit infiiet. 

At the time the tocsin was souudi>d, the militia of Walworth County was known as the 

sixth regiment of WISCONSIN MILITIA. 

Col. Edward Elderkin held command. It is not within the province of this departin(*nt o^ 
history to enlarge on the varied accomi)lishments or ciualities of Col. Elderkin in the walks o^ 
civil life. He was a lawyer of good repute, one of the first admitted to the W.dworth County 
bar. He has served the county in various capacities. He was the faithful Secretary of the 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 6!>i 

Walworth County Af,'i-icultui-al Society for Iwolvo years. He has heeu an (Uiter])visinu- and stir- 
rin<; man of afiairs. He is reiiienihered as a man of laro;e heart and most jovial disposition. He 
still liv(>s aiuid the scenes of liis younn-er days to tell of the <^ood old times of forty years ago. 
These traits must receive merited mention elsewhere. It is of the military car(H>r of Col. Elder- 
kin, detached fi'om his civil life, thoui:;h surroundinij; it witli a halo which years have not dis- 
])ell(d. that now rivets tlie attention. 

The Colonel was at that time in the heyday of esu'ly manhood, straio-ht as an ar)'ow, and, 
when fairly mounted, sat a horse as no other man in Walworth County could. Remarkable sim 
ilarities are often noted in the careers of men widely separated by distance and time. A parallel 
is not wanting in this instance. 

(Jol. Elderkin was, when he assumed connuand of his regiment, of the same age of Napoleon 
wluni appointed to the command of the army of Italy. He also weighed in the same notch of 
the steelyards, and was of his exact height — live feet six inches. Here, much to the credit of 
the Colonel, the pai-allel dissolves into marked contrast. Napoleon waxed fat; Col. Elderkin 
grew lean. Napoleon deluged his country and Em'ope in blood; Col. Elderkin spilt no gore in 
Walworth County or elsewhere. Napoleon allowed his ambition " to o'erlea]) itself," and died 
an exile and a jirisoner, at middle age, on the island of St. Helena; Elderkin, more level-headed, 
cm-bed his ambition, and, avoiding exile and death, his " arms hung up as monuments," he lives 
in the ripeness of his years, to show that " peace hath her victories no less than war." 

That bis likeness in statm'e and weight to Na|)oleon the Great was no matter of mere chance, 
and that he, like his renowned prototype, was a " child of destiny," is illustrated liy an incident 
in his early childhood. The male members of his family were men of gigantic stature and her 
culean strength. His father stood six feet thi-ee in his stockings, and his brothers were taller 
still. H(> was a sizable baby, and grew prodigiously till six years of age, having at that time 
attained to nearly his present height. Another year of such growth would have n:ade him taller 
than Na|)oleon. " The fates here interposed. At that time, he was di'owned. Portimately for 
himself and his country, his father succeeded in resuscitating him after the doctors had given 
up the job. but his further growth was stopped for the succeeding ten years. He himself avers 
that, oil teaching his first school, at the age of sixteen, he wore the identical jacket in which he 
was (h'owned. 

His early military service peculiarly fitted him for a militia command. H(* had Icnown Gen. 
John Crawford in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., before his removal to Milwaukee in LS3<'). In 
1^41, the Generalwasai)pointed as Chief Marshal of the Day for the Foiu-tliof July celebration of 
that yeiu-. His regimentals and accouterments had grown musty with disuse. His sword was 
rnsty'in its scabbard: from his (>paulets the glitter had fled, and the Isuttons of his coat were 
lust(!rless. In this dilemma, he sent for his fi'iend Elderkin, who, in the short space of three 
davs, by dint of hard lalior and the tise of much chalk, whiting and oth(>r soom'ing matei'ials, 
restored the ancient uniform to its pristine glory. The General appeared in it on the 4th, and 
was himself the finest military display ever held in the Territory. Elderkin ilid not go unre- 
warded for his arduoiis but modest service. His skill in the polishing of accouterments soon 
reached the oar of Gov. Dodge, and, in Ft4)rnary, 1841, he received his commission, which read 
as follows: 

IIKNKV 1)(»T)GK, 

' CJOVKUXOU OK TIFF. TkUIUTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

yV) ((// til whom thr/<i' prcii'iitit i/iai/ rume, Greetinn : 

KNOW YE, TliMl ri'pDsiii'^' siicciul trust :mil confidence hi tlie v;ilor, pMfriiitisiii :iih1 .-iliility of Edward 
Iderkiii. I li:ivc iioiiihiatcd. and, liy :ind Willi the consent of the Legislative Council, .-ippoinleil him Coloiid 
of tlie, Sixth Hi'ijiineut of WincoiiKiii Militia. 

And I <io I'lercby aiilhorii'.e and einiiower him to ixecute and fulfill the dulies of that oHicc accordinj; to 
law: To ll.WK and TO iloi,l) the said ollice. wilh all the rijrlits, |)rivileses and emohnneiits thereunto liidoiii;- 
in;;, until Hie (iovcnior of the s;ii<l Territory for the time bein^ shall IliinU proper- to determine :uid revoke 
this Commission. 

- In testimony whereof I have causi'd these lellers to lie made Patent, and I he (;HI-"..\T SE.\ I. 

\ , ^ t of the Territorv to be hereunlo atlixed. 

/ '- ^- \ OIVEX I'S'DEK MY H.VND. :it Madison, this tenth (hiy of February, in theyeand' (un- Lord 

— ,^ one thousainl eijrhl luinili-ed :uid forly-oiie. and of the Lidepeinlenci' of the United .'-^l;des of 

.\ineric;i, the sixtv tiflh. 

HENRY DOTY. 

Bv the Covernor. 



358 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

Thus Col. Elderkiu stood at the head of the militia at the begiiiniug of the yeai- 18J:2. The 
sudden effort of Gov. Doty to put the troops of Walworth County on a war footing would have 
put a less courageous officer to his trumps. Not so with the Colonel. He immediately scoiu'ed 
up his accouterments. and summoned his sta£f and a few trusty officers to a council of wai-. 

The field officers and officers of the line, so far as they can be ascertained, were as follows: 
Colonel, Edwai-d Elderkin, Elkhorn; Lieutenant Colonel, Urban D. Meacham. Troy; Major, 
James A. Maxwell, Big Foot: Adjutant, Abel W. Wright, East Troy. 

The Captains were: Lucius Allen, East Troy company: James Harkness, Sr., La Fayette 
company; P. G. Harrington, Sugar Creek company; Capt. Palmer, La Grange company; J. L. 
Pratt, Whitewater company; and several others not remembered. 

It was decided that tliere should be thorough work dm-ing the summer, and that the general 
muster should show to the Indians and the rest of mankind that the soldiery of Walworth Coiinty 
were able to defend their hearthstones and homes against any force fi-om without thali might 

assail. 

The whole county was up in arms. Between the com|>any trainings and the officers' drills, 
held at various points in the county, the Colonel and his staff were kept extremely busy, and 
slept but little diu-ing the summer, except in the saddle. The command had never yet been 
mustered for regimental parade or drill, but, as the time api>roached, the Colonel and his staff 
looked forward"with confidence, believing that, as a whole, they would prove unsmiiassed and 
unsurpassable in perfection of tactics and strictness of military discipline. The martial spirit 
was still further aroused by the following order, issued by Maj. Gen. Graves, on assuming com- 
mand, late in the summer: 

niVISION ORDERS, NO. 1. 

He.\d Quarters, First Division Wisconsin Militi.\, I 
MiiAVAUKEE. A\igust 8, 1842. ) 

1. The undersigned having been appointed MajorGeneral ci' Die First Division WLsconsin Militia, here- 
bv assume command of tlie same. . 

2. Pursuant to instructions from the Commander-in-ChR-1, the eoiumanding officers ot the several regi- 
ments, constituting the First Division Wisconsin Militia, will report direct to the Adjutant General as soon as 
practicable, the numl)er of their several commands (without waiting for a general muster), in order that acor- 
rect aggregate may be returned to the Secretary "f War, and tin- full quota of arms to which Wisconsin is 
entitled mav be received. .... , 

3. Commanding offlcers of regiments will immediately aseertain wliether the Captains in their several 
commands have caused enrollments'to be made according to"law, and if any liave neglected their duty, report 
them to the Coinmanderin-Chief, and at the same time nominate men to tliat otfice who will discharge the 
duties of such otHce. . -,.,.. 

4. The Brigadier Generals will see that every regiment in the First Division Wisconsin Militia, arc 
ordered out for general inspection, and will inform me as early as practi(al)le, of the time and place of holding 
such general inspections. 

5. The division slatt officers will liold themselves in readiness to accompany me, in full uniform, on a 
tour of inspection the comiiiu: fall. . 

6. Any neglect of duty on tlie part of officers or privates composing tlie First Division Wisconsin Mili- 
tia, will be visited with the "penalties of the law. 

7. Harvey Birchard and Henry S. Brown are hereby appointed Aids-dc-C'amp to the Major General; W. 

W. Brown. Division Paymaster, m place of Eliphalel Cramer, who iJecliii.es the appointment, and William A. 

Barstow, Division bispector, in plaee of Charles Delafield, deceasei-1. They will be obeyed and resi)ected 

accordingly. 

(Signed.) Georoe E. Graves, 

Henry S. Brown, Aid-(.le-Camp. ^faj. Oeii. Commanding First Division Wisconsin Militia. 

Ample preparations for the review were made. In addition to the regulai' music, fife and 
tlrum, furnished b}' each company, ;i regimental band was engaged fi'om abroad. The commis- 
sary department was placed in chtirge of Emery Thayer and Gorham Bunker, of East Troy, who 
beo-an the erection of their dining-hall two days before the time ajipointed for the muster. 
When completed, it was capable of feeding as many at a time as could find standing room, and, 
as will be seen, played no small part in the military drama. 

THE GRAND MDSTER. 

The time appointed for the rendezvous of the " Sixth" was October 5, 1842; the plaee. Elk- 
horn. On the preceding evening, several companies marched into camp to the mitsic of the fife 
and dram. Some took up their quarters for the night in the then unfinished building, after- 



HISTORY OF WAI.WOKTU COITXTV. 3o(> 

ward tlie Center Houkc. iiiul in (lie court lionse. Some fdiiiul liospitable entertainment at the 
dwellings of the citiz<'ns. Many took lodf^nngs in the stables and sneh other places of shelter as 
showed an open door. Elkhorn was full of soldic^rx . who t<issed in ti-oiil)led sleep, dreaming of 
the big event that was at hand. 

As rose the " sun of Aiisterlitz," so rose the sun of the Walworth County muster, shedding 
its brightest rays over the fields and woods, brown with the touch of eju'ly fi'osts, and beautiful 
in the hazy embrace of the Indian siunmer. Up rose the sun, and uy) rose the soldiers at Elk- 
horn, at Sugar Cre(»k, at Walworth, at Whitewater, at Delavan, at La Fayette, at Troy, at Ge- 
neva; the shrill life and the snarling drum drowned the song of birds, and tore the air with war- 
like din as it was never torn before. All were marching to theplac(>iif rendezvous. At 9 o'clock, 
the comj)anies began to arrive, each being gi-eeted with volleys of musketry and shouts of wel- 
come by their brothers in ai'ms more eai'lyon the tield. At 10, the last company had reached the 
field and the line w-as formed. In addition to the companies of the " Sixth" were detachments 
fi'om several companies of the Racine County regiment, who were entertained as guests at com- 
missary headquarters. They all took place in line, and added not a little to the number and 
magnificence of the cohort. 

With a few tangles and snai'ls, the regiment was fonned in line of review on Walworth 
street, the left resting on Elder Lee's tavern, and the line extending south an indefinite distance 
toward Delavan. The sight as a military display was never equaled in Walworth County. The 
rank and file, inchiding visiting soldiers fi-om Biu-lington and other towns of Racine County, 
numbered not less than twelve hundied. The soldiers were clad diversely. Prosper Cravath 
states that they came "some with hats and some without, some with coats and st)me without, and 
those who had shirts wore them, and those who did not have them eam(» without." Be this as it 
may, they were in line. Their arms, through no fault of theirs, were not of a uniform pattern, 
but the best the county afforded. Every shot-gun, long-tom, bell-muzzle, rifle, horse-pistol or 
other tireann in the county was in the line, yet over half were obliged to go through the manual 
drill with laths, broom-sticks, ax-handles, and such other substitutes as would pass the consider- 
ate inspection of Inspector General C'hainpion T. Hiatchinson, of Rockjiort, whose duty it was 
that day to see that they came " armed and epuijiped as the law directs." What the soldiers 
lacked in soldierly apparel and arms was amply made up by their own martial bearing and the 
gay uniforms of the oificers of the line, all of whom wore imported suits, glittering side-iu'ms, 
with pompous epaulets, etc,, etc. The field otficei's were dressed in the full military dress of 
that day — a sort of composite transition style, between the old continental and the modern — 
cocked hats, enormous epaulets, blue coat and pants trimmed with gold, and a crimson silk sash. 
Knee breeches had gone out of fashion even at that eai'ly day. The inspection was followed by 
the grand review, by Brig. Gen. Bulleu, of Racine. It passed off much to the credit of the 
command, and Col. Elderkin was highly complimented by Gen. Bullen on the soldierly beai'ing, 
excellent drill and fine discipline of his regiment, which, he affirmed, surpassed that of any other 
regiment he had seen in the State. The review being over, the soldiers were given an intermis- 
sion for refreshment and rest before the battalion drill and marching exercises of the afternoon 
should commence. They broke ranks and rejtaired to the commissary dejiartment for refresh- 
ments, which were partaken of in true picnic style by broken squads scattered about under the 
trees of the park. Would that the curtain of oblivion could be drawn (jver the fm-ther exercises 
of that day! Loyalty to the ti'i;th of histoiy only, impels to the continued recital. 

At 2 o'clock, the long roll called tlie scattered soldiers to the line. They came with alacrity, 
but many of them with unsteady steps. Some soldiers lost their comj>anies, and it is stated that 
one Captain could not recognize his own command, but insisted on assuming a new command, 
elbowing the rightful officer out of his place. In vain were the efforts to form the regiment in 
double file, though the command, " Form in two streaks," rang through th<> wocjds and along the 
line. An hour brought the most of th(>m out of the woods into the stre(>t, where thi> commander 
could look them in the eye The sorrowful truth Hashed upon him from along the whole crooked 
line that his regiment had fallen from its high estate, and was, as a whole, slightly intoxicated. 
He saw with chagi'in that discipline was lax. Some of his liest soldiers were whittling up their 
arms before his very eyes. The Fife Major insisted on playing while the commands were being 
given, and the Drmn Major showed his skill simultaneously by beating that marv(>l of execution 



360 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

(in the siiai'o-drum known as thn double-drao;. The Colonel, the Lieutenant Colonel, the Major 
and the Adjutaut l)Iushed crimson with shame, from their noses uji their foreheads and down 
their noeks. They retired to the commissary stand for consultation. Before their return, the 
boozy regiment had got through their heads the command given by the Colonel some tifteeu 
minutes before — "By platoons, by the right flank, march ! " — and, led by the Fife Major, had 
started on the march to Delavan. The officers, on retiu'ning to the field, saw the rear of the ine- 
briated regiment, with a peculiar swaying gait, weaving its way along the road, which, wide as it 
was, could scarcely fiu'nish room for the open order and sudden obliques to the right and left 
that characterized its march. It was getting under fearful headway, and no time was to be lost 
in bringing it under control. To halt it by word of command was as impossiljle as it had been 
to start it a short time before. The field officers, by a rajiid detour, came out in front at the first 
cross-road, where, by violent gesticulation and shouts, they headed them off, and, Ijy a rounda- 
bout way, got them back to Elkhorn. The hilarious element, overpowered by the labors of the 
day, fell out along the line of march; the balance stood up .soberly in line, and, after receiving 
the thanks of the Colonel for their soldierly behavior dui'iug the trying scenes of the day, were 
dismisseil, and betook themselves to their homes. They were followed by their less abstemious 
companions at intervals, as fast as they Ijecame sufficiently sober to understand that the muster 
was over. These last to leave the field carried renown mingled with the odor of rum to the utter- 
most j)arts of the county. 

The militia law provided that each commandant of a regiment or separate battalion, within 
twenty days after the annual inspection, " should furnish the commandant of his brigade a local 
description of such regiment or sejiarate l.iattaliou, together with a roster of the commissioned 
officers of such regmeut." 

Neither the Colonel nor any of his stafl' ever attempted to fiu'uish a description of the regi- 
ment as it aj^peared on that d.iy. 

A COURT MARTIAL. 

A com't martial was held in accordance with law, at Elkhorn, November '25, 1842, and sat 
ten days. Maj. James A. Maxwell was Judge Advocate. P. G. Harrington was President of the 
Covu't. All delinquents for disorderly or unmilitary conduct, absence, or other violation of the 
militia law, were then brought to judgment. The board was lelentless in imposing fines for 
absence, which, in the aggregate, amounted to several hundred dollars. The warrants were placed 
in the hands of the Sherift", who collected sufficient to pay the expenses of the court, anil some 
other incidental expenses attending the muster. What more he collected, if anything, he put in 
his pocket for his troulile, as he was authorized to do by the coiu't. The Sheriff had some troul)le 
in forcing collections, owing to various mistakes which oecm-red in the premises, and occasionally 
shot so wide of the mark as to have only his labor for his pains. 

In the Spring Prairie company were enrolled four Salisbm-ys liable to military duty — Daniel 
(Sergeant), and Christopher, Ansel and Elisha. Sergeant Daniel, one of the upright soldier's of 
that day, called the roll and checked off Elisha as absent. The court martial tried Chris, 
and issued a warrant for the collection of the tine from the Orderly, Daniel himself. Thus, 
when the attempt to collect was made, the Salisbmy tribe were thrown into inextricable confu- 
sion, and the Sheriff gave np the job long before matters were unsnarled. 

MORAL INDIGNATION. 

The regiment, as has been intimated, showed signs of inebriety on the afternoon of muster 
day. Of the individual soldiers on parade, probably not one in three took a drop of anything 
strong, but the others took sufficient to make the regiment average not sober. The temperance 
element were scandalized, and, when the com't martial had risen without taking any cognizance 
of the s(!andal. it was determined to prosecute the commissary department in Ijehalf of the Gov- 
ernment for selling liquor in violatien of law. Accordingly, Gorham Bunker and Emery Thayer 
were indicted. The trial was held in Elkhorn, and ueai'ly the entire regiment were summoned 
to testify. Strauge as it may seem, it was, in the face of the fact of two hundred men drunk on 
the occasion, quite difficult to prove the offense. Those who got dr-unk could remember nothing, 
and thos(^ who kept sober Imew nothing about it. After the trial had jiroceeded for nearly a 
day, the case was brought to a summary close, and a nolle jiro,si'(iiii entered, on presentation of 







..::.,..-^>^-' 




/J.t/^ 



HISTORY OF WAI.WOKIIl COIXTV. 363 

the writt,i>u permission of tlic coinmauding officer allowiiifj; the accused to furnish refreshments 
and drinks, backed by tlie following very explicit clause of law: 

"If any person, (hiring parade, shall encroach on the })arade ground previously designated, 
or shall then and there sell, or offer to sell or give away, any spirituous li(juors, without per- 
mission of the commanding ofHcor, or shall have in his possession any gamliling table or other 
gfimbling <levice, such ])erson8 may be put and kept under the guard by such command,er until 
the setting of the sun on tlie same day; and such liquor, gaming table, or other gambling de- 
vice, may be abated or destroyed as a nuisance, by order of the counnandant." 

Bunker and Thayer were ac(]uitted, and, after a hilarious gathering and su])per, retiu'ned 
to East Troy vindicated, or at least acquitted of all intent to violate the law. 

There are no recoriL^ vouching for the correctness of the foregoing recital. It is gathered 
from tradition, and is doul)tless faulty in many particulars. 

The Indian scare died out, as did all military ardor. For twenty years thereafter, scarcely 
a com])any rallied in Walworth County. When next the call came, with e(|ual zeal the call was 
answered, and in numbers thousands strong. The story is one of bravery, fortitude, patriotism, 
victory, death — marked by the gi-aves of W^alworth's sons all over the South. Smiles melt to 
teai'B as the storv is told of the realitv of war that fell npon the sons of the men who mustered 
on the Held of Elkhoru in 1S42. 

THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. 

On Monday. April 15, ISIil, the Governor of Wisconsin received the following dispatch from 
the Secretary of War: 

To His Excellency. A. AV. Rand.\ll, Governor of Wisconsin: 

Call made on you by to-uight's mail, for one (1) regiment of militia for immetliati.' service. 

Simon Cameron, 

Secretary of War. 

The letter refeiTed to in the telegram, was received by the Governor, giving special instruc- 
tions in regard to the mustering-in of the regiment, the rendezvous, which was to be at Madison 
— the quota assigned to each State, etc. 

On the following day, April 1(5, Gov. Randall issued the following proclamation: 

To THE LovAL People of Wi.sconsin. 

For the first time in the history of this Feilernl (Tiivernment, organized treason has manifested itself 
within .several States of the Union, and aimed rebels are making war against it. The proclamation of the 
President of the United States tells of mdawlul eonil)inations, too powerful to lie sujipressed in the ordinary 
manner, aid calls for militaiy forces to snppros such combinations, and to sustain liini in exeeuling the laws. 
The treasures of the eountrj- must no longer be jilundered; the public property must be protected from ag- 
gressive violence: that already .seized nuist be retaken, and the laws must be executed in every State of the 
Union alike. 

A demand made ujion Wisconsin by the President of the United States for aid to sustain the Federal 
arm nuist meet with a prompt response. One regiment of the militia of this State will be required for im- 
mediate service, and further services will be required as the exigencies of the Govenunent may demand. It 
is a lime when, against the civil and religious liberties of the people, and against the integrity of the Govern- 
ment of the United States, jiarties and politicians must be as dust in the balance. .\1I good citizens, every- 
where, nmsl join in making common cause against a common enemy. 

OpportuTulies will be immediately olTered to all existing military eomjiaiiies under the direction of the 
proper aniliorities of tlie Stale for enlistment to lill the demand of the Federal Government, and I hereby in- 
vile tlie jiatrlolie citizens ol- the .State to enroll themselves into companies of seventy-si'Ven men each, and to 
advise llie execiUive of their readiness to be muslered into service immediately. Detailed instructions will be 
furnished on the acceptance of coni|)anies, and the commissioned officers of each regiment will nominate their 
own field officers. 

In I imes of ])ublic danger, bad nn-n grow bold and reckless. The property of the citizen becomes unsafe, 
and both public and private rights liable to be jeopardized. I enjoin upon all adniinistralive and peace offi- 
cers within the Stale renewed vigilenee in tlic maintenance and execution of Hie laws, and in guarding 
against excesses leading to disorder among the jieople. 

(Jiven uiKler my hand and the great seal of the Stale of Wisconsin, this Kith day of April, A. I). 18G1. 

By the Governor Alex. \V. Randall. 

L. T. Harvey, Si:rretiirii of State. 

In seven days from the time of this first ]i)'ecl;uuation, thirty-six (!omi>;inies liiid tendered 
their service to the nountry, <uid on thi! roll of honor was the company from Geneva, Capt. 
Roundy, at first enrolled <is Company F, I'ourth Wisconsin Infantry, ;ind tifterward known as 
Company F, Fourth Wisconsin Cavalry. 



364 HISTORY OF WALAVORTH COUNTY. 

The thirtv-six companies that so early proffered their services were ordered to rendezvous at 
Madison, and "the First Regiment was immediately organized. When the companies were origi- 
nally formed, it was snpi)0sed that the call was for three months only, but when it was known 
that the Government recjuired enlistment for three years or during tlie war. they, with one ex- 
ception, accepted the proposition, and were embodied in the fii-st six regiments raised by the 
State, participating ia the severest actions of the war, and ranking everywhere and at all times 
amono- the most brave and reliable companies. The Whitewater company, Capt. Curtice, re- 
ported ready for service a very short time after the Geneva — probably only a few days — and its 
officers received their commissions on the same day — April 25. It was also assigned to the 
Fom-th Infantry, as Company A. The following were the first officers of the two companies: 

Company A (Wliitewater Light Infantry) —Captain, Charles E. Cnrtice, Whitewater; First 
Lieutenant, Frank L. Kiser, Whitewater; Second Lieutenant, Philo A. Castle, Whitewater. 

Charles E. Curtice served until March 2S, Iblfi:^, when he was honorably dischai-ged, and after- 
wai-d re-entered the service as Paymaster of the Fourth Cavalry. 

Frank L. Kiser i-esigned September 6, IStil. 

Philo A. Castle was promoted to First Lieutenant September 26, 1861: resigned Mai-ch 31, 
1862. 

Company F (Geneva Independents) — Captain, Daniel C. Roiindy, Geneva; First Lieuten- 
ant, George H. Brown, Geneva-, Second Lieutenant, Harris Dnrkee, Geneva. 

Daniel C. Roundy received a commission as Assistant Surgeon of Foiu-th Infantry June 24, 
1861; was promoted to Surgeon of Thirty-seventh Infantry on May 7, 1864. 

George H. Brown resigned in December, 1861. 

H. Dm-kee was promoted to First Lieiitenant December 27, 1861 ; resigned February 4, 1863. 

Nelson F. Craigue, of Delavan, took command of the company October 29, 1862; was pro- 
moted to Major of the Fourth Wisconsin Cavalry June 9, 1864 (the regiment was changed to 
cavalry September 1, 1863); was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel January 6, 1865, and to Colonel 
November 9, 1865, remaining in service until the close of the war. 

Any history of companies after their assignment to regiments must necessarily be in a gi-eat 
measiu-e the history of the regiment itself, but their special movements can be partially traced, 
and the name of every Walworth County soldier that appears on record as having been killed 
or wounded in action, or died of disease, has been carefully noted. Nevertheless, it is scai-cely 
probable that anything like a complete list has ever been sent to Madison, or can, after this 
length of time, be obtained. 

FOURTH WISCONSIN CAVALRY. 

Companies A and F were assigned to the Fourth Regiment, Col. Halbert E. Paine commanding, 
early in May, and were ordered to rendezvous at Camp Utley, Racine, early in June. They were 
mustered into thi; United States service on the 2d of July, and left the State on the 15th of the 
same month, under orders to report at Baltimore, Md., at which place they an-ived on the 23d. 
The regiment was su|)])lied with efficient arms at Baltimore, and detailed to guard the railroads 
in that vicinity, in which duty it was employed until the 4th of November. At that time, it em- 
barked on an expedition to the eastern shore of Virginia, being absent from Baltimore a little 
more than a month. On the lUth of February, 1862, the regiment was ordered to Fortress Mon- 
roe, and thence to Newport News, where it remained in camp until March. March 12, it joined 
Gen. Butler's forces on Ship Island, on the north shore of the Gulf of Mexico. The fleet of 
Capt. Farragut, the mortar-boats of Capt. Porter and Gen. Butler's forces had united at this 
point preparatory to the operations against New Orleans. On the 15th of March, the Fourth 
again embarked, and sailed toward th(^ Southwest Pass, and remained from the 17th to the 27th, 
cruising about in search of a foothold. The forts below the city were sun-endered to Commo- 
dore Farragut on the 29th, a detachment of the Foiu-th being landed in the rear of Fort St. 
Philip to prevent the escape of its garrison before the siu-render. The city was entered by oiu' 
troops on the 1st of May, the Fourth Wisconsin being the second regiment to land. The regi- 
ment remained at quarters in the custom house until the 8th, when it embarked with the brigade 
for Vicksburg. On the 18th, they arrived at that point, and, in an action on shore between a 
small detachment of the regiment and some rebel cavalry, Maj. Chittenden and Private E. B. 
Perry, both of Company A, were wounded — the fii'st casualties of the regiment. 



HISTOKY OF WAI.WOKTII COUNTY. 365 

On till' cxi'i'iliticiii to Yickshnr^-. .Inly 1 I, 1M')"3, Lewis ('astlf, of Compauy A, and Charlos 
Van Norman, of t'oinj>auv F. \vt>ri' killed mi lioar<l the •j;iinl)ciat Tvler, bv the exjilosioii of a 
shell. 

The ri>i^)m(>ut wa.s stationed at Baton Rouge through the remainder of the summer, the 
forces being once attacked by Gen. Breckinridge, who was defeated. The Fourth also fonned 
a part of the expedition which attacked a large body of guerrillas near Bonne Carre Point with 
signal success. In the early part of 1S()8, tlie regiment moved to Bayou Plaquemine, on the 
west side of the Mississippi. On the <)th of March, it again returned to Baton Rouge, and, on 
the 18th, took jjart in the tirst expedition of Gen. Banks to Port Hudson. 

The Fourth, Col. Beau commanding, left Baton Rouge on the 8d of April to take jiart in 
the Tecli(> expedition. They reached Berwick City and went into camp on the 9th: commenced 
their march (m the 11th, skirmishing constantly with the enemy. On the I'ith, they arrived at 
Bisland's plantation, a narrow strip of laud between Bayou Teche and a large swamp, where 
they found the rebels stongly intrenched. 

The Fourth was posted for the night at a sugar house near the bayou, five companies being 
thrown out '200 yards in advance on jiicket, and forty picked marksmen stationed on the banks 
of the bayou to attend to the rebel gxtnboat Diana. The Ijattle commenced the next morning 
and raged until night, when our army had advanced to within 200 yards of the enemy's works. 
The Fourth took position in the moraing in the deep jtlantation ditches that ran nearly parallel 
with the fortifications, and formed cover for the infantry suppcjrts of the artillery. Diu'ing the 
night, the enemy evacuated the works, which the Fourth w'as the tu's^i to enter in the morning. 
The only casualty rejiorted in the two Walworth County companies was one wounded in Company 
A — Private E. Goodrich. The enemy was pm'sued, our army reaching Alexandi'ia on the 7th. the 
Fourth being again in the advance and the fu'st to enter the town. The enemy had left a few 
hours before. From the 7th to the 17th, the army remained at Alexandria, and on the lOth, 
while on a scouting expedition, the Fourth captured the entire rear guard of " Dick " Taylor. 
The regiment was the last to leave the city, and acted as rear guard on the march to the Mis- 
sissippi. 

On the 'j!()th of May, the troojis arrived at Port Hudson, and in the first terrible assault on 
tliat place. May '11. the Fotu'th Wisconsin, led by its young and gallant Colonel, was again in 
the front. The Adjutant General's report says: " In the commencement of the action, the reg- 
iment was assigned position in the third line of battle, but soon, after marching over dead and 
wounded men, they found themselves in front, face to face with the enemy, who disjmted eveiy 
inch of gi'ouud over which he was retreating. A storm of cannister and shell was hurled upon 
them from siege guns to the right. In twenty minutes, they had driven the enemy inside his 
works and gained a commanding position within 100 yards of the fortifications, which they held 
for six days before being relieved." This position was held until the surrender. The Fourth 
Wisconsin men .soon silenced every gun of the enemy within range, but they were exposed day 
and night to the bullets of the shar])sh()oters. Col Bean was shot on the 2Utli and instantly 
killed. 

The AValworth County companies sufi'ereil heavily. In Company F, the casualties were re- 
ported as follows: Killed — Sergts. William Parks and E. C. Famum, Corp. J. S. Luce and 
Private A. C. Butters. Wounded^ — Ca]it. N. F. Craigue, Privates William H. Campbell (after- 
ward died), William H. Stomies. F. H. Buntli, A. C. ISutters, George P. C'randell and L. Waffle. 
In Company A, Lieut. N. H. Chittenden was wounded. 

On the 1st of June, the regiment took part in Col. Grierson's cavalry expedition to Clinton, 
where Corp. Fish, of Company A, was wonnded, and First Lieut. Daniel Maxson, of D(>lavan, 
received w(mnds from which he died three days later. 

At the assault on the works of Port Hudson on the 14th of June, the Fourth Wisconsin was 
again one of the two regiments which were thrown forward as skirmislH^rs. They did their work 
faithfully and nobly, but met with terrii>le loss. They made the first assault (m the works, many 
falling under them killed or wounded, and some going over to be made ])risoners. Many of 
those ca]>tured succeeded in making their escajie. Company A lost in this engagement: Killed 
— Sergts. Moses Ranney and Clark N. Kenyon, Corps. Thomas Duft'ey. William T. Ludemann 
and Henry A. Terry, Private Aslibel Patterson. Wounded - Cor[)s. G. Finch and Thon;as 



366 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COIXTY. 

Gill, Privates Jaoies Ccanlee, A. J. Chamberlaiu, William H. Dake, Moses Duucomb. Orlando 
M. Griggs aud R. T. Moody. Missing — First Sergt. Hiram S. Nyce (afterward died in New 
York City), Sergt. S. L. Smith, Privates Jehiel Creiger, Austin Kittleson. Nels Nelson and Daniel 
A. Proc-tor. Company F — Killed —Sergts. "William H. Harkell and Daniel O'Leary, Privates 
William Lee, William Tabor and J. P. Tapper. Won uded— Sergt. W. W. Winter, Corp. C. 
D. Utter, Privates G. Blanchard, John Brittain. John H. Bnsh. W. Burton, R. R. Cronk, C. C. 
Coflfee, S. W. Dodge, M. Fitzgerald, J. S. Gibbs, J. S. Perkins, Levi Smith, A\'. "W. White, A. F. 
AMlson. J. N. Mead, A. Jerome and George P. Parker. 

On the 25th of July, the regiment retvu-ned to Baton Rouge, where they were joined by 
some of the comjianies that had been detailed for special duty, and by numbers that had been 
in hospital. They remained in camp until, by special orders of the War Department, the Foiu'th 
Regiment, on the 1st of September, 1803, was fully e([uipped and changed to a cavalry regi- 
ment, being known thereafter as the Fourth Wisconsin Cavahy. 

After its organization as cavalry, the Fourth was actively engaged in scoiiting, picketing, 
etc., and in various expeditions against bands of guerrillas, who were constantly ann(.)yiug the 
outposts in the vicinity of Baton Rouge. On the 11th of October, Companies F and K, Capt. 
Craigue commanding, were detached for duty along the left bank of the Mississippi, from Baton 
Rouge to opposite Donaldsonville, to protect navigation, prevent trade in contraband goods, etc. 
They constructed a stockade work as a defense to their post, which was called Highland Stock- 
ade. On the 'iUth of October, Company A was detached for the post of Plaquemine, remaining 
there until February, 1864. They were principally engaged in scouting. 

On the 8th of March, a scouting party was sent out from Baton Rouge, under command of 
Lieut. Williams, of Company A. A\'hen five miles out, the advance guard was fired upon from 
an ambush, one of the men mortally wounded, and Lieut. Williams killed. His last words before 
the minie ball did its fatal work were: "Fight them, boys; don't run !" The little band of 
twenty did fight, holding their ground against a hunth-ed rebels, until re-enforcements arrived 
and the enemy fied. 

Lieut. Williams was a Whitewater boy. He was a great favorite with his company, and 
was considered one of the best scouting officers in the regiment. 

On the 'i4th of May, Capt. N. F. Craigue was promoted Major of the First Battalion, and 
on the 27th of June, the regiment went into camp at Morganza. 

On the Uth of August, the regiment returned to Baton Rouge, and, on the 25th, accompanied 
an e.\pedition to Clinton, La. When they reached Olive Branch, they found the bridge across 
the Comite River destroyed, and the enemy with artillery on the opjiosite bank. Three hun- 
dred men of the Fourth crossed the river a little lower down and tlauked the rebels. They fled, 
and Maj. Craigue, with 100 men, swam across the river and started in pursuit. He pursued 
them as far as Clinton with his little force, when his ammunition gave out and he was obliged 
to wait on the outskirts of the town for re-enforcements. The rebels made the most of the delay 
and escajied from the town, which was occupied by OTir troops at noon. 

On the 0th of October, 1804, the Fourth Cavalry, with other regiments under Gen. Lee's 
command, marched in less than six hours fi-ora Baton Rouge t(j Clinton, La. — a distance (jf forty 
miles. A\'h(m they arrived near Clinton, a small band of cavalry under command of Maj. Craigue 
dashed into the place in advance of the main column and captured a Colonel, several line officers 
and (w(>nty-eight privates. On the 7th of November, Companies D and F, under command of 
Maj, Craigue, were detailed to Highland Stockade to re-establish a post at that point. Return- 
ing to headquarters at Baton Rouge, the regiment again started, on the evening of the 14th of 
November, as part of the expedition of Gen. Lee to Liberty and Brookhaven, Miss. On the 
17th. they reached Liberty, and on the ISth Maj. Craigue, with 400 men, effected a forced 
march of fifty miles, surprising the enemy at Brookhaven, captiu-ing ten officers and fifty-nine 
mim, and destroying much valuable Confederate property. Maj. Craigue, with a detachment 
from the Fourth, was also the first to enter Taugipaha, <m the Pascagoula expedition, binder com- 
7nand of Gen. Davidson. On this ex]:>edition, the regiment marched about tkree huudi-ed miles 
fi-om Baton Rouge, arriving at Pascagoula on the 13th of D(>cember. They remained in that 
place two weeks, when they embarked for New Orleans, and arrived at Baton Rouge on the 5th 
of January, without losing a man. 



IIISTOHY OF WAI.WdK'ni (orNTV. 3(:)7 

On the <')th of .)aiiu;ir_v, M;ij. ("I'aii^'uc was coiniuissidncd as Licutenaut ColoiU'I. 

During till' latter part of the winter. Company F was employed in constructing a strong 
(>artliwork near Baton Rouge. With other cavalry forces, tlu^ regiment was inthe vicinity of 
Mobile at its cai)itulation, and afterward formed jiart of an ex])editiou which marched through 
Alabama into G(>orgia, returning by way of Jlontgomery, Ala., to Columbus, Miss., and thence 
across the State of Mississi]ipi to N'icksburg, where they arrived on the r)th of June, nearly ex- 
hausted from their long march. 

On the 2(ith, Companies A and F. with two oth(>rs. embarked im transports for Shreveport, 
on the Ked River, arriving on the '2d of July. On the Dtli, they left, and arrived at San An- 
tonio, Texas, on the 2d of August, where they remained until the 11th of October. 

Two expeditions, each under command of Lieut. Col. Craigue. were sent 'out fi'om 
San Ant(mio, being the first. Union troops that penetrated the country west of that place. 
On the 11th of October, the regiment marched for the Rio (irande. Detachments of the 
regiment were stationed at various points on the Rio Grande — Company F, under command 
of Capt. Mower, at Los Giiavas, 100 m'les; Company A and Company D, at Redmond's Ranche, 
ISO miles; and Lieut. Col. Craigue at Ringgold Barracks, headquarters of the regiment, 
with several comi)anies. 120 miles from Brownsville. During their stay on theRioGran<le. they 
were employed in scouting expeditions, frequently against Indians. The regiment remained 
in service, with headipuu'ters at Ringgold Barracks, Lieut. Col. Craigue commanding, until May, 
1S06. On the 8d of May. orders were received for the mustering-out of the reginjent. On the 
20th, the various detachments were re-imited. The regiment was mustered out on the 2Sth, and 
on the 2d of June, Companies A and F, with the rest of the regiment, started for home. On the 
I6th of Jime, l!Sr)6, the Fourth Veteran Cavalry reached Madison, and, after being paid, was 
formally disbanded, and the companies retm'ned to their respective homes. 

The following is a list of the deaths from disease in Company A: At Baton Rouge, La. — 
George Holden, June IS, 1S62: James H. Adams. July S. 1S(V2; Irwin Sabine, July 8, 1864: 
Hid.bard G. ^^'alden. September 2S, LSIU; AVintield L. Gardner, August 2(3, 1S64; Frank Peters, 
Novemlxn- 20, ISlU; Jaujes P. Morrell. December HO, 1S(U. At Carrollton, La.— William O. 
Sax, September 28, 1S()2; Amos H. Beckhart, October 11, 1S(;2: Nelson O. GritHn, November 
27,1802: Calvin S. Lovejoy, November 3, 1SC.2; AVilliam W. Mallo, December II, 18()2. At 
New Orleans— Nathan S. Carr, July 16, 1S(U: Emanuel P. Gleason, May 80, ISC),-.; Edward P. 
M'alsh, August 16, 1S()4. At Vicksburg— Charles Krebs, July 20, 18(52; Charles H. Lewis. 
July 18, 1862; Charles E. Vodi-e was drowned in the Mississippi River August 6, 1862; Will 
iam Thomson died on board a steamer August 12, 1865: ^^■illiam C. Tolles died at Fort Ewell, 
Texas, October 19, 1865; and Charles A. Knight died at Whitewater, Wis., November 28, 1864. 

The deaths in C'ompanv F w^ere as folluws: 

At the Relay House. Md.— William H. Dodge, August 24, 1861: George M. Walker, Octo- 
ber 20, 1861. At Vicksbm-g -William H. Dyer, July 20, 18()2: Richard D. Carmiehael, July 
26, 1S62: Charles H. Bull, June IT., ISC..-.. At New Orleatis— Horace G. B.^ardsley.* August 10, 
1862: William H. Campbell, June 2, 1868: Joseph Blake. January 14, ISC.'). At Baton Rouge 
— Alfred Sherman, June 24, 1862; John Smith, August 4, 1862 ; James Matlu^ws, August U, 
18()2: Gustavns G. Viles, June 18, 1863: George F. Marshall, July 18,1864; Francis J.Parker, 
October 20, 1864; Charles L. Carter, September 2, 1864; Robert Baker, August 24,1864: Henry 
Smith, August 24, 1864; Levi Smith died at Andersonville, Ga., September 8, 1864; John H. 
S(|uires. at Springfield. A\'is., October 22, 1S()4: Jacob Frederick, at Cairo. 111., October lU, 
1SC.4: Hans Hanson, at S})ring Brook. Wis., January 12, 1S()5: Henry Putnam, at Geneva, Wis., 
January 1. 18(i6; and Edward N. Herriman, at Edinburg, Te.vas, Apiil 80, iSC.C.. 

The rosters following each (^(.mpany sketch were transcribed from the State records at 
Madison. 

ROSTEU OK ('OMl'.\NV A. 

officers. — Jjimes B. Farnsworth. Captain, enlisted July 2, 1861: appointed First Sergeant 
January 17, 18(52; Second Lieutenant, August 1 1, 18()2; First Lii'utonant, June 24, 18()8: Caj)- 
tain, September 24, 1864; ti-ansferred from Comj .any I August 22, ISC)"); (Jilbert B. Fincli, 
First Lieutenant, enlisted July 2, 18()1 ; ajijiointeil Corporal .Vpril I'.', 1SC>2; Sergeant, 

♦Horace G. Bt-anlslfy was the first soliliwr who ciiliatt-J from KIkhorti. 



3t)8 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUXTV. 

July, 1S()8: Second Lieutenant, May 2i, 1864; First Liea:enam, January 5, 1865; Frank N. 
Thomas, Second Lieutenant, enlisted July 2, IStil; ajjuointed Corporal January 17, 1862; Ser- 
jeant, July 15, 1S68; First Sergeant. Augiiat 18, 1864; Second Lieutenant. November 25, 1864; 
transferred from Company I August 22, 1865; Charles E. Curtice, Captain, honorably dis- 
charged March 28. 1S():5; Henry VV. Ross, Captain, enlisted July 2, 1861; transferred from Ccjm- 
pany B; discharged August H(), IS64, for disability; Charli>s AV. Steele, discharged August 23, 
1865, on consolidation of regiment; James E. Williams, First Lieutenant, killed in action March 
8,1864, near Baton Rouge, La. ; Frank L. Kiser, First Lieutenant, resigned September 12, 
1861; Philo A. Castle, First Lieutenant, resigned March 31, 1862, on account of disability; 
Alfred E. Chafiee, First Lieutenant, resigned January Ui, 1863; disability; Newton H. Chit- 
tenden, First Lieutenant, transferred to regimental staff as Adjutant; Hiram S. Nyce, Second 
Lieutenant, died October 7, 18(53, of wounds received at Port Hudson. 

Sergeants. — Jose[)h A. Walker, Fir.st Sergeant; Gideon J. Wire, commissioned Second 
Lieutenant; Emit Gooilrich; George Hill; Wilniot Roberts: Josiah C. Miller; William H. Moff- 
att; Newcomb Bingham. 

Corporals. — Arad Stebbins, First Corporal; .lohn Boyle, Charles H. Price, Lorenzo Getman, 
David A. Seely, Alfred I. Sherer, Jason Root, Mark Hubbard; Charles Iv. Schenk and Phillotas 
A. Haydon, trumpeters; Frederick Shallar, blacksmith; Daniel Nolop, farrier; M'illiam S. 
Jackson, saddler; Amos Bacon, wagoner. 

Prii^ates. — Silas W. Anadon, Charles A. Adams, Thomas Burt, Clinton D. Childs, Absalom 
Ereckson, John E. Felch, Jacob Freiler, Henry H. Fisher, Robert Gressom, Hiram Getman, 
Charles S. Hubbard, Delos S. Hubb;ird, Stephen Halpin, Irvin McLallen, Edsou S. Moore, 
Elbridgo Perkins, Lucius M. Putnam, John D. Rouse, John Smith, Ira Swim, Leverett Smith, 
George Turner, John W. Wheeler, William D. Weed, Ole Wilsiin, John Wood, Alexander Kerr, 
William H. Luther. George Wilsey, Joseph I). Wines. Diseh;irged J. W. Harrington, First Ser- 
geant; Josejih F. Brown, Cori)oral; Willi;uu R. Farnsworth, Corporal; Wilber H. Brewer, Lewis G. 
Castle, Charles A. Dean, Norman H. Dewing, George J. England. Henry L. Fones, William S. Hor- 
ton, William J. Harlan, Hiram J. King, Samuel Mulligan, Marcus M'. Morton, Ole B. Oleson, Sam- 
uel J. Philips, Charles E. Perry, Homer W. Beokley, Sergeant; Charles E. Branch, Corporal; John 
G. Rowe, Corporal; Marshall E Boswell, J. A. Chamberlain, Mauville W. Dewing, Oscar Dunbar, 
Samuel D. Ferguson, Charles Green, F. B. Hamilton, Nels Johnson. Josiah C. McManns, Charles 
S. Miller, Nolile O. Mose.s, Alauson Plumb, Jacob Phillijis, George G. Potter, Isaiah J. Robinson, 
David E. Siunnonds, John Toopey. William H. A\ enham, Oliver K. Eaton, Sidney L. Smith. 
James Ennis, Steven L. Fish, Isaac Booker, Lawi'enee Cavanangh, John B. Skinner, Moses 
Duncombe, Michael Alton, Charles Bloss, Joseph Beckwith, Charles Cadman, James G. Conklin, 
William H. Dake, Isaac English. Orliu M. Griggs, Sanford A. Haynes, John Hum]Jiry, James 
Scott, Calvin Smith, Heal West, Joseph P. Whelan. Thomas J. Gill. Jerome H. Buck, Frank H. 
Allen, Franklin M. Robinson, Samuel Stillman, Lyman Walker. Chauncy C. Chappell, Parkman 
Cray, Anson Ayers, George R. Baker, Sidney D. Burnett, James Cardie, (Teorge K. Courtwright, 
Edwin Darwin, Chester E. W. Felch, James J. Hall, Henry K. Horn, John Johnson, Walter M. 
King, Frederick W. Lardeman, John Murj)hy, Patrick O. Reily, ^^'illiam Peters, Henry B. Quick, 
Hezekiah M. Riggs, George H. Summers, Milo Sykes, Lawrence Tibley, John H. Vankirk, Horace 
N. Wilsey, Major P. Webb, Austin Kittelson, "Reub;m T. Moody, Hein-y Nolop, Calvin Parker, 
Stephen Preedy, W"illiam H. Ralston, Theodore Russell, Jerome Swim, Charles M. Taylor, Jotham 
F. Turner, Daniel A\'. Wilbur, James J. Wilsey. Transferred William Newton, Jerome 
B. Humphry, Obediah Driskill, Arad Stebbins, Lorenzo Getman, Edward L. Moody, Jehiel J. 
Creiger, Walter Goodeuough, John Boyce, Charles H. Price, Alfred L. Sherer, Charles H. 
Scheuk, Francis J. Blair, Henry T. French, Daniel A. Proctor, George W. White, David A. 
Seely. Silas S. Allen, John M'. Bridge, Aln-am Higby, John H. Sausman, Lawi-ence White. 

R(^STi;i! OF COMPAXY F. 

Officers. — S. C. Mower, Captain; a])]>ointed Sergeant May 20, 1862; First Sergeant Decem- 
ber 22, 1862; Second Lieutenant December 26, 1862; First Lieutenant April 13, 1864; Captain 
Octolx^r 11, 1864; transferred from Company K August 22, 1865; C. C. Coffee, First Lieuten- 
ant: a] )pointed Corporal January 10, lM)"i: Sergeant September 2, 1S63; Fir.st Sergeant July 9, 



IIISl'OliY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 369 

18(54: Second Lioutfiiuiit. S(^|itt'iul)cr I"), 1S(U; P''irst Lieutenant January t. |S(U: George A\'. 
Pierce, .Second Lieutenant; a|)|H)inted Corporal December 1, 1S<)2: Serii;(>ant August '4\, I8fi:{; 
First Sergeant, 1X05; Second Ijieutenant September, 1805; Nelson 1''. Craigne, Captain; wounded 
May 27, 1803, at Port Hudson; commissioned Major June i), 1804; Milo Seeley, Cajitain; mus- 
tered out August 22, 1805; Daniel C. Rouudy, Captain; discharged September 10, 1862, disa- 
bility; George H. Brown, First Lieutenant; resigned in December, 1801; Harris Durkee, First 
Lieutenant; resigned February 4, 1803; Daniel B. Maxon, First Lieutenant; wounded and died 
at Clinton, Miss., in 180)3; Charles A. Johns, First Lieutenant; transfernnl to regimental stall' 
as Quartermaster; Isaac N. Mead, First Lieutenant; resigned August 3. 1804; A. J. AVeather- 
wa.\, Second Lieutenant; resigned January 8, 1802; Jerry Cunnnings, Second Lieutenant; re- 
signed St'ptember 1, 1805. 

Scrgeantii. — Phili[) Edler, First Sergeant, veteran; transferred i'mui ('ompany K; a])poiuted 
First Sergeant March 1, 1800; Asbery II. Burdick, appointed Sergeant October 4, 1804; Rich- 
ard Aylwood, appointed Sergeant May 14, 1800; Luther Clarke, appointed Sergeant March 1, 
1804; Melville Johnson, ai)pointed Serg(>ant May 14,1800; transferred to Company K: Charles 
Lyons, appointed Sergeant May 14, 1800; transferred to Company K; Thomas J. Handy, a)i- 
pointed Sergeant May 14, 1804. 

Corporals. — Rollin C. Blodgett, First Sergeant; a])))ointe<l May 14. 1800; James Forkins, 
transferred fi-om Company K August 22, 1805; William S. Haswell, a]ipointed May 14, 1800; 
Frederick H. Bunth, a]i[)oiuted May 14, 1800; Daniel W. Thom])Son, appointed May 14, 1800; 
transferred from Compauv K; Lansing A. Wilcox, apjiointed May 14, 1800; Samutd Shafi'er. 
appointed May 14, 1800; William W. Phillips, apjwinted May 14. "l800. 

Washington Rass, Bugler; Samuel A. Mulligan, veteran; faiTierand blacksmith; Abram C-. 
Jacobs, saddler. 

Prirates. — Emery L. Beebe, George P. Crandall, Btmjamin F. Dow, Gilman G. Goodwin, 
Andrew C. Hoist, Timothy Rouse, George AV. Smith, Hiram H. Ward, Nathan Bm-tou, Van Ren- 
sselaer Darling, Calvin Darling, Peter Hauner, Jacob \\'. Phillips, Joshua Shults, Adna War- 
ner. Discharged- Lewis W. David, Leroy Kingslmry, John H. Doyle, John Lange, Asad E. 
"Wilson, Cyrus D. Utter, Cheuery Puffer, John Hotchkiss, Erastus C. Buttles, Reuben R. Cronk. 
Jacob Ripley, Charles Bloom, Joseph M. Johnson, Melville A. Barry, John Billings, Joseph B. 
Chm-ehill. Patrick Carroll, H. R. Davidson, Sidney W. Dodge, Martin Dake, Frank Eaton. 
George Emtny, Robert B. Gray, Albert A. Jerome, John Brittain, James R. Cole, Charles H. M. 
Neil, Chtistian Boesler, Leroy Eastwood, Albert Burdick, William Baldwin. Oscar E. Bennett, 
Fritz Breudler, Joseph S. Corey, Wesley Clow, E. F. Chamberlain, C. P. Drinkwine, Ebenezer 
Davidson, Hem-y Denmling, Michael Fitzgerold, Andrew Fee, James Gibson, Patrick Hart, 
James Hassett. Edward Henderscm, Allen Johnson, Daniel Jacobs, Stewart W. Keyes, Jonathan 
Leach. Oliver Leroy. Augustus Leyreau. Cliarles H. McKinstry, Henrys Magill, Daniel G. Nellis, 
Daniel W. ^"ichols, Henry Norton. J. Olds, J. S. Perkins, Ralph Ryder. Alexander Rawlev, John 
Hutchcraft, Thomas B. Ilaverland, Ephi-aini Hoi)kins, Thomas A. Jones, John Klemj). Marquis 
A. Klock, John Lange, Joseph L(>e, \Villiani H. Mathews, Lansing Miller, Collins McVien, Lull 
Noyce, Henry N. Neff, Isaac Noble, J. D. Parks, Charles C. Powell, Manuel Rock, Horace Sher- 
man, James H. Shaver, William H. Storms, Charles Simmons, David S. Tewksberry, Fitz James 
Trumble, Alvaro Tu])per, Monroe J. Weatherwax, Leander Waffle, Martin A\'. Weeks, John 
Wood, Walter Wilcox, Harvey L. Snow, Charles Sherman, Martin Toughey, Benjamin F. Tofil- 
emier, Jerome B. Tu])per, Charles R. Van Norman, Watson A. Winslow, Patiick A\'halan, Theo- 
dore Weeks, William H. Winter, James H. Young. Transferred - David W. Hurlburt, George 
H. FaiTar, George Hart, Joseph Newcomb, George E. Parker, Nelson W. White, John W. Dike- 
man, James Gibbs, Edgar S. NlcCrraw, Aaron Payne, Luman G. Sterns, Horace D. Gre(>n. 

TKNTH WISCONSIN INI'ANTKY, (WALWORTH COrNTV GUARDS). 

This company was raised in Elkhorn and Delavan with the following of1i<'ers: 

Captain - Henry O. Johnson, Delavan; received commission Septemi)(»r 3. 18(>1; promoted 

to Major Augu.st 27. 18()2: killed at Ciiaplin Hill, Ky., October 8, 18()2. 

First Lieutenant Flavins J. Harrington, Elkhorn ; received commission Sejitember 3, 

1801; resigned May 31. 1^0:{. 



370 HINTORY OF WALWORTH COUXTY. 

Second Lieuteuant —Robert Harkness. Elkhorn; received commission September 3, ISOl; 
promoted to First Lieutenant of Company F August 12. 18(52; to Captain of Company A Octo- 
ber 4, 1862; to Major October 20, 1864, and mustered out December I'J, 1864. 

The Tenth Regiment, to which the Elkhorn and Delavan company was assigned as Company A, 
was organized at Camp Holton, Milwaukee: mustered into the United States service on the 14tli of 
October, and left the State, under command of Col. Alfred R. Cliapin, on the 9tli of November, 
undt'r orders to report at Louisville, Ky. They arrived on the 11th, and immediately marched 
to Shejihardsville, twenty miles south, where they remained employed on railroad guard on the 
Louisville & Nashville Railroad until the 5th of December, when they joined Col. Sill's brigade, 
and, on the following day, were assigned to Gen. Mitchell's division. From the 11th of De- 
cember until the 10th of February, 1862, they were engaged in picket and railroad duty in 
the vicinity of Bacon Creek, with winter (piarters at that place. The south side of Green River 
being the rendezvous for forces under Gen. Mitchell, camp was moved to that place, and the 
march on Bowling Green commenced on the l>!th. Bowling Green was evacuated on the 14th, 
and the following day our forces took possession of it, remaining a few days, the Tenth being 
detached to do diity on the railroad at a point sis miles distant. 

The regiment moved to Nashville, and. with the force of Gen. Mitchell, thence southward to 
Miirfreesboro, where it encamped on the lUtli of March and remained until the 5th of April, 
Col. Chapin acting as Provost Marshal, and the regiment provost guard. On the 5th, the 
march to Huntsville was commenced and completed on the 11th. Hardly stojiping to rest, four 
companies of the regiment, Com])any A among them, volunteered to undertake the destruction 
of a railroad bridge near Chattanooga, in order to break the enemy's conununieations. They 
successfully accomplished their task, thereby preventing re-enforcements from reaching Gen. 
Beauregard at Corinth. 

In the defense of Paint Rock Bridge. April 27, Frank Yokish, of Company A, was 
severely wounded. The passage of the bridge was defended by a little band of twenty- 
five against the repeated attempts of 250 rebels to free it, and for their liravery and 
persistent determination they received special commendation from Gen. Mitchell. The 
regiment also received a congratulatory addi-ess from Gen. Mitchell, in view of their services, 
which closed as follows: "A communication of these facts to headquarters has not only won 
the thanks of our commanding General, but those of the department of war, which I announce 
to you with proud satisfaction. Accept the thanks of your conunander. and let your future 
deeds demonstrate that you can siu-pass yom'selves." 

From the 27th of April, through the summer of 18(52, they were stationed along the line 
of railroad engaged in guarding bridges and in picket duty, and served as rear gixard to the 
last trains ))rought from Huntsville to Stevenson. 

The regiment, after leaving Stevenson, suffered extremely during the march over the 
mountains. Their supjilies were ]xior and insufficient, and it was im])ossible to care properly 
for the sick. They arrived at Nashville on the 5th of Sejitember, and at Louisville on the 28th 
of the same month. Here the regiment was transferred to the Ninth Brigade, Col. Han-is com- 
manding, and, on the 8th of October, took part in the battle of Perryville, or Chaplin Hills. 
Three huncb-ed and sixty enlisted men and sixteen officers included the total number of the 
regiment in the liattle. Of this number, Com])any A, under command of Capt. Harkness, pro- 
moted only a week before, formed a ]>art, and did its duty faithfully and bravely with its com- 
rades. The regiment was assigned the duty of su))]iortiug Cajit. Simmons' battery, and the 
enemy was determined to take it at all hazards. After one repulse, the rebels again stubbornly 
rallied, and not until the regiment had held its position for half an hour with empty cartridge- 
boxes, did they fall back to the next ridge where they could be replenished. One color-bearer 
after ;inother was stricken down, and the old flag was brought from the field by the sixth-color 
Corporal, pierced with forty-one " marks of honor." In his official report. Gen. Rousseau alluded 
especially to the gallant conduct of the Tenth at Perryville, and thanked them as he had done 
previously on th(i field. 

In this battle, Maj. H. O. Johnson, form(>rly Caj)tain of Company A, was killed. The 
casualties in Company A were: Killed or died of wounds — Corps. William J. Bell, Francis E, 
Manning and Stephen E. Men-ick; Privates George W. Hunt, Henry L. Conklin, George Snell, 



HISTORY or WALWORTH COUNTY. 371 

Danipl Adams and I'l'tcr Hi'iti. W()niid(>d — Corps. Amos Hiteheook and ANaltcr Wood: Pri 
vates William H. (rarrison, J()si>|)h Tylor. Alfred Wincll and Thomas H. Morrisou. 

After the battle of Chaplin Hills, the re<;-imeut aceompanied the division of Cen. Rousseau 
in ]nirsiiit of the enemy to Crab Orchard, and thence to Nashville. \vlu>re they encamped near 
the city until the latter part of DecuHuber. On Wednesday mornin<v. December 31, in an en- 
tjai^ement near Murfrtx^sboro, John F. Lon^- and Uewitt (Irilihi, of Com])any A were killed and 
Thomas H. Morrison was wounded. 

The regiment went into cam]) after this battle, where it remained until the month of June, 
then joining in the advance of the army against (len. Bragg it went into camp at Cowan Station 
on the 14th of July and again on the (Hh of August at Anderson where it remained until the 2d 
of 8e[)tember when the march was commenced into Georgia. On the 11 th the regiment took 
])art in an engagement near Dug (laj). Companies A and K were thrown forward as skirmishers 
and held their place until they found the remainder of the regiment had retinal when they fell 
back and rejoined it. 

The 19th was the day of the disastrous battle of ('hiekamauga. After experiencing a series 
of reverses through the day the Fourth Brigade, which, with the First, formed the extreme left of 
the line, got out of ammimition, l)rake, and, the other brigade being thrown into confusion, the 
regiments were scattered over the field. The Tenth being exjiosed to a terrible tire from three 
directions was obliged to retire and made for a point on the left, where they sup]iosed our troops 
were in jiosition, but. unfortunately, found themselves surrounded and ignorant of the position 
of the rest of the forces. They could do nothing but surrender, and when too late it was 
found that they had been contending ht)]>elessly for two hours, nearly all the forces having been 
withdrawn from the field. Lieut. Col. Ely, C(.)mmanding the regiment, was mortally wounded, 
and nearly the whole of the regiment on the field was captm-ed- 1 '2 officers and 1 1 1 men. 
Eighteen of the regiment were killed and fifty-six wounded. On the morning of the 21st, the 
regiment nirmbered three ofiicers and twenty six men. The casualties in Company A were re- 
ported as follows: Killed -William Mattison. Wounded — Corps. E. P, Sterling and Robert 
Hall; Privates M. Mulville and George S]iurr, Taken prisoners — Capt. Harki-ess, Lieut. Ellen- 
wood, Sergts. J. S. J. Eaton and E. W. Carver: Corps. J. Tyler and W. W\)ods: Privates W. H. 
Fountain, W. Dalton, P. Adams, W. H. Coburn, T. M. Luce, f. Nicholas, F. V. Smith and W. Hay. 

The remnant of the regiment that remained, soon after went into cam)) at Chattanooga, 
and were employed on guard duty and work on the defenses of the place until late in November. 

Those who were taken prisoners at Chickamauga remained in rebel prisons at Andersonville, 
Salisbury and other places, for thirteen mouths: many were not exchanged until March, 1S<>5, 
and many never left prison alive. The deaths in Company A are reported as follows: James 
Snell, at Delavan February 22, 1802; William Tiu-ner, at Sugar Creek July fi. 18()2: Sergt. J. 
H. Hooper, at Bowling Green, Ky., March 5, 1862; Truman Johns, at Elizabethtown, Ky., 
March 10. 18<)2; John MeCann. Bowling Green. April 2, lSr)2: Sibley Brown, Mmi'reesboro, 
Tenn.. A]iril 5, 1S()2: Hugh \. Rector, Mnrfreesboro, April 13, 1802; Lutlu'r Lee. Point Rock, 
Ala,, May 19, 1802; Hemy Roderick, Nashville. Tenn., August 10, l.S(i3: N. H. Fountain, An- 
dersonville, Ga., .huie 28, 18(54: William Oslmrn, Andersonville; AnilreAv D. Bovee. Mnrfrees- 
boro, July 11, 18(>4; Mortim(>r Ailams, Cincinnati. May 2r), 18()4: G. Lansing, Andersonville, 
August 24. 1864; Cor[). James S. Watson, Nashville, Tenn., Se])teiuber 1, 1864. 

When the army was re-organized in the 8])ringof 1864. the Tenth was assigned to the First 
Brigade and was under the command of Capt. Roby. The casulties reportcnl in Comjiany A in 
the summer of 1864 are as follows: Wounded — Private William B. Sayles. June 2; Private Cor- 
nelius Bard, June 18. 

The regiment was stationed at Marietta for a time in the fall, and afterward at Kenesaw 
Mountain. It was at the latter place until on the Kith of October; the recruits and re-enlisted 
veterans were transfen-etl to the Twenty-first Regiment, and the remainder of tlie r(>giment left 
for Wisconsin. On the 2."')th tlie Tenth reached IMilwaukee and was nmslered out of service. 

liosTKit oi Company A. 
Officers. — Robert Harkness, Cajjtain, Second Lieutenant from umstei-: |ironiotetl First Lii'u- 
tenant of Company F August 12, 1862: Captain of Company A when mustered out: Warren 



i 



372 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

B. EUenwood, .Second Lieutenant, commissioned June 1, 18(')3: taken jn'isoner of war September 
20, 1863; Homy O. Johnson, Captain, promoted Major September 1, 1862; Flavius J. Harring- 
ton, First Lieutenant, resigned June 1, 18(53; Chester A. Biu'diek, Second Lieutenant, promoted 
First Lieutenant Company C April 9, 1863. 

Ser<j('<i)itx. — Charles \V. Conklin, ajipointed November 1, 1862; Edward AV. Carver, ap- 
pointed November 1, 1862; Amos H. Hitchcock, Jr., appointed November 1, 1862; Joseph S. 
J. Eaton, ai)])ointed January I, 1863; Sherod Eckerson, appointed January 1, 1863. 

Corporalfi. — Walter Wood, ai>pointed March 17. 1862; Franklin Sterling, ap]iointed No- 
vember 1, 1862; Andrew H. Lord, a])])ointed November 1, 1862; Kobert Hall, aj^pointed 
November 1, 1862; Joseph Tyler, appointed November 1, 1862; Orlando Dewing, appointed 
May 1, 1864; Josiah Sheldon, appointed May 1, 1864; Otis Wilbur, fifer; Levi W. Norcrass, 
drummer; David Matteson, wagoner. 

Privates. — Peter Adams, Charles H. Biu-r, Patrick Carl, William H. Cobnrn, George C. 
Dopp. William Dalton, William H. Fountain, Cornelius Bovee, Wilbur IT. Briggs, Pelick Cor- 
nell, William J. Devoue, Walter E. Dewing, Albi^rt O. Ewing, George W. Fowler, Washington 
Hay, Thomas H. Morrison, Richard Pilling, Fred V. Smith, George Spurr, William J. LTtter, 
Robert B. Wood, Robert M. Liice. Theodore Nicolai, James B. Ripley, William B. Sayles, Orin 

C. Sanborn, William H. Wadkins. Discharged — J. Oscar Conrick, Sergeant, October 1, 1862; 
Alf Winell, February 10, 1863; Plimpton Babeock, December 20, 18()2; John Beartrough, 
March 3, 1863; William Brabizon, April 15, 1862; Ira E. Babcoek, December 20, 1862; Morti- 
mer Deuel, October 1, 1862; Elon G. Foster, December 20, 1862; William H. German, January 
24, 1863; Abram H. Eaton. January 13, 1863; George H. Holland, Aiu'il 20, 1862; Levi Hai-e, 
June 18, 1862: Frank Jokich, Apri'l 18, 1863; David Kline. Julv 21, 1862: Elon W. Lee, May 
24, 1862; Harrison M. Montague, November 8, 1862; Willis B. Moffatt, April 30, 1862; Martin 
Mulville, Jime 24, 1864; Corydon M. PeiTv. April 20, 1862: Elisha Y. Parsons, May 1, 1862; 
William Bedford, July 5, 1862: Martin V.' Shafer, November 8, 18()2; Marion L. Scott, May 
12, 1862; William J. Stewart, Ajiril 12, 1862; Franklin Vail, February 11, 1S62: ]Milo K. Wil- 
liams, May 12, 18()2: John M. Thommott, December 20, 1862; Absalom' Blakeman. Transfen-ed 

-William Bradt, to invalid corps, August 5, 1863; Shumway Conant, corps, August 5, 1863; 
James M. Goft", to Sergeant Major; Stephen Everts, permanently detached. 

THIRTEENTH WISCONSIN INFANTRY (pART OF STATE LINE RIFLES AND WALWORTH COUNTY PLOWBOTs). 

Company C, of the Thirteenth Wisconsin Infantry, was raised in Sharon with the following 
officers, all of that town: Ca])tain, August Kummel: First Lieutenant, Daniel L. Lamoreau.x: 
Second Lieutenant, John T. Fish. 

August Kummel received his commission as Captain September 24, 1861; was promoted to 
Lieutenant Colonel January 6, 1S(!5, and to Colonel October U, 1865: he was mustered out No- 
vember 24, 1865. 

Daniel L. Lamoreaux received his commission as First Lieutenant September 24, 1861; was 
ai)pointed Commissary of Subsistence November 8, 1864, and was mustered out November 19. 
1864. 

John T. Fish received his commission as Second Lieutenant September 24, 1861 ; was pro- 
moted to First Lieutenant November 21, 1864: to Captain January 6, 1865, and was mustered 
out November 24, 1865. 

Company H was raised in AMiitewater, its princijial officers being all ft-om that town as 
follows: 

Captain, Joseph L. Pratt, received his commission October 10, 1,S()1 : and resitj-ned Mav 14 
1862. ^ 

First Lieutenant. Charles N. Noyes; received his commission October 19, 1861; was pro- 
moted to Cai)tain June 17, 1862; to Major of the regiment February 15, 1865; to Lieutenant 
Colonel October 9. 1865, and was mustered out November 24. 1865. 

Second Lieutenant, Robert Glover; was commissioned October 19, 1861; was i^romoted to 
First Lieutenant June 17, 1862, and was mustered out November 20, 1X64. 

Company I, Thirteenth \\'isconsin Infantry; the officers of this comj^any were all from 
Sugar Creek; its home name was ''The Walworth County Plowboys." 



HTSTOHY OF WALWOKTH COUNTY. 373 

.lulius \\ . Lauilcnlali' received liis ccmuiussiou as Captain October "21. ISdl, auil was mus- 
tered out Juii(> S. 1N()"J. 

N(>\vtoii H. Kiiii^mau was ooiuiuissioiiod First Liouteuaut October 'I\. |S<>1; promoted to 
Captain February 3. \HC>-i, and iinistered out Se])tember S. bSC),"). 

Henry Carroll was conniiissioned Second Lieutenant October 21. INtil. and resio'ned April 
•2U, 1802. " 

Besides the three companies of the Thirteenth above mentioned, which was composed al- 
mo.st entirely of Walworth County men, other companies of the regiment were partially recruited 
iu the county. 

The Thirteenth was ort;-aiiiz(Hl at Cam]) Tredway, Janesville; mustered into the United 
States service October 17, 1S()1, and left the State on the INth of January, XHi'i'l, Col. Mam-ice 
Malonev commanding, under ord(n-s to report at Leavenworth, Kan. The regiment went by 
rail to Quincy, 111., crossed the Mississip]ii on the ice, marched to Palmyra, ]\[o., and moved 
again by rail to A\'eston, Mo., where it arrived on the 21st and remained two days. Leaving 
^\'eston. it marched to Leavenworth City, arriving on the 2ikl of January, and remaining in 
camp at that place for tw-o weeks. On the 7th of February, they began their march to F'ort 
Scott, and arrived at that point on the 21st - a march of 100 miles. Gen. Lane's "Southwest 
Expedition " having been abandoned, they were ordered on an expedition to New Mexico. Start- 
ing fi-om Fort Scott on the 20th of Mar<di, they reached Lawrence, Kan. distant 115 miles — iu 
live days. They remained in camp at Lawrence one month, tlie soldiers suffering greatly from 
the effects of their long march through a country to which they were unacelimated and which 
became the grave of many of them. The names of those who died in the \\'alworth County 
com])auies, at Leavenworth, at Lawrence and iluring the march, are as follows: The tirst death 
re]iorted from the regiment was that of B. B. Schermerhoru, at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., Feb- 
ruary 12, 1802; Seymour Rice died at Leavenworth February 17, 1802; Charles H. Corey died 
February 21, 1802, and Franklin Prindle February 27, 1802. These deaths were all fi-om the 
Sharon company (Company C), and were the only ones reported from the regiment during the 
month. They must have been left behind, sick, and unable to proceed when the regiment 
started on its march to Fort Scott. Adam McDonald, of Company H, died at Leavenworth 
JIarch 2. 1802: Martin Schroder, of Company C, at Fort Scott, March 0, 1802; Louis Shields, 
of Company H, at Lawrence, April 2:!, iS02; David Seely, of Comi)any H, June 20, 1802: Har 
low Barton, of Company C, at Lawrence, May 21, 1802. Besides the deaths in these companies 
there were others among the Walworth boys who had enlisted in other companies. A son of 
Mr. H. A. Johnson, of Darien, who enlisted in Company A of the Thirteenth, died at Lawrence 
and his remains were brought to Darien for interment — one of the lii-st soldiers brought home 
for bm'ial in the county. 

When the regiment arrived at Fort lliley, their objective point, the New Mexico expedition 
had been abandoned, and, after remaining in that place about three weeks, they were ordered 
back to Leavenworth, en route for Corinth, Miss. William J. Brown, of Company C, died at 
Fort lliley May 8, 1802. 

After another march of 125 miles TidO in all they arrived in Leavenworth May 28, and 
after a few days rest, were transported to Columbus, Ky., performing railroad guard duty until 
August, when they were sent to Fort Hem-y. On the 2d of September, they wei-(» ordered to 
Fort Donelson, and remained there through Sei)tember, October and a i)art of November, engageil 
in guerrilla warfare and scouting expeditions, including one in search of the rebel General, Mor- 
gan. On the 12th of November, they returned to garrison duty at Fort Henry. 

Late in December, the Thirteenth made a march of 120 miles with the force sent in ])ursuit 
of the ch-eaded rebel, (ieu. Fornwt. and, after their return, were immediately employed in guard- 
ing sup])ly steamers between Fort llem-y an<l Hamburg Landing. When the news of the attack 
on Fort Donelson nvachod Fort Hem-y. Fel)ruary ;i, 1803, the Thirteenth was on the march to 
its relief in half an hour. They fought their way, driving the skirmishers of th(> enemy before 
them, an<l arrived at the fort iu tiie evening. The iort was safe; the garrison, w^ilh the assist- 
ance of the gunboats, having re])nls<>d the enemj^. The regiment was stationed at Fort Donel- 
son eiirly in March, and remained there through the spring and siuumer doing garrison duty 
and guarding the suiTounding country from the inciu-sions and depredations of the lawless and 



374 ■ HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

violent bands of guerrillas that infested it. Julius H. Carpenter and Jacob B. Mereness, both 
of Comi^auy C, were killed by guerrillas in the vicinity of the fort on the 2'2d of August. 

On the 1st of AiTgust, Col. Maloney v?as recalled to the command of his company in the 
regular service, and Capt. W P. Lyon, of Racine, whose parents were among the eai'ly settlers 
of Walworth County, was commissioned as Colonel. The regiment was ordered to Stevenson, 
Ala., and made the march of 'IW miles in eighteen days. It was necessary to the safety of the 
Army of the Cumberland that Stevenson should be carefully guarded, as it was the dejjot of 
supi>lies for the troo])s at Chattanooga, and its capture meant starvation to them, or falling back 
from the so dearly won position. Fortunately, the little garrison was re-enforced before the 
enemy sufficiently realized the imjwrtance of the situation to make an attack. Col. Lyon and 
his regiment understood better than Gen. Bragg the disastrous resiilts that «ould follow the 
loss of Stevenson, and every man was ready to defend it to the last. 

In the latter part of October, the regiment joined its brigade and went into winter quai'ters 
at Edgefield, op] )osite Nashville, remaining there until February, 1804. More than three- fourths 
of the regiment had re-enlisted at this time, and it accordingly visited Wisconsin on veteran 
furlough of thirty days. History states that, ''on arriving at Janesville, they were warmly wel- 
comed and hosjiifably entertained by the citizens of that city and the people of the surround- 
ing countr}'. who had assembled to greet them. In many a ([uiet home in Sharon and AMiite- 
water and Sugar Creek, and every town in old AN'alworth, there was rejoicing that day over the 
brave boys who had come back in safety; and in many a one, alas! there was mourning for those 
who wei'e left in their Southern graves. 

On the expiration of their furlough, the regiment re-assembled at Camj) Utley, Racine, 
proceeded to Nashville and encamping again at Edgefield, was employed in guarding trains and 
garrison duty. In April, they moved again to Stevenson to guard the Tennessee River at 
various points, the Thirteenth being assigned the fords and crossings fi'om Law's Landing to 
near Triana — forty miles. The regim('nt remained here three months, with headi[uarters at 
Claysville, Ala. This position was ])erilous, and the duties required of the comjianies arduous 
and such as retpiired constant and untiring vigilance. They were menaced ftront and rear — 
Hood's troops attempting to force the passage of the river in front, thegueiTillas at their Iwck, 
and the companies scattered along the river for forty miles, with no protection except such earth- 
works and temporary defenses as could be constructed on the spot. It required more heroism 
to bear bravely and lancomplainingly the long-drawn-out anxiety and uncertainty of such a 
position than many a brilliant battle costs. 

In Septeml)er, l(S(i5, Company I was stationed at Hm-ricane Creek, and Company H at 
Cxm'ley's Tank, on the Mem])his& Charleston Railroad, and was emj.iloyed in guarding the road, 
repairing l)ridges, strengthening the defenses of the road. etc. Through Se])teml>er and Octo- 
ber, the regiment was alternating lietweon the defense of various j)oints on the Tennessee River 
and the defense of the railroad. Sometimes only the sick of the regiment could be left to hold 
the block-houses on the line of the road, all those who were able to march beingf needed else- 
where. 

On the 8th of November, 1(50 of the non- veterans, including the Lieutenant Colonel, and 
several officers were mustered out, their term of service having expired. Soon after, Capt. 
August Kummel was made Lieutenant Colonel and Capt. Charles N. Noyes, Major. 

In Novembi>r, the regiment once move returned to Stevenson to assist in the fortification of 
that place, in order to jn-event Hood's retreat. After his defeat at Nashville, they retm'ned to 
Huntsville. from which place Companies C and C Ca])t, Fish eonnnanding. were sent to Clays- 
ville Landing, on the Tennessee. "While at this jioint. Lieut. Loucks, of Company C, with 
a few men. crossed the river, and, in an encounter with a band of guerrillas, led by the notorious 
Pete AVhit(>cofton. captured several of the band, and Lieut. Loucks, in a personal encounter, 
killed the leader. On the "iOth of Mai-ch, the different detachments of the regiment were called 
in, and, under command of Cdl. Lyon (who had temporarily been assigned another position), 
]iroceeded to Knoxville, thence to Jonesboro, where they remained encamped until on the '.^Otli 
of April, they received news of Lee's surrender and President Lincoln's assassination. 

Leaving Jonesboro on the '20th. tliey arrived at New (h-leans on the '24th of June via Knox- 
ville, Temi., Johnsonville and the Ohio and Mississijjpi Rivers. They remained neai' New Or- 



HISTO]{Y OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 375 

k'Hiis, ;it C'lialiiii'ttf. until the .Jth of .Inly, wln'ii they loft e;iin[) for Tcxiis. On the ]4tli, they 
arrived at Indiauohi. Duriiiif the hitter ])art of July and the early |)art of .Se])tenil)er, they 
marched ICU miles, sufVerin^ fearfully from the intense heat and insufficient su])])lies. They 
arrived at Sau Antonio on the 24th of September, and fortunately found a healthy location for 
their camp. The health of the regiment rapidly improved, and they were not obliged to move 
until they received the order to "muster out." At the time the order was received Maj. Noyes 
had command of the regiment, but desiring to remain in Texas, he resigned it to Cajit Cobb, 
and, on th(> 27th of November, the soldiers tiu'iied their steps toward home, arriving at Madison 
on the '2iid of December, and were mustered out on the 20th. Col. Lyon, who, as well as any- 
other, knew and ap)ireciated their labors, said of them: "It has been the duty of the regiment 
rath(>r to preserve what has l)eyn gained than to wrest from the enemy; to hold positions ui)on 
thi< safety of which great movements de[)ended. It has performed the lal)orious garrison guard, 
])atrol and picket duty, requiring ceaseless vigilance and stern fidelity. For over two years, 
until the assignment of the regiment to the Fom-th Corps, each man able to do duty has been 
on actual duty about one-half of the time." 

The deaths in Companies C, H and I, in addition to those before mentioned, were as follows: 

Comj)any C, in 1802 — Isaac B. Lebning, April 27, at Paoli, Ky. ; David Seely, June 20, at 
Lawrence, Kan.; AVilliam Dennis, October 18, at Cairo, 111; Elijah M. Bowman, November 18, 
at Fort Henry, Teun. 

In 1803 — Lerov Rennv, Januar\- 23, at Fort Hem'v, Tenu.: Josej^h O. Carpenter, Decemlier 
9. at Nashville, Teiin. 

In 1804- -Lorenzo D. F. Boyce, at Sharon, Wis.; John A. Kammerer, ()ct(iber 18, at San 
Antonio, Texas; Napoleon Woodworth, October 30, at Nashville, Tenn. ; William M. Clark, No- 
vember 18, at Nashville, Tenn. 

In 1205 — Albert S. Clark, September 0, at Grreen Lake, Texas; Peter Rush, October 18, at 
V'ictoria, Texas. 

Company H, in 1802 —William Marskey, July 1, at Moscow, Ky.; Grilbert N. Manning, 
August ly, at Columbus, Ky. ; John C. Dobie, August 23, at Columbus, Ky-. ; Ole Osmondson, 
October 21. at Fort Henry, Tenn. 

In 1803 — Jesse Kestleson, June 18, at Fort Douelson, Tenn.; Josiah Patterson, June 28, at 
Fort Douelson, Teun. 

In 1804 --William D. Hortou, October 14, at Huntsville, Ala. 

In 1805 — Frederick Bullock, at Madison, Wis., and Liuuan Palmer at Huntsville, Ala., both 
on JanuaiT 14; William Rolof, August 8, at Nashville, Tenn.; George ^\'. Wilds, October 1, at 
Victoria, Texas. 

Com]iany I, in 1>S02- -Andrew McCart, July 0. at Columbus, Ky. ; Virgil L. Diblile, August 
31, at Columbus, Ky. ; SvTrel D. Chij)mau, November 5, at Smithlaud, Ky. 

In 1803- Thomas F. Pitcher, June 3, at Fort Donelson, Tenn.; George Hamilton, July 3, 
at Fort Donelson; John Nil)lick, August 1, at Fort Douelson; David Dane, at Ri>gimental Hos- 
))ital. 

In 1804 — Ambrose Jaquith, February 18; John V. Mills, March 17; John Hooper, March 
30, and Harvey Clemons, Decemltor Hi, all at Madison, W'is. ; John Clemons and R. K. Bald- 
win, both on Octolier 13, at Huntsville, Ala.; James Waters, November 9, at Brownsville, Ala., 
and Thomas R. Kingman, November 30, at Stevenson, Ala. 

In J 805 Ernest Ro[)er, January 14, at Madison, Wis.; Alden Wilkcns, March 3, at Hunts- 
vill(>, Ala.; Lorenzo D. Finch, March 29, at Huntsville, Ala. ; Samuel Salisbury, July 4, at Quincy, 
111.; Charles H. McMaster, Se])tember 0, at Victoria, Texas; Siglon Eilmundson, Se])teml)er 0, 
at Green Lake, Texas: Ole Christianson, July 27, at Green Lake, Texas, and Even Chi-istoi>her- 
son. October K). at San Antonio, Texas. 

HosTKI! OF C'OMP.ANY ('. 

C >///(•(• c.s. John T. Fish, (Japtain; was Second Lieutenant; commissioned First Lieutenant 
Decemb(>r 1, 18t')4: Captain Jaimary 17, 1805; H. G. Bai'dwell, First LieutiMiant, veteran; a])- 
pointed Corporal October 17, 1801; Sergeant Januaiy 27, 1802 ; First Sergeant February 9, 1802; 
mustered Second Lieutenant December 1, 1804; First Lieutenant January 1 7, 1 805; William Loueks, 



376 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

Secoud Lifutt'uant, veteran; appointed Sergeant Octoher 17. ISfi] : commissioned Second Lieu- 
tenant Janufu-y 17, 1805; resigned July 10, 1S6.J, at New Orleans: Augustus H. Kimmell, Cap- 
tain; mustered out Januaiy IB, 1865, to receive promotion as Lieutenant Colonel in Thii-teenth 
Wisconsin Lifantry: Daniel L. Lamoreaux. First Lieutenant; mustered out December 11), 1864, 
expiration of term of service. 

Sergeants. — Henry L. Moulton, First Sergeant, veteran; appointed Sergeant May 1, 1862: 
First Sergeant January 17, 1865; Jabez S. Miles, veteran; ajipointed Coqioral October 17, 1861; 
Sero-eant May 20, 18(3^: Rosell S Miner, veteran: appointed Corporal Oetolier 17, 1861: Sergeant 
Dec'ember 1,1864; John W. Brownson, veteran ; appointed Corporal February U, 1 862 ; Sergeant 
March 1. 1865: Frederick Brandis, veteran: appointed Corporal December 1, 1861; Sergeant 
January 17, 1865. 

Corjioi-als. — John "NA'. Sherman, veteran: appointed Jauuaiy 27, 1865: Oscar H. Ostrom, 
veteran: appointed January 27, 1862; William P. Hodgson, veteran; appointed January 17, 
1864; John F. Wicke, veteran; appointed March 26, 1864; Daniel Bollinger, veteran; appointed 
April 20, 1864: George W. Powers, veteran: appointed December 1, 1864; Florence F. Wilcox, 
veteran: appointed March 1, 1865; Hem-y H. Conable, veteran; appointed October 7, 1865. 

Pr/i-rt/c.s. Hem-y Bush, veteran; Robert L. Dunn, veteran; Layton L. Hale, veteran: John 
C. Hecrert, veteran: John L. Hodgson, veteran: John H. Eodawalt, veteran; David H. Bush. 
William B. Dunn, Isaac Flansburg, Horace E. Johnson; Frank Cole, veteran; David D. Dunn, 
veteran: Elias H. Groesbeck, veteran: Calvin W. Hodgson, veteran; Hiram A. Hollister, veteran: 
Ansel Schellencer, veteran; Wilber Cone. Willis D Eckerson. David Hotchkiss, Anson Kroll, 
Matthias Labawi, Harvey Merrill, David McDonald, Jerome Lowell, Charles Markle. Columbus 
Storey. Discharged— Oscar F. Clark, First Sergeant, for disability, in 1862: Orla W. Doolittle, 
Sercreant, for disability, in 1862: Hobart Crofts, Sergeant, for disability, in 1862; William D. 
L. F. Parks, Sergeant, for disability, in 1864; George Bidwell, Sergeant, for disability, in 1863: 
Walter S. Clark. Corporal, for disability, in 1862; Sardis Pixley, Musician, for disability, in 
1864; David Pramer. ^\'agoner, expiration of service, 1864: Levi E. Allen, discharged and ajv 
pointed First Lieutenant Sixty-fifth United States Colored Infantry in 1.S63: William S. Bur- 
ton, discharged by order of Secretary of War in 1865; Jerome Bailey, discharged for disability 
in 1864; Harrison Bailey, discharged for disability in 1864; Thomas H. Bird, discharged, ex- 
piration of service, 18()4: Wesley Bogardes, discharged for disability in 1862: Volney Boyce, 
discharged from War Dejtartment in 1865; Jacob Bauer, discharged from War Department in 
1865: Philip Backer, discharged fi-om War Department in 1865; William H. Bush, discharged 
for disability in 1865; Charles Boyer, discharged from War Department in 1865; Andrew Cas- 
siday, discharged by civil authority in 1862; Andrew Corning, discharged for disability in 1862; 
George M. Cas])ar, discharged for disability in 1863: Baruam Corey, discharged for disability 
in 1862; Christian Cline, discharged from War Department in lNr)5: Melvin Cone, discharged 
from War Department in 1865; Charles Crovlin, discharged fi-om A\'ar Dej)artment in 1865: 
Martin Coonrad, discharged from M'ar Department in isr)5; Thomas H. Doiigall, discharged for 
disability in 1862: George H. Evans, discharged for disability in 1863; Benjamin Francisco, 
discharged for disability in 1862: Roljert Forrester, discharged from War Department in 1865; 
Jei'ome Green, discharged for disability in 1862: Frank G. Gile, discharged for disability in 
1862; Frederick Groskoff, discharged fromWar Department in 1865; Joseph Gableman, discharged 
from A\'ar Department in 1865; Bradford H. Hollister, discharged from V^'ar Department in 
1S()5: Lxicien H. Hayden, discharged, expiration of service, in 1864: George Hays, discharged 
from War De]iartmeut: George H. Hodgson, discharged for disability in 1862; Newton Hyde, 
discharged for disability in ]sr)2; Henry Holt, discharged from mustering office in 1865; Noah 
Knapp, discharged for disability in 1M6'2; William Knaub, discharged fi'oni War Department in 
1865; John S. Landon. discharged, ex])irati()n of service, in 1864: Benjamin F. Levalley, dis- 
charged fi-om War Dei)artment in 186)5: La Fayette Levalley, discharged from War Department 
in 1865; Charles H. Levalley, discharged for disability in 1862; Hugh McCannon, discharged 
fromWar Department in 1865; Patrick McGinnis, discharged from War Dejiartment in 18()5; Jesse 
B. Markle, discharged for disability in 1863: Wm. MeiTill, discharged for disability inl 862; Jas. 
Morgan, discharged for disability in 1862; Oliver Myers, discharged for disability in 1862; Martin 
L. Merrill, discharged; William •!. Markle, discharged by Order No. 77. War Department, in 1865; 



IIISTOHY OF WAI>\VORTII COUNTY. 377 

Luth(M' J. MeiTonoss, discharnjcil hy Oi-doi' of \\':ir D(>]i;irtni('iit, in ISdri: Williimi E. Owen, dis- 
chartjcd fordisahility : Patrick OUJricn. dischar^'d frumW;ir Department in ISVu); .J()se])b Oswald, 
discharged fnini War l)e|)artinent in |M1,"); Henry Ott. discliargeil from War J)e]iartnient in KSfiS; 
Henry H. Parks, discharged f(ir disal)ility in ISCiH; James A. Patton. discharged for disability 
in 1N();{; David Phelps, discharged from War Dejiartment; Wither K. Pixley. discharged, ex 
piration of sei-vice, in I8()4: Lawrence Sch(>mmerhorn, discharged in 18(5]; Samuel Sanders, 
discharged fi"om War Dei)art,menfc in ISt),"); William Sloey, discharged, expiration of service, in 
18(i4; Riley E. Swart, discharged, expiration of service, in 18fi5; John (J. Smith, discharged 
from War Department in 18(ir); Elliot Storey, discharged from War Department in 1805: Charles 
H. Stu]ifell, discharged from War Department; Asa Tallmadge, discharged by Order No. 14, 
Department of Mississiiipi, 18()'2; Albert Thompson, discharged for disability in 1862; Lyman 
Totten. discharged from AVar Department; H. Sylvester Vanlnu'eu, discharged, ex]iirati(m of 
service, in 1804; John H. Welch, discharged for disability in INtiS; Isaac Wtdls, discharged for 
disai)ility in 186"2; Napoleon B. Woodworth, died at Nashville, Tenn., in 18(12 ; Cyrus Whitney, 
discharged, expiration of service, in 18()4; Charles A. Wilson, discharged for disability in 1862; 
-Vlfred L. WinegiU', discharged for disability in 1864. Transferred Albert W. Lowusbuiy, 
Sergeant, transfeiTed to Northern Cavalry Service as Sergeant ^lajor INIarch 1. 1865; John 
Beri'ie, ^Musician, transferred to Northern Cavalry Service as Princij)al Musician in 1861; 
George A. Burliugame, Musician, transferred from Comi)any F; discharged for disability in 
1862; James Patterson, transferred to Comi)auy A in 18li2. Deserted- Thomas W. Brannon, 
deserted from New Orleans in 1865; Christian Crow, veteran, deserted in 1865; David S. Lain, 
deserted in 1862; Daniel H. Townsend. deserted in 1862: Josejih Tiu'ley, deserted in 1N()5. 

KosTKu OF Company II. 

Officers. — Joseph L. Pratt, Captain; Charles G. Noyes, First Lieutenant: Robert Glover, 
Second Lieutenant. 

Sergeants. — Charles E. Graham, First Sergeant; Josiah Patterson, Cxeorge H. Beckwith. 
William Marskin, Nathaniel Weed, Jr. 

Corporals. — Gilbert N. Manning, Simon Henry, Hiram Boyington, Edgar J. Pratt, Andrew 
J. Smith, John C. Dobie, Volney Brant, Ole Jacobsou. 

Pr/coMs. -William T. Allen, John Ammon. William H. Andrews, Henry C. Babcock, John C. 
Barber. Donald Binkert, Patrick Blake, George A. Boyington, Chester Boj'iugton, Robert Bridge, 
Ziua Brown, Fi'ederick Bullock, Jedidiah Carnes, George G. Case, James E. Coakley, Cxeorge Alex- 
ander, Frank Anderson, James M. Babcock, James P. Barney, Myron C. Barber, Benjamin Bloss. 
Andrew J. Boyington, .lesse Boyington, Eugene Brant, James Bridge, Patrick Biu-ns, Frank Camp- 
bell, .\.lonzo L. Castle, Orin R. Cheney, Jonas P. Colby, .John Collins, George Codding, Richard 
Dwight, Peter Elphick, Orgias Elliott, George U. Emerson, William Foot, John W. Gilson, 
A\'illiam H. Hall. Halroy Hanson, Charles L. Hernington, John Hollis, Marion D. Hortou, Jason 
W. Hull, -John .Jennings. Jesse Ketleson. Andrew B. Lee. David Collins, Corydt)n L. Clarke, 
David Eason, Chai'les Ellis, Benjamin Emerson, George N. Fields, ISIarius Fuller, Harvey Gun- 
derson, John Hannah, Caleb E. Hare, Myron Hollis, John Ct. Herson, Frank Hudson, Henry 
X. Hull, Andrew Johnson, Charles F. Klitajkie. Sylvanus O. Larkin, Luth(>r Larkin, Albert 
.Marskin, .4.dam McDonald, Henry McGowen, Mountiford McCarthy, Montgomery Millis, Dan- 
i(d Morgan, Thomas Mould, Oliver Nelson, Ole Oleson (first), Martin Oleson, Ole On.smunson, 
William Parsons, Andrew Peck, Hez(>kiah Porter, Lalamand H. Rann, Paul Ramberg, Charles 
G. Rol)bins, Garnott Lasher, Joseph C. Mason, George W. McDonald, John McGee, Patrick Mc- 
Gorley, William Milne, Stephen Morgan, Simon Nelson, Roswell R. Noyi's, Ole Oleson (second), 
Ransom H. Ostrander, Lnman Palmer, Daniel E. Perkins, Kittel Peterson. Joel A. Pruth, Cieorge 
H. Rankin. .James Robinson. William llolol), Albert Salisbury, David Seeley, Edward Shield, 
.\dell)ert L Sherman, Heiu-y Smith, .John C Galv(>rson, AUiert Stillman, Levi Yerneppe, Ira 
Webb, Charles W. Widton, Nicholas Weicher. George W. Wilds. David Youman, William J. 
Cook, John F. More, Gilbert Scott, Louis Shield, Silas T. Sherman. Robert Smith, Edward H. 
Smith, Thomas Stevens, Solomon H. Trude, Myron W. Weed, Laban C. Welton, George H. 
Welton, William Williams, Roinanta Woodruft". .James M. Burnham, Fred Hertzog. 



378 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 



RO,STEl^ OF ('OMI'A.NV I. 



Officers — George H. Cameron, First Lienteuant, veteran: was appointed Sergeant Novem- 
ber 18, 1S()1 ; First Sergeant October 18, 1862; First Lieutenant April 8, 1865; died at Galves- 
ton, Texas, in 186"); Henry H. Knox, Second Lieutenant, veteran; appointed Sergeant November 
18, 1861 ; Second Lieutenant June 11, 1865 ; Newton H. Kingman, Captain, veteran; mustered out 
on expiration of term of service; Julius H. Lauderdale, Captain; mustered out by order of Maj. 
Gen. Halleck June '24, 18G2; William A. Knilans, veteran. First Lieutenant; transferred to 
Company G as Captain March 1, 1865; Ira B. Dutton, veteran, Second Lieutenant; ajipointed 
First Lieutenant and transferred to Regular Service; Heury Carroll, Second Lieutenant; re- 
signed April 27, 1862. 

Sergeants. — James Johnston, First Sergeant, veteran; api)ointed Corporal May 1, 1864; 
Sergeant April 3, 1865; First Sergeant September 1, 18()5; Leander J. Gould, veteran; ap- 
pointed Corporal April 21, 1864; Sergeant June 11, 18(55; Franklin Foote, veteran; appointed 
Corporal April 8, 1865; Sergeant July 8, 1865; William Rae, appointed Sergeant September 1, 
1865. 

Corporals. — John Garbutt, appointed December 28, 1861; Benjamin Parrish, veteran; ap- 
pointed November 21, 1864; John Miller, veteran; apfwiuted November 21, 1864; George Gar- 
lautt, appointed November 21, 1864; Bonkritz Galet, veteran; appointed June 11, 1865; Charles 
H. Hare, veteran; appointed July 8, 1865; Martin Jones, appointed July 21, 1865; Josejih 
Cook, appointed Sejitember 1, 1865; Daniel Welch, Wagoner. 

Prirafes. Richard Botrell, veteran ; John Conner, Charles Deegnan, James Elphick; 
William W. Norton, veteran: John Nelson: Michael O'Brien, veteran: William H. Duant, 
Hugh Guy, William J. Henry, Ambrose B. Hare, Henry \Y. Mills; John Smith, veteran; Nicholas 
Snyder, Albert Sheker, Samuel Smith. Discharged — Charles E. Loomer, Rasmus Nelson, 
Christian Ellington, Deitleft" Thoraldson, James Bull, William Dane, Andrew Elickson, Lewis 
A. Gilbert, George Hind, William Jaeres, James K. Knilans, Torger Larson, Thomas McDonald, 
William Olds, John J. Rambeck, John Stoner, Ole J. Ilnis, Frank McBean, Ole Oleson, Ambrose 
Elphick, James W. Davis, Solomon Duncan, John Fatherloss, Joseph Garbutt, Hans C. Hanson, 
John Johnson, John D. Logan, Azel Morris, Addis E. Mason, Robert Patterson, Clark Rainus, 
Andrew Torges, Nelson Teachout, Napoleon Van De Bogert, Robert Watson, Francis A. Bigelow, 
Robert W. Smith, John W. Hubbard, Daniel Buckley, Hosea Babcock, David B. Chatiield, Moses 
Dane, Christian EUingson, Leander J. Foster. Christopher Fatherloss, Jared Hotchkiss, Ceylon 
Houghton, John Hollister, Hiram W. Maynard, Lorenzo H. Stark, John R. Smith, John H. 
Tremper, Luke Taylor, Isaac Van De Bogert, AN'illiam Vaughn, Isaac W. Kingman, Andrew 
Demphey, Wallace E. Louner, Christoper Bnrchard, John Bath, Edward Carpenter, William 
Coxshelf. David Edwards, William W. Felch, Charles H. Fitch, John Garity, John Hind, Will- 
iam Hare, Alexander Murdick, Joshua Scott, Newton Salisbmy, Manin Sweet, Paul H. Town- 
send, William J. Trude. Transferred — James Alonzo, Corjioral, transferred to Veteran Reserve 
Corps in January, 1864; Paul Crossdale, transferred to Mulligan's Brigade in January, 1862; 
^^'illiam H. Hall, transferred to Company E in March, 1862; Franklin M. Ross, transferred to 
Comjiany E in March, 1862; Thomas O. Russell, ajipointed Quartermaster Sergeant and trans- 
ferred to Northern Cavalry Service; Harvey T. Colton, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps in 
1865. De.serted — Edwin Foster, Corporal, deserted July 20, 1865; Joseph Hoteling, deserted 
April 22, 1862; Richard McGrath, deserted December 25, 1861; Raljih West, deserted July 
20, 1865; James K. Winney, deserted June 16, 1864; William W. Welch, deserted. 



TWENTY-SECOND WISCONSIN INF.\NTRV. 



Company C was organized at Geneva, with the following officers: 

Captain — ('harles W. Smith, Geneva; received his conunissiou August 22, 1862; promoted 
to Major February 21, 1863; promoted to Lieutenant Colonel Sojitember 24, 1864: mustered 
out August 1, 1865. First Lieutenant Darwin R. May, Geneva; commissioned August 22, 
18(52; promoted to Captain February 21, 1863; mustered out Jime 12, 18(55. Second Lieuten- 
ant — Isaac W. Kingman, Sugar Creek; commissioned August 5, 1862; ]iromoted to First 
Lieutenant February 21, 1863; resigned March 1, 1864. 



IIISTOIJY OF WAl.WOHTII COrXTY. 381 

Company D was ])rinci]ially i-ccniittHl at Dolavan. Tln' following were the officers: 

Captain— Alphonso G. K(>llani, Dclavan; received his commission September 10, 1862; 
promoted to Major Novemher '21, IStil; mustered out June 12, 1865. First Lieutenant — 
Charles E. Dudley, Darieii: received his commission September Ki, ISfi'i; jiromoted to Captain 
June 2, 18()5: mustei\'d out June 12, 1865. Second Lieutenant J. Oscar Conrick; received 
commission September 1, 1861; promoted to Adjutant November 11, 1863; resigned March 1, 
1864. 

The Twenty-second Regiment, to which these two companies were assigned, as Companies 
C and D, was organized at Cam]) Utley, Racine; was mustered into service Sejitember 2, 1862, 
and left the State for Cincinnati on the 16th, under command of Col. William L. Utley. The 
regiment arrived at Cincinnati on the ISth, crossed the river on the 22d, and encamped south 
of Covington, in the vicinity of Fort Mitchell. On the 8th of October, it joined the brigade of 
Gen. Biu-i)ridge at Cam[) Smith, and (m the 31st was assigned to the P^irst Brigade, First Divis- 
ion of the Army of Kentucky. From the 18th of November until the 12th of December, the 
regiment was employed in jirovost guard duty at Nicholasville, on the Kentucky Central Rail 
road, from which j)lace it moved to Danville. Diu'ing the stay of the regiment in Nicholasville, 
several deaths occm-red, the first rejjorted fi-om Companies C or D. In Company C, the deaths 
were as follows: William H. Demming, on December 7, 1862; George C. Walton, December 
23, 1862; and George E. Clark, January 5, 1868. Thomas Avery, of Company D, died in No- 
vember, 1862, and George Purdy, as reported, died in Novemlicr of the following year. 

At Danville, Ky., Fernando S. Crane, of Company C, died January 21; Joshua F. Rogers, 
January 28; and Martin F. Ross, Febniary 1. In Company D, there were the following deaths: 
Henr}' Wood died in November, 181)2; Willard M. Hall, January 8, 1863; Reuben H. Sipper- 
ley, Febiiiai-y 11, 1863; Thomas J. Davison, February 15, 1863. Several of the deaths occurred 
after the regiment left Danville. Albert Cornue, who had been left sick at Lexington, died 
January 26, 1863. 

On the 26th, the regiment left Danville for Nashville via Louisville. At the latter place, 
a member of the regiment dared resist an attemjit which was made to take a fugitive fi'om the 
ranks, and was well sustained by the general sentiment of the regiment. Nashville was reached 
on the 7th of February, and on the 21st, the forces were ordered to Brentwood Staticjn, nine 
miles absent, for railroad guard duty, mid thence to Franklin, Tenn., on the 2(1 of March, to reen- 
force Gen. Gilbert. 

The following deaths oecmTed during the early pai't of 1863: 

Company C — At Nashville, Wallace Sj>oor died February 18; Calvin G. Ellis, March 5: 
Hamilton Ingham, March 7; Benjamin F. Morgan, March 17. Company D - Hem-y Parker, 
FebruaiT 25, at Brentwood, Tenn.; Aiihur Stewart, May 6, at Cohmibus, Ohio; John D. Row- 
ley, jNIarcli 24, at Franklin, Tenn.; Robert Russell, April 20; Robert Whidden, May 3; and 
George W. Wood, May 1, at Annapolis, Md. 

On the 3d of March, the brigade, under Col. Cobui'n, was ordered to move tt) Spring Hill. 
A portion of the Twenty-second — 3<^5 men under Col. Utley, formed a part of the command. 
The enemy was encounterd about four miles from Franklin, but fell back after slight resistance. 
The next morning, on the advance of our forces, the rebels continued to fall back until they 
reached Thom[)son's Station, where they were largely re-enforced and made an attack on our 
troops. After a fight of five hom's, the force of Col. Coburn was obliged to suirender. Lieut. 
C'ol. Bloodgood, having ])reviously moved to the rear with a portion of the regiment to protect 
the train, escajied with his command, but the rest of the Twenty -second, under the immediate 
command of Col. Utley, after fighting bravely and desperately, were either killed, woimded or 
taken prisoners. Col. Utley and eleven commissioii(>d officers among the luuuber. 

The remainder of the reginuMit, under command of Lieut. Col. Bloodgood, was attacked by 
a large force of the enemy near Brentwood Station on the 8th of March. Being com])letely sm'- 
rounded. and knowing that resistance was useless, the command was surrenderiHl. The jirisoners 
taken in these engagements were sent South ehietty to Lil)l)y Prison. The olficers were ex- 
changed the following May, and the men before very long. 

After the exchange of prisoners, the Tw<mty-second was re-organized at St. Louis, and 
again went into active service. On the 3d of July, they went into camp within the fortifications 



382 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

of Miirfe-eesboro. They were employed in provost and guard duty until February, 1864, and, 
durino- the spring, were assigned to the Second Brigade, Third Division. 

Sergt. Elnathau Fellows, of Company C, died at Murfreesboro August 19, IStiS, and An- 
ihony d'T Rouse at Nashville August 15 of the same year. George AN'. Jacobs, of Company D, 
was killed at Tullahoma December 23, 1863. 

In the battle at Resaea, on the 15th of May, 1864, the regiment lost heavily, many being 
killed inside the enemy's works. The casualties in com])any C were: Wounded— Corp. 
Berry F. Heiiston; Privates Robert S. Salisbury, \\'illiam E. Gleason, John M. "\A'ilson and An- 
thony D. Rouse. Company D: Wovmded Sergt. James B. Scraflbrd; Privates William Brab- 
izon, Evan Edwards and Julius Smith. 

At the battle at Dallas on the 25th, Amos C. Fellows, of Company C, was killed, and John 
S. Dayton wounded. Corp. Thomas Kavanaugh, of Company D, was killed. 

On the 1st of June, they moved to take part in the operations of the Twentieth Corps, at 
Pine Knoll and Lost ^Mountain. On the 17th, they advanced to near the rebel iutrenchments 
on Kenesaw Mountain; on the I'Jth and on the 22d, again advanced, being attacked, the latter 
time before they could fortify their position. 

The casualties in the vicinity of Kenesaw Mountain were: Company C: Killed— John 
F. Rust and Micliael Burns. ANounded— Capt. Darwin R. May, Sergt. Ela J. Cone, Corps. 
Almond D. Goodwin and Charles W. Scoville, Privates AVilliam L. Gibson, Lewis Rollow and 
Robert Redford. Company D: Killed- John R. Congden. AVounded- Silas R. Rowler, 
AValter G. Hunt aud West Robinson. 

On the 3d of July, Col. Utley resigned aud returned to A\'isconsin, and Lieut. Col. Blood- 
good took command of the regiment. 

At Peach Tree Creek, on the 2()th, Corps. W. H. Bright and Rollin Reed, and Private 
James Owens, were wounded, all of Company C. Company D lost in killed: Privates Thomas 
Mon-ison, Wendall Fuhr, Peter Weiskoff and James Griffin. The regiment was highly compli- 
mented for its bravery in this engagement. Besides the losses already mentioned, there were 
the following in Company C; Theron Aiken died of wounds at Chattanooga, Tenn., May 30, 
1864, and John F. Rust of wounds, at the same place, July 3, 1864. Darius T. Allen died at 
Jeifersonville, Ind., November 8, 1864, and James Aiken November 23, 1864, at Mm-fi-eesboro, 
Tenn. John L. Dayton was killed at Atlanta August 13, 1864. 

On the 23d, the troops moved forward to Atlanta, and theregimentwas occupied in construct- 
ing defensive works and in siege dutyimtil the 25th of August. From that time until the 2d of 
September, it was stationed near the railroad crossing of the Chattahoochie. After the aban- 
donment of Atlanta by the Confederate forces, the city was surrendered by the Mayor, and 
the Twenty-second was the first regiment that entered. It remained encamped near the 
city imtil the march to Savannah, when it was employed as train guard a large portion of the 
time. On the 16th of March, the Twenty-second took ]iart in the attack on the rebels at Beu- 
tonville, di'iving the enemy before them at that point, and also at Averysboroon the 19th. After 
the endintr of the gi-and march at Goldsboro, a few days' rest was taken, and after the sTirrender 
of Gen. Johnston, the regiment, with the corps to which it belonged, proceeded to Richmond, 
thence to Washington, remaining there and participating in the gi-and review, and thence to 
Milwaukee, where they were paid and disbanded. 

Roster of Company C. 

Officers. — Charles W. Smith, Captain; Darwin R. May, First Lieutenant; Isaac W. King- 
man, Second Lieutenant. 

Sergeants. —Charles E. Buell, First Sergeant; Robert G. McMillan, James I. Holcomb, 
Elnathan Fellows, Monroe Chapin. 

Corporals. — Frank M. Rockwell, Stephen Knowles, Edward Gleason, Augustus Rutenber, 
Charles AV. Scoville, Ela Cone, Rollin Read. 

John I. Cone Musician; James P. Weeter, Musician; Theodore S. Pierce, Wagoner. 

Prjca^p.s. -Dwight S. Allen, Ezra W. Button, David Boodle, William H. Bright, Robert 
Bullen, Fernando S. Crane, Peter S. Carey, Albert Chittenden, Joseph Daney, John P. Dix, 
AVilliam H. Demming, Calvin G. Ellis, Almon D. Goodwin, William E. Gleason, Theron Aiken, 



IllSI'CtnV OF \VAI,W()HTH COUNTY. 388 

Charles E. Buhrc. Roln'rt Ban-. Aiulii'w Burke. .Albert Cornue, .Jolm Clark, Julius M. Carey, 
liussell Da7iiels. Chauuccy Dinsinore, John C. Dayton. Harvey C. Eddy, Amos C. Fellows, AVill- 
iam L. Gibson. Elihu W. Grey. Le Gran<l 1). Hyde, Orville N. Harrison, ('lark L. Hudson. An- 
drew J. Howe, Benjamin F. Hu(>ston, David B. Johnson, Lyman \N . Leach. Frank Merriam, 
James Morin. John C. McDowell, Harvey J. Noyes, Jonathan Powell. Jlartin F'. Ross, Joshua F. 
Koijers, John Robillard, Henry Bobbins, John F. Riist. Wallace Sjxxir, \\'arren Hodgkins. Lacon 
J. Hand, William Hemy, Edwin R. F. Hart, Hamilton Ingham, Edwin Kay, Henry Lytle. Noah 
Merriam, Thomas Morefield, Benjamin F. Morgan, James Owens, Clarkson M. Ross, John D. 
Rogers, Adelbert D. L. Rogers, Lewis Rollow, Robert Redford. Theron E. Streeter, Robert G. 
Saulsbury, Alexander T. Smith, David L. Stanford, John M. Stork. AVilliam Thompson, John 
Van Wie, John C. Watton, Porter Wait, A. Chandler AV'ells, Benjamin AN'right. Benjamin Sey 
mom-, Benjamin F. Snow, Peter Tome, Orsenms J. Taylor, Henry Van Brunt, John M. A\'ilson, 
Charlie B. White, Robert G. Webster. John A. "Weeks. 

Recruits- James P. Aiken. Michael Burnes, ^N'illiam R. Balcom, Mattoon A. Church. My- 
ron W. Howe. Henry W. Lewis, George I. Smith, Darius T. Allen. John Bailey. Charles A. Clark, 
Silas H. Darrow, Joel Hale, Anthony D. Rouse, Cornelius Smith. James Suiith. James H. Whyte, 
]\Iaxon P. Millard, Ira C. McDonald, Sylvester Cone. 

ROSTF.I! OK COMTANY D. 

Officers. — Ali)h()nso G. Kellam, Captain; Charles E. Dudley, First Lieutenant: J. Oscar 
Courick, Second Lieutenant: Richard M. A\'illiams, Second Lieutenant. 

Scryeauts.- George \\ . Beach, First Sergeant: William W. Barlow, William C. Scranton,. 
George L. Voorhees, Myron L. Gregory, George P. Belding. 

Corporals. -^lenzoW. Chajmian, Charles H. Menzie, William H. Tinker, J. Lyman Perry. 
Jacob Weishar, Fayette Rewey, Henry Purdy, Orson D. Johnson, H. Herbert Thomas, Jasi)er 
B. \\'alwortli, Thomas P. Kavanaiigh. Marshall Scrafford. 

Friratc.^. — William Adams, Benjamin F. Ayers, Winfield S. Ayers, William A. Blodgett, 
Joseph Briggs. Charles C. Blanchard. Francis E. Barker, John M. Burdick. \\'illiam Brabazon, 
John A. Conklin, Daniel T. Cutler. Henry Albro, Thomas Avery, Z. H. Bt)wen, Albert D. 
Biu-dick, Leonard H. Bellows, E. Darwin Blanchard, James C. Briggs, William D. Burdick, 
Marcus Bai-ker, Reiley H. Cutler, John C. Coburn, Charles W. Crandall, John R. Congdon, 
George Cobiu'u, Jr., Henry L. Davis, Thomas J. Davison, "Wesley De La)), Evan Edwards. John 
Ficht, Oliver G. Fenner, Jacob Glick, AVilliam Groshong. John Hines, Henry Hall, Silas Hart, 
Joseph Hodgkinson, Henry C. Hunt, Evan Jones, Harrison R. Johnson. A\ illiam Jones, Levi G. 
Cunningham, George E. Clarke, All^ert D. Dockstader, Harrison Davis, Edwin F. Davis, Chaun- 
cey O. Easton, Wendel Fuhi-, James M. Foster. Lyman P. Fowler, James Griffin, Edwin Good- 
win, Walter G. Hunt, Lyman Hart, Benjamin F Householder, AN'illard M. Hall, Cassius W. 
Harriman. David R. Jones. George W. Jacobs. Lucius Jenkins. Stei)hen Kenney. Philander 
Kathan, Ezra Kellogg, Thomas Mosher, James D. McArthnr. Thomas Morrison, A\'. A. Owens. 
John C. Osborne, Hem-y Parker, Page P. Peck, Silas R. Rowley, John J. Rollins, John D. 
Rowley, John R. Slocum, Herbert J. Sanborn, James B. Scrafford, Arthur Stewart, John Sul- 
livan, George W. Knilans, William F. Ivnapj), August Krukman, Lorenzo D. Mosher, John Mc- 
Lean, John McDonald, Hazard Osborne, A\'. Norman Perry, George Purdy, A\est Robinson, Phi- 
lander Rewey, Franz Robeck, Robert Russell, John R. Sii)erly, Julius P. Smith, Richard R. 
Shimmins, Reuben H. Siperly, Daniel Sullivan, Albert E. Straw, James M. Stowell, Charles W. 
Truas, Alonzo Veley, Henry Wood, Robert A\ hilden, James R. "Williams. Martin Shoemaker, 
Jobn M. Topping, Jasper C. Voorhees. Cieorge W. Veley, Peter AN'eisktipf, George "Wood, Jr., 
George Wheeler. 

TWENTV-EIOHTH WISCONSIN INFANTRY. 

These four companies were recruiteil mainly in Walworth County, their respective officers, 
and the dates of commissions being as follows: 

Com])any D: Cajttain- Edward S. Redington. Whitewater: recciv<>d his commission Sep- 
tember 3, ISfVi; mustered out .\ugust '2:i, IStio. First Lieutenant Hiram A. Hayes, White- 
water; received his commission September 6, 1862; resigned February 14, ISO;! Second Lieu- 



384 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUXTY. 

tenant — James M. Mead, Whitewater; received commission Se|)tember S, 1862; died at Helena, 
Ark., February 13, 186'2. 

Company E: Captain — James S. Kenyon, Troy; received commission September 3, 1S62; 
mustered out August 23, 1865 First Lieutenant —William E. Bingham, Delavan; received 
commission September 8, 1862; mustered out August 23, 1865. Second liieutenant — Charles 
J. Collier, Sullivan. 

Company I: Captain -Horace B. Crandall, Elkhorn; received commission September 8, 
1862; resigned October 25, 1862. First Lieutenant — Lindsay J. Smith, Troy; received com- 
mission Septemlier 8, 1862; promoted to Ca})tain June 3, 1863: mustered out August 23, 1865. 

Company K: Captain — Ira H. Morton, Janesville; died at Little Rock, Ai-k., September 
18, 1863. First Lieutenant — William J. Brigcrs, Delavan; received commission October 15. 
18 <2; discharged July 1, 1863. Second Lieutenant — Levi J. Billings, Madison; received com- 
mission August -t, 1862; promoted to First Lieutenant August 13, 1863; promoted to Cajjtain 
October 16, 1863; discharged December 30, 1864. 

The Twenty -eighth Wisconsin Infantry, to which these companies were attached, was organ- 
ized at Camp Washburn, Milwaukee, under the superintendence of Col. James M. Lewis, of 
Oconomowoc, and was mustered into service October 14, 1862. Their first ex})erieuce in the art 
of war was within the boundaries of their own State, they being sent to Port AN'ashington, 
Ozaukee County, to quell the draft rioters in that rebellious little village. 

On the 20th of December, 1S62, they left the State for Columbus, Ky., arriving on the 22d, 
and remaining, with the exception of one expedition to Union City, until January 5, 1863. On 
the 5th, they were ordered to Helena, Ark., and on the 11th, embarked at that place on trans- 
ports to accompany the White River expedition. 

At St. Charles, Ai'k., 100 miles fi'om the mouth of the White River, the regiment, with a 
small support, under command of Col. Lewis, were left to hold the post, while the remainder 
of the fleet proceeded fm-tlier up the river. On the return of the fleet, the Twenty- eighth joined 
the forces and returned to Helena, remaining in that place until the 24th of February. 

At Helena, the Yazoo Pass ex})edition was fitted out, of which the Twenty-eighth Wisconsin 
formed a part. After spending five days in penetrating the ])ass, they arrived at what was 
termed "' Curtis' Plantation." At this point, the Tallahatchie and Yazoo approach very nearly, 
and on the intervening space the enemy had constructed a fort, called Fort Pembertou, which 
commanded both rivers. Obstructions were placed in the river to prevent the passage of the 
gunboats. The Twenty-eighth was sent on shore to support an Indiana regiment, which had 
been sent out to recoinnoiter, and found itself in range of the guns of both friend and enemy. 
They were able to accom])lish nothing, as the gunboats were unalile to silence the guns of the 
fort, and the expedition was abandoned. After returning up the river. Gen. Ross was re-enforced 
by a fleet under Gen. Quimby, and a second attempt made to subdue Port Pemberton. It was 
as fruitless as the first. On these expeditious, the regiment suffered severely from exposure, 
and the malarious diseases contracted in the swampy regions of the Talltihatchie and Yazoo. 
On the White River expedition, they experienced severe snow-storms, and on the Yazoo, heavy 
and long-continued rains. On the 27th the regiment, with a sujiport of four companies of 
cavalry and a section of artillery, was detached to McNutt, Miss., under command of Col. Lewis, 
where they captiired several prisoners, destroyed a quantity of Confederate stores, and returned 
without loss. 

On the 8th of April, the regiment arrived at Helena, and remained encamped at that j^Iace 
nearly all the month. During Jiine, with the other forces at Helena, under Brig. Gen. Solomon, 
the troops were employed in fortifying the town, and, on the morning of the 4th of July, the 
rebels, aliout fifteen thousand strong, under Gen. Holmes, made their appearance on the hills 
which surround the town. The Twenty-eighth was assigned to the duty of sui)porting Battery 
B. The enemy was rexmlsed after a fight of five hoiu-s, with a loss of 400 killed and 800 jiris- 
oners. There was but one casualty rejiorted in the Walworth companies — Andrew Vellum, of 
Comjtany E, was killed. 

The fii'st deaths that occiuTed after the companies left home were in Milwaukee. Donald 
Henderson, of Comjiany D, died December 1, 1862, and James A. Hodge, of the same company, 
died December 9, 1862. The regiment was then at Camp Washburn. From that time, no deaths 



IIISTOUY OF WALWOKTII COUXTV. 385 

apjio;!!' in the iirticial rcpoi-t until late in the winter, and during the spring <if IS'IH, when the 
unhealtliy elimato of Mississippi and Arkansas told heavily on the health of the Northern sol- 
diers. Tho first death reported from the companies after they left Milwaukee was that of Hiram 
I. Welch, of Conii)auy E. who died Febrnarv 6, 1803, at Helena. The next was Second Lieut. 
James M. Mead, of Company D, at Helena. Feljrnary 13, 1808. C)n tlie same day and at the 
same place died Lyman D. Smith, of Company E. Following is a list of those who died at 
Helena, Ark., and ou the Yazoo ('X]ie(lit!(in. during th(> spring of 180;!; 

Comjiany D- Jesse Hare died .\pril '2SI, at Helena; Julius H, Tori'ey tlied March 2'J, at 
Fort Pembertou, Jliss. 

Company E Sylvestei- Henderson <lied A])ril 3, at Tallahatchie Kiver, ^Mississippi. John 
\^'. Means was drowned at Helena May 28; Delbert Snow died June 5, and Charles K. Bing- 
ham August 27, both at Helena. Jacob Hohler died at the samc^ ])Iace August 15. 

Com]iany I — Capt. Andrew F. Spiverick died in hos])ital at ]Mem))liis, Tenn. . A]iril 22; 
Burmau Gleasondied March 15 at Tallahatchie Eiver, Mississijijii. and the following-named died 
at Helena: Asa AV. Cowles. February 24; A\"illiam H. Nott. March 3; James W. Coulter. April 
12; George AV. Short, April 21; William O'Kagan, April 21; Delos C. Smitli, April 17; Isaac 
E. Waters, April U; Eli Clapp. Alay 4; Gilbert Peak. June 12; and John Mhitton, June 22. 

Company K - Griffith T. Iliee died at Nashville, Tenn., JIarch lU; Nils Larsen, on board 
steam transpiirt, March 25; Amos Dort, at Greimwood, ]Miss. , A])ril 5. At Helena there died 
th(> following: Abram Carle, February IS; Tollifl' O. Gordon. Fel)ruary 15; Frank Teeter, 
March 0; and Edward Russell, April 22. 

The Twenty-eighth, being transferred to the Army of Arkansas, left Helena on the lltb of 
August, 1803, aecomjianying Gen. Steele in his expedition to Little Rock. Col. Lewis ha<l 
command of the Second Brigade, and Col. Gray had command of the regiment. Little Rock 
was reached the lOth of September, and occupied until the 2()th of October, the remainder of 
the month being spent in a fruitle.ss pursuit of Marmaduke's forces. On the 10th of November, 
the regiment went int(j wint(>r quarters at Pine Bluffs, remaining until the 27th of March, 18(')4, 
when Companies D and I, with others of th(> regiment, joined in an expedition to <lestroy a pon- 
ton bridg(> on the Saline River at Longview. The forces %vere eoimuanded by Capt. L. J. 
Smith, of Company I. On the 2Sth, while guarding the bridge at Mount Elba, the infantry 
was attacked by a force of 1,50(1 rel)els. The companies of the Twenty-eighth held the enemy 
in check until they were ordered to fall back to the main body. The rebels were driven back 
with a loss of 100 killed and wounded. Com])auy I lost one man Patrick O'Brien. The 
regiment remained in camp at Pine Bluil' until the 30th of NoviMuber. when they were relieved, 
and returned to Little Rock on the 2d of December. 

In Januaiy. 1805. they marched 150 miles, from Little Rock to Mount Elba and back. On 
the 11th of Feln-uary. they left Little Rock for Mobile, via Duvall's Blutt" and Algiers. La., 
landing at Mobile Point on the 25th. Fi'om this jioint they proceeded, with the other forces, to 
.Spanish Fort, taking position, ou the 27th. in the trenches, and remaining until its evacuation 
on the 8th of A[)ril. engaged in siege and picket duty. The casualties re])ort(>d in the Walworth 
County companies while in the vicinity of Mobile wei'e: Company I Jose])h Shabine. killed. 
Company E- Corps. Michael Vaughn and Lewis E. Bloodgood. Com])an}' K Robert Spencer. 
The following are the names of those who died during the exjii'ditions in Arkansas, ami while in 
camp at Pine Bluft': 

Company D At Pine Blufl'. during the year 1804; Melvin J. Clark. June 10 (killed by an 
accidental fall); Charles F. Pritchartl. July ('); Benedict Feiss. .\ugust S; Franklin Patten. 
SepteTulx-r 2: Charles Kuhn. Septeml)er 0; Isaac Miller. Nov(>mber 22; Georg(> De Groat. No- 
vember 2S: Charles E. Robbins died September 25. at DuvaiTs IMuff. and Henry F. Smith Oc- 
tober 20. at Jeffersim Barracks. 

Company E At Pine Blull". during lS(il. William Hunter. I'eln-uary 27; Wilhelm Feeder. 
-March 10: Joseph Krotz, July 10; Henri .\lthans. December 13. Hardy M'ilford. of this com- 
pany, died at Little Rock October 2t). 18()3. and John B. Rol)ins(m was drowneil in AN'hite Riven- 
FebVuary 11. 1S05. 

Com|)any I —At Pine BlutV. during 1N()4. Samuel Bentley. .\ugust 21: Jeremiah Sullivan. 
August 22. Hiram J. Frank died at St. Louis June 27. 1803; John Vaughn, at Little Rock, 



386 IILSTORY <»F WALWORTH COrNTY 

November 11, 186:^; Fayette L. Alien, at Little Rock, January 'I'd. 18(35; and Augustus Fichler 
at the same place, February U, 18fi5. 

Company K— At Pine Bluft'. in ISG-t. Arthur Phelps, May 28; Daniel Crotty, July 14; 
Joseph Henry, July 15; Samuel S. Kellogg, August 12. On February 18, 1803, Abram Carle 
died at Hi'leua: September 1, Louis Bauer, at Memjihis: and December 27, George J. Bur- 
dick, at St. Louis. 

After the evacuation of Spanish Fort, the Twenty-eighth oecujiied for a short time Mcin- 
tosh's Bluft'. on the Tombigbee River, in Alabama. Retm-ning to Moliile May 9. 1865. they 
encumi)ed until the latter part of the month, when they embarked for Texas. They arrived at 
Brazos Santiago, Texas, on the 6th of June, and on the l()th. marched to Clarksville, at the 
mouth of the Rio Grande, remaining in that place until August 3, vcheu they marched to 
Brownsville and were miistered out of the United States service. On the 15th of Se]itemlier, 
the regiment arrived at Madison, and was paid ofl" and disl)anded. 

HOSTEK OK ('<):mpany E. 

Offii'crs. — ^^James R. Kenyon. Captain, was Ca})taiu to Fel)ruary 1. 1864. when he was hon- 
orably disehai-ged; re-instated to command April U, 1864; ^^■illiam E. Bingham, First Lieu- 
tenant; Asa W. Hebbard, Second Lieutenant, promoted from First Sergeant to Second Lieu- 
tenant December VJ, 1864. 

Sergeants. — Isaac Denton, promoted to First Sergeant December 19, 1864: John A. Stewart, 
promoted June 5, 1864; William E. Loomer, appointed Corporal May 30. 1863; Sergeant, July 
2, 1864; Charles AVright, ap]iointed March 3, 1865. 

Coi'jHirals. — Wheeler B. Webster, appointed September 30, 1863; Andrew W. A_rwood, aj)- 
pointed Corporal Jamiary 7, 1864; James Donaldson, appointed June 17, 1863; Norman R. 
Fuller, appointed July 2, bS()4; Horace T. Wilkins, appointed December 19, 1864; Joseph Wil- 
kinson, appointed March 3, 1.S65. 

Mitsicians. — Jonn Catlin, Al])honso S. Thayer, Charles J. Collier, Second Lieutenant, pro- 
moted to First Lieutenant April 25, 1864, and transferred to roll of held and stafl'. 

Privates. — David Brott, Amos Bigelow, Winslow Bortle, Charles C. Brcnvn, Horatio N. 
Brewer, Robert A. Bakon, Marks Croasdaile, William Carey, Patrick Fitz Morris, John Brewin, 
Samuel Bortle, Charles E. Brooks, John Braliazon, Mahlon N. Bolser, Charles Cox, George 
Carlile, Henry O. Dutton. Sulvanious D. Hay, Hiram Hunter. Zaehariah Holvorson, Don A. 
Kuowlton, Freeman Knowlton. Edwin C. L>Tiian. Joseph Martell, Michael Moore, John Me- 
Manus, Anson D. Phelps, William Ruf, John Snider, Eli H. Snow, Emery Z. Thwig, Martin 
Van Doser, Hylan<l B. Haiglit, Jamrs Jackson, Charles Kellogg. James Loughran, James Lang- 
staft', Jos(-ph Mistell, Thomas McGerman, Nathan N. Miner, James R. Phceuix, Anthony Ruf, 
Stephen Summers, Thomas Stanw(_)od, Bringel Tolliflson, George W. Walker. Discharged - 
Ralph C. Kenyon, Sergeant, discharged for promotion; Daniel K. Sanford, Sergeant, discharged 
for promotion; Lewis E. Bloodgood, Corporal, wounded in action; John B. Rockwell, Corporal, 
discharged April 22, 1863; Michael Yaughan, Corporal, wounded in action and discharged; 
John C. Davies, discharged by order of Maj. Gen. Schoiield; Edwin R. Norcross. Musician, 
discharged June 1. 1863; Michael C. Heath, wagcmer. discharged March 24. 1863; Heury Alten- 
l)urg. received discharge July 19. 1S65; Hiram S. Bloodgood. discharged May 15. 1S63; Forris 
A. Bigelow. received discharge July 8. 1S64; Horace Bigelow. received discharge July 19. 1.S65; 
James Carlile. discharged May 15, 1S63; Chauneey Chamlterlain. discharged August 14. 1865; 
Charles E. Fuller, discharged for |)romotion January 12. 1S(')5; AValter P. Hall, discharged May 
24, 1865; Francis P. Knowlton. discharged Atigust 1. 1S()3; John Leary. received discharge 
July 19, 1865; Joseph J. Newcomb, discharged August 17, 1.S64; George W. Pratt, discharged 
May 31. 1865; John N. Phoenix, received discharge May 31, 1865; Samuel Paisley, received 
discharge July 19, 1865; James P. Tifft. discharged November 7, 1863; James B. Taylor, dis- 
charged February 22, 1864. ior ])romotiou; Thomas Waldren, received discharge July 19, 1865; 
Peter S. Waldren. received discharge July 19. 1865; Wellington Wright, received discharge 
July 19. 1865; Frederick Yahrmark. received discharge July 19, 1865. Transferred - Charles 
H. Heath. Sergeant. ap])ointed Regimental Commissary Sergeant; John Blomiley, transferred 
to Veteran Reserve Corps April 10. 181)4; .John A. Farley, transferrel t j C.)mi)auy K. Twenty- 



HISTOin' OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 387 

i>i}^hth Wisconsin; Isaac N. Huntley, transferred to Veteran Reserve C()ri)s; Louis Lau<j;e. trans 
f erred to Veteran Ki.serve Corps; Emery Potter, transferred i,o Veteran Reserve Corps, Erastus 
S. Snow, transfernnl to Veteran Reserve Corps. 

HOSTKR OF COMPAXV 1). 

Officer.^. — Edward S. Redinj^ton. Ca])t.ain; James B Schrom. First Lieutenant; appointed 
Commandin<^ Serjreaut October '17), ISIi'i; Sero-eant Major January 1. 1S();!: First Lieutenant 
March 1. KS(W; Henry H. Watts. Second Lieutenant, apixiinted from First Ser^reant March 1, 186;1. 

iSen/cniifs. — William G. Palmer. ap]>oiuted Sergeant October 13. 1S()I5; Charles \V. Rock- 
well, appointed Sergeant December ID. 1S()2; George F. Tucker, appointed Corporal January 
12. 180;!; Sergeant. March 1. 18(j8; Henry Hix. appointed Corjioral April 14. 1S03; Sergeant. 
February 21, 18()8. 

Corporalx — Henry Rusch. Aroii Momford, Gilbert OIsod; Joseph R. iJowin. appointed 
Corporal Januai'y 28. 18(58; Michael Larkin. ap]X)inted Corporal November 12. 1863; Oscar 
Smith, appointed Cor|>oral October 18. 1808; Dewitt Palmer. ap))ointed Corporal March 1. 1865; 
(Charles Hudson, drummer; George P. Criggar. wagoner; Hiram N. Hayes. First Lieutenant, 
resigned January 1. 1808; James M. Mead. Seccmd Lieutenant, died at Helena. Ark.. February. 
1808. TransfeiTed — Jer(_)me B. McGill, a])poiuted First Sergeant from Sergeant March 1. 
1808; transfeiTed to Northern Cavalry Service as Sergeant Major October 12. 1808; George E. 
Dye. api>oiuted principal musician and transferred to Northern Cavalry Service October 13. 
18(54; Charles Bonnett. transferred to Independent Cavalry November 20, 1803; William J. 
Dowley. transferred to Independent Cavalry July 1. 18(54; William M. Pri chard, transferred 
to Company A July 20, 1804; George Trautman. transferred to Independent Cavalry Septem 
ber 3, 1863; Charles A. W'are, transferred to Veteran Reserve Ct)rps January 10, 1865. 

Privates. — James A. Baldwin. Thomas Conroy (transferred from Com]iany K October 16. 
1862). Jonson Ciu-tis. Edward S. Calkins. Lewis Carpenter. Henry A. C'ox. Peter Cronns. Will- 
iam D. Dowling. Peter Dielman, \\'illiani Durant. George W. Eaton. Roliert Firth. David N. 
Goodrich. Clessou A. Henthickson. Patrick Keonan. John Lasher. William Maynard, John 
Miles. John A. Nelson. John Organ. Alliert Rinehardt. George Smith. Charles A\'. Shi-oble. 
Edward Troy. Stephen H. Clark. James J. Caward. Garrett Clement, Edward Dann, Thomas 
J. Dancey. John Early, Hiram Edwards, William Fitzgerald. John Grant. Fred Hoage, Job 
Kershaw. Garrett Lasher. James H. Myers. Franz X. Myers. Gilbert E. Nickerson. Michael 
Ostemire. John J. Redmond. Solomon L. Strong. John Shulz. Jacob Thomas. Jose])h Weiss. 
George M. Winslow. John Michael. Thomas Wray. Cyrus Yeomans. Richard Stuntield. Privates 
discharged — Samuel Clement, discharged D"ceml)er 8, 1862; Russell Calkins, discharged May 
*21. 1863. for disability; George Corkett. discharged March 18. 1S65. for disal)ility; Elijjhelat 
Carver, discharged May 7. lS(i8, for disability; Franz Faust, discharged April 80. 1803; John 
A\'. Harrison, discharged Ajn-il Vt. 1464. for disability; Charles Holmes, discharged August 8. 
IM'io; John Kynaston. discharged May 10. 1865; Francis Kinney, discharged Ajiril 12. 1803. 
for disalsility; Hem-y Lingerman. discharged April 20. 1803; Peter J. Nelson, discharged 
A])ril 14. 18(j8; Charles Z. Pierce, discharged June 10. 1865; John N. Royes. discharged May 
21. 1863. for disability; Mathias Surth. discharged August 2. 1865; Charles Scholl, discharged 
May 10, 18(53; Christojiher Scholl. discharged Feljruary 22. 1863. for disability; Henry Trow- 
bridge, discharged June 13, 1803; Abel Taylor, discharged July 20, 1864; James Taylor, dis- 
charged June U. 1865: John Taylor, discharged August 2, 1865; Horatio N. Wilkenson, dis- 
charged October 6. 1863; Norman Wheelock. discharged April 24. lSf)3. 

UO'^TKR OF Company I. 

Officers. — Lindsey J. Smith. Ca|)tain. aiipointed May 1. 1S(')8, from Lieutenant; Alex T. 
Sevnjour, Fii'st Lieutenant. a])i)ointed from Second Lieutenant May 1. 18(58; Smith A. Hart 
well. Second Lieutenant, appointed from First Sergeant June 12. 1868. 

Sfnji'anf.'i. — William H. Chase. a|>|)ointed from Sergeant Jun(> 12, 1868; George W. Farrer. 
api)ointed fi-om Corporal May. 1868; Addison O. Foote. ap])ointed from Corporal June 12. 
1803; Peter Noblet, app(')inted from Cor])oral Mav 10, 1S68; woun<led at Spanish Fort, Ala.. 
March 30, 1865. 



388 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

Corjiorals. — Clijirles A. Diiigman, trausferred from Company K; Duncan Wright, appoint- 
ed June '24, ISC);]; Joseph Nol)let, Jr., appointed June 24, 186^; Albert Patterson, Henry 
Vaughn. 

John Organ. Jr., Henry D. Barnes, Musicians. 

Horace 15. Crandall, Captain, resigned Deceml)er 20, 1802; Andrew F. Shivereck, Captain, 
died in hospital at Memphis, Tenn., April 22, 1863. 

Privaten. — Hezekiah Adams, William H. Bowman, John W. Baker, Stephen J. Conklin, 
Robert Cheeney, Frank Eggleston, Charles L. Fox, John Cuest, Jackson V. Hicks, Alva B. 
Hubbard, Charles Kober, Donald Matheson, Barnard G. Norton, William O. Brien, Arthur 
Poland. Ral]ih E. Bm-r, John Brash, Daniel W. Buttles, John Carl, Edwin Deuel, Charles 
Terry, Josiah B. Gleason, J(}hn Hodges, David M. Holmes, FiU'rel King, John Matheson, 
Jeremiah McKinney, Michael O. Brien, Milton B. Parks. William W. Peck, Fayette S. Ray- 
ney, Charles Stuit, Charles Sjwor, Harvey Shuljert, Aaron L. Vanderpool, Emery D. Williams, 
Dennis West, Chaides Storms, Com'ad Scheiu, James Short, Alfred W. Tift'any, Clark O. Weeks, 
Edward Wells. Discharged — Henry H. Hibbard, Sergeant, discharged May 7, 1863, dis- 
ability; Alfred C. Potter, Sergeant, dischargod April 1, 1863, disability; Robert W. Bristol, 
discharged August 7, 1863. disability; Samuel R. Bell, discharged October 19, 1863, dis- 
ability; Truemau E. Brigham, discharged April 22, 1865, in hospital; Barney Baker, discharged 
August 8, 1865, for disability; Frank Carl, mustered out June 10, 1865; Michael Donohue, dis- 
charged April 27, 1863, for disability: Daniel E. Edwards, nuistered out June 13, 1865; Nich- 
olas Grass, mustered out May 31. 1865; John Hotton. discharged December 31, 1862, for dis- 
ability; Francis Jones, mustered out June 10, 1865; John Langen, discharged August 28, 1863, 
for disability; William H. Mayhew, discharged May 30, 1863, for disaliility; John Mountain, 
discharged September 3, 1863, for disability; Michael Mahar, discharged June 13, 1865; Valen- 
tine C. No))let, discharged July 19, 1865: Thomas Pollock, discharged January 17, 1863, for 
disability; Sam Sutelift'e, discharged May 26, 1863; James H. Sterling, discharged March 27, 
1863; Charles H. Taylor, discharged July 19, 1865; Cyrus Utley, discharged June 13, 1865; 
Alonzo Vaughn, discharged October 25, 1863; William H. Woodward, discharged May 25, 1863. 
Transferred — Albert O. Daniels, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps April 22, 1864. 

Roster ok Company K. 

Offlrers. — George F. Cowing, Captain, appointed First Lieutenant from First Sergeant 
January 16, 1864; Ca[)tain, March 31, 1805. 

Sergeants. — Volney H. Porter, appointed from Sergeant January 22, 1864; Gordon Conant, 
appointed from Corporal February 9, 1863; Edwin M. De Puy. 

Corporals. — John A. Parker, Leonard S. Hitchcock, Edwin F. Hills, Edward J. Keevill, 
Jr., Benjamin F. Wright, appointed April 1, 1863. 

George Hyde, Musician; Ira H. Morton, Captain, died of disease September 18, 1863, at 
Little Rock, Ai-k. ; Levi J. Billings, Captain, ajipointed First Lieutenant from Second Lieu- 
tenant July 1. 1863: Cajitain, St>])tember 19, 1863; honorably discharged, per S. O. No. 474 
War Department A. G. O. December 30, 1804, for disability; ^\■illiam J. Briggs, First Lieu- 
tenant, honorably discharged per S. O. No. 290 War Department, July 1, 1803, for disability. 

Privates. — Ferdinand Braasch. All)ert L. Bean. Eriek Colby, James M. Chapel, recruit, 
Oscar W. Douglass, Silas Fi'ro, John D. C. Gaylord, Lewis Hassold, Lapolt Kabet, Edward 
R. Lloyd. John Milligan, recruit. Avigust Paska. Morris S. Sutherland. Robert Spencer, 
Frank C. Shepard, Rozelle Toi)liil". Jabez Wheldon. recruit. Meuzo Youngs. Narvy N. Byrge, 
Henry C. Buetow. Thomas Chautland. Michael Dulhanty, recruit. William H. Fi'oss. James 
C. Forbes. Johann Grownwald. Sjur Knutseu, William Kolboo. George A. Mason. Samuel 
Olsen. Bp'on Sears. Frederick Stagman. Nils O. Sjiirsen. John Stallard. recruit. Alvin O. 
Thayer, recruit. William "Whalen. Discharged — Nicholas Batt. discharged in 1805; Patrick 
Corkins. discharg(>d in 1863. disability; Silas Cornell, discharged in 1863. disability; James 
Dulhanty. discharged in 1865; Amos Heath, discharged in 1863. disability: Haldor S. Hol- 
land, discharged in 1805. disability; Anuu Hansen, discharged in 1865; John Keiper. dis- 
charged in 1862; Peter Peterson, discharged in 1803. disability; William Reeves, discharged 
in 1863; Hiram Reed (wagoner), dischfu-ged in 1863. disability; Lorenzo D. Spencer, dis- 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 389 

charged in 1863, disability, Lewis AV. Sentenn (mnsician), discharged in 1863: John Walhei- 
ser. dischai'gi'd in 1S()'2. hing disease; John Williamson, discharged in 1863. disability. 
Transferred (Teorg(> H. Short. Corporal, transferred to Company A in October, 1862; Louis 
C. Berg, transferred to Northern ('avalry Service as principal musician in 1864; Thomas Conry, 
transferred to Company D in 1862; James J. Caward, transferred to Company D in October. 
1862; William Castledine, transfen-ed to Unit(^d States Lifantry in January, 1863; Charles A. 
Diugman. transferred to Company I in November, 1862; Albert Gutkneght, transferred to 
Veteran Reserve Cor|)8 in March, 1864; Francis Jones, transfeiTed to Comjiany I in November, 
1862; Gulick Jobnson, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps in March, 1864; William Jacob- 
son, transfeiTed to Company A, Twenty-third Infantry, October, 1863; John H. Lasher, trans- 
ferred to Companv D in December, 1862; Antone Ruf, transferred to Company E in October. 
1862. 

FORTIETH WISCONSIN INFANTRY. 

The ofBcers of this company were the following: 

Captain. Augustus J. Cheeney. Delavan; First Lieutenant. Charles H. Gilbert. Walworth; 
Second Lieutenant. Sauford F. Bennett, Elkhorn. 

The Fortieth Infantry, to which this company was assigned, was a portion of the "UlO-days" 
troops which were fiu-nished by the State toward the end of the war. The official report of the 
regiment is so brief that it is quoted entire: 

" The Fortieth left Camp Randall on the 14th of June, and. moving l)y rail to Alton. 111., 
proceeded thence by steamer down the Mississippi, landing on the lUth at Memphis. Tenn. . 
where they were assigned to the Second Brigade. District of Memphis. 

" The regiments were placed in cam]i within the fortifications, and em])loye(l princi]«lly in 
garrison, picket and railroad guard duty, ])articipating in occasional skinuishes on the picket 
line. On the morning of the 21st of August, the rebel Gen. Forrest, with a force of about 
five thousand cavalry, made a dash upon the city at daylight, and succeeded at one point in 
passing through the lines. Our regiments were iJi'omptly hurried to the front, and, the action 
which ensued, behaved with gallantry, sustaining slight loss. The rebels soon retired, with a 
few prisoners whom they had captiu'ed, and, after a march of two miles, our troojis returned in 
the afternoon to camp." 

The tenn of service of the Fortieth expired in the beginning of Se})tember, and on the 14th, 
it arrived in Wisconsin, and was soon afterwm'd mustered out of United States service at Camp' 
Randall. 

The deaths reported in Company F were as follows: Corp. David N. Moody, at Memphis, 
July 24, 1864; Private Hemy J. Snlall, at Memphis, July 9, 1864. 

UOSTKR OF COMP.VNY F. 

Officers. — A. J. Cheney. Ca]>tain; Chiu-les H. Gilbert, First Lieutenant; Sanford F. Ben- 
nett. Second Lieutenant. 

Sergeants. — Lorenzo Potter, First Sergeant: James D. Clarke. Fred W. Hutchens, William 
Redford, Henry L. Mallory. 

Corporals. — William S. Hanna, Addin Kaye. M'illard C. Baihy, David N. Moody, George 
W. Hodges. Daniel H. Rolo. Dan W. Clark. Benjamin C. Taintor. 

Privates. -Heiuy M. Billings. Matliew Burdick, Charles W. Barker. Roswoll Burt. Edwin 
R. Beckley. John Baldwin. Barna M. Corey. Orland Carswell, Horace L. Clark. John Cami)bel]. 
Russell Cotton. Levi Davis. E. Dunham. Philander D. Elmer. Alden R. Fi(!ld. MjTon L. Flint, 
Charles J. Hodgkinson. Harrison F. Hollister. John Hutton. Jr.. George Kinne. John Ken- 
nedy. Ben Kolsey. John Charles Kishner. J. W. Lee. Jay W. Bennett, H. J. Bird. Daniel 
Clark. James A\'. Clute. Charles W. (!utler. Paul B. Crandall. Frank Clap]i(>r. Georgi> Dens- 
more. H. Durkee. John R. Enn-ick. P. W. Flanders, Richard Fitzgerald. Nathan R. Hatch, 
William Hutton. Thompson .letrers. Horace B. Kinney. Charles Kelsey. Isaac Kent. Josej>h 
Lumas. Gilliert C. Losee. James Larson. John McDonnell, .lohn W. McGraw. Henry H. Mar- 
ritt. Jacob R. Mosher. Nonuan P. Palmer. William H. Redliekl. Jonathan L. Randall. Far- 
ington Redford. John E. Shader. Edward C'. Smith. George Slack. A\'. Howard Sanborn. Luke 



390 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

Taylor, Russell S. Tninibull. Oscar F. Vincent, Franklin C. Weaver, Robert H. Marks, John 
McCaruiou, James H. Mervviu, William H. Moore, Thomas W. Morefield, Jonah Fhel|)8, Ed- 
ward P. Read, Stephen Reader, Henry F. Spooner, Henry J. Small, Edwin Swinney, William 
H. Simmons, Albert D. Stone, Henry F. Truas, Herbert H. Thomas, Charles F. Wheeler, Van 
Ness C. Watson. 

FORTY-NINTH WISCONSIN INFANTBY. 

Company K was recruited during the last year of the war, remaining in the United States 
service eight months — from ISIarch until November, 1S65. Its officers were: 

Captain. Augustus J. Cheeuey, Delavan; First Lieutenant. John A. Smith, Geneva; Sec- 
ond Lieutenant, Edward C Lawrence, Racine. 

The following is the official rejjort of the regiment: 

" The Forty-ninth Regiment, recruited and organized under the direction of Col. Samuel 
Fallows, left Cam]) RauduU on the 8tli of March, ISC)'), arriving on the same night at Chicago, 
111. Leaving' Chicago at davlitrht on the Uth, thev reached Bloomington in the evening. Half 
the regiment having been compelled to ride without fire, on })lutform ears, they remained dur- 
ing the night at Bloomington to allow the men to get warm, and, resuming their joui'ney next 
morning, reached St. Louis late in the evening, and were assigned to Benton Barracks, near 
the city. 

" The regiment left Benton Barracks on the morningof the 18th of March, and, proceeding 
by way of the Southern Pacific Railroad, reached Rolla, Mo., late in the evening and encamped 
half a mile from the town. Next day. Company B was ordered to St. James, ten miles east on 
the railroad, and Company K moved to Fort Wyman, an earthwork one mile south of the town. " 

On the 17th of August, the regiment was ordered fi-om the vicinity of Rolla to St. Louis, 
where it arrived on the 19th. Several of the eomjianies were mustered out at that ])lace on the 
1st of November, and the remainder, including Com])any K, on the 8th, arriving at Madi.son 
to be paid and disbanded on the lOth of November, 1865. The deaths that occurred in Com- 
pany K were reported as follows: 

Charles H. Fessenden, accidentally shot at Rolla, Mo. ,A])ril 10, 18(35; Hiram D. Tubbs, 

died June 30, ; and Dustin Ward, August 20, 1865, at Rolla, Mo. Eugene A. Sheldon 

died September 30, and Hiimphrey B. West October 1, 1865. at St. Louis, Mo. 

RosTEK OF Company K. 

Officers. — Augustus J. Cheeney, Captain; John A. Smith, First Lieutenant. 

Sergearifii. — Francis L. Andrus. First Sergeant; Franklin D. Morgan, Patrick H. Wha- 
lan, John Hicks, Oscar S. Paul. 

Corporals. — Julius Weslingham. Arthur D. Andrus, Abel G. Harding, Daniel E. Vroo- 
man. West B. Humphrey, Henry N. Harding. 

Prirafes. — Alexander Barker, James T. Begley, William A. Balcom, William Chadwick, 
Otis Dodge, Thomas S. Dickens, John A. Davis, Henry De Lap, Wallace D. Ewen, Abraham 
Finch, David Fairchild. Cxeorge J. Hofstatler, Pierce Hogan, Andrew Johnson, John Byard, 
Lucius D. Burt, Patrick Carlin, Roliert Campbell, John C. Davis, Edwin G. Dickens, George 
W. Derby, Hi las H. Dalrymi)le, Thomas Fuller, Jr., Charles Finch, Jacob L. Gleason, Patrick 
Hogan, Frank Isham, Elder F. Jacobs, Arthur L. Kingman. George Kishner, James Larson, 
Solomon P. Morgan, William Nicol, Levi Patrick, Sylvester Paul. William Phillips, William 
H. Roy, Rogell Randall, Q. M. Stout, Horace Sheldon, George Slack, Lewis Sax, James 
Southwick, Nelson Stork. John Tostevin, James A. Wright, James Wilson, Henry D. Knap]), 
Oliver Lewis, Josejih Moon, William Moody, Halver Olson, Jonas Parshall, David T. Phillips, 
George AV. Pratt, Timothy Redman, William Sheldon, Nelson Stout, Eugene A. Sheldon, 
David O. Sanborn, William Summers, Henry Southwick, Charles A. Stm-tevant, George W. Van 
De Bo CTert, Rcsbei-t Wherrv, Dustin Ward. 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 



391 



ROSTER OF 0FF1CER.S 01' WALWORTH OOUXTV, WHO SERVED I.N THE WAR OF THE REBELLION, 

COMPILED FROM THE STATE RECORDS. 



NAME. 



Town. 



Date of Fitst 
Commission. 



Regiment. 



Com- 
pany. 



ItHMk 



Date of 
Promotion. 



Close of SerTice. 



Henry G. Bardwell 

Wni. W. Barlow.... 
Melville \. Barry.. 
Oscar F. Bartlett... 



George W. Beach.. 
Geo. H. Beckwiili.. 



David .\. Bennett.. 
David M. Bennelt 

S. F. Beuuell 

Wm. E. Bingham... 
Caleb .S. Blauchar.i 
O. W. Blanchard... 



.Sharon. 

Delavan ... 

Linn 

East Troy. 



Darien... 
Elkhorn. 



.Ix, 



ov. 21, 1864... 

June 2, 1865.. 
.March 7, 1864. 
.June 13. 1861. 



June 2, 180.5. 
Jan. 6, 1865.., 



13th Inf.. 



22d Inf... 
37th Inf. 
6th Inf... 



Hilton W. lioyce.. 
George H. Brig^s. 
Wm. J. Briggs.... 
George H. Brown. 



John W. Bruce. .. 
Charle.s E. Buell.. 



Robert Bullen 

Jerome Burbank... 

Chester A. Burdick 



Delavan May 8, 1862, 

Delavan i.March 22, 1865 

Elkhorn .May 26, 1864.., 

Delavan ,Sept. 8, 1862.... 

East Troy.. Aug 5. 1862. 

Delavan u\lay 20, 1864. 

Feb. 2, 186.').... 

Geneva '.Nov. 29, 1862.. 

Delavan Sept. 19, 1862.. 



Delavan.. . 
Geneva. 



Darien. 
Linn 



Del. 15, 1862 
April 25, 1861.. 
Sept. 1, 1862... 

May 22, 1863... 
Feb. 21, 1863... 



Henry Carroll 

Aaron Carver 

Philo W. Castle.. 

Alfred E. Chaffee. 



Philo W. Chase 

A. J. Cheney 

Rufus Cheney 

Chris. C. Coffee 

Gordon Conant 

J. Oscar Conrick... 

Rufus Cooley, Jr., 
George F. Cowing.. 

Nelson F. Craigue 



Lyons ^Sept. 13, 1864. 

WhitewaterjAug. 25, 1862. 

Delavan Uug. 12, 1862. 



Sagar Creek... 
East Troy.. 
Whitewater 

Whitewater 



Spring Prsirie. 
Delavan 



Whitewater 
Geneva 

Walworth... 
Delavan 



Oct. 21, 1861.... 
March 29, 1865 
May 24, 1861... 

Sept. 26, 1861.. 

Dec. 23, 1863... 

April 27, 1863.. 

May 26. 1864 .. 
Feb. 7, 1865... 



3d Inf.... 
22(1 Inf... 
13th Inf. 



2d Cav... 
52d Inf... 
4(Mh Inf. 
28th Inf. 
22d Inf... 
401 h Inf. 
4'.ltli Inf. 
11th Inf. 
18th Inf., 
28th Inf. 
1st Cav... 
22d Inf. 



7th Cav. 
22d Inf.. 



1st H. Art 
22d Inf.... 



lOlh Inf. 

13th Inf. 
48th Inf. 
4th ('av... 



4th Cav... 

13th Bat.. 

19th Inf.. 

40th Inf.. 
49th Inf.. 



East Troy.. 
Walworth... 



Delavan.. 



Sept. 5, 1861.. 
Aug. 31. 1S64. 

July 29, 1865. 
Sep . 1, 1862.. 

ApriH, 1865.. 
Dec. 15, 1863.. 

Jan. 24, 1862.. 



lib Cav.. 



28th Inf.. 
22d Inf.. 

47th Inf.. 
281 h Inf.. 



4th Cav.. 



Seconil Lieut 
First Lieul..., 
Second Lieut 
Second Lieut 
Sec. Ass. Surg 
First Ass. Surg 

Surgeon 

First Lieut... 
Second Lieut 
First Lieut... 

Captain 

First Lieut... 
First Lieut... 
Second Lieut 
Fir.it Lieut... 
First .\ss. Surg 

Surgeon 

Surgeon 

.Sec. Ass. .Surg 
Sec. Ass. Surg 

First Lieut 

First Lieut 

First Lieut 

Captain 

Second Lieut.. 
Second Lieut.. 

First Lieut 

Captain •... 

Jr. Sec. Lieut 
Sec. Ass. Surg 
First Ass. Surg 
Second Lieut.. 

First Lieut 

Second Lieut.. 

First Lieut 

.Second Lieul.. 

First Lieut 

.Second Lieut.. 

First Lieut 

Jr. First Lieut 
Sr. First Lieut 
.Sec. Ass. Surg 
First Ass. Surg 

Captain 

Second Lieut 

Captain 

Major 

Paymaster 

.Second Lieul. 
First Lieut.... 
Second Lieut. 
Second Lieut 

Adjutant 

Chaplain 

First Lieut.... 

Captain 

Second Lieut 

Captain 

Major 

Colonel 



Jan. 6, 1865.. 



Oct 22, 1861. 
Oct. 13, 1862. 



Feb. 15, 1865. 
Aug. 23, 1865. 



Feb. 4, 1863.. 



October 30, 1865. 
June 12, 1866. 
August 24, 1864. 



January 1, 1865. 
June 12, 1865. 



November 24, 1865. 
October 26, 1862. 
July 28, 1866. 
September 16, 1864. 
August 23, 1885. 
July 31, 1863. 
Jlustered out .Sept. 16. 1861, 
November 1, 1865. 
June 7, 1863. 
June 24, 1863. 
July 1, 1863. 
Resigned Dec. 1861, 

and re-entered. 
March 30, 1865. 
December 3, 1863. 



March 21. 1864 
May 11, 1864... 



July 31, 1863... 
.\pril i, 1863... 



June 12, 1865. 
June 26, 1866. 

September 7, 1863. 
Taken prisoner at Cbieanaa- 

gua. (ia., Sept. 20, 1863. 
April 29, 1862. 
September 18, 1865. 



Sept. 26, 1861. 
May 19, 1863. 



Oct. 15, 1864. 
May 11, 1863. 



Feb. 16, 1865. 
Nov. — , 1805. 



Nov. 28, 1864. 
Nov il, 1863. 



Feb. 21, 1865... 



March 31, 1862. 

Resigned Jan. 16, 1863 

and re-entered. 
December 28, 1864. 

November 27, 1863. 
Mustered out Sept. 16, 
1864, and re-entered 

November 8, 1866. 



May 28, 1866. 
August 23, 1865. 

March 1, 1864. 
September 4, 1866. 

August 23, 1865. 



Oct. 29, 1S62. 
May 24, 18f>4. 
.Vov. 9, 1865... 



May 28, 1866. 



392 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 



Date of First 
Commission. 



Regiment. 



Com- 
pany, 



Rank. 



Date of 
Promotion. 



Close of Service. 



Horace B. Crandall 
John Crites 



Elkhorn.. 
East Troy.. 



Benj. F. Crocker... 
George L. Cross..., 
Charles E. Curtice, 
Geo. B. Davidson. 

Patrick Delaney.. 
D. B. Devendorf.. 

Charles E. Dudley 

Harris R. Durkee.. 

Edgar E. Ellis... 

Asa W. Farr 



Theo. A. Fellows... 



John T. Fish.. 



George H. Fox. 



Chas. H. Gilbert.. 
Almerin Gillett 



Robert Glover... 
Henry Goodsell.. 



Chas. C. Graham... 
Chas. E. Graham.. 
Edmund B. Gray.. 



Chas. E. Griffin.... 
Robert Harkness 



Jos. Harrington 
Smith A. Hartwell 
John H. Hauser 

Lewis K. Hawes 
Hiram N. Hayes... 
Asa W. Hibbard 

John Hobart 

K. N. HoUister.. 
U. S. Hollister... 



Sept. 8, 1862... 28th Inf.. 
June 22, 1863.. 3d Cav.... 



Darien . . . 
Whitewater 
Whitewater 
Delavan 



Delavan.. 
Delavan.. 



Darien 

Geneva.... 

Whitewater 

Geneva... 



Walworth. 



Sharon. 



Whitewater 



Walworth. 
Elkhorn... 



Whitewater 
Geneva... 



Whitewater 
Whitewater 
Whitewater 



Delavan.. 

Elkhorn.. 



Lyons 

La Fayette 
Delavan., 



Whitewater 

Whitewater 

La Grange.. 

Darien..., 

Delavan., 

Delavan. 



Elisha Horlon Whitewater Nov. 7, 1861... 13th Inf. 



Aug. 14, 1862.. 2d Cav, 



Oct. 31,1863... 
July 24, 1865.. 
April 23, 1861 
Feb. 23, 1864.. 
Dec. 13, 1862. 



13th Bat. 
37th Inf. 
4th Cav... 



2d Cav.. 



June 28, 186.5.. 
Sept. 26, 1861.. 

Sept. 16, 1862.. 

April 25, 1861.. 

March 24, 1863 

Nov. 25, I86I.. 
May 7, 1862... 

Aug. 4, 1862... 



17th Cav. 
1st Inf.... 
10th Inf.. 
22d Inf.... 



4th Cav.. 
20th Inf. 



3d Cav.. 
3d Cav.. 

8th Inf.. 



Sept. 24, 1861.., 13th Inf., 



Nov. 2, 1861... 
Nov. 12, 1864.. 
May •;6, 1864.. 
Aug. 20, 1862.. 



16th Inf.. 
1st Cav.... 
40th Inf.. 
20th Cav. 



Oct. 19, 1861... 13th Inf.. 
.Jan. 15, 1862... 3d Cav.... 



Feb. 2.5. 1865... 
June 17, 1862.. 
April 25, 1861 
Aug. 30, 1802.. 



52d Inf... 
13th Inf., 
,4th Cav. 
|28th Inf., 



Feb. 29, 18(34..[36th Inf., 
Sept. 3, 1861 10th Inf. 



Jan. 26, 
June 3, 
May 21 
Feb. 16, 
Sept. 11 
Sept. 6, 
Dec. 2, 
Dec. 16, 
June 9, 
June 13 



1865.. 
1863... 
, 1864. 

1865.. 
, 1862. 
1862.., 

1864.. 

1862. 

1864.. 

, 1862. 



48th Inf.. 
28th Inf.. 
i40th Inf.. 
49th Inf.. 
!28lh Inf.. 
]2Sth Inf.. 
i28th Inf.. 
'.stli Inf.... 
40lh Inf.. 
13th Inf.. 



Chaplain 

Second Lieut. 
Fir.st Lieut.... 

Captain 

Second Lieut 

Captain 

Sr. First Lieut 
Second Lieut 

(Captain 

Paymaster .... 
Second Lieut, 
Pirst Lieut.... 

Captain 

Second Lieut 

Ass. Surg 

Surgeon 

First Lieut.... 

Captain 

'Second Lieut, 
First Lieut... 
First Lieut... 

('aptain 

Quartermaster 
Second Lieut, 
Quartermaster 
Second Lieut 
First Lieut.... 

Captain 

Second Lieut 
First Lieut.... 

Captain 

Captain 

Chaplain 

First Lieut — 

Captain 

Major 

.Second Lieut 
First Lieut.... 
Second Lieut, 
First Lieut.... 
Quartermaster 
Second Lieut, 

Captain 

Major 

Lieut Col 

Colonel 

First Lieut 

Captain 

Second Lieut, 
First Lieut.... 

Captain 

Major 

Second Lieut 
Second Lieut 

(japtaiu 

Captain 

Firsi .\ss. Surg 
First Lieut — 
Second Lieut 

Chaplain 

Captain 

Second Lieut 
First Lieut.... 

Captain 

"ec. Ass. Surg 



Aug. 31, 1864.., 
March 9. 1865. 



Dec. 13. 1862. 



July 14, 1864.. 
Feb. 4, 1865.... 



Resigned Oct. 25, 1862. 



February 13, 1865. 

January 25, 1865. 
Dismissed Oct. 15, ISM, ani 

re-entered Jalj 27, 1865. 
Discharged March 2S, 1863. 



November 15, 1865. 
July 14, 1865. 



March 6, 1862. 
June 2, 1865.... 



Dec. 27, 1861.. 
Aug. 1, 186.5.... 



Nov. 28, 1862.., 



Oct. 10, 1862.. 
May 5, 1865.... 



Nov. 21, 1864.. 
Ian. 6, 1865.... 



Aug. 1, 1865 

June 17, 1862... 
Dec.' 24, 1863!!! 



April 29, 1865. 

June 12, 1865. 

February 4, 1863. 

July 14, 1865. 
Mustered out and re-entered. 
Killed Oct. 6 18t)3, at Baiter 
Springs. 

September 5, 1865. 

November 24, 1865. 
Resiped Not. 7, 1862, and 

re-entered. J ulj 19, 1865. 
September 16, 1864. 

July 14, 1865. 

November 20, 1864. 

December 20, 1864. 
July 7, 1865. 
November 20, 1864. 
Resigned Apr. 10,1862, 
and re-entered. 



June 6, 1863 
.March 16, 1864! 



July 22, 1864. 



Augustas, 1865. 

!July 12, 1865. 



Aug. 12. 1862... 

Oct. 4. 1862 1 

Oct. 20, 1864... December 19, 1864. 



. August 23, 1805. 
. lliiitered out Sept. 16. 1864, 
and re-entered Nor. I. 1865. 
.INovemher 18. 1863. 
.jFebruary 14, 1863. 
. I August 23, 1865. 
, [September 5, 1865. 
,iSeptember 14, 1864. 



Nov. 28, 1864... 
Feb. 15, 1865... 



March 11, 1865. 
November 21, 1864. 



HISTORY OF WALWOKTII COUNTY. 



393 



NAME. 



Town. 



Date of First 
Commiiision. 



Regiment. 



Com- 
pany. 



Dato of 
Promotion. 



Ctoae of SerTice. 



George S. Hoyt .llleii's Cro?e... 



John M. iloyt Allen's Groie. 



Hiram B. Huntress Elkliorn., 
F. \V. Hulcliings... Sharon...'... 

Ole .lacobson Whitewater 

Chas. A. Johns Walworth... 



Oct. 14, 18(i2....,7lh Inf.. 



Henry O. Johnson Delavan.. 

Sanforil Jones Delavan.. 

A. G. Kellam Delavan.. 



James S. Kenyon.. Troy 

Isaac W. Kingman Sugar Creek... 
N. H. Kingman Sugar Creek... 

Fernando C. Kizer Whitewater 



Frank L. Kizer Whitewater 

Wm. A. Knilans.... Richmond 



Stephen Knowles... Liuu 

A. H. Kummel Sharon 



Dec. 21, 1864.. 

Feb. 22, 18fio.. 
Feb. 17, 18t!2... 
Aug. 31. 186.5.. 
March 25, ISO,'! 



Sept. 8, 1861... 

April 2, 1864... 

Sept. 16, 1862., 

Sept. 3, 1862.. 
Feb. 21, 1863... 
Oct. 21,1861... 

Deo. 17, 1861.. 

April 26, 1861. 
June 13, 1862. 



March 21, 18(;4 22d Inf... 
.Sept. 24, 1861..il3th Inf. 



Dan'lL.Lamoreaux Sharon. .. 
J. H. Lauderdale... Sugar Creek 

William Loucks Sharon... 

Abram G. Low Delavan.. 

Jerome B. Magill.. Whitewater 
Daniel B. Maxson.. Delavan.. 



Darwin I!. May Geneva. 



Isaac N. Mead Geneva... 

James M. Mead.... Whitewater 
Clarkson Miller... Geneva... 



H. 0. Montague.... Whitewater 
Lemon C. Morgan.. Allen's Groie. 

Samuel Morse Sharon 

Henry M. Moulton Sharon 

Pliny Norcross La Grange 

Charles S. Noyes... Whitewater 



Charles Paliuetier.. Geneva... 

George W. I'eck...!Delavan.. 
William N. Perry.. Delavan.. 
Dolphus E. Pixley Sharon... 

Edgar J. Pratt Whitewater 

Jc'cph L. Pratt Whitewater 

Henry E. Ray Delavan 



7th Inf.. 



49th Inf. 
2d Cav... 
13th Inf. 
4th Cav.. 
4th Cav.. 
4th Cav.. 
10th Inf. 



37th Inf. 
22dlnf... 



28th Inf., 
22dlnf... 
13th Inf. 

3d Cav... 



4th Cav.. 
13th Inf. 



Sept. 24, 1861.. 13ih Inf. 
Oct. 21, 1861... 13th Inf. 
Jan. 6, 1865... 13th Inf. 
Sept. 18, 1865.. 2d Cav... 
April 27, 1865.. 28th Inf. 
Oct. 29, 1862... 4th Cav... 



Aug. 22, 1862.. 22d Inf... 



Oct. 26, 1863. 
Sept. 8, 1862. 
June 6, 1862. 



Feb. 3, 1863... 
June 2, 18R5.. 
April 10, 1862. 
Aug. 31, 186.5. 
Oct. 31, 1861.. 
Oct. 19, 1861.. 



Oct. 10, 1862. 



4th Cav... 
28th Inf. 
6th ISatt'y 
|36th Inf.. 
'ist Inf.... 
22d Inf... 
7lh Inf.... 
13th Inf.. 
13th Inf.. 
13th Inf.. 
13th Inf.. 
13th Inf.. 
13th Inf.. 
8th Inf.... 



Jan. 25, 1865... 4th Inf.... 

Oct. 5, 1864 44th Inf.. 

Dec. 17, 1863... 4th Cav... 

Jan. 6, 1866.... 13th Inf.. 

Oct. 19, 1861.. 13th Inf.. 
Jan. 14, 1865... 35th Inf.. 



Second Lieut.. 

First Lieut 

Captain 

Major 

First Lieut 

Captain 

First Lieut 

Captain 

Second Lieut.. 
Second Lieut.. 
First Lieut.. . . 
Quartermaster 

Captain 

Major 

First Lieut 

Captain 

Captain 

Major 

Captain 

First Lieut 

First Lieut 

Captain 

Firrt Lieut 

Captain 

First Lieut 

Second Lieut.. 

First Lieut 

Captain 

.Second Lieut.. 
First Lieut.... 

Captain 

Lieut. Col 

Colonel 

First Lieut 

Captain 

Second Lieut.. 

First Lieut 

.\djutant 

Second Lieut.. 

First Lieut 

First Lieut 

Captain 

First Lieut 

Second Lieut.. 
Surgeon 



Feb. 27, 1863., 
May 22, 1863.. 
Dec. 29, 1864., 



Deo. 29, 1864.. 



Aug. 11, 1863. 
Oct. 26, 1863., 



Aug. 27, 1862.. 
July 28, 1864., 
Nov. 21, 1864. 



First Lieut.... 
Second Lieut. 
Second Lieut. 
Second Lieut. 

I'aptain 

Fir.^t Lieut — 

Captain 

Major 

Lieut. Col 

Second Lieut. 
First Lieut.... 
.Second Lieut. 

Lieut. Col 

Second Lieut. 
First Lieut.... 
First Lieut — 

Captain 

Captain 

First Lieut.... 



Feb. 3, 1863... 
Aug. 31, 1864. 



Feb. 3, 1863... 
Feb. 16, 1865., 



May 11, 1864.., 



,Tan. 6, 186.5.. 
Oct. 9, 1865.. 



March 25, 186; 
Feb."21, 1863.. 



Feb. 11, 1864... 



luly 3, 1865. 

Wounded in battle of the Wil- 
derness, Va., May .1, 18(!4. 
Returned to duty July, 1864. 

July 3, 1865. 
Resigned June 6, 1865. 
Resigned Oct. 30,1862. 
Mustered out Jior. 24, 1865. 



Resigned July 3, 1865. 

Killed October 8, 1862. 

Died at Washington, 
August 18, 1864. 

.Mustered out June 12, 
1865. 

Hustered out August 23, 186.i. 

Resigucd .llarch 1, 1864. 

Mustered out Septem- 
ber 8, 1866. 

Discharged February 
13, 1865. 

Resigned September C, 1861. 

Mustered out Novem- 
ber 24, 1865. 

Discharged March 15, 
1865. 

Mustereil out Novem- 
ber 24, 1865, 

Mustered out No». 19, 1864. 

Mustered out June 8, 1862. 

Resigned .luly 7, 1865. 

Mustered out Nov. K\ 186.5. 

Mustered out August 2.1 1865. 

Wounded at Clinton, Miss., June 
2. mX Kied neit day. 

Mustered out June 12. 
1865. 

Resigned ,\ugu8t X 1864. 

[lied, Helena, Ark., Feb. W^. 

Died December 20, 
1864. 



June 17, 1862., 
Feb. 15, 18t.5. 
Oct. 9, 186.5... 



May 5, 186.5.. 



July 2, 18t>4... 
Feb. 15, 1865. 



Mustered out Juno 12. 186!). 
iliscbarged Senteniber 27, 1862. 
Mustered out Nof. 24, 186,5. 
Oiseharged Notembec 18, 1864. 



Mustered out Novem- 
ber 24, 1865. 

Mustered out Septem- 
ber 5, 1865. 

Jluilerod out M,ay 28, 1866. 

Mustered out August 28, 1865 

Mustered out May 28, 
186t). 

Mustered out Novem- 
ber 24, 1865. 

Resigned May 14, 1862. 

Mustered out Mareb 15. 1866. 



394 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 



Date of First 
Commission. 



Regiment. 



Com- 
pany. 



Date of 
Promotion. 



Close of Service. 



Ed. S. Redington., 

B. O. Reynolds 

iMartin Rodman.... 
Daniel C. Roundy. 



Vorler M. Roundy 
Thos. O. Russell 
Daniel K. Sanford 

.lames B. Schrom. 

John Sewright.. .. 
Harvey Shubert.. 
Albert E Smith.... 
Charles Smith... 
Charles W. Smith.. 

John A. Smith... 
Henry F. Spooner 
Martin E. Stevens 

Washington Saever 

Avery H. Stone 

Edwin Sturtevftnt.. 

James B. Taylor.. 
Wm. R. Taylor.... 



Whitewater 

Elkhorn.. 

Darien... 

Geneva... 



Sept. 3, 1862... 
Dec. 3, 18t)l.. 
Oct. 14, 18G2.. 
April 2.5, 1861. 



Darien 

Sugar Creek.. 
La Grange. 

Whitewater 

Whitewater 
La Fayette.. 
Walworth.. 

Delavan 

Geneva 



Geneva... 
Elkhorn.. 
Geneva... 



Darien... 
Darien... 
Delavan.. 



Otis Titus 

Chesley B. Tuller.. 
Sidney B. Tuller... 
J. .\I. Vanderhoof.. 
Peter S. Van Nest 
Henry H. Watts... 

A. J. Weatherwax 
Jacob Weyrough.. 
John F. Whalen... 



Sugar Creek 
La Grange.. 

East Troy. 
East Troy... 
East Troy 

D^irien 

Geneva. .. 
Whitewater 



Geneva 

Bloonifield 
Geneva 



Edson Williams.. 
James E. Williams 

Rich' d M.Williams 
Reuben Wilson... 
George W. Wylie 



Darien... 

Whitewater 



Delavan.. 
Sharon... 
Elkhorn. 



Feb. 17, 1862.. 
Aug. 10, 1864. 
Feb. 22, 186-3.. 

Feb. 24, 1863.. 



28th Inf.. 
3d Cav.... 

2dlnf 

4th Cav... 
4th Cav... 
37th Inf. 
2d Inf..... 
43d Inf... 
49th Inf. 

28th Inf. 



April 13, 186J..llth Inf. 
Feb. 21, 1806. ....50th Inf. 
July 12. 1862..'8th Inf.... 
Jan. 26, 1865.. 48th Inf. 
Aug. 22, 1862..:22d Inf... 

22dlnf... 

22dlnf... 

49th Inf. 

40th Inf. 

35th Inf.. 



Feb. 16, 1865.. 
June 9, 186).... 
Feb. 4, 1864... 



Dec. 29, 1864.. 7th Inf.. 
Dec. 13, 1862..l2d Cav.... 
March 4, 1864.. 35th Inf.. 

Feb. 10, 1864... 36th Inf., 
Feb. 24, 1865... 49th Inf., 



Aug. 31, 1864..|3d Cav..., 
Aug. 3, 1865... 28th Inf., 
Nov. 14, 1861..ll6th Inf., 
Feb. 23, 1865. l2d Cav..., 
July 22, 1864..1.36th Inf., 
Feb. 26, 1863..i28th Inf.. 



j4thCav.... 

July 20, 1864.. 1st Inf..., 
June 17, 1865.. 17th Inf.. 



Feb. 17. 1862.. 
May 19, 1862.. 

March 11, 1864 
May 8, 1863... 
Aug. 30, 1862.. 



2d Cav.... 
4th Cav.. 

22d Inf.., 
8th Inf.... 
28th Inf.. 



Captain 

Surgeon 

Second Lieut 

Captain 

Ass. Surgeon 

Surgeon 

Second Lieut 
Second Lieut 
Second Lieut 
Fir-st Lieut.... 
Second Lieut 
First Lieut.... 
First Lieut.... 
Second Lieut, 

(Captain 

Quartermaster 

Captain 

Major 

Lieut. Col 

First Lieut 

Second Lieut.. 
Second Lieut.. 

First Lieut 

First Lieut 

First Lieut 

Second Lieut.. 

Captain 

Second Lieut.. 
Second Lieut.. 

Captain 

Second Lieut.. 
Second Lieut.. 

First Lieut 

Second Lieut.. 

t'haplain 

Second Lieut.. 

First Lieut 

Second Lieut.. 
Second Lieut.. 
Second Lieut.. 

First Lieut 

First Lieut 

Second Lieut.. 

First Lieut 

Second Lieut.. 
Sec. Ass. Surg 
Quartermaster 



June 13, 1865 



lune 24, 1861. 
May 7, 1864... 



Feb. 26, 1863.. 



Hustered out .\uj;u8t 3.1 186.5. 
Mustered out Fel>. H, 1864. 
Oisckarged June H. 1863. 

Mustered out July 27, 
1865. 

Resigned June Hi, 1862. 

.Ilustered out June 24. 186.5. 

Mustered out Novem- 
ber 8, 1865. 

Resigned July 15, 1865 

Mustered out Sept. 4, 186.5. 

Declined. 

.Mustered out Dec. II), 1864. 

Declined. 



Feb. 21, 1863... .Mustered out Augu.-t 
Sept. 24, 1864.. 1, 1865. 

Mustered out Nov. 8, 186.5. 

Mustered out Sept. 16, 1864. 

.Mustered out June 26, 
Sept. 14, 1864..! 1865. 

llustered out July S, 1865. 

Besigned June 30, 1864. 

Resigned January 14. 
Aug. 31, 1865... 1866, 

Resigned March 3(1. 1864. 

.Mustered out Novem- 
Aug. 3, 1865 ber 8. 1865. 

.Mustered out Feb, 1?. 1865. 

Mustered out August 23, 186.5. 

Discharged July 31, 1S63. 

Resigned August 12, 1865. 

Discharged January 6, 1865. 

Mustered out August 
Aug. 7, 18(5.5 23, 1866. 

Resigned January 8, 1863. 



June 18, 1865... 



Oct. 



Mustered out July 14, 

1866. 
Resigned October 26, 1862. 



26, 1863. ..'Killed March 8, 1864. 

JResigned March 3(1. 1865. 

jResigned Auguat 22, 1864. 

lOischarged February 1, 1864. 



TROOPS AND MONEY FURNISHED. 

No county in tlie State responded to the constantly reciuring calls for ti'oops with more 
promptness than Walworth, and in none was the proportion of volunteers to drafteti men lar- 
ger. Few of those drafted went nnwillingly to the field, as substitutes were furnished for all 
such as, from any circumstances- (such as families dependent on them for support, or other good 
cause) were unable to enter the service. For such as volunteered, their dependent families 
were provided for during their absence. The amount of money raised by the several towns for 
war piu'poses was as follows: 

Elkhorn —For families of volunteers. |1,60(); for bounties to fiwnish her quota, $8,280; 
total, 19,880. 

Bloomtield By tax and subscription (largely by tax), $20,000. 

Sharon — For widows, $800; for bounties to furnish men, 12,000; for volunteers re-enlist - 
ing, $1,150; total, $3,450. 



IIISTOKV OF WALWOKTII COl'NTY. -595 

Geneva— For soldi(>rs' families, $3,r)()0: fur Iwnnties, $10,000; total, $'20,10(». 

Whitewater — For all purposes, $18,000. Of this sum, the town, as a cor|)orate body, raised 
$•28,000. 

Kichmoud Say $('),000, cstiinateil. The records do not show. 

Darien — For all war purposes. $14,209. 

Walworth— For soldiers" families, $2,500; for bounties, $7,000; total, $10,100. 

l)(>lavan -For bounties, volunteers and aid to soldiers' families: August 25, 1802, $4,000; 
December 22, 18f)8, $(),0t)0; February 18, 1804, $8,798; total, $18,71)8; also large sums by sub - 
scri|)tion. 

Sugar Creek -For bounties and volunteers, $17,000. 

La Grange — For all war ])urj)oses, $17,250. 

Troy —For bounties and soldiers' families, $12,500; fi'om soldiers' aid fund, $151); total, 
$12,059.' 

La Fayette -For soldiers" families, $800; for bounties, $10,000; total, $1 1,800. 

Linn— For all purposes, $10,400. 

Lyons — For all jnirjioses, $5,400. 

Spring Prairie — For all ])urposes, $23,004. 

East Troy— For all jnu-poses. $10,221.40. 

The aggi'egate raised in the several towns of the county for war pur}>oses w<is not less than 
a quarter of a million dollars. 

The number of citizens subject to military duty at the beginning of the war was 3,196. 
From that numlier were fiu-uished during the war 1,025. Not all were drawn personally from 
the resident population, but the quota required was forthcoming. Either the lioys went, or the 
money was fiu-uished for a siibstitute. It is believed that over the required numlier did per- 
sonal service, but as many enlisted at Milwaukee, and at recruiting ])oints outside, the county, 
their names do not appear in the records of AValworth County soldiers. It is to be regi'etted 
that local records were not kept, from which to enroll the list of \\'alworth County soldiers. 
Perhaps it may yet be done from the town records. The following table shows the enrollment 
in October, 1802. The succeeding table shows better than pages of print how well AValworth 
County responded to the call of the country for help: 

Subsequent adjustments modified the credits to the county, but the final result is shown in 
the following table: 



TOWNS. 


Gorolled. 


Exempt. 


Liable to 
Draft. 


Already 
Volun- 
teered. 


Quota. 


Darien 


298 
169 
181 
142 
180 
156 
102 
247 
168 
280 
314 
184 
193 
297 
394 
182 
527 


61 
33 
68 
49 
51 
61 
36 
63 
15 
63 
64 
61 
24 
82 
98 
54 
24 


237 
136 
113 

93 
139 
104 
126 
184 
153 
227 
260 
123 
169 
215 
296 
128 
503 


99 

75 

66 

61 

68 

71 

53 

96 

76 

104 

117 

82 

74 

142 

193 

71 

245 


97 


Klkhorn 


66 




70 




62 


MudHon 


82 




69 


Iticliiiiond .. 


03 


K«»t Troy 


106 


Troy 


77 


Walworth 


86 




103 




70 








140 


Helavftn , 


149 


Spring I'rairie 


81 




229 






Totals 


4073 


887 


3196 


1692 


1626 







The whole quota of the county, under all requisitions from the Government, was 1,006. 
The whole number of soldiers furnished was 1,625 -an excess of 19. 



396 HISTOKY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

Tlie number fiu-nished by the several towns were as below stated: 



TOWNS. 


Drafted. 


Recruited. 


Total 
Furnished. 


Full Quota. 


Excess. 


Deficit. 


Elkhorn 


11 

15 

14 

12 

13 

15 

8 

19 

9 

4 

9 

14 
44 
8 
15 
26 
24 


55 
123 
52 
50 
61 
40 
65 
89 
97 
69 
68 
76 
196 
60 
88 
123 
53 


66 

138 

66 

62 

74 

55 

73 

108 

106 

73 

77 

90 

240 

68 

Wi 

149 

77 


59 

141 

65 

60 

72 

54 

72 

107 

106 

76 

77 

85 

221 

69 

192 

144 

96 


7 




Geneva 


3 


Hudson 


1 
2 
2 
1 
1 
1 












Linn 








Sharon 




Spring Prairie 








3 


Troy 






Walworth 


5 
19 








Bloomfield 


1 




1 

5 










19 










260 


1365 


1625 


1696 


45 


26 











.f^"-****^ 








ifc-#^ 



^4p<y-^fy^^ 



i DfcCEAStD ) 



CHAPTER TY. 
WALwoirrir cointy aguicultural socikty. 

Early Organizations — First County Fair — Fair Grounds — Offioers— Constitution — One of 
THE Early Fairs — A Contrast — Agencies or Success. 

EARLY ORGANIZATIONS. 

AOllICI'LTI'RAL societies are now j^rominent institutions tliroiii;hout tbe country where 
husbandry is the leading avocation of the inhabitants. All thi'ough New England and New 
York, the "cattle show"' fifty yeai's ago constituted one of the three big gatherings of the year: 
the other two being the celebration of the -ith of July, and the annual muster of militia. 

The early settlers of Walworth County were mostly from the Eastern States, and brought 
with them the traditionary habits of their ancestors, not only as to industry and thrift, but also 
as to religious observances and popular soiu'ces of recreation. The 4th of July was celebrated 
6 of yore, but the cattle show and muster came not. So quite early it was determined by a few 
o supj)ly the want by inaugiu'ating this beloved institution on the Western prairies. Accord- 
ingly, through the preliminary work of Seymoiu' and Homer Brooks, S. B. Edwards, the Bur- 
git brothers, Emery Thayer, John Fearnly, A. M. Perry, Augustus Smith, J. Pike West, S. G. 
West, S. M. Rockwood, Edward Elderkin, P. G. Harrington and others, a fair or cattle show, 
the first ever held in the county, was held at East Troy October 16, 1850. In comparison with 
the annual county fairs of later years, it would not be considered a success, but, as it was the be- 
ginning and the starting-point of the present society, its importance cannot be measiu'od by its 
magnitude or magnificence. The following report of it was given in the Wisconniii and Iowa 
Fanner, an agi'ieultural monthly, then published in Racine, by Mark Miller, who edited the 
paper, assisted by F. K. Phcenix in the horticultm-al department: 

The first annual fair of tlie Wahvortli County AirricuUural Society was held on Wednesday, October 16, 
in the vilht^e of East Troy. Tlie i)leasure of the day was marred by frequent showers. Notwitlistanding, the 
interest on the occasion was such as to call forth ;i hirge attendance of people. 

The exhibition of stoelv was not over large, l)ut of a superior quality. A very tine sliow of horses of all 
kinds, worlving oxen, steers, cows and calves of improved breeds, reflect great credit upon tlie Walworth 
farmers. Two extra fine Durham bulls, imporled by .li>siab F. Brooks, of East Ti'o\-. woidd comp.ire favorably 
witli the best Eastern breeds, are especially worthy of notice. Mr. Brooks also imported a number of choice 
Bucks of the French and Pauler-Mcrino and Staple Saxon breeds, which will be of much importance to our 
ivool-growers, and show in after fairs. 

The number of swine was small, but (piality good. Dairy products limited, but highlj' spoken of by the 
inspectors. The show room was well filled by household manufactures, such as carpets, caps, bonnets and 
fancy work. A very fine article of figured gloves was shown by Mrs. John A. Larkin, of East Troy, reflecting 
great credit on the manufacturer. 

The Horticultural products were extraordinary' for Wisconsin. Some twenty-five varieties of apples by 
r. I'lnenix, of Delavan, together with pumpkins," squashes, tomatoes and other vegetables made a display 
worthy of our climate and soil. 

TIk' show in the mechanical line was well represented by sowing machines (seeders), drills, plows, bug- 
gies, cabinct-w;ire, ready-made clothing, etc. 

The following is the list of premiums awarded: 

Stallions— First, Emory Thayer, East Troy; Second, Mr. Norton, Burlington; Third, .lohn Feandy, T^a 
Grange. 

Matched Horses— First, Jacob Burgit. East Tnn'; Second, Hiram Cross, La Grange. 
Hogs, brood sow — First, Charli's Hillard. East Troy; Second, brood sow — no coinpc'tition. 
Plowing Miiteli for Horses— First. John Olds; .Seco"nd, Increase Child; Third. WaHcr A. Taylor. 
Single Carriage Horse— First, Emery Tlniyer. East Troy: Second. R. H. M;dlary. K:ist Troy. 
Brood M;ires and Colts — Fir.st, William bum, Troy: Second, no competition. 
Two Year Old Colts— First, S. B. Edwiirds. East Tr )y; Second. Cepluis Hurli)nrt, East Troy. 
One Yeai-OM Colts— First, Hir:im lirewster, Troy; Second. S. D. Edgerton, Troy. 
Hull of :uiv Age— First. Josiah F. Brooks, East Troy; Second, J:icob [Jurgit, East Troy. 
Year Old iJull— First. James Lauderdale. L:i Grange ; Second, Francis Baker, Sjiring Prairie. 
Spring Calf— First, Homer Brooks, East Troy; Second, Gorham Bunker, East Troy. 



400 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COIXTY. 

Milch Cow — First, HDiiipr Broolvsi Second, Jacob Burgit, East Troy. 

Yearling Heifer— First, Homer Brooks, East Troy; Second. S. H. Tibbets. Sugar Creek. 

Working 0.\en— First, Ceplias Hurlburt, East Troy; Second, Jacoli Biiririt, East Troy; Third, Mr. Holmes, 
East Tro\-. 

Three Year (.)ld St"er.s— First. Michael O'Reagan, East Trov. 

Sheep, premium on pen of five — Josiah F. Brooks, East Troy; Second, Mr. Smedley, Hudson. 

On Ram, for fleece — First, Mr. Smedley, Hudson; Second, josiali F. Brooks. East Troy. 

On Ram. for carcass— First, Mr. Booker, East Troy; Second, Josiali F. Brooks. East Troy. 

On pen of five Sheep, for carcass— Josiah F. Brooks. East Troy; Second. Josiali F. Brook.s, Ea.st Troy. 

Cattle— First. Paris Pettit. 

Butter— First, Joel Pond; Second, William Child. 

Cheese — First, Augustus Smith. 

The Committee on Miscellaneous Articles awarded to F. K. Phrenix. of Delavan, for several varieties of 
apples raised liy him ifl.-W; to Mr. McNair. for flannel sheets, $1.!I0; to E. Pound, for garden vegetables. 50 
cents; to W. Taylor and Calvin, for garden vegetables, .W cents each; to Alfred Payne, for paintings. |1; to 
James F. Willson, for flower-baskets, 50 cents; to C. W. Powers, for coat and pants, $1: to C. Bull, for cabi- 
net work, $\ ; to William Bates, for buggy, $1; to Mrs, J. A. Larkin, for fringed gloves, .|1; to William Child, 
for carpet, $1; to Samuel Gilliard, for garden vegetables, .50 cents. 

The plowing match was deferreduntil October 25, in consequence of the copious showers in the after 
part of the day. The comiietitors were not numerous, but very spirited, and showed how the "Badger Boys" 
can handle the plow when excited liy a proper spirit of rivalry. 

The time occupied in plowing a tpiarter of an acre, vaiied frinn tifty-three minutes to one hour and four 
minutes. One yoke of cattle, use^l and owned by Mr. Pettit, mailc their time in one hoiu- and two minutes; 
work done in a superior manner. i\.ll passed off in gc)od feeling, and a lively interest was manifested. 

After the plowing was disposed of. the sale of two Durham bulls took place. Bull, Herod, seven years 
old, imported l.iy Josiah F. Brooks, from Western New York, was sold to Jacolj Burgit, of East Troy, for 
1210; bull. Defiance, five years old. to Stephen Koshon, of Rockford. 111., for :t;l50. 

The members then proceeded to elect their officers for the ensuing year. The vote stood: For President, 
William Child; Vice President, Robert K. Potier; Secretaries. Edward Elderkin and Seymour Brooks ; 
Treasurer, S. M. Rockwood ; Managers, T. Mower, Jr., AVilliam Hollinshead. Jacob Burgit. 

Resolved, Tluit we publish our proceedings in the Wisconsin Farmer, and procure two hundred copies for 
distribution. Augustus Smith, President. 

East Troy, October 25, 1850. Seymour Brooks, Secretary. 

No records of the receipts of this fair are to lie fomid. What money was clisbiirsecl for pre- 
miums was sttljscribed by those instramental in getting it up, and much of it came back to them 
in premiums, as they were the principal exhibitors. Although it was, as will be seen by scanning 
the premium list, virtually an East Troy exposition, it brotight some competitors from other 
towns and awakened an interest throvighout the county, and it was at that time resolved by those 
present to complete the organization of the society, and thereafter hold an annual fair which 
should represent the agricultural interests and resom'ces of the entire coimty. 

The first meeting looking to the comjiletion of the organization of a county society was held 
at Elkhorn April 2"), 1851, at which Robert K. Potter, of La Fayette, presided. It does not 
appear that any constitution was adopted at that meeting. It was, however, resolved " to enlarge 
the scope" of the society, so that it should embrace the whole county, and premitims were ofi'ered 
for tlie best, second-best and third-best acre of wheat, and the best, second-best and third-liest 
cultivated farm in the county. A committee was ajipoiuted to view the competing acres and the 
competing faiins, and, as appears in the awards at the ensuing fair, the committee made an 
award on the best and second-best acre of winter wheat. No awards were made on the best cul- 
tivated farms. 

THE FIRST COUNTY FAIR. 

It was held in Elkhorn October l-l and 15, 1851. The exliibition of stock was held on 
the lot now occupied as a residence by H. Bradley. In addition to the stock exhibit, the ladies 
made their show of household industries at the coiu't house. It was, as compared with the 
magnificent exhibition of later years, quite meager, consisting of cjuilts, bed-spreads, rag-carpets, 
woolen blankets, bonnets, bread, butter and cheese. A full list of those who bore off the prizes 
at this pioneer contest so many years ago, appears elsewhere, in contrast with the premium list 
of 1881. Mrs. H. J. Starin was awarded the prize, $3, as the best bread-maker; Mrs. J. W. 
Newton received $2 for the best cheese; Mrs. Crosier received $1 for the best bed-quilt; Mi's. N. 
Beckwith, 50 cents for the best bonnet; Mi-s. G. Bunker, |1 for the best rag-carpet, and Mrs. C. 
D. Long. 50 cents for the best woolen blanket. 

At this meeting the present agricultural .society was organized. A constitution (which ap- 
pears elsewhere) was adopted and the fust officers elected. They were: President, David "Will- 



HISTOKV OF WAI.WOKI'II COrNTY. -101 

iiiins, Geneva; Vice President, Ani^ustus Sniitli, Tro}': ScHTctaries. Edward Elderkin, Elkburii; 
Seymour Brooks. East Troy: Treasurer, Edwiu Hodijes, Elklioru; Managers, M. R. Brittaiii, 
S|)ring Prairi<!: Williaui Hollinshead, Delavan; H. J. Starin, Whitewater. The total amount of 
premiums paid were Si;i;!.7r). The receipts for juembershiji were ^tT). Tht' deficit was made 
up liy private snl)scriptions. 

There was no immediate eflbrt made to peii^etiiate the society In tlu' jnirchase of grounds, 
th(>reby giving it an individuality and a local habitation, as well as a name. It consequently, 
for a few years succeeding its organization, led a vagrant, perii)atetic sort of life, depending en- 
tirely upon the weather and the whims of the people for a continuation of its existence. During 
these yeai's of infancy, it held fairs as follows: 1852, at Elkhorn; receipts for membership, $45: 
IS53, Delavan: receipts not stated; 1S54, Elkhorn: receipts for membershij), $(i5. 

Up to this time the society had struggled along with only success sufficient to prolong its 
existence. Its real life and vigor, which has developed it into the most successful institution of 
its kind in the State, dates from 1855. At that time the first- purchase of land was made, which, 
by subsequent additions, has grown into the extensive and well-a()j)ointeil fair grounds now 
owned by the society in Elkhorn. It consisted of six acres of ground, which was ])urchased by the 
society from Edward Elderkin, for ^WO per acre, on ten years" time at 10 per cent interest. The 
energetic President, Otis Preston, backed by the Executive Committee, stipulated to fence the lot 
and make the other improvements necessary, looking to the receipts of the coming fair, the success 
of which depended on the weather and a hundred other contingencies for his reimbursement. 
Fortunately for Mr. Preston and the futiu'e of the society, the weather was superb and the crowds 
that attended were unprecedentedly large, sufficiently so to place the society for the first time on a 
sound financial basis. The imperfect records of the Treasiuvr show I'eceipts of nearly §1.100, 
and a balance on hand at the close of the fiscal year of $048. Anniaally. since that tinie the 
county fair has been held on the grounds, and the society has coutiuTied to grow in stn-ngth and 
numbers. It is to-day the foremost county agricultural society in the State, and has done more 
to develop the hi\sbandi"y interests of the county to their present high grade of excellence than 
all other agencies combined, and to the spirit of emulation it begets, the mutual exchange of in- 
dividual experiences it enables, and the yearl} exhibit of imjirovement made and new inventions 
tried and apjn-oved or condemned — though there are many other advantageous means, all center- 
ing around, or having their inception in the society, Walwcjrth County has liecome the Ixinner 
county, with a more diversified and a more ]irofital>le showing of agi'icultural results than can 
be shown elsewhere in the State. Fair week has now l)(>come the gala week of the year, and is 
the unmistakable index of the prosperity, refinement and contentment of a people, than which, 
none more thi-ifty or prosperous dwells upon the earth. 

THE F.MR GROUNDS. 

They now embrace a tract of 23.51 acre.s inside the inclosure, besides a small tract outside 
the main entrance, bought of Robert Richmond .\ucfnst 21, 18fi8. The grounds are located north- 
east of the center of Elkhorn Village, on the soiithwest quarter of Section 31. Town 3. Range 17 
— a part of the La Fayette Township, prior to the defining of the limits of the present town of 
Elkhorn. In shape, the plat is irregular. It has five sides of une(inal length. The south line 
runs due east and west from the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railro;id Eagle Branch — to 
the land of Virgil Cobb; thcmce du(> north to the intersection of the old jilank road: thence 
northeast, on the line of the plank road, to the land of J. H. Snyder; thence southeasterly to the 
line of the railroad before mentioned, that road being the eastern boundary of the grounds. Al- 
though a five-sided- polygon in shape, it is, for practical purposes, a square, varying but little in 
its extreme length and extreme breadth. 

The land was ])urchased at dift'erent times as follows: Six acres, under contract and bond, 
from Edward Elderkin. in August. 1855; five and sevi>nty-eight one hnndri>dths acn>s. from Mr. 
Elderkin, in IS5'.), at which time the first bond was canceled and the society received ;i war- 
rantee deed from E. Elderkin for both tracts, 11.73 acres in consideration of !?1.173: February 
10. IS70. the society [)urchased 11. 7S acres of adjoining land from Mr. Elderkin for S8"24.t)0. 
August 21. 18()S. the society bought from Robert Richmond a small triaiigulai' ])iece, outside tlu* 
inclosure, at the intersection of the western bouudtuy line with the plank road, at the entrance 



402 HTSTOllY OF WALWORTH COUNT Y. 

where the ticket office now stands, for the sum of $5. The purchase cost of the grounds, 23.51 
acres, with entrance, was $2,002.60. 

Few of the old improvements remain. The old fence and s[)eaker"s stand, with the booths, 
pens and other buildings first put up, have been repaired or replaced by more substantial struct- 
ures. The speaker's stand was a large raised platform, capable of seating two or three hundred 
persons. It occupied the site of the present floral hall. It was, on fair days, gay with bunting, 
and demonstrative in big-lettered mottoes, evincing the big pride and unfettered hopes that in- 
spired the society. Of the mottoes, these are remembered: "Walworth County — Her Sons and 
Daughters Will Vindicate the Dignity of Labor;" "Agriculture and Mechanical Arts — Their In- 
terests Rest not upon the Mudsills of au Indolent Aristocracy, but upon the Solid Granite of an 
Educated Dem osraey." The stand was, during the earlier years, the grand center of attraction. 
Orations, concerts, declamations, competitive readings, announcements of awards and a huntlred 
other incidents will be remembered in connection with the old stand. It is gone, but in the 
memories of the earlier members of the society and attendants of the fair, it still remains the 
central figure whenever they recall the fairs oi Auld Lang Syne. 

The grounds to day, as has been stated, comprise nearly twenty-four acres. They are in- 
closed by a substantial Ijoard fence. The entrance is on the west side from the plank road. A 
small building for office business and the selling of tickets during exhibitions, stands at the en- 
trance. Permanent sheds and pens line the south and west sides of the ground. The priacipal 
buildings are floral and agricultural halls, both standing southeast of the entrance. They are 
adjacent, and, when connected, give an exhil)iting area of 350x30 feet under one roof. In ad- 
dition, the society own a canvas pavilion, which, when erected, covers half the space of the halls. 
There is a tine half mile track on the grounds, with stand and terrace seats. There are several 
wells, the deepest being bored to the depth of 128 feet, with win'.lmill and pumping apparatus. 
Altogether, it is as finely appointed a fair ground as is owned by any county organization in the 
Scate. The property, with improvements, cost not less than |7,000, and would sell above that 
valuation. 

OFFICERS. 

The officers of the preliminary East Troy Society, as well as those chosen in 1851, after the 
constitution was adopted and the society fully organized have been already mentioned. Below 
is a full list of officers from that date to the present year: 

1852 — President, H. J. Starin, Whitewater; Vice President. William Hollinshead, Delavan; 
Secretaries, H. Latham, Elkhorn; D. Williams, Geneva; Treasurer. Peter Golder, Elkliorn; Man- 
agers, William Child, George W. Paul, Samuel Praot, Seymom' Brooks, Lyman H. Seaver. 

1853 — President, J. C. Mills. La Fayette: Vice President, John Williams, Darien; Secre- 
taries, H. Latham and P. Golder, Elkhorn; Treasui'er, William Hollinshead, Delavan; Managers, 
H. J. Starin, Hiram Cross, O. W. Carter, Oi'ra Martin and David Williams. 

1854 — President, Hiram Cross, La Grange; Vice President, S. B. Edwards, East Troy; 
Secretaries, Edward Elderkin and Hollis Latham, Elkhorn; Treasurer, E. Hodges, Elkhorn; 
Managers, Emory Thayer, Charles Martin, O. Ai-mstrong, Abial Manning and Charles Wales. 

1855 — President, Otis Preston, Elkhorn; Vice Presidents, H. J. Starin, AVhitewater; S. B. 
Edwards, East Troy; P. S. Carver, Delavan; Secretaries, Edward Elderkin and H. S. Winsor, 
Elkhorn; Treasurer, S. Mallory, Elkhorn; Managers, Emery Thayer, O. Ai-mstrong, Abial Mann- 
ing, P. G. Harrington, R. T. Seymour, H. M. Ray, Charles Martin, Aliram Bloodgood, A. M. Perry. 
This year, by amendment of the constitution, the Board of Managers was increased to nine. 

1856 — President, R. T. Seymour, La' Fayette; Vice President, Seymour Brooks, East Troy; 
Secretaries, Edward Elderkin and Hollis Latham, Elkhorn; Treasurer, E. Hodges, Elkhorn; 
Managers, A. M. Perry, C. Wiswell, O. G. Ewing, H, J. Starin. E. M. Rice, Orra Martin, Charles 
Wales, William Hollinshead, William Bell. 

1857 — President, Otis Preston, Elkhorn; Vice President, S. B. Edwards, East Troy; Secre- 
taries, Edward Elderkin and S. L. Carpenter, Elkhorn; Treasurer, Edwin Hodges, Elkhorn; 
Executive Committee (increased to one from each town), R. Cheeney, Jr., Whitewater; E. M. 
Rice, Richmond; O. H. Gilbert, Darien ; James Cummings, Sharon; William Bell, Walworth; 
William Hollinshead, Delavan; J. R. Kinne, Sugar Creek; E. P. Eaton, Elkhorn; O. G. Ewing, 
La Grange; A. M. Perry, Troy; Joseph Potter, La Fayette; Dr. P. Maxwell, Genfjva; George 



HISTORY OF WAI.WOIM'II COUNTY. 403 

Allon, Liun: (Jyrus Kuiji,', HloDniliclil: Thomas W. Hill. Hmlsoii; Charli's Alartin, Spring 
Frairic: Emery Thayor. East Troy. 

Thti election diil not occur as heretofore at the September meeting, lint was postponed to 
Jaiuiary (j, 185S-- the old officers holding over — so that the above list of officers were the offi- 
cer.s for the year lsr)S, and thus in the chronological record following ISaS is omitted. 

185!) — President, Otis Preston, Elkhoi-n; Vice President, R. Cheney, Jr., Whitewater; 
Secretaries, E. Elderkiu, Elkhorn; E. K. Frost, Sugar Greek; Treasurer, E. Hodges, Elkhoru; 
Executive Committee, J. L. Pratt, Whitewater; O. G. Ewing, La Grange; A. M. Perry, Troy; 
S. B. Edwards, East Troy: Charles Martin, Spring Prairie; George W. Wylie, La Fayette; P. 
G. Harrington, Sugar Creek; E. M. Rioe, Richmond; O. W. Carter, Darien; Homer Coleman, 
Delavan; Charles Wales. Geneva; Ebenezer Dayton, Hudson; Cyrus Rugg. Bloomtield: George 
Allen. Linn; Joseph Rector, Walworth; William P. Allen, Sharon; E. P. Eaton, Elkhoru. 

18()0— President, Otis Preston. Elkhorn; Vice President. R. Cheney, Jr.. Whitewater; Sec- 
retarie.s, Edward Elderkin, Elkhorn; Charles Martin, Spring Prairie; Treasurer. Edwin Hodges, 
J'jlkhorn; Executive Committee, George G. Williams. Whitewater; John Fearnlv, La Grange; A. 
M. Perry, Troy; S. B. Edwards, East Troy; Capt. E. F. Weed. Spring Prairie; R. B. Flack. La 
Fayette: P. G. Harrington, Sugar Creek; E. M. Rice. Richmond; John DeWolf. Darien: Charles 
Wales, Geneva: Thomas W. Hill, Hudsim; W. D. Chapin, Bloomfield; J. W. Groesbeck, Linn: 
Joseph Rector. Walworth; John Jeffers, Sharon; Hollis Latham. Elkhorn. 

1861 — President, Seymour Brooks, East Troy; Vice President, George W. Wylie, Elkhorn; 
Secretaries, Edward Elderkin, Recording; Hollis Latham, Corresponding; Treasurer, J. F. Brett, 
Elkhorn; Executive Committee, J. L. Blount, WTiitewater; E. M. Rice. Richmond; J. W. Sea- 
ver, Darien; John Jefiers, Sharon: Joseph Rector, Walworth; William Holliste'-, Delavan; 
Hiram Taylor, Sugar Creek; John Fearnly, La Grange; A. M. Pen-y, Troy; A. Jewell, La Fay- 
ette; E. P. Eaton, Elklioru; Charles Wales, Geneva; A. Merriam, Linn; W. D. Chapin, Bloom- 
field; U. C. H. Nickerson, Hudson; Roswell Cobm-n, Spring Prairie; Eniery Thayer, East 
Troy. 

1862 — President, Otis Preston, Elkhorn; Vice President, William Hollinsh(>ad, Delavan; 
Recording Seci'etary, Edward Elderkin, Elkhoru; Corresponding Secretary, Hollis Latham, 
Elldiorn; Treasurer, John F. Brett, Elkhorn: Executive Committee, S. B. Edwards, East Troy; 
A. M. Perry. Troy: Hiram Cross. La (xrange: J. L. Blount, Whitewater; E. M. Rice. Richmond; 
Hiram Tavlor. Sugar Creek; Jonathan Potter. La Fayette; E. F. Weed. Si)ring Prairie; Le 
Grand Rockwell, Elkhorn: Thomas W. Hill. Hudson; Charles Wales, GiMieva; A. H. Taggart, 
Delavan; J. W. Seaver. Darien: John J»'fte)-s, Sharon; E. L. Gilbert, Walwortli; George Allen. 
Linn; Sidney Buell, Bloomtield. 

1863 — President, William Hollinshead, Delavan; Vice President, Charles Wales, Geneva; 
Recording Secretary, Edwaixl Elderkin, Elkhorn; Corresponding Secretai-y, Hollis Latham. 
l<ilkhom; Treasurer, John F. Brett, Elkhorn: Executive Committee, Emerv Thaver, East Troy; 
A. M. Perry, Troy; John Fearnly, La Grange; Charles Clark, Whitewater; E. M. Rice, Rich- 
mond: William H. Bartram. Sugar Creek: R. B. Flack, La Fayette; Roswell Cobm-n, Spring 
Prairie; William H. Conger. Elkhorn; Thomas W. Hill, Hudson; A. Goodspeed. (i-eneva; A. 
H. Taggart, Delavan; William Hollister, Darien; John Jeffers, Sharon: .lose|)h Hector, Wal 
worth; George Allen, Linn: Sidney Buell, Bloomtield. 

1S()4 — President, William Hollinshead, Delavan; Vice President, Chiu-Uw Wales, Geneva: 
Secretaries, E. Elderkin and Hollis Latham, Elkhorn; Treasurer, John F. Brett, Elkhoru; 
Executive Committee, Emery Thayer, East Troy; A. M. Perry, Troy: John Fearnly, La 
Graiige; Charles M. Clark, Whitewater; E. M. Rice, Richmond: Hiram Taylor, Sugar Creek: 
R. B. Flack, La Fayette: M. R. Brittain, S|)ring Prairie; William H. Ccmger, Elkhorn; Thomas 
W. Hill, Hudson: A. Goodsjieed, Geneva: H. Vanderpool, Delavan; John DeWolf, Dari(>n; 
John Jeffers, Sharon: Joseph Rector. Walworth; (George Allen. Linn; Sidney Buell, Blooiutield. 

1S(')5 — President, William Hollinshead. Delavan; Vice President, Charles Wales. Geneva: 
Secretaries, Edward Elderkin and H. Latham. Elkhorn: Treasurer, John F. Brett, Elkhorn; 
Executive Connuittee, A. Richmond. Whitiwater: E. M. Rice, Richmond: .John DeWolf, Darien: 
S. G. Ai'nold, Sharon; Joseph l{ector. Walworth: H. Vanderpool. Delavan; P. G. Harrington. 
Sugar Creek: Hiram Cross, La (Jrange; A. M. Perrv. Troy; J. P- West. La Fayette: D. L. 



404 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

Plack, Geueva: Gi'orge Allen, Linn; Sidney Baell, Bluomfield; Thomas W. Hill, Hudson: 
Charles Martin, Sprinw Prairie; Emery Thayer, East Troy; William H. Conger, Elkhoru. 

1866 — President, George W. Wylie, Elkhorn; Vice President, Sidney Biiell, Bloomiield; 
Secretary, Hollis L;itliam, Elkhorn; Treasurer, John F. Brett, Elkhorn; Executive Committee, 
A. Richmond, Whitewater; John Clark, Richmond; C. P. Soper, Darien; John Jeifers, Sharon; 
Joseph Rector, Walworth; A. H. Taggart, Delavan; M. L. Ijadd, Sugar Creek; Hiram Cross, 
La Grange; A. M. Perry, Troy; R. B. Flack, La Fayette; Charles Dunlap, Geneva; George 
Allen, Linn; Charles High, Bloomiield: T. W'. Hill, Lyons; Charles Martin, Spring Prairie; 
8. B. Edwards, East Troy; C. Wiswell, Elkliorn. 

1S67 — President, Charles Wales, Geneva; Vice President, T. W. Hill, Lyons; Secretary, 
Hollis Latham, Elkhorn; Treasurer, Le Grand Rockwell, Elkhorn; Executive Committee, John 
Jeft'ers, Sharon; G. W. Lamout, Darien; E. M. Rice, Richmond; A. Richmond, WTiitewater: 
H. W^. Randolph, Walworth; A. H. Taggart. Delavan : S. 6. West, Sugar Creek; James Holden, 
La Grange; A. Merriam, Linn; John Flack, Geneva; G. W. Wylie, La Fayette; J. G. Smith, 
Troy; Sidney Buell, Bloomiield; A. H. Faruum, Lvons; M. H. Foot, Spring Prairie; H. A. 
Taylor, East" Troy; W. H. Conger, Elkhorn. 

1868 — President, Charles Wales, Geneva; Vice President, Thomas W. Hill, Lyons; Secre- 
tary, Hollis Latham. Elkhorn; Treasurer, Le Grand Rockwell, Elkhorn: Board of Managers. 
John Jeflers, Sharon; C. P. Soper. Darien; James Sherman, Richmond; George Ester ly, White- 
water; S. H. Van Schaick, Walworth; Willard Isham, Delavan; Hiram Taylor, Sugar Creek: 
Hiram Cross, La Grange; John Merriam, Linn: C. K. Phelps, Geneva; J. P. W^est, La Fayette; 
William Mayhew, Troy; Sidney Buell, Bloomiield; F. A. Buckbee, Lyons; Charles Martin, 
Spring Prairie; H. A. Taylor, East Troy; D. R. Johnson, Elkhorn. 

1S()U —President, Charles Dunlaj), Geneva; Vice President, Wellington Hendi'ix, La Fay- 
ette; Secretary, S. G. West, Sugar Creek; Treasurer, L. G. Rockwell, Elkhorn; Board of Man- 
agers, Henry Dennis, Sharon; John DeWolf, Darien; John Clark, Richmond; A. Richmond, 
■^Vhitewater; C. L. Douglass, Whitewater; William Hollinshead, Delavan; Hiram Taylor, Sugar 
Creek; James Sanford, La Grange; William Merriam, Linn; Thomas W. Hill, Geneva; James 
Child, La Fayette; Daniel Hooper, Troy; Sidney Buell, Bloomiield; Enos Kinney, Lvons: 
Charles Martin, Spring Prairie; W. A. Taylor, East Troy; W. D. Lyon, Elkhorn. 

1870 — President, Charles Dunlap, Geneva; Vice President, Charles Martin, Spring Prairie; 
Secretary. S. G. W^est, Sugar Creek; Treasurer, Hollis Latham, Elkhorn; Board of Managers, 
J. Jefi'ers, Sharon; D. W^illiams, Darien; E. Hulce, Richmond; William DeWolf, Whitewater; 
Cp-us Church, Walworth; A. H. Taggart, Delavan; Harmon Crray, Sugar Creek; G. A. Ra}-, 
La Grange; S. J. Nichols. Linn; J. G. Flack, Geneva; Alonzo Potter, La Fayette; A. M. Perry, 
Trov; S. Buell. Bloomfield; Enos Kinnev, Lvons; Orris Pratt, Spring Prairie; S. B. Edwards, 
East Troy; W. D. Lyon, Elkhorn. 

1871 — President. P. G. Harrington. Sugar Creek; Vice President. D. L. Flack, Geneva; 
Secretary, S. G. West, Sugar Creek; Treasurer. Hollis Latham, Elkhcjru: Board of Managers, 
Reuben Wessel, Sharon; U. S. Hollister. Darien; H. D. Locke, Richmond; Emory Thayer, 
Whitewater; James Holden, La Grange; Hiram Taylor, Sugar Creek; H. G. Hollister, Delavan; 
Mark F. Pierce, W'alworlh; George Allen, Linn; C. K. Phelps, Geneva; S. R. Edgerton, La 
Fayette; D. J. Sheffield, Spring Pnurie; G. V. Weeks, Lyons; Sidney Buell, Bloomiield; J. H. 
Lauderdale, Elkhorn. 

1872 — President, P. G. Harrington, Sugar Creek; Vice President, Charles Martin, Spring 
Prairie; Secretary. S. G. West, Sugar Creek; Treasurer. Hollis Latham; Board of Managers, 
Hiram Cross, Whitewater; H. D. Locke, Richmond; U. S. Hollister, Darien; John Jeifers, 
Sharon: M. F. Pierce, Walworth; William Holliushead, Delavan; R. Thomas, Suo-ar Creek; 
James Holden, La Grange; W. H. Morrison, Troy; Nelson West. La Fayette; C. K. Phelps. 
Geneva; John W. Bovd, Linn: W. D. Chapiu, Bloomfield; Enos Kinney," Lyons; Orris Pratt. 
Spring Prairie; D. P."Webster, East Troy; L. G. Latham, Elkhorn. 

1873 — President, D. L. Flack, Geneva; Vice President. S. B. Edwards. East Troy; Secretary, 
S. G. West, Elkhorn; Treasurer, Hollis Latham, Elkhorn; Board of Managers, Charles Root, 
Sharon; V. S. Hollister, Darien; AV. A. Knilans, Richmond; A. Richmond, Whitewater; C. P. 
Maxon, W;dworth; William Hollinshead. Delavan; P. S. Wiswell, Su-ar Creek: William Mc- 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 405 

Doiii^aUl. LaGraiif;!": W. H. Morrison. Troy; ?Ieiirv Hubbard. La Fayctb^ Samuel Gray, Geneva; 
Geor<(i' Allen. Linn; Sidney BucU, Bloouilield; L. S. Weeks. Lyons; Charles Martin, Sprini); 
Prairie: Seymoiu' Brooks, East Trov; O. Hand, Elkhorn. 

J 874— President, S. B. Edwards, East Troy; Vice President, U. S. Hollister, Darieu; Sec- 
retary, S. G. West, Elkhorn : Treasurer, Hollis Latham, Elldioru; Board of Managers, John 
Jefters, Sharon; N. Johnson, Darien; W. A. Knilans, Richmond; C. M. Clark, Whitewater; 
Cyrus Chiu-ch, Walworth; William Hollinshead, Delavan; Hiram Taylor, Sugar Creek; W. H. 
Morrison.Troy: G. AV. Wylie, La Fayette; O. P. Standish, (Teneva: (). P. Merriam, Linu; Sid- 
ney liuell, Bloomtield: Edward Moorhouse, Lyons; Orris Pratt, Sjn-ing Prairie; Seymour Brooks, 
East Troy; O. G. Ewing, La Grange; E. M. "Mills, Elklioru. 

187;") — President, Charles Martin, Spring Prairie; Vice President, R. D. Harrimau, La 
Fayette; Secretary, S. G. West, Elkhorn: Treasurer, Hollis Lathaui, Elkhorn, Board of Man- 
agers, Reuben Wessel, Sharon; U. S. Hollister, Darien; W. A. Knilans, Riehmimd; George 
Doubleday, Whitewater; M. F. Pierce, Walworth; A. H. Allyn. Delavan; P. G. Harrington, 
Sugar Creek; Hiram Cross, La Grange; Joseph Reek, Linn; J. G. Flack, Geneva; W. G. Der- 
thick, La Fayette; W. H. Morrison, Troy; S. Buell, Bloomtield; E. Kinney, Lyons; H. D. Barnes, 
Spring Prairie; E. M. De Puy, East Troy; S. Mallory, Elkhorn. 

-An Advisory tJonunittee of ladies was chosen this year for the lirst tinie, to act with the Ex- 
ecutive Committee in the revision of the premiiun lists in such departments as they had an in- 
terest. The committee was constituted as folliiws: Mrs. Orris Pratt, Spring Prairie; Miss Hat- 
tie Edwards, East Troy; Mrs. R. D. Harriman, La Fayette; Mrs. John A. Cowles, Geneva; Miss 
Libbie Hollinshead, Delavan. 

1S7(3 — President. John Jeffers, Sharon; Vice President, William H. Morrison. Troy; Secre- 
tary, S. G. West, Elkhorn; Treasurer, Hollis Latham, Elkhorn; Board of Managers, Jared 
Topping, Shai-on; C. P. Soper, Darien; W. A. Knilans, Richmond; C. M. Clark, Whitewater: 
M. F. Pierce. Walworth; A. H. Allyn, Delavan; George Kiune, Sugar Creek; James Holden, La 
Grange; D. S. Allen. Linu; T. W. Hill. Geneva; Jonathan Potter, La Fayette; A. O. Richmond, 
Troy; Sidney Buell, Bloomtield: H. I. Hawks, Lyons: H. D. Barnes, Spring Prairie: S. Brooks, 
East Troy; R. Brown, Elkhoru; Ladies' Advisory Committee, Mrs. Sidney Buell. Bloomtield; 
Mrs. John Derthick. La Fayette; Mrs. W. J. Strattou. Elkhorn; Mrs. R. D. Harriman. Elkhorn: 
Miss Libbie Hollinshead, Delavan. 

1877 — President, Asa Foster, Sugar Creek; Vice President, W. G. Durthick, La Fayette: 
Secretary, S. G. West, Elkliorn: Treasurer, Hollis Latham, Elkliorn; Executive Committee. 
George Mansfield, Sharon; C. P. Soper, Darien; AV. A. Knilans, Richmond; N. D. Williams. 
Whitewater; Mark F. Pierce, Walworth; M L. Hollister, Delavan: I. E. Weaver, Sugar Creek; 
Alvin Cook, La Grange: George Alien, Linn: T. W. Hill, Geneva: J. P. AN'ylie, La Fayette; 
John Matheson, Troy; Sidney Buell. Bloomlield: J. B. Smith, Lyons: Orris Pratt, Sjiring 
Prairie; S. B. Edwards, East Troy: Charles Wales, Elkhorn. 

1S78 --President, Sidney Buell, liloomtield ; Vice President, H. (t. Hollister, Delavan: 
Secretary, William H. Morrison, Troy: Treasurer. Hollis Latham. Elkhoru; Executive Commit- 
ti>e, A. L. Mason, Sharon; Caleb Babcoek, Darieu; T. P. James, Richmond; G. D. Doubleday, 
Whitewater: C. L. Douglass. Walworth; M. L. }lollister, Delavan; G. G. Wilcox, Sugar Creek; 
S. M. Case, La Grange; S. J. Nichols, Linn; T. W. Hill, Geneva: Jonathan Potter, La Fayette; 
John Matheson, Troy; A. H. Abell, Bloomtield; Joel B. Smith, Lyons: John Derthick, Spring 
Prairie; Seyinour Brooks. East Troy, S. G. West, Elkhorn; Ladies' Advisory Committee. Mrs. 
Silas Patten. Mrs. S. Buell. Mrs. J. J. Johnson, Mrs. Wm. Burgit and Miss Libbie Hollinshead. 

1879— PresidiMit. H. (i. Hollister. Delavan: Vice President, C. R. Gibbs, Whitewater: Sec- 
retary, W. H. ^lorrisou, Elkhorn: Tr((Hsurer. Hollis Latham, Elkhorn; Executive Committee, 
John Jefl'ers. Sharon: Caleb Babcoek, Darien: W. A. Knilans. Richmond; F. W. Tratt, White- 
water: C. L. Douglass, Walworth: .\lex. Allyn, Delavan: Philip Wiswell, Sugar Creek; C. R. 
Gibbs, La Grange; D. S. Allen, Linn: T. W. Hill, Geneva; A. D. Harris, La Fayette; J. R. 
Kling. Troy; G. R. Allen, Bloomtield; H. L Hawks, Lyons; Orris Pratt. Spring Prairie; H. A. 
Taylor, East Troy; L W. Coman, Elkhoru. 

1880 — President, C. R. Gibbs, Whitevvater; Vice President, A\i Hi am Meadows, Lyons; Sec- 
retary, W. H. MoiTist)n. ]>'lkhorn; Treasurer, Hollis Latham. Elkhoru: l^xecutive Committee, 



406 HISTORY OF WALWOUTH COI'NTY. 

John Mcrcui'SH, Shiirou; G. W. H;ill, liiehmond; S. B. Edwards, Whitewater: M. F. Pierce, 
Walworth; W. S. Dunlxir, Dehivan; Asa Foster, Suj^ar Creek; Sextus Case, La Grange; Joseph 
Reek, Linn; C. K. Phel])s, Geneva: S. R. Edgorton, La Fayette: John Matheson, Troy; A. K 
Abell, Bloonifmld; C. P. Taylor, Lyons; O. T. Iluhhard, S])ring Prairie; Sejinour Brooks, East 
Troy; 8. G. ^\'est, P]lkliorn; CI S. Babeoek, Dai'ien. 

1881 President, William Meadows, Lyons: Vice President, \\. A. Knilans, Richmond; 
Treasurer, Hollis Lath;iin, Klkhorn: Secretary, W. H. MoiTison, Elkhoru: Executive Committee, 
Sidney BiK^ll, Bloomlield; James E. Seaver, Darieu; C. K. Phel])s, Geneva; J. B. Smith, Lyons; 
Nelson West, La Fayette; A. R. Langley, Richmond; Asa I'oster, Sugar Creek; J. E. Reynolds, 
Troy; C. R. Gibbs, Whitewater; R. H. Bristol, Delavan; W. J. Stratton, Elkhorn; Seymour 
Brooks, East Troy; Joseph Rt^ek, Linn; E. Bromley, La Grange; Orris Pratt, Spring Prairie; 
John Mereness, Sharon; Cyrus C'hm-ch, ANalworth. 

1882 -Presid(!nt, AV. A. Knilans, of Richmond: Vice President, Orris Pratt, Spring Prairie; 
Secretary, W. H. Morrison, Elkhorn: Treasurer, Hollis Latham, Elkhorn. 

For each year since 1875. there has been a()pointed a Ladies' Advisory Committee. The 
names of ladies serving do not appear in the rec(jrds of the society, from which the foregoing 
list of officers is compiled, except for the years in which they appear in the foregoing rosters. 
The names of officers on the fair grounds — Superintendents, Committees of Award, etc., etc., are 
not recorded. 

CONSTlTnTION. 

It was adoj)ted in IS.")! and re ado))ted September 11, 1856. The re- adoption was in order 
to enable the society to avail itself of some advantages offered by the State, and was made in 
accordance with the following resolutions adopted at the annual meeting: 

Wheueas, The FiOjiislaturc of Wisconsin did. at its last session, pass an act, entitled, "An act for the 
encouragement atid proinotioM of .\,:;rieMltur<'," uliii-li ai-1 was approved March 31, 18.56; and, whereas, it is 
proper and expedient that llie soeiety should briny' ilself under tlie provisions of said act, and avail itself of tlie 
benefits therein confcrreil upon the Connly .\si'ieultural Societies of this State Ijy a re-organization of said 
society, therefore, 

HesolBfid. That the nicnilK'rs of the Walworth County Agricultural Soeiety do now re-organize themselves 
and a.ssoeiate themselves together, under and by virtue of a law of the Stale of Wisconsin, entitled, "An act 
for the promotion of .Vgricullure, ' approved .March 81, IS-'iO, and that we adopt the constitution and by-laws 
which have heretofore governed us. and are now on record, and that we do now proceed to complete said 
organization by the election of ollieers for the ensuing year. 

The original constitution adopted in 1851, and re-adopted in 1856, in accordance with the 
above resolution, was as follows : 

AuTici.E I. This association shall be called the W.^LWoitrn Ooi:ntv .\fiiue'(jr.TCU.\L Society. 

Akt. II. The object of this association shall be the promotion of agriculture, horticulture, household 
manufactures and nieclianieal wc)rk. 

Art. III. Any person may become a member of the society b_y paying an admission fee of one dollar to 
the Treasurer, and may continue a meml)er on payment of a like sum, on or l)efore the annual meeting in each 
year thereafter. 

Art. IV. The oflteers of the soeiety shall be a President, Vice President, two Secretaries and a Treas- 
urer, who, togetlier with nine managers, to be chosen by the society, shall constitute an Executive Committee, 
all to he elected annually by a majority of the votes of the members present — and said committee .shall have 
full power to till any vacancies occurring in their own body. 

Art. V. The President, .■ind, in his absence, the Vice President, shall preside at all meetings of the 
soeiety, of the boai'd of managers and at, all exhiliitions and fairs of the soci<-ty, u|)on which last occasion the 
President shall deliver, or cause to bi' delivered, an address upon appropriatle subjc-cts ; and, in ca.se of the 
absentte of both the President and Vice President, the Board of Managers shall have power to appoint a 
President pro tern. 

Art. VI. The Executive Committee shall appoint committeits to examine farms, crops, stock and all 
other articles that may be offered for pri'miums, whose duty it shall be to report with all convenient speed 
thereon : and, it shall also be the duty of the Executive Committee to obtain members, collect funds and per- 
form all duties connected with the objects of the society. 

Art. VII. A majority of the Executive Commiitee shall constitute a quorum, who shall exerci.se a 
general supervision of the society, a|>propriate the funds in such a manner as will, in their judgment, best 
secure its interests and promote its objects. They .shall have power to call special meetings of their own body, 
or of the soeiety, to offer premiums to be awarded l)y the Examining Committees ; to receive and distribute 
all seeds, plants and other projierty donated to the soeiety. appropriate for distribution. 

Art. Vlli. The annual fair and cattle show shall be held on the fair grounds of the society, at Elkhorn, 
at such time in each year as shall bi- i)roviiled and determined liy the Executive Committee of the soeiety. 

Art. IX. The annual election of ollieers of this soeiety shall be in the evening of the first day of the fair. 



Akt. X. •. 

member mav al- 

Art. XI. 
officers, by a m ;. 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 407 

-is ma'^ be mfinibfjr* of the v^;ieey. awl the wife and ehiWren of a 
: or eterige»I at any annual meeting for the elwrtion of 



The present Constitntion anri'By-Law.*. as amended, and nowiin if r/rce. rea/k as follf>ws 



■fie of thlr 
•. in the ' 



'US of a£T 



It,* 



tfitior. 

in£:nib»-'r ■/;' y^^ . 
Akt.' if. '' 



"tarr and Treai«irer, 



;;rT''J. rrr fpf* fl:f'?=v-T^'^ ^^f- V?i'i'- Pr^-* 



, ,;* .». , 



am^ sinififr^ f>n 



r . .."t ,*"-'. 



ixe pfywer 5o Oil alt Ta/.-t 



■. cjMiT ifKwnr iw suit t/t ufe 






«.,.(lv i— "t.* 



year 

AiBI. 



A- I i&ii» <^j4i»^(iiiRanv>ii)i nii:aiT tii^ ivssu^. 



'jnw "jii nt. 



.' MWjuiirj- CIS e-.»iftfo 
:«2iiy rftseiito xsnni'txi 



SirxBiStt I. AM auBtffliuib tur nurnWe* f: ... 






408 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

No. 3. Ni) anim:il or article sliall be entitled to draw the first premimu for two successive years in the 
same clas.s, but shall be entitled to notice of merit. 

No. 3. Premiums will be awarded when there is merit, althom^h tliere be no competition. 

No. 4. Persons entering thoroughbred stock will be required to furnish written or printed pedigrees of 
the same. 

No. 5. No animal or article shall coinpete for or take more than one premium at the .same exhibition, 
except in the payment of an additional entrance fee, in any class, as fixed by the society. 

No. 6. Persons, who are not members of the society, must become' such before entering articles for 
premiums or notice of merit. 

No. 7. All animals and articles, while on exhibition, to be at the risk of tlie owner, although the society 
pledges itself to the utmost vigilance, to .secure articles from loss or injury. 

No. 8. It shall be the duty of the Executive Committee, at its imn'nal meeting, to appoint a committee 
of three from their number, who, together with the President and Secretary, shall constitute an Auditing 
Committee, whose duties it shall be to meet at such times and places as shall become necessary, for the purpose 
of auditing all miscellaneous accounts against the society. 

No. 9, These rules may be amended or changed at any regidar annual meeting, by a vote of a majority 
of the members present, or by a vote of a majority of the Executive Committee at any regular meeting. ' 

In addition to tLe above, tlie following was passed at the annual meeting of 1875 : 

Resolpeil, That the Executive Connnittee shall not have authority to change the import of any resolution, 
rules or ri-solutions made at tlie annual meeting imme<liately preceding the meeting of the Executive Committee, 
said resolution shall be known as B_y-law No. 11. 

ONE or THE EARLY FAIRS. 

To those who remember the society in the heyday of its youth, the following aecottut of the 
fair of 1858, given by Prof. J. W. Hoyt, will be read with interest : 

The Walworth County Fair, at Elkhorn, likewise fell upon as pleasant days as it is within the power of 
sunshine and a charming hicality to produce. The last day particularly. October 1, was the fairest of the fair. 

A somewhat intimate acquaintance with the enterprising officers of the society, together with assurances 
that Walworth was to be the bitnner cannty on fairs, had prepared us for a fine display, and the crowded trains 
from Beloit and Racine gave evidence that every body was going to see whether the hopes of friends were not 
too sanguine. The village, when we arrived, was literally full of people. Brass bands, of wliieli there were 
five in competition for iiremiums, were discDursiug excellent music in different quarters, and several tire and 
militarj' companies were parading up and down the streets to and from the depot with beautiful banners, keep- 
ing alive their own excitement, and kindling the enthusiasm of every man, woman ami child within the cor- 
poration. 

We were immediately conducted to the grounds, which we found ample, splendidly fitted up, and filled to 
overflowing. The area, o"f some twelve acres, was bcn-dered with stalls and pens full of some as fine stock as 
we have seen in the State; impli'inents of all sorts strewed the lawn, and a very large hall near the center of 
the grounds was alisolutely stuff ed with fruits of the earth, products of the dairy and household and works of 
art. Next year we h<jpe this hall will be elongated about a hundred feet, so that articles ma.y be better dis- 
played, and visitors may get about with more satisfaction. 

Aimnig the numerous articles worthy of mention, did space permit, we noticed fine ])remium specimens of 
wheat, raised by our friends, E. and F. Perkins, of Spring Prairie; excellent premium cheeses, from the dairy 
of Messrs. S. A. & A. H. Thurston, and beautiful bread and cake, made bv Miss Louisa Preston, daugliter of 
the efficient President. 

The speaker's stand, a large square-covered platform erected in the center of the inclosure, was orna- 
mented with fla,gs and appropriate mottoes, and .surrounded with seats for the multitude, which, during the 
address and declaring of awards, thronged about to the number of five to ten thousand. 

The riding and trotting came off in the afternoon, and were witnessed bv some eight thousand delighted 
spectators. In the trotting-matcli, '■ David Hill." the same that afterward took the premium at the State Fair, 
won the prize. 

Among the new features of this mammoth fair, there are several with wliicb we were particularly pleased. 
First, the grounds are filled up in iiarticulaiiy attractive style. Secomlly. premiums were offered for many 
things not absolutely agricultural, liut well calculated, bj- their es.sentiality to a true .social life, to exert a refin- 
ing inriuenee upon the too rigid and stoical farmer. We w-ould not have the substantial products of the farm 
and workshop superseded b}- works of art, nor would we have the useful encouraged to the exclusion of the 
beautiful. The more the peojile of the town can be brought into contact with the real in-oducers of the coun- 
try, and the people of the rural districts with the refinements of city life, without either forsaking their proper 
splu're, the better for both; the jiale-faced, aristocratic dweller in the city will learn to respect and foster that 
noble, jirimal art upoji which bis own existence and llic life and business of the world depend; and the sturdy, 
bardy-fisted old fanner will more fully appreciate the truth that it is not all of life— even the farmer's life — to 
procluce fat calves and big potatoes, and plod like an ox from the cradle to the grave. Our advice, then, to all 
agricultural societies would be to make agricullure jire-eminent, but to avail themselves of those refining in- 
fluences which, while they heighten the iinmediate interest of public exhibitions, also promote the amenities 
of the farming life. 

In addition lo the five bands of music, already referred to, there was vocal music of a high order, as any 
of our readers, wIm. lu'ard the " Farmer's Home,'" by the Badger Club, at the State Fair, will be prepared to 
believe. 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 409 

Tliinih', the prciniiniis were cliu-flv iircscrvubk' as memoiilocs. consist iiiL: of silver tablc-waro, and a^ri 
<'iillural books. Anion;;' the latter, the \\'ixri>»j)iii Fitnni'r appears to have been popnlar. iitasntueb as 212 copies 
of [he liouMil volumes for lS5f! anil IH.")? were awarded. 

The fourth novel feature was the delivery of the liiHiks and silverware al tin' lime of deelarinj; the awards. 
When .-1 prize is annininei'd, it alTords us pleasure lo see the victor, and we think it a capital idea to call them 
upon the stand and let the people enjoy their modest blushes. On the occasion referred to, one younn' lady of 
thirteen years. .Miss 1,. May (iarilner, by a strange, good fortune, was called to the platform three successive 
times to receive prizes on best wheat l)read, biscuit and worsted embroidery, each time modestly retiring amid 
the shouts of the multitude. 

.\ CONTRAST THEN AND NOW. 

Tiio fi;i-ovvth, both oi tho society and of the agriciiltiu'al iiKltistries of the eoimty, dtirini^ the 
past thirty years, is shown in the following contrasted premitim lists and other (l(>t;iil8 of the 
first and last fairs held by the society. 

The j)reTiiiiims awarded at the first fair, held in Elkhorii October II and lo, INol. were as 
follows: 

Grain and Koaia. Best acre of winter wheat, James Baker. |-i; second best, J. R. Kinne, 
$2; best acre of corn, S. H. Tibbets, $3. 

Horses. — Best stock horse. .J. Van Slyke, S3; second best, M. Bnckley, $2: third best, 
George Whittnore, |1; the best lireeiliug mare, Richard Flack. $3; second best. William Hol- 
linshead, S2; third best. Daniel Heimbtinch, $1: best span of pleai5m'e horses, Robert Richmond. 
$3; best span of cairiage horses. Emery Thayer, $2; second best, E. H. Ball. $1; best span of 
draft horses. George W. Wylie. $3: second best. Emery Thayer. $2; third best. Daniel Heini- 
bauch, $1: best yearling colt. Dudley Harriman. $2: second best. John Dnnlap, |1; best two- 
yeiu'-old colt, J. R. Kinne, §2; second best. N. D. Niblack, fl; bi^st three year-old colt. Will 
iam Aldrich. 12; second best. Richard Flack. $1. 

Neat Stork. — Best btill of any age. Jacob Bnrgit. $'i; second best. G. Bnnker, $3; third 
best. J. Lauderdale. .|1; best milcli cow. H. Lake. $3; second best. R. K. Potter. 112: third 
be.st, S. Brooks, SI; best two-year-old heifer, H. Brooks, S2: second be.st, E. Hodges, $1; best 
stock cow, H. Brooks, S2 ; best pair of working oxen. R. K. Potter, S3 ; second best, H. Cross, 
$2; third be.st. H. Cross, 11: best pair of three-year-old steers. C. Wiswell. S2; second best. C. 
K. Phelps. $1: best calf. J. Bnrgit. S3; second best. S. Brooks. $2; third best. W. Matti- 
-son. ifl. 

Sheep. -Best buck (in qnality and qtiantity). C. H. Smedley. $3; second best. C. H. Smed- 
ley. $2; third best. J. F. Brooks. $1: best buck (in regard to carcass). S. M. Rockwood. S2: 
second best. S. M. Rockwood. SI : best pen of ewes, six in number. C. H. Smedley. S2. 

//of/.s. — Be.st breeding sow. E. Hodges. S2; second best. A. K. Smith. SI: b(>st fom' jiigs. 
E. Hodges, S2: second liest. S. Walling. SI. 

Bread.— Best loaf of bread, :Mi-s. H. J. Starin. S3; second best. Mrs. M. R. Brittain. S2: 
third best. IVIi-s. D. A. Smith. SI. 

Dairy Prorfwc/.s. — Best twenty-iive poimds cheese. J. W. Newt'm. S2: second best. A. Smith. 
SI: best ten pounds of butter, Mrs. M. R. Brittain. $2; second best. Mrs. J. W. Newton. $1. 

Dixcretinti.ftrii Articles. -^Qsi steel spring buggy. W. Isham. SI; second best specimen of 
brick, Levi Lee. 5!) cents; best pair of boots. John Krotchman. 50 cents: best btishel of apples. 
I. Williams. SI: best samples of ))ears and grapes and the greatest variety of ;i])ples. V. K. Phoe- 
nix. SI: best broad-cast sower and s[)riug- tooth harrow. S. B. Edwards. 75 cents; l)est double 
hitrness. F. S. Walling. SI; best single harness. F. S. Mason. SI; best jack and .jenny. U. C. 
H. Nicker.son. $1; best specimen of l)rick, (). Eklred. SI; best mul(>. Z. ( 'hitteinltMi, SI. 

Ploirs. -Best cast-steel jjIow. H. Armstrong. S3. 

I'loiriiifj Match. -Jiey.t quarter-acre plowing (with horses), Williaiu lloUiushead. S3; sec- 
ond best. J. J. Olds, S2; third best, R. Richmond. $1; best (juarter- acre jilowing (with oxen). 
|{. B. Flack. .S3; second best. R. Richmond. S2. 

I'>ntale Skill, Taste and ImlKsfri/. Best bed-(juilt. ;\[rs. Crosier. SI; second best, Mrs. 
Meachiim. .lO cents; third l)est. ^Irs. Couklin. 50 cents; best variegated bed-spread, Mrs, H. 
Freeman. SI : best rag car[)et, Mrs. (t. Bunker. SI : be.st sjiecimenof ikmhIU" work. Ladies' Social 
Union Society. SI; best Ix^ad purse. Miss Bnnker. 50 cents; best ov(n-Ci)at. .Mrs. Hugli Ijong. 51) 
cents; best woolen blanket, Mrs. C. D. Long. 50 cents; best bonnet. iMrs. N. Beckwith. 50 cents. 

Total amount of awards, S133.75. 



410 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

The prpmimn list, of 1881 is too extended for pviblicatiou entire. A condensed statement is 
given below: 

Cattle Departtneiit.- Judges, Classes 1. 2 and 3, H. S. Manning, Chairman, Lyons; 
Wilson Stockdale, La Gi-ange; S. J. Nichols. Linn; Classes 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, Washington 
Ross, Chairman. Geneva; A. R. Langley. Richmond; R. H. Gage. Richmond. Class 1, Short- 
Horns, sixteen i)reminms, 190; Chiss 2. Short-Horns (special), sixteen premiums. $90; Class 3, 
Devons. seventeen j)remiums. $100; Class 4, Ayrshires, seventeen premiums, $100; Class 5, 
Jerseys and Alderneys. seventeen premiiims. $100; Class •). Holsteins, seventeen premiums, 
$100; Class 7, natives and grades, eight pi-emiums, $45; Class 8, steers and dairy cows, nine 
premiums, $54. Total, 117 premimns, $079. 

Hoi-Ai' Department.. — Judges, Classes 9 and 10. H. D. Barnes. Chairman, Spring Prairie; 
I. E. Weaver, Sugar Creek; L. S. Wilson, Richmond; Class 11, F. W. Tratt, Chairman, White- 
water; L. G. Foster, Lyons; James Grier, Bloomfield. Class 9, stallions, thirty premiums, 
$87; Class 10, carriage, draft, single and hor.ses for general purposes, twelve premiums, $71; 
Class 11, brood mare, mare and gelding colts, thirty premimns. $117. Total, seventy-two prem- 
iums, $275. 

Sheep Department. — Class 12, Judges, Eugene A. Watrous. Chairman. East Troy; Johnson 
Mattes(jn, Darien; Garrett Mereness. Sharon; Class 13, H. H. Austin. Chairman. East Troy; 
John Matheson, Troy; M. W. Kinney. Lyons. Class 12, tine-wool sheep and long-wool sheep, 
thirty-two premiums, $158; Class 13, wool, nine premiums, $18. Total, forty-one premiums, 
$173". 

Swine Department. — Jvidges, Joseph Potter. Chairman, La Fayette; Edward Bromley, La 
Grange; Hemy Van Voorhees. Richmond. Class 14, Poland-China. Chester White. Berkshire. 
Essex and Suffolk, lifty premiums. $210. 

Poiiltri/ Department. Judges. Joseph Reek. Chainuan, Linn; O. T. Hubbard, Spring Prai- 
rie; C. R. Gibbs, Whitewater. Class 15, Division A, Asiatic, fourteen ])remiums. $21; Division 
B, Dorkings, Domiui(pies and Plymouth Rocks, six premiums, $9; Division C, Spanish, six 
premiums, $9; Division D, Hambui-g, four premiums. $6; Division E. Polish, four premiums, 
$6; Division F, French, two premiums, $3; Division G, turkeys, four premiums, $4; Division 
H, ducks, twelve premiums. $12; Division I, geese, four premiums, $4; Division J. rabbits, 
three premiums, $3. Total, iifty-nine premiums, $77. 

Farm ProdnctK. — Judges. William Hollinshead, Chairman, Delavan; Rodney Seaver, 
Darien; Amos Ives, Richmond. Class 16, cereals, forty-one premiums, $71; Class 17, vegeta- 
bles, forty {iremiums, $64. Total eighty-one jiremiums. $135. 

Farm Implement.'i. — Judges, A. H. Abell. Chairman. Bloomfield; J. E. Seaver, Darien: 
Geoi'ge Brewster. Troy. Class IS. reapers, mowers, plows, and all farming machinery and 
utensils, thirty-five diplomas and thi'ee premiums. $45; Class 19. carriages and sleighs, eighteen 
diplomas. 

ikfef/(a(i/c'.s Depart mod .-JuAges. same as Classes 18 and 19. Class 20. furnitm'e, cloth- 
ing, boots and shoes, harnesses, etc. , eleven diplomas. 

HoHsehold Munnfactiirea. — Judges. Class 21. Mrs. H. A. Briggs. Chairman. Delavan; Mi-s. 
J. A. Cowles. Geneva; Miss Alice A. Salisbury. Elkhorn; Class 22. Mrs. Sidney Buell, Chairman, 
Bloomfield; Mrs. Nellie Gray. Sugar Creek; Miss Alice Green. Spring Prairie; Class 23. Mrs. 
Peter Orrell. Chairman, Lyons; Mrs. J. W. Brownson. Sharon; i\Irs. Seymour Brooks, East 
Troy. Class 21, car|:)ets, quilts, shirts, plain sewing, exhibition of tact and skill in making 
clothing, etc.. seventy premiums. $87; Class 22, ornamental work. 135 premiums. $131; Class 
23, j)autry stores, bread, cake, pickles, canned fruits, jellies, etc.. seventy-six ])remiums. $109. 
Total. 281 premiums, $327. 

Fruit Department. — Judges, F. K. Phtenix. Chairman, Delavan; James L. Tubbs, Elk- 
horn; J. A. Herrick, Geneva. Class 24, apples, plums and gi-apes, seventy- four premiums, 
$95. 

Y(ndli^s Department. — Judges, Mrs. M. L. Van Alstine. Chairman. Delavan; Mrs. J. B. John- 
son, Darien; Miss Ella Mereness, Sharon. Class 25. boys under sixteen, girls under fom'teeu 
years of age, drawing, penmanship, mechanical work, needle work, bread-making, etc., 108 
premiums, $98. 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 411 

Parlor anil (^'oiisfrratdri/ 1,'cijiiis/tcs. Jnd^n's. simic as Class 25. Class 26, fountains, 
a<{naria. ferneries, vases, bird eaj^es, stuft'ed hinls, natural cariosities, seven diplomas and two 
premiums, $10. 

Fine Artfi. — Judi^es. Mrs. H. H. Rogers. Chairman, lOast Troy; Mrs. C. K. Gibbs, White- 
water; Mrs. H(>my Bradley. Elldiorn. Class 27, oil paintings, painting in water colors, crayon 
work, pencil di'awing, wax work of flowers and fruit, sixty-one premiimis, flOU. 

Flowers and Plants. -Judges, E. Balsley, Chairman, La Fayette; Mrs. Orris Pratt, Spring 
Prairie; Mrs. J. J. Johnson, Darien. Class 28, cut flowers, flowers and fragi'ant [ilants in pots, 
climbing plants, bouquets, foliiige plants in |)ots, house plants, iMghtyone premiums, |138. 

Ddiri/ Products. — Judges Asa Foster. Chairman. Sugar Creek; C. R. Beach. Whitewater; 
Miss Clara Nourse. Troy. On Cheese. J. M. Hawks, of Lyons, and T. W . Ciirti.s, of Syi'.icuse, 
N. Y. Glass 21), butt(>r and cheese, nine premiums, 8*67. 

Mi.-irellaiifOK.'! Department. Judges, same as Class 2U. Class 20 embraced all articles not 
providinl for in the foregoing classes, which, if meritorious, were to be awarded suitable pr(>m- 
iums. 

Trials of Speed. — Judges, Charles Dimlai). Chairman, Geneva; H. (i. Hollister, Dolavan; 
John IMatheson, East Troy. Class 31, five divisions were advertised, fifteen premiums, $530. 
The total number of premiums oS'ered was 1,05-4. The aggregate amounts of premiums offered 
was $2,9()8. Total number of entries made, 4,098. The average attendance was not far from 
5.000. On Thm-sday. the crowd could not have numbered less than 12.000 ])eople. 



On the following pages will be found a tabular statement of the financial progress of 
the society, so far as shown by the records. Those of the earlier years are necessarily in- 
complete, as the books, if any were kept, are not now to bo fouiul : 



412 



HISTORY OF WAJ>WORTH COUNTY. 



t-J 


Q 


r-\ 


» 




o 




n 


03 




o 


iA 


< 


m 




B 






^ 




— 


P3 






.-"^ 


-J 








g 

s 


le 
B 

a. 

o 
a. 

§ 

o 

i 




3 

u 

a. 
o 
p. 

ID 

X 

1 

C 

2; 




E 
3 

5 
a. 

o 

M 

£ 
o 
2; 




a 

a. 

t-. 

X 

<u 

o 




Treasurer'fl report incomplete. To the 
amount of income should be added the 
flume collected and disbnrned by the 
President, which do notappeiir recorded. 

Treaeurer'e accounts not full. No re- 
ports for income. 


a 

> 

£ 
c 




s 
S 

9 

■5 

_3 

.5 


i 


































SO 

i 

a 

t 
1 

II 








"5 

c 

a! 

1 
1 


12 

! « 

o 
n 

CO 

s 


■papaed 
-xaun^ sniding 


























CO 










s 




S 




O 

C5 




-* 

o 








■^ 

n 








Ti4 








00 

-* 

lO 




■lB»Oi 






o 




o 




o 




a 




00 




CO 




to 




so 

o 




to 




i 




5 








75 




g 








enoauBUQO'-iK 






















































































55 
1 




8g 1 
a- i 


-9)Udni9A0Jdmx 

pUliSpUuOJQ 


























to 
















33 


lO 

to 
>o 




to 




at 



















■>■+ 










■s. 




•sssaedxaiaaj 

-Jn^ pUB JIBJ 
































CO 




a> 




1 




i 




00 
Oi 

o 




5* 




i 




3 
1 




s 








s 




sranuadjj 


5S 




so 




o 
o 




s 




to 




o 
o 

g 




g 




to 

tI" 








o 

o 
to 




8 




g 

id 




g 

O 

S 




g 
§ 

00 




g 




g 

10 




a 

o 

g 

O 

CO 

g 


•g^dieoaa l^jox 


in 

3 












s 
1 




o 

g 








o 

X 




QO 




so 

i 




s 

to 
a. 




g 

00 
5^ 




03 








s 

?! 




3 




(M 




•saojnos 

ieq^o pue 

saBQeoirx'sqtoos 

-BaO!)dU3sqns 
































<o 

s 














SI 








8 




40 

00 

o 

?4 




3 




10 


03 













s 







































































•0 
















■rt^TJJS 












































s 








8 
g 




8 
g 




8 




8 
8 




g 
§ 




g 




g 

8 




-saoissioipv 1 
























3 
■^ 






















OS 

to 




1 




g 








3 




p 




lO 

00 

•s 




S 

g 




"diqsjaqraejj 






















o 

00 

s 




s 
s 




tft 

s 




E 




8 
g 




5 
1 




s 

CO 




g 




g 

a. 




S 




8 

i 









■pUBq no 






























s 














C 




cn 




o 




S 




« 

1 




I— 




^ 

?: 








O 

Eb 

, O 

la 

o 

< 


a 


c 

1 


■ 


c 

1- 
i 


c 

? 




c 
I- 




1, 


C 


I- 

c 




c 
> 


0- 

c 


4 

D 

< 


c 
. 

CO 


ll 




4b 

c 


1?! 

lis: 
5^ 


IS 
5 of 


■§s 


■a a 
c « 
s 
oo 

t.-li 


'5 .-c 


IS 

^0 


ll 

3r^ 

-Cm 


T3 a 


•a 
e 


< 


i 
s 

a 

o 

o 

g 
M 


£ 
IJ 

ll 

•33 
■pfc 


■ 1 

'i 

3 
i 




i 
J 

i- 


i 


'a 

3 


" i 


So 

11 

c 

a.! 


-7 

- 

lEi 








i 


1 

t- 

: 

'J 
E- 


1 

1 t- 




1 

! 

T 


1 


.-J 

C 


;i 


t 

a. 

c 

c 


c 




1 

j .; 

c 


> 


> 


c 
= 

1 


b. 


i 


is 

'?! 

a — 
tab. 


5 
i 

.E- 
t- 


1 

. c 
c 


3 


< 

* 
cr 


t- 


3 


1 

Is. 

11 


p: 
fc 


-J 

s: I 

II 


3 

'£ 

6- 





.1 

>a 


4 

£ 
n 

fc 


■JHaA 


t 


1 




C 


1 






> 




u 






■r 






!J 






5 






« 












c 






I 












i 






1 






1 






a 







El< 


g 













s 


C/J 


H 



< 








^ 


H 







fa 







1*1 


fa 


N 













H 


H 


a 


z; 


iJ 


fa 


H 


§ 


r: 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COl^XTY. 



413 



a 

Cd 
•J 
;/:. 

z 
o 
o 

I 

>s 

El 

o 
'£ 

< 

S 

ij 

o 

o 

<: 



z 

a 
o 
o 

a 

H 

o 
< 
» 

El 

b 

o 



Z 

» 

2 
u 

E- 

ij 





TES. 




























o 


e 




a 


o 




•5 


p. 




Z 


3 •* 




o 


B 5 




« 


s c 




"! 


o £ 




S 

1 


=u a 

g s 






« -t- 








<N':?o:"io::r-'.:: 


::« ::" : :o : :c^ : :c^ : :t- : :>a -. ;'-2: :jr : :3; 


: : 




■pepuad 


c5 : joC I :-jI : :«> : I : 


: :oo : jiN : ;(N ;:•»": :iN ;:«>::-• : :«c ::«::«:: 




,-i::^::o<'co*:* 


::<N : :qo : ' s-- '■ :» : :oi :o : :^::m j :« • in •■ 




-xenn Bnjdjng 


sii^MKjj^^iM 


: : '^ : ^ : : 10 : : : : r- : -^ : ; CO : ; fc : : c : . •* : : 






» : i?3 I |;g : :2 1 Ir: i i^ 1 !J£ i IS M^ I ;?^ ! Ic 1 i^ MS : i?i M* : i 




IBJOJ, 


s ! is 1 ij 1 is8 H^ i ig M* Ms Ms = ii M§ Mi ! i= Mg Mi M 






to 




2::2::^::S ^ .i-.- ...._..-.. 


::^5::co.■co:.^^..1"••-r■•'n••o.■ 


V ■_•_ 




_:_:«_ ■__•_! 




: : : us : : ts : : c: 










: : :^* : :>o ::o : :ooi :«>; m : :o : :co : :oo : := : j-^ ••'^ ::*" :;: 




'snoaa^iiaosiiQ 






DISBUB8EM 




• :: : : : ir-* : :?3^ :fN: iin : :(n ::m : :<n : :o : :(m ::«o : :f- : : : 






X : joo : :o> : |r-< ; jp- I :t- : : j 






: i : i : CO : : i : 3o j : » il cj : : 


*SlD<)indAOjdtUI 

pu« spanojj) 


ao ; :« : :b : :-* : :t- : :o : : ; 






: i : i ig ; 1^ ■ :S Ms Ms M 




SI :m :co : ■ yf : : Oi : : <0 : : t- : : to : 'd ' : » : : ro : :^ ■ : J5 ■ - =; ; ; JS : 1 




6::o6 :o::S::M::oo:,«::w::co::m :;■**•: tioi'.wiioizo;: 




■g<)suadxa luaj 


oi::«D :io:*«>::o::io::o::(o::.— i:'©l:'3;::j-::«::^::'2'- 




-jnopuB J!«^ 


S i is is i jS 1 :S : l£ 1 i| 1 -S I jg i :g • ig : ig : il i ig i :| : 




oo::r-::c::o::o::=:::o::=::=::o::o:;io. :£::j0;;0 ; 






oc : :5 ::5 ; :o: :o: :o : :o ::o::=; : := ::^i : :cj ; :r- : :«= ::o : 




•sniniuieJd 


§g M^ : 1?? Ms i ;? i Is ! 1^ i Is : iji I is^ : is J is 1 !:$ i is : ig \ 






CM :: ^ :-.= :: CJ :: c :: oi :: 00 :: m :: M :: '3' •:=;;=•;«;: Ti; :; =^ ; 






le ■ ••* • : -3 • : c^ : ii— : : c : . r-t : :ic : , ci : : - : : to : : t- : : ?3 : : >o : :- : 




•BidiaodH l«?ux 


S ; !g : i2 : is i ;g ; is i is i is i iis Ms Ms Ms Mg Mi ^ ^i 1 




»o : :oo: :o : :o^ :o::oi : :oo ::io : :oo: : a> : :o : o : 'S?':^ :;— : : 




■gaDjnos 


S|;S;;o|;c?-:-=.::o::«3::c-. ::^ :;=•-::■" ::°c;:c^:;o ijo:: 




j^jqio pun 


<oM«::«iio-o:w::o::cft::<»;:«>::o::--::'n::oMsii£;:; 


H 


saBUaoii'flqiooa 


eo :;<?>: :<N : : « m : « : : » : : ^ : ■ <» j :2 : : S 1 1 2 : : S : : S i :— : : cS : : 






:: ::■•■- ■ • ■ ^ : : : : c . : 




E 




















o 


■9uoijdu38'ins 












: : 3 : : 


: : i 1 : : : :o : :o M"' : : 




s 














: :o : : 


;:::;:: :>«::«: :t-:: 






8 1 IS 1 IS 1 IS 1 IS 1 :8 1 IS : 18 j l§ 1 18 1 IS 1 IS i IS MS I IS i i 


o 


•9JBIS 


s i is i is i is i is i is ; is i is i is i is i is i is i is i ii 1 is i ; 


CO 








t— ::io:'0 ::io:;o; :c;:c::3 ::'0::0 ::o::w •.— ■-— .■'^;, 


a 




ci::T*::o;:io;:o:::^;:'n;:M3i:i-::c::o::oi::-o ::=■-:;=:; 


o 

OS 


saoiButoipv 


m : :g ; :g ; ir- : :g : :^5 ; :- 1 ;o : :g : Ig : loo i Ig 1 I5 1 Ig 1 :r 1 ; 


p 
o 




"* i i" i is i is i is i is i 12 i is I IS : is ; IS 1 i?l ■ IS 1 ig 1 IS i 1 




8 i IS 1 i§ i iS 1 i= i iS i iS i IS 1 IS 1 IS 1 IS 1 IS i IS 1 IS 1 Is i i 


CO 






•diqBjaqniaK 


^::^::^::io::ci::i-|:oo_::»::oj|:0;;^:;=: 


3 i ig 


: jso 1 : 




00 : :©i : : w : :>o • If- : : ; : :i— : :« : :o : =52 : :^ : :»;• : 


: -tr^i 






«*i ::«: :o> ::•<»>::«:::: :co : :(M : :oi ::■*: .(N : :«o : '"■;-•■::: 




■pUWIl UQ 


•° i IS Ma i IK 1 i" M 1 1 |- 1 IS 1 :g 1 !E : iS 1 IS 1 IS 1 IS 1 i| 1 i 






^ m iiJ iiJ iii ill ill iPiiui- ii^ ii^ ir if!; =1" ii 
^ ill ill ill m m min'i^u- \p m ij' if ii- \l 

'.. \ti ;^5 i°o i^-i i?- i?|1?2l?»i2ss^ss|3siS?fs?s^ls?5:2 




d 


-3*3 




2° 


« is:: igf ig: ii: i2- il2^g.|2.|g^i^^i^sl!il6il6fl6 

'.<a :<0 i-^O :^0 :<30 1 <3 m < c» <3 rn -< r^ <x> -^ ^^ <; x < cc -^tn -< 






:;:::::::::: *-i :: ^ : : 












III 


b 
O 


E 
O 


1 


Hi^ N^Nl Ml Ml M 

: if=£ i^»:i^t 12=: :s= is' 


: i i 

i : ■ 

iji 


^ is? M M i M U J 




1 

a 




la 




s36S^.d|ddSd>^.6d'-:-ic>^J.d^.«d = |d^i = -^gc-^=='-^.«.~-^.=:'-.-s"'3 






5 ffl -3 5 W J 'Vi J ~ en C fl^ X — ^ X K d X a « rj K ::,;. X — ■? •/ X -^ X = X :f - 

"-f_ (« -. C — -M CO f .C t- X. 


a ? s -J :s s 


ssm 










JB9A 




2 s 


-S 


c 


S S 


c 


H 


C « X X 


S 


2 




g 



41-1: HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

AGENCIES OF SUCCESS. 

The different agencies that have combined to render this one of the most successful societies 
of its kind in the country are worthy of mention. 

The fundamental element of success to which all (ithers are subordinate, and lacking which 
the executive ability of its officers, and all other con-elative agencies, would have proved value- 
less, is to be found in the constant and faithful support it has had from the farmers and stock- 
growers of the county, who, by their never-failing appearance with stock and other material go- 
ing to make the agricultural attractions of the fair, have furnished the show itself, fi-om 
which the income has been derived. Some have e.\.hibited, regardless of distance, unfavorable 
weather or personal expense, at every fair, from the first, held in East Troy, to the present time. 
Seymoiu- Brooks, of Etist Troy, with his brother. Homer, are among the number who nursed the 
society in its feeblest infancy, and, as its constant friends, have sustained it thi-ough thick and 
thin up to the present day. Special mention is made of them, as they were two of the leading 
exhibitors at the East Troy fair of 1850. and have not failed to lend their aid at each and eveiy 
fair since. Others no less reliable might be named. They are examples of the unfailing sovu-ces 
fi-om which comes the material of which the exhibit is made. 

Hardly less important as an auxiliary to success has been the faithful and constant work of 
the women* of the county, who have been its stanch friends from the first exhiliit of the products 
of their household skill at East Troy, more than thirty years ago. to their last, in Floral Hall, 
which they tilled to rejiletion with articles evincing their skill in the useful household arts, and 
the more refined, if less important, feminine accomplishments that make up the embellishments 
of the affluent and refined life they have Cjme to enjoy, thi-ough the honest toil of the years gone 
by. Dui-ing the whole life of the society, the women have kept even pace with the men, and 
vied with them in the increasing excellence and variety of each annual display. Floral Hall is 
the necessary outgrowth of the women's work, and was erected es])ecially to f lu-nish suitable and 
commodious' room for their exhibition, which, for its utility and attractiveness, stands only sec- 
ondary in value, and lii-st in sustaining an interest in the annual fairs, and rendering them each 
year an assiired success. The hall, since its erection, has been under the direction of a Super- 
intendent and a corps of female assistants, appointed to the charge of the several departments 
for which they were peculiarly fitted by their taste or education. In addition to the household 
departments, which display in every conceivable form the excellence of their dairy products, 
and their skill in cookery and needle work, is a floral exhibition, including a display of rare 
house plants; an art gallery of paintings and drawings, many of them of rare excellence; min- 
eral and geological collections, ciu-iosities, musical instrimients, embroidery, fine needle work, 
etc., etc. Whatever the weather, this feature of the fair is each year an increasing success. 
The hall has. fi-om its building, been fortunate in its Superintendents. It was in charge of Mr. 
Thomas W. Hill, a man of intelligence, refined taste, and possessing rare ability for the posi- 
tion, from 1865 to the time of his death, which occurred in I87i). He was succeeded by Mr. S. 
G. West, the long-time Secretary of the society. He still remains in charge of that department, 
[replaced this year by Gren. I. C. Abbott], and has shown the ability to hold it to the high stand- 
ard of excellence it had attained under his lamented predecessor. 

Another element of success is found in the good fortime which has attended the society in 
the selection of its executive officers, all of whom have proved exactly fitted for the emergencies 
of the time. From the first start of the society in its career of financial prosperity in 1855. to 
1881, no serious mistakes have occiuTed. The best evidences of the managing ability of the va- 
rious incumbents is given in the financial exhibits of the annual fail's which have been heretofore 
given. 

As the details of the work of inaugiu-ating and conducting the annual fairs have increased, 
the clerical labors have grown to Vie more laborious and important, and the executive work has 
devolved more and more upon the Secretary of the society, the work of the President and other 
officers becoming more advisory. Indeed, from the beginning, the labors of an efficient Secretary 
have been indispensable. He must of necessity take the laboring oar, and do the greater share 
of the perplexing, and oftentimes thankless, laljor that is essential to the successful work of an 
agricultural society. For this most imyiortaut office, the society has had the good fortune to 
have, in succession, four inctunbents as efficient as could be found in the county, and having no 




-« ' t.!**«^.«* "V'J'IT"')-'"^' 







^^' 2_ M.Tr- 






bef». 



- tisSTitf. ^ tad ub-r^ 2I>f«cdsEI!- 









CHAPTEE Y. 

OLD SETTLERS' SOCIETY. 

Organization — Annual Re-Unions — Roster of Officers — Roster of Members. 

organization. 

This society was, after several preliminaiy meetings, permanently organized and a consti" 
tution adopted March 30. 1809. The first meeting was held at the aliove-mentiooed date, in the 
village of Darien. in Clarli's Hotel. At this meeting, a constitution was adopted, and the first 
officers chosen as follows: President. Daniel Salisbury, Spring Prairie; Vice Presidents, Pros- 
j)er Cravath, Whitewater: Thomas P. James. Richmond: John Bruce, Darien; Cjtus Lipjjitt, 
Sharon; Cyi'us Chiu'ch, Walworth; Hemy Barlow, Delavan; P. G. Hairington. Sugar Creek; 
William Houghton. La Grange; Sylvester G. Smith, Troy; Greorge W. Dwimiell, La Fayette; 
Le Grand Rockwell. Elkhorn; Osborn Hand, Geneva; Allen McBride, Linn; William D. Cha- 
pin, Bloomfield; Z. B. Bm'k. Lyons; A. L. Merrick, Spring Prairie: S. B. Edwards. East Troy; 
Recording Seeretaiy, James Simmons, Elldiorn; Corresponding Secretary, Edward Elderkin, 
Elkhorn; Treasurer, H.ollis Latham, Elkhorn; Executive Committee. P. Golder, S. G. West, 
G. W. Wylie. J. W. Peck and Charles Wales. 

Except the adoption of a constitution and the choice of the officers above named, no busi- 
ness was transacted. It was voted that the next meeting should be held at Elkhorn. 

The constitution was as follows: 

Article 1. Tiie first .settlers of Walworth County do hereby associate themselves together under the 
name and style of the " Old Settlers' Society of Walworth County, Wisconsin." 

Art. II. The objects and aims of this society shall be to revive and perpetuate the friendly associations 
heretofore exi.sting among its members, by a yearly social re-union; to collect and preserve in our records the 
names of all the early settlers of this county, and especially of those who have already passed from earth, 
together with such incidents in their and our pioneer life, and such statistics of the early settlements of the 
county as may be of interest to the present and future generations; and generally to promote such ends as may 
be deemed worthy the consideration of the society. 

Art. III. The officers of this societ}' shall be a President, a Vice President from each town, a Record- 
ing Secretary, a Corresponding Secretary, a Treasurer, and a Central Executive Committee of five; all of whom 
shall hold their offices imtil tlie next annual meeting succeeding their eh'ction, and until others are elected to 
fill their places. 

Art. IV. The duties of these several officers shall be such as usually ajipertain to like officers in organi- 
zations established for mutu;il benetit. The President shall preside at all meetings of the society, or, in his 
absence, the senior Vice President who may be present. The Recording Secretary shall keep the records of the 
society. The Corresponding Secretary shall correspond with early settlers in each tf)wn, with a view to collect 
all such items pertaining to the early settlement of the county as may be of iiUerest to the society. The Treas- 
urer shall faithfidly keep all moneys belonging to the society, and disburse the same upon the order of its Ex- 
ecutive Commitee. 

Art. V. The animal meeting of this society shall be field on the first Tuesday of October in each year, 
at such place as the preceding annual meeting ma}' have determined b_y a majority vote. 

Art. VI. Each old settler of the county who came into it to reside in tlu! year 1845, or previous thereto, 
may become a member of this society l)y subscribing his name to this Constitution, and paying 50 cents into its 
Treasury. 

iVnr. VII. The members of the press of Walworth County shall be ex officio members of this society. 

Art. VIII. This Constitution may be amended at any annual meeting by a vote of two-thirds the mem- 
bers present. 

The amendments to the constitution as above adoiated have been few. The time of the 
annual meeting, as appointed in Ai-tiele 5, was changed by amendment, jiassed October 5, 1869, 
to " the second Wednesday in June," and for six years that was the anniversaiy day. June 9, 
1875, the anniversary day was again changed to the "fourth Wednesday of June," and June 
21. 1876, again changed to the "third Wednesday in June." which still remains the established 
old settlers" day. 

One other cjuite imjiortaut amendment was made at the meeting June 14, 1871. At that 
meeting, Ai-ticle 6 changed the eligibility to membership, and amended so as to admit " any 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH OOIXIV. 419 

person who sliall havr resided in tliis State for a jieriod of iweiity-Hve years, and is an aotnal 
resident of this county." 

Tliis last amendment was not passed without quite earnest opposition on tlie j)art of tii(> 
])ioneers. who felt that, hv right t)f ]irior occupation, tbey luul the riglit of succession. An 
amendment was ofl'ered " that all members who settled prior to 1840 should be denominated 
pioneers." and those between 1M40 and bS50 as "old settlers." The amendment did not pass. 
So the society was jmt on a continuous basis of life. The old settlers die, and their children, 
in their time, become " old settlers." and "their children's children to the latest generation." 

Since the organization of the society, it has been vital -not an anniversary has ])assed un- 
observed, and it is now the sturdiest society of its kind in the State. The old settlers still live 
in sivffici(>nt numbers to make the iinnual re-uuions memorable, and as each year thins their 
ranks, the occasion of their ro-union becomes more and more a time to be remembered. Each 
veai' adtlresses have beim mad(>. eulogies pronounced on those who had died, and a memorial 
service been hold for the days of auld lang syne. Following is a synoptical sketch of the an- 
nual gatherings: 

FIRST ANNU.iL MEETING. 

The tu'st annual meeting was held at Elkhorn. October 5. ISfi'.), im the fair grounds. Or- 
der of exercises was as follows: Opening remarks by the President; prayer by Rev. J. D. 
Stevens, who came to \\'isconsin as a missionary to the Indians in IS'27: business session: din- 
ner: business session: singing by the Elkhorn Gh-e Ulub: historical aildress by Hon. Charles 
M. Baker, of Geneva: election of officers; music: speech by Prosjier Cravath. Esq.. of White- 
water; music. Aiild Lang Syne, by the Elkhorn Glee Club; adjoiu-ued. 

The address l)y Mr. Baker was the first effort ever made to give a history of Walworth 
County. It was prepared under many ditJiculties, and dm'ing the intervals of leisiu'e torn out 
of a very active professional lif(>. It was a model of its kind, and, at the risk of detracting 
somewhat from the originality of this work, extracts are given from tlu; address sufficiently full 
to show its general scope. 

The fallowing is an extract from a<ldress of Hon. Charles M. Baker: 

Old Friend.^ — iicniiil mr Id r;ill you — old in years as well as in iissor-iatiens, for .i wlmli- ;;ciiriaiioii of 
men lias Ih'PM swcpl froiii llic carlh since first most of us here pitched our tents for our liiuil earthly lumie. 
Oni'-third (jf a century alnio>t have we held intercourse, not only in the ordinary duties of life, liul al.so in 
those perlaininjr to eitizenship, in oriranizinj; and siistainiug' civil S'ovenuuenl. We have toirellier shared com- 
mon privations, common hopes and ,ioys. and it is meet now in the autumn of ovu' lives that we should come 
u|). as we have this day from all par'ts'of our goodly county, to look again ujion each other's faces, and take 
each other by the hand, and here together from ll'iis eenlral outlook review the last Ihirly years or more, as 
they move past in solemn mtu'ch with all their pleasant, all their sad memories. 

There are no more enduring ties than those formed liy eom])ani()ns in dan,gers. hardships .iiid pri\alions. 
and they are as unsellish as endiu'ing. Travelers who have' together (Tossed arid plains and penetrated gloomy 
forests, forded rivers and sealed mountain.s. exjiosed lo innumerable dan.gers; soldiers who have long shared the 
.same tent, endured together the toils of y-eary unirehes. have stood sentinel in the same bivoinie. and fought 
shoulder lo shoulder in the same battles, forni atlaehnienls enduring as life. And so is it with those who to- 
gether in a new country have taken upon them tlu' burden of subduing nature l(i the uses of man. and planting 
and watering the seeds of human society. 

* * ' » if « » * " «- * » •»-»*» * ■>!■ -» » ■>i * 

Walworth and Rock Connties eomposi'd one election district up to February 24, IHl.'i, when they were sep- 
arated. Col. .lames Ma.xwell. then of Big Foot Prairie, was the first member of the Council for the two coun- 
ties, and (Jen. William I!. Sheldon, of .laiiesville. the first member of the House; Othni liem-dsley. of Troy, was 
the first member of the House from this eonntv for the joint district. ;ind was eleete<l in the summer or fall of 
is:j8. The first member of thc> eoinieil from this county, after its sep.ar.ition from Koek in IS1.">. was, if I am 
not mistaken, Jesse (;, Mills, And the tir^t inemiiers of the House were Caleli Croswell, Warner Karl iind 
Gavli>rd (iraves, 

'I"he first land sale for the Milwaukee land district, of which we formed :i part, was a]ipointi'(l for Novem- 
ber Hi. 1X3S, tmt at the earnest re(|Uesl of the settlers, who desired longer time to raise fimds lo pur<hase, if was 
postponed till into Februarv, IKi!), when it took place. 

.\s near as I have l)een able to ascertain, Walworth County was surveyed in |s:f"> and the spring of l.f:{ti, 
the runiung of the s<'Ction lines being eomi}lete<l at the latter period by .lolni IJriidi and John Hodgson, the 
sm-veyors uinler the (■overinnent e(intraetor. one Millett, of Detroit, The first election of county oftieers 
was held in IMW, The first eounfv oflieers elected and ajiiHiinted were, for Commissioners, nenjamin IJall, 
Nathaniel Bell and William Bowman. Thev organized the board at the house of Danii'l Iv Bradley, Flkhorn, 
on the 7th of Januarv. 1k;j1I, and a|ipointed Volnev A. JleCracken. Clerk. (Jen. S. Walling was I'leeted SherilT. 
LeOrand Hockwell. Register of Deeds, and he wtis also appointed Clerk of the District Court. Joseph Criflin 
was appointeil Judge of Probate, and C. M. Baker, District AttoriU'V, in the winter of lK:!8and IWiit. William 



420 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

HoUinshciul wasclrclril (lounty Treasurer. Edward Norris, Surveyor, and II. Latham. Coroner, all at the first 
election. 

The tir.st Di.striet Court was held by Hon. Bavid Lwin. Judge, in April. 1.S39. in a small frame building 
ereetei! that spring liy LeGrand Rockwell for a Register's and Clerk's office. I believe it is still in existence, 
thounh removed {roin its original site near the northern limit of the puljlic .square in Elkhorn. The courts 
were held here a number of term-;. They were ne.xt held for some time in a small frame schoolhouse situated 
near Ihe western boundary of the public square. The old log jail was built soon after, and stood an unsightly 
monument of the olden lime, till within a recent period, the terror of no one, except, perhaps, unruly boys. 
The present court hou.sc was built in 1841-42, by Levi Lee, the contractor, and the lirst term of coiu't was held 
in it in April, 1813. 

In these mementos of the earh' history of our county. Judge h-win. our first United States District Judge, 
is ileserving a passing notice. He was a Virginia gentleman of the old school. Social, kind-hearted, aristo- 
cratic as became a Virgiinan of the F. F.'s. he was a bachelor with his whims aud peculiarities. He was a great 
lover of hunting, particularly of jirairie hens, in the shooting of whii-h he was an expert, and in which he prided 
himself, and no one nuist excel him if he would keep in his good graces. He was also learned in the knowledge 
of horses and dogs, as well as in the law, and his own hor.se, Pedro, and his dog, York, to whom he was much 
attached, and whose superior blood often formed the theme of his conversation, were as well known to tlie bar 
as the Judge himself. They were neccssaiy appendages of the Judge and the court, and it was said liy the 
wags, if one wanted to win his ease before the .Judge, he must praise his dog and his horse. 

But in truth it can be said of him, he was a lover of justice, detested meanness, was well-grounded in the 
]jrineiples of the law. and was posse.s.sed of very respectable perceptive reasoning powers. He seldom consulted 
law books, of which the bar of those days was poorly supplied; but on the whfile, for the times, was a fair ami 
respectable Judge. He suffered much from neuralgia in the back. and. on that account, had his judicial bench 
constructed in the form of a lounge with one end raised, into which were fastened iron clamps to sustain an 
upright board .slanting back a little, against which he could recline whilst trj'ing cases. Permit me to say that 
this ancient seat of justice is in existence, in my office, confessed by me here publicly, to be the property of 
Walworth County, and I think they could do mi more worthy act than to donate if to the (.)ld Settlers' Societ\ 
of Walworth County. 

FoUuwiiig. Mr. Baker gavo a detailed sketch of each town in the county. The address 
aroused a strong feeling of brotherhood among the old settlers, and was the first starting-point 
in the compiling of the pioneer history of the county. The interest in the work has never slept 
since, and, although circumstances have not favored the publication of a complete history under 
the direct auspices of the society, much valuable material has been gathered aud preserved, 
which will Ijecome the basis of the early history, of which this is a jiart. 

SECOND .ANNUAL MEETING. 

The second annual meeting was lield Jiine !S, 1870, at the court house in Elkhorn. The 
programme was as follows: Announcements of the decease of members were made. H. S. 
Winsor announced the death of L. G. Rockwell, and pronounced an eulogy on his character as 
a basiuess man; (J. D. Lang announced the death of John Bruce, of Darien: Edward Elderkiu 
announced the death of Hezekiah Wells, an early settler of Delavan. A vote was taken to 
ascertain the year of settlement of members jiresent. which resulted in the decision that there 
were present three of L835, five of 1836. foiirteen of 1837. t(>n of 183N. eight of 1839 and 
seven of L840. 

Resolutions connnemorative of deceased members — Rockwell. Bruce and Wells — were pre- 
sented Ity Edward Elderkiu. and passed lay the society. The election of officers followed, after 
which the orator of the day. Hon. Prosper Cravath. an old piiuieer of Whitewater, pronounced 
his address, fi'om which the fcjllowing extracts are given: 

F.\Tut;Rs AND MoTiiERsI Membkhs of the Oi>d Sktti,ers' Sociei'v of WaIjWorth County: To-day 
you meet on your animal festival day. to fulfill the object and aim of your society, as expre.ssed in Article ll 
of your Constitution, the first and pr(unin<'nt object as therein written, being "to revive and perpetuate the 
friendly associations heretofore existing annnig its members." All who came into the county to reside in 
bSf:"). or previous thereto, are cordially invited to attend this, our annual gathering. And welLit is to assem- 
ble annually on this festive occasion, and to extend to each other the griji ,ind password of a squatter sovereign, 
and meet with that heartfelt greeting whicli only a pioneer can know or feel. 

A quarter of a century has gone since those of 184.5 first united themselves to Walworth County, and 
to-day they can celebrate their silver wedding. A generation has passed away since you, the first pioneers, 
pitched your tents in this Land of Promise. 

As you explored what is now Walworth County, you found a country of prairie and opening, with a 
mcstly undulating surface, with no hills nor mountains, but a range of l)lutfs extending across the country, 
north and south. Not a solitary white inhabitant could be found; the red man then reigned — sole possessor 
of the land. The jirairies and openings, swe)it from the rubliish of the year by the annual fires kindled by the 
red man were as destitute of any untlergrowtli of shrubs as the most carefully kejjt lawn, and presented to the 



IIISTOKV OF WALWOKTII COINTV. 421 

eye nil extciidril mikI \ni(ili^inirlc'ii ranj;o of visidii. cvi'V o|>cMiin.t;- In view new ilcli.i;;lits mid fnsli licaiitio. Xci 
sound of tlic a\ had llicii imadcil llicsc soliludi-s; no plow had lunu-d the rich and vii-jiin soil. Iml dclicalcly 
linlrd llowcrs liioonird where now are seen lields of urowing grain, or meadows over n-hieh herds of eatlle 
roam. .No haliitalion met ihe traveler's view, giving [iromisc of welcome; no truck was seen to mark his 
route save a little path made hy the former oeeuiiants. This highway of a nation was hut a narrow iiath, 
scarce tifleen inches hroad: lint deep worn liy the Iread of many feet. One trail, extcndin.g from Chicago to 
Urecn Bay crossed the country, jiassing thniugh (iencva, Whilewat<'r and othi'r towns on the line. Another 
e.Mendin,^' from Milwaukee td Mineral Point, crossed the northern part of Ihe county, passing through La 
(Jrangc and Whitewater. These crossed each other on Section ■") in Whitewater, while Jiallis less woi'n 
hranched off leading to their hunting aiul lishing grounds. Such, farmers, you who were first, to erect a dwell- 
ing. Mrst to stir the soil, first to lirin.g forth food for Itie new-conun-s— such w-as this laud when you first sjiied it 
oiil. You looked over the land; you saw it dotted with small lakes and traversed l)y la'ceks. brooks, rivulets, 
liut with no streams worthy the name of river. You e.vamined the soil, yovi pronounceii it rich and product- 
ive, and for the purposes of agrieullure. unsurpassed. You came not for commerce, you came not as Tnaiui- 
facturors, not as miners to dig for .gold and silver. li\it you came to till th<' soil, and to comliat the Ihorn ami 
thistle, if any there should be. by ■'the sweat of your lirow," to secure for yourselves .-i eomlortable dwelling 
place, and lo"provide the means of support in your declining years. Yes. fanners, you are the first in any new- 
country to follow the fur tra<ler .and traiiper. ' You came the first of pioneers; you realized when you selc<'led 
vo\u' location that a dwcdling must he erected, the yet undisturbed soil must be plowed, roads laid out and 
workeil, bridges built. .scho()lh<mses and churches erected, marshes draiiu'd. anil highways constructed across 
them: vet, having energy, strong muscles and a determined will, you here pitched your tents. 

\Vhen vour dwellii'ig was erected, each stood ever ready to throw open his ifoor and welcome tlie trav- 
eler in search of a homestead, and often from two to eight, or even more, would find a well-prepared meal 
;iml rest in a log house, Wtx'^O feet in si/.c or less. After the new-comer hail selected his ijiiarler section, came 
the raising at which all aromid stood ready and willing to lend a helping hand, and aright jovial timi' you 
had. With a hearty good will you rolled up the logs (men si.x feet and strong were then in demanil). Yon 
talked and chatted, aiid chatted and talked. occasionViUy drinking .something from a jug or lioltle that added 
;;lilMiess to the tongue. After a game of liall oi- other athletic exercise, all turned homew.ird wishing blessings 
and nothing but lilessings on the new-conier. .Next, roads and schoolhouses were lo be located, and to say 
(f/ttz-t commenced the tight. All did not thiidi alike, one wanted it in one place, and one in another— each 
was sure he was right, each expressed his views freely, and was often tenacious in mainlainiiig them; woiihl 
get together and spar, call hard names: sometitnes. not often, would have a brush— all showed ))luck. liul 
one thing was of note; after the loc-ation was decided upon, all was then good feeling, no pouting, no grumb- 
ling after; the lialchet was then buried, the pipe of peace was smoked, and the next day were as good friends 
as ever, and as ready to assist each other. * -x- ■»• * > 

Follow-iuw the plciisaut roim'inbraiifosroctilh'd nbovo. Mr. CravHtli. ciuitiiiuoil. j^nviiig romiii 
iscences of oarlv times, ami alluding fooliiigly to tho recoutly ilo(H'ascil mi'iubcrs. 

Tillltn .\NNU.\L MEETING. 

Th(> third auunal mooting was hold .Time 14. 1871. at the eotirt liotiso in Klkhoni. Blom- 
orial resohttiims wore jiassed on the death of A. G. Goodrich, of Lyons, and officers chosen. 
After dinnin-. Hon. J. W. Boyd iiddressed the assembly extemporaneously. Shi^rt speeches 
were also made by Hon. Samuel Pratt. P. (i. Harrington. Hon. Wyman Spooner and many 
others. 

FOURTH .vnn'u.Mj meeting. 

Till' fourth annual meeting vvtis held June I'i. ]N72. at Elkliorn. 'I'iie |inigraimne was as 
follows: 

.(Jailed to order by Vice President P. (I, Harrington, President Hon. (_'. M. iltiker having 
died since the last meeting. 

.\n e.x.amiuatiou of the list showed four members deceased during the year. vi/.. ; Hon. C. 
M. 15aker. of Geneva; J. Ward, of Bloomfield: Samuel H. Tibbets. of Sugar Greek; Samuel Dun- 
bar, of Geneva. Fitting resolutions were passed and short eulogies read by K. Kldiu-kin. Rev. 
P. S. Vim Nest and others. 

Officers chosen, and the general ninnber of sliort after-dinner sjieeciies made by the oKl 
settlers. 

fifth ANNi'.\L meeting. 

The tiftli tinuual meeting met .lune 1 1. 1S73. at Elkhorn. 

Proceedings were oi)ened by |n-ayer by Deacon Daniel Salisbury, no clergym;in being pres- 
ent. -Music was furnished by the Springfield Gornet Band. The Secretary read the proc(>ed- 
ings of the last annual meeting: also. th(> constitution and list of members. The oidy member 
reported deceased during the past year was G. Friuik Brewster, as to whose life and character 
appropriate remarks wer(> made by O. Hand. No oration was pronounced, but. in its pltice. the 



422 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

address of Judge Aiidri>w (1. Miller, recently delivered before the Old Settlers' Club of Mil- 
waukee, was read by F. J. Harriugtou. Officers were elected, and the meeting adjourned to 
assemble in Geneva nest year. 

SIXTH .\NNUAL MEETING. 

The sixth annual meeting was held at Geneva June 10, 1874, The weather being unfavor- 
able :£or out-of-door exercises, the meeting was held in Walker's Hall. Prayer by Rev. J. D. 
Pulis. After singing by the choir, the minutes were read by the Secretary, and four deaths of 
members, occurring during the past year, were noted, viz. : Asher Johnson, of Darien: John 
Huttou. of Delavan: Newton McGraw, of Delavan; Myron E. Dewing, of Elkhoru, 

The annual addresses were delivered by James Simmons, Es(j. , of Geneva, and Hon. T. D. 
Weeks, of Whitewater. The addresses were followed by the election of officers, report of the 
Treasiu'er, reading of communications, and short speeches from members and guests. Appio- 
priate resolutions were adopted in memory of the deceased members. 

A resolution of thanks was passed as follows: 

Resoloed, That the tlianksof the oldsettler.s of Walwortb County are hereby tendered to J. Simmons, Esq.. 
for his verj' excellent poem; to Hon. T. I). Weeks, for his eloquent address; to Hon. Uoliert FI. Baker, for his 
appropriate addre.s.s; to Hon. A. T. Wheeler, of Iowa, for liis excellent speech, and also to the Springfield 
Band for the splendid music disconrsed to us bi' them. 

SEVENTH ANNUAL MEETING. 

The seventh annual meeting was held at Geneva June 9, 1875. The day was stormy. The 
meeting was held in the office of C. L. Oatman. Little was done except the routine business 
of hearing the Treasurer's report, tiud the election of officers, when the meeting adjourned, to 
meet again at Cxeneva in two weeks. 

The adjourned meeting was held in the grove, in front of the Seminary Boarding-House, 
in Geneva. June 23, 187'"). Nearly six hundred old settler.s and their descendants were pres- 
ent. 

Prayer was offered by Rev. Orra Martin, a pioneer of 1840; a hymn was sung to the tune 
of old "Lenox," under the leadershija of W. H, Hammersley. Hon. W. C. Allen, of Racine, 
delivered an excellent address, full of reminiscences of the past, and sketches of the lives and 
characters of prominent early settlers. '• Auld Lang Syne" was then sung, after which the fol- 
lowing resolutions were adopted: 

WiiKREAS, Since onr last annnal gathering, eight memliers of our organization have been called to their 
last account, to-wit: Lemuel U. Smith, of Spring Prairie, who was the first presiding officer of this societ}-, 
and claimed to l)e the earliest settler of WalworthCounty ; Maj. Ira Buell. of Linn; B. B. Freeman, of Rich- 
mond; Jlrs. Patience Meaeliam. of Troy, willow of the late yfaj. Meaeliam; N. II. Carswell, Joseph Viles, 
and fJen. Sheldon 'Walling, of Elkhoru, "and .lohu B. Shepherd, of Delavan, Thereupon, 

Resolved, That this comparatively large number of deaths from our society during the past year, cannot 
but remind us, each anil all. of our own Tnortality, and, that before many years shall pass— aiid it may be 
within the current year— many, and pei-haijs an equal or greater number of us may also be called to bid adieu 
to all things here below. In view, therefore, of the great uncertainty of life, we may well ponder on the 
truism, "In the midst of life we are in death." 

Resolred, That without iliseriniinatiou we, as a society, will cherish in memory the virtues and the useful 
lives of our departi'd members, aiiKiiig whom are two of our very first settlers, Mr. Smith and Mrs, Meacham, 
even as we hope that our own may lie cherished, wlien the places that know us now, shall know us no more 
forever. 

Resoloed, That we sympathize with the more intimate friends and relatives of the deceased in tlie greater 
loss they have sustained, and trust that they have a consolation in the ho|)e that these friends have gone to a 
higher and a brighter sphere, where they who have gone and they who remain will again lie united. 

After ftu'ther addresses the meeting adjourned. 

EIGHTH ANNUAL MEETING. 

The eighth annual meeting was held at Elkhorn June 21, 1876. 

Opened by prayer by Rev. G. A. Cressey. of Elkhorn. The election of officers was held, 
and it was voted that Rev. A. C. Barry, the oldest pioneer Universalist minister in the West, 
should be invited to address the meeting. The records give no account of his response to the 
invitation. 



HISTORY OF WAI>\V()HTH COUNTV. 423 

The memorial n'soluUons iiasscd we're as follows: 

WiiKUK.vs. Tlic lollowinu: lumu'd mi'iiibcTs of oiii' society have tlcccusccl since our last inc<'tinfr. viz. : Joliu 
Curtis. Stcplicii lii^liam. Israel Stowell. Mrs. Daviii Vauglin.'Hotiert W. Warren and Jolui Williams, 

fiesoli:t'(l. That we. as old si'ltlers. liavinn' experienced sufferinj;' and sorrow, know how to sympathize 
and do sympathize with those more nearly related to the deceaseil. in their alllictions. and with them will ever 
cherish in memory, the virtu(!s of Ihe departed. 

Short speeches followed from J. W. Boyil. P. S. \ an Nest. O. F. Ellsworth. Luke Taylor, 
Osliorii Hiiiid. P. Cf. Harrinijton and others. "Old Httiidi-od " was stmo-. and the meeting ad- 
journed. 

NINTH ANNUAL MEETING. 

The ninth annual meeting was held at Delavan June 20, 1877. Music was fm-nishod Ijy 
the Delavan Cornet Band. Prayer w;is offered by Rev. D. E. Halteman. and an address of 
welcome by Rev. Joseph Collie. A severe wind and rain storm interriipt(>d thi> proceedings. 
After the abatement of the storm, addresses were made by Hon. Harrison Lndingtcm, (Jovernor 
of Wisconsin, and Hon. Pliny Norcross, of Janesvill(\ 

The memorial resolutions adopted were as follows: 

Resoloed, That we learn with grv:\\. sorrow of the loss horn our raidcs liy death, during the past year, of 
eight valued members, viz.; William Hell, Charles S. Bailey, Willard Isham, Holiert Stewart, Perry G. Har- 
rington. Mrs. v. G. Harrington, .ledediah W. Peck and Samuel Pratt; that by their loss we are reminded thai 
we, loo. are mortal, and shall soon pass from earth; and that having experienced much of sorrow and sutfer 
ing our.selves, we know how to feel for and with the relatives and more intimati' frienils of the departed, and 
we tender them our sincere and heartfelt sympathies. 

Short eulogies of th(^ deceased members were made: On Perry (t. Harrington, by Stepluni 
G. West; on Samuel Pratt, by Otis Preston: on 0. W. Peck, by H. S. Winsor; on William 
Bell, by W. C. Allen; on C. S. Bailey, by George Cotton; on Willard Isham, by A. D. Thomas. 
Mr. West also spoke of the death of A. B. Beardsley, an old settler, not a member of the so- 
ciety. After singing "America," the me(>tiug adjourned, to meet at Delavan the next year. 

TENTH ANNt'AL MEETING. 

The tenth anmial meeting was held at Delavan Ju.ne 19, 1878. The order of the day opened 
with a procession, led by the Delavan Cornet Band, and Delavan Fire Department. The Dela 
van Glee Club furnished the vocal music. 

Prayer was offered by Rev. D. E. Halteman. and the annual routine business done. The 
annual address was delivered by Rev. Joseph Collie. Obituary and etilogistic addresses were 
given on the members deceased dtiring the past year by the following gentlemen: Otis Preston, 
in commemoration of Hon. Wvman Sjiooner: N. M. Littlejohn. for Hon. Samuel A. A\Tiite; 
Charles Martin, ftjr Mrs. Daniel Salisbury: S. G. West, for T. P. Barker and C. F. Ellsworth; 
Rev. T. C. Wilson, for Hiraiu Downer and Daniel Rowe: and Edward Elderkin. for Mrs. Bet 
sey Bradley. 

The mi'eting was one of the most successful ever held, and, in addition to the enjoyment 
of the occasion, resulted in the addition of tifty names to the list of members. 

ELEVENTH ANNttAL MEETING. 

The eleventh annual meeting was held at Whitewater June IS. 1870. This meeting, ow- 
ing to its being lield on the direct line of the railroad from Milwaukee, and the (exertions of 
I'resident Preston and other members of the soci('ty, drt^w a large; concom'se of old settlers, not 
only from all parts of the county, but from all ])ai'ts of the Stat(\ 

At 10 o'clock A. M. , a procession w;is formed under this direction of the Marshals, preceded 
by th<" Whitewater Cornet Band. The military was represented by the "(duster Rifles." Pio- 
neer life was represented by a covered wagon drawn by an ox team and loaded with the house 
hold goods and numerous family of the iMuigrant: ;i large plow, drawn by scweral yoke of oxen 
a moving scene of industrial life indoors, and one of farm life* without. Following were the 
St. Patrick's C. T. A. Soci(»ty. iti tmiform. headed l)y their (uirnet band: the \Vhit(>water Hose 
Company, and a long procession of officers, committees, guests and old settlers, on foot and in 
caiTiag(>8. 



424 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

The meeting was held in a large tent provided for the occasion. After music, the exercises 
were opened by prayer by Rev. S. G. Thomas; music, song of welcome, by the Whitewater Glee 
Club: address by Hon. N. M. Littlejohn: volunteer addresses from John Nazro, es-Gov. Luding- 
ton. W. P. Merrill and James S. Buck, of Milwaukee; William Rumsey. of Grand Rapids, 
Mich. ; Heniy Keep, of Chicago : and Prosper Cravath, of ^\^litewater. 

Dinner occupied two hovtrs. during which time sixty-five new members were enrolled. 

The afternoon exercises were opened by miisic l>y Evan's Orchestra, followed by an address 
from C. R. Beach, of W^hitewater. After the address were the memorial addresses on the mem- 
bers deceased dui'ing the past year. They were as follows: S. G. West, on Mrs. Tibbets; C. 
R. Gibbs. on Emery Thayer; O. Hand, on John Diuilap; James Simmons, on the deaths of 
Thomas W\ Hill and Reviben Rockwell. 

The following resolutions were passed commemorative of the deceased: 

Me.solved . That in our joy at meeting our old fri<nids and aequaiutanees, the meu aud women who were 
om- co-workers in hiying tlie foundatiou.s aud building up the walls of our civilization, we do not forget nor 
will we ever forget, those who have been taken from our ranks by death cluring the past year, but the names 
and virtues of Tliomas W. Hill, Reuben Rockwell, Samuel F. Randall. Emery Thayer. Allen Merriam. .John 
C. Ford and Sylvester (t. Smith shall ever be cherished in our memories. We feel deejily the rending of the 
cords wliich bound us to them, and we sincerely sympathize with the families and more intimate friends of 
the deceased. 

The following preamble aud resolutions, which embody the inception of the plan which 
has resulted in the publication of this history, wei'e presented by Hollis Latham, and adopted: 

Where.\s, It is among the declared objects aud aims of this society '■ to collect aud preserve such sta- 
tistics of the early settlement of the cotmty as may be of interest to the present and future generations," and, 
WHERB.^s, our pioneers are fast passing away, and many facts worthy of preservat ion, which are now unwritten, 
but stored in their memories will soon become iur.„cessible and uttcrlj' lost, therefore 

Resoleed, 1. That we cannot better carry out that object of our society, than by taking measures to aid 
or procure the |)ubIieation of a tirief and authentie history of this county, and that in the absence of any 
present prospect of such a work l)eing prox'ided, we deem it high time for us to move in the matter. 

3. That while we reeogiuze the utility and importance of extended and minute town histories, and woidd 
give all encouragement in our power to the collection and preservation of all the incidents of pioneer life in 
this vicinity, which can be of iiUerest to oftr posterity or the world in general, yet, we deem it a sufficient 
undertaking for us at the present time to procure a more general history of the whole county. 

3. That in the elTort to accom[ilish this object, we need and have a right to expect the earnest co-operation 
of all the surviving pioneers and of their descendants, and we contidently appeal to them for written state- 
ments of such facts relating to the early settlement of their own, or other towns as have come to their ob.serva- 
tion, and sketches of the lives and characters of deceased i)ioneers, as they may think will be useful in the 
preparation of the proposed work. 

4. That the President and Vice President of this society be authorized and directed to appoint, as soon as 
practicable, one or more sucli persons in each town as will be most likely to interest themselves in the work, 
to collect material therefor, and transmit the same to the Historical Committee, consisting of three members 
of the societ_v, to lie in like manner ajipointed bj' the President and Vice Presidents, and that it shall be the 
duty of said Historical Conniiittec to examine the material so collected, and advise as to how much and what 
portions thereof are not of suflicient general interest to be inserted at length in the proposed histor_v, Ijut the 
whole shall be preserved among the records of the society. 

5. That for the ptu'pose of directing intniiries for the needed facts, tlie Historical Committee be authorized 
to issue at the expense of the society, and circulate as widely as they may deem advisable through the 
county, letters of inquiry ccuitaining questions to be an.'-wered, 

6. That said connuittee be re(|uested to use their best efforts to push forward the work, so that it may be 
completed during the present year, and that tliey be authorized to select and employ some suitable person to 
take the materials so provided, and from them and all other authentic sources of information accessible to him, 
whether heretofore published or otherwise, to write, prepare for the press, and superintend the publication of 
a historj' of the whole counly, giving the history of each town with as much minuteness as said committee 
may deem practicable, without too greatly enlarging the work, and tinil they be authorized to make such 
arrangements for compensating the person so emplo.yed out of the proceeds of the work, or otherwise as they 
may be able to do without seriously burdening the society or its members. 

The meeting adjourned, but. in piu'suauee of the resolutions last quoted, a special meeting 
was held at the coui't house in Elkhorn Septeml)er 2, IST'.I, 

SPECIAL MEETING, 

A special meeting was held at Elkhorn September 2, 1879, At this meeting, the Histor- 
ical Committee appointed was as follows: James Simmons, Geneva; Stephen G, West, Elk- 
horn; Rev, Joseph Collie, Delavan, Town committees for the collection of historical infor- 
mation were a])|)ointed as follows: Troy. Soldan Powers. J. R. Kling; Lyons, Z. B. Burk, 



IIISTOHY OF WAJ,WOHTTI COUNTY. -i'-^o 

Enos Kinney. ('. I>. Tayldr; Daricii, H. .V. Johnson. .\rUiur Maxon. C. D. hon<j;. .Julius Scavcr; 
Sharon. Henry Dennis. .lulinsA. Treat, .fared H. Toppini^. Alfred L. Mason: Suj^ar Creek. .Jes.so 
K. Kinue. .John Itaiul Daniei Bigelow. Harmon (Irayi WiiiUnvater. P. Cravath. C. K. (iibbs: 
Elkhorn, Hollis Latham. S. (1. West. The other towns not hiun<>; re])resen<ed. it was resolved 
" thac the Vice Presidents of the towns not now roin-eseuted here he ai)i)ointod Chairmen on tlie 
coiumittoes in their own towns, and be empowered to ainwint such per.sons as they may select 
to assist them in th(> work." 

■rwHI.FTir ANNUAL MEETING. 

The twelfth annual meetin<);was held at Whitewater .June '2'2. ISSO. .\ procession opened 
the exercises of the day. led by the Whitewater Cornet Band. Like that of the year before, 
it had moving r(>presentations suggestive of pioneer life and early times. The exercises on the 
gi'ounds wei-e opi>ued by prayer by K(>v. Daniel Smith, a pioneer of ISIT. followed l)y an ad- 
(li-ess of welcome from Hon. T. D. Weeks: song of welcome, written for tlie occasion l)y .Mr. 
(xoodman. and sung by the Arion Club ; the oration, by Hon. Eleazar Wakeley. of Omaha. 
Neb. . a former resident of Whit(>water. Afterthi> oration, short address(>s were made by < ieoj-ge 
W. Peck and others. .Y poem, "The Old breaking Team."'was read l)y its author. Prof. S. S. 
Rockwood. 

Dinn(>r was followed by a business session, more speaking, and tin' (•U:^tollKll■y resolutions 
of thanks to the officers, speakers, musicians and citizens who IkrI rcnilereil. I>y theii- joint 
eflforts, the re-imion a grand success. 

The resolution in memory of the dead was as follows: 

Ri'soli'ed. That our iiicmorii'S sliull ever cherish the virtues and good deeds oT Loren Ferry. Freeman Pratt, 
Seth M. Billings, Mrs. Jennie Willianis, E. 0. Vau,u:hn and Janies Holden. who have left us(hM-ing the past year, 
and .i;one, we hope, to join the l)anii of pioneers in a higher and better spliere. Their faults, if any. we will 
forget, hut enudate all that was worlliy in their lives. 

THIRTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING. 

The thirteenth annual meeting was hold at Elkhorn .June 2'2. ISSI. The jirogramme for 
the day was as follows: 

Music, cornet band: o])ening remarks l)y the President: invocation, llev. S. E. Sweet; 
music. East Troy Glee Club: address of welcenue. E. H. Sprague: address, liev. J. Collie: 
music, cornet band: jioem. Mrs. D. L. Fairchild: music, glee club: dinner: music, cornet 
band: business of the society: obituaries: music, glee club: Early Settlement of liloomtield 
and Linn. Mrs. Buell: Early Settlement of Big Foot Prairie. Cyrus Church: music, cm-ui't 
band: doxology. everybody. 

The address of welcome liy K. H. Sprague was followed by the animal address, by Hev. 
Josopli Collie, of Delavan. It is given l)elow. as embodying the spirit of the good ol<l times 
which still stirs the hearts of the old settlers who yearly come up to the Mecca of their early 
meiuoriea: 

FniKNDs OK Oi.n Sktti.kms' Association : 

Tlie memories of olden times, like wine, grow richer with age. .\gain we meel lo sil down at Ihr ii,ani|iiel 
of Ihese memories. 

There can t)e hut a .iini/le race of pimircrn in a eounlr.\'. .\ Jirxt setllemeni ean come hiil iiiii-r: hut 
memories of it are for all lime. 

So many are the recollections which tlirong upon lis at such an hour, that in order to avoid utter e<mriision 
we must fix attention on some single point, and hid memory busy itself around that. 1 woiihj place /iniirie 
hreakiii'i befon^ you as that on<' ob.jcct. The days of prairie breakin.g ! bi the center of tlu' vision which ris<'s 
before yon at the utterance of these words, stands tlie prairie-breaking plow. \Vc know the name of the 
inventor of the locomotive, and hi^ name goes down illustrious to posterity. But what genius contrived the 
prairicdireaker V \.v\ our aiitir|uari.iiis lake up \\\v suh.ject as it deserves, and let the name be linked with that 
of Stephenson and Fulton, and. in the midst of our grandest prairie, let his monument arise ! 

The prairi<.-breaking plow I Where did it originate / As I remember it in the year is:)(i, ii came on to 
the tield — not fresh from the shop— liut work-worn and scarred. How massive the lieain ! How peculiar the 
liandU^ ! Like necessity they knew no law. How primitive the trucks— chopped out of some log not i|uit(! 
round— one wJieel in the furrow and one out. They were ,:.nultless of the acijuaintanci' of saw, or plane or paint. 
How musical they were, all day long, stpieakin:;- out their song of the future' But, liki' the song of the 
Indian brave and maid, it has passed from these |iraiiie^ and openings, iicvca- to be hcinl again. 



426 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

Rfcall the ])rairio Ijreaking team ! Four or five yoke of oxen, huge aud sleek— Buck and Brown, Duke 
anil Diamond, ete. How well some of them could shy a kick, when the "gad" came too feelingly upon the 
flank ! With what appearance of reserved strength, they march to their task ! What so akin to'the maiestic 
movement of the freight train, as the calm and potent tread of the prairie-lireaking team '? 

Some of us will recall that matchless scene in the annals of peaceful industry, when the new settler, 
sallying forth from the newly-built log cabin in the edge of the timber, with ox team and plow, went out to 
plow round his claim It is a beautiful morning in June. AVas there ever seen such an expanse of fertility ? 
Did Xature ever spread such a carpet, or loom ever weave its eijual V How rich the green 1 How profuse the 
bloom ! IIow marvelous the floods of sunlight ! What emotions of hope and gladness stir the breasts of the 
new settler, as he surveys the scene and thrusts his plowshare into the bosom of the virgin prairie ! It is the 
wedding day of fertility and industry ! Hear the creaking of the plow-truck ! What does it say ? It scjueaks 
like a king. It cries in the ears of the new settlers, " Get a plenty while you're getting ; get "a plenty while 
you're getting." Yes, he heeds that advice, and the furrow grows marvelously long. He is marking out a 
dukedom, and princes shall inherit it. Sometimes, there was something even of the sulMirae in prairie-breaking. 
The grand old plow is rolling over the green ribbons of fertile soil, spangled with flowers— prairie rose and 
prairie lily. It is the burial of the wild flowers. On that spot they shall l)e seen no more. They died not as 
their ancestors died — by the breath of autumn or the touch of Time. The earth(|nakes of a coming civilization 
strikes them, and they meet an untimely fate. See them as they tremble on the curve of the wooden'mold board . 

" Ijike tlie (»now fluke on the river, 
A moment briglit then gone forever." 

Scmie of you, at least, will recall the circumstances of striking a " red root." That was the prairie-bi-eaker'.s 
opportunity. Then he showed his mettle. Then his reserves were called forth. The share has struck the 
hidden root, and all the chains tingle with tension, but in vain — vain the shout, vain the gad. The march of 
civilization is at a standstill. TJie team is backed ; the plow is liacked ; the file is drawn ; the sliare is 
sharpened. Then the ponderous instrument of human progress is righted up, and, if the new settler has boys, 
they are bidden to mount the beam. The decisive moment, has come. American history shall not stop here. 
A shout — a grand explosion of whip ! These repeated in startling succession ! Duke and Diamond know that 
America e.xptcts them to do their duty. There is a tingling of chains ; there is a forward pushing of resistless 
shoulders ; there is a groaning of trucks ; a creaking of plow joints ; a rumbling underground ; a final crack — 
the red root is conquered, and Western progress goes on victoriously. 

Shall we sutfer the services of the prairie-blow to go unrecorded, or its imag'e to fade from our memor\' ? 
In its day it had but one rival — its namesake — the prairie-breaker pig. The mounted brigade of liogdom, 
indispensable in the conquest of the country, independent, self-reliant, long-geared, slab-sided, sharp-snouted, 
quick-witted, ready to root, to fight, or to run, his whole unique personage terminating in a cabalistic quirk, 
which seemed to say, " I could a tail unfold." 

In the days of prairie-breaking, life had a freshness and a zeal which no succeeding improvements can 
restore. Common tasks took on the form of romance and grandeur. There was a romance in going to mill. 
You remember it. The daj- before \'ou started, food was cooked and things got read}' ; you were up with the 
tiawn, and good-byes were said, and you started on what was really a career of adventure — adventure in 
bottomless sloughs ; adventure in bridgeless streams ; adventure over night b_v the side of some haystack on 
the prairie, or adventiu'e on the mill floor, where you passed the night waiting for the grist, and listening to 
the music of the wooden wheels which turned the stone. 

There are fatlu'rs and mothers here who could tell yoti that there is now no such courting as was done in 
the prairie-breaking days. I have heard your modern orchestras, such as Thomas leads, liut I have nevi'r 
heard strains more charming than tliose seemed which fell on m_y boyish ears at the first wedding in the days 
when Ave were breaking prairie. 

Give all praise to the heroism of your modern firemen ; but let it l)e not forgotten how grand a thing it 
was to fight a ]3rairic fire while the prairies were yet unbroken. Shall we ever forget the wild, fierce chai'ge, 
the flames, maddened by the winds, made on the stock yard '> Or the brave l)and of men, women and children 
which sallied from the log house to reiiel the deluge ? 

Time woulil fail me to speak of tlw delights of going to school in winter, after breaking prairie in the 
summer. What sclioolhouses we had ! A log taken out of the side, and a sash filled with 7x9 glass put in the 
log's place ; auger holes bored in the log below the window ; pieces of rail driven in ; a board as long as tlie 
schoolhouse laid (m, and that was the desk. A slab, with the bark side down : legs driven in auger holes, and 
that was the sciit. .Nothing in the world to attract our attention from our books. How delightful it was to 
hnirn ! What roiuids of .spelling we lia<l I How the he;irt beat as we dashed through the conjugations ! How 
thrilling the victories in the rule of three which we won 1 How manlv the boys ! How noble the girls, who 
stood side Iiy side ! 

Funerals have become so common tlnit the community takes little note of them. Grief grows tame. It 
is overburdened with demonstrations. There are no funerals ; none such as we attended when breaking lu-airie. 
In the midst of that is the ru.shing tide of life. When Hope reigned, when every pulse beat high and 
strong, when life seemed all renewed ami fresh, how strange a thjng was Death I Was there ever a sorrow 
more honest melted the young settlement, than when the first one was lowered into the grave, and Death 
began his settlement '? IIow the heart melts to-day in the recollection of that hnie grave, where timber and 
prairie meet ! 

Yes! The days of prairie-breaking are past. But tlie grand results go marching on. You know not 
what you did, as you drove out yoiu' prairie-breaking team that bright May morning. The great results lay 
liid from view. But, when you were lireaking prairie, you were bringing in the day of railroads and telegraphs, 
of mighty cities, of cylinder presses, of colleges and churches, and all the marvelous machiner_y by which a 
nation has, imdcr God. been transformed from an infant to a man. In breaking jirairie, you were shaping 
destiny. 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY, 



427 



The poem of ^Irs. FiiiroliiUl was as fullows: 

Dear fi-iciiils. wlio IVllcd tlii' foresl oak. 
Tlu' stul)l)orii prairie soil lirst Ijrokc. 

To cacli and all a urccting'. 
We come <ilil rrieiHlsliips to renew. 
Past joy^ and sorrows lo review 

At this our yearly nieetini; 
To welcome those who saw this land. 
In (irimal heauly from (lod's hand; 
Whih' yet the liidian's wiu'wam stood 
By <ry'stal lake and stream and wood. 
Ere telegraph and iron rail 
Siipplanted ((uile the Indian trail. 
Those who had for their evening chei-r. 
The tlesh of piiicon, (piail or deer. 
Who trave for whoop and sava,!;i' yells. 
The music of sweet. Sahliath hells, 

A wealth of venhni' now ahouniN 

To rival tropic liowi'rs. 
The air is full of pleasant sounds 

And sw(dls with llowers. 
Let happv voices all around 

:\Iake-lad the hours. 
We thank our father, for this land 

Of prairie, grove and hill. 
That He. through nature's generous haud 

Poiirs rich profusion still. 
And thanks for grove-emhowi'red lakes. 
Where weary care a respite takes 

In quiet nook. 
Where childhood's happy feet may I urn 
"Of the Creator's works to learn," 
From nature's book. 

Old friends of thirty si.\ and seven. 

We're here to thank you yet: 
The hardshijis which you thin einlured 

We never will forget. 
Your vigorous hands plowed deep and well. 

Your care good seeil sup|)lied. 
And though your whiteiuiig locks now tell 

That you are growing old. 
The loving smile and hearty ;;rasp 

Say, "Hearts have not grown cold." 

Ogdeii and L.atham, lell \is now 

Of hardships Ihey rememlier still. 
Although their feel' are far .adown 

The westward sloping hill- 
And firiidv tlu-ough this wayward land. 
Still walks unscratched our frieini (), llaml, 
"Finger and voice." he yet iloth raise. 
The wrong to chide, the good to praise. 
And (iolder. sage with |irol)ale lore. 

His ripcin'd wisdom si ill doth lend 
To those by "death allliclcd sore." 

"The widow's and the cnphan's friend." 
Still. I'reslon keeps Ills pleasant ways, 
And smiling wears new added hays. 
Let Eldcrkin. now, since he will, 
Remain the pi'crless spidlei- still. 
Winsor. with sparkling wit and jest, 
The (iiiaini old story l(dls the best. 
Now. Wvlie checks the wily ways 
Of stealthy thiev<s and crai'ty knaves. 
And (piick delects the cunning snare. 
They f<n- llie innocent pre]iare. 
And' Bradley is the hunter bold 
He ever was in days old. 
There's not a duck upon the lake. 
Nor chicken hiding in the brake, 



428 HISTORY OF AVALWOIITH COUNTY. 



Ni> timid qii;iil or parti-ida-f sli\-, 
But knows !ier latter I'lul is nigh, 
Whene'er she sees him coming by. , 

And, early came those younger men. 
OneCowdery, with the graceful pen, 
Beckwith, who wields vvith finislicd skill 
The painter's brush, the ready (|uill. 
The hand of Dewina- still can' hold 
The line, as deftly iTs of old. 
And Walton's mantle never fell 
On one, who plied the pen so well. 
We come, with retrospective eve, 

To look on vanished days. 
To keep the memory green of those 

Who lirighteued once oin- ways. 
To teach our children to revere 
The memory of each pioneer, 
And from their good examples draw 
Reverence of God and love of law. 
Teach them that lilessings, such as the.se, 
Were never won by slothful ease; 
That thinking brain and toiling hand 
Will make a garden of the land. 
Their hands have cleared the brush away. 
And smoothed the path we tread to-day. 

Of present toil for future good 

They made a willing ehoi<-e. 
And, all unheeding, turned away 

From Pleasure's tempting voice. 
Their busy lives found little time 

For culture or for rest; 
The firm foundations of a State 
(Which since has grown both rich and great). 

They left as their bequest. 

And we must leave no baleful weeds 

Of indolence or pride. 
To choke the germinating seeds 

Of truth they scattered wi<le; 
For, if we weed and water well 

Each tender plantlet fair, 
An ever-si)reading banyan tree 

Will well re]:>a}- our care. 
Who would abundant harvest real). 

Must pluck the summer tare; 
Anil we must keep on eveiT hill 
The church-spire and the sehoolhousc still. 

We come to drop a tender tear. 
Since, as we meet, from year to year. 
More thinned our les.sening ranks appear. 

.Some loved, familiar hand " is not; " 
Some hand with warm emotion gi'asped. 
The " ley King" for age has clasped, 

" Gone home, but not forgot." 
In " Hazel Ridge " some sweetly sleep, 

And some 'neath Greenwood's .scented bloom; 
" Hillside " and " Grove " dear sleepers keep; 

Each church-yard has for some made room. 
Some, long with suffering worn, woidd weep 
That weary yeai's so slowly creep. 
Glad closed the tired eye in unwaking sleep. 

Departed friends, tin- crown is won; 

Yours the reward of duty done; 

A conseiciu'c clear, a scmrce from whence 

There flows a recompense. 

To-day, your happy spirits come. 

In aun-oled beaut3\ every one. 

This place yoiu' holy presence fills, 

A sacreil influence ("Ustills, 



HISTORY OF WA I, WORTH COUNTY. 429 

Like thai wliirh tills the qiiii't air. 
Where we retire for silent prayer. 
Oh, sires! your foihles. few, are hid — 
Deei) buried 'iieath the jiood yo\i did. 

No rootle.ss straiifrer .souglit in vain 

Their lowly open door. 
Nor cv<'r was forbiddi'ii rest 

Upon the cabin tloor. 
Thev had known want, and iiuiek eould feel 

When they another's sorrows heard. 
And hospitality was not 

.V poor, nnincanini;' word. 
Oh. nniy tlieir intlnenee daily prompt 

Ourselves to better deed.s; 
To help the needy one; nor ask 

His color or his creeds. 

Thanks for your iiatienec friends, and uniy 
The leniithened eveninjj; of your day 
Be warm with mellow liirht; 

May healtli and jdenty with you stay. 
Ami fo\'e. to make your pathway briirht. 
When. at. the end of your duration. 
You take the tinal emi,i;i'ation. 
Heavy with years, to lay away 
The soul's old mantle, worn and gray. 
May loving angels kindly come 
And bear the unfettered s|iirit liome. 

At this last and perhaps most iutoresting meetiug of the society, in addition to what has 
already been stated, obitntiry addresses in memory of the deceased members of the year were 
pronounced as follows: H. J. Wilkinson. Whitewater, in remembrance of Mi's. C R. Beach; 
Judi^e C. R. Gibbs, of Mrs. S. 15. Edwards: John Jeffors. of RIi-s. Lydia Lippitt; C. D. Long, 
of Leander Dodge: M. P, Bisho]). of G. P. Ellis: W, D. Chapin. of Mi-s. Betsey Tupper; and 
an obituary of IVIi-s. Tripp, of Whitewater, was promisetl for pulilicatiou, 

Mrs. Sidney Buell and Mr. Cynis Church read papers on pioneer life in Walworth and 
Bloomiield. 

At a late hour-, after singing, the meetiug adjoiu-ned. 

The foregoing reports of the annual re-unions, though far from complete, will give the 
reader an idea of the constantly increasing interest that centers about the pioneer society. It 
is to-day the most vigorous society of its kind in the Northwest. 

Its efforts to compile a history of Walworth County, as shown in its action at the eleventh 
annual meeting, held at 'Uliitewater in June. ISTU. although not resulting in a printed volume, 
resulted in the gathering of nuich valuable historical information that would otherwise have 
been lost, but which is now compiled, with everything which can be gathered from extraneous 
soiu'ces. in this history. The officers of the society from its organization to the present time 
have been as follows: 

ROSTER OF OFFICERS. 

President, Daniel Salisbury. Spring Prairie; Vice Presidents. Prosper Cravath. White- 
wiiter: Thomas P. James. Uichniond; John Bruce. Darien; Cyrus Lipjiitt, Sharon; Cyi'us 
Church. Walworth: Henry Btirlow. Dtdavan; P. G. Hai-rington. Sugar Creek; William Hough- 
ton. La (irange; Sylvester G. Smitli. Troy; George W. Dwinnell. La Fayette: Le Grand Rock- 
well, Elkhoru: Osborn Hand. (Jenevti: Allen McBride. Linn: William J). C!hapin. Bloomfield; 
Z. B. Bm-k, Lyons; A. L. Merrick. Spring Prairie: S. B. Edwards. East Troy; Recording Sec- 
retary. James Simmons. Elkhorn; Corresjwnding Secretary. Edward Elderkin. Elkhorn; Treas- 
urer. Hollis Latham. Elkhorn: Central Executive Committee. P. Golder. S. G. West, G. W. 
Wylie, J. W. Peck. Charles Wal.-s. 

1 SOU-70 President, Le (irand Rockwidl. l^lkhoni : Vici^ Presidents. Prosper Cravath, 
Whitewtiter: Thomas P. James, itiehmond: John Bruce. Darien: Cyrtis Lip])itt, Sharon: Cyrus 
Church, AVahvorth; Henry Barlow. Delavan: P. (1. Harrington, Sugar Crock; William Hough 
ton. La Grange: S, G. Smith, Troy: George W. DwinucdI. La Fayette: All)ert Ogden, Elk- 



430 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

horn; Oslioru Haud. (Tpueva: Allen McBride. Linn: ^Yilliam D. Chapiu, Bloomiield; Zenas 
B. Bm-k, Lyons; Daniel Salisbuiv. Spring Prairie: S. B. Edwards. East Troy: Recording Sec- 
retary, James Simmons. Elkhorn; Corresponding Secretary. Edward Elderkin. Elkhoru; Treas- 
ui-er, Hollis Latham, Elkhorn; Executive Committee. Peter Golder. S. G. West, J. W. Peck, 
George W. Wylie. Charles Wales. 

1870-71 — President. Charles M. Baker. Geneva; Vice Presidents. P. Cravath, Whitewater; 
Thomas P. James, Richmond; Josiah Dodge. Darien : J. A. Treat. Sharon; C. L. Douglass, Wal- 
worth; William Holliushead. Delavan; P. G. Harrington. Sugar Creek; Orson G. Ewing, La 
Grange; S. G. Smith, Troy; J. W. Peck. La Fayette: Albert Ogden, Elkhorn; Osborn Hand, 
Geneva; A. McBride. Linn; T. H Fellows. Bloomiield: Z. B. Bm-k. Lyons: Samuel Pratt, Spring 
Prairie; S. B. Edwai'ds. East Troy; Recording Secretary. James Simmons. Elkhorn; CoiTe- 
sponding Secretaiy. EdwiU'd Elderkin, Elkhorn: Treasiu-er. Hollis Latham. Elkhorn. 

1871-72— President. C. M. Baker. Geneva; Vice Presidents. S. M. Billings. Whitewater; 
E. Hulce, Richmond: H. A. Johnson. Dai'ien: William P. Allen. Sharon; S. H. Van Schaick. 
Walworth; William Hollinshead. Delavan: P. G. Harrington. Sugar Creek; James Holden, La 
Grange; Mark Watson. Troy; J. W. Peck. La Fayette: S. G. West, Elkhom; T. W. Hill, Ge- 
neva; J. W. Boyd. Linn; W. D. Chapin. Bloomiield; Z. B. Bm'k. Lyons; A L. Men'ick, Spring 
Prairie; S. B. Edwards. East Ti'oy: Recording Secretary. James Simmons, Geneva; CoiTe- 
sponding Secretaiy, Edwai-d Elderkin. Elkhorn; Treasurer. Hollis Latham. Elkhorn. 

1872-73 — President. P. G. Harrington. Sugar Creek; Mee Presidents. Daniel Salisbury, 
Sirring Prairie: A. Ferguson, Linn: Prosper Cravath. Whitewater: T. P. James. Richmond; H. 
S. Winsor. Elkhorn; S. B. Edwards. East Trov: Mark Watson. Trov: William Houghton, 
La Grange: H. M. Curtis. La Fayette: W. D. Chapin, Bloomiield: Z. B. Bm-k. Lyons; C. L. Oat- 
man, Geneva; Cp-QS Chiu-ch. Walworth: J. R. Kinne. Sugar Creek; John Jefi'ers, Sharon; 
John Williams, Darien; George Cotton, Delavan: Recording Secretarj', James Simmons, Gene- 
va; Con-esponding Secretary. Peter Golder. Elkhoru; Treasm-er. Hollis Latham, Elkhoi-n. 

1873-74 — President. Gen. John W. Boyd. Linn: Vice Presidents, W. D. Chapin, Bloom- 
field; Leander Dodge, Lyon.?; Samuel Pratt. Spring Prairie; S. B. Edwards. East Troy; S. G. 
Smith. Troy: A. D. Hai-ris. La Fayette: C. L. Oatmau. Geneva; Allen McBride. Linn; C. L. 
Douglass, Walwoi-th; William Hollinshead. Delavan; Dr. H. Gray. Sugar Creek: James Hol- 
den, La Grange; Emery Thayer. Whitewater: Elisha Hnk-e. Richmond: H. A. Johnson. Da- 
rien; J. Mereness. Sharon: Hollis Latham. Elklioi-n: lteciir:liug Secretary. James Simmons. 
Geneva; Con-esponding Seeretai-y. Edward Elderkin, Elkhoru; Treasm-er, Hollis Latham. Elk- 
hom: Marshal. George W. Wylie. La Fayette; Executive Committee. C. L. Oatman. C. W. 
Smith, James Simmons. Ct. Montague and T. W. Hill. 

1874-75 — President. Gen. John W. Boyd. Linn; Vice Presidents, John Loveland, Bloom- 
field; Enos Kinney, Lyons: Daniel Salisbmy, Spring Prairie: S. B. Edwards. East Ti-oy; Sol- 
dan Powers. Troy; H. M. Cm-tis. La Fayette: Andi-ew Ferguson. Geneva; Cieoi'ge Allen. Linn: 
D. C. Porter. Walworth: Henry Barlow. Delavan: Jesse R. Kinne. Sugar Creek: William 
Houghton, La Grange: Emery Thayer, Whitewater: V. Arnold. Richmond; C. D. Long, Da- 
rien: William P. Allen. Shai-ou; Hollis Latham. Elkhoru; Recording Secretary. James Simmons, 
Geneva; Con-esponding Secretmy. Edward Elderkin. Elkhoru; Treasurer. Hollis Latham. Elk- 
hoi-n: Marshal. Cieorge W. Wylie. La Fayette; Executive Committee. C. L. Oatittan. C. W. 
Smith. J. Simmons, G. Montague. Thomas W. Hill. 

1875-76 — President, John W. Boyd. Linn; Vice Presidents, S. W. Benson. Bloomfield; 
Enos Kinney. Lyons; Dani-el Salisbmy. Spring Prairie; S. B. Edwai-ds. East Ti-oy; Soldan 
Powers, Troy; H. M. Cm-tis. La Fayette: A. Ferguson. Geneva: George Allen, Linn: D. C. 
Porter. Walworth: George Cotton. Delavan; Jesse R. Kinne. Sugar Creek: William Houghton, 
La Grange: Emery Thayer. Whitewater: VarnumAi-nold. Richmond: William P. Allen. Shai-on; 
Hollis Latham. Elkhorn: J. E. Ii-ish. Darien; Recording Secretary. James Simmons, Geneva; 
Con-esponding Secretai-y. E. Elderkin. Elldiorn: Treasiu-er. Hollis Latham. Elkhorn: Mai-shal, 
George W. AYylie. La Fayette. 

1876-77 — President. George Cotton. Delavan: Vice Presidents. Daniel Salisbui-v. Spring 
Prairie; Hollis Latham. Elkhorn; H. M. Cm-tis, La Fayette; S. B. Edwai-ds. East Troj; Syl- 
vester 6. Smith. Trov; J. H. Sanford. La Grange; Hai-mon Grav. Sugar- Creek; P. Cravath, 



HISTORY OF WA], WORTH COl'NTV. 4:^1 

Whitewater: \;u-nuiii .b-imld. Kichiiiond: Josiah Dodgo, Diuicii: John Mereness. Sharon: Cjiiis 
Church. Walwortli: \\'. D. Chapin. Bloomfi.'ld; A. Ferguson, (leneva: George Allen. Linn: 
Homy J3iu'l()\v. Delavan: Enos Kinnoy. Lyons; Corresponding Socretiuy. EdwiU'd Eldorkin. 
Elkhorn: Soerettuy. •!. Sinniions. (Teueva: Treasurer. Hollis Tiatham. Elkliorn: Executive Com- 
mittee. N. M. HiUTington, H. (1. Hollister. Frank Leland. (ieorgi« I'assago. Henry ISarlow. 

1877-78 —President. H. A. Johnson. Darien; Vice Presidents. A. L. Merrick. Spring Prai- 
rie; All)ert Ogden. Elldiorn; William Biu'git. East Troy; Janu^s (1. T5riggs. Troy; James Lau- 
derdale. La Grange; J. K. Kinne, Sugar Creek; Emeiy Thayer. Whitewater: T. P. James, 
Richmond; C. D. Long. Darien; A. L. Mason. Shai-on; Henry Van Schaick. Walworth; Sidney 
Buell. Bloomtiold; C. L. Oatman. (ieueva: Albert D. Han'is. La Fayette; Alhui MeBride. Linn; 
Z. B. Bm'k. Lyons: James Ai'am, Delavan: Corresponding SecretiU'y. Edw.u'd Elderkin. Elk- 
horn; Recording Secretary. James Simmons. Geneva; Treasurer. Hollis Ijatham. Elkhorn: Exe- 
cutive Committee. E. Latimer. James Aram. Augustus Parish. H. G. Hollister. N. M. Harrington. 

lS7S-Ty — President. Otis Preston. Elkhorn: Vice Presidents. Daniel Salishmy. Sjiring 
Prairie: Stephen G. West. Elkhorn; W. S. Keats. East Troy: J. R. Kling. Troy:" William 
Houghton. La Grange; J. R. Kinne. Sugar Creek: Emery Thayer. "Whitewater: T. P. James. 
Richmond; Josiah Dodge. Darien; J. A. Treat. Shai-on: C'yrus Chm-ch. Walworth; Sidney Buell. 
Bloomtield; Lewis Cm-tis. Geneva; H. M. Ciuiis. La Fayette: J. W. Boyd. Linn: Enos Kin- 
ney. Lyons; E. Latimer. Delavan: Con-esponding Secretary. E. Elderkin. Elkhorn; Recording 
Secretiiry, James Simmons, Geneva; Ti'easiu-er, Hollis Latham, Elkhorn; Executive Committee, 
John S. Partridge. N. M. Littlejohn, Charles M. Clark, H. S. Knapp. Frank Tratt. 

1879-80 — President, Charles R. Beach, Whitewater: Vice Presidents. Seymom- Brooks, 
East Troy; J. R. Kling. Troy; O. G. Ewing. La Grange: C. R. Gibbs. Whitewater: John Pem- 
berton, Richmond; Jesse R. Kinne, Sugar Creek; George W^ W'ylie, La Fayette; A. M.Aldrieh. 
Spring Prairie: C. P. Taylor, Lyons: D. L. Flack. Geneva; S. G. West. Elkhorn: H. G. Hollis- 
ter, Delavan: H. A. Johnson, Darien: Henry Dennis, Sharon: Cyrus Chmvh. Walworth; George 
Allen. Linn; A. H. Abell, Bloomtield; Recording Secretary, James Simmons, Geneva: Coixe- 
spouding Secretaiy. E. Elderkin, Elkhorn; Treasiu-er, Hollis Latham, Elkhorn; E.xecutive Com- 
mittee, AVilliam De Wolf. C. M. Sykes, William E. Wright, George A. Ray, C. M. Clark. Sub- 
sequently, at a special meeting held at Elkhorn, the Historical Committeewas elected as follows: 
James Simmons, Geneva: Rev. Joseph Collie. Delavan; and Stephen G. W'est, Elkhorn. 

1880-81 — President. Stephen G. West, Elkhorn: Vice Presidents. Seymour Brooks, East 
Troy; J. R. Kling. Troy: (). G. Ewing. La Grange; C. R. Gibbs. Wliitewater: John Pember- 
ton. Richmond; Jesse R. Kinne, Sugar Creek: George W. Wylie, La Fayette; A. M. Aldrich, 
Spring Prairie: C. P. Taylor. Lyons; D. L. Flack, Geneva: W. H. Morrison, Elkhorn: H. G. 
Hollister, Delavan: H. A. Johnson. Darien; Heniy Dennis. Sharon: Cyrus Church, Walworth; 
George Allen. Linn; William D. Chapin, Bloomtield; Recording Secretary. James Simmons, 
Geneva; Con-esponding Secretaiy, E. Elderkin, Elkhorn; Treasm'er, Hollis Latham, Elkhorn; 
Executive Committee, W. H. Morrison, Virgil Cobb, Hugh Paden, Charles Dunlap and Asa 
Foster. 

1881-82— President, Seymour Brooks, East Troy; Vige Presidents, Hiram Taylor. East 
Troy; J. R. Kling, Troy: O. G. Ewing. La Grange; S. B. Edwards. AVhitewater; Elisha Hulce, 
Richmond; Jesse R. Kinne. Sugar Creek: (ieorge W. Wylie, La Fayette; A. A. Hcyt, Spring Prai- 
rie; C. P. Taylor, Lyons: D. L. Flack, (Geneva; W. H. Momson, Elkhorn: H. G. Hollister, 
Delavan; H. A. Johnson, Darien; John Mereness, Shai-on: Cyrus Church, Walworth: George 
Allen, Linn: W. D. Chapin, Bloomtield: Recording Secretary, James Simmons, Geneva; Cor- 
res{)onding Secretsuy, Edward Elderkin, Elldiorn: Treasiu-er, Hollis Latham, Elkhorn: Exec- 
utive Committee, Charles Wales, Lucius Allen, H. A. Briggs, Delos Harrington and David L. 
Flack. 

The society is not now what it started to be a!i association of tlrst settlers. It embraces 
such residents of the county as have resided, at tlie time they became members, thirty years in 
Wisconsin, and are present residents of Walworth County. It is not only j)roper, but almost 
imperative, to draw the distinction between th(> first settlers, who cam(> in prior to 18U>. and 
their descendants and lat<>r comers, who, witji the lapse of years, will themselves become the 
old settlers in their town. 



432 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 



The following is a full roster of members, 
in the books of the society: 

Allen, William C, Delavan, Nov. 13, 1841. 

Acker, Jame.s, La Fayette, January, 1842. 

Arnistroni;, Samuel, Elkhom, August, 1843. 

Allen, Lucius, East TvDy, October, 1830. 

Ashley, James, Lyons, 1844. 

Arnold, Varnuui, Richmond, 1844. 

Arnold, Mrs. Julia, Richmond, 1844. 

Allen, George, Linn, 18.53. 

Alexander, William, Geneva, October, 1839, 

Aram, James, Delavan, May, 1840. 

Aram, Jlrs. Susan, Uclavai'i, May, 1840. 

Aldrieh, A. M., Spring Prairie, 1847. 

Allen, L. E., Sharon, 1845. 

Allen, Carrie, Sharon, 1848. 

Allen, Lester, Elkhorn, lS4(i. 

Allen, Lucy A., Elkhoni, 1846. 

Abell, Alfred, Bloomficld, 1848. 

Arvcson, Harvev, Whitewater. 1H44. 

Aplin. Rev. N. J., Fond du Lac, 18.54. 

Aplin, Mrs. N. J., Fond du Lac, 18r)4. 

Barlow, Ilcnr}', Dclavau, June, 1837. 

Bruce, Jno., Darien, June, 1837, died December, 1869. 

Barue.s, Rufus, La Fayette, 1843. 

Babcock, George F., La Fayette, 1843. 

Burdick, G. H., Walworth. 

Brittain, M. R., Sjiring Prairie", May 24, 1839. 

Bi!ling.s, Sctli M., Whitewater, 1839, died 1880. 

Bunnell, A. II.. La Payette, June 20, 1837. 

Bailey, L. P., Delavan", 1841, died March 9, 1874. 

Bigclow, Daniel, Sugar Creek. 1837. 

Ballas, Peter Adam,' Bloonitield, 1844, died . 

Brewster, Deodat, Geneva,, 1838, died October, 1881, 

Brewster, G, F., Geneva, 1838, died July, 1873. 

Bradley, Andrew, Geneva. 1837. 

Bell, William, Walworth, 1837, died 1876. 

Bradley, Milo E., Geneva, 1837. 

Brittaiu, Samuel, Geneva, 1836. 

Beals, Alvin, Elkhorn, 1843. 

Baker, F., Sprini;- Prairie, 1H37. 

Baker, C, M., Geiu-va, 1838, died Feb. 5, 1873. 

Bailev, C. S., Delavan, 1837, died 1877. 

Boyd, J. W,, Linn, 1844. 

Blair, Gavlord, Darien, 1846, died Feb. 34, 1874. 

Beach, Wm. W.. La Fayette, 1849. 

Billings, R, M., Spring Prairie, 1836. 

Buell, Sidney, Bloonitield, 1845. 

Brewster, Mrs. Achsah, Troy, July 6, 1841, died 1877. 

Bell, George, Spring Prairie, August, 1839, died April, 

1878, 
Brigham, M. H., Delavan, September, 1843. 
Baker, Mrs. Eliza H., Geneva, 1843. 
Bartram, Wm. II., Elkhorn, April, 1843. 
Baker. Roltert II., Geneva. June. 1839. 
Barker, T. P., Sugar Creek, 1837, died 1877. 
Barlow, Mrs. Henry, Delavan, 1839. 
Buell, L-a, Linn, 1849, died 1874. 
Baleom, John E., Geneva, October, 1840. 
Benson, S. W., November, 1845. 
Bell. Mrs. George, Spring Prairie, November, 1836, 
Barber, Joel, Geneva, 1848, 
Bowman, Joseph, La Fayette, 1841. 
Bartholf, J. E., Spring Prairie, 1847. 
Brandow, C. E., 1839, 
Brandow, Mrs. C. E., Linn, 1838. 
Bell, Mrs. Fanny, Linn, 1846. 
Bangs, Mrs. B. S., Elkhorn, 1847. 
Baboock, W. B., Darien, 1846. 
Briggs, Jamc's G., La Fayette, 1843. 



with place and date of settlement, as recorded 



Biuk. Z. B., Lyons, October, 1843. 

Bell, J. A., Delavan, 1837. 

Brown, George W., Walworth, 1841. 

Brown, Cornelia A., Walworth, 1843. 

Bird, Henry, Sharon. 1844. 

Bird, Mary', Sharon, 1846. 

Bisho]!, M". P., La Grange, 1845. 

Bishop, Mrs. Mary E., La Grange, 1845. 

Brooks, Seymour, Ea.st Troy, 1843. 

Beach, J, t4., Whiti-wati-r, 1843. 

Benton, W. S., Koshkonong, 1843, 

Bronson, H. L., La Grange, 1844. 

Beach, C. R., Lima, 1.S6L 

Bunnell, Mrs. A. H., La, Fayette, October, 1837. 

Barnes, H. D., Spring Prairie, 1848. 

Blackman, A. P., Darien, 1845. 

Bristol, H. H., Delavan, 1848. 

Bristol. Mrs. R. II., Delavan, 1848. 

Buell, Mrs, Sidney, Bloonitield, 1855, 

Bangs, B. S., Delavan, 1857. 

Chapin, William I),, Bloomfield, June, 1837. 

Chtn-ch, Cyrus, Walworth, February, 1837, 

Cotton, George, Darien, 1844. 

Carter, William, Darien, December, 1837. 

Carter, Oi-ange W., Darien, June 15, 1838. 

Crosby, Nelson, Delavan, September 30, 1839. 

Cramer, George, Walwortli, April, 1844. 

Curtis, Hill, La Fayette, 1840. 

Cowles, John, Geneva, 1843. 

Campbell, Duncan, Geneva, 1837, 

Carswell, N. H., Spring Prairie, 1843, died No- 
vember 11, 1874. 

Campbell, Daniel, Lyons, 1836, died . 

Curtis, Lewis, Geneva, 1840. 

Chappell, M. H., Delavan, 1845. 

Cross, Hiram, La Grange, July, 1843, died January, 
1883. 

Chambers, I. G., Geneva, 1844. 

Cowles, Cyrus F., Lyons, 1840. 

Curti.s, John, Geney."i, 1843, died April, 1875. 

Curtis, Mrs. Harvey, La Fayette, 1851. 

Cameron, T., Richiiiond, 1843. 

Cameron, Mrs. T., Richmond. 

Cameron, James, Richmond, 1843, 

Cheesebro, Mrs. Isabella A., Darien, June, 1839. 

Cowdery, M. 1).. Geneva, 1845. 

Coburn, (-Jeorge, Geneva, 1844. 

Cain, George, "La Fayette, 1846. 

Chafln, Parthena, East Troy, 1837. 

Chafin, C. P. F., East Troy, 1837. 

Collie, Rev. Joseph, -, ; honorary. 

Coburn, Roswell, Spring Prairie, 1852. 

Crittenden, C. S., Hc))ron, 1844. 

Coonibe, Thomas, Troy, 1849. 

Cartwright, D. W., Sullivan, .Tune, 1843. 

Cameron, Mrs. (.)live. Sugar Creek, 1847. 

Castle, M. A., Whitewat'er, 1845, 

Crandall, W. II., Linn, 1857. 

Chapin, Lorette, Hlocmtield, 1846. 

Cady, Mrs. Racliel M,, Pleasant Prairie, 1835. 

Cliattield, S. B., Troy, 1.S46. 

Chatlield, Mrs. S. B." Troy, 1846. 

Dodge, Josiah, Darien, Jiily 1, 1843. 

Douglass, C. L., Walworth, October, 1837, 

Dudley, James, Delavan, September, 1844, died 1878. 

Dalton, John, Delavan, 1843. 

Dame, John, Spring Prairie, 1843. 

Delap, A., Elkhorn, 1.844. 




A 



Y/^, 



w-^^g^y a^cyfy/i^t^^^, 



^ 



PfCt/vrc 



HISTORY OF WALWOHTIl COUXIY. 



435 



Downer, Hiram, Bloomficid, 1839, died April, 1878. 

Deiinis, Ilenrv, Sliaroii, 184"). 

Dewini; Myron E., Ell<liorn, lS4:i, died March. 1874. 

Dcwiii;;-, Eiv IJ., Elkliorn. 184:1 

Dunbar. Sainuel, (teneva. 183!», died 1872. 

Dunlap, .lolin, Geneva, fall, 18;iS, died 1879. 

Downer. W. II., Trov, April *'. 1844. 

Dallon, (J. W.. Delavan, 1844. 

Doxslader, C'lirislopher .1., .June 10, 1843. 

Dewey, .1. .1.. (ieneva, Jlav, 1844. 

Downer, Mrs. .Julia Ann, l?loomlield, 1840. 

DePuy. E. M., Troy (Mnkwonan'o), 184;^ 

Dame', Jlrs, Henry," Sprinj; Prairie, 1843. 

Dillenheek. John" Linn, 1844. 

DeWolf. William. Whitewater. 1841. 

DeWolf, Mrs. Euniee, AYhitewater, 1841, 

Dunlap. Charles, Geneva, 1839. 

Dunlap, JIrs, Bethania, Geneva, 1851, 

Denison, J. W.. East Troy, 1847. 

Dann. George. Whitewater, 184.5, died . 

Danu. Mrs. Lueretia .!.. Whitewater, 1845. 

Dodge, William R., Darien, 1839. 

Dodsre, Mrs. Susan, Darien, 1839. 

Elderkin. Edward, Elkhorn, 1839, 

Ewins, O. (4., La Grange, 1838. 

Edwards, S. B., East Troy, 1839. 

Edwards, S. R.. Sugar Creek, 1839, 

Ellsworth, Dr. C. P'., Root River Rapids, 1835, died 

1878. 
Eames. F. II., Spring Prairie, June, 1843. 
Edwards. J. L., Sugar Creek. 
Ellsworth, S. S., La Fayette, 1846, died 1881. 
Evans. John M.. Riehmond, 1849. 
Evans. Nanev. Riehmond. 1845. 

Ellis, C. P., La Grange, 1842, died . 

Eaton, Mrs. Jane. Walworth. 1843. 

Flaek. John G., Geneva, 1843. 

Foster, Bemis, Troy, 1837, 

Ford. John C, Linn, 1838, died March, 2, 1879. 

Foster, D. G.. Delavan, 1838. 

Foster. A. M., Troy. 1837. 

Field. J. W.. La Grange, 1840. 

Foster. Franklin, April, 1846. 

Freeman, B. B.. April, 1846, died 1874, 

Farley, Michael, Lyons, 1838. 

Ferry, Loren, Troy. 1843. 

Flack. J. A.. Geneva. 1843. 

Flaek. I). L., Geneva, 1846. 

Fuller, Joseph, Bloomlield, 184:1 

Ferguson, Andrew, Geneva, July, 1836. 

Foster. Mrs. Clarissa L., Sugar treek, 1840, 

Fidler, Mrs. Mary Ann, Blo'omfield, 1843. 

Fleming, Henry, Menominee, November, 1849. 

Ferow, Leah, ^Yalworth, 184:1 

Fountain, Thomas, Sugar Creek, 1853. 

Fay. C. (J.. Whitewater, 184G. 

FaV. Jane E., Whitewater, 1844, 

Fairchild, David L., Whitewater, 1854. 

France. William, Sharon, 1843. 

Fiske, Jane M,, Delavan. 1843. 

Flanders, P. W.. La Fayette, 1849, 

(Jolder, Peter. Elkhorn, August, 1842. 

Goodrich. A. C, Lyons, June, 1844, died 1871. 

Gray. Harmon, Sugar Creek, 1840. 

Gardner, Palmer, Spring Prairie, April, 1886. 

Godfrey, Levi, Rochester, May, 1836. 

Gray, t. B., Geneva, May 24, 1846. 

Green, Porter, La Fayette, 1843. 

(Jrav, James, Geneva, 1846. 

Gray, Elihu, Geneva, 1846. 

Golt, Edward L., Lyons, 1842, 



Godfrey, Tliomas, Walworlli, .lunc, 1837, died 1878, 

Gray, Samuel .\.. Geneva. 1846. 

Gardner, Simeon, Geneva, 18-14, died 1878, 

(Jilbert, E. L., Walworth, 18.14. 

Gardner, Elijali R., Geneva, June, 1841. 

Goff, M. B., 'Delavan, 1843. 

Graves, L. II.. Delavan. 1841. 

Graves, Mrs. L. 11., Delavan, 1840. 

Gibbs, C. R., Whitewater, 1845. 

Gibbs, Mrs. Prances, Whitewater, 1845. 

Graves, Gay lord, East, Trov, 1838. 

Graves, Mrs. Mary A. P.. East Trov, 1840. 

Graham, Mrs. Alexander, Whitewater, 1852, 

Gage, R. IL, Richmond, 1845, 

Gage, Mrs. R. II. , Richmond, 18:^7. 

Goodrich, R. W.. Trov, 1838. 

Harrington, N. JL. Di'lavan, July 4. 1843. 

Hollinshead, William, Delavan, June, 19, 1837. 

Hand, Osborn, Geneva, Mav 29, 1842. 

Harrington, Rilev, La Favette, Oct. 10, 1837. 

Hollister, H. G.. Delavan," June :?0, 1843, 

Hicks, Ilerrit, Spring Prairie, April, 1845. 

Houghton, William, '"La Grange, I8::i8. 

Hatcli, S. N., Linn, 1841. 

Hand, Jared, Geneva, May, 1844. 

Herriek, Jason A., Geneva, 1841. 

Humphrev, E., Lyons, 1843, 

Hntton, John, Geneva, 1845, died October, 1873. 

Harris. A. D.. La Fayette, 1845. 

Hay. Washington, La Fayette, 1843. 

Hil'l, Thomas, W., Genev'a, 1837, died May 36, 1879. 

Hollister, William, Richmond, 1838. 

Holden, James, La (4range, Feb., 1, 1837. 

Hulce, Elisha, Richmond, May 10, 1845. 

Hollister, E. B., Delavan, 1842. 

Harrington, P. G., Sugar Creek, May 39, 1836, died 

September 19, 1876. 
Ilibbard, A., Troy, June 30, 18:39. 
Hiljbard, Mary A., Troy, June 20, 1839. 
Hollister, Cyrenus, Darien, May, 18:39. 
Hi<ks, Elias, Elklun-n, Seplemiier, 1836. 
Ham, H. B., La Fayette, 1849. 
Harrington, Mrs. Marietta, Suuar Creek, 1836. 
Hollister, M. L., Delavan, 1843. 
Haskin, James, Geneva, June, 1843, 
Hand, Nathan, Lyons, Mav, 1840. 
Hill. Mrs. Thomas W., Lvons, 1841. * 
Harlow, E. C, La Grange. June. 1840. 
Harris. Rev. E. L., Belolt. October, 1850. 
Harris, Mrs. S. M., Beloit, October, 1850. 
Howe, S, B.. Geneva, 1843. 
Hall, G. W., Richmond, 1843. 
Hall, Mrs. Evean, Richmond, 1843. 
Ilojikins, P. G., Springfield, 1840. 
Hatch, C. L., Whitewater, 1843. 
Hubbard, E. A., Troy. 1845. 
Heath, Charles. East Troy. 18:37. 
Hopkins, Mrs. Eunice. Springfield, 1846. 
Hamilton, David, Whitewater, 1843. 
Howard. W. N., Mukwonago, 1837, 
Hudson, L. W., .Johnslowu, 18;)8. 
Hanson, S., Whitewater, 18.55. 
Hanson, Mrs. R. D., Whitewater, 18.55. 
Harris. Mrs. Maria, La Fayette, 1844. 
Hardy, Ava, Lima, 1840. 
Hull, J., Lima, 1840. 

Hollister. Mrs. William. Richmond, 1840. 
Hall, Jo.seph W., Racine, 1840. 
Harrington, S. L.. Lima. 1837. 
Harlow, J C, La Grange, 1849. 
Hare, Clara, Elkliorn, 1840. 

H 



436 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 



Hoyt. J. A.. IIoiuv Crock. 1837. 

Hartwell, Daniel, La Fayette, 1837. 

Hess, Henrv. Richmond, 1843. 

Hay, F. L.'Darien, born 1843. 

Hoilister, J. 11.. Delavan, 18.55. 

Irish, .J. E., Delavan. March 9, 1842. 

Ives, A.. Darien. 1843. 

Ishani, Willanl. Delavan, 1845, died 1877. 

Ingham, Dr. Stephen, Geneva, 1841), died 1875. 

Johnson, H. A., Darien, December, 1838. 

Johnson, J. J., Spring Prairie, March, 1839. 

Johnson, Asher. Darien, December, 1838, died July, 

18T3. 
Jones, E. P., Sharon. June 7, 1843. 
Jewell, A., Spring Prairie, 1845. 
James, Thomas P., Richmond, 1837. 

Johnson, Andrew, , May 39, 1842. 

Johnson, Mrs. Almira, Darien, 1838. 

Jones, Ahijah, Darien, 1843. 

Johnson, Joseph, Darien, 1846. 

..lohnsou, Levi, Whitewater, 1839. 

Johnson, W. W., La Grange, 1854. 

Johnson, David R., Elkhorn, 1851. 

Johnson, Mrs. D. R., Elkhorn, 1851. 

King, John, La Grange, 1841. 

Kinne, Jesse R , Sugar Creek, 1843. 

Kinney, Enos, Lyons, 1844. 

Keats," W. S., Troy, 1837. 

Ketchpaw, Jacob, Rurlmgton, September, 1840. 

Kimball, Orra, Bloomfield, June, 1837. 

Keyes, J. C, Spring Prairie, 1845. 

Keyes, Mrs. Z. M,, Spring Prairie, 1845. 

Kling, J. R., Troy, August, 1839. 

lungman. Edmund, Sugar Creek, May 1, 1849. 

lOurpp, n. S., Whitewater, 1837. 

Knaub, Michael, Sharon, 1843. 

Kinne, Mrs. A. C, Sugar Creek, 1847. 

Lyon, Isaac, Lyons, June 4, 1841. 

Lippitt, Cyrus, Sharon, Aug. 19. 1837. 

Long. C. I)., Darien, June 31, 1839. 

Loonier. Leonard, Sugar Creek, June, 1887. 

Looraer, Jonathan, Sugar Creek, March, 1838. 

Latham, Hollis, Elkhorn, February, 1837. 

Latham, L. G., Elkhorn, 1839. 

Lum. W. S.. Trov, 1840. 

Locke, H. B., Geneva, 1842. 

Locl^e, Daniel, Geneva, 1843. 

Loveland, John, Geneva, May 19, 1841. 

Leland, F., Kenosha, 1846. 

Latham, Loren. Elldiorn, May, 1844. 

Latimer, E., Delavan, August, 1846. 

Law.-ion, Holiert, Darien, July, 1838. 

I>oveland, Mrs. Elizabeth C. Bloomfield, 184L 

Ludington, Gov. Harrison, honorary. 

Ijauderdale, James, La Grange, August, 1842. 

Lauderdale, Mrs. Margaret, La Grange, August, 1842. 

Lefevre, George, Elkhorn, 1838. 

Lawton, J. H." La Grange, 1846. 

Maxon, Arthur W., Darien, May, 1837. 

Mereness, John, Darien, May. 1842. 

Merrick, P. 11. , Siiring I'rairie, June, 1837. 

Mather, Philo, Troy, July 8, 1840. 

Matteson, Albin, Sharon, Sept. 32, 1842. 

McGraw, Alonzo, Sharon, June 3, 1839. 

Merrick, A. L., Spring Prairie, June 15, 1836. 

McGraw, Newton, Delavan, June 14, 1839, died March, 

1874. 
McBriile, Allen, Linn, 1837. 
Moody, Levi, Bloomfield, 1838. • 
Martin, Orra. Spring Prairie, 1840. 
McDougald, William, Sugar Creek, Mai-ch, 1837. 



Mallory, Samuel. Elkhorn, fall 1844. 

Matteson, F., Lyons, October, 1841. 

Matthews, JohnT.. Linn, 1845. 

Mallory, Mrs. Samuel. Elkhorn, 1844. 

Muzzy, Pliny, Wliitewater. 1839. 

Merriam, Amzi. Linn, 1843. 

Meaeham, William P., Troy, 1836, first child born in 

Troy. 
Meaeham. Mrs. Patience, Troy. May 26, 1886, died 

March 11, 1875. 
Marshall, James. Geneva, 1842. 
Martin. Charles. Spring Prairie, 1844. 
Merriam, Allen, Linn. June, 1843, died April 15, 1879. 
Mcrriain. Fordycc, Linn, June, 1843. 
Montague, Gurdon, Geneva, 1845. 
Moody, Alfred, Geneva, 1841. 
MowJr, Timothy. Trov, 1842. 
Menzie, Silas W., Delavan, 1849. 
Mason, A. L.. Walworth, 1840. 
Mason, Mrs. Soplu'onia, Walworth, 1840. 
Matteson. Mrs. Sarah. Sharon, 1842. 
Martin, Jlrs. C^aroline, Spring Prairie, 1840. 
Matheson, John. Troy, 1848. 
Matheson, Mrs. J., Trov, 1846. 
Mackenzie, R., La Fayette, 1842. 
Marsh, Mrs. Sanger. Whitewater, 1839. 
Northrop, Theodoras B., Spring Prairie, 18.39. 
Noyes, Charles A., Sr., Geneva, 1886, died 1881. 
Nichols, Daniel W., Geneva, 1841. 
Newton, John W., Geneva, October, 1848. 
Norcross, Pliny, honorary. 
Nyce, C. K., Sugar Creeli, 1851. 
Nyce, Mrs. Maggie, Sugar Creek. 1851. 
Nourse, II. E.. Trov, 1849. 
Norcross, W. W., La Grange, 1840. 
Onderdonk, Hiram, Delavan, 1843. 
Ogden, G. W., Elkhorn, June, 1841. 
Odell, A. H., Troy, June 9. 1836, 
Ogden, AllH-rt, Elkhorn, Februarv, 1837. 
O'Brien, Peter, Troy, April 22, 1844. 
Oatman, C. L., Geneva, 1888. 
O'Connor, R., Whitewater, 1842, died 1882. 
O'Connor, Mrs. R., Whitewater, 1845. 
Potter, Alonzo, La Fayette, 1844. 
Peck, J. W., La, Fayette, 1842, died 1877. 
Porter, Doric C., Walworth, 1889. 
Patten, Silas, Spring Prairie. May, 1844. 
Peck, K. T., Walworth. September, 1845. 
Phoeni.x, AVilliam IL, Delavan, June, 1839. 
Puffer, J. O., Si)ring Prairie, May, 1889. 
Pratt, Samuel, Spring Prairie, 1845, died 1877. 
Perry, A. M., Trov, 1837. 
Phelps, Cyrus K., Geneva. 1840. 
Purdy, P.'L., Lyons, June, 1844. 
Potter, Joseph, La Fayette, 1843. 
Perry, John A.. 1844. 
Parish. J., Darien, 1841, died 1877. 
Potter, Jonathan, Troy, June, 1846. 
Phelps, .Vmos, Darien, June, 1846. 
Porter, Mrs. Alexander, Geneva, July, 1841. 
Passage, George, Delavan, 1842. 
Pierce, John A.. Sugar Creek, 1845. 
Powell. Samuel T.,'Linn, 1845, died 1878. 
Paul. S. S., Darien, 1847. 
Preston, Otis, Elkhorn, Oct. 29, 1846. 
Plioenix, Mrs. Sarah A.. Delavan, 1837. 
Pemberton, Jolin. Richmond, 1845. 
Parish, A. T., Delavan. 
Partridge, John S., Whitewater, 1846. 
Partridge. Mrs. H. J.. Whitew\ater, 1848. 
Patten, Mrs. C. T., Spring Prairie, 1846. 



I1I^^()KV OF WALWUKTII COPNTY. 



431 



Parsons, A. B.. Dclavan. Au^'usl, 18;i8. 

Persons. F.. Waukesha, ISIS. 

I'olloek, Thomas, La Favette, lf<4(l. died February. 

PartridiiC John S., Whilewaler. IM'.t. 

Park. M. T.. Turtle. ISIT. 

I'hoeiiix. Henry. Dehivaii. ISHIi. 

Porter. Clarrissa. Elkhorn. \K4.'>. 

Uoekwell. Le Grand. Klkhorn, l.s.'iT, died 18G9. 

Reed. 0\\d, Darien, Auir. 23, 1843. 

Ross. William, Geneva. 1838. 

Raleiijh. John. Spring- Prairie. 1844. 

Kieli. Harrison. Geneva. .lulv. 1844. 

Reed, Solon. Bloomfield. 1.^44. 

I{oss, Wasliini;l(>n. (ieiieva, 184"). 

Riee, E. M.. Whitewater. June 17, 1841. 

l{oss. George, Geneva, 1838. 

Rowe, Dan'. Bloomfield. 1838, died 1878. 

Reader. John. Walworth, February. 1837, died 1879. 

Ruirg. Cvrus. Bldomtield. 1839. 

Roikwefl. Reuben. Geneva. 1842. died March 1, 1879. 

l{evnolds. B. O.. Raeine, June. 1848. 

Riehardson, E. D., Geneva. 1841. 

Randall. S. F.. Troy. 1842. died 1879. 

Randall. W. F.. Troy. 1842. 

Randall. S. P.. Troy. 1.^2. 

Roberts. A. W.. Bloomfield. June. bH^O. 

Rowe. J. H.. Bloomfield. 1839. 

Rylaud. Mrs. Elizabeth. Linn. 1837. 

Rounds, G. W.. La Grange. Au.eust, 1845. 

Rounds, 5Irs. Louisa A., La Grange, August, 1845. 

Rodman. R. L.. Walworth, 184(i. 

Reed. :Mrs. Jane M. Seaver. Darien, 1840. 

Riehmond. A. ().. Troy. lS4(i. 

Riehardson. William, Whitewater, 1844. 

Riehmond, Amaziah. Whitewater, 1854. 

Rielimond. Mrs. Alison O.. Troy. 1840. 

Randolph. H. W.. AVahv<irth. 1850. 

Spooner. Hon. AVyman. Sugar Creek, 1846, died No- 
vember 18. 18"77. 

Simmons, James, Geneva, Aug. 9, 1843. 

Salisbury. Daniel. Spring Prairie. Jlay 25, 183(5. 

Smith. £. B., La Favette, June 27, 1843, died Mareli 
10. 1,882. 

Slowell. Israel. Darien. June24. 1838, died Jan. 28, 1876. 

Southerlaml. C. Walworth. 

Smiib. L. R.. Spring Prairie, Dec. 29, 18,35. died No- 
vember. 1874. 

Stone, Randall. Darien. Mareh, 1842. 

Stilwell. J. M., Delavan. 1H39, 

Storms, W. P.. Spring Prairii-. JIay. 1845. 

Stevens. Eihvard. Geneva. Mareh, 1839. 

Spooner, JeiUithan, Sugar Creek, 1841. 

Spooner. H<-nry F.. Sugar Creek, 1842. 

Snnlh. Sylvester G., Spring Prairie, March, 1837, died 
bH7H. 

Smith, Mrs. C. W.. (Jeneva, 1839. 

Sptn-r. I'eter, La Grange, Jul}', 1841. 

Sanford. J. H., La Grange, spring, 1841. 

Smith. I). Y., La Fayette, 1839. 

Sanford, S. C, La Grange, 1842. 

Sturtevanl. W. W., Delavan, 1842. 

Short. Z.. La Favette. 1842. 

Shepherd. J. B.. 'September. 18-tl, died June 1875. 

Stewart. James. La Grange. October, 1841. 

Salisbm-y. Joel. Shanjii. October. 1843. 

Smith. H. (i.. Kiehmond. 1S42. 

Sturires. George \V., RacilU'. 1844. 

Stewart. Robert. IS37, died 1877. 

Stewait. John. 1S4(). 

Shephird, S. II., Dclavan. 1H41. 



Sanders, John, La Grange, Septemlier. 1849. 
Stow. Cvrus C, Elkhorn. 1848. 
Stowe. William L.. Elkhorn, 1840. 
SafTord. .M.. Delavan. October, 18.50. 
Stiu-tevant. C. IL, Delavan. 1841. 
Smith. Daniel. Delavan. 1847. 
Sharp. E. M., Dclavan. June 25. l.S.5(). 
Stewart, Samuel. Richmond, 1842. 
Sharp, Mrs. John. Delavan. June 18, 18"-,0. 
Schilling, George F., Delavan, 1853. 
Snyder. J. H., Elkhorn. 1845. 
SnVder. Eliza R.. Elkhorn. 1845. 
Shegar. Henry. Sharon. IM43. 
Shegar, Mrs. feva. Sharon. 1843. 
Smith, Caroline W.. Sjiring Prairie, 1837. 
Sherman. William. Jeriiho. 1830. 
Sherman, Mrs. Louisa. Jericho. 183fi. 
Sprague. E. H.. Grant County. 1848. 
Salislnu-y. Albert. Lima. 1843". 
Salislauv. Ansel. Whitewater. 1837. 
Seutenn'. A.. Whitewater. 1845. 
Smith. James, Whitewater. 1845. 
Simmons. Mrs. James, Geneva. 1844. 
Seaver, H. E.. Darien, 1840. 
Seaver. Mrs. H. E.. Darien. 1S37. 
Sweet, Rev. S. E.. Kenosha. 1.S45. 
Starin. Fred. J., Whitewater. ]S40. 
Starin. Mrs. Fred. J., Whitewater. 1853. 
Stratton. W. J.. Troy. 1843. 
Stratton. :Mrs. W. J., Troy, 1854. 
Taylor, H. A.. Troy. 1.S44 
Tupper. A. W.. Bloomfield. 1844. 
Tibbet.s, Samuel IL. Sut;-ar Creek. 1S40. died 1873. 
Thayer. Emery. East Troy. August, 1842, died 1879. 
Taylor. Luke. Ganhicr's Prairie, May, 1836. 
TaVlor. Hiram, Sugar Creek. November, 1843. 
Thomas. T. D., Darien, 1836. 
Taylor, C. P.. Lyons, 1845. 
Thomas. A. I)., Darien. 1837. 
Tinimas. Rial. Sugar Creek. 1843. 
Taylor, J. L.. East Troy. July 3. 1843. 
Turner. Ira, Linn. 1842.' died "Feb. 22. 1880. 
Turner, Mrs. Ira. Linn. 1842. 
Treat, J. A.. Sharon, 1844. 
Tallman, George B., Delavan, 1849. 
Treat. George. Sharon. 184:1 
Thomas. Rev. S. C. Elkhorn. 1851. 
Thomas. Mrs. Isabella. Elkhorn. 1851. 
Tallman, Charles B.. Delavan. 1847. 
Thielc, H. F., Whitewater, 1848. 
Teet.shorn, Lewis, Richmond, 1838. 
Taylor. Mrs. Lydia. Lyons. 1IS45. 
Ta"ylor. Henry M.. Cold Spring. 1856. 
Ta'ft. James R.. Wbitewaler. 18,54. 
Tupper. Mrs. Betsey, liloomlield. 1837. died 1880. 
Van Schaick, S. H.. Walworth. July, 1842. 
Viles, Jo.seph. Geneva, 1845, died 1874. 
Vaughn, David T., La Fayette, An.gust, 1838. 
Vincent. Jarvis. Geneva. l'S45. 
Vaughn. B. F.. Sjiring Prairie. 1837. 
Vauirhn. E. O.. Spring Prairie. 1837, died 1879. 
Vaughn. Mrs. David. S]irin- Prairie, 1838, died 1876. 
Voorhecs, S. W.. Sharon. 1S49. 
Van Velzer. Cornelius R.. (Jeneva, 1836. 
Wales. Charles. Geneva. lS4(i. 
Williams. J(]hn. Darien. May b5. 18.39. died 1876. 
AVells. llezekiah. Delavan. ISC', died 1869. 
Wait. Russell. Lycjns. l.'<3.s. 

Ward. Jonathan." Gein^va. 1S36. died April, 1873. 
Warren. Robert W.. (Jeneva. June, 1836, died Dec. 
31, 1875. 



438 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 



Wylic, Ciilviu H., La Favette, October, 1843. 

W'elch. Fivel>orn, Sugar Creek, 1836. 

Watson, Mark, Troy, May, 1841. 

Winsor, H. S., Elkl'iorn. November, 1839. 

Wyekoff. J. L., Walworth, 1.841. 

Wmsor, R. B., Kenosha, 1836. 

Wylic. W. .1., Spring Prairie, 1843. 

Willis, L. H., Delavan, 1.840. 

Webster, C. D., East Troy, 1847. 

Walling, S., Elkhorn, July 2, 1838, died April, 1875. 

Wvlie, Geo. W., La Fayette, October, 1842. 

Wliif, J. E.. Lyons. October, 1843. 

Williams, Israel, Linn, 1836. 

Webb, A. L., Mukwa, September, 1843. 

West, Stephen G.. Troy, 1840. 

Weeks, Lewis S., Lyon,s, 1844. 

Wilcox, AlonzoC., Lyons, 184.5. 

Weeks, T. D., Whitewater (Lyons), 1843. 

Wheeler, A. C, Walworth, October, 1846. 

Warren, Mrs. Mary, Geneva, June, 1836, died 1879. 

Wylie, J. P., La F'iiyette, October, 1843. 

Wylie, Mrs. J. P., La Fayette, March, 1837. 

Willis, William, Delavan, 1843. 

Whitmore, Joseph. Spring Prairie, 1837. 



Whitmore. Mrs. J., Spring Prairie, 1845. 
West, Nelson. 

Williams, Royal J., Linn, 1836. 
Weter, Mrs. Sarah, Linn. 1843. 
Woodward, Archibald. Sharon, 1839. 
Woodward. Mrs. Mary, Sharon. 1839. 
Weter. J. A., Linn, i:843. 
Wilson. Rev. T. C, Bloomfleld, 1844. 
Wylie. Mrs. Jaut;. Elkhorn. 1843. 
Wintermute, Septer, Whitewater, 1846. 
Wintermute, Emeline, Whitewater, 1846. 
Waite, Isaac. N.. Darien, 1844. 
Webber, G. W., Walworth, 1838. 
Williams. Daniel, Sugar Creek, 1849. 
Wilkinson. II. J., Linn, 1847. 
Weld, J. W., La Grange, 1841. 
Warner, A. B,. Whitewater, 1847. 
Warner, Mrs. Ruth, Whitewater, 1847. 
Webb. S. T., Geneva, 1849. 
Wheeler, Mrs. I. U., Whitewater. 1840. 
Warner. Ambrose, Whitewater, 1847. 
Wilson, Lewis, Richmond. 1.8.54. 
Wells, Walter M., Delavan, 1843. 
Young, G. H., Elkhorn, 1843. 




CHAPTER VT. 

Railroads and Telegraphs — Corporate History — Early Fiscal Affairs — Early Schools and 
School Districts — County Property — Support of Paupers — Roster of County Officers 1839 
TO 1881 — Legislators — Constitutional Conventions — State Government — Courts and 
Offices — Walworth County Bar — Statistics — Press of County — Conclusion. 

railroads and telegraphs. 

THE advent of railroads had a marked influence in developincr the resources of the county. 
The first to enter it was the Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad, which was built throuffh 
Whitewater aud beyond as far west as Milton durinw the year 1852. This road was continued to 
Stoufhton. in 1853. aud throuijh to Prairie du Chien in 1856. It was afterward known as the 
Milwaukee & Prairie du Chien Railroad till merged into the Chicaijo. Milwaukee & St Paul 
Railway. It is now desicjnated as the Prairie du Chien Division of that road. Whitewater 
was the first towTi iu the county to derive advantages from railroail facilities, which, in con- 
nection with the manufactiu-ing enterjirises that centered there soon after, made it the leading 
village of the couuty. both iu size and commercial imporiance. and it has maintained its su- 
premacy ever since. 

This road was first incor]iorated as the Milwaukee & Waukesha Railroad Company and 
was organized November '23, 1847. At that time its terminus was undecided. The Milwau 
keeans were only seeking to open some more reliable avenue than the muddy roads of those 
days provided with the interior tributary C(_)untry. The charter was subsetpiently amended, 
empowering the company to build the road to the Mississippi River, in C-rrant County, and 
its name changed to the Milwaukee & Mississi])[)i Railroad Ccmipany. After many trials on the 
part of the projectors of the road, it was complett^l to Waukesha in 1S51. The money of the 
company realized on bonds of the City of Milwaukee, was expended on this twenty miles, and 
for farther extension the directors depended largely on subscriptions and loans of town credit 
along the line of the proposed road. The location of the route at that time was to be deter- 
mined not so much liy the engineers as by the amount of subscripti(ms and aid that could be 
obtained along within hailing distance on either side of a direct line to the Mississippi. It 
was said that the directors were ready to buihl the road in any direction from AN'aukesha that 
led away fi'om Lake Michigan and toward (irant Couuty, provided sufficiently lil)eral local in- 
ducements were held out. Strong efforts were made to establish the route south of its present 
location, through Mukwonago, East Troy and thence on to Janesville, nearly over the line of 
the old stage road. Neither the adviintages nor disadvantages of a railroad were then so well 
understood as they have come to be since that time. Sentiment was far from unanimous iu its 
favor among the inhabitants of the towns along the proposed route at the outset, aud, 
as the subject was discussed, a strong feeling of opposition was develo]HHl. It was claimed 
that the immense travel over the highway would cease, that the taveru business would be ruined 
and the villages along the line would cease to flom'ish; that there would be no further use for 
horses, etc.. etc.-— in fact, they gave the innovation the cold shoulder, aud allowed the road to 
lie l)uilt farther north, through Eagle and Palmyra. They, however, sought to hold the travel 
and traffic over the old route l)y im]>roving the thoroughfare. A ])lank road was projected over 
the whole route, and built from Milwaukee as far as Mukwonago. Tlu^ eflorts of the conserva- 
tives did not avail against the railroad, and the main travel and traffic over the thoroughfare fell 
off, being diverted to the railroads as soon as they were built, leaving the old stage road desert- 
ed, except by the stage and mail lines, which still go over it together with the local travel. 
Thus the fears of the old tavern-kee]iers were realized through the competition tliey feared, al 
though its route was not established through their towns. In a certain way, this early victory 
re-acted disastrously to the towns. The sudden growth of Whitewater after the railroad reached 
that point, created a revulsion of po]mlar feeling, and the advantages of railway conunimicatiou 
came to be as nnich over rated as they had been formerly decried. So, when th(< project was 



440 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

broached to build a line from Milwaukee to Beloit, to pass through East Troy and Troy, crossing 
the old stage road, but not running parallel with it. it found the Troy people, as well as others 
along the line, all too ready to further the project by loaning the credit of the towns, or by the 
still more imprudent means of personal subscriptions or loans, secured by mortgages on their 
farms. The litigation that grew out of the railroad farm-mortgages, and the hardships they 
brought ui)on the farmers all over the county before they were fiaally wi]ied out, would, if fully 
detailed, furnish ample material for a chapter, and a record of bad faith on the one side and 
credulity on the other, almost iin]iaralleled in liusiness history. It is sufficient here to explain 
the plan and workings of the farm-mortgage system, as it came into vogue as a means of build- 
ing railroads through the new country, and the outcome of it at a later day when the day of 
payment came. 

As it is well known, when the railroad fever th-st began to rage in Wisconsin, there was 
absolutely no surplus caj)ital in the State. It was, therefore, necessary to raise the capital at 
the Eastern money centers, which could easily be done if by any means a margin of home capi- 
tal could lie raised sufficient to guarantee the Eastern capitalists from ultimate loss. This was 
effected through various methods —by obtaining stock subserii>tions from those most directly in- 
terested in the road; by obtaining stock subscrijitions from counties and towns along the pro- 
posed route, for which municipal and county bonds were paid; and by the more reprehensible 
means of inducing individual farmers to subscribe for stock, mortgaging their farms on five or 
ten years' time as security for their ultimate payment for the stock taken. With these in hand, 
the directors would issue bonds, on which annual or semi-annual interest was to be paid, the 
bonds running a series of years, giving as secm-ity the munici]>al bonds, the farm-mortgage 
bonds and all the rights and franchises of the road. On these bonds thus secured, money was 
raised (often at ruinous sacrifice), wherewith to build the roads. Some were pushed to com- 
pletion, others were abandoned, half finished, and a few were scarcely begun. It is' believed 
that in every case the roads were sold or went into the hands of the bond -holders, when built, 
not one of them being now owned or controlled by the original stockholders. 

These roads were, many of them, started during the years 1852, 1853, 1854 and 1855, 
Those finished before the close of 185(3 are now running under the control of new owners. 
Those in process of construction when the financial panic of 1857 paralyzed business, and 
brought all enterprises requiring money to a standstill, have never been built. The municipal 
bonds, as well as the farm mortgages, had, however, all passed into the hands of Eastern money- 
lenders, and, after years of litigation, they were decided by the higher com'ts to be valid, and 
payment enforced, whether the railroad for which they were given had been built or not. When 
it is stated that nearly half the farms in the county were mortgaged, and that two of the prin- 
cipal roads projected thi'ough the county were never built, the injustice, and, in some cases, 
villainy, of the transaction is apparent. For years, this cloud of debt, incurred without con- 
sideration, and the payment of which was enforced in accordance with law. bi;t in violation of 
right and equity, hung over the county and overshadowed its prosperity. Some farmers lost 
their homes and many toiled for years before the incumbrances were removed. 

Having thus given an outline sketch of the processes by which the roads were built or be- 
gun, the history of the railroad system of the county can be given without fm'ther digression. 

From 185H to 1855. three lines were projected through the county, viz.. the Wisconsin 
Central, diagonally across the county from the southeast to the northwest corner; the Mil- 
waukee & Beloit, from the northeast to the southwest corner, and the Racine, Janesville & 
Mississippi, extending from east to west tlu'ough the center of the county. Of these three roads 
only one was completed before the panic of 1857. 

The Racine, Janesville & Mississippi Railway Company was chartered in .1852, The route 
as originally laid out was in nearly a direct line from Racine to Janesville, and passed through 
the northern half of Lyons, (jeneva, Delavan and Darien, touching the village of Delavan. 
Through local inducements held out, the route was changed before the road was built. Beloit 
became the first objective jioint, instead of Janesville, and the coiu'se was deflected north to 
Elkhorn. These changes were effected through the energetic efforts of the enterprising citizens 
of the towns named. Elkhorn subscrilied S20.()0() — $15,000 in bonds and §5,000 in individual 
cash subscriptions; Delavan subscriiied $25,0(1(1 in l)onds; Beloit and vicinity succeeded in 



HISTOHY (JF WALWORTH COUNTY. 441 

<lrawiii<i; tho road from Jauosvillo to that ])lace by a large issue of bonds to aid in its construc- 
tion. I'ai'm mortgages were resorted to before it was finished to Beloit. The road was com- 
ploted to the eastern border of the county in 1855. and through to Beloit during the following 
year. This was the first general railroad communication established thi'ougli the county. In 
1859, the road passed into the hands of the bondholders, and the original stock became worth- 
loss. The road was comjih'ted to Freejiort that year, and subsequently built to Savannah, 
thence to Bock Island. In JN(')(). the road was sold by the li<indholders. and a new organization 
elfected under the name of the Western Union Railroad. A controlling interest was ])urehased 
a few years after by tho Chicago. Milwaukee & St. Paul Company, which has since operated it 
as a division of its road, designated as the Southwestern Division. The Eagle Branch road 
from this road, running from Elkhorn to Eagle, and connecting with the Chicago, Milwaukee 
& St. Paul Railroad at that point, was built in 1869. It passes through La Fayette and Troy. 
It was built by the Western Union corporation, and is a yiart of that road, but, like tho main 
trunk road, is a pai-t of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul system. Although the aid given 
this road never brought any direct return to towns granting it, the oliject was attained. Tho road 
was built and the general enhancement of the value of ])ro]ierty along the line, with other benefits 
derived from it. if com])utod, would far exceed the individual and nuiuicipal losses sustained in 
its establishment. 

The Wisconsin Central Railroad Company was chartered in March, 1853. The leading 
spirits of the organization were resiilents of Elkhorn, and the officers of the embryo railroad 
were at that place. Le Grand Rt)ckwell was the first President; Edwin Hodges was Treasurer, 
and Messrs. Winsor and Smith, attorneys. The Board of Directors took in citizens favorable 
to the project all along the line of the road, with a fair proportion of Elkhorn men. Otis Pres- 
ton and George Bulkley, as well as Rockwell and Hodges, were on the board; also Rufus Che 
ney, of \Vhitewater, C. M. Baker, of Geneva, and other leading citizens of the county, whose 
names are not remembered. The charter empowered the company to construct a railroad from 
the terminus of th(> Fox River road, at the State line, at Genoa Village, to some point on the 
head- waters of Lake Superior. Its jiroposed connection with Lake Michigan was with Chicago 
via the Fox River road to Elgin. 111., thence to Chicago over the Chicago & Galena Railroad. 

The route through Walworth County passed diagonally through tho county from Genoa in 
the extreme southeast corner, through tho villages of Geneva, Elkliorn and ^\'hitewater, in the 
northwestern corner. Thence, in nearly a direct line via Jefferson and Portage, it was to take 
to the woods and come out on Lake Superior at some point near whore Superior City is now sit- 
uated. 

The project at once became extremely popular, and liberal subscri{)tious in money were 
made and bonds issued Ijy the towns to give it a stai-ti all along th(> line as far as Jetterson, in 
Jefferson County, which was to be the first resting-point in building befor(» extending it farther 
north. Whitewater. Elkhorn and Geneva all issued bonds in aid of the enterprise Geneva, 
^25,()0(»: Elkhorn, $15,000; Whitewater, $40,000. 

The work of building the road did not progress with the vigor shown by the directors in 
raising the stock. Considerable grading was done at various points along the line as far as 
Whitewater, and tho rails were laid as far as Geneva, in June, 1856, Then the panic of 1857 
overtook it, and the enterprise fell into a state of confusion and insolvency, Tho offices and 
books were transferr(>d to Whitewater, when the company dragged out a sickly corporate exist- 
ence for a few years in vain endeavors to raise funds to revive it. and then gave up the ghost, 
leaving only a heritage of blasted ho])es, unfulfilled [(ledges, the unfinished road-bed and eight- 
een miles of railroail, with its corporate name and franchises to show that it once lived a plaus- 
ible dead l)i>at life, and drew its sustenanct^ from the too credulous inhabitants t)f th(> county. 

The history of the completed jiortion of the road, from G(>uoa to (Tcncva. and the hand 
Geneva took in the Central Railroad game, is given in Simmons* History of (Jeneva as follows: 

"Many, if not a majority of our citizens, preferred a connection with Racine or Kenosha, 
but some believed that a direct line to (Chicago would prove most beneficial to the interests of 
the village. That, at all events, was the best we could secure, and it seemed ju.st within oui- 
grasp. Conse(juently our cai)italists directed thcnr means and their energies to the construction 
•of that roa<l. The same vear an act was passed autliorizin<r tlie towns alon ' the road to i.-isue 



442 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

their bonds in aid of its constraetion. Under this provision, a special town meeting was held 
Auc^ust 21. 1855, and a vote passed by a majority of fifty-seven, to issue bonds to the amount of 
$2o',000, payable in twenty years with 8 per cent interest, to be exchanged for stock of the road. 
The bonds were issued accordingly on the 27th of Feliruary, 185(). This was considered a glo 
rious opportunity to get something for nothing, as the Ijonds would pay for the stock — and the 
stock would in turn pay the bonds — and the dividends would pay the interest. 

********* 

"In June of this year the long-expected railroad was completed to the eastern boundary 
of the village, and a great jubilee was held upon the occasion of the arrival of the first train of 
cars from Chicago. Trains immediately commenced running daily to and from Elgin, in con- 
nection with the Chicago trains on the Galena road, and great benefits were anticipated from 
the opening of this communication with that great mart of the West. A heavy job of grading 
through the hill in the east part of the village remained to be completed before the rails could 
be extended to the permanent depot grounds at the head of Broad street, and, as no great delay 
was anticipated, there was no inducement for any one to Isuild warehouses for the reception of 
produce at the temporary stopping-place, and consequently but little was purchased to be 
shipped over the road. In 1857, A. Ferguson and James Simmons erected the red warehouse 
which stood near the depot grounds until the spring of 1873, purposing to use it for storing 
»rain and produce: but, on the arrival of the railroad at that point, it was rented and used for a 
depot. Shortly before this, a great, fiaancial crash had put a quietus upon nearly all railroad 
projects, and it was only by the aid of subscriptions among the citizens that the cars were 
brought into oiu- village. For several years they continued to visit us regularly, the travel and 
freight constantly increasing, notwithstanding the general stagnation of trade through the 
country, and the failure of crops, and we began to realize some of the benefits we had so long 
anticipated, but some time in the fall of 1860 they ceased coming. The road being laid with 
the old style of iron, in long flat bars spiked to wooden stringers, previously used on the Galena 
road, had become out of repair, and business on so short a route was hardly suflicient to war- 
rant any extensive outlay for its improvement. For some two years after the trains ceased to 
run, a flat car was operated by a pair of horse or mule engines under the superintendence of 
Ben Fish and others, during which time one of the engines jumped the track and broke its 
back, and the other was compelled to go it alone. 

"In October, 1867, the holders of the bonds issued by the town in aid of the Wisconsin 
Central Railroad, submitted to our electors a proposition to accept half the face of the bonds 
in full satisfaction. Om- people knowing that they had received no value for them, and believ- 
incr that they were neither morally nor legally bound to pay them, almost imanimously rejected 
the proposition. Tlie decision proved imfortunate, as the bonds subseijuently fell into the hands 
of unscrupulous parties, who have succeeded in overcoming all our defenses and recovered their 
'pound of flesh.' " 

In 1871, the citizens of Geneva obtained a charter under the name of the State Line & 
Union Railroad Comiiany, C. M. Baker. President. The charter authorized them to construct 
a road from the State line, at Genoa, to Columbus and onward to some point on the Fox or 
Wisconsin River, at or between Sauk City and Berlin. The company contracted with the 
Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company to construct the road over the grade of the old 
Central, which had been in disuse since 186(), to the village, they leasing the road to that com- 
jmny for ninety- nine years. The road was thus completed a second time to Geneva, July 26, 
1871, thus renewing "her railroad connection with Chicago after an interim of eleven years. 
This branch has been run to that point since its construction to the present time. That the old 
Wisconsin Central was considered a totally defunct institution is shown in the fact that its 
name (Wisconsin Central) was ruthlessly appropriated in June, 1871, by the Portage, Winne- 
bago & Superior Railroad Company, and is still retained by it. Its franchises, right of way, 
road-bed and whatever else was left of the old wreck, is now claimed l)y the Chicago, Portage 
& Superior Company, under a sale on foreclosiu-e of a mortgage. The company was chartered 
by the Illinois Legislature in 1872. The route is intended to be an air-line fi-om Chicago to 
the southern terminus of the old Central at Geneva, thence, under its franchises, over the old 
road-bed through Walworth and Jefferson Counties in a direct line to Duluth. Under the stim- 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COTTNTY. 443 

ulus of lainl grants in Wisconsin, considerable work has already been done in Northern "Wis 
eonsin as well as in Illinois, and it is not imiirobable that, after the lajise of thirty years under 
this company, the rails may yet be laid along the old line, and the sanguine hopes and vision 
ary schemesof the ])ri)jertors of the old Central become a reality to thi> later generations.* 

The Milwauk<H> & 15(>loit Railway was chartered in IS-") 4 or IS,-),"). It was a Milwaukee en- 
terprise. The offices of the comi)any were there. Horatio Hill, of that city, was the President. 
Of the directors, a majority of them were ^lilwankeo men. It was pro])osed to run the route in 
nearly a direct line from Milwaukee to Beloit, passing in a southwesterly direction through 
East Troy, Troy, Elkhorn to Delavau, thence over the route of the Kacine & Mississi])pi road 
through barien and Allen's Grove, to Beloit. It was a feasible railroad ])rojoct for ISIilwankee, 
and running in a direct line thi-ough a rich farming country, held out plausible hopes of being 
a paving road, if built. Having raised sufficient cash capital among its Milwaukee friends to 
give' it a stai't, the ordinary methods of obtaining aid fi-om the towns along the road, and by 
farm -mortgages were resorted to. The farmers along the whole Hue throtigh East Troy, Troy, 
La Fayette, Elkhorn and Delavau, were thoroughly canvassed, and almost a clean swee]) of farm- 
mortwao-es in those towns was made. It was the old story — considerable grading done, some 
bridges built, the road nearly ready for the rails, the crash of 1S,-)7, credit gone, a struggle for 
a few vears and a total colla[ise. The road was never built, and thus far no successor has ap- 
peai-ed" ujion the scene of its ruin, to renew the enterprise, as in the case of its unfortunate com- 
panion in U-ibulation — the AVisconsin Central. Eveiy dollar of stock subscribed ])roved a clear 
loss. The fai-m-mortgages had not all been disposed of at the time of the financial collapse in 
1857, and, as it was impossible to negotiate loans on them East, dm-ing the long period of de- 
pression that followed, many of them were sold to Western money-lenders in lots to suit pur- 
chasers and at prices to suit the emei-gencies of the occasion. They gradually filiated into strong 
hands and payment in full was enforced through the com-ts, when eomi)romises were noteflected. 
The poor fju-mers, in addition to the injustice of being f(jreed to sul)mit to legalized rolibery, 
were subjected to the bitter chagrin and heli)less humiliation arising from the knowledge that 
the holders of the mortgages, with whom they were forced to settle, had, in many cases, doubled 
their money by the nefarious speculation. It is no wonder that, remembering the bitter experi- 
ences of twenty years ago, an undercim-ent of bitterness toward railroad cori>orations prevails 
among the fai-mers even to the present day. In addition to the roads already mentioned, two 
others have just entered the boundaries of the comity. 

The Kenosha & Beloit Railroad Comjiany was incor])orated in l.Si)8, to build a road fi-om 
Kenosha to Beloit. The route was afterward changed to Rockford, and the roa<l l:)ecame known 
as the Kenosha, Rockford & Rock Island Railway. It nms west thrijugh Kenosha County, 
striking the State line at Genoa. It was finished to that place in ISfi'J. Like all other rail- 
roads of that time, it failed, and was sold out on foreclosm-e. It is now a part of the Chicago 
& North- Western system, and is designated as the Kenosha Division of that road. 

The Chicago & North- Western Railway Company, after various discouragements in its in- 
fantile struggles for existence, under vai'ious names and diverse charters, both in Wisconsin 
and Illinois, got consolidated and fairly on its feet under the name it now bears, in 1855. In 
185(5. the Wisconsin Division was com])leted to ,Jane8ville. jiassiug through Shai'on. the south- 
western town of the county. 

The i-ailroad connections and commtinications which have grown out of the etlorts. labors 
and sacrifices of thirty years ar(> summarized as follows: 

The Chicago, Milwauke(> & St. Paul Itailway (South-West(>rn Division) passes through the 
towns of Lyons. Geneva (the northern ])art). Elkhorn. Didavan and Darieii. I'here art^ within 
the county on this road six passeng(>r and freight stations, viz.. Lyons, Springfield, where 
stage connections was made with Geneva Village. Elkhorn, Delavan. Darien and Allen's Grove. 
Two [)assenger and two freight trains i)ass over the road East and West daily. The Eagle 
Branch, connecting with the road at Elkhorn. )iasses through La Fayi>tte and Troy. It has 
three stations in th(> county -Peck's Station, in La Fayette, and Mayh(nv and Troy Center, in 

* Since the text v/nn wrilt,-n, a tr-inifcr of Sl.uOl) 0(10 piii.J-up Bt^)r-.k of the Chirjign. Portage & Superior Railway Cump Mi.v to the ClitCMgot 
St. Paul, Miniieapulis ft Omaha liailway Conipiinv, operat"il to ,ranifer tlie land grant also to the latter. iranie.1 ('oiiipaiiy, whirh, a|>iinrently. 
will not best serve its own interesU) by bilililini; the roail »o long lioped for by the people of Walwiirlh CXiunl.v, to wit, from Chuago, by way 
of Geneva, Elkhorn and Whitewater, to JefTerwon or Portage. 



444 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

the town of Troy. A mixed train, freight and passenger, passes over the road each way 
daily. 

The Chicago & North-Western runs tlu'ee trains through Genoa to Geneva each day. The 
village of Sharon, situated on the main trunk line of the Wisconsin Division, has all the facili- 
ties of the most favored stations on that well-appointed and well-managed road. Three passen- 
ger trains pass daily, going north and south. 

Telegraphs were established along the lines of the railroads nearly as soon as they were 
built, aad offices established at every depot. In addition, a telephone line is completed from 
the office at Mayhew Station to East Troy, which is the only ]ioint lying off the main lines 
having telegraphic communication. 

eOEPOK-4.TE HISTOKY. 

The corporate history of Walworth County began January 7, 1839, at which time the first 
meeting of the first Board of Commissioners was held at the house of Daniel Bradley, in Elk- 
horn, where the fii'st county business was transacted. There wore present Benjamin Ball, Na- 
thaniel Bell and William Bowman, who constituted the tii'st Board of Commissioners. The 
board proceeded to organize by appointing a clerk. The fii'st and only business done at this 
meeting was to grant a license to R. W. Warren "to keep a tavern at the village of Geneva, 
for the sum of $5," after which the board adjourned to meet at the same place on the 8th day 
of March, 1839. 

At the adjourned meeting, the full board being present. Hollis Latham was appointed 
Clerk pro tern., and it proceeded to select "the following named persons for grand and petit 
jurors, to serve at the District Court (the fii-st held), April term, 1839: " 

First Grand Jurors — Joseph Griffin, Isaac Williams, R. W. Warren, George Clark, Rod- 
erick Merrick, Palmer Gardner, Charles Dyer, Solomon A. Dwinnell. David Whitmore, Elias 
Jennings, James Tripp, Adolphus Spoor. William AVeed, Mon-is F. Haws, Asa Blood, Marshall 
Newell, Zerah Mead, Jeduthan S]iooner, Christojiher Douglass, Henry Phoiuix, Salomon Thomas, 
John Bruce, Nicholas Comstock. 

First Petit Jiu-ors -William Stork, William K. May, Allen McBride, C. M. Baker, Allen 
Perkins, Benjamin C. Pierce, A. L. Merrick, Solomon Harvey, Elias Hicks, Milo E. Bradley, 
Gaylord Graves, Trumau Hibbard, Othni Beardsley, Gorham Bunker, Edwin Perry, George 
W. Kendall, Elijah Worthington. Willard B, Johnson, Israel B. Cornish, Joseph Barker, James 
Maxwell, John Lippitt, William HoUinshead, William A. Bartlett. 

Following the selection of jurors, the board received a petition for the first county road 
which was "to commence at the center of the county, and running to Mr. Barker's house, 
thence north to the north line of the county," The board then adjourned sine die. 

At the next meeting, held Ajiril 1, 1839, election precincts were designated and Judges of 
Election appointed as follows: 

Geneva — At the house of Robert W. Warren; Judges, Charles M. Goodsell, W'illiam K. 
May, Thomas McKaig. 

Spring Prairie— At the house of A. A. Hemenway; Judges, Thomas Miller, Roderick Mer- 
rick, Solomon A. Dwinnell, 

Troy — At the house of Othni Beardsley; Judges, Gaylord Graves, Augustus Smith, Sylvanus 
Spoor. 

Delavan — At the house of Milo Kelsey; Judges, Henry PhcBnis, William HoUinshead, 
John Bruce. 

Elkhorn — At the house of Elijah Worthington; Judges, George W. Kendall, Jared B. 
Cornish, Zerah ]Mead. 

Walworth — At the house of James A. Maxwell; Judges, Christojiher Douglass, Amos 
Bailey, William Bell. 

William HoUinshead was ajipointed County Treasurer, following which ajipointment it was 
voted " that there shall be a special election held in the county of Walworth for the purpose of 
electing to wuship officers on Thursday, the 9th of May next, in the several towns of said county, 
said elections to be held at the sevt^ral jilaces above mentioned." 

It was further voted that the "Board of Commissionei-s require that the following persons 
make an a])plication to them immediately for license to keep an inn or public house in their 



HISTOIiY OF WAI. WORTH COUNTY. 446 

rospi'otiv(> towns, and that the said porsous apjilyiiig for such licimse shall pay $5 for each 
license." The early landlords thus invited to eoutributo were G. S. Warren. A. A. Hemenway, 
Israel Williams and Othiii lioardslev. 

It was fiu'th(>r voted that the following named persons "'shall make immediate application 
for license to k(>ep a store or soil goods, etc.,"' for which license they were to pay $10 into the 
County Treasury. The early merchants thus mulcted w(>re Audrt'W Ferguson. Geneva, and 
H. & S. F. Phoenix, of Delavau. It is presumable that tht'y were at. that time the only men in 
the county doing a mercantile business. 

Following the defining of the road districts, the laying out of several new roads, the grant- 
ing of a license to sell goods, to H. & S. F. Phojnix. and a tavern license to G. S. Warren, the 
meeting adjoiu-ned. 

At these meetings the county was fairly started in its corporate ciu-eer. Its fui'ther his- 
tory will i^artak(< less of detail or chronological order, presenting, in varied form and manner. 
all points on which the county records throw light. 

EARLY FISCAL AFFAIRS. 

The first assessment was ordered by the Board of Commissioners July 1 , 1839, and was 
laid at 5 mills on a dollar on th(^ whole amount of real estate and personal property as taken by 
Perez Men-ick, Assessor of said county. The assessment roll of Mr. Merrick is not on file in 
the Clerk's office and was not copied. The amount realized from the tax levied was $1.S68.8'2, 
which, added to §291.54. delimpient tax, gives as the total tax raised in 1839. $2.160.3(). This 
sum being tlie result of a tax on the valuation of 5 mills on the dollar, the total valuation of the 
county at that time is computed at $48'2.()00. 

The first Treasurer's report is a model of lirevity. if not pers]iicuit.y. It was rendered on 
the first Monday of January. 1840, and reads as follows: 

Amount rcreivod $1,874 (i4 

Amount paid out 1 , T.Sfi (ii) 

Balance in tri-asury .f 87 9.5 

February 5, 1840. th(> fii-st detailed statement of the financial affairs of the county was re- 
corded. It was as follows: 

The following is a statement of tlie receipts and expenses of the county of ■\Valwortli for th<' year 183!>: 

Amount paid for surveying and locating coiuity roads ij 208 00 

Amount for Territorial roads 557 75 

Araouni for books and stationeiy 80 2() 

Amoiml for paupers 7fi 7<i 

Amoinil for furniture for court-room 47 50 

Amount for wolf bounties 28 50 

Amount for the county quarter-section and expenses of surveying ami jilatting. . . . 874 ■i~ 

Amount for expenses of the District Court ". . . . . 225 .51) 

Amount for criminal expenses 04 :!(! 

Amoimt for pay for county officers (>H7 84 

.\uiouMl for expenses of elections 205 50 

Total i|2..5H(i 40 

Amount of taxes paid nito treasury I,8(i8 82 

Amount for licenses 70 00 

Total 11.938 .82 

Dedui-I Treasurer's percentage 35 70 

Tol al |1 .!)0:! 12 

Balance against the county 533 78 

Amount of taxes on lands returned, the taxes not be^ng paid 2!)1 54 

Attest; 11(11. 1, IS Latuam, ( Urk. \\ 11,1,1AM Bow.MAN, \ ■' 

Tin- total tax levied in 1840 was 14,447.97— county, $3,770.29; school. $1,029.78. The 
county tax was to be 1 per cent on half the valuation of real estate and 1 ])er cent on the full 



446 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

value of personal property. No record of the valuation appears. From the above statement 
it will be ascertained to be. approximately, say iflioCOOO, real estate. 

The Treasurer's report for 1840 showed the county's finances in a healthy condition. It 
was as follows: 

Amount received for tavern license f 40 00 

Amount received for county tax 3.T70 39 

Amount received for scliool tax 1,039 78 

Amount received for fines 15 33 

.|4,85o 39 

Amount of orders paid and canceled $3,634 52 

Amount of jiu'y fees paid 9 33 

Territorial draft (lialauce of 1839) ; 36 73 

Territorial draft 8 19 

Total 13,678 76 

Balance in the treasury 1,176 63 

WiLLi.\M Hoi.LiNsiiE.iD, Treasurer. 
Attest; IIoLiJs L.vTii.iM, Clerk. 

In 1S41, no new valuation is recorded. The complete assessment roll for the year amounted 
to $3,550.73. The amount raised for schools was S610. 79. 

In 1S4'2, the first complete equalized valuation list by towns is recorded. It is as follows: 
Troy (two townships), $112,0(V2; Elkhoru (two townships) $9'2,202; Ueneva (four townships), 
$168,494; Walworth (two townships), $86,547; Richmond, $29.1),S4; Whitewater, 131,968; Spring 
Prairie (two townships), §155,443; Delavan, $54,148; Darien, $5'2,970; total, $783,758. The 
niunber of acres taxed is given in all towns but Geneva, then eml)racing the four towns in the 
southeast quarter of the coimty. In the towns given, the total number of acres taxed was 144,- 
344. Estimating Geneva at 4(X(J00 acres, the land subjected to taxation in 1841 amotmted to 
188,344 acres. The total jimotmt of tax raised was $2,601). In 1843, the valuation was not 
essentially changed, the total l.)eing $789,301. Amount of taxes raised, $2,675. From 1844 to 
1881, the valuation of projierty each year, so far as it appears on the records, will be hereafter 
presented in tabular form. 

EARLY SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS. 

Mention of the first schools established appears in the to%\'n histories. The cotmty in its 
corf)orate capacity made the establishment of schools ouly~second;u-y to that prime necessity in 
all new countries — the establishment of roads. In 184(.). the first school tax was raised, amount- 
ing to $1.(_)29. 78. The fii-st complete report of the schools on record bears date April 4, 1842, 
of which a summary is given below. The rejiorts of the Clerks of the several school districts 
gave the number of scholars as follows: 

Tiu-tle Prairie School District, No. 4, comprised the towns of Walworth and Darien — 48 
scholars; Richmond District. No. 2. 21 scholars; Geneva District, No, 5. 11 scholars; Delavan 
District, No. 1, 53 scholars; Spring Prairie District. No, 2. 25 scholars; Walworth District. 
No, 3, 30 scholars; Darien District. No. 3, 20 scholars: Geneva District, No, 2. 18 scholars; 
Geneva District. No. 1. 67 scholars; Spring Prairie District. No. 1. 49 scholars; Spring Prairie 
District. No. 7, 18 scholars; East Troy District, No, 4, 3(i .scholars; Darien District. No. 4. on 
Turtle Prairie, 42 scholars; Elkhoru District, No. 1. 31 scholars; Spring Prairie District, No. 
8, 31 scholars; Walworth District, No 2, 24 scholars; Darien District, No, 2, 21 scholars; 
Darien District. No. 6. 28 scholars; Troy District. No. 9. 21 scholars; Troy District, No. 2, 18 
scholars; Whitewater District. No, 5. 15 scholars; Troy District, No. 4, 21 scholars; Troy Dis- 
trict. No. 1. 13 scholars; Big Foot District. No, 1, 24 scholars: Elkhorn District. No. 1, 36 
scholai's;* Elkhorn District. No. 1. 19 scholars; Whitewater District. No, 1. 36 scholars; Geneva 
District, No, 3, 13 scholars; Center District, No, 2. 8 scholars. 

The total number of districts reported was 27; number of schools. 29; number of scholars, 
797. In addition were three disiricts in which schools were not taught during the preceding 
year, viz.. Delavan District. No 2. Geneva District. No. 4. and Geneva District, No 3. 

* Nobody liere rnti cxi'IaiTi why three districts were " Ellthorn No. 1." It id a true copy of reeord, — A. ("'. Beckwith. 



HISTOKY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 447 

The following is the amouut of school monov apportioned the several districts for the year 
1S42: (ieneva District, No. 1, if4(5.'J(); Geneva, No. '2. $12.0)0; Darien, No. 3, 114; Walworth, 
No. 3, §21; Spring Prairie, No. 2, .fl7.r)0; Delavan, No 1, $87.10; Walworth and Darien, No. 
4, $33.00; Union. No. 2. from Walworth Count v. $5.60; Geneva, No. 5. $7.70; Richmond, No. 
2, $14.70; Spring Prairie, No. 7. $10.50: AVhitewater, No. 1, $25.20; Sugar Creek, No. 1 (Elk- 
horn). $25.20; Big Foot. No. 1 (Walworth). $l(.i.SO; Troy. No. 1, .|9.10; Troy, No. 4. $14.70; 
Center. No. 5, (Whitewater and Kichmoud). $10.50; Trov, No. 2, $12.(J0; Darien, No. 6, 
$1'.).»')0; Darien, No. 2, $14.70; Elkhorn, No. 1, $21.70; Elkhorn, No. 1, $13.30; Spring Prai- 
rie, No. 8, $21.70; Tm-tle Creek. No. 4, $29.40; Troy, No. 4. $25.20; Spring Prairio, No. 1, 
$34.30; Whitewater, No. 2. $16.80; Delavan, No. 2, $15.60; Geneva. No. 4, $10.50; Geneva, 
No. 3, $10.50; Walworth, No. 2, $10.80; total amount apportioned, $582.20. 

Thus early were schools established in every considerable settlement in the county. They 
have increased in number with the increase of population, and in excellence with the increase 
of wealth. Further mention of their progress and present state appears elsewhere. 

CODNTY PROPERTY. 

The [tropertyof the county consists of the [iju'k (eleven acres) with buildings thereon and jail 
lot with buildings, in Elkhorn, and the poor-farm (100 acres), situated on Section 4, in the 
town of Geneva. In addition, the title of small lots of property in several towns and villages 
is vested in the county. These have been deeded by old or decrepit persons to secure a home 
for life, or other beneiits from the county, and are not considered as permanent investments, 
being sold whenever an advantageous sale can be effected. The Elkhorn park was ])urchased at 
the land sale of 1839, at the Government price of $1.25 per acre, it being a pai't of the coimty 
quarter-section bought at that time. A more extended sketch appears in the Elkhorn history. 
The jail lot. on which the present jail and jailer's buildings are built, is located on the north- 
west corner of Church and Walworth streets. It was purchased in 1S77~7S. at a cost of $1,000. 

The county buildings now standing are: The jail building, on the lot last mentioned, which 
■was hnished in 1878 at a cost (including lot) of $10,540; the courthouse, Hnished in November, 
1875, cost §21,287. with furniture. $2,407. making a total cost of $23,755; the fire-proof office 
building, erected in 1866, at a cost of $4,265. A fuller account and a description of these and 
the old county buildings appears in the town history of Elkhorn, the county seat. 

The poor-farm is situated on Section 4, in the present town of Geneva. It embraces a 
quarter-section (100 acres). It has been purchased at ditferent times. The first [nu'chase (of 
eighty acres) was made of Dudley Harriman December 23. 1852. and was described as the east 
half of the southwest (juarter of Section 4. in Town 2, Range 17 east. There was a good-sized 
farmhouse upon it. The farm, with improvements, cost $1,5()0. April 29, 1865, an additional 
forty acres was piu'chased of Jesse Rhodes for the sum of $875. November 26, 1872, forty 
acres more, lying adjacent and in the same section, was pm-chased of Charles Dualap and wife 
for the sum of $1,800. The total amount paid for the farm (160 acres) is $4,175. The first 
house was used for the county poor. It was a wooden structure, 18x24 feet.in size and one and 
on(>-half stories high, with a one-story wing of l()x28 feet. To these accommodations were added 
during the year 1852, another dwelling-house, 24x40 feet in size, costing $850. The same 
year was built a separate Iniilding for insane paupers, 20x24 feet in size, at a cost of $300. 
Subsequently, a brick building was built for the insane inmates. A barn was also built in 
1853. These ikst buildings have, with the exce[)tion of the asylum buildings, all been de- 
stroyed by tire and rebuilt. The barn burned in the s]iring was reljuilt in 1868. The dwelling- 
house was totally clestroyed by liiv December, 1872. It was rebuilt in 1873. The members of 
the building committee were N. M. Littlejohn. James Aram, Charles Dunlap, T. W. Hill, HoUis 
Latham. The contractors were Messrs. Sykes & Hulbert. The total cost of the new building 
was $9,885.12. It is built of brick and the size and dimensions and descri[)tion of the building 
are as follows: The main building is 38x58 feet in size, three stori(>s high: the wings on either 
side are 30 feet long by 28 h-t^t deep, two stories in height; a cellar extends under the whole 
structure The basement is divided into various n)oms for laundry ))urpos(>s, a milk room and 
the storage of vegetables, provisions and fuel. On the first floor are the living rooms for the 
overseer and familv, three dining-rooms, a sewing room and a few rooms for inmates. On the 



448 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

second floor are the wonieu's apartments, consisting of a sitting-room, a sick-room and dormi- 
tories. The stairs leading from the first floor to the third have nt) connection with the second 
floor, which is oceupiiHl entirely by the female inmates. The third floor is fitted up as slee})ing 
apartments for the male inmates. The old asylmn Iniilding was enlarged and modernized in 
1881. at an expense of $1,800. The addition is of brick, 24x8(5 feet in size and two stories in 
height. The buildings are all fitted up with modern improvements and appliances for the 
health and comfort of the imnates. as well as for the most convenient and economical working 
of the farm, which is a model of excellence for the pm-poses for which it was designed. The 
total cost of the farm and present buildings was nearly $18,000. 

SUPPORT OF PAUPERS. 

The poor have been carefully provided for from the first organization. The separate 
towns, after the town system was adopted, each supported their own poor, except such as had 
by some means become a charge to the county, but coiild not justly be charged to the towns. 
The bills were rendered by the several towns and audited l)y the County Board, and paid from 
the poor fund. As the towns increased in population, the liills became more numerous, entail- 
ing yearly more trouble on the board and not a little local dissatisfaction when the town bills were 
questioned or cut down by the Auditing County Connnittee. It was accordingly determined to 
abolish the whole cumbersome system and adopt that which has been since so siiccessfully car- 
ried out. November 23, 1852, the following resolutions were adopted abolishing the town pau- 
per system: 

Resolved, By the Board of Supervisors of Walworth County, that all distmctiou between Town and 
County paupers lie. and the same is hereby abolished, from and after tlie first day of April, 18.53, and that 
said determination be tiled in tlie offlee of the Register of Deeds of said County, as required by law. 

(2.) That there lie levied a ta.x of one and one-half mills on the dollar as assessed, for the purpose of 
purchasing a farm not to exceed 160 acres, and the necessary stoek and implements for the management of 
the same. 

(3.) That there be elected at this session of the board, three Superintendents, who shall decide by lot 
the length of time that each shall serve; one for one year, one for two years and one for three years; and at 
the annual meeting of the board hereafter there shall be elected one Superintendent who shall hold his office 
for three years and till amillier is eleeted to till his place. 

(4. ) That the Superintendents be hereby instructed as soon as consistent after the notice of their election, 
to proceed to purchase a farm and the necessary stoek and implements for the same, and that the Clerk and 
Chairman of the Board of Supervisors be authorized to issue the necessary orders for the amount ordered to 
be paid for said purchase by said Superintendents, and that said Superintendents be required to give bonds to 
the Treasurer of said County in double the amount of taxes to be raised, conditioned for the faithful per- 
formance of their dutv. 

(.5). That the per diem allowance of said Superintendents be established at $2 per day while necessarily, 
employed in the discharge of their duties. 

In accordance with these resolutions, the first Sttperintendents of the Poor were elected. 
They were: N. L. Gaston, for three years; H. B. Clark, for two years; David Williams, for 
one year. They piu-chased the farm, as heretofore stated, and, in May. 1853, opened it for in- 
mates, and inaugurated the present system. From their first annual report, the items below 
are given as showing the initial success of the new system. 

Earl M. Irish was employed as overseer of the farm at a salary of |350 per year. A fe- 
male assistant was employed at $90 per year. The cost of starting the farm and providing for 
the inmates, exclusive of farm and btiildings, was as follows: Stock, $176; tools, $100; seed 
grain. $30; hoxtsehold furniture, $306; total, $612. They rented, for $56 per year, an adjoin- 
ing forty acres of land. The crop raised the fu-st year was: Oats, 150 bushels, valited at $30; 
wheat, 300 bushels, $225; corn, 800 bushels. $280; barley. 350 bushels. $122.50; hay. 30 tons, 
$120; potatoes, 100 bushels, $20; total, $797.50. There were, during the first six mouths, for 
which the above report was made, eighteen paupers cared for. three of whom were insane, at a 
cost of $400. The report showed the exiseriment a success. 

The Suiierintendents of the Poor, from the piu-chase of the farm to 1881, have been, dating 
from the fall of each year when elected, as follows: 

1852 to 1853— N. L. Gaston, H. M Clark and David AVilliams. 

1854 to 1857— Hollis Latham. N. L. Gaston and David Williams. 

1858— Hollis Latham, E. M. Rice and David Williams. 



HISTORY OF WAI. WORTH COUNTY. 44 9 

1859 to lSfi4 Mollis Liitliiiin. ElisUa Hulc<- and Thomas (iago. 

1865 to 1879 Hollis Latham, Elisha Hiilci" aud Thomas W. Hill. 

1879 to 1882— Hollis Latham, Elisha Hulco and Charles Duulap. 

The resident overseers have b<>en: Earl M. li-ish. one year; Joseph B. Irish, two years; 
Charles S. French, one year; Elihii Gray, five years; Thomas Gray, live years: Thomas Hill 
(one of the BocU'd of Superintendents), from 1860 till the tinn^ of his death, in the spring of 
1879; Charles Dunlap (on(> of the Board of Sujierintendents), from the fall of 1879 to the 
pr(>sent time. 

The following sketch of the inmates and management. iinl)lished in the Wdlirmi/i Coinitij 
liKlepoideiit. November 17, I8S1, was written by Mr. M. T. Park, editor of that papier, who 
visited the farm with A. O. Wright. Secretary of the State Board of Charities and Iveforms, on 
his annual tour of inspection: 

"There ai'e now in the county charge fifty- two persons — twenty-seven men and twenty-five 
women, varying In age fi'om twenty years to the oldest. Miss Mary Gilbert, who is seventy-six 
years of age. She came from the town of Richmond but a few years since, wher(> she had 
worked for a livelihood until old age came, and she found a home in her present place of abode. 
Every' time Supervisor Hulce, Richmond, comes to the house, she thanks him over and over 
again for seuding her to such a good home. Among the charter members are Mary Hutchin- 
son, from Lyons, and Betsey Thompson, from Trcjy. who each count twenty-eight yeai's of life 
as coimty charges. The '' character " of the institution is Mrs Stearns, sixty-six years of age. 
She was brought to the home from Whitewater twenty-one years ago. After remaining a short 
time, she was sent to the hospital for the insane, Madison, but after a few years she was re- 
turned as incurable, since which time she has presided, as she thinks, over the whole institution. 
She issues her orders with the confidence of a (pieen that they will be obeyed, and the language 
and invectives of a pirate. Tirelessly she toils in the laundry, as chamber-maid, mopping the 
rooms, working on as landlady of a great hotel. Her " boanlers "" pay her SI. 000 a day. In 
her little room she takes her meals alone, accepting nothing from the common table, only such 
as comes from the Superintendent's table. Occasionally, the little table is set for two. herself 
and "George,' it is supposed a son, but he comes not and her life goes on from day to day, 
nearing the goal where there is perfect rest. Mrs. Stearns was, years ago, a siiect'ssful teacher 
in Richmond and Whitewater. Her maiden name is luiknown. A few years of married life, a 
son bom to her. deserted by her husband, crazed, she is now as she is. The son, it is said, 
was a cripple, and no one knows what became of him. This is all that can be said of the wreck 
of a once b(>autiful. accomplished woman. A victim of man's desertion, a life, may be, uncom- 
prehended b}- herself, she will pass away luiknown by relatives or friends of early days. One 
cannot walk through these rooms without feelings of sorrow at the spectacle of hiiman misery, 
mind aud body, crippled, sufferers from loathsome diseases, idiots, the insane, most of whom 
are in this condition from gratifying their appetites and passions, and now their possessors are 
wrecks of the worst description. Others there are, who. from sickness and misfortunes, occupy 
their present places. A lesson to all can l)e learned frcm these poor inmates. 

•' Hon. Charles Dunlap is Superintendent. In his onerous duties he is ably assisted by 
Mi's. Dunlap, who has an eye to all the inner management of the various affairs of the house. 
Mrs. Eaton is matron, and has the charge of certain portions of the work. Any person who 
will take the pains to visit them and pass through the various apartments, will need no assertions 
to convince him that those in charge are faithful to their trust, that tli(>re is no management of 
the poor that (>xcels the care and discipline of the unfortunates of ^\'alwort.h County. Not only 
are the physical wants fully attended to, but strenuous eflorts are made to so engage those not 
incurably insane as to lead them from the thought of their woes, to dispossess their minds of 
the mania controlling them. Every j^erson who can has some light task to jierform. In this, 
as well as some other features, the ]>artial insane are better cared for than m a::y insane hospital 
iu th(> laud. The managers of the poor-house are indeed faithful public servants. Their po 
sitions are no sinecures. The man who so faithfully carries on the work so ably p(>rfoniied by 
the late T. W. Hill, will not be found in the ])erson of every applicant. Mr. Dunlap ably jier- 
forms his trust. The county cannot afford to do without him. In his efforts to make the insti- 
tution perfect in its way, the Superintendent receives the cordial su|)fiort of the other two mem- 



450 HISTORY OF WAl.WOKTH COUNTY. 

bers of the board, Hons. Hollis Latham, of Elkhorn, aud E. Hulce, of liichmond. Notwith- 
standing the comparative small expense attending the keeping of these paupers, from $1.25 to 
$1.50 a week, per capita, they are remarkably well cared for They have good, palatable food, 
comfortable clothing and good rooms. The whole matter, in a nut shell, was given by Secretary 
Wright when he said to tlie writer: 'You are welcome to say for the State Board of Charities 
and Reform that the Walworth County Poor House is the best in the State."'' 

The report of the Superintendents of the Poor for the year 1S81 shows an annual expenditiu-e 
for the support of the poor of $1,555.70, for outside relief, and $118.11 for transient jiaupers 
(tramps). The whole number of inmates of the poor-house for the year was seventy-three. 
The average number was tif ty-six. The cost of their maintenance per capita, exclusive of what 
was raised on the farm, was $64.04 per annum, or $1.23 per week. The products of the farm 
were: Wheat, 150 bushels; corn, 1,500 bushels; oats, 505 bushels; potatoes, 350 bushels; bar- 
ley, "20 bushels: onions, 25 bushels; beets, 200 bushels; tobacco, 1,000 pounds; hay, <)0 tons; 
hogs sold, 7,0(30 pounds; hogs slaughtered, 5,400 poimds; beef slaughtered, 3,000 pounds; 40 
tiu-keys; 70 chickens; 34 pigs; 32 lambs. The inventory of personal property aggregated $6,- 
714.05. 

ROSTER or COUNTY OFFICERS FROM 1839 TO 1881. 

1839 — Commissioners, Nathaniel Bell, Benjamin Ball, William Bowman; Clerk, V. A. 
McCracken; Register of Deeds, LeGrand Rockwell. 

1840 — Commissioners, Christopher Douglass, Chairman, Nathaniel Bell, William Bowman; 
Clerk, Hollis Latham: Register of Deeds, LeGrand Rockwell; Treasurer, William Hollinshead. 

1841 — Commissioners, Christopher Douglass, Nathaniel Bell, Gaylord Graves; Clerk, Hol- 
lis Latham; Register of Deeds, LeGrand Rockwell; Treasiu'er, William Hollinshead. 

1842 — Commissioners, Gaylord Graves, Chairman; Robert Holley, George W. Armes; Clerk, 
Milo Kelsey; Register of Deeds, B. B. Davis; Treasm-er, William Hollinshead. 

1842 — Supervisors,* John M. Cajiron, Geneva, Chairman; Israel Williams, Walworth; 
William A. Bartlett, Delavan; Salmon Thomas, Darien: John Teetshoi-n, Richmond; Jesse C. 
Mills, Spring Prairie; Harmon Gray, Elkhorn: Gaylord Graves, Troy; James Tripp, White- 
water; Clerk, John Fish; Register of Deeds, B. B. Davis; Treasm-er, Horatio S. Wiusor. 

1843 — Supervisors, Gaylord Graves, Chairman, East Troy; John Bruce, Darien; Hender- 
son Hunt, Delavan; A. C. Kinne. Elkhorn; Thomas Hovey, Geneva; J. C. Mills, La Fayette; 
Edwin De Wolf, La Grange; Thomas P. James, Richmond; H. Smith Young, Sharon; B. C. 
Pierce, Spring Prairie; Jesse Meacham, Troy; George H. Lown, Walworth; Oliver C. Magoon, 
Whitewater; Clerk, Hollis Latham, Elkhorn; Register of Deeds, John S. Boyd. 

1844 — Supervisors, Oliver C. Magoon, Whitewater, Chairman; Salmon Thomas, Darien; 

William Phoenix, Delavan; Smith, East Troy: William K. May, Bloomheld; LeA i Lee, 

Elkhorn; Nathaniel Bell, La Fayette; E. J. Hazzard, La Grange; Ira Tiu-ner, Linn; John A. 
Farnum, Geneva; Reuben Rockwell, Hudson; Thomas P. James, Richmond; E. P. Com-ick, Shar- 
on; B. C. Pierce, Spring Prairie; Jesse Meacham, Troy; James A. Maxwell, Walworth; Clerk, 
Hollis Latham, Elkhorn; Register of Deeds, John S. Boyd; Treasurer, Levi Lee. 

1845 — Supervisors, Nathaniel Bell, La Fayette, Chairman: John Bruce, Darien; William 
Phoenix, Delavan; Cyrus Rugg, Bloomfield; Gorham Bunker, East Troy; P. G. Harrington, 
Elkhorn: Edwin De Wolf, La Grange; John W. Boyd, Linn: John A. Farnum, Geneva: Lewis 
Brown, Hudson; James Cotter, Richmond; E. P. Conrick, Sharon; L. D. Lewis, Spring Prairie; 
Elias Hibbard, Troy; P. W. Mink, Walworth; T. K. Le Barron, Whitewater; Clerk, Hollis 
Latham; Register of Deeds, John S. Boyd; Treasui'er, Cui'tis Bellows. 

1840 — Supervisors, J. A. Farnum, Geneva, Chairman; Newton McGraw, Darien; Charles 
H. Stm-tevaut, Delavan; T. Fellows, Bloomfield; U. D. Meacham, Elkhorn; Austin Carver, 
East Troy; E. K. Frost, La Fayette; O. G. Ewing, La Grange; John AV. Boyd, Linn; J. A. 
Farnum, Geneva; Z. B. Bm-k, Hudson; James Cotter, Richmond; Pliny Allen, Sharon; Perry 
O. Harrington, Sugar Creek; Roderick Merrick, Spring Prairie: Elias Hibbard, Troy; John 
Reader, Walworth; Prosper Cravath, Whitewater; Clerk, Edwin Hodges; Register of Deeds, 
Isaac Lyon; Treasurer, Samuel Mallory. 

*The first Board of Supervisors under the " town system" of governmi-nt was elected in April, 1842. New boards elected at the spring 
ections annually. 






I .//-i^^^c^A^u^C L^'^ 



HISTOHY OF WAI.WOirni COUNTY. 453 

1847 — Supervisors, George Gale. Elkhoru, Chairman; Newton McGraw, Darien; Charles 
H. Stm-tevant, Dehivan; Cyrus llu<ji>;, Bloouitield; Gay lord Graves. East Troy; Christopher 
Wiswell. La Fayette; James Lauderdale. La Grange: Israel Williams. Linn; John A. Far- 
num. (ieueva; John Teetshoru. Richmond; Thomas W. Hill. Hudson; Pliny Allen, Sharon; 
William Flitcroft. Sugar Creek; A. L. Merrick. Spring Prairie; Adam E. Kay. Troy; Beard- 
sley Lake. Walworth; F. C. Patterson. Whitewater; Clerk, A. A. Thompson; Kegister of 
Deeds. Eli K. Frost; Treasurer, Henry H. Hartson; Coroner, Horace N. Hay; Surveyor, 
Thomas McKaig. 

1S48 -Supervisors, George Gale, Blkhorn, Chairman; Gay lord Blair, Darien; Samuel 
Jones, Delavan; Pliny Allen, Sharon; William Patterson, Richmond; Isaac U. Wheeler, White- 
water; Beardsley Lake, Walworth; Perry G. Harrington. Sugar Creek; James Lauderdale, La 
Grange: John P. Snell. Linn; S. W. Spafard, Geneva; Harvey M. Curtis, La Fayette; R. J. 
Northrop. Ti'ov; Samuel Allen. Bloomtield; Reuben Rockwell, Hudson: Ephraim Foot, Spring 
Prairie; JoefPound, East Troy; Clerk, Eli K. Frost; Register of Deeds. Eli K. Frost; 
Treasiu'er, Henry H. Hartson; Coroner, Horace N. Hay; Surveyor, Thomas McKaig. 

1849— Supervisors, A. E. Ray. Troy, Chairman; George Cotton. Darien; Henry Mallory, 
Delavan; David Wilcox. Sharon; A. Whiting. Richmond; George G. AVilliams, Whitewater; 
Beardsley Lake. Walworth; Perry G. Harrington. Sugar Creek; James Lauderdale, La (irange; 
S. C. Bm-dick, Linn; C. M. Goodsell. Geneva; Ralph Patrick. La Fayette; Cyrus Rugg. Bloom- 
tield; Thomas W. Hill. Hudson: Roderick Merrick. Spring Prairie; Gay lord Graves. East Troy ; 
E. R. Utter. Elkhorn; Clerk. A. A. Thompson; Register of Deeds, Eli K. Frost; Treasurer, 
Henry H. Hartson; Coroner, Horace N. Hay; Surveyor. Thomas McKaig. 

1850 — Supervisors. John P. Snell. Linn, Chairman; George Cotton. Darien; James Aram, 
Delavan; Darius B. Mason, Sharon; A. AVhiting, Richmond; Solmous Wakeley, Whitewater; 
David Coon, Jr., Walworth; Perry G. Harrington, Sugar Creek: E. J. Hazzard. La Grange; 
S. W. Spafard. Geneva: Nathaniel Boll. La Fayette: Timothy Mower. Troy; David W.Carey, 
Bloomtield; Z. B. Burk, Hudson; Ephi-aim Foot, Spring Prairie; Henry B. Clark. East Troy; 
George H. Yoimg. Elkhorn: Clerk. Lyman Cowdery. 

1851 — Register of Deeds. Chester D. Long; Treasurer, Henry H. Hartson: Coroner, David 
Williams; Siu'veyor. Thomas McKaig; Supervisors, H. S. Wiusor. Elkhorn. Chairman; George 
Cotton. Darien; S. S Barlow, Delavan; John Dickson, Sharon; Jacob M. Fish, Richmond; 
Leauder Birge, Whitewater; David Coon, Jr.. Walworth: Perry G. Harrington, Sugar Creek: 
James Lauderdale. La Grange: John P. Snell, Linn; David Williams. Geneva; John Bell, La 
Fayette: Soldan Powers, Troy; H. C. Stewart, Bloomtield: Charles L. Gillett, Hudson: Thomas 
Gage. Sjn-ing Prairie: Henry B. Clark. East Troy: Clerk. Lyman Cowdery. 

1852 Register of Deeds. Chester D. Long; Ti-easiu'er, Hollis Latham; Coroner. David 
Williams: Surveyor. Thomas McKaig: Supervisors, George Cotton. Darien, Chairman; S. W. 
Yoorhees. Sharon; Jacob M. Fish. Richmond: Solmous Wakeley. W^hitewater; D. C. Porter, 
W'alwoi-th: Norman L. Gaston, Delavan; Perry G. Harrington, Sugar Creek; David S. Elting, 
La Grange: W^illiam H. Lewis. Linn; David Williams, Geneva; John Bell, La Fayette: Garret 
Winne, Troy; S. W. Bronson. Bloomtield: Hiram B. Reed, Hudson; Austin L. Merrick. Spring 
Prairie; Henry B. Clark. East Troy; Le Grand Rockwell. Elkhorn; Clerk. Lyman Cowdery. 

1858 — Regi.ster of Deeds. John A. I'erry; Treasurer, Henry H. Hartstm: Coronei'. Samuel 
Pratt; Sui'veyor. Samuel C. Kelsey: Supervisors, Le Grand Rockwell. Chairman, Elkhorn: S. 
W. Voorhees. Sharon; Salmon Thomas, Darien; J. E. Irish. Richmond; S. W'akeley. White- 
water; David Coon. Jr., Walworth; A. H. Taggart, Delavan; J. R. Kinue. Sugar Creek; James 
Lauderdale. La Grange; A. T. Wheeler. Linn; J. A. Farnum. Geneva: Harvey Curtis, La 
Fayette: Garret Winne. Troy; W. D. Chapin, Bloomtield; H. B. Reed. Hudson: Thomas Gage, 
Spring Prairie; Gorham Bunker, East Troy; Clerk, C. W. Sibley. 

1854 Register of Deeds, John A. Perry; Treasurer, Henry H. Hartson; Coroner, Samuel 
Pratt; Surveyor, Samuel C. Kelsey; Supervisors, E. K. Frost. Sugar Creek. Chairman; Henry 
Dennis, Sharon: E. M. Rice, Richmond: C. D. Long. Darien; S. Wakeley, Whitewater; 
David Coon, W^al worth; James S. Mott. Delavan: E. K. Frost. Sugar Cn-ek; James Lauder- 
dale. La Grange; George Allen. Linn; Joseph Gates. Geneva; James llarkness, La Fayt^tte; 

I 



454 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY". 

S. S. Potter, Troy; W. D. Chapin, Bloomfield; Eeubon Rockwell. Hudsou; ThomaB Gage, 
Spring Prairie; Gorham Bunker, East Troy; Otis Preston. Elkhorn; Clerk, C. W. Sibley. 

1855— Eegister of Deeds. Henry Adkins; Treasm-er, Samuel Mallory; Coroner, William 
H. Pettit; Siu'veyor. James L. Tubbs; Supervisors. E. K. Frost, Chairman, Sugar Creek; Pliny 
Allen, Sharon; H. A. Johnson, Darien; E. M. Rice, Richmond; Solmous Wakeley, White- 
water; Amos Bailey. W^dworth; E. P. Com-ick, Delavan: Richard Fairchild, La Grange; 
George Allen, L'nn; C. W. Smith, Geneva; James Harkness, La Fayette; A. M. Perry, Troy; 
W. D. Chapin, Buiuilield; Z. B. Burk, Hudson: Thomas Gage. Spring Prairie; John F. Pot- 
ter, East Troy; Otis Piestou, Elkhorn; Clerk. C. W. Sibley. 

1856 — Register oi L - ■ ■ . Henry Adkins; Treasiu-er. Samuel Mallory; Coroner, W^illiam H. 
Pettit; Surveyor, James L. TuLbs- Supervisors, Adam E. Ray, Troy, Chairman; George Mans- 
tield, Sharon; C. D. Long, Darien; A. Whiting, Richmond; J. W. Wheeler. Whitewater; 
Elijah Easton, Walworth; E. P. Conrick, Delavan; P. G. Harrington. Sugar Creek; D. 
W. C. Barron, La Grange; A. McBride. Linn; C. W. Smith, Geneva; R. T. SeymoTir, La 
Fayette; C. Rugg, Bloomfield; Russell Wait, Hudson; James McNay, Spring Prairie; D. W. 
Patterson. East Troy; A. J. Frost, Elkhorn; Clerk. C. W. Sibley. 

1857 — Register of Deeds, Henry Adkins; Treasurer, D. P. Handy; Coroner, J. B. Hutch- 
ins; Surveyor, James L. Tiibbs; Supervisors, Adam E. Ray, Chairman, Troy; George Mans- 
field, Sharon; Josiah Dodge, Darien; Andi-ew Whiting, Richmond; J. L. Pratt, W^hitewater; 
Elijah Easton, Walworth; E. P. Conrick, Delavan; P. G. Harrington, Sugar Creek; Hiram 
Cross. La Grange; James Emery, Linn; Alonzo Potter, Geneva; R. T. Seymour, La Fayette; 
Cyrus Rugg, Bloomfield; Ebenezer Dayton, Hudson; Jonathan Leach, Spring Prairie; Austin 
Carver, East Troy; J. C. Mills. Elkhorn; Clerk, M. E. Dewing. 

1858— Register of Deeds. Henry Adkins; Treasurer, D P. Handy; Coroner, J. B. Hutch- 
ins; Sm-veyor, James L. Tubbs; Supervisors. E. P. Conrick. Delavan, Chairman; David Wil- 
cox, Sharon; H. A. Johnson, Darien; A. Whiting, Richmond; R. O'Connor. Whitewater; 
E. L. Gilbert, Walworth; S. G. Frost, Sugar Creek; S. Hanson, La Grange; Charles Cornue, 
Linn; C. W. Smith, Geneva; E. B. Burroughs. La Fayette; Daniel Hooper, Troy; Cyrus Rugg, 
Bloomfield; H. B. Reed, Hudson; Daniel Salisbury, Spring Prairie; Gorham Bunker, East 
Troy; J. F. Brett. Elkhorn; Clerk, M. E. Dewing. 

1859 — Register of Deeds, B. B. Humphrey; Treasiu-er, D. P. Handy; Coroner, Daniel 
C. Roundy; Surveyor, James L. Tubbs; Supervisors, E. P. Conrick, Delavan, Chaii-man; F. 
P. Arnold, Sharon; G. W'. Lamont. Darien; A. Wbiting, Richmond; E. S. Redington, White- 
water; E. L. Gilbert. Walworth; S. G. Frost, Sugar Creek; S. Hanson, La Grange; B. F. 
Groesbeck. Linn; A. S. Palmer, Geneva; R. B. BuiToughs. La Fayette; M. Taylor, Troy; A. 
Stafford, Bloomfield; H. B. Reed, Hudson; D. Salisbm-y. Spring Prairie; W^illiam Bm-git, 
East Troy; O. Preston, Elkhorn; Clerk. M. E. Dewing. 

1860— Register of Deeds, B. B. Hiimphrey; Treasurer, D. P. Handy; Coroner, Daniel C. 
Roundy; Surveyor, James L. Tubbs; Supervisors, Edwin Hodges, Elkliorn, Chairman; F. P. 
Arnold, Sharon; P. M. Cole, Darien; Elisha Hulce, Richmond; J. L. Pratt, Whitewater; S. 
C. Moody, Walworth; Salmon Thomas, Delavan; Thomas Davis, Sugar Creek; Charles Heath, 
La Grange; James Emery. Linn; A. S. Palmer, Geneva; C. Wiswell, La Fayette; S. S. 
Porter, Troy; W. D. Chapin, Bloomfield; H. B. Reed, Hudson; Fred Perkins, Spring Prairie; 
William Burgit, East Troy: Clerk, M. E. Dewing. 

1861 — Register of Deeds, B. B. Humphrey; Treasm-er, John F. Brett; Coroner, G. C. 
Gardner; Surveyor, James L. Tubbs; Supervisors, E. Hodge, Chairman; F. P. Arnold, Sharon; 
P. M. Cole, Darien; Elisha Hulce, Richmond; S. M. Billings, Whitewater; David Coon, Wal- 
worth; Thomas Davis, Sugar Creek; Charles Heath, La Grange; A. S. Palmer, Geneva; C. 
Wiswell, La Fayette; S. S. Porter, Troy; William Burgit, East Troy; S. Thomas, Delavan; 
W. D. Chapin, Bloomfield; H. B. Reed, Hudson; W. P. Stonns, Spring Prairie; B. F. 
Groesbeck, Linn; Clerk, M. E. Dewing. 

1862— Eegister of Deeds, B. B. Humphrey; Treasurer, John F. Brett; Coroner, G. C. Gard- 
ner; Sm-veyor, James L. Tubbs; Superintendent of Schools, A. J. Cheney; *Supervisors — 

*State IftW; March 28, 18d1:— One Supervisor to each Assembly District. This law was repealed February 17, 1869, and the town *,B)em 
re-eBtablished. 



iiisToin' OF w'Ai.woirni county. 455 

Cliarles H. Stnrtp^ant, Cli airman: S. \Vakelcy, Tlumias W. Hill. .1. L. Edwanls, diaries 
Martin; Clerk, M. E. Dowiug. 

18(53 — Kegister of Deeds, Otis B. Hovightou; Treasurer, John F. Brett; Coroner, Julius 
A. Treat; Surveyor, James L.Tubl is; Siiperintendent of Schools, A. J. Cheney; Supervisors, T. 
W. Hill, Chairman; S. "Wakelev, J. L. Edvyards, Charles Martin, Charles H. Sturtevant; 
Clerk, M. E. Dewing. 

1804 — Register of Deeds, Otis B. Houghton; Treasurer. John F. ]?rett: Coroner. Julius A. 
Treat; Siu'veyor. Jaines L. Tublis: Superintendent of Sehools, A. J. Cheney; Supervisors, 
Thomas W. Hill. Chairman: Christopher "Wiswell. (4eorge Allen, F. P. Arnold. J. L. Edwards; 
Clerk, M. E. Dewing. 

18()5 - Register of Deeds, Otis B. Houghton; Treasurer, John F. Brett; (!orouer, Henry 
Adkins; Siu'veyor, Warren Beekwith: Superintendent of Sehools. A. J. Cheney; Supervisors, 
Thomas W. Hill, Chainuan; Christopher Wiswell, George Allen, F. P. Arnold, J. L. Edwards; 
Clerk, M. E. Dewing. 

18(5G Register of Deeds, Otis B. Houghton: Treasm-er, John F. Brett: Coroner, Henry 
Adkins; Surveyor, Wan'en Beekwith : Superintendent of Schools, O. T. Bright; Supervisors, 
George Allen. Chairman: Thomas AV. Hill. George A. llav. Lucius Allen, E. F. C'rumli; 
Clerk, M. E. Dewing. 

1867 — Register of Deeds, James H. Lawton: Treasurer, Newton McGraw; Coroner, G. 
C. Gardner ; Surveyor, James L. Tubbs; Superiutendent of Schools, O. T. Bright: Supervis- 
ors, Lucius All<>n. Chairman: Thomas "\V. Hill, George A. Ray, John M. Evans, W. G. Wright: 
Clerk, M. E. Dewing. 

1868 — Register of Deeds, James H. Lawton; Treasvu'er.Newton McGraw ; Coroner, G. C. 
Gardner ; Surveyor, James L. Tubbs : Superiutendent of Schools, O. T. Bright; Supervisors, 
R. T.Seymour, Chairman; W. D. Chapin, W. H. Conger, W. G. Wright, John M. Evans; Clerk, 
M. E. Dewing. 

1869 -Register of Deeds, Charles A. Noyes: Treasurer, David L. Fairchild: Corouer, 
Wellington Hendrix: Siu-veyor. James L. Tubbs; Superintendent of Sehools. Elon Lee.* 
Supervisors, W. D. Chapiu, Chairman: W. H. Conger. James Aram, Cyrus Church, Thomas 
Davis; Clerk, M. E. Dewing. 

1870- -Register of Deeds, Charles A. Noyes; Treasurer, David L. Fairchild: Coroner, Wel- 
lington Hendrix: Sun-eyor, James L. Tubbs; Superintendent of Schools, Melzer Montague: 
Supervisors, E. D. Richardson, Geneva Village, Chairman; William Aldrich, Spring Prairie; 
George Brown, Richmond: J. W. Church, East Troy; C. L. Douglass, Walworth; P. G. Har- 
rington, Sugar Creek: J. F. Lyon, Darien: C. L. Oatman, Geneva; J. W. Peck, La Fayette; 
George A. Ray, La Grange; Amos Staftbrd, Bloomtield; C. P. Taylor, Ly(ms; James Araia, 
Delavan: James Emeiy, Linn: E. Latimer, Delavan Village: N. M. Littlejohn, Wliitewater; 
W. H. Mayhew, Troy: John Mereuess, Sharon; S. A. White, Whitewater ^'illage; C. WiswelL, 
Elkhorn; Clerk. M. E. Dewing. 

1871 — Register of Deeds, Charles A. Noyes: Coroner, A. G. Leland; Surveyor, Warren 
Beekwith: Superintendent of Schools, Melzer Montague: Supervisors, J. F. Lyon. Darien, Chair- 
man; F. P. Arnold, Sharon; N. M. Littlejohn, Whitewater; S. A. White, Whitewater Village; 
C. L. Douglass, Walworth ( James Aram, Delavan; N. McGraw, Delavan Village; J. T. Isham, 
Sugar Creek: James Lauderdale, La (orange: James Emery. Linn: James Simmons, Geneva; 
E. D. Richardson, Geneva Village: C. H. Wylie, La Fayette; L. J. Smith, Troy: Amos Staiford, 
Bloomtield; C. P. Taylor, Lyons; A. M. Aldrich, Spring Prairie: Alexander Frazer, East Troy; 
C. Wiswell, Elkhom:" Benajah Clark, Richmond; Clerk, M. E. Dewing. 

1872- Register of Deeds, Charles A. Noyes: Treasurer. David L. Fairchild; Coroner, A. 
G. Leland: Sm-veyor, Warren Beekwith : Su])erinteudent of Schools, Melzer Montague; Super- 
visors, J. F. Lyon, Darien, Chairman: J. A. Treat, Sharon; W. A. Knilans, Richmond; N. M. 
Littlejohn. Whitewater; T. D. Weeks, Whitewater Village: C. L. Douglass, Walworth; Jame 
Aram, Delavan; N. McGraw, Delavan Village; Thomas Davis, Sugar Creek: James Lauderdale 
La Grange; James Emery, Linn; Charles Dunlap, Geneva; S. H. Stafford, Geneva Village 
Calvin H. Wylie, La Fayette; L. J. Smith, Troy; Amos Statford, Bloomtield; John Brown 

*fu fill vacancy. 



456 IIISTOllY OF WALWORTH COl'NTY. 

Lyons: A. M. Akliich, Sprino- Prairie; A. O. Babcock, East Troy: Wyman Sjwoner, Elkhorn; 
Clerk, M. E. Dewino-. 

1873 — Eegister of Deeds. Charles A. Noyes; Treasiu-er, David L. Fairchild; Coroner, Charles 
D. Root; Svu-veyor, Warren Beckwith; Superintendent of Schools, Melzer Montague; Super- 
visors, R. T. Seymoiu', La Fayette, Chairman; W. R. Hwron, Sharon: Daniel Rodman, Darien; 
W. A. Knilans, Richmond; N. M. Littlejohn, Whitewater: S. A. AVhite, Whitewater Village; E. 
R. Swinney, Walworth : James Ai-am, Delavan; George Cotton, Delavan Village; Thomas Davis, 
Sugar Creek: James Lauderdale, La Grange; J. W. Boyd, Linn; Charles Duulap, Geneva; 
C. L. Oatman, Geneva Village; James E. Reynolds, Troy; T. H. Fellows, Bloomlield; E. B. 
Farnum, Lyons: A, M. Aldrich, Spring Prairie; Ales Frazer, East Troy: E. B. Dewing, Elk- 
horn; Clerk. *M. E. Dewing. 

1874 -Register of Deeds. Charles A. Noyes; Treasurer, David L. Fairchild; Coroner, 
Charles D. Root; Surveyor, Warren Beckwith; Superintendent of Schools. S. P. Ballard; 
Supervisors, John W. Boyd, Linn, Chairman; W. R. Herrou, Sharon; J. F. Lyon, Darien; 
W. A. Knilans. Richmond: N. M. Littlejohn, Whitewater: J. W. Denison, "Whitewater Village; 
C. L. Douglass. Walworth; James Aram, Delavan; E. M. Sharp. Delavan Village; Ole Jacob- 
son, Sugar Creek: William Greening. La Grange; Charles Dunlap. Geneva; B. O. Reynolds. 
Geneva Village; H. M. Cm-tis. La Fayette: James E. Reynolds, Troy; S. W. Benson, Bloom- 
field; E, B. Farnum, Lyons; A. M. Aldrich, Spring Prairie: Alex Frazer, East Troy: Chris- 
topher Wiswell, Elkhorn Village. 

1875 — Clerk, fDyar L. Cowdery: Register of Deeds, Ai-thur L. Sanborn; Treasurer, David 
L. Fairchild; Coroner, William H. Bell; Sui'veyor, Warren Beckwith: Superintendent of 
Schools, S. P. Ballard: Supervisors, David Williams, Dai'ieu, Chairman; J. A. Treat. Sharon; 
John Pemberton. Richmond; William De Wolf, Whitewater; C. L. Douglass, Walworth; J. W. 
Denison, Whitewater Village; H. G. HoUister. Delavan: George Cotton, Delavan Village: S. R. 
Edwards, Sugar Creek: William Greening. La Grange; A. Merriam, Linn; Charles Duulap, 
Geneva: B. O. Reynolds, Geneva Village: A. C. Norton, La Fayette; James E. Reynolds, Troy; 
S. W. Benson, Bloomlield; A. M. Aldrich, Spring Prairie; William Burgit, East Troy; E. B. 
Dewing, Elldiorn Village 

1876 —Clerk, Dyar L. Cowdery: Register of Deeds, Arthur L. Sanborn; Treasurer, David 
L. Fairchild; Coroner, William H. Bell: Sui'veyor, Wan-en Beckwith; Superintendent of Schools, 
Fred W. Isham: Sujiervisors. John De Wolf, Darien, Chairman: J. A. Treat, Sharon: W. A. 
Knilans, Richmond; N. M. Littlejohn, Whitewater; J. W. Denison, Whitewater Village: A. 
H. Hitchcock, Walworth; H. G. Hollister, Delavan; George Cotton, Delavan Village; Donald 
Stewart, Sugar Creek: M. P. Bishop, La Grange: G. W. Barr, Linn; Chai'les Dunlap. Geneva; 
B. O. Reynolds, Geneva Village: Joseph Potter, La Fayette; John Matheson, Troy: A. H. 
Abell, Bloomfield; William Meadows, Lyons; A. M. Aldrich, Spring Prairie; Alex Frazer, East 
Troy: E. B. Dewing, Elkhorn Village. 

1877 — Clerk, Dyar L. Cowdery; Register of Deeds, Arthur L. Sanborn; Treasurer, F. W. 
Bloiniley; Coroner, William H. Bell; Surveyor James Child; Superintendent of Schools, Fred 
W. Isham; Supervisors, J. A. Treat. Sharon, Chairman; J. B. Johnson, Darien; T. P, James, 
Richmond: N. M. Littlejohn, Whitewater: J. W. Denison, Whitewater Village; C. L. Douglass, 
Walworth; H. G. Hollister, Delavan; Geoi'ge Cotton, Delavan Village; S. R, Edwards, Sugar 
Creek; M, P. Bishop, La Grange; D. S. Allen, Linn; S, H. StaffVird, Geneva: E. D. Richard- 
sou, Geneva Village; J. P. Wylie, La Fayette: John Matheson. Troy; X. H. Abell, Bloomlield; 
William Meadows, Lyons; A. M. Aldrich. Spring Pi-airie: William Burgit, East Troy; Lucius 
Allen, Elldiorn. 

1878 — Clerk, Dyar L. Cowdery; Register of Deeds, Ai-thur L. Sanborn; Treasurer, F. W. 
Blomiley; Coroner, William H. Bell; Sm'veyor, James Child; Superintendent of Schools, Fred 
W. Isham: Supervisors, M. P. Bishop, La Grange, Chairman; J. A. Treat, Sharon; W. A. Kni- 
lans, Richmond; N. M. Littlejohn. Whitewater; J. W. Denison. Whitewater Village; C. L. 
Douglass, Walworth; H. G. Hollister, Delavan; E. Latimer, Delavan Village; S. R. Edwards, 
Sugar Creek; D. S. Allen, Linn; Charles Palmetier, Geneva; W. H. Hammersley, Geneva Vil- 

*Died March, 1S74, am] E. B. Dewing appointed to fill vacancy, 
fCowdery elected in Nuvernber, 1874. Tt^rm liegan January 1, 1875. 



IIISTOIiY OF WALWOUTli COUNTY. 457 

liiKo: C. H. Wylio, La Kayctto: John Mathesdii. Troy: A. H. Ahell, IJloonilicld: WiUiaui Mead 
ows, Lyons: E. D. ¥a<^e. Sprinn- I'rairii": William iiuri,nt, East. Troy: (.). C. Chase, Elkhorn 
Village. 

1879 — Clerk, Dyar L. Cowdery: Register of Deeds. W'illiamH. Mon-ison; Treasiu-er, F. W. 
Blomiley: Coroner, "Williani H. Bell: Surveyor, James Child; Superintendent of Schools, Fred 
W. Isham; Supervisors, M. P. Bishop, La Grange, Chairman: J. A. Treat, Sharon; John De 
Wolf, Darien; W. A. Knilans, Richmond; N. M. Littlejohu, Whitewater; W'. L. R. Stewart, 
Whitewater Milage; E. R. ISIaxon, Walworth: H. G. Hollister, Delavan; E. Latimer, Delavan 
Village; S. R. Edwards, Sugar Creek: D. S. Allen, Linn; H. W. Hammersley, Geneva; S. H. 
Staftbrd, Geneva Milage; ^■irgil Col)b, La Fayette; W. N. Mayhow, Troy; A. H. Abell, Bloom- 
tield: M. AV. Kinney, Lyons; E. D. Page, Spring Prairie: William Burgit. East Troy; W. H. 
Hurlbut, Elkhorn Village. 

ISSO — Clerk, Dyar L. Cowdery: Register of Deeds. William H. Morrison: Treasurer, F. 
W. Blomily; Coroner. William H. Bell; Surveyor, James Child: Superintendent of Schools. 
William R. Taylor; Supervisors. D. S. Allen, Linn. Chairman; A. Kull. Jr., Blo(jmfield: J. B. 
Johnson, Darien: H. G. Hollister. Delavan: James Aram, Delavan Village: William Burgit, East 
Troy; C. Wiswell, Elkhorn Village: W. H. Hammersley, Geneva: B. O. Reynolds, (Geneva Vil- 
lage; Virgil Cobb, La Fayette; William Greening, La Grange: D. S. Allen, Linn: M. AW Kin- 
ney, Lyons; W. A. Knilans, Richmond: W. R. Herron. Sharon; E. D. Page. S])ring Prairie: 
Donald Stewart, Sugar Creek: J. G. Briggs. Troy: Zina Cotton. Walworth: N. M. Littli'john. 
Whitewater; W. L. R. Stewart, Whitewater Village: Clerk. Dyar L. Cowdery. 

] 881 -Register of Deeds. William H. Morrison: Treasurer, F. W. Blomiley; Coroner, 
William H. Bell; Smweyor, James Child: Superintendent of Schools, William R. Taylor: 
Supervisors, W. D. Chapin, Bloomfield, Chairman; J. B. Johnson, Darien; H. G. Hollister, 
Delavan; James Aram. Delavan Village; H. H. Rogers, East Troy; Lucius Allen, Elkliorn 
Village; W . H. Hanmiersley, Geneva: B. O. Reynolds, Geneva Village; Theodoiiis Nor- 
throp, La Fayette: M. P. Bishoj), La Grange: D. S. Allen, Linn: M. W. Kinney, Lyons; W. A. 
Knilans. Richmond: A\'. R. HeiTon, Sharon; Orris Pratt, Spring Prairie; Donald Stewart, Sugar 
Creek: J. E. Reynolds, Troy: C. L. Douglass, Walworth; N. M. Littlejohn. Whitewater: J. "\\'. 
Denison, A\hitewater Village. 

ISS'2 — Clerk, Dyar L. Cowdery; Register of Deeds, William H. Morrison; Treasurer, F. "W. 
Blomily; Coroner, William H. Bell; Sm-veyor, James Childs; Superintendent of Schools, 
William R. Taylor. 

LEGISLATORS. 

Walworth County was not organized at the time of the tirst Territorial Legislative Assem- 
bly, but at the four sessions of th(> second Assembly, held during the years 1838, 1839 and 1S40, 
the two counties of Walworth and Rock were rejiresented in the Council by James Maxwell, of 
Big Foot Prairie. Walworth County, and in the Assembly by Othui Beardsh'y, of Troy, Wal- 
worth County, and Edward V. Wliiton, of Janesville, Rock County. At the first session of the 
Third Territorial Assembly, James Maxwell was President of the Council, re|)resenting the two 
counties at this and the succeeding session — winters of 1840-41 and 1841-42. The membei-s in 
the Assembly from Walworth County during these two sessions were Jesse C. Mills, Elkhorn; 
Hugh Long, Darien, and James Tri])p, of Whitewater, in place of Hugh Long, resigned. Fol- 
lowing are the names of the nu'inbers re])resenting "Walworth County in the subsequent Terri- 
torial Assemblies: 

First Session of Fourth Legislativi> Assembly, 1842-43--Council, Charles M. Baker, Ge- 
neva; Assembly, James Tri|)p. Whitewater: John M. Capron, Gtnieva; W illiam A. Bartlett, 
Delavan. 

Second Sessicm. 1843-44 Same as above. 

Third Session, 1845 — Council, Charles M. Baker, Geneva; Assembly. Ste])hen Field, East 
Troy; Jesse C. Mills, Elkhorn. 

Foiu'th Session, 1840— Council, Charles M. Baker, Geneva: Assembly, Caleb Crosvvell. 
Delavan; Warner Earl, Whitewater; Gaylord Graves, East Troy. 

First Session of Fifth Legislative Assembly, 1847 -Council, Henry Clark. Walworth; 
Assembly, Chjudes A. Bronson, Palmer Gardner, Spring Prairie. 



458 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

Special Sossiou of Fifth Assembly, 1847 — Council, Hem-y Clark, Walworth; Assembly, Elea- 
zar Wakeley, Whitewater; George Walworth, Spring Prairie. 

Second Session of Fifth Assembly, 1S4S —Council, Hemy Clark, Walworth; Assembly, 
Eleazar W'akeley, Whitewater; George W^alworth, Spring Prairie. 

CONSTITUTION.^L CONVENTIONS. 

The fu-st Constitutional Convention assembled at Madison on the 5th day of October, 1S46, 
and adjom'ned on the Kith day of December, 184G, having fi'amed a constitution which was sub- 
mitted to a vote of the people ou the tir.st Tuesday in Ajjril, 1S47, and the same was rejected. 
The following were the members fi'om Walworth County: Solmons AVakeley, Whitewater; Joseph 
Bowker, Delavan; Charles M. Baker, Geneva; John W. Boyd, Geneva; W'illiam Bell, Walworth; 
Lyman H. Seaver, Darien; Sewall Smith, East Troy; Josiah Topping, Delavan; William Berry, 
Spring Prairie. 

The second convention assembled at Madison on the 15th of December, 1S47, and framed 
a constitution which was submitted to a vote of the people and adopted. The following were 
the members fi'om Walworth County: James Harrington, Spring Prairie; Augustus C. Kinue, 
Sugar Creek; George Gale, Elkhorn; Experience Estabrook, Geneva; Hollis Latham, Elkhorn; 
Ezra A. INIulford, Walworth. 

ST.ITE GOVERNMENT. 

The first se.ssion of the State Legislature was held at the capitol at Madison on Monday 
the 5th day of June, A. D. 1848. Below are given the names of the members representing 
Walworth County in the Senate and Assembly. 

1848 —Senate, John W. Bjyd, Geneva; As.sembly, Gaylord Graves, East Tr.)y; Prosper 
Cravath, Whitewater; E. D. Richardson, Geneva; Hugh Long, Darien; Milo Kelsey, Delavan. 

1849 —Senate, John W. Boyd, (ieneva; Assembly, Samuel Pratt, Spring Prairie; Enos I. 
Hazzard, La Grange; Samuel D. Hastings, Geneva; George H. Lown, Walworth; Milo Kelsey, 
Delavan. 

1850 — Senate, George Gale, Elkhoi'n; Assembly, A. O. Babsock, East Troy; Rufus Cheney, 
Jr., Whitewater; Alexander S. Palmer, Geneva; George Sikes, Sharon; Wyman Spoon er, Elk- 
horn. 

1851 — Senate, George Gale, Elkhorn; Assembly, Adam E, Ray, Troy; H. C. Hemenway, 
Richmond; Experience Estabrook. Whitewater; Elijah Easton, Walworth; Wyman Spooner, 
Elkhorn. 

1852 — Sanate, Eleazar Wakeley, Whitevrater; Assembly, Stephen S. Barlow, Elkhorn; Joel 
H. Cooper, Spring Prairie; Timothy H. Fellows, Genoa; Zerah Mead, Whitewater; Lewis N. 
"Wood, Walworth. 

1853 — Senate, Eleazar Wakeley, Whitewater; Assembly, John Bell, La Fayette; James 
Lauderdale, La Grange; Joseph W. Seaver, Darien; Timothy H. Fellows. Genoa; Oscar F. 
Bartlett, East Troy; Thomas W. Hill, Springfield. 

1854 — Senate. Eleaziu- Wakeley, Whitewater; Assembly, William P. Allen, Sharon; Oscar 
F. Bartlett, East Troy; Phipps W. Lake, Walworth; Simeon W. Spafard. Geneva; Perry G. 
Han'ington, Sugar Creek; Anderson Wliiting, Richmond. 

1855 -Senate. Eleazar Wakeley. Whitewater ; Assembly, George Allen, Linn ; Daniel 
Hooper. Troy; Solmous Wakeley. Whitewater; Levi Lee, Elkhorn; Willard Isham, Delavan; 
Samuel Pratt, Spring Prairie. 

1856 — Senate, Jesse C. Mills, Elkhorn; Assembly, Asa W. Farr, Geneva; Robert T. Sey- 
moiu-. La Fayette; Salmon Thomas, Darien; John F. Potter, East Troy; James Lauderdale, 
La Grange; William D. Chapin, Bloomtield. 

1857 —.Senate, Jesse C. Mills, Elkhorn; Assembly, Speaker, Wyman Spooner; David Will- 
iams, Springfield; Samuel W. Voorhees, Sharon; Solmous 'Wakt'loy, Whitewater; Wyman 
Spooner, Elkhorn. 

1858 —Senate. John W. Boyd, Geneva; Assembly, Elijah Easton. Walworth; Butler G. 
Noble, Whitewater: John McKibbin, Geneva; James Baker, East Troy. 

1859 — Senate, John W. Boyd, Geneva; Assembly, Reuben Rockw.'ll, Springfield; Edward 
P. Com'ick, Delavan; Newton S. Mm-phey, Whitewater; Daniel Ho)p,>r, Troy. 



HISTOltY OF WALWOKTH COUNTY. 459 

18(50 — Sonato, Prcsidt-nt, I'utli'i- (t. Noble, Tji«nt(m.int fiovcrnor; Oscar F. Bartlett, East 
Troy; Assembly, Clarkson Mill(>r, (n«uova; Johu Dc Wolf, Drlavaii; Aiulcrsoii ^^■l^itin^,^ Ricli 
land; James Child, East Troy. 

..7 18(31 — Si'uato, Prcsiilcnt, Butler (i. Nol)le. Lieutenant (rovernor; Oscar F. Bartlett, East 
Tl'oy; Assembly. Schuyler W. Benson, Bloomfield; Ch(>ster 1). Lontr, Darien: Francis Smith, 
Millard; AVyman Spooner, Elkhorn. 

18()2— Senate, Wymau Spooncu-. Elkhorn; Assembly, Fayette P. Arnold, South Grove; Syl- 
vester Hanson, La Grange; Hiltim W. Boyco, Geneva; HoUis Latham, Elkliorn. 

■ 1863 — Senate, President, pro t(>m. , Wymau Spooner, Elkhorn; Assembly, Samuel Pratt, 
Spring Prairie ; Thomas W. Hill, Springtield; Oliarles H. Stm-tevant, Delavan; George H. 
Foster, A\'liitewater. 

1864 — Senate, President, Wymau Spooner, Lieutenant Governor; N. M. Littlojohn, White 
water; Assembly, .John Jetfers. Darien; Daniel Smith, Kichmoud; Daniel ('. Roundy, Geuevji; 
Lucius Allen, East Troy. 

1865 — Senate, President, Wymau Spooner, Lieutenant Governor; N. M. Littlejohn, White- 
water: Assembly, Hezekiah C. Tiltou, Allen's Grove: Thomas Davis, Millard; Benjamin F. 
Groesbeck. Linn; Horatio S. Winsor, Elkhorn. 

1866 — Senate. President. Wymau Spooner, Lieutenant Governor; N. M. Littlejohn, White- 
water; Assembly, William C. Allen, Delavau; Thomas Davis, Sugar Creek; S. O. Raymoud, 
Geneva; Paris Pettit, East Troy. 

1867 — Senate, President. Wymau Spooner. Lieutnnjmt Governor; N. M. Littlejohn, White 
water; Assembly, William C. Allen, Delavan; Frank .\. Buckl^ee. Springtield; Thompson D. 
Weeks, AV'hitewater. 

1868 — Senate, President, Wymau Spooner, Lieutenant Governor; N. M. Littlejohn, White- 
water; Assembly, Joseph F. Lyon, Darien; John A. Smith, Geneva; George A. Ray, La 
Grange. 

J 1869 —Senate, President. Wymau S])oonor, Lieutenant Governor; N. M. Littlejohn, 
Whitewater; Assembly. Alphonso G. Kellam, Delavan; John A. Smith, Geneva; Daniel Hooper, 
Troy. 

1870 — Senate, Samuel Pratt, Spring Prairie; Assembly, Henry Hall, Walworth; Stephen 
R. Edgertou. Spring Prairie; William Burgit, East Troy. 

1871 ^Si'uate. Samuel Pratt, Spring Prairie; Assembly, John Jeffers, Darien: Amzy Mer- 
riam, Geneva: Samuel A. White. Whitewater. 

1872 — Senate, Samuel Pratt, Spring Prairie; Assembly, Elij;ih M. Shar[), Delavan; Amos 
W. Stafford, Geneva; Samuel A, Wniite, Whitewater. 

1878 — Senate, Samuel Pratt, Spring Prairie: Assembly. C;u'los L. Douglass, Walworth; 
Frank Leland, Elkhorn; Charles R. Gibbs, Wiitewater. 

187-1 — Senate. T. D. Weeks, Whitewater; Assembly, Wilson R. Herrou, Sharon; Francis 

A. Buckbee, Springfi(>ld: William Burgit, East Ti-oy. 

1875 — Senate, T. D. Weeks, Whitewater; Assembly, Elijali M. Shar]). Dehivan: ('harles 
Dunlap, Elkhorn; Nathaniel M. Bunker, Troy Center. 

1876 — Senate. .Isabel Farr. KiMiosha, Wis.: .\ssembly, Charles S. Teo])le, Darien; Benoni 
O. Reynolds, Gen(>va; D. Mansfield Stearns. Elkhorn. 

1877 — Seujito, .\s!ihel F;irr. Keno.-;ha, Wis.; Assembly, Alfred H Abell. Geneva; Wilson 
R. Herron, ShiU'on; William Greening, Little Prairie. 

1878 — Senate, B. O. Reynolds, Geneva; Assembly. Aluui M. .41drieh. S])ring Prairie; 
Edwin Delos Coe, Whitewater; John Pemberton, Delavan. 

1S79 — Senate, B O. Reynolds, Geneva: Assembly, Ely B. Dewing. Hlkhorn; Albert L. 
Mason. Sharon; Edwin Delos Coe, Whitewat(>r. 

ISSO — Senat(>, J. Y. Quarl<>s, Kimosha, Wis.; Assembly. George R. .MUmi. Bloomlield: 
Dwight B. Barnes, Delavau; C. S. P,lanchard, East Troy. 

1881 — Senate, J. V. Quarles, Keno.sha. Wis. : .-Vssembly, William Meadows, fjyons; Dwight 

B. Barnes, Dtdavau; Liudsey J. Smith, Troy. 

1882 — Senate. Charles Palm<'tier, Geneva; ,\ss(!mbly, Wuili'r G. l)(^rthick. La Fayette; 
John Vi. Broonson; Donald Sfewai'f. Sugiu' Creek. 



460 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTS'. 

The apportionment for representation of Walworth County in the Legislature since 1848 
has been as follows: 

1848 — Senate, one district. No. 14; Assembly, live districts: First District, Troy, East 
Troy, Spring Prairie; Second District, Whitewater, Rielimoud. La Grange; Third District, 
Geneva, Hudson, Bloomfield: Foarth District, Darien, Sharon, Walworth, Linn; Fifth District, 
Delavan, Sugar Creek, La Fayette, Elkhorn. 

1852 — Senate, one district. No. 12; Assembly, six districts; First District, Whitewater, 
Richmond, La Grange; Second District, Sugar Creek, La Fayette, Troy; Third District, East 
Troy, Si^i-ing Prairie; Fourth District, Elkhorn, Geneva, Hudson; Fifth District, Delavan, 
Darien, Sharon; Sixth District, Walworth, Linn, Bloomfield. 

1856 — Senate, one district. No. 12; Assembly, four districts; First District, Bloomfield, 
Linn, Geneva, Hudson; Second District, Walworth, Sharon, Darien, Hudson; Third District, 
Sugar Creek, Richmond, Whitewater, La Grange; Fourth District, Elkhorn, La Fayette, Spring 
Prairie, Troy, East Troy. 

1861 — Senatorial and Assembly Districts remained unchanged. 

1866 — Senate, one district, No. 12; Assembly, three districts; First District, Sharon, 
Darien, Richmond, Walworth, Delavan; Second District, Linn, Geneva, Elkhorn, La Fayette, 
Bloomfield, Lyons, Spring Prairie; Third District, Whitewater, La Grange, Sugar Creek, Troy, 
East Troy. 

1871 — Senatorial District, Walworth and Kenosha united in one district — No. 8; Assembly 
Districts unchanged. 

1876 — Representation unchanged; the numbers designating the Assembly Districts were 
changed, the Second being named the First, and the First the Second; the Third remained un- 
changed. 

The apportionment of 1881 gave to Walworth County two Assembly Districts. It proved 
invalid, and the old apportionment remains in force till a new apportionment is made. 

COURTS AND OFFICEHS. 

The first United States District Court was held in Elkhorn in April, 1839, by Hon. David 
Irwin, Judge. This court hold sessions for the whole Territorial period, and constituted the 
principal Court of Appeal till the State was organized and the State Circuit Courts established, 
in 1847. During that time Judge Irwin occupied the bench. He appointed Le Grand Rockwell 
as Clerk of the Court, who held the office so long as Judge Irwin presided. 

The Territorial Sheriffs were: Sheldon Walling, two years; R. H Mallory, two years; 
William K. May, two years; Nathaniel Bell, two years. The District Attorneys for the same 
period were: C. M. Baker, two years; E. Estabrook, two years; S. S. Barlow, fovu- yeai's. 
Judges of Probate were: Joseph Griffin, 1839 to 1841; John F. Potter, 1841 to 1847. 

The State courts were organized in 1848, and Walworth County became a part of the First 
Circuit, embracing the counties of Rock, Walworth, Kenosha, Racine and Green. The desig- 
nating number of the circuit has remained unchanged. In 1869, Rock and Green Counties 
were detached from the circuit, which has since embraced the three remaining counties — Racine, 
Kenosha and Walworth. The Judges and court officers of Walworth County have been as be- 
low stated: 

Judges — The first Judge was Hon. Edward V. Whiton. He was elected to the Supreme 
bench before the expiration of his term. Hon. Wyjnan S|)Ooner succeeded him by ap- 
pointment, for the October term of 1853. He was succeeded by Hon. James K. Doolittle, 
who was elected in June, 1852, taking his seat as Judge in January, 1853. He re- 
signed in the spring of 1856, and resumed the practice of his profession; but he was 
elected to the United States Senate, January 23, 1857. Hon. Charles M. Baker was ap- 
pointed to serve the unexpired term, but declined to be a candidate for election before the 
people. He was succeeded by Hon. John M. Keep, who. in 1858, was forced to resign from ill 
health before the expiration of his term of office. Hon. David Noggle sei-ved by appointment 
the unexpired term, and also for a term full by election. He was succeeded by Hon. William 
P. Lyon, January 1, 1860, who was elected to the Supreme bench January 20, 1871. The va- 
cancy was filled by the appointment of Hon. Robert Harkness, who served till February, 1875, 



HISTORY OF WAl.WOimi COUNTY. 



461 



when ho resignod. Hon. Ira C. Paino sc^rved ad interim till the election of John T. Went- 
worth. Ho served till the expiration of the term, which ox])ired December 31, 1877, and was 
ro-olocted. His present term expires on the lirst Monday iu January, 1884. 

District Attorneys — Elected as follows: Urban D. Meacham, 1848 to 1852; Stephen S. Bar- 
low, 1852: A. S. Spooner, 1853; H. F. Smith, 1854; A. S. Spooner, 1855; John T. Wentworth, 
1857 and 1859; N. S. Murphey. 1861; A. O. Babcock. 1803; Robert Harkness, 1805, 1867 and 
1809; A. D. Thomas, 1S71, 1873 and 1875; A. S. Spooner, 1877; Jaynes B. Wlieeler, 1879; 
Edward H. Spragne, 1881. 

Clerks of the Court— Elected as follows: William H. Petti t, 1848. 1850 and 1852; Henry 
Cousins, 1854, 1856 and 1858; James Simmons, 1800, 1802, 1864, 1866 and 1868; John T. 
Wontworth,* 1870, 1872 and 1874; Joseph F. Lyon, 1875; Levi E. Allen, 1877, 1879 and 1881. 

Sheriffs — Elected as follows: Otis Preston, 1848; Philetus S. Carver, 1850; Joseph C. 
Crumb, 1852; Joseph Gates, 1854; John A. Perry, 1850; Hiram A. Stone, 1858; George W. 
Wylie, 1860; Seth M. Billings, 1802; George W. Wylie, 1804; Hiram A. Stone, 18()6; William 
Humphrey, 1868; Charles G. Fay, 1870; Cyrus P. Tavlor, 1872; Sidney C. Goff, 1874; Cyrus 
P. Taylor, 1876; S. S. Babcock. 1878; George W. Wylie, 1880. 

Pi'obato Judges — Elected as follows: Wyman Spooner. 1848; William C. Allen, 1849. 
1853; John F. Potter,t 1856; Peter Golder, 1857, 1861, 1865, 1809, 1873, 1877 and 1881. 

WALWORTH COUNTY BAR. 

The list following comprises, so far as they can be ascertained, the names of those who 
have been admitted to the bar, and such as have been known as regular practitioners in the 
Walworth County Coiu'ts, fi'om 1839 to 1881. It has been compiled from the court rolls and 
further supplemented by the revision of the oldest sm-viviug members now iu practice: 

Territorial List. 



Date of 
Admission 



Living or 
Deceased. 



Present Residence. 



Residence at time of 
Deatli. 



Charles M. Baker 1839 

Wyman Spooner 1842 

Edward Eldorkin 1839 

S. S. Barlow 

Urban D. Meacham 

H. S. Winsor 

George Gale 

Lyman Cowdery ... 

T. D. Grant 

F. C. Patterson 

E. Estabrook 

C. D. Pulver 

Mile Kelsey 1842 

Warner Earle 

A. 0. Babcock .. 
Eleazar Wakeley 



1841 
1841 



1844 
1840 
1842 



Prosper Cravath 184.') 

James Simmons 184J 



Deceased iGeneva. Wis 

Dece/ised iGeneva, Wis 

Living ...'Elkhorn. Wis I 

Living ...'Uaraboo, Wis ' 

Living ... Freeport, III ! 

Living ... Elkhorn. Wis ' 

Deceased Galesville, Wis.. 

Deceaseil : : El khorn 

Deceased; |California 

Deceased Whilewatcr 

Living ...Omaha, .^eh 

Deceased ! 

Deceased' Delavan. Wis... 

Living ... Ciilifornia 

Deceased; {East Tniy 

Living ...,Omaha, Neb 



Living ... Milwaukee, Wis. 
Living ... Geneva, Wis 



United States Judge under 

James Buchanan. 
Retired from active practice. 



•BeslKiied In 1876. 
fKtected to Congref 



I in 1857. Lyman Cowdery served by appointment a few months, til] the election of Peter Oolder. 



462 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

State List. 



Thomas McHugb... 
Robert R. Menzie. 

James J. Pettit 

Peter Gol.ler 

Charles P. Fine 

Henry Cousins 



John F. Poller 

James Lewis 

G. H. Chat tenon .... 

H. W. Boyce 

E. W. Comes 

Zechariah Paddock . 

Allan Bennett 

John Frazer 

H. F. Smith 



Date of Admission 



Jan. 18, 1849. 
June 9, 1849., 
Oct. 8, l»r>o.... 
Oct, 9. IK.'iO .... 
Oct, 10, 1801) ., 
May 24, 1852., 



May 19 1852.., 
May 19, 1852... 
May 24, 18.5G.., 
Oct. 12, 1857 .., 

Oct, 8, 1857 

May 20, 1858... 
May 20, 1858.., 
March 23, 1859. 
May 20, 1850... 



Levi Lee I.lan. 4, 1861 



Henry 0. Montague . 

Robert Harkness 

Elbert 0. Hand 

N. A. Hamilton 

P. H. M. Groesbeck . 
S. B. Van Buskirk... 
Charles D. Handy.... 
Thompson D. Weeks. 

John T. Fish 

Fayette P. Arnold 

James Redfield 

M. P. McLaughlin.... 

A. G. Kellam 

VViilter C. Dunton 

Seth P. Hall , 

D. B. Maxson 



Oct, 1, 1859 
May 17. 1858... 

I let. 1, 1859 

Sept. 22, I860., 
Sept, 21, 1858., 
Sept. 21, 1858., 
.Sept. 22, 18.58., 
Sept. 28, 1859., 
July 13, 1859... 
July 13. 1859... 
July 1.3, 1859... 
July 13, 1859.., 
July 13, 1859... 
July 14, 1859... 
Sept. 25, 1858., 
March 19,1861. 



Luther F. S. Viele iMaroh 17, 1862. 

Charles E. Griffin March 17, 1862, 

John R. Hickox 'March 29, 1862 



William E. Sheffield , 
N. M. Harrington ... 

A. D. Thomas 

C. E. Perkins , 



July 8, 1862 

July 8, 18';2 

March 18. 1863, 
Sept. 22, 1863.., 

Elliott D. Converse |March26, 1864. 

James D. Robinson iMarch26. 1S64. 

July 18, 1864... 
Jan. 11, 1865.., 

Jan. 9, 1866 

Sept. 19, 1866... 
Sept. 17, ISiiO... 
March 30, 1868, 
Sept. 22, 1868.., 
Sept. 22, 1868.., 
Jan. 12, 1869... 
March 17, 1869, 
Sept. 22, 1869., 
Sept. 22, 1869., 
Sept. 20, 1869., 

Oct, 7, 1869 

Sept. 20, 1870., 
Sept. 20, 1870., 
June 12. 1871... 

Oct. 2, 187) 

Feb. 27. 1872... 



Hiram T. Sharp 

John A. Smith 

Joseph H. Page 

Silas W. Menzie 

Charles N. Parsons 

Curtis H. Winsor 

James H. Merrill 

Philip V. Coon , 

Bishop Perkins 

George W. Baker 

Frank E. Baker 

Alonzo McLaughlin 

George W. Steele 

Henry F. Wogan 

John F. Collins 

Daniel E. Sherman, Jr.. 

Joseph F. Lyon 

Newton McGraw 

E. S. Weeden 



Living or 
Deceased. 



Deceased 

Living 

Deceased 

Living 

Deceased 

Living . 

Living . 



Living 

Decea>-ed 

Living 



Living ... 
Living ... 
Living ... 
Deceased 
Living ... 
Living... 
Living... 



Colorado 

Salt Lake City, U, T. 
Racine, Wis 



Deceased 
Living ... 
Living ... 
Living ... 
Living ... 
Deceased 
Deceased 
Deceased 
Living ... 



Kenosha, Wis 

Salt Lake, U. T 

Whitewater, Wis.. 
Racine, Wis 



Living 
Deceased 



Deceased 
Deceased 
Living ... 
Living ... 
Living ... 



Deceased 



Living ... 
Deceased 
Living... 
Living... 
Living ... 
Living... 



Living . 



Living . 



Present Place of 
Residence. 



Delavan, Wis 

Elkhorn, Wis 

Arizona Territory. 
East Troy, Wis 



Mazomanie, Wis., 



Delavan, Wis... 
Durand, Wis... 
Elkhorn, Wis. 



Residence at Time 
of Death. 



Delavan.. 
Kenosha. 



Geneva , 



Rlkhorn, Wis.. 



Lynn 



Chamberlain, D. T... 
I 

Minnesoia 



Sharon, Wis 

Chicago 

Palmyra, Wis.., 



Delavan, Wis.. 
Delavan, Wis.. 



Died at Palafka, Fla. 

Judge of Probate. 

Registrar of United States 

Land Office. 
Retired from practice. 



Died in the United States 
I Army service. 



Kansas City 

Darien 

Deadwood, D. T. 



Geneva, Wis.. 



Whitewater, Wis.. 

Delavan, Wis 

Joplin, Mo 

.Sioux Falls, D. T.. 



ChicatO. 



Beluit, Wis... 
Geneva, Wis.. 



Springfield, 111.. 



Living ... Geneva. Wis.. 

Living ... Elkhorn 

Decea^^ed 

Living... Chicaeo, 111... 



.Delavan.. 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 



463 



Statk List. — Contiiiiied. 



NAMES. 



Dutft of Admission. 



Charles fl. Brownson.... 

Henry lleivily 

John It. Simmons 

A. L. ShaJer 

Henry V. Merritt 

.Jaynes 15. Wheeler 

Oliver Brown 

John T. Wentworlh, Jr 

Joseph D. ArnoUl 

Ernest Merton 

Eilwin T. Cass 

Friiiik H. Winsor 

Fretl K. Latimer 

E. H. Sprugue 

Auguslus B. Knowlton.. ' 

Arthur L. Sanborn 

A. J. Fidler 

Henry A. Cooper 

Charles S. French 

Fo'^ter E. Parsons 

William M. Tomson 

H. S. Diinlap 

Edward H. Morris 

N. S. Murphy 

John T. Wentworlh 



A. S. Spooner... 
Samuel Bishop.. 

Pitt Cravath 

Edson Kellogg .. 



June 15, 1872.. 

Feb. -.i. 1873 

Feb. 21, 187;^... 
June 9, 1878... 

June 7, 187.''> 

June 12. 1871)... 
.lune 17. 187G... 
.March 7, 1877.. 
Sept. 10, 1877... 
Dec. II, 1877... 
Feb, 11, 1878... 
June 10, 1878... 
Aug. 12, 1878... 
Aug. 13, 1878... 

-Sept. 9, 1878 

Oct. 7, 1878 

Dec 28, 1878... 
Feb. 24. 1879... 
March fi, 1879.. 
Feb. 16, 1880... 
Feb. 24, 1880... 
.Sept. 24, 1881... 
Sept. 28, 1881.. 
Oct., 1850 



Living; or 
Deceased. 



Living. 
Living. 
Living . 
Living . 
Living . 
Living. 



Hacine. Wis 

Whitewater, Wis. 

Geneva, Wis 

Chicag , 111 

Chicngo, 111 

Elkhorn, Wis.... 



Living . 



Seth L. Carpenter ... 

II. M. Eastman 

J. Andrew Stevens.. 

H. \>. P.itchen 

A. W. Fair 



June, 18.50. 

1865 

1865 



Living . 
Living . 
Living. 
Living . 
Living. 
Living . 
Living . 
Living . 
Living . 
Living . 
Living. 
Living . 
Living . 
Living . 
Living . 
Living . 



Living ... 
Living ... 
Living ... 
Deceased 



Burlington, Wis. 
East Troy, Wis... 
Mitchell,"!). T,... 

Delavan, Wis 

Elkhorn, Wis .... 
.S'Mith (!!aro!ina... 

Madison, Wis 

Hacine, Wis 

Hacine, Wis 

Geneva. Wis 

Rochester, Wis... 

Cliicago, HI 

Elkhorn, Wis — 

Chicago, III 

Milwaukee, Wis. 
Racine, Wis 



1857 

1849 or 



1850., 



18.58.. 
18.53.. 



Living ... 
Unkn'wn 
Unkn'wn 
Deceased 



F. .Murphey | I 

L. L. Baxter I 

Erast us Foo te ! 1 Deceased 

William II. Pettit I l)ecea-en 

John L. Forrest i jDeceased 

John Winneck I 

N. A. Millard | I 

Calvin Serl ' 'Deceased 

A. B. Webber i Living... 

Henry Burlinganie j 

William C. Allen i iLiving ... 

A. B. Bralcy I Living ... 

A II. Barnes 1854 (Living... 

Henry W. Clark |l858 luving... 



Present Place of 
Residence. 



Residence at Time 
of Death. 



Remarks. 



Racine, Wis. 



Delavan, Wis 

Whitewater, Wis. 
Whitewater, Wis. 



Michigan 

Black Hills, D. T.. 



Decorah. Iowa.. 



Unciiie, Wis... 
Matlison, Wis 



Fargo, D. T., 
Chicago, 111. 



Whitewater., 



Geneva 



Milwaukee ., 
Washington . 
Elkhorn 



Darien., 



Present Circuit Judge^Ad- 
mitted in Rock County in 
1856. 



In .Milwaukee. 

Afcidentally shot 
hunting. 



while 



Practiced in Delavan. 
Practiced in Delavan. 
.■issassinated by Quantrell's 

band. 
Practiced in Geneva. 
Practiced in Geneva. 
I'racticeil in Geneva. 
Practiced in Elkhorn. 
Practical in Elkhorn. 
Practiced in Whitewater. 
Practiced in Whitewater. 



Practiced in Richmond. 

Practiced in Sharon. 

County Juilge, 1849 to 1853. 

.ludge of the Municipal 
Court 

Practiced in Delavan ; Asso- 
ciate Justice, Dakota. 



STATISTICS. 
(iltOWTlI <)!■ POI'I'I.ATION. 



Tho population, inchidino; villa<^os, by (■cnsiis of 1S80; Bloomfi(>l(l, 1,097 (Genoa Junction, 
303; rest of town, 794); Darien, l,:59t (villtifrc. 427; part of Allen's (J rove, 85; rest of town, 
882); Delavan, 2,5G0 (village, 1,798; rest of town, 7fi2); East Troy, 1, 107 (village, 368, rest of 



464 



HISTORY OF WALWOETH COUNTY. 



town, 1,039); Elkhorn, 1,122; Geneva, 2,899 (village, 1,969; rest of town, 930); La Payette, 
1,028; La Grange, 921; Linn, 823; Lyons, 1,312 (village, 223; Springfield, 130; rest of town, 
959); Richmond, 882; Sharon, 1,956 (village, 657; part of part of Allen's Grove, 116; rest of 
town, 1,183); Spring Prairie. 1.107 (village, 80; Honey Creek. 56; Vienna, 50; rest of town, 
921); Sugar Greek, 980; Troy, 964; Walworth, 1,278; Whitewater, 4.519 (viliao-e, 3,617; rest 
of town, 902). 

Presidential Votes, 1818—1880. 

The political complexion and changes in sentiment are shown by the votes polled at the 
various Presidential elections since the organization of the State. They have been as follows: 

1848— Zachary Taylor, Whig, 804; Martin Van Buren, Free-Soil, 1,494; Lewis Cass, 
Democrat, 550. 

1852— Wiufield Scott, Whig, 965; John P. Hale, Free-Soil, 1,432; Franklin Pierce, Dem- 
ocrat, 1,141. 

1856 — John C. Fremont, Republican, 3,518; James Buchanan, Democrat, 1,297. 

1860 — Abraham Lincoln, ReiDublican, 3,909; Stephen A. Douglas, Democrat, 1,590; scat- 
tering, 18. 

1864 — Abraham Lincoln, Republican, 3,455; George B. McClellan, Democrat, 1,192. 

1868 — Ulysses S. Grant, Reijublican, 4,184; Horatio Seymoiu-, Democrat, 1,568. 

1872 — Ulysses S. Grant, Republican, 3,512; Horace Greeley, Democrat, 1,970; scattering, 
19. ' 

1876 — Rutherford B. Hayes, Republican, 4,212; Samuel J. Tilden, Democrat, 1,499; scat- 
tering, 190. 

1880— James A. Garfield, Republican, 4,361; W. S. Hancock, Democrat, 1,886; J. B. 
Weaver, Greenback, 39. 

The vote of the county at the Presidential election of 1880, by towns, was : 



TOWNS. 



Bloomfleld 

Darien 

Delavan 

East Troy 

Elkhorn 

Geneva 

La Fayette 

La Grange 

Linn 

Lyons 

Ricbmonil 

Sharon 

Spring Prairie. 

Sugar Greek 

Troy 

Walworth 

Whitewater 



Totals.. 



Qarfleld. 


Hancock. 


Weaver. 


Republican Ma- 
jority. 


•:'18 


59 




159 


218 


102 




116 


431 


179 




252 


223 


130 




9-1 


169 


9H 




73 


473 


162 


2 


311 


1 8 


87 




71 


193 


45 


2 


148 


137 ■ 


49 




88 


188 


140 


1 


48 


130 


110 




20 


401 


94 




307 


173 


78 




95 


156 


65 


8 


91 


140 


l(i.'> 


3 


35 


257 


89 




168 


696 


296 


23 


400 



4361 



1886 



39 



2476 



Increase in Wealth. 



The first full valuation of farming property by townships as they now exist (with the ex- 
ception of Elkhorn, which then comprised what is now Sugar Creek), was made by the County 
Supervisors October 1, 1844, and was as given in the table below: 



HISTORY OF WAI.WOKTH COUNTY. 



465 



Valuation of 1844. 



TOWNS. 



La Grange 

East Troy 

Walworih 

La FayettP 

lliclHtioiiil 

Klkhorn 

Geneva 

Spring I'rairie. 

Bloomfield 

Linn 

Whitewater 

Dar en 

Sharon 

Delavan 

Troy 

Hudson 



Number of Acres. 



Totals $243539 



12940 
17310 
15.84 
1 8893 
10623 
1409(1 
16,76 
20841 
14099 
13477 
13490 
16705 
13777 
1.5628 
14608 
14892 



Value per Acre. 



$3 28 
3 50 


2 
3 
3 


02 


3 


55 


3 
3 
3 

3 


43^ 
32J 

19 


3 


32 


3 
2 


Ji- 


3 
3 


^^* 


3 


38 



Total Value. 

$42620 
60690 
4'n56 
69435 
3^106 
50039 
57909 
69277 
45070 
42925 
44902 
62065 
31914 
48073 
48052 
50348 



$791581 



Equalized Value| 


per 


Acre. 


$3 28 


3 


50 


3 


30 


3 


40 


3 


25 


3 


40 


3 


40 


3 


50 


3 


25 


3 


20 


3 


25 


3 


30 


3 


20 


3 


40 


3 


40 


3 


40 







Total Equalized 
Value. 



$42620 
60690 
51427 
64168 
34.525 
47906 
56358 
72943 
4-5812 
43126 
43842 
.55126 
44086 
63135 
49667 
50632 

$816063 



In contrast with the above, and showing increase in wealth dnrinii; the past thirty-seven 
years, the assessed vahiatiou of property, as made in 1881, is given below: 



V.\LUATION OF 1881. 





FARMING 


LANDS. 


Village 
Property. 


Total 
Real Estate. 


Personal 
Property. 




TOWNS. 


Number of 
Acres. 


Valuation. 


Valuation. 




22653 
22708 
20035 
21700 
2142 
19713 
22188 
22043 
19415 
22692 
22524 
22851 
23007 
21570 
22401 
22003 
20520 


$497860 
639590 
484325 
441.545 
109890 
3821.55 
526496 
414165 
520565 
524164 
4179(56 
767075 
6253-50 
459195 
4.53313 
682538 
386782 


% 37900 

41745 

247000 

51525 

200085 

436505 


$ 535760 
681335 
731.325 
493070 
309475 
818720 
620496 
414165 
520565 
.568144 
417966 
843825 
625350 
459195 
4>7263 
5891-58 
1149332 


$141700 
236156 
420475 
190759 
249891 
2187.50 
170854 
139.560 
134504 
14.5646 

92134 
319624 
159875 
111204 

94613 
154282 
.5(12454 


$ 677460 




916491 




1151800 




f;83829 




569366 




1037470 




697360 






553725 




43980 


655009 




713690 




510100 




867.50 


1168449 




785225 






570399 


Troy 


3960 

6620 

762550 


551876 




743440 




1661786 






Totals 


350065 


$8222474 


$1918670 


$10141144 


$3481381 


$13622526 



466 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 



TABLE 

showing the assessed value of property in Walworth County each year, from 1842 to 1881. 





Farminc 


Lands. 


Village 
Property. 


Total Keal 
Estate. 


Personal 
Property. 


Total 
Valuation. 


TEA E. 


Number of 
Acres, 


Valuiition. 


1842 


137320 
243538 
269279 
296909 
301162 
312091 
323365 

336101 
343524 
344379 
344083 
350851 
346700 
348424 
346973 
347421 
349458 
348015 
348015 
349533 
349415 
349107 
350483 
350283 
350926 
349929 
351011 
349717 
350011 
350030 
350114 
350115 
350156 
350068 


$ 512140 
789560 
844618 
932838 
975684 
1061569 
1592151 
1751378 
1734815 
992732 
1091374 
1112898 
1962953 
24169(i5 
2490899 
5508815 
5230681 
4996202 
5216083 
5238345 
5051290 
9030305 
8684932 
9081301 
9092332 
9196866 
9160090 
8687714 
8482409 
8618316 
8447079 
8143243 
8499740 
8251380 
8222474 


$ 1908 

"l4189 

109784 

23906 

24797 

118993 


$ 514048 


Not given. 

Not giveu. 

4;il576* 

326723* 

542352* 

619663* 

344045 

187158 

190659 

167708 

228768 

274687 

290783 

380100 

366412 

1350415 

886895 

1642833 

1911412 

1653937 

1769900 

3550014 

3492000 

3856000 

3545000 

3519000 

3509000 

3445000 

3452000 

3364000 

3320000 

3233000 

3270000 

3265487 

3481381 


$ 514048 


1844 


789560 


1845 


858807 
1042622 

999590 
1036366 
1592151 


1280383 


1846 


1399884 


1847 


1541942 


1848 


1656029 


1849 


1936746 


ISdOf 


1938536 


1851 


166314 

178859 

177838 

129893 

167382 

241550 

479960 

1121023 

1175246 

1048365 

976724 

992788 

1048604 

1887485 

1795000 

1705000 

1725000 

1621000 

1631000 

1621000 

1932000 

1932000 

1938000 

1914000 

1899000 

1934628 

1918670 


1901129 

1171591 

1269212 

1242791 

2130335 

2658315 

2970789 

6C,29838 

6405927 

6044967 

6192807 

6231133 

6099894 

10917790 

10479932 

10786301 

10817332 

10816866 

10791090 

10308714 

10414409 

10580316 

10385079 

10057243 

10398740 

10186008 

10141144 


1925474 


1852 


1237387 


1853 : 


1456983 


1854 


1490478 


1855 


2421118 


ls5(j 


3038415 


1857 


3337201 


1858 


7980253 


1859 


7292822 


1863 


7687400 




8104219 


1866 


7885100 




7869794 


1868 


14467834 




13971932 


1870 


14642301 




14362332 


1872 


14.335866 




14300090 


1874 


13753714 




13866409 


1876 


13764316 




13705079 


1878 


13560243 




13669740 


1880 


13451495 




13622525 



Note.— There is no record given for the years 1843, 1860, 1861, 1862 and 1864; but they were probably unchanged from the preTious year 
♦Included improvements. t*Jfi8'o^* assessment roll lost. 



HISTORY OF AVALAVOKTII COUNTY. 

FARMING STATISTICS— CROl'S (UU)WN IN 1880. 



467 



TOWNS. 


1 

•g 

1 


CD 

8 


•s 

s 

1 


i 

1 


1 

IS 

3 


A 

a 

n 

s 
s 

o 


"v 

S.S 

OS) 


Xi 
in 

3 
« 

i 

< 


• 

?■ 

6 


^^ 


B 


4 

a 





CD 

n 

3 

<£ 
3 

(0 


n 
3 

1 




7838 

19560 

21436 

35177 

950 

6564 
28874 
34947 

5905 
14544 
25979 

9750 
15075 
26016 
34750 
10794 
17854 


75075 

176910 

94880 

70225 

11190 

12810U 

84170 

102760 

186800 

151240 

1001.50 

97600 

87900 

124575 

61180 

114230 

142280 


.54246 
94374 
84899 
48630 
8985 
610.50 
51239 
49675 
59785 
43368 
41940 
32700 
56290 
66498 
34338 
56474 
39578 


3854 
34943 
2686:! 

11-55 
895 

5670 
15722 
12403 

15.55 
11222 
38648 
12820 

8040 
1.5426 

5142 
10.596 

1791 


590 
1240 

035 

3020 

60 

400 

534 
4002 

206 

1250 

98 

395 
18.50 

850 
1576 

" 891 


6800 

11950 

161.50 

10278 

3795 

3200 

7180 

8006 

5050 

9392 

7788 

5900 

7310 

9806 

7509 

7945 

10684 


"500 

420 
1345 

400 
5000 

1645 
400 
355 
150 

"" '40 

440 
1580 

1260 


10880 
15400 
24410 
10544 

6010 
50000 

5789 
16165 
16795 
107.50 
110.30 
14050 
16200 
17499 

9251 
10296 
109.50 


"107 
94 
21 

100 

1010 

30 

29 

15 

142 

100 

"'5'5 

38 

""18 


1467 

1649 

671 

100 

642 
69 
169 
403 
107 
549 
588 
243 
389 
187 
2467 
243 


28000 
79331 
54880 


2843 
3110 
2922 
2469 
4.54 
1500 
4381 
2134 
2833 
2129 
1091 
2625 
3705 
2451 
19.52 
2590 
3029 


85950 
58500 
87016 
50193 
26426 
150000 
49770 
83290 
. 101650 
47360 
56250 
36225 
5850(1 
49640 
47902 
65465 
4.5025 


75700 




89845 


Delavan 


35480 


East Troy 




Elkliorn 




67879 








La Fayette, (1879) 
La Grantee 




27200 










61800 


Lyons 




42749 




140 






159000 


Spring Prairie 

Sugar Creek 

Troy 


340 
12400 


1.50448 

121120 

6000 


Walworth 


360 


109390 


Whitewater 


365430 




310013,1809265 


874068 


206740 


17597 


138693 


13475 


25601! 


1759 


9948 


175451 


42218 


10991.52 


1312041 









Tobacco, Pounds— Darien, 1300; La Grange, 12700; Troy, 9220; Whitewater, 500; total, 23720. 



ACREAGE UNDER CULTIVATION IN 1881. 





Total No. 
of Acres 
Grains. 

4391 

8326 
6835 
5388 
523 
3560 
6136 
6804 
4516 
5541 
8027 
5294 
5162 
6465 
5331 
5743 
5848 


Potatoes 

and Root 

Crops. 

Acres. 


Apple Orchabd. 


Grazing 

and Grasses 

Acrea 


Growing 
Timber. 
Acres. 


Miscel- 
laneous 
Acres. 


Milch 


Cows. 


TOWNS. 


Number of 
Acres. 


Number of 
Bearing 
Trees. 

4430 

7940 
13207 
6632 
3310 
4360 
7515 
8070 
9388 
8294 
5776 
8700 
9820 
8656 
6223 
7360 
78^5 


Number. 


Value. 




80 
102 
135 

97 
32 

105 
88 
81 

476 

115 
94 

122 
85 

106 
80 
91 

119 


159 
370 
267 
258 
72 
170 
241 
190 
225 
256 
107 
240 
341 
276 
215 
2.59 
259 


2437 
2749 
3893 
2138 
.503 
1800 
2840 
4027 
3517 
1864 
3633 
1820 
3391 
3339 
3005 
3410 
3037 


2411 
1877 
2626 
3188 
202 
800 
3819 
5347 
3000 
3142 
3885 
15-50 
3231 
3309 
2627 
2220 
2163 


33 

129 

62 

6 
4 
4 

12 

17 
68 

'"■io 

28 
4 
3 


824 
907 
595 
626 
165 
700 
705 
621 
890 
933 
473 
821 
706 
738 
4.52 
859 
1378 


f 2 1.555 


Darien 


22675 




18356 


East Troy 


10520 


Elkhorn 


4070 




17.500 


La Fayette (1880) 


13225 


La Grange 


19160 




22000 




19283 




10518 




17175 


Spring Prairie 


20700 




14064 


Troy 


8552 




19323 




22374 






Totals 


93890 


2008 


3903 


127606 


47403 


46403 


390 


12293 


$281080 







4f)8 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 



SCHOOLS. 
Latest School Statistics, compiled from Report of County Superintendent — 1881. 



Bloomfield 

Darien 

Delavan 

East Troy 

Elkhorn 

Geneva 

La Fayette 

La Grange 

Linn 

Lyons 

Richmond 

Sliaron 

Spring Prairie . 
Sugar Creek.... 

Troy 

Walworth 

Whitewater 



Totals 87 



a-s 
5S 






a o ^ 
^ -J , 



3-58 
4'12 
7tia 
462 
330 

1028 
261 
301 
340 
4o2 
30'J 
6i5 
.307 
367 
329 
386 

14.'^6 

8511 



231 
283 
542 
349 
273 
625 
196 
211 
199 
303 
204 
596 
252 
185 
230 
282 
751 

5712 



S'S 



9 
8 
12 
9 
5 



126 









10 

13 

9 

5 

12 

8 



10 
8 

16 
9 
5 



15 
160 



*r « * 


$43 
55 


75 
00 


56 


65 


40 


50 


88 87 1 


37 


25 


32 


37 


32 


00 


26 


25 


27 


66 


34 00 1 


40 


50 


30 


00 


26 


00 


35 


83 


28 


28 


47 


30 







Mr; •-; u 

* ^ J* sa 



|27 82 

19 95 
24 37 

23 50 
45 00 
21 36 

20 87 

21 75 
19 25 

24 55 
21 00 
26 11 
24 30 
24 31 

21 92 

22 25 
38 74 



■lis 



125 
85 

200 
22 



246 



678 



TOWNS. 



Bloomfield 

Darien 

Delavan 

East Troy 

Elkhorn 

Geneva 

La Fayette 

La Grange 

Linn 

Lyons 

Richmond 

Sharon 

Spring Prairie. 

Sugar Creek 

Troy 

Walworth 

Whitewater 



Totals 126 



Number! Total valua- 

of [ tiun of 
school- , allecbool- 
hoDBee. bouses. 



12 
9 

5 

7 



$2000 
3600 

12950 
6000 

10000 

21900 
3000 
3000 
2800 

10000 
2000 
8950 
59 Ht 
3000 
4837 
3500 

169.50 



.$119437 00 812570 00 



Total valua- 
tion of 
1-11 scbool 
sites. 



Total valua- 
tion of all 

school appa- 
ratus, etc. 



$200 00 
295 00 

85 OtI 

65 00 
100 00 

70 00 
100 00 

25 00 
120 00 
200 00 



25 00 

93 00 

40 00 

5 00 

150 00 

420 00 



$1993 00 



Total valua- 
tion of 
all libraries. 



125 00 

60 Ot) 

200 00 

100 00 



Total valua- Amount of 

tion of all money 

school prop- received for 

erty. 1881, 



165 00 



$2900 00 
4320 00 

14035 00 
6785 00 

11300 00 

23400 00 
3400 00 
3275 00 
8240 00 

10600 00 
2240 00 
9925 OO' 
6703 00 
3230 00 
5167 GO 
5025 I 

19095 Oil 



$2348 00 
2921 41 
7184 54 
3113 02 
4773 .55 
6900 90 
2053 69 
2063 06 
1793 18 
2535 24 
1800 38 
4592 41 
2339 26 
2571 73 
3473 39 
2374 61 
8227 22 



Amount of 

money 

expended for 

1881. 



$630 00 1$134630 00|$60565 59 $51748 88 



$1990 99 
2593 87 
.5597 32 
2625 83 
3165 62 
5304 28 
1643 51 
1854 39 
1366 52 
2321 86 
1350 96 
4314 68 
2176 58 
2652 00 
3129 67 
1944 48 
7816 27 



PRESS OF THE COUNTY. 

The growth of the county press can be traced in detail by a reference to the histories of 
the towns. To give an idea of its progress, however, a statement follows, in chronological 
order, of the establishment by towns of the fii'st journals throughout the county, with a men- 
tion of those at present alive. The tirst paper, the Western Star, was established at Elkhorn 
August 8, 1845, by George Clale. In 1848, the Geneva Gazette was founded by David 
M. Keeler. The first paper published at Delavan, and the third in the county, was the Wal- 
worth Gounty Journal, established in December, 1852, by J. C. Bunnei-. Next, in order of 
time, was the \Miitewater Gazette, started by H. J. Curtice, in Januaiy, 1855. The Register 
was founded by H. L. & L. H. Rann, in March, 1857. In 1868, Rev. J. G. Schseflfer commenced 




(sdc^id fsiL-L^,' 



HISTOK'Y OF WAI.WORTIT COrNTY. 471 

the publication of fbe Shiiron Mhi-or, the lirst journal born in that town, East Troy followinf; her 
example in August, 1879, by the issuing of the (Gazette, by F. D. Graig. The principal papers 
in the county, at present published, are the \\'hite\vater liegister, E. D. Coe, editor; the White- 
water (7iro»/c/c, Pitt Cravath, editor; the Walworth County hidependcvt, S. S. Kockwood, editor; 
Delavan Republican, W. G. Weeks, editor; Delavan Eiderprific, E. W. Conable, editor; Geneva 
Herald. J. E. Heg; Geneva Neirn, J. S. Badger; Sharon Reporter, Messrs. Ph(>lps & Ziegaus, 
proprietors; East Troy Gazette, C A. Cook, editor. Detailed accounts of the above publications 
■will be foiind in the town histories. 

CONCLUSION. 

The foregoing chapters contain the chronicles of the early settlers. How they came to the 
country, how they lived, how they thrived, how they buried their dead, how they tilled the . 
earth, how they got possession of their land, how they established schools and churches, how 
they came to be a wealthy and prosperous community — all that combined to make the county what 
it is, has been recounted — quite imperfectly, but sufficiently to give the futiu'e historian data 
from which to wi'ite a history of Western civilization. 

An agricultm*al community has little of the sensational in its life or growth. It keeps the 
even tenor of its way, unvexed by the storms that rage in the great centers. 

The history of AValworth County is that of the gi'owth of a prosperous community, under 
the fostering care of the best Government the siui ever shone upon. 

Forty-five years ago, the settlement of Walworth County begun. The man who first put 
plow into the virgin sod, Palmer Gardner, is still alive. Outside of the American Republic, it 
has never before been recorded that the fathers should live to see their sons established in a 
new countr}'. Here the earliest settlers, who came in in 1836, and viewed the country in all 
the wild loveliness of natiu'e, still live to see it the home of their children. 

The history is not eventful. It is nevertheless instructive. It shows how out of nothing 
which man possesses, much which God wills can be made, and as such may prove instructive 
far beyond the intrinsic worth or literary merits of the work itself. 




472 HISTOEY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 



E L K H O R N . 

ORGANIZATION. 

The present town of Elkhorn embraces but a single section of the original town within its 
limits. The prairie from which the town took its name abounded in the antlers of the elk, 
when the first white ex}ilorers visited it. and from that circumstance its name was derived. 
The honor of naming the prairie Elkhorn is given to Col. Samuel F. Phcenix. the founder of 
Delavan, who, in his journal, states that on a journey from Swan Lake (Delavan) in the early 
part of July, 1836, on coming out upon the prairie, where the army trail crossed it, about a 
mile or mile and a half east of the present village of Elkhorn. as he lay down to rest under a 
huge buiT-oak, he saw in the forks of the tree the antlers of an elk. which some passer-by had 
hung there, which suggested to him the name of Elkhorn for the prairie, and he so christened 
it on the spot. Certain it is that all subsequent comers knew it by that name. 

The original town of Elkhorn was one of the live organized by act of the Ten-itorial Leg- 
islature, January 2, J 838, and embraced the fonr townships in the northwest (quarter of the 
county now known as Whitewater, La (irange, Richmond and Sugar Creek, comprising an area 
of 144 square miles. The first town meeting was held at the house of Asa Blood, who lived in 
what is now the town of Sugar Creelc, on the bank of Silver Lake. The town was divided by 
act of August 13, 184(1, Whitewater being formed from the two western townships, Nos. 3 and 
4 in Range 15, now Whitewater and Richmond. 

March 21, 1843, the town of La Grange was detached from the remaining territory (Town 
4, Range 16), leaving under the name of Elkhorn Town 3, Range Hi, it being the present town 
of Sugar Creek, less a single section. Its boimdaries remained unchanged until February 2, 
1846, at which time, by act of the Legislatiu-e, a new town of Elkhorn was incorjwrated, which 
embraced but a single section of the original town, viz., Section 36, in Town 3, Range 16. By 
that act, the present town of Elkhorn was established. The boundaries were described as fol- 
lows: "All that part of the county of Walworth comprised in Section 36, in the town of Elk- 
horn; Section 1, in the town of Delavan; Section 6, in the town of Geneva, and Section 31, in 
the town of La Fayette, is hereby set olf and organized into a separate town by the name of 
Elkliorn,"* and except Section 36, the remaining part of Elkhorn was organized as a new towTi 
under the name of Sugar Creek. The town of Elkhorn, as oi'ganized liy the act of February 
2, 1846, is a square of tv/o miles, embraces the geographical center of the coimty, and is the 
seat of justice. The history of Elkhorn is properly confined to its present boundaries, leaving 
the earlier chronicles of the old domain of the town to be treated in the histories of the towns 
formed therefrom. 

LOCATION AND NATURAL FEATURES. 

The present town and village of Elkhorn lies on the summit of the water-shed of the 
coiuity, and was, before its settlement, one of the most beautiful spots in the county. Nearly all 
of Section 6, and the southern part of Section 1, was a beautiful ])rairie (a part of Elkhorn 
Prairie). The edge of timber just skirted along the north part of Section 6, and l-an in a 
southwesterly direction to the middle of the western line of Section 1, Sections 36 and 3, were 
all covered with a growth of old oak trees, and were what was termed tjak opening, being quite 
free from undergrowth, sufficiently so to enable teams to di'ive through without hindi-ance. It 
was one vast natural park. The soil is generally a black loam, with a clay subsoil. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

The town was first settled in the sjiring of 1837. or, to give the exact date of the first set- 
tlement, February 27, 1837. The circnimstances resulting in the settlement wtu-e as follows: 
The county of Walworth was set off and its limits defined in 1836. The Government siu-vey 
was completed that year, and the general excellence of the land had become quite well knovm 
to the residents of the lake villages at the close of that year, and, as settlers had begun to come 



HISTORY OF WAI.WOUTII COUNTY. 473 

ill (juito rapidly, ii mauia seizod nearly everyliddy Ui secure claims for spoculative [mrposes. 
Ainoiit;- the sharp men then enteriiiof the Imsiness of land sp(>culation was Le Grand Koekwell, 
v( Milwaukee. He was possessed of some means and was one of the shrewdest young business 
men in the Territory. He conceived the plan of i)re-em])ting the land at the i;eoura])liical 
center of the county, judo-inir, as has proved (juite correctly, that it would become the scat of 
justice whenever the county should become sufficiently settled to oro-anize a com])l(>te county 
f^fovernment Accord inijly. h(>, W'ith a friend, whom he had enlisted in the enterprise, Horace 
Coleman, came out to look the ground over and find the cuidcr. On their way out, they stopped 
at the house of Dr, Hemenway, where Hollis Latham, then a yoimg, unmarried man, had been 
living for several months, Latham joined them, and the three prospectors reached Elkhorn, 
and found the inters(>ctions of th(> lines that marked the C(>nter of the county, February Kl 
1S37. The general aspect of the countiy in the winter showed uou(> of the beauties that so eu- 
ti'auced those who viewed it for the first time clad in the verdure and bloom of sju'ingand sum- 
mer. The exact center was a sort of slough, but at a little distance in all tlirectious, the 
country seemed all that was desirable for settlement, even should the embryo county seat never 
be established there. The three retiu'iUHl, however, without making any claim. The sp(>cula- 
tive inducements did not strike deep enougii into Coleman's heart to take root, and he did not 
return. Mr. Rockwell, however, was more favorably impressed, and had no difficulty in making 
uj) a syndicate in Milwaukee to secure the land he desired. The company as organized con- 
sisted of Le Grand Rockwell, J. S. Rockwell, L. J. Higliy. Allen W. Hatch and Daniel E. 
Bradley. It was proposed that the company should claim the four quarter-sections, one stjuare 
mile, commencing at the center of the county, and start thereon a dairy farm until such time 
as the county seat project might develop. Accordingly, a party was organized to immediately 
secure possession of the promised land. It consisted, on their arrival, of four persons — Le 
Grand Rockwell, representing the interest of himself and brother: Milo E. Bradley, who 7'ejire- 
sented the interest of himself and father, Daniel E., he having gone East for the family: 
Albert Ogden, thi"n a young man in the emjiloy of Higby, and Hollis Latham, who came on 
with them from S[>ring Prairie. The foui' men reached Elkhorn February 27, lS;i7. They 
brought a moderate stock of supplies, and a small tent which they pitched nbout a mile east of 
the center, in a poplar grove on the edge of the timber. They immediately made their claims 
to the four coveted quai'ter-sections. and commenced building a rude log shanty half a mile 
east of the center of their claim, near the north line of Section 6. The shant\' was conijileted 
in about a fortnight, and the jiarty moved in. all except Rockwell, who started for Indiana to 
j)urchase cows wherewith to start the dairy business. The young men. Latham and Ogden, not 
being interest(>d in the claims of the Milwaukee company, took claims for themselves, Latham 
directly i^ast on the northeast quarter of Section (J, Range 17 east, and Ogden directly west of 
th(^ company's claims, on the northwest quarter of Section 1, Range 16 east. 

The company's claim at the center was designated in the Government sm'vey as follows: 
The south(>ast quarter of Section 36, Town 3, Range 16 east; the southwest (juart(>r of Section 
31, Town 3, Range 17 east; the northwest (juarter of Section 6, Town 2, Range 17 east; the 
northeast (juarter of Section 1, Town 2. Range 1(5 east. In addition to these chiims, the com- 
pany made largi^ claims in Townshi)! 2, Range 17, lying southeast of the claims abov<^ de 
scribed. The center of the claim was at the southeast corner of the lot in Elkhorn Villag<x now 
occupied by O. Livingston as a blacksmith shop and residence, at the southwest corner of 
South and East streets. 

The occupants of the shanty, after the departure of Rockwell (Ogden. Lafham and Brad 
ley), enjoyed all that labor, novelty and youthful hope could give them. They set to work 
with their axc^s to cut down the trees and hew the timber for a frame house for the expected 
colony, consisting of thc! Bradley families whom Daniel E. would bring with him, and in get- 
ting out fence rails to inclose some j)arts of the claims made. They were none of them i'xj)ert 
housekeejiers nor good cooks, but took turns in cooking — one day Ogden fried the pork, the 
next Latham tried his hand at pan-cak(>s. iiud the next Bradley made saleratus cake or some 
other mysterious compound from the material at hand. It matter(>d little with their good ap- 
petites what was set b(>fore them. With th(> assiu'an(;e that it was not ])oison. it all went dow7i. 
Tliev had tea and cofl'ee. w'ith sugar. Thev labored assidiioush' cut the oak timber, h(>wed 



474 HISTOltY or WALWOKTU COUNTY. 

cancl framed it. and some time in May had the frame of tlio first house in Elkhorn raised. In 
raising, they were assisted by two men named Cook and Smith, who had taken claims some two 
miles west, and had ""shantied" with them while prejiaring a shelter for themselves on their 
own claims. The covering of the house, oak siding, and the flooring were obtained fi'om the 
Geneva saw-mill, just fairly started. The windows were bought in Milwaukee. The chimney, 
also, consisting of a few joints of stove-pipe, came from the same metropolis, then consisting 
of three stores, two taverns and other buildings, enough to make a village of perhaps 4(H). The 
interval of ten weeks, while this house was being built, was enlivened with such episodes as fall 
only to the lot of pioneers in a country possessing no resources except those in nature's own store- 
house. The colony did not suffer any actual privations, but they occasionally came, by stress 
of circumstances, to the verge of short rations. In addition to the labors of house-building, the 
provisions were to be obtained from a distance. Mr. O. Preston, in an article in the Elkhorn 
hidependeid. IMarch 11. 1880. gives an entertaining account of the foraging efforts of the party 
during the period. Beginning with the building of the shanty, it is as follows: 

"A cabin of logs was at onc(^ decided upon, and immediately commenced, yet it was some 
two weeks before the exceptionally cold weather yielded sufficiently to admit of tilling in the 
crevices between the logs, so as to make it habitable. After two weeks of dreaiy waiting, the 
cold so far abated as to admit of digging up the earth to the south side of the cabin, and, with 
hot water, obtained a plastic mud, with which, with wooden paddles, the chinking was done, 
and the new residence was thus completed. The inhabitants of the whole town were Rockwell, 
Bradley. Latham and Ogdeu — four persons — who occupied the new building, the first dwelling 
of Ellchorn. the future county seat of Walworth County. 

"The larder question next became the paramount subject of solicitude and inquiry; so 
Milo Bradlev improvised a hand-sled, with which he and Ogden made a trip to Spring Prairie 
for supplies Be it borne in mind that llom'. meal and salt pork were, at that time, the stand- 
ard necessaries of the day. Having successfully made the trip, they there also learned that one 
Alpheus Johnson, who had a cabin in what was then and is now called the Dwinnell Settle- 
ment, in La Fayette, had a few potatoes, and it was decided to add that excellent vegetable to 
their frugal far.\ Accordingly, the next day Ogden, equipped with the hand-sled, made his 
way through the brush for th ■ much-coveted luxury. The trip was void of success. The old 
man positively denied the suspicion of having any potatoes. As he was slowly wending his 
way homeward, he discoverrd in the softening crust of snow, coon tracks, which were b^it another 
confirmation of the maxim that Providence or Hercules helps the persev ring. A new field of 
enterprise was here ojjened: he followed the trail vuitil he foiind where the coon had ensconced 
himself for his night' s repose. Returning to the cabin for an axe and re-enforcements, the siege 
of the coon commenced. The coons had probably heard of the discussion of one of his relatives 
with Capt. Scott, and. being like-minded, surrendered. Two of them were captured and brought 
alive to town, and. for a few days, the colonists fared sumptuously on 'baked coon.' But at 
that time, the example of the boy and the woodchuck had not materialized, but the analogy of 
being 'out of meat' had. The day of such a Inxm-y was di-awing to a close; so Hollis Latham 
started on foot for Milwaukee for the purpose of pm-chasing jirovisions. He went by the way 
of Skiink's Grove, Racine County, near what is now Franksville. and contracted with Mi-. Jo- 
seph Nickson to haul out some provisions. Reaching Milwaukee, the provisions were pur- 
chased, and Nickson agreed to be at Elkhorn as soon as Latham, who determined to retm-n by 
the way of Mukwonago, a nearer route. "When he arrived here, no Nickson had a])peared, and 
the sequel showed that Nickson on his return by way of his home, had concluded to accept an 
invitation to a wedding in Kenosha County, and it was some ten days before he put in an ap- 
pearance. In the meantime, having nothing except the rib bones of some salt pork, Ogden' s 
rifle was brought into requisition, to the detriment of the prairie chickens, of which, with the 
rib bones, they made a stew; and the chickens feeding at that season of the year upon hazel 
buds, they were about as savory as the celebrated political crow, which politicians sometimes 
diet ujwn, and it is a notable fact that at this day, none of the old settlers at that period en- 
thuse worth a cent during the chicken season." 

The house was not entirely finished till the middle of the summer, but sutiicieutiy so for 
the occupancy of a numerous family, on the arrival of the Bradley families early in June. It 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 475 

was, for tli(< times, a very pretentii)ns strnctiu-e. Its size was 18xii<) feet. It was a story and a 
half high. It had two oiitsido dt)ors, the ma'ii entrance being on the south side, the other at 
the southeast corner, on the east end. The whole east ludf of the lower tioor was in one room, 
being kitchen, dining-room and g(>n(>ral sitting room. The west half was divided into three 
small rooms. The U|)per floor was unpartition(>d and constituted a grand dormitory, sheets 
being hung u]) to define personal rights and insure pri\acy. It was guiltless of j)aint, and a 
stove funn(>l, stuck through the roof, did duty as a chimney. A small dairy or chcH>se-room was 
subsequently attached to thi> northeast corner of the house*. The order of architeotiu-e was un- 
delinable, and suggested comfort and utility more than lesthetic taste. It has giv(>n way to 
more modern and convenient dwellings, but is still remembered as the abode of comfort by the 
eiU'ly settlers, and the welcome place of sojourn of many a weary traveler of the early days. 

Rockwell returned from Indiana with his drove of stock early in June — about the Sth. He 
brought some twenty -live cows, three yoke of oxen and a horse. They were not what a farmer 
of \Vahvorth County would to-day call a fancy lot; there is not, j)robal>ly, in all; the county, 
among the thousands, twenty-five as scurvy as those which coustitutcxl Rockwell's drove. As 
they were safe from the disgrace pf eomjiarisou. there being no others near, they were satisfac- 
tory to their owners, and were piit to grazing on the fresh-grown grass of Elkhorn Prairie. The 
colony luxuriated on bread and milk till the women might arrive. It is not believed that i>ither 
of the men attempted to churn before that time. 

Soon after Rockwell's retm-n, Daniel E. Bradley arrived in Racine with the families of 
himself and Milo. The ox-team was immediately dispatched for them, and they reached Elk- 
horn and took up quarters in the frame house, not yet plastered, June 12, 18;$7. This addition 
of women and chikh'en made the colony complete. The families who arrived with Mr. Daniel 
E. Bradley consisted of three women — Mrs. Daniel E. Bradley and daughter (now Mrs. HoUis 
Latham), and Mrs. Milo E. Bradley, with six children, the oldest of whom, then a youth of fom'- 
teen years, is the prest-nt I'ostmaster of Elkhorn — Mr. Henry Bradley. The census taken at that 
time showed the population (all inmates of the new house) to number fom'teeu, viz., five men, 
three women and six children. Mr. Bradley, Sr., with his wife, constituted the head of the 
imited family. Business began in earnest. Some twenty-five acres of prairie were broken 
during the lattc^r part of June, partly on the claim of the company on Section 5, in what is now 
the town of Geneva, and a few acres on each of the claims of Latham and Ogden, on S(>ctions 
fi and 1, within the present limits of the town of Elkhorn. So the first laud broken by the 
plow for cultivati(3n was by Messrs. Latham and Ogden on their respective claims. The crojis 
that year consisted principally of corn, with a boimteous crop of rutaliaga turnips, taken from 
six acres, which hel))ed the cows throiigh the following winter. 

Bradley's house, besides being the home of the colony, was a tavern and a favorite stoj)- 
|)ing-place for travelers. It was the first tavern in Elkhorn, and in subsecpient sketches it 
should be so uiid(>rstood. Travelers never asked Mr. Bradley to '' show them a room " there 
was only one, embracing all up-stairs — they were only too glad to be shown a bed. 

It is not certain that any other actual settlers came into the town during the year 1887, 
though prosj)eetors wen^ plenty, mostly unmarried men, looking about loi- a favorable location. 

As a peculiar interest attaches to these early pioneers, and the com])any who first claimed 
the land, th(>ir history, as a whole, is continucKl out of the consecutive line of narrative. The 
members of the company, consisting of the Rockwells, Higby, Hatch and Daniel E Bradley, 
ke[)t a joint interest but a short time. Hatch's interest never amounted to much, !)eing con- 
tingent on putting something into the venture, which it is beli(*ved he did nut do, and his iji 
terest, such as it was, lapsed into the hands of the other jiartners. Mr. Hatch is still living in 
Milwaukee, an old and respected citizen. L. J. Higby k(4)t his interest for a y(>ar; growing- 
business interests in Milwaukee then engrossed his imtire attention, and he accordingly sold 
out in the fall of 18M8. In the dividi>, he took a large share of the stock, vvhie^h was driven 
into Milwaukee Ijy Mr. Ogden, and the dairy busin(\ss was thereafter abandoned. Mr. Higby 
became one of the leading business men of Milwaukee, at one time almost controlling the ware- 
house business of th<> citv. He subsiHjUentlv removed to New Orleans, wheri^ he died in 187S 
or 1879. 

Ml'. Daniel E. Bradley also retired from the co partncn'ship late in |n:!S or very early in 



476 HISTORY OF W A I.WORTH COUXTY. 

1836. He took th;' house and fifty acres of land on which was the site, and the northeast quarter 
of Section 7, in the present town of Geneva. He lived bat a few months after. He was a na- 
tive of Vermont, but had lived some years in Delaware County, N. Y., prior to emigrating to Wis- 
consin. He was a carpenter by trade, and, at the time of his death, was not far from fifty-live 
years old. Thus, l)efore the first land sale of February, 1S39, the company was dissolved, and 
all the claims made by it were purchased and l)ecame the iiroperty of the Rockwell brothers — L. (j. 
and J. S. — except what fell intti the possession of Daniel E. Bradley, as before stated. The Rook- 
well brothers both died some years ago. Further biographical mention of them appears else- 
where in this work. 

Not a member of the original firm, except Hatch, of Milwaukee, is now living. With the 
actual settlors, who made up the colony, time has dealt kindly. Mi-. Hollis Latham and wife 
and Mr. Albert Ogden are still living in Elkhorn; as is Henry Bradley, the oldest of the chil- 
dren. Milo E. Blradliy is still living in West Salem, Wis. His wife, who came in in 1837, is 
deceased. Of the six ehildi-en, all ai-e alive but one; William, son of Mrs. Latham, died some 
years since. More extended notices of these survivors appear in the Ijiographical department 
of this work. 

At the land sale of 1839, the Rockwells, Latham and Ogden, bought in their claims as 
originally made, thereby perfecting their title to a large part of what is now the site of Elkhorn 
Village. Milo E. Bradley made a claim for himself, in the fall of 1837, on Section 4 in the 
town of Geneva, built a house and moved into it with his family, leaving the Elklaorn colony 
reduced to nine persons. 

The next year, Gen. Sheldon Walling came in with his three boys, bought a few acres of 
the Rockwells, on which he erected a log house. This was near the present residence of Ed- 
ward Elderkin. He also made claim of the southwest quarter of Section 7, in the present town 
of Geneva — the place now owned by Fred Baker. His wife came in the fall of 1838. The 
family occupied the cabin and did some farming on the claim. This was the only accession in 
1838." The only other building done was the erection of a house by Le Grand Rockwell, for 
the occupancy of his hired man, Mr. Daniel Bowen, who, with his family, attended to the farm- 
ing interests on the Rockwell estate; also a building for office purposes, on the east side of the 
present park, which afterward became historic as the first court-room of Walworth County. It 
was a one-story building, lSs'i2 feet in size. The buildings described, viz., the frame house 
first built, the log house occupied by Daniel Bowen, the log house of Gen. Walling and the 
office of the Rockwells, were all on the present site of Elkhorn when it became the county seat, 
and the total po}>ulation did not exceed twenty-three. 

In the fall of 1S3S, by vote of the citizens of the county, the center, at the center of the 
present town, was selected as the county seat by a majority of thirty-five votes over the com- 
peting points of Spring Prairie, Geneva and Delavan. The selection did not bring any great 
accession to the population, as, in October, 1839, when the first court was held, it does not ap- 
j)ear that any other buildings had been erected, or any permanent settlers came in, except Mr. 
Edward Elderkin, who, having already studied law, appeared on the first opening of the ITnited 
States Circuit Court, October 25, 1839, and tried his first case during the term. He was the 
fii-st lawyer of Elkhorn, and the second in the county, Hon. C. M. Baker, of Geneva, being the 
first. H' S. Winsor came in December, 1839. The accessions of that year comprised only 
these two lawyei's, and the families of Gen. Walling and Mr. Bowen. before mentioned. 

Unlike Geneva and Delavan, there were no special natm-al advantages which indicated Elk- 
horn as a favorable location for a village. There was no water power nor was it in the line of 
travel between any settled points; nor a converging point favorable to trade; nothing but its 
position as the geographical center of the county gave it any prominence or promise as the site 
of a future village --indeed, the location was handicapped with many serious disadvantages, as 
against the two points named. Nevertheless, owing to dissensions and jealousies between the 
other competing points, added to the fact that it had next to no population of its own to raise 
enmity, it was selected as the seat of justice, and consequently as the central village of the 
county. The selection gave the Rockwells the realization of their lioi)es when they made their 
claims, and they had only to enter in and enjoy their fruition. With the prestige appertaining 
to a shire town,' Elkhorn did not grow rapidly. The settlers of the following two years were 



HISTORY OF \VAI,W01iTH COUNTY. 477 

not iiamoroHs. Ainono; tho corners of ISU) wen- Moses Kartlrtt. from tlic Stote of ISFaine, with 
a family of five cliildreii: James Fariisworth, llicluu'd Ho^-aboom J>eiijamin Arnold, William 
CoulsoTi, Hudson Van Brunt, (ieori^e Watson, John Hall and H. H. Hartson and family. 

In 1841, there came Zenas Ogden, with his family, consistin<; of a wife and three children. 
from Delawiu-o County, N. Y. : Phinoas M. Johnson and family. Levi Ijeo and family, Richai-d 
Beals and family, Isaac Beals and family, from the State of New York, and Hon. (reorij;e Gah'. 
from Vermont. 

In 1S42, 11 H. Davis and J. (). Katon came in and l)uilt stoi'es in Klkhorn. 

In ISI;-}, settlers came in in lari^-e numbers, and took Tiearly all tlm (rovemment lands left 
for pre-emption. Amonjj the arrivals of that year were William E. (rr(><;ory. (jeorge Yonng and 
family. Dr. (ieorjje H. Young and family. Dexter Dewing and family. George Dmving and 
family. Sanford (iartield and family. William (iavtield and fatnily. ('. N. Meigs and Miss A. (!. 
Beardsley. 

Others doubtless made settlements withiu the |)resent limits of the town prior to 1S48, but 
those mentioned above are all of whom authentic information can l)e obtained. Tho biographical 
sketches will sup]>lement what is lacking in the above record. The gi'owth of the settlement 
was slow for the tirst ten years, notwithstanding it was the county seat. 

In August. 1S42. there were but nine Imildings, an increase of five in four yt>ars. Two of 
them were stores, and the first hotel (except Bradlev"s, before mentioned) stood on the corner 
where Snyder's Hotel now stands. A log jail was also one of the buildings. There were nine 
families and the population had increased to tifty-three. The village was ])latted and the park 
reserved and the streets laid out ess(Mitially as they now are. 

THE VILLAGE. 

The village, as will be seen, was the result of the selection of the center as the county seat. 
This occm-red in the fall of 1S;{N. By a Congressional act, each county on the selection of a 
location for the seat of justice, had the guarantee of the first pre-emption right to a quarter- 
section, for county purposes; on the payment of the Government price — $1.25 per acre. Tln> 
Rockwells relini|uished to the county their claim to the southeast (juarter of Section 86, Town 
3, Range If), and it was pmrhased by the county from the Government at the land sale of 
ISHU. The tract was located north and west of the southeast corner of O. Livingston's lot, 
comprised 10(1 a(^res. and covered the park and a large part of the site of the present village. 
It was platted by Edward Norris, then a surveyor living in Delavan. The county made special 
reservation foi- specific piu'poses — one lot for a jail; one lot for a schoolhouse, donated to the 
village of Elkhorn: four lots, numliered 9. 10. 11 and 12, at the northeast corner of Walworth 
and Wisconsin streets, to whoever would erect and maintain a commodious hotel on that cor- 
ner: and the entire block, now ""the park," for the site of the county liuildings .and for th(( 
other county offices. Thus laid oni. its ])rogTess was as detailed below. 

Tin? GHOWTil OK THE VILLAGE. 

The growth from 1S4-! to lS4!t was that of a healthy Western village with a line 
local trade, and at the last-named date, it had attained to a pojuilation of 515'.). Th(> build- 
ings had increased to eighty. For several years after, the populaticui increased but slightly. 
Many of the inhabitants emigrated to California. In 1S49, the exodus began. Th(> gold-seek- 
ers of that year were; Z. ("hittondin. Lewis Lewis, Edward Peiitland, John Wood, D. G. 
Weston and family. F. S. and George Walling, and (ieorge .\llen. In 1N52. the f(>v(>r was at 
its lunght. and took oft' many citizens believed to be p(<rman(>iit residents of the town. They 
went mostly overland, .\mong tho (Muigrants of that year were: Henry Bradliw and wife. An- 
drew Mayo. Asaph Gregory. I'rank S. Mason. H. Van Brunt. J. A. Norris. Wymaii Spooner, 
Jr., John Gil!is])ie. S. P. Towusend. Stanbui'y Ogden. John Cromh'V, J. Pettit, Heni'y Clem- 
ens. ,\lex. S. Brown and family, Nathan Collnu'u and family, and Fdward Pentland and wife. 
Also, by steamer, via New York, during that and the following year: H. F. S])oon((r, William 
Pentland, Lewis Lee. Dyar L. Cowdery, Samuel Mayo. Horatio Potter, H. N. Hay, Solomon 
Hicks. Chester and Philo Baird, John Schleyburg, Carrie and Fanni(> Bc^ardsley, Mrs. Susan 
Church and Mrs. Pearce. Manv returned, and some of them are still residents of the tfiwn. 



478 HISTOKY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

while not a few found graves in " El Dorado." Among those who never returned were: H. N. 
Hay and Solomon Hicks, who died on the voyage and were biu'ied at sea; Misses Fannie and 
Caroline Beardsley. Lewis Lee, Smith P. Townsend, Nathan Collim-n. Mrs. Alex. S. Brown and 
her son. Daniel, C. Baird, Charles Garfield. Lewis Lee and John Gillispie. Smith P. Town- 
send, Chester Baird, Charles Garfield and John Gillispie. of ]iSr)2, came home and went again 
after some stay here, and died in California. 

The list above given of those who went or those who never returned is by no means com- 
plete, but. sufficient to show that a serious depletion was made in the population at that time. 
It was sufficient to check the growth of the town for some years, and not till the railroad fever 
broke out, in 1854, did the town take a fresh start. At that time, the leading citizens of Elk- 
horn had obtained a charter for the Wisconsin Central Railroad, of which a full account will be 
found in the county history. And the old Racine & Mississippi road was also in process of 
construction, although not then located, as it eventually was. so as to pass through the village. 
Still another road — the Milwaukee & Beloit — was chartered, which was to pass through the 
town. With a junction of two roads crossing the county diagonally, and the probability of still 
another, the Racine & Mississippi, it became evident that Elkhorn woiild become the most im- 
portant railroad center in the county, and one of the most important in the State. 

The village took a fi'esh start. Real estate rapidly increased in value, and large accessions 
were made to the population. At the beginning of 185-1. the population did not exceed 500; 
in Jvme, 1855. in had increased to 787. In September, 1856, the population exceeded 1,000, 
which, in another year, had increased to 1,500. In 1856. there were erected sixty-eight new 
buildings, and in 1857, before the panic of that year, forty more were added. At that time, 
there were 220 dwellings and a population exceeding 1.500. For population, this was near che 
maximum it has ever attained. The financial crash of that year dissolved into thin air the hopes 
that had been based on the Central and the Milwaukee & Beloit Railroads. The Racine & Mis- 
sissippi road was, by extraordinary eflbrts of the citizens of Elkhorn. backed by bonds and 
subscriptions to the amount of ,|20,000, diverted from the original route and brought through 
Elkhorn in 1856. This remained the only railroad connection till 1870; at which time the road 
was built from Elkhorn to Eagle. 

Dtu'ing the three years of general depression which followed the financial crash of 1857, 
the village lost ground, and the ]:)opulation was still further depleted during the war. It has 
never since contained so large a population as was rejjorted at that time. It has, however, im- 
proved with age in general ap])earanee. Finer private buildings have been built, which, to- 
gether with the new county buildings, clmrches. and the excellent and commodious school 
building, render it one of the handsomest inland villages in the State. As a center of trade, 
it has not fulfilled the exjiectations of the sanguine years of its youthful existence, though it 
shares in just proportion with the neighboring town of Delavan the local traffic of the sur- 
rounding towns. 

THE PARK AND BUILDINGS. 

The Elldiorn park is one of the finest in the State. It contains, including the bordering 
streets, an area of eleven acres, lieing forty-four rods long by forty rods wide. It was reserved 
by the county for its use. and has been adorned and beautified lay the coitnty'and village au- 
thorities. In a state of nature, it was a magnificent oak opening, tpiite clear from under- 
growth, and fairly shaded by burr, white and black oaks, all old when the first white man saw 
them. The old oaks still stand, and among them have been planted the maple, hickory, and 
many evergreen trees. It still, however, retains the ancient, pristine beauty of the early days, 
and is, to the old settlers, one of the few oak openings spared to remind them of the woods as 
they first saw them. 

It has no fence, and recjuires none, as cows and hogs, by ordinance of the village corpora- 
tion, are not allowed to run at large. It was formerly inclosed, the expense of erecting the 
fence being defi'ayed partly by the county and j)artly by the citizens of Elkhorn. The time 
when the fence was built is in doubt — probably in 1853. It is certain that the authorities 
were exercised on the fence question as early as November, 1852. Prior to that time, it had 
been an open park, like a New England common. At that time the subject of inclosing the park 



HISTOKY OF WAI-WOHTII COITNTY. 479 

was presented to t!u< (Jouiitv Board of ("oiuniissioiH'rs. and vri'iTrcd to a spocial committee, 
which reported as follows: 

Your oomniittee, to wluiin was rffrrrc<l ti c fmciiiii; of the iml>lic siiiiari\ make llic follnwiiiir report: 
First. That tlicv liavc hail tlic mailer viiiilcr eoiisideratioii, aiul liave hail Ihe rsliniate ot a jjood me 
ehaiiie. ami tiiiil tliat the lumlier wiii eosi $',>7'.».S4. a>iile I'rum some other materials tlial will be iieefssary, aud, 
ill eonsiiieratioii of the aliove. vour committee liave come to tlie conelusion to reeommenii that this Board 
raise $350, in eonsideratioii that the citizens of Elkhorii will so on and construct a good and sulistantiiil post 
and rail fence (accordini; to a diagram herewith sulimitted). as pledged by divers citizens of Elkhorn. which 
said pledge is herewith atlached. and that Ihe Clerk be authorized lo draw' orders for the same, it being under- 
stood that the citizens of Klkhorn are lo paini said fence with two coals of mineral paint and oil. 

(Signed), P. G. IIakrino'I'on. 

A. R. Mkhkick. 

Lk t!n.\Nt) KOCKWKI.I,, 

Members of said committee. 

November 2;'). liS5'2. the work of huildiuo- the fence wtts put into the hands of a citizens 
committee, eonsistinfj of Hollis Latham, Edwin Hodges and Otis Pnwton, and, through the 
efforts of that committee, the fence was Vmilt and the park inclosed. The funds were furnished 
jointly, in accordance with the n^solutiou above quoted, aud remained till the spring of 1880. 
at whicli time it was removed by Mr. Jiicob K(4chpaw. who purchased it of the county for the 
sum of S-2. 

The jjavilion. which still stiinds. in the eastern part of the park, was built by private 
subscription. Squire Sttiuford was the builder. It first served as a speakers' stand and rally- 
ing-j)oint for the old settlers' meeting. June 12. 1S72. and has ever since been the [loint of 
rendezvous for the Foiu-th of July celebrations, old settlers" meetings, aud other important out- 
of-dour gatherings of the village and coantry. 

The court was for some years held in buildings outside the park first, in ;i frame build- 
ing. owned by Mi". Le Grand Eockwell. which served as court room, post office, grocery store, 
lawyer's office, and for all other uses that the wants of the public or the |)rivate necessities of 
the owner required. 

The first court hous(\ ii wooden structure, two stories in height, with cjuite an imposing 
fagade. supported by fotir pillars and siu-mounted by a cupola, was built for the county by Levi 
Lee. in 1841—42. It was occupied for court purposes for the first time in April, 1S42. It was, 
at the ime of its completion, the second best coiu-t house in the State, aud was an object of 
local pride to all residents of the cotmty. In I84f). Sheldon Walling built for the county a 
one-story fire-proof building at a cost, when completed, of $584. It was ei-ected on the site 
of the present fire-proof office building, and. with the court house above mentioned, continued 
to adorn the park till it was torn down and the old court house moved to its present site, to 
make room for the present county buildings. Mr. Lee received his pay for the court houses in 
land di!(!ded to him liy the county, vi'hich embraced a large ]iart of the present site of the vil- 
lage. Further mention of Mr. Lee appears in the biographical part of this work. The old 
court house, still standing on th(> south sideijf Walworth street, was bought, and is still owned, 
by Mr. Edward i^lilerkin. It is one of the few old structures remaining to remind of the early 
days. 

Th(> jiresent fire proof county building, now iiccupiinl by the llegisterof Deeds, the County 
Judge, and containing all the probati^ and abstract rc^cords of the county, was erected during 
the simtmer of 1 800. The builders were Squir(> Stanford. A. Stevens and George Dewing. 
Tlie cost of the building was $4.21)5. It is it plain brick structure, well adaiited to the uses for 
which it was designed. 

The court hous(> was comiileted and the final accounts rendered by the building committee, 
consisting of N. M. Littlejohn. Alex. Frazer and E. B. Dewing, at the annual session of the 
Board of Sujiervisors. in November. 1875. The entire work was done by Squire Stanford, the 
original contract being made for completing the building for the sum of !?1U.241). Additional 
work increased the cost of the building to S2I.2S7. The furniture, fixtures and incidental cost 
amounted to S2.407. making the entire cost of the new structure $2:!. 755. It is two stories in 
height, built of brick, on a raised basement of stone. A cupola rises above the roof, siu-mounted 
by a statue of Justice. Its style of tirchitecture is not ornate, but imjiressos with an idea of 
soliditv and utility. It is one "of the finest court buildings in the Sttite. It has two entrances. 



480 HISTOIIY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

in the center, from the north and south. The iirst floor is fitted up for county offices for the 
Sheriff, Superintendent of the Poor, County Clerk, County Treasxu'er, Clerk of the Circuit 
Court, and session room for meetings of the County Board. The second floor is devoted to 
eoiu't purposes, and contains a commodious court room, jiu-y .room and Judges" apartment. It 
is a permanent structiu'e, built to endure the ravages of time for many generations yet to come. 

THE JAILS. 

The jails, as public buildings, although always standing outside the park, deserve mention, 
more especially the old log jail, long ago gone, which was the first building erected by the 
county. It was built in 1840, by W. B. Johnson, in accordance with the plans and specifica- 
tions fm-nished by Mr. A. K. Allen. The specifications were as follows: 

Description of tlie l)uilding of the .iiiil for W;ilwortli County — 14x20 fei't, 7 feet between floors. Of oali 
timber 10 inches in thielcness — square; floors of the same, to be grooved into tlie side logs, 5 inclies deep ami 
4 inches wide; a partition across the house of the same description of timlier. to be dove-tailed into the side 
logs. Two doors, the one in the partition, the other in the side, to be made of uak plank li inches in thick- 
ness — double, the plank on one side crossing tho.se on the other at right angles, anil nailed with 20-penny nails, 
in rows an inch ajiart each way, perpendicularly and horizontally. The doors to be hung with strap hinges, 
2x| inches at one end, and 1-\| inch at the other, of a regular t.aper, and to extend across the door, with the 
exception of being split at the butt end, in such a manner as to straddle the shank of the hook; the hooks to 
be proportionably stout, w'ith pins to go through both branches of the straps. The logs of the body of the 
house and of the" partition to be spiked together at the corners and at each side of the doors — (the corners 
formed by the ends of the partition with the sides of the house excepted) in the following manner: The logs 
at the corners to be lapped together across each other — let into each other in such a manner as to fit down 
tight upon the logs under them, and spiked with f inch spikes, where the logs lap at the corners, by boring 
through the upper log and driving the spike .5 inches into the log under it without boring. A plate to be put 
above the upper flooi'and spiked down in the manner of the other logs. Two windows in the one room, 8x10 
inches, with a bar of iron across each way at right angles, two in the other, large enough for four lights of 
7x9 glass, the logs to be spiked at the sides of ^hem as at the corners of the house, and the larger two to be 
grated with inch iron bars, three each way to each window, and the whole to be covered with a good shingle 
roof. The cracks between the logs to be pointed with good lime and sand mortar, upon the outside. The 
gable end to be studded and si<led. 

The above job to be let to the lowest bidder, and the Commissioners reserve one bid. The whole to be 
completed by the 1st of April, 1840, anil to acceptance of the Commissioners of said County of Walworth. 

The person taking the job can have the privilege of getting timber on the county qr. for the purpose 
of building said jail. 

Terms of payment — county orders when the job is finished. 

If the Commissioners do iiot .accept of the building when the contractor supposes it to be finished, it is 
to be decided by three disinterested persons chosen by the parties. There is a diamond to be made in the 
door in the partition 7 inches square. The person taking the job to give bonds in the sum of f 500, condition 
for the faithful performance of the contract. 

The fastenings of the doors to be put on agreeable to the directions of the Commissioners, and will be 
paid for by said Commissioners separate from the other part of the building. 

The jail was conscientiously built in accordance with these specifications, and served the 
purposes of impending justice for many years. It kept few people in who desired to get out, 
and was finally condemned l)y the Grand Jvuy as unfit for the purposes for which it was in- 
tended. Among the tenants l)est remembered was William Brown, a young German boy, who 
came into its hospitable botmdaries tifter it had fallen into a somewhat dilapidated state. He 
was arrested for horse-stealing, lint, having but a moderate command of the most broken En- 
glish, and showing none of the characteristics of the hardened thief, he rather won the affection 
of all who saw him, and there seemed to be no very energetic move made for his indictment. 
He was held in ditranco vile till two Grand Jtu'ies had failed to find a Villi against him, when, 
iinder constitutional limitations, he was set fi'ee. The lenity of the citizens to the unfortunate 
and friendless boy did not, in this instance, prove misplaced. He became a respected citizen. 
and was never after suspected even of criminal intent. During his nominal incarceration, his 
home was in the old log jail. Otis Preston was at that time Sherifi". and shared the general 
sentiment of the people toward his prisoner. He allowed him the " freedom of the yard," which 
took in all Elldioi-u at that time. He spent pleasant days in clearing up the jiark. Rainy days 
and evenings he stayed at home in the jail and played " seven u])." and other innocent games. 
with such of his acqutiintances as might drop in. Mr. Preston noticed that his company occa- 
sionally kept late hoiu-s, and brought him up at one time with a round tm'n by telling him that 
the "jail hours" closed at 9 P. M.. and that if. thereafter, the light was not ottt and his visitors 



IirSTORY OF WALWORTH COUXTY. 4^1 

clisj)orsed at that hmiv. lio would take the kcji uii-di/ froin him. On tlio failnro of tht> jnrv to find 
an indiotmont. tlio Jud^n dolivurod his disi^hai-i^o papers to Sheriff Proston. who found him sonw 
whero on the park ijrounds. read him tiic |)aper. (h'manded tlie key of tlie prisoner, walked over 
to tlie jail and lacked liim out. 

About the year 1852. the old jail was couilomnod, and a liottoroue bnilt near the northwest 
corner of the park, at the intersection of Chnrch and Conrt streets. This, in tnrn. c^ave way 
to the present jail, which was completed in 187S. The old Imildini^, with lot. was sold, and 
the |)rosent site ])nrchased. at the northwest corner of Church and Walworth streets. The new 
lot cost §1.(I(J0. and the buildini^s thereon jail. barn, shed and jailer's house — $9,r)4(). The 
total cost of the propei'ty was .$10,5 Ki. The buildiniifs were? erected by AFessrs. Nolan & Shearer, 
of Janesville: the ])lans were fiu'uishiHl by architects Koch & Co.. of AEilwaukee. The jail and 
appurtenances are fitted with all modcu'n ai)[)lian('es for the safety and health of thos(> confined. 
It is a model of perfection for the uses for which it was built. 

EARLY TAVERNS. 

The first effort to build a tavern on the site reserved l)y the county for that purpose was 
made by Richard Hof;;aboom. .James Farnsworth and Benjamin .Vrnold. Neither of thom nor 
all of them bad suliicieut capital for the undertakini,'. They nevertheless determined to build 
the tavern, and thereb}- become the [)r(jprietors of the most valuable corner in th(> embryo city 
of Elkhorn. They bouo-ht a frame in Sheboygan, had it shijuied to Kaeine, and from there 
hauled it by horse teams to Elkhorn. Before it was fairly erected, they came to the too com- 
mon grief of many whose hopes overleap their powers, and were oliliged to sell out to a man 
having less hope but more money. Rev. Levi Lee finished the building, and. at the same time, 
took off their hands the contract they had made to erect the com-t house. He com])leted the 
tavern in 184'2. and received his deeds for the lots early in 1843. There were residuary inter- 
ests that installed James Farnsworth as the first landlord. He did not remain long. Gen. 
Sheldon Walling succeeded him. as a lessor of Elder Lee. who owned the tavern. W'alling was 
too genial to suit the ideas of Ml'. Lee. who desired the tavern to be run on strictly temperance 
principles. This had perha]>s less to do with the change than the fact that Gen. Walling was 
not over-scrupulous in the prompt payment of his rent. At any rate. IL". Lee concluded to run 
the hotel himself, and moved in as landlord some time in 1842. In 1843. George Young, the 
father of Dr. George H. Young, now a resident of Elkhorn. leased the house. He remained 
one yeai". at the expiration of which time Mr. Lee again took the house himself. In 1845, 
Wilmot Brothers took ti e house. They were followed by D. B. Packer, who remained till Mr. 
Lee felt constrained to make another change. The succeeding landlords were: Dewing & 
Bemis. Baird Brothers, and John Aiken. About 1850. E. P. Eaton bought the house of Mr. 
Lee. im]irov(>d it. and k<>])t for several years one of the best taverns in the county. Mr. Eaton 
sold out to Lyman Edwards and moved to Iowa. Edwards rented to S. C. Russ. who kept the 
house in s])lendid shape till the hotel was purchased by the prestmt proprietor. John H. Snyder, 
who came into [)ossession April 10. 186'.). Since that time, he has so completely met umor[)hosed 
the house that it is unrecognizabli' to old visitors. It was in <>arly days a square, two-story 
house, on the corner: now it extends eighty-two feet on \V'isconsin street, sixty-six feet on AVal 
worth street, and is thi-ee stories high, with a double veranda on two sidtw. Nothing is left to 
remind the early trav(der of ihv old house save the old oak jjaneliM] doors, and the iron thumb 
door-latches, bought by Farnsworth ovi^r forty ye;irs ago. They still do duty at the entrances 
of the remodeled hotel. 

Some time in 1842, Edward Eldei-kiu built a second hotel, nearly on (he site now occupied 
by the old court house. .V part of the building is still standing, dinn^tly east of it. It was, 
on its completion, leased to C. Bellows. He kept it but a short time. Samuel Mallory bought 
his lease and furniture, and opened the house October 28. 1811. It was known as the Wal- 
worth Center House, and, under the management of Mr. Mallory and his vi^ry eflicient family. 
became one of the best taverns in the county, aiid drew lai'gely on the patronage of the rival 
house, then kept by the Wilmot Brothers. ^^^. Mallory raji the house, with a short intermis 
sion. for nearly five years, during which its i-cjiutation as a lirst class tav<Tn never waned. The 



482 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COU^rTY■. 

following rhythmic announcement, which appeared in the lii'st number of the Western Star, is 
sVied at Elkhorn August 28. 1845. tells of the excellences ot the hotel at that time: 

W.^LWORTH COUNTY CENTEK HOU.SE. 

S. Miillory takes pleasure to inform 
The public that he lives at Elkhorn, 
And that he has a pulilie hovise in charge. 
To which he invites tlie pulilie at large. 
Aeeummodatiiins of all kinds, and good elieiT, 
With ehoi(.'est liquors and sirong beer; 
Lemonade, soda beer, and Tom and .Teriy, 
Which gentlemen can have to make them merry. 
His table is furni.shed with the substantials of life. 
Cooked and prepared by his daughters and wife. 
My.self will attend you and .give you the food. 
With desserts and pastry, wliieli shall all be good. 
Mj' barn is lurnisUed with wild and tame hay, 
Which gentlemen can have for ready pay. 
My oats I will sell at one shilling a peck. 
And that T will have, in spite of Tom Dick. 
As for barn room to feed, you can have it free. 
If yourself you will feed with me; 
But, as I want a part of the fleece. 
If you don't feed yourself, it's a sixpence apiece. 
Call at the Walworth Center Ilnuse, if youmistake not. 
For the Elkhorn House is kept by D. C. Wilmot. 
A mistake in the house, you can plainly see, 
Is a loss of your custom, and a damage to me. 
My cliar.se shall be reasonable, according to tiines; 
My attention shall be striel, and I'll do wit bout rhimes. 
I'll undergo fati.ijue, and be always on hand 
To retain the reputation the house now commands." 

This hotel changed landlords often after Mr. Mallory left it. and fell from its high estate 
as age dilapidated it. It has been abandoned as a hotel for many years, and stands now a 
melancholy reminder of the good cheer of other days, gone never to return. 

EAELV HAPPENINGS AND FIEST THINGS. 

The th'st fi-ame hotise was built by Hollis Latham. Albert Ogden and Milo Bradley, in the 
spring of 1837. It was first occupied by the family of Daniel E. Bradley, June 12, 1837. 
Some part of it is still in existence, being a part of Henry M. Eastman's barn. 

The first plowing was done on Section and Section 1. on the claims of Albert Ogden 
and Hollis Latham, in May, 1837. 

The tii'st marriage was that of Hollis Latham to Louisa, daughter of Daniel E. Bradley, 
April, 1838. Their oldest son, Le Grand Latham, was the first child born in the town. He 
was born January 7, 1839. Other eai-ly marriages were: John Jones to Mary Hicks, in 
1840-41; Albert Ogden to Chai-lotte Boyce. September. 1843; Edward Elderkin to Mary M. 
Beai-dsley. December. 1843: Le Grand Rockwell to Frances Hickok. .August. 1844; H. S. Win- 
sor to Maria L. Husted, January, 1845. 

The first store was stai'ted by Le (irand Rockwell, in 1S3N. 

Le C-irand Rockwell was also the fii'st Postmaster, appointed in 1838; the tu-st Clerk of the 
Court, appointed in April, 1839; the fii'st Register of Deeds. a]i]iointed February, 1839. He 
also established the fii'st bank. Atigust 10. 185('>. The fu'st ])ost office, the first store and the 
first court were in a building built by him. 

The first schoolhouse was built in the summer of 1840. The money was raised by sub- 
scription. It was a wooden structure, on the school lot. west of the park, where the house of 
Mr. Belden Weed now stands. 

The first schoolmistress was Lydia Carr: Mary Brewster was the second: Adelaide C. 
Beai'dsley was the third. 

The first schoolmaster was Edward Elderkin. He taught an evening school in the new 
Bchoolhouse in the winter of 1841. He was also the first lawyer. He arrived in October, 1839. 



HISTORY OF WALAVORTH COUNTY. 483 

The first ])hysici;in was Dr. (i(M)r<ro H. Yountr. who cami> in 1S43. He is still livintr in 
Elkhorn and practioini; his profession. 

The tu-st minister who prcachcil in the town was Rev. Jesse Halstead, a Methodist, in 
1838 or 1839. 

The tu-st })lacksmith was Anthony Delap. 

The tirst slio(<maker was Peter (xolder, who had his house near the geograjihieal center of 
the county, south of the lot now owned by Mr. O. Livingston. H(n-e he lived and did work at 
his trade! He is and has been for a (juai'ter of a century the I'l-obate Judge of Walworth 
County. 

The tirst ciu'peuter was iMilo E. Bradley. 

The tirst tailor was .1. Matheson. 

The fir.st chiu'ch organized was St. John's Church in the Wilderness, Episcopal, October, 
1841. 

The tirst church editice built was the Baptist, in 1853. 

The tu-st church bell was purchased in Chicago, for the St. .Tohn's (E[)iscopal) Church, 
in the summer of 1856. 

The first apple-trees were raised from the seed. Gen. Sheldon Walling planted the seed 
and started a nursery on the Bradley place in 1838. 

The first hotel was begun by Hogaboom, Farnsworth and Ai-nold. It was finished by Levi 
Lee in 1842, and occupied the corner of the present site of the Central House. James Farns- 
worih was the tu-st landlord. 

The fii-st tavern was the old framc> building built and occupi(?d by the tii-st settlers in 1837, 
and kept open to all travelers by the Bradleys till the " hotel " above mentioned was built. 

The first prisoner imprisoned in the log jail was William Johnson. He was committed 
from Whitewater for some slight offense, for a term of ten days. Sheriff Walling was away, 
and the jail as yet unfinished and guiltless of locks. Under Sherill' Alliert Ogden. however, put 
the prisoner in jail and fastened him by a leaning timber against the outside (_)f the door. 

The tirst doer came in from Geneva, on the trail of Hollis Latham and Albert Ogden, in 
1839. He owned no master, but was a sort of neighborhood dog. He was black, good-natured, 
a pluckj' fighter, a splendid hunter and a general favorite. He was as well and favorably 
known as any inhabitant of the village. His name was Barney Ogden. and. as such, was at- 
tached to the petition for the post office and the appointment of Le Grand Rockwell as Post- 
master. Perhaps, through the weight of his name, Rockwell got the appointment. Certain it 
is that, for yc^ars after, Barney received his public documents from Washington with as much 
regularity and in as large quantity as other Walworth County constituency. Here he lived for 
twelve years, the terror of snakes, wild hogs, deer, ralibits and s(|uirrels. and the friend of 
every man. woman and child in the settlement. He grew old and stitF. l)lind and deaf, and 
came to a tragical end by being accidentally run over by an ox-sled in 1849. He was jn-operly 
interred, but, as no stone marks his grave, the place of his final rest is not known. 

The tirst singimi- school was taught in the schoolhouse, bv Seth Cowles. in the winter of 
1842. 

THE WAK PERIOD. 

During the war of the rebellion, Elkhorn stood shoulder to should(u- with the other towns 
in the county in vigorous and stanch support of the Union cause. The history of the loyal 
work of the men and women of the several towns is so interwoven that no attempt will be made 
to give a separate account. The county was one of the earliest to respond to the tirst call for 
troops, and Elkhorn was among the first of the towns. Dm-ing the years of the war, she raised 
for the families of volunteers $1,()0(V, for bounties to furnish her full <|Uota, $8,280 — a total 
amount of $9,880. Thirty-eight citizens of the little town did ytersonal service. During the 
whole war period, the women worked incessantly, having a vigorous and effective Woman's Aid 
Societ}-. For further and more specific ami merited mention, the reader is referred to the war 
record, in the history of the county at large. 

THE LARGEST FIUE. 

The most destructiv(> conflagration that has ever visited the village l)roke out on the night of 
February 21). 1807. It commenced in the store of F. C. Odell, and resulted in the entire de 



484 HISTOEY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

structiou of the Centralia Block, and several Iraildiugs uortli and south oi it. Otis Preston lost 
three stores, worth !?3. ()()(). They were occupied by R. C. Preston and Edwin Hodges. South, 
in the same block, was th(> sti.ire of Charles Dunlap. occupied liy F. C. Odell. all (jf whom were 
completely l.nu'ued out. Mr. Stephen C. Leggett also lost his dwelling house by the same fu"e. 
Anthony Grafl" was also biu-ned out. The lire at the time was a great disaster to the place. It 
was the work of an incendiary. Charles Hay. a simple young man. was tried and sentenced to 
the penitentiary. He was generally believed to have been the tool of more designing and crafty 
parties. 

CORPORATE HISTORY. 

The affairs of the town were administered under the act of incorporation until 1857, at 
which time the village was incorporated, embracing within its corporate limits the entire town. 
Thus the town government was entirely superseded, and, as the two are co-extensive, no effort 
need be made to draw any line of demarkation or separation between the administration of 
affairs under the two forms of government further than to state, as above, the time at which 
the change occtu'red. The roster of officers and other chronological details will therefore appear 
without fTirther mention of the change. 

FIRST TOWN MEETING. 

The first town meeting of Elkhorn was held at the court house on Tuesday. April 7, 1846. 
Levi Lee was chosen Moderator, and Alonzo Piatt Secretary. 

It was resolved that the Moderator should appoint a committee of three to report the amount 
of money necessary to be raised for town expenses the ensuing year. Le Grand Rockwell, 
Horace N. Hay. and H. S. AVinsoi were appointed such committee, and reported: For contin- 
gent fund, $45; for road fund. $20; for school fund. $20. recommending that $10 of the con- 
tingent fund be used to pay the Town Clerk, and that, in addition to the above. $5 be raised 
for a poor fund. 

The report of the committee was considered, each jiroposition being voted on separately, 
and each and all were adopted. 

It was also resolved that the compensation of the town officers should be $1 per day, and 
that the Town Clerk should purchase thi'ee suitable books for the use of the town, " the cost of 
all which shall not exceed $()." The following is the first j)oll list of the town: Samuel 
Mallory. Edward Elderkin, H. Van Brunt. William L. Stowe. Levi Lee. Alonzo Piatt, C. N. 
Meigs, Zenas Ogden. Russell Crandall. Edwai'd Winne. HoUis Latham, George Watson, Curtis 
Bellows, William H. Miekle. William K. May. Samuel Tubbs. Job O. Mattison, James L. 
Tubbs, H. H. Hartson. Levi Thomas, George H. Young, Horace N. Hay, Maj. Cooley, Orrin 
Maxham, John S. Boyd. H. S. Winsor. Clark McCarty. Reuben R. Boiu'n. V. D. Meacham, John 
Gillispie. William Garfield. Dexter Dewing. Zophar Chittenden. William E. Gregory. John 
Matheson. Edwin Hodges, Alex. S. Brown, John F. Bruce, George Humphrey. Lucius J. Wil- 
mot. E. K. Frost. David Hartson. George Gale. Le Grand Rockwell. E. G. Hartson, George 
Dewing, Lewis Bemis. Davis Reed. Charles G.aiffeld. F. A. Utter. Noah Harriman. John G. 
Parker. Booth B. Davis. Total number of votes polled, fifty-three, all of which for State Gov- 
ernment. 

The following officers were elected: Supervisors, Urban D. Meacham, Chairman; Zenas 
Ogden, Horace N. Hay; Assessor, Hollis Latham; Tovpn Clerk, Edward Elderkin; Collector, 
William Garfield; Treasiu-er, Edwin Hodges; Justices of the Peace, Hollis Latham, Levi Lee, 
George Gale; Road Commissioners, William E. Gregory. Cm-tis Bellows, Samuel Mallory; 
School Commissioners, George H. Young, Edward Winne, H. S. Winsor. 

Following is the roster of town and village officers from 1847 to 1881, inclusive: 

1847 — Supervisors, George Gale. Chairman; George H. Young. Albert Ogden; Clerk, Ed- 
ward W^inne: Treasiu'er, Alex S. Brown. * 

1848 — Supervisors, George Gale. Chairman; George Humphrey, Lot Mayo; Clerk, Sam- 
uel W. Henderson; Treasurer, Amplias Chamberlain (moved), George Bacheldor (appointed). 

1849 -Supervisors, E. R. Utter. Chairman ; H. N. Hay. William Garfield; E. K. Frost, 
Clerk; H. H. Hartson. Treasurer. 



HISTORY OF MA I.WORTH COUKTY. 485 

1850 — Suporvisors. Geori^o H. Ydiiiii;, C'liMirmaii; Cvrus C. Stow, Albert Ogden; W. H. 
P(^ttit. Clerk: H. H. Hurtsou. Treasurer. 

1851 -Sniiervisors. H. S. AVinsor, dhairmau; Alonzo Angel. C. C. Stow; .ilvah J. Frost, 
Clerk; H. H. Hartson, Treasiirer. 

1852 -Supervisors, L(^ (Iraiid Uoekwell, Cliairmau: Daniel P. Handy. Thomas W. Miller; 
Alvah J. Frost. Clerk: HoUis Latham, Treasurer. 

1853 — Supervisors, Le (iraud lloekwell. Chairman; AVilliam (iarlield. Lot .Mayo; .Vlvah J. 
Frost, Clerk; H. H. Hartson, Treasurer. 

1S54 — Supervisors, Otis Preston, Chairman: H. S. Winsor, Harley F. Smith; Myron E. 
Dewing, Clerk; Myron E. Dewing, Ti-easnrer. 

1S55 — Supervisors, Otis Preston, Chairman; Zenas Ogden, William Garfield; MjTon E. 
Dewing, Clerk: Myron E. Dewing, Treasurer. 

1856 — Su]iervisors, Alvah J. Frost, Chairman; Zenas Ogden, William Garfield; Charles D. 
Handy, Clerk; David R. Johnson, Treasurer. 

1857 — Supervisors, Jesse C. Mills, Chairman; Squire Stanford, l)(\los Brett; Henry Brad- 
ley, Clerk; John L. Holley, Treasurer. 

1858 — Supervisors, John F. Brett, Chairman: Edward Elderkiu, Bobert Holley; Henry 
Bradley, Clerk: H. H. Hartson, Treasurer. 

1859 — Supervisors, Otis Preston, Chairman; Amos Eastman, Edward Elderkin: Charles 
Lyon, Clerk; Zebina Houghton, Treasurer. 

1860 — Supervisors, Edwin Hodges, Chaiiinan; W. H. Conger, H. F. Smith; Henry Brad- 
ley, Clerk; .\lexauder Stevens, Treasm-er. 

1861 — Supervisors, Edwin Hodges, Chairman: William H. Conger, H. F. Smith; Henry 
Bradley, Clerk: .\lexander Stevens, Treasurer. 

1S62 Supervisors, W. H. Conger, Chairman; H. F. Smith, Lester Allen; H. Bradley, 
Clerk; P. C. Gilbert. Treasm-er. 

1863 — Supei'visors, H. S. Winsor, Chairman; Lester Allen, B. B. Humphrey; E. C. Stevens, 
Clerk; P. C. Gilbert, Treasiu'er. 

1804- -Supervisors, Edwin Hodges, Chairman; *L. C. Merrick, George Bulkley; fW. H. 
Moorhouse. Clerk; P. C. Gilbert, Treasurer. 

1865 Supervisors, Edwin Hodges, Chainuan: H. S. Winsor, George Bulkley; Henry Brad- 
ley, Clerk: P. C. Gilbert, Treasiu-er. 

] 806- -Supervisors. H. S. Winsor, Chairman: Lester Allen, D. K. Johnson: Henry Bradley, 
Clerk; P. C. Gilbert. Treasurer. 

1867 Supervisors. Edwin Hodges. Chairman: George Bulkley, Robert Harkness; J. S. J. 
Eaton. Clerk; P. C. (Jilbert, Treasiu'er. 

1868 — Suporvisors, William H. Conger, Chairman; J. L. Edwards, Squire Stanford; John 
K. Burbauk, Clerk; J. S. J. Eaton, Treasure!-. 

1809 -Supervisors, W. H. Conger, Chairman; H. S. Bunker, John A. Noms; Heni-y Brad- 
ley, Clerk; Joseph S. J. Eaton, Treasurer. 

1870 Supervisors, C. Wi.swell, (,'hairmaii; E. B. Dewing, Israel Smith; Henry Bradley, 
Clerk; Waldo W. Hartwell, Treasurer. 

1871 —Supervisors, C. Wiswell, Chairman: N. Catlin, J. H. Lauderdale; H. Bradley, Clerk; 
W. W. Hartwell, Treasurer. 

18(2 Supervisors, W_\Taau Spooner, Chairman; S(juire Stanford, Hiillis Latham; Henry 
Bradley, Clerk: Dyar L. Cowdery, Treasm-er. 

1S78 Supervisors, E. B. Dewing, Chairman; C. Wiswell, S. Stanford; George W. Ogden, 
Clerk; D. L. Cowdery, Treasiu'er. 

1874 — Supervisors, E. B. Dewing, Chairman: C. Wiswell, Lucius Allen; E. M. Latham, 
Clerk: John Cromley, Treasurer. 

1875 Supervisors, E. B. Dewing, Chairman; C. F. Ellsworth, J. H. Lauderdale; E. M. 
Latham, Clerk: John Cromley, Treasurer. 

1870 Sui)ervisors, E. B. Dewing, (Chairman: C. F. Ellsworth, (!. Wiswell; George W. 
Ogden, Clerk: John Cromley, Treasurer. 

*>1errick moved away, tint! U.S. Winsor apptiintcU .Suporviaor. 
fSIoorhoiiup movod away, Henry AdkiiiH waB appointed Clerk. 



486 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

1877 — Supei-visors, Lucius Allen, Chairman: Dewitt Stanford, Hollis Latham; Joseph 
Liedl, Clerk; John Cromley, Treasixrer. 

187S — Supervisors, O. C. Chase, Chairman: Dewitt Stanford, R D. Harriman; Joseph 
Liedl, Clerk: Charles Lyon, Ti-easiu'er. 

1879 —Supervisors. William H. Hiu'lbut, Chairman: J. A. Perry. John Hare: Clerk, J. M. 
Barker; Treasurer, Charles Lyon. 

1880 — Supervisors, Christopher Wiswell, Chairman : W. J. Stratton, Hollis Latham; 
Clerk, E. M. Latham; Treasurer, H. C. Norris. 

1881 ^Supervisors, Lucius Allen, Chairman; W. J. Stratton, J. W. Hayes; Clerk, E. M. 
Latham; Treasurer, H. C. Norris. 

SCHOOLS. 

The tirst school district organization of the present town was effected April 22, 1846. The 
School Commissioners were George H. Young, Edward Winne and H. S. Winsor. The whole 
town was at that time made one school district, and has so remained ever since. The school 
fund at the disposal of the committee at the outset was not over-large, as appears from the rec- 
ords. It was voted that " the simi of 19, now in the treasm-y, and the firrther smn of $20, 
raised by vote of the town, be applied to the use of said District No. 1 in said town." So Dis- 
trict No. 1 was ushered into existence possessed of an old wooden schoolhouse, 20x20 feet in 
size, and cash in hand amounting to $29. There was at that time a population of perhaps two 
hundred, and not far fi'om forty scholars. No records of the enumeration of scholars appears at 
that date. 

The fu-st schoolhouse which was occupied on the organization of the district came as a her- 
itage from the old town district, No. 1. It was built in the summer of 1840. on Lot 8, Block 
9, on the west side of the park, the original lot reserved for school purposes by the Cominis- 
sioners when th-^ town was platted. It sei-ved the district till 1850, at which time it was re- 
placed by a more commodioiis brick structure, which still stands on the lot, and is now the res- 
idence of Ml-. Belden Weed. This building was the village schoolhouse for eighteen years. In 
1868, it was sold, and the present building erected. 

It is located at the eastern terminus of Walworth street, where ample grounds were secured 
by vacating the street, which formerly extended fiu'ther eastward, and by the purchase of gi-ouud 
on either side. It stands in the center of the street tei-minus, facing the street approach fi-om 
the west. It is built of brick, in a substantial manner, and is surmounted with a belfry, or 
observatory. It is two stories in height. The body of the building is 60x45 feet, with a frontal 
projection, for entrance and stairways, of lifteen feet. There are fom- schoolrooms- -two on 
the first floor, one on either side of the hall, and two on the floor above. The rooms below are 
occupied by the primary and intermediate departments: those on the second floor, by the gram- 
mar and liigh schools. The plan of the building was furnished by G. P. Eandall. Squire 
Stanford did the carjienter work, and Stevens & Dewing the masomy. The total cost, includ- 
ino- lot, fence and furniture, was $14,994.37. It has a seating capacity for 200 scholars. It is 
now inadequate for the scholars enrolled, and additions will be made in the near futiu-e. 

The schools were conducted under the old class system till 1851. At that time, the graded 
system was adopted. The change was effected under the administration of Le Grand Rockwell, 
H. F. Smith and Edwin Hodges, who constituted the School Board at that time, and under the 
supervision, as teachers, of Mr. and Mrs. Rogers, who at that time were engaged to teach the 
school. 

The last report of the County Superintendent of Schools gives the following statistics of 
the district: Total valuation of all school property, $11,300; amount of money received for 
1881, $4,773.55; amount expended, $3,165.62: number of teachers, 5; niunber of scholars enu- 
merated, 330; number attending school, 273; number of volumes in libraiy, 200; average 
monthly wages of teachers, male, $88.89: female, $45. Joseph F. Lyon is the present School 
Clerk, and Howard L. Smith Princijial. 

SELECT SCHOOLS. 

Since the organization of the high school department, no select schools have been sustained. 
Prior to that time, for many years, such schools were sustained. Among the earliest teachers 



HISTOUY OF WAT.AVOKTfl COUNTY. 489 

remembered who t:ui^lit the liijj^lxT bi-anches were Misses Friend, Hattio M. Perkins and Huxley. 
Lorenzo Hami and I'^vc-rc'tt. C'haiuberhiiii also taught what was known as the Elkhorn Academy. 
These schools were tanjjht in a bnildinij; still standini;- on South street, and used by the Lu- 
therans as a i)laceof worship. There was also a private school taught for a time in the basement 
of the Methodist brick cliurch. afterward burned. 

ELlvHOKN IN 1881. 

The population of Elkhoru by the Federal census of 1880 was 1,122. At the clo.se of 1881, 
it is estimated from the last sc^hool census to considerably exceed 1,200. 

About 10 per cent of the population are farmers. The avera^je value of the farmini,' lands 
is $40 per acre. The lands are productive, and imder a hiirh state of cultivation. The farm- 
ing; area, owinj; to the small dimensions of the town (four scpiare miles), is not even one-tenth 
that of the averaije of the iiiU townships of the county. The showing of crops in proportion 
to the area compares favorably with the best agi-icultural towns of tlio ooimty. The grain crops 
of 1880 were as follows: Wheat, 950 bushels: corn, 11,190 bixshels; oats, 8,985 bushels; bar- 
ley, 895 bushels. There were also made 2('),420 pounds of butter, and ()7.879 pounds of cheese. 
The hay croj) amounted to 454 tons. 

There were 523 acres sown to grain: 503 acres of pasture and mowing: 72 acres of apple 
orchard: and 202 acres of growing timber. 

The village contains, besides the county buildings, one schoolhouse and seven churches. 

It has seven clergymen, six lawyers, six doctors and three dentists. 

BUSINESS FIRMS. 

The principal tinus now doing business ;u-e as follows: 

W. J. Stratton, druggist and stationer; established by Bennett & Eaton in ISOl; present 
proprietor since 1876; Stratton & Son since 1882. 

Camp & Isham, drags and stationery; established by .James H. Cam]) in 1857. 

J. H. Young, drugs: established in 1877. 

J. H. Lauderdale, grocer: established in 1865. 

.John Beamish, grocer; successor to G. W. Ferris; present proprietor in 1881. 

Lyon Brothers, grocers: established by Levi C. Merrick, now of the firm of Spaulding & 
Merrick, Chicago, in 1860; present pro[)rietor since 1864. 

T. \V. :Moretield, grocer: established in 1870. 

F. A. AVarning. grocery, saloon and public hall: established in 1851). 
Otis Preston (Shanty), dry goods and clothing; established in 1851. ■ 
Edwards & Preston, dry goods; established in 1876. 

C. E. Wing, dry goods, clothing, millinery and groceries; established in 1881. 

G. W. Ferris, gi-ocer, 1882. 

0. Carswell, gi-oceries and news depot: established in 1802. , 

John Hare, agincnltiu-al iin])lements: established in 1878. 

John HcU-e. livery stable; established by William T. Jones in 1855; present proprietor 
since 1868. 

John Meigs, hardware and stoves: established in 1854. 
H. C. Norris, hardware and stt>ves: successor to Meigs & Norris since 1879. 
Anthony Grafli", manufacturer and dealer in boots and shoes; established in 1859. 
William L. Stowe, fui'Ditm-e: established by William L. Stowe & Son in 1875. 
Lucius Allen, furniture; establislunl in 1876. 

F. A. Bunnell, confectioner; established in February, 1881. 

Independent Printing Office, M. T. I'ark, proprietor since January 1, 1870: Park & Ken- 
ney, Januaiy 1. 1882; S. S. Rockwood, April 1. 1882. 

C<>ntral Hotel, fu-st built in 1S42; John H. Snyder, pro|)riet()r since 1S6U: E. S. Wiiring, 
fi'om April. 1882. 

D. T. Barker, lumber, coal and building material; established in 1871. 
N. Carswell. dealer in gi-ain, and proprietor of grain elevator since 1880. 

G. C. Huntro-ss, manufactui-er and dealer in harness; established in 1865. 



490 HISTOKY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

J. W. txavloril ct Sou, carriage and wagon mauufacturers; established in ISul by J. W. 
Gaylord. 

N. Hanson & Co , manufacturers of sleighs, carriages and farm wagons, and blacksmiths; 
established in 184N, by Frank Russell. Edward McDonald ran it fi-om 1860 to 1870; present 
proprietors since 1870. 

There are, in addition, milliners, artists, painters, butchers, shoemakers, carpenters, and 
followers of every other industrial calling which goes to make up a refined and thi-ifty com- 
munity. 

There is at present (188'2) a wind-mill for custom grinding, aud a cheese factory, formerly 
a steam grist-mill, which, with what have been before enumerated, comprise all industi'ial piu-- 
suits within the town limits. 

BANKS. 

The Elkhorn Bank was orgimized August 10, 1850, by Le (Irand Koctwell and D. D. Spen- 
cer, with a capital stock of I2r),000. The business was conducted In- these gentlemen, Mr. 
Rockwell being President, and Mr. Spencer, Cashier, until August 5, 1857, at which time Mr. 
Rockwell sold his interest to ]VIi-. Spencer, and Mr. J. C. Mills was elected President in his 
place. Mr. Spencer soon withdrew; and the business of the bank was virtually suspended. 

March 10, 1858, the biisiness was re-organized, Mr. Mills remaining President, and Mr. J. 
A. Pierce being appointed Cashier. July 5, 1858, Mr. Mills resigned, and Mr. J. A. Pierce 
was elected his successor; aud Mr. George Bulkley, Cashier. Jauuary 14, 1801. Mr. Pierce 
withdi-ew, and Mr. J. L. Edwards was elected President, Mr. Bulkley still retaining his place 
as Cashier. This arrangement continued until March 25, 1S(')5, when the Elkhorn Bank ceased 
to exist, aud the First National Bank of Elkhorn was organizcnl. 

The First National Bank of Elkhorn was organized January 9, 1805, by the officers aud a 
portion of the stockholders of the Elkhorn Bank, its predecessor, and some other parties. The 
amount of capital subscribed was $50,000, in shares of $100 each. The shareholders and num- 
ber of shares subscribed bv each were as follows: J. L. Edwards, 150: George Bulkley, 100; 
W. H. Conger, 80; George W. Wylie, 70; Amos Fellows, 50; O. Hand, 50. 

The necessary authority and approval of the Comptroller of the Currency was obtained, 
bearing date January 31, 1SG5, and the fii-st meeting of the stockholders was held February 4, 
1865, when th^ following persons were elected Directors, a portion of the original stock sub- 
scribed having, in the meantime, changed hands: J. L. Edwards, George Bulkley, R. T. Sey- 
mour, O. Hand, W. H. Conger. 

At a subsecpient meeting of the Board of Directors, held on the same day, the following 
officers were elected: President. J. L. Edwards; Vice President, William H. Conger; Cashier, 
George Bulkley. In November, 186y, Mr. William H. Conger was appointed Cashier, vice 
George Bulkley. resigned. 

Soon after its organization, the bank purchased for its office and place of business the build- 
ing previously occuiiied by the Elldiorn Bank. In the summer of 1880, the bank building was 
thoroughly remodeled and repaired. A new vault was built, a new safe pm-chased, and other 
improvements made, which make it equal in safety and convenience to any country banking 
house, and superior to most. With the exception of the temporary move in the summer of 1880, 
while the building was remodeled, the bank has been continuously located in the same place. 
The present officers are: C. Wiswell, President since 1870; J. L. Edwards, Vice President 
since 1869, aud President fi-om the organization of the bank to that time; William H. Conger, 
Cashier since 1860, and Vice President fi-om the organization of the bank to that time; Henry 
Adkins. Assistant Cashier, and Teller or Assistant Cashier since the organization of the bank. 

The present capital of the bank is $50,000, aud siu-plus, |7,800. Its deposits are large for 
a country bank, its stockholders ar<> wealthy, and it promises to lie one of the permanent insti- 
tutions of Walworth County. 

The Exchange Bank of Rockwell & Co. was organized August 17, 1857. by Le Grand 
Rockwell and John R. Wheeler. Mr. L. R. Rockwell was admitted as partner April, 1858. 
After continuing in business for a short time under this management, the name of the bank was 
chano-ed to " Ivockwell & Co."s Bank."" and it was made a bank of issue, with a capital stock of 



IlISTOHY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 491 

$25,000. In IM'il.tlii' circuliitioii was retirod, the bank contiiiuiiiij business until Xovombcr 
"20. 1871. when, the st-ninr |iartnrr. Mr. L. (i. Kuckwell. liavinij; died in ISliU, the bank was 
closed. 

CHURCHES. 

.S7. John's church In the ]\'il<l('nii:ss. — This was one of the earliest mission churches estab- 
lished by the Episcopal Chnrcli in the State, and the earliest in the county. It was founded 
through the direct and personal eflbrts of three youn<j men — Hobart, Adams and Breck — who. 
with headquarters ;it Nashotah. Waukesha County, did faithful and persistent missionary labor 
at various points in the Htate. The church was organized October. 1841, with David Hartson, 
first warden, and Le (irand Rockwell. Edward Elderkin. H. S. AVinsor and H. H. Hartsou, 
first vesti-ymen. At first, services were held in the schoolhouse. Kevs. Hobart. Breck and Adams 
otliciating alternately. In 184!S, the society was re-organized confornialile to the stalutes of 
the State, and services were held at the court house by Kevs. J. McNamara and J. Ludlum. In 
ISr);!. the name of the church was changed, it being known simjily as "St. John's Chiu'ch at 
Elkhorn." Rev. G. E. Peters was chosen Rector, and, dnring his pastorate, the present lot 
was purchased, and the chiu'ch erected and furnished. The ladies connected with the society 
carpeted and cushioned the house, purchased the melodeon and siibseqnenlly jmrchased a par- 
sonage lot. In 185(5. the church edifice was enlarged, and since 1875 iniprovements have been 
made to the value of about ?'i,()0(). The church has been repaired, a jjarsonage bnilt. an organ 
[mrchased and a fence built around the chnrch and rectory lot. The numlier of communicants 
at present is thirty-nine. The first record of baptisms was made December 25, 1853. Rev. G. 
E. Peters officiating: the whole number since that time is 212. Since the close of Rev. G. E. 
Peters" pastorate, in 1IS5(3, the folhnving clergvmen have officiated: Kevs. H. M. Thompson. J. 
McNamara. Jo.seph H. Nichols. J. G. Passmore. C. T. Seibt. A. F. W. Talk. D. D.; C. N. 
Spauldiug, D. D.. George W. Dean, D. D., G*. W. Harrod. B. D.. E. H. Rudd. B. D.. C. M. 
Pullen, B. D., Henry Hughes, B. D. 

The Bapfif^t Cliiircli of Elklwrn. — This society was organized on the 18th of December. 
1852, at an adjourned meeting held in the court house, Rev. Thomas Bright. Motleralor, 
and William H. Pettit. Clei'k. At this meeting, articles of faith and covenant were adopted, 
and it was voted to call a council to meet on the 13th day of January following to consider 
their claims to I'ecognition as a regularly constituted Baptist Chm'cli. The following were the 
constituent members: Rev. Thomas Bright, Eliza J. Bright. Levi Jackson. Lydia Jackson, 
Nelson Lee. Mary Lee. Jane Mallory. H. H. Leonard. J. Parmlee. Alvina Frost. H. N. Hay, 
Margaret Hay. D. P. Handy. L. W. Handy. Joseph Viles. Eleanor Viles. G. G. Yiles. Diadema 
Dewing. Christopher Wiswell, Almira Wiswell. John Martin, Eliza Martin, Edward McDonald 
Meleta McDonald. At the council, which met according to call, the churches at Delavan. Geneva, 
Spring Prairie, Sugar Creek and East D(>lavan, were represented by delegates, consisting of the 
pastors of the several churches and a number of lay meml>ers. The council was duly organized 
and voted that the organization of the clmrch at Elkhorn was satisfiictory. Rev. Thomas Bi-ight 
was accordingly installed as jiastor, with the usual religious exercises. He remained with the 
church four years, and has been succeeded by the following clergymen : Revs. G. W. Gates. Tliomas 
Brande. J. H. Dudley, J. E. Johnson. Levi Parmly. F. M. lams. A. L. Wilkenson. F. D. Stone, 
G. A. Cressey, and S. P]. Sweet, the piesent pastor. The following persons have s(>rved as 
Deacons: Levi Jackson, E. McDonald, D. P. Handy. C. Wiswell. D. R. Johnson. P. R. Jackson, 
S. D. Littlefield. L. Kna])]). H. C. Paden. The following have served as Clerks: D. P. Handy, 
D. R. Johnson (twenty-two years). W. E. Osborn. C. H. Burbank. H. Jackson and 
Daniel Salisbury. In 1S53. a church edifice; was erected, on the corner of Court and 
Broad streets, at a cost of $2,200. The building is thirty-five feet by fifty-fiv(». has been kept 
in good repair and is a pleasant and convenient ]>lace of meeting. It was dedicated on the 1st 
day of January. 1854. At the tim(> of its organization, the church had twenty-four members. 
This ninnber has been increased to 2ti3. comprising all who have been coiuiected with it since 
its orgauizati(m. The present memliershij) is 100, and the Sabbath school, which was organized 
in 1857. now numbers 130, P. R. Jackson being the present STiperintendent. 

Tlie Lii/hiroii Church. — In 1870, the Lutherans of Elkhorn and vicinity, who had pre- 
viously been obliged to go to Burlington to attend chiirch, determined to organiz(> a societv of 



492 HISTOPtY or WALWORTFI COUNTY. 

their own. Tlioy accordingly invited Rev. H. P. Duborg, of Whitewater, to become their 
pastor, juxi'cliased a biiilding that had been previously used for a sehoolhouse, of L. (t. Rockwell, 
for $UII). and fitted it up for a cliurch building. Mr. Duborg afterward moved to Illinois, and 
Rev. J. J. Meier took charge of the society, but resided at Wheatland. Racine County. On tne 
29th of March, the society was re-organized under the name of ■ " The Evangelical Lutheran 
Peace Congregation," and, during the year, it was received into the Evangelical Lutheran Synod 
of the State of Wisconsin. In 1876, the congi-egation boxight a parsonage house. Rev J. J. 
Meier removed, in 1S79. and was succeeded by Rev. William Buehring, followed by Rev. Jo- 
hannes Dejung. The church has now a membership of twentv-tive. and church property valued 
at $1,100. 

First Coiiyn'ijtitioiiat Churcli of Elkhnni was organized as such at Ihe Elkhorn House, 
then kept by George Young, on the Uth of D(^cember. 1843. Rev. Amu on Gaston was chosen 
temporary Chairman, and James O. Eaton, Clerk. The organizing members numbered eight, 
as follows: James O. Eaton, from the Congregational Church of Sutton. Mass.; Mrs. Mary 
M.' Eaton, from the Congregational Church of Middh^bmy, Mass.; Mrs. Ann Walling, Mrs. 
Lydia Hickox, from the Congregati()nal Chiu-ch of Victor, N. Y.; Mrs. Soi)hronia F, East- 
man, from the Congi'egational Church of Newbury. Vt. ; Mi'. Jacob H. Young and Misses 
Margaret and Gertrude You.ng, from the Reformed Dutch Church. Princeton, N. Y. The pas- 
tors in the order given have been Revs. D. Pinkerton, Samuel E. Miner, J. D. Stevens, L. H. John- 
son, J. B. L. Soule. J. D. Peet, C. C. Adams. A, L. P. Loomis, P. S. Van Nest, J. G. Sabin, 
H. Fowle, and Newton Barrett, the present pastor, settled May 1, 1881, The chm-ch building 
is located on the west side of South street. It was built at an early day as a union church, but 
is now the property of the society. The present number of communicants is 100. The Sabbath 
school numbers upward of 100 scholars, with an average attendance of sixty-five. It has a 
small library — about 100 volumes. The church society is in a healthy condition financially, 
being out of debt, and about to build a new and commodious chm'ch building, 

Uiiioersalist Chnrcli. — The Universalists held services many years ago in the old court 
house. No reliable information can be obtained concerning this early DKivement. except that 
the first preacher was Rev. H. D. L. AVebster. He preached at stated times to a small but 
faithful parish for some years. Following his pastorate, the interest languished, and the or- 
ganization lost life. Occasional services were held by A. C. Barry. D. D.. then living in Racine, 
and, in 1874, a new interest was awakened. In 1875, a neat eliurch. named Barry Chapel, in 
honor of the pastor, was built. In 1876, Mr. Barry became resident pastor; he remained two 
yeai's. In 1878, the society was re-oi'ganized. The officers elected at the first annual meeting 
held at Barry Chapel, January 7, of that year, were: Moderator. Sijuire Stanford; Treasiu-er, 
Charles Wales; Clei-k, Dewitt Stanford; Standing Committee, Virgil Cobb, Stewart Ells- 
worth. William Ellsworth. At that date, there were thirty membei-s of the parish. The present 
membership is about thirty. Rev. M. G. Todd, residing at Columbus. Wis., has had pastoral 
■charge of the parish since 1878, holding services one Sabbath in each month. There is a 
tiomishing Sabbath school connected with the church. 

Till' Catholic Church was organized at an early period. The first mass was said in Elk- 
horn by Father Pendergrass, at the house of Mi-. Fahey in the fall of 185'2. Meetings were 
held thereafter at the houses of Messrs. Hatt(m. Dumjihy and Morrissey, and in Sijuire Stan- 
iord's carpenter-shop. The chm-ch was oi-ganized in 1860, at which time the old tannery was 
purchased and fitted up as a place of worship. The Executive Committee were James Lennon. 
Wm. Fanning and P. Mon-issey. In 1865, the building was enlarged and thoroughly repaired. 
The committee at that time was: James Lennon, Michael Bagnall. P. Morrissey and A. Graff. 
Servic(»s were held in the old chm-ch till 1880, at which time the present edifice was completed 
sufficiently for occiipancy. It was finished in 1881. The chiu-ch property is valued at $10,000. 
The ministering priests have been: Fathers James, one year: Brannan, five years; Roach, two 
years; Kinney,two years; Dumphy,six years: Vahey, the first resident pastor, since 18(9. The 
congregation comprises ninety-five families, fifty young men and as many young women, 

Methodist. — The society was organized as early as 1840 or 1841. In 1855, the society 
erected a fine brick church, which was suljsequently burned. Their present place of worship is 
a plain substantial wood church. The society is small, numbering some thirty families. The 
present pastor is Rev. H. G. Sedgwick. 



HISTOHV OF WALWOKTH COINTV. 493 

SOCIETIES. 

Havinotnj Lodijc, A., /•'. <t\ .1. .1/., w;is established at Elkhdrn. in 1848. It was the first 
Masouip lodge iu the coniity. and one of the (>arliest in the State. It was subsequently removed 
to Delavan. Its chart(>r was surrendered many years ago. Disi^ensatiou for Harmony Lodge 
was gi-anted bv M. AV. A. D. Smith in the year 1848. The first officers and members were as 
follows: Officers— Kenb.'n H. Bourn. \\'. M.": Lot Mayo, S. W.: Caleb Croswell, J. W.: Thomas 
Harrison, Treasurer; Lyman Cowderv. Secretary: Olive)' Cowdery, S. I).: Edwin Daniels, J. 
D.: Robert AVylie. Winthrop Norton, Stewards; S. W. Henderson, Tiler. Members— William 
Berry, Isaac Meachani, Elisha ]\Iayo. J. D. Monell, Jr., Daniel B. Packer, Edward Winne, Will- 
iam L. Stowe, Caleb P. Barnes, Daniel Dobbs, William H. Hyatt, Jose]ih Bowker, Horace Rust. 
Thomas McHugh, John Bromagham, Edwin A. Cooley. Sheldon Walling. 

Lodge No. 159, I. O. O. h\. was organized in 1851. Charter members were; H. S. Winsor. 
Edwin Hodges, George Buckley. Christopher Wiswell, P. S. Carver. Present officers are: W. G.. 
S. G. Huntress: V. G., J. F. Smith; R. S.. George \\. Ferris; T.. H. C. Norris: P. S.. J. \\. 
CI ay lord. 

Elkhoni Lodge, No. 77, A., F. d"' ^1. M.. was organized by dispensation ^fay 'il. 185(3: char- 
tered June 11, 1857. Charter members. Lot Mayo. Delos Brett. Ed Winne. First officers — 
W. M., Lot Mayo; S. W., E. Winne; J. W., Delos Brett; Treasurer, W. L. Stowe; Secretary. 
S. Reraer; S. D., S. W. Henderson; J. D., J. A. Ball: Tiler, John W. Henderson; Stewards. 

C. Davis, O. Eldre<l; Chaplain, H. D. L. Webster. Present officer— W. M.. Charles Lyon; S. 
W., E. M. Latham; J. W., B. Duulai^ Treasurer, H. Bradley; Secretary, J. W. Hayes; S. D.. 

D. L. Cowderj-: J. D., George W. Ogden; Tiler, E. W. Gray: Stewai'ds, H. S. Bull, S. G. 
West: Trastees, J. M. Barker, H. Bradley, D. L. Cowdery. Present menibershij), twenty- 
eight. 

Elkliovri Chapter, No. 17, R. A. M. — Dispensation granted, A])ril 8. 1857, to S. Walling, 
W^illiam M. Brett and John M. Henderson. Chartered February 4, 1858. First officers — H. 
P., Sheldon W^alling; King, W. M. Brett; Scribe, O. Eldred; C. H., Lot Mayo; P. S., E. P. 
Johnson; R. A. C, C. D. Handy; M. of 3d V., A. BeckAvith; M. of 2d V., Levi Lee: M. of 
1st v.. Ed Winne; Chaplain, liv\. R. P. Lawton. Present membershiji, fhirty-three. 

Klkhoiii Cniiiicil, No. 'JO, lioijal and Select Ma.s^c/'s.— Charter granted, February 31, 1881. 
Officers —Thrice Illustrious Master, J. M. Barker; Deputy Master, H. D. Barnes; Principal 
Conductor of W^ork, H. A. Hubbard; Recorder, J. W^. Hayes. Membership, twelve. 

Elkliorn Lecture A.^tiopiation. — Organized in 1879. Has held lecture courses with success 
during each winti>r since its organization. Present officers are; President, J. M. Barker; Sec- 
r(>tary, W. D. Lyon; Treasurer, J. W^. Hayes. 

The Southern ir/.s-coy/.s-/)* Board of Trade was organized in February, 1881. The object of 
the association as stated in the by-laws, are "to foster, maintain and encourage the dairy and 
other agricultural and commercial interests of the comimmity. " Officers — President, D. L. 
Fliick, Geneva; Vice President, S. Faville, Delavau; Treasurer, W. D. Lyon. Elkhorn; Secre- 
tary, W^. H. Morrison, Elkhorn: Directors, S. Faville, Delavan; Asa Foster, Sugar Creek; C. 
B. McCanna, Springfield; R. Pearson, Sharon; Alonzo Potter, La Fayette. Sale days are Wed- 
nesdays of every other week. The first sale day was February IB, 1881; total sales were $1, 
51'J.3t); 3,652 pounds of batter at 22 to 32 cents per pound, and 4.320 pounds of cheese at 11|^ 
cents |)er pound. Sales hav(> since been held regularly. The aggregate sales have reached as. 
high as !?4.000. 

NEWSPAPERS. 

Th{* Western Star was the first nc^wspaper published in Elkhorn and the first in the county. 
Its chief claim to notice rests on the priority of its establishment. It was, when first issued, a 
folio sheet, 74x12 inches in size. It was subsixjuently enlarged. No. 1, Vol. 1, was issued 
August 8, 1845. The advertisimients give positive proof to these later generations that at that 
date D. C. Wilmot kejjt the Elkhorn House; George H. Young, M. D. , i)ractic(>d mtnlicine and 
surgery in Elkhorn and vicinity; (ieorg(> Gale was editor of the pa|ier, also an attorney at law. 
and one of the proprietors of the firm of (Jale & Utter, who pulilished the paper. J. O. Eatou 
spread himself miscellaneously all over th<> l)ages, as the leading dry goods man. He was 
about "pulling uj) stakes," and notificnl (everybody to call and settle accounts, "if they wished 



494 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

to settle with J. O, E'ltou," a delicate hint that Greorge Gale, Edward Elderkiu or H. S. VVin- 
Hor, resident lawyers in the town, might have the bills of delinquents put in their hands for 
collectiou. The marriage announcement of the week, August 8, 1S45, was as follows: 

Married.— On the Hd iilt., l)v A. Wilson, Esq.. Mr. Simeon Standisli to Miss Anirelinp Quiffcrle, all of 
LaFayelU'." " = H S» . 

Poetry was not ignored in the new journal. Miss H. (i. , now old and gray, if she is 
alive, published the following /ines: 

"O, brother, time Hies swiftly past. 

And still you're far from me; 
Two changing years are gone since last 

I gazed, dear one, on thee. 
Yet on ra_y heart is deeply traced 

The memory of that da3". 
And never will it lie effaced 

While you remain away." 

Four more stanzas follow, telling of " hom-s of care," and how there was a "void none else 
could fill," and how " still I dream of you ; " how she would '• rush his hand to grasp," and 
" O, that it was so," etc., etc. 

John Matheson put in his advertisement as follows; 

A GREAT DISCOVERY. 

The most, important discovery ever made wa.s that made by our grandfather, Adam, when he discovered the 
art of tailoring. His descendants Inive followed it and improveil it through every generation down to the pres- 
ent day. 

The suliseriber would re-ipeetfuUy infin-m the inhabitants of Elkhorn and vicinity, that, having profited 
b_v the experience of all generations since Adam, he is now prepared to execute all business entrusted to his 
care, with neatness and dispatch and in the latest fashionable style. 

Cutting done on short notice and warranted to tit if properly made up. 

JOIIN^ MATHESON. 

Elkhorn, August 5. 1.94;). 1.5y 

The paper, in addition to the above, contained notes on the geography and history of the 
county, from which the compilers of this work have copiously cb-awu. 

The Wdhi-iirlli Coiint/j Di'mocrat was begun by Edwin A. Cooley, in IS4S, and ended by 
him in about two years. The materials were sold and taken out of the county. 

The Star was published for years. It was succeeded by the Walio.>rtli County Reporter. 
published by Dr. E. R. Utter, and P. A. Uttei-, his son. It was a lively Democratic paper while 
it lived, and was discontinued immediately after the Presidential elestion of 1856 —not from 
want of patronage but from pressure of outside business, which demanded the attention of the 
l>roprietors. The materia) was sol<I out to the Elkhorn Independi'iit at the time of its discon- 
tinuance —a Republican paper, which had been esttiblishsd si)me years before by Edgar 3 . 
F arnum. 

The Wntivnrllt Coimti/ Indepenrleiit is the present survivor of joumilism in the town. ;ind 
traces its genealogy to the first papi-r ptiblished in the county —the Western Star. As the Elk- 
horn Independsnt. it was established June, 1853, by Edgar J. Farnum, of North Geneva, as a 
seven-coliimn-to-the-page folio. Mr, Farnum, after publishing the paper a few mouths, 
sold it to James Densmore. who continued its publication for four years — until June. 1S57. 
While jiubli.shiug the paper, Mr. Densmore associated with him Mr. John Hotchkiss. and the 
jnijier was ]iublished ttnder the firm name of Densmore & Hotchkiss until June, 1857. JMr. 
DtMismore then sold his interest in the Independent to Frank Lolaud and George S. Utter, who 
for the ye;ir previous had been publishing the Geneva _E.cp;r.s.s, and the circulation of the two 
papers was combined. Mr. Utter retired from the firm after a few weeks, and the Independent 
coutiiuxed to be published by Hotchkiss & Leland for two years and a half — until January. 
i8(j0 — when S. P. Bennett purchased the interest of John Hotchkiss. ;iud the paper continued 
under the management of Leland & Bennett. In \H(VA. Mr. Bennett sold his interest in the 
paper to Mr. Leland, who continued to be the sole editor and publisher until July, 1874, when 
John D. Devor ptu'chased Mr. Leland"s interest, and continued as the editor and piablisher until 



HISTORY OF WAl. WORTH COUNTY. 495 

Jamiary 1. 1877. ;it wliicli tiinc ho sold liis interest to J. W. & D. •). Saiikey. Mr. Saukey died 
December IS, 187S, and. on the 1st of January. 1S7U. the lii(li'i>('ii(l('iii win^ purchased by M. 
T. Park and C. M. Treat, .\fter continuiiii,' iii the paper for a few months. Mr. Treat sold hia 
interest to M. T. Park, and retiicd fi-oni the [)aper. and .^^^. Park continuini;- the solo editor 
and proprietor. 

Some time prior to 1S7S. tho name was changed to the Wiilivoiili (httntij Independent. It 
is the leading organ of the dominant jiarty in the county. j\Ir. M. T. Park, the late editor, 
is now (18S2) Assistant Secretary of State. The [)roprietorship changed January 1, 1882, Mr. 
E>igt>n(> Kenney becoming a [lartner, and the Ih-m name I'ark & Kenney. C. H. Burdick. for- 
merly of the Geneva Neirs. took charge of the local columns. He has been connected with jour- 
nals of the comity and as correspondent of metropolitan pa|)ers for the past ten years. (April 
1. 1882, its ownership and editorship passed to S. S. Rockwood, formerly a teacher in the Nor- 
mal School at Whitewater, and more recently Assistant State Sui)eiiutendent of Schools for 
Wisconsin | 

The Walworth Coanti/ Liberal was started in October. 1878, three numbers being issued 
prior to the gubernatorial election of that year, which resulted in the election of William R. 
Taylor as Governor of Wisconsin. The tirst pi'oprietor was Isaac B. Bickford. formerly of the 
Creston (Illinois) Times. His connection with the paper extended over aboiat two months. 
Being an entire stranger, and unacipiainted with local political atiairs. his editorial connection 
with the paper was merely nominal. The editorial functions were delegated chiefly to Judge 
Wyman Spooner and Otis Preston. Judge Sjwoner \\Titing all articles pertaining to national 
politics, leaving the local and State matters to the care of Mr. Preston. Mr. Bickford. though 
a young man of fair ability, could not make it available in the new enterprise, and. having 
gone in with too much hope and too little capital, foiiud himself embarrassed before the paper 
was fairly established, and sold out to a syndicate of Democratic reformers, desirous of estab- 
lishing an organ in the county. It was made up of some of the leading citizens, who, on the 
completion of the purchase, installed in possession and management Mr. Albert C. Beckwith 
and Eugene Kenney, under the firm name of Beckwith & Kenney as publishers. Mr. Beck- 
with assumed the entire editorial control from that time. The paper under its new management 
retained the good will of its former editors. Messrs. Spooner & Preston, who continued for a 
time to contribute to its columns. It increased rapidly in circulation, and soon ranked among 
the leading Democratic country jom-nals of the State. June 27. 1874, Mr. Henry H. Tubbs, a 
printer, bought into ihe concern, and the firm name was thenceforth changed to Beckwith, 
Kenney & Tubbs. July 2, 187"), the office, with its entire contents, was burned. The fire is 
believed to have been incendiary, as the office was detached from other buildings, and had had 
no fire in it for a week previ(;us to its destruction. The slip shown on the following page, 
issued by the projH-ietors the day following the disaster, gives all that was known or }irobal)ly 
ever will be known as to the fire or its origin. 

The fire resulted in the dissolution of the firm. Albert C and Edward S. Beck^vith. made a 
<letermined attempt to go on, and. undi>r the revised name of the Elkhorn l.ihenil. started 
again July 10, 1875. Totally bankrupted l.)y the tire, with even their liooks and subscription 
list gone, the denouement of this desperate attempt to recover was what might have been ex- 
[X'Cted, They had the sympathy of the (mtire community, but it did not take such tangible form 
as to perpi'tuate the paper, and the Beckwiths. seeing the struggle to be h.opeless and thankless, 
issued the last number January 7, 187(). The paper was ably conducted during its existence, 
and its demise was regretted, not more l)y its political friends than by its fair-minded opposers. 
It was one of the ablest Democratic pa])ers ever i)ublished in the county. 

In addition, there have been several i>apers started and run for a tini<' in the local interest 
of Elkhorn. 

The ConKervator was starttul by Mr. Otis I'reston October 10, I8r)7. It was in magazine 
form and contained twenty-eight pages. Its l)irth was at an inausj)icious time, and only one 
number was published. It (contained mixch valuable information CDiiceniing the town of Elk- 
horn and vicinity. It went out bi'fon^ it was fairly established, one ol' the victims of tlu^ financial 
crash of 18i37. 



496 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 



WALWORTH CO. LIBERAL. 



ELKIIOEN, WISCONSIN, JULY t. 1875. 



The Walworth County Liberal. 

THE ONLY OPPOSITION PAPER IN THE COUNTY. 

Published by Beckwitli, Kenney & Tubbs. 

TERMS : 

ISO CENTS PKK ANNUM.. 

About 13 o'clock, as nearly as cau uow 
be learned, on Thursday night, the Liber.\l 
office was discovered to be on Are, ap- 
parently beginning in the lower southeast 
corner (in front), and being already under 
such headway that its fate was certain. 
The building wa.s a light frame affair, two 
stories in lieight, Ww, upper one unoccupied, 
about 33 feet by 36 on the ground. It was 
the property of James R. Brown, Esq., of 
Racine. Whether insured or not. we have 
no present means of knowing. 

There had been no fire in the printing 
office for about a week. The stove and 
pipes were, besides, habitually in excellent 
order. No lights had been used since Wed- 
nesday evening. No smoking was indulged 
in on the premises. 

As to the publisliers, the affair was a 
total less, not being insured to the amount 
of a dollar. The Libbr.\l was started in 
1873, almost without capital, and was 
slowly laying the groimdwork for one of 
the very best news and job offices in the 
county. Its publishers had wrougiit daily, 
and often nightly, witii tlieir own hands, 
and the reward liegan to be visible in tlie 
distance. Not a particle of property was 
saved ; not even the books of the firm. 



The loss in type, presses and material, Is 
about $1,600. 

As to tlie origin of the fire, we would 
speak with due caution ; but, from the time 
and circumstances as told above, and from 
the further fact that the day and night had 
been rainy and almost without wind, we 
are compelled to think that it was not purely 
accidental. More than this cannot now be 
stated. Tlie publishers are not aware of 
such a degree of ill-feeling as would be 
likely to prompt such wrong-doing ; but 
they are. perhaps, not in the best position 
to judge. The Liberal has no useless 
whine or reproach to make ; its business 
is to square accounts as well as may be 
done without the books ; and, at the earliest 
day possible, resume its weekly labors 
again. We do not doubt the justice or 
generosity of the people among whom our 
lot has for so long been cast, and fear 
nothing but useless delays. 

The building next, north of the Liberal 
office, belonged to the Hartwell Estate, and 
was occu|)ied liy John Hatch, who, witli 
his family, was obliged to bundle out in a 
much less orderly manner than he moved 
in. The building was saved, with a loss of, 
say, a hundred dollars, owing mainly, per- 
haps, to a Babcock E.xtiuguisher, and the 
pluck of William T. Jones, J. L. Edwards, 
Hiram Bell, W. L. Stowe, J. D. Devor and 
several other citizens, whose names do not 
now occur to us. 

Several large lights of glass were broken 
by the heat in Warning's store front, and, 
whatever resemblance to walnut his doors 
may have once had, was hopelessly blis- 
tered out. 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 497 

The Lire Man was startrd by ^Lr. Otis Pri'ston June -4. 1S()4. It was a tnkle }>apt'r. 
showinij consiilorablc ability in its oclitorial couduct. It was peculiarly local, auil aimed to 
draw trade to Elkhorii aiul hriuj^ the importance of tlie town as a trade center before its readers. 
It rtom-ished in lSr)4 and ISC)"). and was revjv(>d for a short season in 1867. Its circulation was 
free, and its merits wore entirely beyond the fate which plac(w it as one of the di^funct pujiers 
of the county. 

HIOCHAPHICAJ. SKETCIIR.S. 

(tEN. I. C. ABBOTT. State Agent for Fairbanks Scale Manufacturing CJom[)any, Elkhorn. 
He is a native of Allegany Co.. N. Y. . town of Burnes; is the .son of E. A. and Nancy Gregory 
.\b1)ott: was born Dee. 24. IS'24. In 1835. moved to St. Joseph Co.. Mich., iuid resided near 
White Pigeon; in 1854. he began business as a dealer in general merchandise at a place called 
Uurr Oak. of that county: in 1855. ho was appointed Postmaster of Burr Oak; he continued 
the mercantile business until 1857, when he closed out. and wont into the grain l)usiness; he 
resigned his comjuission as Postmaster. A]>ril 19, I8t51. and enlisted the same day in the 1st Michi- 
gan, three months' volunteers; was commissioned Captain of Company G of that regiment May 
1. 1801. He participated in the first battle of Bull Run. and was slightly wounded; his com- 
pany lost twenty-two men in killed, wounded and prisoners. Capt. Abbott rescued the regi- 
mental colors, as they were about to fall into the hands of the enemy, and carried them oft' the 
field; it was around those colors the regiment finally rallied by the little stone church near 
Sudley"s Ford. At the expiration of three months, the regiment returned to Michigan, and was 
r(>-organized. and Capt. Abbott was commissioned Captain of ComjKiny B Aug. Ij. 1801, for 
tlu-ee years. His regiment was assigned to the Army of the Potomac in the s|>iing. arriving at 
Ft. Mom-oe, Va., on March 12, 1802. He was commissioned Major April 28. 18()2, and participated 
in the Peninsular campaign, with McClellan. Aug. 30, 1802, after the second battle of Bull 
Enn. he was promoted to be Lieutenant Colonel, and March 18, 1863, was commissioned 
Colonel. At the battle of Fredericksbiu-g. December 12. 1802. he received two gunshot wounds ; 
was also wounded twice at Chancellorsville, May 2, 1863; was wounded again July 2, 1863. at 
Gottysbm'g. For meritorious conduct at this battle, he was brevetted Brigidier General. In 
January. 1805. having served with honor and distinction nearly four years, having particiiiated 
in most of the hard-fought campaigns, and having been wonnded several times, he found his 
health seriously im])aired. and tendered his resignation. He returned to Michigan, and was 
appointed to the United States Revenue Service, where he served fi-oiu 180f) to 1809. Ho came 
to Wisconsin in 1873. and located at Evausville. Rock Co., where he continued to reside until 
the fall of 1875, when he moved to Delavan, then to Elkhoi-n (1880), where he now resides. 

HENRY ADKINS. Assistant Cashier, First National Bank of Elkhorn. Mr. Adkins has 
held his present position since the organization of the bank. He is a native of the County of 
Kent. England; is the son of Henry and Martha Adkins; he was born Doc. 23. 1812. Having 
arrived at a suitable age. he was apprenticed to learn the drug biisine a, and seiTed three and 
one half years. When twenty-one yeais of age. in 1833. he emigrated to the United States; 
made his home in Oneida Co.. N. Y. . until 1841. when he moved to the town of Sugar Creek. 
A\"ahvorth (.o. . Wis.; he located on a farm. <md one year later moved to the town of La 
Cirange. same county, and entered an 80-acro tract of Government land on Sec. 14; in the au 
tumu of 1854, he was elected Register of Deeds of Walworth County; in December of that 
year, he moved to Elkhorn, and entered upon the diities of the office; he was re-elected for the 
succeeding term and served fom- years. During his service as Registei-, he had laid the foun 
dation for an abtract of titles of Walworth County. He continued the abstract business until 
1863. when he engaged as bank clerk in the Bank of Elkhorn; was with that institution till its 
close, in March. 1805; on the organization of the First National Bank of Elkhorn. he was in- 
stalled as Teller, and has performed the duties of that office and of Assistant Cashier from that 
time to this date in a manner that has conunand<Hl the contideuce of the officers and directors. 
He was married at New York Mills. Onoitla Co.. N. Y.. to Miss Betsey A. .\dams. daughter of 
William .\dams. Mi's. Adkins was l)orn in the State of Now York; they had seven children. 
Elizabeth is the wife of Reuben Eastwood, now a resident of Sharon. Wis.; Mr. E. was a 
soldier of the late war and a member of the 30th W. V. I.; Henry B. was a member of the same 



498 HISTORY OF ■\VALW0RTH COUNTY. 

regiment; lie is married to Emma Crouk. and living in Elkliorn; Charlotte Adkins is also 
living in Elkhorn: Zoruab. now the wife of C. D. Koot, of Sharon, who was in the late war. 
William E. was a member of the same regiment' as hia brother, and served in the late war; he 
is married, and resides at Tomah. Wis. : Mary E. is the wife of P. H. Smith, of Hays City, 
Kan. . and John C. also resides at Havs Citv. 

LEVI E. ALLEN. Clerk of the"Circuit Court of Walworth County. Wis. ]Mr. Allen was 
born in the town of Loraine. Jefferson Co.. N. Y., -Jan. 25. 1840; is the son of John and Mary 
Alien; in 1845. he came with his parents to Walworth Co., Wis., and made his home on a farm 
in the town of Sharon; he received a common-school education, and. on the 13th of October, 
1801. he enlisted for service in the late war as a private of Company C. 18th W. V. I., and was 
in his company and regiment in all the engagements jiarticipated in by them till he was trans- 
ferred to the Ooth Regiment U. S. C. T. , April 13. 1864. of which he was Quartermaster with 
the rank of First Lieutenant; he S'^rved until May 20. 1800. covering a period of four years 
and eight months. He received an honorable dissharge. on account of physical disability. On 
his return from the army, he resumed farming, and continued that occupation until 1872, when 
he engaged in the hardware business v?hich he continued from 1872 to 1880; he was elected 
Clerk of the Court ot Walworth County in the fall of 1877 on the Republican ticket; was re- 
elected in 1879. and renominated this year (1881), which, in this county, is equivalent to an 
election. Mr. A. has 480 acres of laud in Dakota, lying in McCook and Hanson Counties. He 
was married at Darien. in this county. April 4. 1864. to Miss Carrie Wilkins. daughter of 
Joseph R. and Celesta Wilkins. Mrs. A. was born in the town of Darien in this county: they 
have five children — Plieny. M'illiam P.. Albery J.. Mary C. and Alice. Since his election. Mr. 
A. has made his home in Elkhorn. 

LUCIUS ALLEN, undertaker, manufactiu-er of and dealer in furnitui'e, Elkhorn; business 
established in 1876; succeeded D. R Johnson. Mr. Allen was born in Hamburg, Erie Co., N. 
Y., Feb. 13, 1816; is the son of Daniel and Olive Eaglish Allen. The father was a physician 
who settled in New York in 1810. Lucius A. served a regular apprencticeship of the carjienter 
and joiner' s trade in Hamburg. He moved to Geauga Co., Ohio in 1836. He was maiTied May 27, 
1837, to Max-y L. Spoor, and, in October. 1838. he came to Wisconsin, settled at East Troy, \A'al- 
worth Co., and engaged in carpenter and joiner's work. Mrs. A died in November, 1838, and 
was buried at Ea.st Troy. She is sup|)osed to have been the tirst white j)erson Vmried at that 
place; they had one child, named Augustus C. now married to Laesmeralda King, and living 
at Ft. Dodge, Iowa Mr. Allen was married at Auburn. Ohio. July 10. 1842, to Miss Sarah A. 
Barns; they had two children; the eldest Fayette L., was a soldier of the late war: was a mem- 
ber of Company I. 28th W. V. I., and died at Little Rock, Ark., in February, 1864; the 
second. Frances .A... is now Mrs. Duncan Wright, of the town of La Fayette. Mrs. Allen died 
in the fall of 1837. In .iugust. 1848, Mr. A, was married in .\uburn. Ohio, to Juliet Barns: 
they had five children —Otis H,. married to Mary Clark and living at Racine: Etta, now Mrs. 
Gilbert Potter, of Ve.-ita, Neb.: Alic,^ W. is the wife of Harley C. Norris, of Elkhorn: Charles 
S. is at Leadv'ille; Hattie resides at home. In 1859. Mr, A. m )ved to a farm of 120 acres in 
Spring Prairie that he had purchased at the land sale of February. 1839. Though making his 
home on the farm, he still continued at his trade in East Troy and vicinity; in l869, he moved 
to Elkhorn, and, in 1870, sold his f irm, and has since made his home at that ])laoe; worked at 
his trade until 1876, whan he established himself in the furniture business. Mrs. A. died 
March 11, 1878. Mr. A. servel two terms as Chairman of the town of Spring Prairie; was a 
member of the Wisconsin Legislature iu 1804: he also served two years as member of the Boar^l 
of County Supervisors when the county boai-d consisted of five raembm-s. Since coming to Elk- 
horn, he has been a member of the town board two terms, and is now serving as Chairman, having 
been elected on the temperance isslae in the spring of 18S1. 

DR. JOSEPH M. B.VRKER, dental surgeon: established in practice at Elkhorn. Febru- 
ary. 180S: he is a native of Nunda, Livingston Co.. N. Y.: is the sou of Amos and Sophia 
Barker: was born Dec. 1. 1837: studied dentistry with Dr. A. J. Kingsley. of Nunda, and 
commenced the practice of his profession at Whitesville. Allegany Co.. N. Y.. in 1860; in 
July, 1862, he euli.sted in Company I, 1st New York Dragoons, and seiwed three years in the 
late war. During his service, he participated in the following battles: Battle of Deserted 



HISTORY OF WALAVOirrH COUNTY. 409 

Farm, sici^i' of Snft'dlk. .\r;inass;is Jiiii'-tiou. Travillian Station, Cold Hai-bor, Spottsylvauia 
Conn House. Wiiu'bcstvr. C'l-dar Crook. WayiioslKirougli. Diinviddio ('ourt Housp, Five Forks. 
Sutliorlaud Station, Amolia Court Houso. Sailor's Cr<»ok. Ai)]>oinattox Court House and at tho 
surrondw of Cxpn. Lef», besides takiu<^ ))art in numei-oas raids and skirmishes. On his return 
from the service, the Doctor opened an office at Nunda, where ho continued to practice his 
profession until 1S()8, when he moved to Wiscousin and established himself in practice at Elk- 
horn, which he has continued to this date, and is enjoying a lucrative ])ractice. Ho was mar- 
ried at Nunda. N. Y., Nov. IT), 1S()(), to Miss Mary E. Carver, daughter of Ralph W, and Relief 
CiU'ver. Mrs. B. is a native of Nunda. 

WILLIAM A. BAIINKS. ])ropriotor of feed mill. Elkh.jrn; is the son of ilufns and Han- 
nah Barnes; was born in La Fayetto, WaUvorth Co., Wis., Feb. '27, 1S4-1-; when of suitable age, 
he learu^-i the carpenter trade. He was m'uried, in Lincoln, Adams Co., Wis., Oct. :!1, 1867, to 
Miss Martha J. McFarliu, daughter of Alexander and Mary MeFariin. Mr.s. Barnes was born 
in Coitsville, Trumbull Co., ()hio. They have one child — Helen M., aged 18 years. In tho 
fall of 1S70, Ml-. Barnes moved to Elkhorn, whore he worked at his trade. During the latter 
part of the fall and early winter of 18S0-S1. he fitted np the machinery and the building that 
ho now occupies for a food-mill, and commenced running Feb. 22. 1881. Has a 15-horse-power 
engine and one run of stone. The mill has a ca])acity of 300 Iiushels ])er day. He also has 
.saws and machinery for making polo fencing. Mrs. Barnes established a milliner shop in 
Elkhoru in November, 187(), where she does a general milliner and hair Imsinoss. Mr. Barnes' 
j)areuts settled in La Fayette the year before he was born (184>5), where; his father was engaged 
in farming until 1S7'J. when he moved to Jefferson Co., Iowa. 

JOHN BEAMISH, grocer, is the sou of George and Margaret B. : was born in Palmyra. 
Jefl'erson Co.. Wis.. June "24, ISSH; received a common school education, and began teaching 
school in Walworth County, in 1871, and has taught every winter since until 1881; was engaged 
in farming in the town of Sugar Creek two years; in Sejitember. 1881. he bought the grocei-y 
business of Mr. G. W. Ferris, at Elkhorn, and removed to that place, where he has since re- 
sided. He was married in the town of Sugar Creek, Oct. 22. 1879. to Miss Alice Harrington, 
daughter of Commodore H. Mrs. B was born in Sugar Creek; they have one child, a daughter, 
named Tessa. 

HENRY BRADLEY, Postmaster, Elkhorn; was ap])ointed by Abraham Lincoln and en- 
tered upon the duties of the office May 1. 18(11 ; has been re-appointed, and held the office con- 
tinuously for twenty years, being the ])resent incumbent. Mr. B, was born in Sidney, Dela- 
ware Co.. N. Y. . Dec. 2P>. I8'28; is the son of Daniel E. and Betsey Sturges Bradley. In 1887. 
when fourteen years of age. he came with his parents to Elkhoru. arriving June 1'2. 1887; 
two years aftc^r. his father died; they continued on the farm some throe years longer, and then 
commenced iji the mercantile business at Elkhorn. 1847. In 184'>. ho was ap]K)inted Under 
SheritV of Walworth County, and hold that position two years; in bSo'J. ho. in company wit li 
his wife, wont overland to California, where he was engaged in mining iintil 180"). when ho 
returned to Elkhorn. Shorily after liis return, he was appointed D(?puty Clerk of Com-t; in 
IN.")*.*, he made a second trij) to California, this time leaving his family behind him. Not 
realizing his expectaticms. ho returned to Elkhorn in January. 1800. In April. 18(51. he was 
appointed Po.stmaster of Elkhorn, and May 1, of that year, entered upon the duties of the office, 
since which time ho has, by holding over, and by re- appointment, held tiiat office continuously 
now twenty years. Mr. B. was marri«d in Elkhorn Ajiril 18, 1847. to Miss Nancy .1. Mallory. 
daughter of Samnol M. Mrs. B. was born in Thomkius Co., N. Y. ; then- have three children living 
-Lillie ■].. now tlie wife of S. J. Ketiyon. of New Hampton, Iowa; William M.. who is a student 
in tho Law Department of Wisconsin State University, at Madison; tho youngest is Rutii \., 
aged ten years: two were lost in childhood Rosa, jiged fourt(>(m months and four days; W. 
B. has served as Justice of the P(>aco of Elkhorn ten years and Village Clerk about the same 
length of time. 

FRANK A. BUNNELL, prLipriotor of candy factory. KIkhorn. and <loaler in caiulios, con 
fectionery. groceries, cigars and tobacco, ice cre.im and oysters in s'ason; business was estab- 
lished in 18S1. Mr. B. was Isorn in the town of La Fayette. Walworth Co.. Wis.. Dec. 8. 
185"2; is the son of Theroa and Ciithiirino Bunnell. He loarnol the c ui ly miking business at 



500 HISTORY OF WALWOKTH COUNTY. 

Whitewater, and. in 1877. started Imsiness for himself in the village of Waukesha. A few 
months later, he retnrui'd to Whitewater, and woi-ked at his trade until the fall of 187S, when 
he came to Elkhorn and started iu the candy business. The fu'st year, he went West to Omaha 
and Council Bhiflfs, worked at his trade in those places until February. 1881. returned to Elk- 
horn and engaged in the candy business. 

WILLIAM W. BYINGTON, retired merchant and farmer, was born iu Chitten- 
don Co., Vt, Jan. 9, 1822 ; is the son of Anson and Theoda Byington. In June, 1845, 
he came to Bloomfield, Walworth Co., Wis., where he was married the same year to Miss Adeline 
^^ ing, daughter of Abner Wing; a daughter and son were born to them — Synthia A. and Clar- 
ence N. The daughter is the widow of Robert B. Daniels, of Elkhorn. lsli\ Byington carried 
on his farm until 1857, when he moved to Geneva, of the same county, and engaged in the hard- 
war^ business. Mrs. B. died May 20, 1872. Mr. B. was married again Oct. 22, 187:^, at Oeneva, 
to Mi's. Sarah B. Pier, widow of Norman Pier, of Foud du Lac, Wis., and daughter of Thomas 
T. Newton. Mrs. B. was born in Vermont; she had three children Ijy her fonner man-iage — 
two daughters and a sou — Mary N., now Mi-s. M. H. Crocker, of Ish])eming, Mich; Julia is the 
wife of Thomas G. Morris, of Chicago: the son, Norman O. Pier, died, aged 3i years. Mrs. 
B. was a resident of Fond du Lac in 1843. Mr. B. was in the hardware business at Geneva 
about eighteen years. The year 1874. he spent in California with his wife; in 1875, he removed 
to Elkhorn. where, having retired from active business, Mi: B. tinds such emplo_\auent as he 
needs in superintending the cultivation of the small but tasteful farm that constitutes his home. 

CAMP & ISHAM. dealers in drugs, medicines, books, etc; business established in April, 
1857; carry a $4,(t0() stock. Fred W. Isham was born iu the town of Sugar Creek. Walworth 
Co., Wis., Feb. 23, 185(V, is the son of Mary J. and Joseph T. Isham; was educated in the 
State Normal School, at Whitewater, and graduated in 1875; was elected County Superintendent 
of Schools of Walworth County in the fall of 1875; V7as re-elected in 1877. and served in all 
four years; in April, 1880, he formed a partnership with J. H. Camp in the di-ug business, at 
Ellfhorn, iinder the firm name of Camp & Isham. Mr. I. was married in the town of La Fay- 
ette Jan. 6, 1878, to Miss Julia Weed. Mrs. I. was born in the State of New York, and came 
to Wisconsin in 1857. 

NATHANIEL CARSWELL, of the firm of N. Carswell & Co., proprietors of the Elkhorn 
elevator, and dealers in all kinds of grain and fai'm produce, Elkhorn; succeeded Mr. C. E. Remer, 
in November, 1880, and doing a successful business. Mr. C. is a native of Raciue Co., Wis.; 
is the son of N. H. and Louisa Carswell; was born April 16, 1845. He came to Elkhorn in 
1853; was educated in the common schools; went to Kansas in 1870, and was engaged iu the 
grocery business one year; he then returned to Elkhorn and engaged in clerking until 1875, 
when he formed a partnershi]i with Mr. Chase, under the firm name of Carswell & Chase, dealers 
in general merchandise; also had a branch store at Peck's Station, under the firm name of 
Chase & Co.; continued business at the latter place until 1878, and at Elkhorn until 1879; in 
Novembe^r, 1880, he began business with Mr. Theo Northroji, in the grain and produce 
business; in 187(>, he and Mr. Case remodeled a building into a cheese factory at Elkhorn, 
which business they have carried on to the ])resent time. They manufacture 2(^0,000 ]iounds 
of cheese annually. 

ORLAND CAliS^^^ELL, dealer in groceries and general merchandise, Elkhorn; business 
established in 1862. Mr. C. is a native of Hebron, Washington Co., N. Y. ; is the son of N. 
H. and Louisa H. Carswell; was born April 28, 1842; in 1S43, the family moved to Spring 
Prairie, Walworth Co., Wis.; from there, they moved to the town of Yorkville, Raciue Co. , 
where his father carried on a blacksmith shop and kept a country store; they next moved to 
Rochester, same county, where they continued to reside until March. 1853, when they moved to 
Elkhorn, Walworth Co., in 1862. ;Mr. Orland C. is a dealer in general merchandise; May 16, 
18f54, leaving his business in the care of his father, he enlisted as a private for 100 days iu 
Company F, 40th W. V. I., and served out the term of his enlistment; on his retiu'u from the 
army, he resumed charge of his business, which he has continued to this date. He was married 
iu Elkhorn, April 18, 18(57, to Miss Sarah Patterson, daughter of William Patterson; they have 
two sons — Frank T. and Joseph L. Mr. C."s father was a native of Washington Co., N. Y. ; 
was born in 1815; was married in Washington Co., N. Y., to Laura H. Taylor; his death oc- 
curred at Elkhorn Nov. 11, 1874; the mother died March 24, 1868. 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 501 

WILLIAM K. ("HAIVIBERS. supt'i-inti'iulcnt of ponstruction, FJkhoni; now iu the employ 
of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. i'aul Itailway: settled in Walworth County June 18,1844. 
Mr. Chambers was l)orn in Oi^donshurcf, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. , May 1, 1839 ; is the son of 
W'illiam and Phiehe Chambers: came to Wisconsin in 1844, and settled in the town of Geneva; 
was brought up on a farm: in lS(jO, he crossed the plains to Cidifornia: was a resident of that 
State five years, durin<^ which tiine he was connected with the t.'alifornia Stage Company: on 
his return to Wisconsin, he commenced railroading as foreman of coustrnction on Eagle Branch, 
of what is now a part of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, from Elkhorn to Eagle, 
having general charge of that work; has been engaged in railroad work nearly ever since. He 
was married at Elkhorn Se|)t. 14, 1805, to Miss Marinda Gray, daughter of Daniel C. Gray. 
Mrs. Chambers was born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. ; they have two children — a daughter, aged 
15 years, named Gracie, and a sou, aged 1 year, named Willie C. Mr. (chambers has 
made his homo in Elldiorn since Nov. 12, 1878; his father died in 1870: his mother makes her 
home with him, and is hale aiul hearty, and in the full possession of her faculties at the ad- 
vanced age of eightv-five vears. 

ISAAC W^ COMAN was' born .March 17. 18-20, in Luzerne. Warren Co., N. Y., 
.and was brought up on a farm. While a youth, he began the study of medicine with his uncle, 
Dr. Fletcher, of Saratoga Sjirings, and subsequently, with Dr.. Houghton, of Hadley, N. Y., 
and in Fnionville, Ohio, with Dr. Harvey Marvin, and later, was under the tuition of Prof. 
Frank H. Hamilton, one of President Gai'field's physicians. He attended a coiu-se of his lect- 
ures at the Bufl'alo Medical College, and was in daily attendance at the hos))ital. where he held 
his clinics and performed his sm'gical ojterations. He attended his first ccmrse of lectures at 
the Castleton Medical College. Vt., and graduated at the Western Medical College, of Cleve- 
land. Ohio. He began practice at Jefferson. Ohio, where he ]iracticed over six years, then re- 
moved to the city of Buffalo, wher(> he devot«id himself to his profession for a number of years. 
After spending two years traveling in the south, he came to Elkhorn, in September, 185U, where 
he has since resided. i<xcept two years spent in Delavan. Dr. C. has no army service to report, 
but he keeps as a souvenir a letter from Dr. Waloott, Surgeon General, offering him a position 
(m the sm-gical stafi". He i-esides near town; has lately given his time considerably to stock- 
raising; has 13H acres of land. 

W. H. CONGER, Cashier of the First National Bank of EUdiorn. Mr. Conger is a native 

of the town of Stanfoi-d. Dutchess Co. , N. Y. ; is the son of Benjamin and Amelia (Downs) 

(longer, and was born on the :>d of June, 1821; he reseived a common-school education, and was 

brought up on a farm: in the fall of 1^15, he came to the town of La Fayette. Walworth Co.. 

\\'is., and establishe<l himself on a farm, which business he followed for eight years: he then 

enoraured in the real e.state and monev loanintr business in Western Wisconsin: continued thisbusi- 

' 1 ,11.-.-* 

ness alxmt four years, when he returned to Elkhorn and piu'chased his pre.sent residence 1 18;)(). 

From this date, he was engaged at this place in loaning money and speculating till 18()U, when 
he entered the bank as Cashier. He has served one term .s a member of the C(junty Board of 
('ommissiouers under the old system, and has served two terms as (/hairman of the town of Elk- 
horn. He was married in Wayne Co., N. Y.. in the fall of 1845, to Miss Catharine M. Johnston, 
daughter of Clark Johnston. Mrs. (longer was born in Dutchess Co.. N. Y. : they have one 
daughter named Cora. 

D. L. COWDERY, County Clerk of Walworth (Jounty, Elkhorn, was born in Arcadia, Wayne 
Co. . N. Y., Jan. 8, lS:i:!; is the sou of Lyman and Eliza Cowdery. The father was a native of New 
Hampshire, and his mother of Vermont. While the subject of this sk(rf.ch was ipiite young, the 
family removed to Ontario County, and, when four years old, to Lake Co. .Ohio, and to Elkhorn, 
Wis., in 184(). Mjr. C. commenced his education in the Western Reserve Seminary, at Kirk- 
land. Ohio, After coming to Wisconsin, he completed his education in th(» coimnon schools at 
l"',lkhorn; in 185(1, ho went to Milwaukee, and served a regular apprenticeship in the office of 
the VoiiDiicrciat A/lrcrfiner: in i85:i, he went to California by the overland route and cmgaged 
ill mining and limibering, continuing in (lalifornia until 18511. He then returned to the State 
of Wisconsin: was engaged as foreman of the printing office of the Elkhorn Iwlrpenili'iit i\\\ 
1875, when he was elected to his ])res(»nt position -('ounty Clerk oti the Hepublicran tiek(!t.; 
was re-elected twice: is now serving his third term: was married at Richmond, III., Nov. 21, 



502 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

1864, to Miss Lvdia M. Aklrieh. Mrs. C. was liorn at Houth Bond, Iiid. : their children are 
Kirke L. aud a daiiijhter, Edith A. 

JULIUS L. ED^\■ARDS, senior partner of the tirm of Edwards tfe Preston, merchants, 
Elkhoru. The sxil)ject of this sketch is the sou of Jnlius aud Theodosin Edwards, and was 
boru in Northanijiton, Mass., He\>t. 29, 1S21; in May, 1S39, he came to Wisconsin, with his 
])arents, and located on Government land on Hujijar Creek, where he still owns a farm of 148 
acres. Mr. E. served as Assessor of that town six years, and served four years as a member of 
the Board of Coixuty Commissioners when the hoard consisted of live memljers; served as such 
during the war. He was married at Waterford, Racine Co., March 5, 1840, to Miss Wealthy 
A. Rust, daughter of Seth Rust; they have two children — Francis A. aud Alice E., now the 
wife of J. E. Wheeler, of Colorado Sj^rings, Colo. Mr. E. was elected President of the bank 
of Elkhoru Jan. 14, 1861, and held that position until March 25, 1S65, when the bank was 
merged into the First National Bank at Elldiorn. On the organization of the latter, Mr. E. 
became one of the largest share-holders nud was elected its tirst President, which position he held 
until 1869; since 1869 to the present time he has held the position of Vice President. In the 
fall of 1S66, Mr. E. moved to the village of Elkhoru, leaving the farm in the care of a tenant; 
in 1876, he began business iu Elkhoru as a general merchant with Mr. Preston as a partner in 
the business; they have continued to this date. 

EDWARD ELDERKIN, attorney at law; established at Elkhoru Oct. 25, 1839, aud con- 
tinued iu practice at this place forty-two years; he was the second attorney to estalilish a prac- 
tice in Walworth County, Mr. C. M. Baker being the first; he is now the oldest living repre- 
sentative of the pioneer attorneys in the county. The subject of this sketch is a native of 
Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. ; is the son of Anthony Y. and Pamela Fuller Elderkiu; was 
born Jan. 5, 1815; he was educated at the St. Lawrence Academy of New York, aud commenced 
the study of law in the ofKco of Silas Wright, at Canton; read in that office aud continued his 
studies wiih Judge Fine, at Ogdensburg, N. Y., where he remained six years. He was admit- 
ted to the bar in August, 1838, in the city of Utica, and commenced the practice of his profes- 
sion at Potsdatu, and continued at that place until 1839, when he moved to Elkhoru, Walworth 
Co. , Wis. ; he settled there October 25 of that year, and at once began the practice of law. He 
has maintained his residence there to this date, November, 1881, or a little more than forty-two 
years. He was appointed Deputy Register of Deeds under Register Le Grand Rockwell, the 
tirst Register of Deeds of Walworth County; was also ap)H)iuted Deputy of the Court and 
Dejjuty Postmaster, aud discharged the ihities of these offices several years. He was married 
iu the old Elkhoru Court House, on Christmas Kve, 1S43, by the Rev. William L. Breck. to 
Miss Mary M. Beardsley, daughter of Benuett B., of Delaware Co.. N. Y. Mrs. Elderkiu is a 
native of Walton, Delaware Co.; they had three sons and four daughters — Emma; Adelaide, 
now Mrs. William A. Brown, of Racine, master painter iu the shops of Fish Bros. ; Edwai'd 
A., mairied Miss Laiu'a Glass, and lives at Racine; Noble H., a ))rinter by trade; Frank B., 
man'ied Emma Garretson, and resides at Wiuterset, Iowa; Susie G. is the wife of Dr. Wilcox, 
of Washburn, Graut Co., "Wis; Hattie, now Mrs. Frank Parder, of East Grove, 111. In ad- 
dition to this large family. Mr. Elderkiu brought uj) several or])hau children, relatives of his 
wife, and it can be truly said of him that his house was always opened to those in distress, and 
he was always fearless in the care of the sick alioixt him. 

ELI B. DEWING. Deputy Clerk of the Circuit Court for Walworth County— appointed 
iu 1878; boru June 21, 1834, iu Chatitauipia Co.. N. Y. ; son of Dexter aud Demia (Weaver) 
Dewing; came, with his parents, to Wisconsin in 1843, locating at Elldiorn, Walworth Co., 
where he now lives; had attended district school fom- or live years iu Chautauc^ua County, and 
enjoyed a year or two more of like schooling at Elkhoru. At the age of twelve, he went to 
Ceuterville, St. Joseph Co. , Mich., and worked a year iu the office of the St. Joseph Comity 
Advertiser, and continued at the i")rintiug biasiness another year or two in Elkhoru. iu the offices 
of the Demoerat aud the Reporter. Abandoning the compositor's stick and rule, he returned to 
St. Joseph Co., Mich., and engaged as clerk iu a general merchandise store. In 1855, asso- 
ciated with his brothers, George and Myron E. . he engaged in mercantile business at Elkhoru: 
sold out. iu 1S5,S, and resumed the occupation of salesman; from 1N(')8 to 1876. was associated 
with John T. Lumsdeu, under the tirm name of Dewing & Liimsden in the clothing business at 



HISTORY OF AVALWOKTII COUNTY. 503 

Elkhorn. lu 1S7:1 h(> was elected Chairmau of the village of Elkhorn, and re-elected iu IfsTJ^. 
ISTT) and 1S7I5: was Ue])uty County Clerk under his brother, Myron E., and. upon said brother's 
death, iu March, lS7t, became c.r officio Clerk for the unexpired term; has served continuously 
several terms as Assessor of the village of Elkhoi-u: represented the First Assembly District of 
Walworth County in the Legislature of bS7U: has been, for six or seven yeju-s past regular Elk- 
horn correspondent for the Lake (ienova Hi'raUl. Mr. D. married, at "White Pigeon, Mich., 
Elizabeth Dixon, who was born in England, and came with her parents to America in her child- 
hood. Mr. and J\L-s. D. had one child, Mary M. , who died Feb. 5, IN7('>, while at school in 
Mom'oe, Mich. , aged nineteen years. 

MYRON E. DEWING (deceased), sou of Dexter and Demia (Weaver) Dewing, was born 
in Chautauqua Co., N. Y. , March 1^7, 1!S32, and came with his parents to \Viseonsin in the fall 
of LS48, when the family located iu Elkhorn. When about one year old, he escaped from the 
room in which his mother supposed he was safely confined, and, walking up to a .smouldering 
hea]) of chips iu the wootlyard, ])itched forward, striking Isoth hands squarely in the burning 
embers. After long and almost ho]ieless illness, he recovered, but with the total loss of both 
hands. This cruel accident, in a great measure, disqualified him for the ])erformanee of man- 
ual and mechanical laltor, although he was able to do almost anything that could be done with 
hands. His attention was early given to liooks. He acquired a good educatiun, and was ever 
a close student and great reader. In early manhood, he taught school a ft^w yeai's: and, iu 
IN.")!;, he was elected Coiinty Clerk (then styled Clerk of the Board of 8u])ervisors) of "\\'alworth 
County, holding that office by successive re-elections until his death, March 2(3, 1874. He 
gi'eatly enjoyed books, and was ac(piainted with standard literature of all ages. He had perhaps 
the most valuable and extensive private library in the county. Politically, he was a Republican. 
He WHS not a member of any religious society: but he admired, attended and supported the 
Protestant Episcopal Church. He was a man of tine intellect, high culture, genial maimer and 
perfect integrity. He died at the age of 4.!, of inflammation of the lungs, mourned by all who 
knew him. 

GEORGE GALE« (deceased) was born in Burlington, Vt., Nov. 80, bSlfi, of Revolutionary 
and PiU'itan ancestors. In 1S8U, after he had obtained a fair education, lie commenced reading 
law, and was admitted to the bar in 1S41. Locating in Elkhorn during the same year, he prac- 
ticed his profession, edited the Wratcrti Star and engaged in various literary undertakings. 
After serving in the second constittitional convention, he served as District Attorney and State 
Senator. In 1844, Mr. Gale marri(>d !Miss Gertrude Young; in 1851, he removed to La Crosse, 
where he acted as County and Circuit Judge for twelve years: he had, iu the meantime, piu'- 
chased the present site of Galesville, organized Trempealeau County, founded and endowed the 
Galosville University, and settled upon his farm. The last years of his life were spent in the 
South in quest of health. Ho died in A))ril, ISOS. 

J. W. GAYLORD, of the Imn of Gaylord & Son, wagon and carriage makers and black- 
smiths; business established in 1851. Mr. Gaylord was born in Shalersville, Portage Co., 
Ohio, Se])t. 8, 1824; is the .son of Josiah and Cynthia (Bigelow) Gaylord. He learned the car- 
I'iago-maker's trade with N. D. CL'U'k & Co., Ravana, Ohio, commencing when 17 years of age; 
served till 21 years old, then worked as a journeyman till 1849, when he came to Elkhorn, Wal- 
worth Co., Wis., where he worked at his trade two years, and then started in business for him- 
self. About I860, he sold out and engaged in farming in the town of La Fayette, still retain- 
ing his resi<lence in Elkhorn: in September, 1862, he enlisted in the 12th Wis. V. I. as a 
MUisiciau, and served ten months; was mustered out and returned home; in Se])tember, 1864, he 
re-enlisted in the Quartermaster Department, at Nashville. Tenn., and serveil till the close of 
the war. On his retiu'n from the South, he went to Racine, where he was in the em])loy of 
Mitchell, Lewis & Co. two and a half years. In June, 1867, he returned to Elkhorn, and re- 
smu(>d business for himself, which he has continued to this date. In July, 1881, his son 
Charl(!S was admitted as a p.artner. This firm does (piite an extensive business, having several 
shops and storerooms for all the dillerent iiranches of their business. Mr. Craylord was mar 
rie(i at Shalersville, Ohio. Jlarcth 8, 1847, to Miss Nancy O. Coe, daughter of Curtis P. Coe. 
Mrs. Gaylord was born at Shalersville, Ohio; they had foiu- childr(>n, of whom all ar(> living 
exce])t one -Ajuy, Charles. C!harles C. and Lily; the first Charles died when.") years of age: 
the second is married to Lillian Garfield, and in business with his father as i;iv(>n above. 



504 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

JUDGE PETER GOLDEE, County Judge of Walworth County, Wis.; was born in 
Dutchess Co., N. Y., July 5, 1819; is the son of Peter and Deborah Golder; he received a com- 
mon-school education and came to Elkhorn in 1842; commenced the study of law in 1849 with 
Judfe Wyman Sjioouer; was admitted to the bar in 18r)2. in the Circuit Court of Walworth 
County: he was elected Justice of the Peace in the spring of 1S49; was re-elected and served 
four years; in April, 1857. he was elected County Judge of \\'ahvorth County; on a vacancy oc- 
curring a few weeks later in the office, he was appointed to fill said vacancy. Jan. 1, 1858, he 
entered upon the regular tenn to which he had been elected. He has been re-elected each term 
up tu 1881, having held the office for twenty-live consecutive years, and now entering upon an 
additional term to which he was elected in the spring of 1881. The Judge has served a greater 
nirmlaer of years in the office of County Judge than any other man in the State. In the dis- 
charge of the duties of the office, he has proven himself so efficient and reliable that he has won 
the universal confidence and respect of the yieople of the county. 

OSBOKN HAND, retired farmer: P. O. Elkhorn; sou of Lemuel and Lydia Doubleday 
Hand; was born in New Lebanon, Columbia Co..N. Y.. Aug. 27, 1810; he received a common- 
school education, learned the trade of carpenter and joiner: was engaged in teaching and work- 
ing at his trade until 24 years of age, when he man-ied, Nov. (>, 1834, in his native town, to 
Miss Maria Cowles, daughter of Moses Cowles. Mrs. Hand was born in New Lebanon, N. Y. 
Mr. H. and wife*' made their home in Otsego, N. Y., where they lived seven years. In the 
spring of 1842, they moved to the town of Geneva. Walworth Co., W' is. : here Mr. H. bought 
a half section of land, 32() acres, 100 of which he holds at this date. He was engaged in farm- 
ing imtil 1871. when he retired to the village of Elkhorn. Mr. H. sold a large i)art of his 
land at an early day. and has, by judiciously loaning his money, accumulated a small fortune; 
his family consists of his wife and six children — Laroy S.. the eldest, married Miss Anna West; 
he is a Congregational minister, and living near St. Louis, Mo.: George C. was a member of 
Company A, 36th Wis. V. I. ; was a gradirate of Wheaton College, 111. : died in Salisbury 
Prison; was 24 years old: Birney married Ada Richard, and is a j)riuter of Chicago; Charles 
O. maiTied Emma Durland, and resides in Sugar Creek, "Walworth Co. ; Pamela A. is a teacher 
of Chicago; Lydia resides at home; Eva is a student of Wheaton College; two children died 
in infancy. Mr. H. has served as Chairman of the town of Geneva one term and Town Super- 
intendent of Schools at Elkhorn several tenus. 

JOHN HARE, proprietor of Elkhorn Livery and Sale Stable, and dealer in all kinds of 
farm machinery, Elkhorn ; business was established in the fall of 1868; he was bom in 
Lincolnshire, EJagland, Feb. 15, 1837; he is the sou of Clement and Fannie Hare; he came to 
America in 1852 with his father; his mother died in England. He located on a farm in the 
town of La Fayette, Walworth Co., Wis. ; he was engaged in farming up to the time of starting 
in his present business in 1868; he was married, in Elkhorn. March 29, 1859, to Mrs. Clara A. 
Christian, daughter of S. G. and Rebecca W^est. "Mrs. C. was born in the State of New York, 
Chenant'o Co. She had three children by her former marriage, all of whom she has lost since 
her second marriage; their names were Charles E., Clara A. and Florence I. Christian; they 
died at the ages of" -Charles, 16; Clarence, 19; Florence, 7; seven ehikh-en have been born of 
the present mairiage; four of those ai-e dead; they died at the ages of —Everett, 3 ; Milo, 4; 
Walter, 2; Myra, 3; those living at the present time are John AV'est, Dora Bell and Mabel May 
Hare. Mi-. Hare was appointed Deputy Sheriff in ISSl: has served as a member of the Town 
Board of Supervisors one term, and two years as Street Commissioner of Elkhorn. 

R. D. HARRIMAN, of the firm of Harriman & Fairchild, i>roprietors of meat market, 
and dealers in live stock, Elkhorn. successors to Han-iman .t Latham, who established the busi- 
ness in February, 1876, and continued it until 1881, when Mr. Latham sold out to Mr. G. W. 
Fairchild; the firm does a general butcher and live stock business. Mi-. Harriman was born 
at Toledo, Ohio, Feb. 25, 1841; is the son of Mai-y and Dudley Harriman; in 1842, he cami> 
with his parents to Wisconsin. The family located in the town of Summit. Milwaukee Co., 
where they resided until 1848, when they moved to the town of Geneva, near Elkhorn Village: 
in 1858, they moved to the town of La Fayette, where the father still resides. R. D. was 
brought up a farmer, and followed that business until 1876, when he moved to Elkhorn and en- 
o-ao-ed in his nresent avocation. He was married, at Elkhorn. March 31. 1864. to Miss Phebe 



IIISTOHY OK WAI.WOiri'II CorXTY 



507 



Yiiufrhn. diuighU'i- of Sanmcl V. \;m^'hn: Mrs. H. was burn in the towu of Spring I'rairie; 
thev have one daughter named Kispah May. 

" JOHN \V. ILVYIOS. station agent of" the Chicago. Milwaukee & St. Paul Kailroaii. Klk 
horu: has held this position since April 1. 180u, and has been an employe of the road under its 
different managements twenty years, nineteen of which he has been station agent without losing 
a day's time. He was born in Center Co., Penn., Sept. 30, 1833; is the son of J. V\'. and 
Isabella Hayes; in 185S, he moved to Stephenson Co., 111., and, in 1861, entered the employ of 
the Raciu(> "it Mississippi Railroad; in 1862, he was apiwinted station agent of Dakota Station, 
TU.. and continued in that position until I860, when he was assigned to Elkhorn Station, and 
has been on duty continually to this date - 1881. He was marrit^d. May 19, 1863. at Des 
Moines, Iowa, to "Miss Sarah E. Fleming, daughter of Henry Fleming. Mrs. H. was born in 
Mifflin Co., Penn; they have three children Harry E., Carrie B. and Charles F. Mr. Hayes 
is one of the present Su])ervisors of Elkhorn. 

DR. S. W. HENDEllSON (deceased), was born in Willoughby, Ohio, Dec. li. 181 i; was 
the son of Joliii Henderson. M. D. The subject of this sketch began the stuily of medicine 
with his father. He subsecpiently attended a regular com-se of lectm-es in the Cleveland Medical 
College, from which he graduated and received his diploma. He also attended lectures at the 
Willoughby Medical CoUege. and was awarded a diploma. He established an extensive jirac- 
tico in Herkimer Co., X. Y. He was married, Jan. 11, 1845, to Miss llebecca Hicks, daughter 
of Nathan Hicks. They had si.\ sous, four of whom are living — John H. . Edward (i.. A. 
Eugene and Samuel W. Dr. Henderson subsequently establishtid a lucrative practice in Ohio, 
at or near Mentor, as a partner of Dr. Seeley. In 18*47, he emigrated to Wisconsin, and estab- 
lished a large practice in "Walworth County", having his home in Elkhorn. His death occurred 
May 6, 1857. His son. John H. . was a soldier of the late war, serving two years as a member 
of 1st ^Visconsin HeavT Artillery. 

ELIAS HICKS, farmer: P. O. Elkhorn; settled in Walworth County September, 1836; 
was born in Bristol Co.. Mass.. June 2, 18(H); is the son of Nathaniel Hicks. Was man-ied, in 
1822, to Eliza AVetherspoou: moved to Ontario Co., N. Y., in 1824; came to Walworth Co., 
Wis., on foot, and made his claim in Spring Prairie; arrived there Si^ptember, 1836; moved his 
family in July, 1837, arriving on the 3d; found his claim '• jumpe.l," made another, and lived 
on his farm "until 1865, when he moved to Elkhorn and bought anotlier farm, which he also 
sold; now lives in the village. Had a family of eight children -three sons and five girls. Mr. 
Hicks has probably endm-ed as many hai'dsliips as usually falls to the lot of any pioneer, and 
tells many interesting accounts of the same. 

WILLIAM HOLLINSHEAD, farmer. Sec. 3, Delavan; P. O. Elkhorn; has 420 acres of 
land; settled in the county June 20, 1837, on the farm which he now occupies. He was born 
near Stroudsburg. Northami)tou Co.. now Monroe, Penn., Sepit. 3, 1806; is the son of James 
and Sarah Hollinshead; was In-ought uj) a farmer and came to Wisconsin in 1837, early in July; 
locat(>d on Government land on Sec. 3, town of Delavan; went East in 1842. and was married 
in Slroudsliurg, Penn., June 20 of that year, to Miss Caroline, daughter of James and Deljorah 
Burson; Mrs. H. is a native of Stroudsbm-g; they have one daughter Elizabeth, now Mrs. 
Herman A. Briggs, residing at her old home. Mr. H. has held various town oflic(!s in th(> town 
of Delavan, and a leader in advancing the agricultvu-al interests of the county; in 1880, he 
retired from active farm business, having turned the farm over to his son- in law, Mr. Briggs. 
Though not an aspirant for imblic office, Mr. H. h*ds always been influential in local matters, 
and, by his intelligenc(< and purity of charact(>r, has commanded the respect and confidence of 
his fellow-citizens. 

B. B. HUMPHREY, pr()|)ri(^tor of abstract of titles of Walworth County. Thejirst ab- 
stracts of this county were made by Mr. Henry Adkins, and ke|)t up by him until 18 lO, when 
he sold out to Mr. C. A.. Noyce, who continued the work till October, 1S73, when the business 
was ])iu-chased by the ])resent i)roi)riotor, who has continued it to this <late. making his a com- 
plete abstract of titles of Walworth County. Mr. B. B. Humphrey w:is born in I'ortage Co., 
Ohio, Nov. 23, 1824; is the son of Hiram and Mary (Blodgett) Hum])brey: wheu 4 years old, 
h(> went with his parents to Lucas Co., Ohio, where he continued to reside until 1840, when he 
came to the town of La Favette. Walworth Co., Wis., and settled on St^c. i>. l)uying a claim of 



508 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

Morris Kain, covering the west one-half of the west one-half of Sec. 6. Mr. Kain had made 
his claim in 1837. Mr. H. resided on this place till Jan. 1, 1859, when, having, been elected 
Reo-ister of Deeds, he removed to Elkhorn; was re-elected and served four years. In 1863, he 
moved to East Troy, Wis., and engaged in milling; continued that business about one and a 
half vears, when he sold out and moved to Elkliorn and started in the mercantile business, which 
he continued from 1805 to 1873: he then bought the abstract of titles of Mr. C. A. Noyce, 
which business he has continued to this date. Mr. Hiunphrey was married in the town of 
Sugar Creek, Walworth Co., to Miss Juliet Smith; two children were born to them, the eldest, 
Jennie L., now the wife of C. A. Noyce, Postmaster of Geneva; Louis B. married Nettie Crane, 
and lives at Minneapolis, Minn. RIi-s. Humphrey (the mother) died in the autumn of 1863. 
Mr. H. was married to his second wife. Miss Mary J. Walling, in Champaign Co., 111., in 1865; 
two children were born of this marriage, named Hattie and David. Mrs. H. died in February, 
1871. Mr. Humphrey was married again Nov. 26, 1873, to Mrs. Frances L. Rockwell; uo 
children were born of the latter man'iage. Mi-s. Humphrey died Feb. 20, 1877. Mr. H. 
was United States Internal Revenue Assessor from 1870 to 1873 inclusive; he has also held 
some of the minor local offices. 

GIDEON C. HUNTRESS, harness maker and dealer in harness and saddles. Mr. H. is 
a native of Vermont; is the son of Gideon Huntress; was born Se23tember 3, 1844; went to 
A\'isconsin with his parents in 1852; went to Johnstown and stayed one year, and then went to 
Green County, and stayed two years; then went back to Johnstown and stayed two years ; then 
went to Tm-tle Prairie and stayed two years; from there, he went to the town of Darien, Wal- 
worth Co., where he resided until 1859, when he went to Elkhorn, one year; from there, he 
retm-ned to Darien, and, April 1, 18()1, began learning the harness-maker's trade; served his 
api)renticeship with Noah Dudley, three years, then went to Elkhorn again, and, in 1865. 
opened a harness-shop; was engaged in business off and on for several years; since 1875, he 
has carried on his ])resent shop, in which he does a general harness Imsiness. 

JACOB KETCHPAW, of the firm of Ketchi)aw & Son, dealers in iish and salt meats, Elk- 
horn. Mr. K. has 200 acres 'in the town of Sugar Creek and 40 acres in the town of La Fayette. 
Mr. K. settled in Walworth County October. 1844. He was born in Canada March 27, 1820; is 
the son of Jacob and Eleanor Ketchpaw. In 1837, he came to the United States and resided 
in La Porte Co., Ind., till 1840. He then moved to Burlington, Racine Co., Wis.; here he en- 
gaged in the brick business till 1844, when he removed to the town of Sugar Creek, Walworth 
Co.; was engaged in farming in that town until 1806, when he moved to the village of Elkhorn, 
having rented his farm out: while a resident of Sugar Creek he served one term as a member 
of the town board. Since residing in Elkhorn. he has been running a harness-shop and meat 
market; started his present shop in the winter of 1880. He was married, at Rochester, Wis., 
April 22, 1843, to Miss Abigail S. Baker, daughter of Eben Baker. Mrs. K. was born in the 
town of Richmond, Ontario Co.. N. Y. ; they have six children — Morille W., is married to Miss 
Han'iet Lee and residing at Freeport, 111.; Morillo was a member of Company D, 20fch W. V. 
I., and served three years in the late war; Anna M., now Mrs. Warren Thomas, of Elkhorn; 
Grove A., married Josephine Comstock; Abbie A., now Mrs. Andrew McDonald, of Chicago; 
McU'.shall B., married Miss Louisa Verney, and living in Chicago: Byron F., man-ied Ella 
Roach: he is junior partner of J. Ketchpaw. 

HOLLIS L.iTHAM, Sujierintendent of the Poor of Walworth County; was born in the 
town of Northtield, Washington Co., Vt., March 2, 1812; is the son of James and Polly Rob- 
inson Latham: the parents were of New England origin. The sitbject of this sketch was edu- 
cated in the common schools of his native town. In 1836, he came to Wisconsin, arriving in 
Milwaukee July 10; in December following, he went to Spring Prairie and engaged with Dr. A. 
Hemenway: while there, in February, 1837, he joined a prospecting party, and first came to the 
place, now Elkhorn Feb. 13, 1837. and returned to Spring Prairie on the 27th of the same month and 
located on his land on the northeast quarter of Sec. 6, Town 2, Range 17; since his residence at 
Elkhorn, he has been engaged in farming and official business: he was appointed Justice of 
the Peace of Walworth County by Gof. Dodge, and was afterward elected to the same office, 
and re-elected each term till 1877, with a few exceptions, serving in all about twenty years; he 
was elected a delegate to the constitutional convention of 1847-48, which framed the present 



II1>T()RV OF WAJ. WORTH COUXTV. 509 

State constilutidu; was oloctod, and served ten or more years as Clerk of t}ie ]joard of Comity 
Coniiiiissiouers of Walworth Coniity: served as Couuty Treasurer from \H'>\ to 18r)3: about 
lSr)(). lie was apjjoiiited one of the Board of Trustees of th(> Institute for the Deaf and Dumh, at 
Deliivan. and has held that otiice twenty-four years, or until the office was aluilished by aet of 
Lejj;islatm-e; in lS(j'2, he served as in(>mber of the Assembly in the Le<fislature from A\'ahvoi-th 
County: he has also held several local minor offices; was Secretary of the Walworth County 
Aericultm-al Society twelve years, and was elected Treasurer of said society in 1S71 ; has held 
tliat office continuously to this date; he was elected Superintendent of the Poor of Walworth 
County in 185'), and was re-el(H'ted each term to this writing - a ])eriod of twenty-seven years. 
Mr. Liitham was married, in Elkhorn, in 1838. to Mrs. Lemira Lewis, daughter of Daniel E. 
Bradley. Mrs. L. was born in "S'ermont; they had two sons, the oldest, Le Grand, married 
Miss Adelia Vaughn, and is a stock dealer of Elkhorn: Edward M. married Miss De Jane Gray, 
and is engaged in the cari)enter trade at Elkhorn. Mi-. L. was one of the very first settlers of 
the place, he and Mr. Albert Ogden having come here together, and located claims at the 
geographical center of the county, now the county seat. wh(>re no other whiti^ men were living 
within sight of their situation. Feb. 27. 1837. 

L. G. L.^THAM. dealer in lumber. Darien ; is the son of Hollis and Lemira Latham; 
was born in Elkhorn Jan. 4. 183U: he was educated in Elkhorn school, and brought ui) a far- 
mer, which business he followed until 1876. when he engaged in the butchering business with 
Mr. E. D. Harriman. at Elldioru: he continued that business until May. 1881. when he sold 
out to Mr. G. W. Fail-child: gave his attention to the live stock trade until Jan. 1. 1882. when 
he removed to Darien and engaged in his present business. He was married. March 2('), 18(il. 
m the town of Spring Prairie, to Miss Cordelia B. Vaughn, daughter of Samuel C. Vaughu. 
Mrs. L. was born in Tecumseh. Mich. : they have two children — Hollis S. and Louisa I. 

JA^MES H. LAFDERDALE. dealer in groceries, crockery and ])rovisions. Elkhorn; busi- 
ness established in 1864; carried a stock of $2,000. He was born in Genesee Co., N. Y., April 
2. 1834; is the son of John and Jaunett (Hallenbeck) Lauderdale; came to Wisconsin in 1852. 
and located at Milwaukee, where he engaged in the grain business one year; he then moved to 
the town of La Grange. Walworth Co.. and purchased a flouring-mill. which he operated about 
twelve years. In 1864. he moved to Elkhorn and opened a grocery store, which business he 
has continued to the present time. He was married, in the town of I'almyra, Jetl'erson Co.. 
Wis.. Aug. 22. 1858. to Miss Zelia M. Gibson, daughter of Daniel Gibson. Mrs. L, was born 
in Vermont: they had one daughter- Jannett. who died when 20 years of age. and three sons 
who ai-e living, one son. George, who died when 1 yeai- old; those living ai-e Charles F.. Frederick 
E. aad William G. Mi-, L. has served sevei'al years as a member of the village board of Elkhorn. 

LYOX BROTHERS, dealers in groceries and crockery, provisions and farm )>roduce, 
Elkhoni : business established in the spring of 1865. and continued continuously to this date: 
they carry a .?4.000 stock. Wilson D. Lyon is a native of the town of Green. Chenango Co.. 
N. v.: is the son of David and Kosanna Lyon, and was born Jan. 9, 1832. The father was of 
New f^ngland birth and the mother of New- York. He came to Elkhorn in the fall of 1854. and 
was engaged one year in hotel business; next, clerked one year for Sibley. Buckley A: Mills: he 
was then appointed agent of the Elkhorn Station of the Racine & Mississi])])i l>ailway. now 
the Southwestern Division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St, Paul; he entered ui)on the duties 
of his position July. 1857, was in the (miploy of the comjiany eight years; he then established 
his present business. He was married, Sept. 15, 1858, in Elkhorn, to Miss Augusta ]5aker. 
daughter of Erastus Baker. Mrs. Lyon was born in Syracuse. N. Y, : they have <hr(u( children 
(JIariam F... Willie B, and Jessie A. Mr. L. is Treasurer of the Elkhorn Board of Trade. 
CH.\RLES LYON, gi-ocer, ot th(> linn of Lyon Bros., Elkhorn; was born in the town of 
Greene. Chenango Co.. N. Y.. Oct. 21. 1S34: is the son of David W. and Rosanna Lyon; 
in th<> s])ring of 1857. came to the villag(> of Elkhorn. and that summer engaged as As- 
sistant Cashier of the Exchang(> IJaiik of Rockwell <t Co., and continued in the emjiloy of 
the bank till 1867, Having )ireviously become interested with his brother. W. D.. in t hi' gro- 
cery business, he then joined him in the store, and has since devoted his attention to thai busi- 
ness. He was man-ied. at Elkhorn. Oct. 20. 186(5. to Miss Lavina Dewing, daughter of George 
Dewing. Mrs. L. was boru in Flkhorn: two children were born to them Tjeiia ]\I. and George 
D, All-. Lvon has served on(> vear as Town Clerk and two vears as Treasui-<>r of I'llkhorn. 



ftlO HISTOliY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

JOSEPH F. LYON: Elkhorn; business established in Elkborn in 1S75; he was liorn in 
Susquehanna Co.. Penn.. April '23. 182r); is the son of Isaac and Sally (Blodgett) Lyon; when 
19 years of age. in b8-14. he started from his home in Pennsylvania for Illinois, traveling the 
most of the way on foot. He reached Little Foot, now Waukegau; here he engaged in clerking, 
and soon after was the means of getting his father's family to move to the West. He remained 
at Little Foot until 1850. when he removed to Woodstock, 111. . where he engaged in the mercan- 
tile business until 18:)4; he then came to Walworth Co.. Wis., and made his home in the town 
of Darien: having previously studied law with Mr. Blodgett, of Waukegau, he continued his 
studies while engaged as a commercial traveler for a New York clothing house, a business which 
he had commenced in 1852, and which he pursued until 1855. He was appointed Postmaster 
at Woodstock, III. by President Fillmore, and served three years; he was also engaged at times 
in the practice of law in Justices' coiu'ts. He was married, at Beloit. July 20, 1854, to Arima- 
thea Jones, daughter of Truman Jones. The Jones family were among the pioneers of Darien 
of 1838. Mrs. L. was one of the early teachers of Walworth County. In the spring of 1859, 
Mr. L. went over with an ox-team to California, and returueil in the fall of 18(50; on his return 
to Darien. he resumed the study of law. and was admitted to the bar in 1864, in the Circuit 
Court of Walworth County: was a member of the Legislature of 1868; he continued his resi- 
dence in Darien and the practice of law until 1875, when he was appointed Clerk of the Court 
to fill vacancy: was jifterward elected to the same ofSce, which he held until Jan. 1. 1878; on 
his appointment to the office of Clerk of the Court, he moved to Elkhorn, and has continued to 
reside there to this date, in the practice of his profession. Mi-s. L. died at Darien Nov. <, 
1872, leaving three children —.i. "May, Vernette M. and Jay E. While a resident of Darien, 
Mr. L. served as Chaii-man of the town ten yeai-s: he has also served as Chairman of the County 
Board of Supervisors two years; was elected Justice of the Peace at Elkhorn in 1879, and is 
serving as the present Clerk of the Elkhorn Schools. Mr. L. was married.in the town of Lyons, of 
this county, Dec. 10, 1873, to Miss Amelia Dodge, daughter of Harriet and Leander Dodge. 
Mrs. L. was born in Darien in 1840. Her people were among the early settlers of that town, 

THOMAS M. MoHUGH (deceased) was a native of Ireland, born in November, 1822. He re- 
ceived a good academic education and commenced the study of law. His family located in Dela- 
van in 1844, and was admitted to the bar in Elkhorn January IS, 1S49. He served for several terms 
as Secretary' of the Territorial Council; afterward as Secretary of the Constitutional Convention 
and of the new State of Wisconsin. He also creditably filled the office of Deputy United States 
Attorney General, and was Chief Clerk of the Asseml)ly dm-ing 1S53 and 1854. Mi-. McHugh 
was brilliant, kind and modest, but his gi-eat activity wore upon his bodily strength, and the 
young man died in Florida in 1856, whither he had gone to regain his broken health. 

SAAR'EL MALLORY, retired farmer: P. O. Elkhorn. Mr. M. was born in the town of 
Sharon, Litchfield Co., Conn.. April 18, 1798; is the son of David and Sally Eldridge Mallory; 
when 11 years of age, he went to the town of Kent; worked on a farm two years with Lewis 
Root; was then apprenticed to Reuben H. Booth until 21 years of age; h(^ then went to Trum- 
bull, Fairfield Co.. Conn. ; worked at his trade one year; "then went 210 miles on foot, in Feb- 
ruary, 1820, before any railroads were talked of, to Homer, Cortland Co., N. Y.. about six years 
after the first settlers;" in the spring following, he went to Penn Yan, then Ontario Co., N. Y. ; 
worked one year; went back to Homer, and took a carding machine on shares; that yeai- he 
carded 17,000 pounds of wool; mai-ried his fii'st wife, who was a daughter of Dr. Hooper, in 
-August, 1823; in the spring of 1824, he moved to Lisle, Broome Co., N. Y. ; took his carding 
machine, and hired water-power; worked there one year and cleared over $300; the next spring, 
he bought a water privilege and erected a shop for carding and cloth tkessing: occupied these 
works For three years; sold out and bought water privilege and 10 acres of land, built a shop 
and saw-mill, put in nt'W machinery for carding, cloth dressing and a chair factory, which busi- 
ness he carried on till 183('): employed from ten to thirty men; the place is now called Mallory- 
ville. Everj-thing was prospering finely till Feb. 15. when the factory took fire and all was 
lost, with ten years' hard labor. In the meantime, he lost his wife, and, on May 2, 1829, mar- 
ried Miss Hai-t, daughter of Amos Hart; they had four daughters— Nancy J. is the wife of 
Henry Bradley, Postmaster of Elkhorn ; Ruth A. , now Mrs, Stanbmy Ogden, of Benton Harbor, 
Mich.; Almira is the wife of William A. Barlow, of Chicago; Betsey F. is the wife of Judge 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 511 

Holjert Harkiiess. of Salt Lake City. Mr. M. oniraf^ed in liotcl keeping, wliieli business be 
followed at various jilacos in the State of New York iintii Angvist. 1844, wbtni he moved to 
Wisconsin and located at Elkhorn, arriving here Oct. 10 of that year. Oct. 28, 1844, he bought 
out ]\Ii-. Bellows, the Center House, at that place: after keeping it two years, h(> went out of the 
business: returning after six months, he ran the house another two years. While keeping 
hotel, he had ])urchased a farm in the town of Elkhorn, on which he made a permanent home 
from \H'r2 to lS7f'), when he sold out and moved to the village. He was elected County Treas- 
luvr of Walworth County in 184"). and served one term: was re elected and served the term of 
ISoo and ISf)*). He was the originator of the plat of the Defendorf, Spencer A; iMallory Addition 
to the village? of Elkhorn, consisting of 170 acres. 70 of which were siirveyed and platted. 

^\'ILLI.\M H. MAYHEA\', teacher and cabinet-maker: was Ixn-n in the town of Troy, 
Walworth Co., Wis., July 14. 1844: is the son of John and Lucinda Allen Mayhew. Mr. M. 's 
friends were pioneers of Walworth County, having settled in the county in 18;?8. The subject- 
of this sketch enlisted in the late war in August. 1862, as a ]>rivate of Company I, 28th A\'. 
V. I, and served until May 80, 1 Mfi:5, when lie was discharged for physical disability; on his re- 
turn from the army, he engagtnl in farming in the town of Troy, devoting his wint(>rs to schot)l 
teachinof, bee-innint'- in the winter of 18()(i. He has taught in all to this date, eight terms. 
including one term of graded school at Troy. He was elected a member of the town board of 
Troy in 1869, and, in 1870, was elected Chairman and Reja-esentative of the County Board of 
Supervisors, and re-elected to the same position in 1879; he was man'ic d at Auburn, Ohio. 
Sept. 15, 1870, to Miss Anna L, Duttou, daughter of Chai-les O. Dutton. Mi-s. M. was born in 
.\uburn. Ohio; they had two chikken Charles D. and Etta M. : th(> latter died in childhood. 
Mr. M. lost his wife, who died Jan. 10. 1874; in August. 1875. he bought the Palmyra & Mil- 
waukee Stage Line, which he ran one year and then sold out; he then engaged us clerk in 
Austin's store, at East Troy, live months, and next, in the store of Mr. Schwantz, of Troy Cen 
ter, where he' remained two and a half years: in Januai-y. ISSj, he went into the furniture busi- 
ness at P]lkhorn, which business he followed until the July following, when h(> sold out. 

JOHN MATHESON. merchant tailor. Elkhorn; business established in September, 1844. 
and continued to the present day. embracing a period of thirty-seven years. Though two 
others did work in his line in the village prior to his advent, he is the first merchant tailor es- 
tablished in business here, and was the first to erect a sign. Mr. Matheson is a native of the 
Highlands of Scotland: he is the son of John and Jessie Matheson: was born in 1820; Mr. 
Matheson learned the tailor's trade in the city of Inverness, serving six and a half years; he then 
worked as a journeyman till 1840. when he emigrated to the United States: on his arrival in this 
coimtry. he worked at his trade for awhile in the city of Milwaukee as a journeyman, and tlii^n 
started in business for himself. In 1844, he moved to Elkhorn and established his present 
business. He was married, in Elkhorn, in 184'.), to Miss Lovetta Lee, daughter of the Rev. 
Luther Lee (Mrs. Matheson's people were of New England origin). They have thi-ee childi-en 
living -one waiting for them; Jessie is the wife of Charles W^escott, of Colorado; John and 
Louis S. are in Ai'izona engaged in mining; Benson died when K) years of age. 

JOHN MEIGS, dealer in stoves, hardware and tinware, Elkhorn: business was established 
in 1854: Mr. M. was born in Albany, N. Y., Dec. 28, 18U); is the son of Hannah M. and John 
Meigs, who were also natives of Albany. ^Mi-. M. learned the tinner's trade in Albany, and 
went to New Y'ork City in 1S4I, where he worked at his trade until 1847, when he came to Elk- 
horn, Wis. ; remained but a short time, when he went to Milwaukee, where he worked at his 
trade until 1854, when he retiu'ned to Elkhorn and opimed a hardware and tin store. In 1S()2, 
he clo.sed out his stock, and went We.st: he spent between two and three y(?ars in \ irginia City, 
Nev., working <it his trade; then went to California, in 1804, and tli(> same year return(>d to 
Elkhorn, and again commenced business in thi? former lino, which he has continued to this 
date; he can'ios a stock of $52,500. He was married, at Chardon, Ohio, in 1853, to Miss Ellen 
Corbin. Mi-s. M. was born in Chardon; tli(?y have one daughter .\lice. 

THOMAS W. MOREFIELD, proprietor of bakery and restaurant and dealer in fancy 
groceries, gloves, mittens, notions, Elkhorn: business established in August, 1870; car- 
rios a full stock. Mr. M. is the son of Thomas and Hannah AForelield; was born in Wal 
worth Co., Wis., March IN. 1849; his father is a native of England, and the mother of 



512 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

Nova Ssotia, Thaj emigrated to Walworth Ooiinty in 1848; the family remained only two 
years in the town of Walworth, and then moved to the town of Linn, where the father still re- 
sides, the mother having died in 1808. When the subject of this sketch was only 14 years of age 
he enlisted as a private in Company F. 40th W. V. I. for 100 days; at the expiration of that time 
he soon afterward re-enlisted in the 1st Wis. Heavy Artillery, and served until the close of the war: 
in 18(54, he mot with an accident which caused a permanent injury of the left side; he was con- 
fined to the general hospital at Memphis. Tenn. . six weeks. While at Ft. Elsworth. Va. . he re- 
ceived an iujui'v in the left eye. which caused his removal to the hospital at Ft. Lyons, where 
he submitted to an operation which only partially relieved the ditiicalty. His injuries were 
such at that time which finds him permanently injured as to his left side, and with a shattered 
constitution, to constantly remind him of his youthful patriotism. For some years after his re- 
turn from the army, he was unfitted for active business. In 1870. having partially recovered, 
he came to Elkhorn aad commenced his present business. He was married. March 18, 1871. in 
Elkhorn, to Miss Grenora ^^'ales, daughter of Frederick Wales. Mrs. Morefield was born in 
Plymouth, Chenango Co.. N. Y. ; they have three children — Alice G.. Rose L. and Olive. 

WILLIAM H. MORRISON. Register of Deeds of Walworth Co.. Wis.; was born in 
Oneida Co., N. Y., near Utica, July I'J, 1837; is the son of John and Rachel Morrison; his 
parents were natives of Scotland, and emigi'ated to the United States, in early youth; when 
twelve years nf age, young Morrison moved to Troy, Walworth Co.. Wis., in 1849. He began his 
education in the common schools and ended in Milton College. Wis., under Prof. W. C. Whit- 
ford. On the completion of his studies, he engaged in farming in the town of Troy; he was 
elected Register of Deeds of W^alworth County in the fall of 1878 for the term of 1879-80; re- 
elected in 1880; elected Secretary of Walworth County Agricultural Association Jan. 9. 1878. 
and re-elected four times since, being ihe jjresent incumbent. Mr. M. has proven one of the 
most efficient Secretaries the association has ever had; his skill and ingenuity in advertising the 
annual fairs, the general fairness and increasing diligence displayed in the discharge of the duties 
of the office, has j^laoed Mr. M. among the leading executive officers of agricultm-al associations 
of the State. He was married, in the town of La Grange, of this county. Sept. 24, 1862, to 
Miss .Julia M. V. Heath, daughter of Charles Heath. Mrs. M. was born in Walworth County; 
her family was one of the jiioneer families of Troy; they have two childi'en — J. Howard, aged 
16, and Birdie M. E. H., aged 10. Mr. M. has one of the largest and finest farms in the county. 
It consists of 480 acres, situated in the town of Troy, on Sees. 8, 9 and 28. Since his election 
to the office of Register of Deeds, he has made his home in Elkhorn. 

NORRIS & SON, dealers in hardware, stoves and tinware, Elkhorn; business established 
in 1867.» John A. Norris. senior partner of the above firm, was born in England and came to 
America when fifteen years of age; made his home in Caynga Co., N. Y., for a short time, and 
then moved to Summit Co., Ohio. From there, he came to Walworth Co.. Wis., in 1847, where 
he engaged in farming, which business he continued twenty years; in 1867, he moved to the 
village of Elkhorn. and the following year. 1868, he began business in the hardware line, and 
has continued it to this date. Mr. Norris was married, in Ohio, in 1846, to Miss Julia M. 
Richardson, daughter of Daniel Richardson. Mrs. Norris was born in Connecticut: they have 
five childi'en — John E., William R.. Harley C. (married Miss Alice W. Allen, and is the junior 
partner of this firm), Daniel and Elizabeth (who is the wife of George Spoor, uf Bmliugton. 
Racine Co. ). 

HARLEY' C. NORRIS. junior partner of the firjii of Norris & Son. was born in the tov?n 
of Sugar Creek, Walworth Co., Wis.. Feb. 11. 1X54; is the son of John A. and -Julia (Richard- 
son) Norris; he was educated in the common schools of Elkhorn. and clerked for his father till 
March, 18S0, when he was admitted as a partner in the hardware business. He was married. 
June 10. 1879. in Elkhorn. to Miss Alice W. Allen, daughter of Lucius Allen. IVIi-s. Norris was 
born in Troy. \Vis. : they have one son — Edwin L. 

ALBERT OGDEN. retired farmer; P. O. Elkhorn; he was born in the town of W^alton. 
Delaware Co., N. Y.. Feb. 1, 1X15; is the son of Zenas and Julia Marsh Ogdeu: he received a 
common school education in his native town, and, in 1836, moved to Wisconsin, remaining ;it 
Milwaukee until February, 1837, when he came to Walworth County, and, in company with 
Ml'. Hollis Latham, located at the geographical center of the county, now the site of the village 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 513 

of Klkhorn. The exact dato of tlio sottlement of tliese frontlemim was Febru;u-y ~7, 1S37, this 
fact is of poculiar intorost from tlu> fact that they wcsre (he lirst white men to locate at this 
point (see history of Elkhorn). Mr. Of^deu made a claim of the northwest (juarter of Sec. L, 
Town 2. Range 10, and the soiithwest (piarter of Sec. 36, Town 3, Range K), making 320 acres. 
He snbseiinently took np the east one-half of the southwest quarter of Sec. 1, 80 acres, and 80 
acres in Geneva, ilr. (). was ai)])ointed Deputy Sherift' under Sheriff \Valling, who was the 
Ih'st Sheriff of the county. Mr. O. w-as mai'ried, in the town of Delavan. Sept. 7, 1843, to Miss 
Charlotte. <laughter of Peter Boyce. Mrs. (). only survived about a year, her death occurring 
July 2u, 1S44. Mr. O. was married, at Elkhorn^ Ajiril 2'.). 1847, to Miss Enma O. Watkins. 
daughter of Miner Watkins. He was born in Vermont and has always followed farming as his 
business since he came to Elkhoi'n. Though public-spirited and liberal. Mr. t). has never sought 
positions in public life, preferring to devote his attention to his farming interests. He has 
been gratified by seeing the county seat established on the site he and a few others selected for 
it when there was not a white man's habitation in view. His farmhouse now is situated in the 
suburbs of the village, where he has 30 acres of land and 40 in Delavan. 

M. T. PARK, editor and iiro[)rietor of the Wahvortli Coiinti/ Iiidt-jwiKlci// an<l Assistant 
Secretary of State: he is the son of Benjamin and Sarah Park; was bom in New London, Huron 
Co., Ohio, July 25, 1841; came to Wisconsin in 1847. when six years old. with his parents, 
who located in the town of Turtle, Rock Co. He was educated at jMilton College and adopti_^d 
the vocation of teacher, commencing in Rock County in 1800. He taught country and village 
schools six years: fi-om there, he went to Racine to acce])t the position of Principal of the 2d 
District School of the city, which he conducted for eight years. He proved one of the most 
successful and popular teachers of Racine — a city noted for its superior schools and able teach- 
ers; he left Racine to acce[)t the appointment of teacher in the State normal schools atOshkosh, 
which position he held more than three years. During this time. Mr. Park fully maintained 
his position as one of the leading educational men of the State. In addition to his general ex- 
perience in teaching, he has served as President of the Wisconsin State Teachers" Association. 
from July, 1870. to the same month of 1877. January, 1879, he purchased the oftice of the 
W'dlirorlli CoKiifi/ Indpjwmienf of Elkhorn, and assumed its general management, editorially 
and otherwise. The investment proved a good one, as under Mr. Park's able management, the 
business of the office and circulation of the paper have been largely increased; he accejited the 
apiiointment of Assistant Secretary of the State, ;ind entered upon the duties of the office Jan. 
2. 1882. He was married, at Clinton, Rock Co., Wis., Sept. 20, 1801, to Miss Mary E. Ham- 
mond, daughter of D. P. Hammond. Mrs. Park was born in Seottsville, Monroe Co., N. Y.; 
they have three children — E. Maud, Charles M. and Maurice H. 

OTIS PRESTON, is a native of Lanesboro. Berkshire Co., Mass., where he was born May 
13, 1813; at the age of throve years, be removed with his pai-ents to Lenox, Mass., where he lived 
until 7 years of age; at that age, he removed to Ashley Falls, in Berkshire Co., where he lived 
with his i)ai'ents until 13 yeai's of age; his parents were poor, and he had. up to this time, 
scarcely any (>ducational advantages except th(! home precepts and the influence of a most ex- 
cellent mother, and nine years, when most chikken are at school, he was at work, helping in an 
e.vtremely small way to eke out his own small living. He worked at anything that he was tall 
enough to reach in and aboiit a carding and cloth-dressing establishment, a plasti^'-mill, saw- 
mill, gi'ist-mill and any jiliice where ji little fellow could earn a sixpence or ninejience; at the 
age of 13, he was apprenticed to a tailor, named French, in the town of Sheilield, where he 
served as a faithful l)ut uua])|)rociated drudge ;it his a.])prenti(^eship for threi^ years and one half, 
enduring the jiettj' tyranny, and oftentimes, abuse, which small-mindetl ;uid small-hearted men 
only can heap upon those whom the inscrutal)le ways of Providence sometiuii-s place in their 
po>ver. His master was a good workman, and as a partial com]>onsation for the ills he endm'ed. 
he managed to thoroughly leani his trade, and, having grown of sufticient stature to give physical 
emphasis to his desires for reform, he peremjttorily brought his termof ap])renticeship to a close 
by Hogging, in Oliver Twist style, some overbearing members of the family, and leaving his master's 
house; in short, he ran away; after one or two ineffectual attem])t.s to find employment in .shops of 
the neighboring towns, the friendless boy, after a frank confession of his exixn-ience with his late 
master, found a true fri(>nd and ;i just employer in Elijah Foster, of Great Harrington. Ma.^s. ?Ie 



514 HISTORY OF WALAVORTH COUNTS'. 

remained iu his emjiloy for four and one-half years, the last two years as foreman of the establish- 
ment which at that time was one of tho largest in that part of the State; duringr these years, he won 
not only the confidence and respect of his employer, but his warm regard : he was treated as one 
of the family of vvhich he was a member, in fact as well as iu name; there, encouraged, advised 
and instructed liv his friends, added during his leisure hoiu-s to the little of school education 
he had received; it would, to one having less natural ajititude and taste for learning, have been 
considered a small additi;)u indeed, but, sujiplemented as it was, by a vigorous and healthy in- 
telligence and rare powers of observation, it c.ime to serve him in such manner as might well 
put to shame the many paupered collegiates who ruthlessly waste the iwiceless opportunities 
that were denied him; he learned the rudiments of mathematics, became well read in the cm-rent 
literatm-e of the times, acquired an excellent and ready command of his native tongue; through 
the study of a dictionary, which was his constant companion, he became a ready and fluent 
speaker and debater thi-ough that l.iest of all controversial schools, a New England debatino- club, 
which was established in the village whei-e he worked. At the age of 21, he left the scenes -of 
his youthful struggles, and sought his fortune in the great West: his capital consisted of health, 
hope, energy, a trade, the educatioii and wisdom learned in the school of jirivation and toil, 
and a sufficient amount of money to start on liis uncertain joiirney. His first settlement in the 
West was at White Pigeon, Mich., in 1834, where he commenced his active life of manhood; he 
began by opening a tailor shop and working diligently at his trade; in two years, he had added 
to his shop a merchant tailor's store, and. in eight years, was engaged in a large and thriving 
mercantile business, having a large store and doing a leading business in the town. He became 
a leading man of affairs in the home of his adoption, and. in 1841, was elected by his constitu- 
ents as a member of the Michigan Assembly, and became an active politician, taking a prominent 
part in the political affairs of the State. In commcm with nearly all the pioneer merchants of 
the West, the uncertain and depressed times that followed tho crash of 1837. though not at 
first overwhelming, culminated, after years of struggle, in reverses that determined him to seek 
another fortune in the far West. He came to Wisconsin in 1846, arriving iu Racine Oct. 28; 
he was unsuccessful in finding there a place to open business, and came on to Spring Prairie to 
visit his uncle. Hon. Herr Samuel Pratt, then residing at that place. This visit resulted in 
his opening a shoj) there and commencing business at his trade ; he remained there until 
1848, at which time he was elected Sherifl" of the county on the Free-Soil ticket, 
and he moved to Elkhorn. which has since been his home. At the close of his term 
of office, he again worki'd at his trade for a short time, then went into general mercantile 
business under the firm name of Preston & Hay. Subsequently. Hay retired, and Preston con- 
tinued alone for a time; the firm was next Preston & Pope; this firm did a leading business for 
some years; they built a warehouse and did a lai'ge grain and shipping business in connection 
with their store. This business was sold out to L. C, Merick, in 1858. Mr. Preston built a 
block of thi'ee stores, known as Gentralia Block; it was bmrned in 1809, entailing a lai'ge loss, as 
the building was but slightly insm-ed; his sou, Robert Clark Preston, suffered a large loss, 
losing most of his stock of goods, which was uninsured. The disaster by no means overcame 
the inherent energy of Mr. P. ; in two weeks, he had another store erected, which he christened 
the shanty, where, with the remnants saved from the vicissitudes of luisiuess and the loss by 
fire, he again started in business. Both he and his son Clark have made the shanty their busi- 
ness headijuarters from the time of its erection to the jiresent. Mr, P,, since his residence in 
Elkhorn, has been the energetic friend and stanch defender of his town; his energy and enter- 
jirise were consj^icuous at every stage of its growth; in the securing of the first railroad con- 
nections, of the development of trade and in all ways his ingenuity could devise, or his energy 
execute, his labors were unceasing. He published at different times the Conservator and the 
Live Man. both devoted to the interests of the town; he has served as Chairman of the Board 
of Sujiervisors several years, and as President of the Walworth County Agricultural Society, as 
appears in the sketch of that society. He has always been a prominent politician, and for many 
years was an active member of the Walworth Ccninty Democracy. His oratorical powers have 
been no small factor in his influence as a public s]ieaker. He has taken rank with the best in 
the county; his eulogies before the Old Settlers' Society, on the death of Hon, Wyman Spooner 
and Hon. Samuel Pratt, are remembered as models of that style of oratory. Mr, P, was mar- 



rilSTOHY OF WALWOKTII COUNTY. 015 

rieil. May IS. 1S;5(>, to Miss .Julia X. Corbin, of Wliito Piuoon. Mioh.; tlic cliildnm were Of 
ville Marshell. born July 30. 1S37: iliod at Elkliin-ii Oct. T); Louise, now Mrs. Hem-y (,'ouriiis, 
boni Oct. 2(3, 1840, livini? iu Eau Claire, Wis.: Robert Clark, born March 13, 1S43, now in the 
ein|)loy of his father at Elkhorn. Mr. P. lias, in a measure, withdrawn from partici])ation 
in i)ul)lic affairs, but carries sturdily and liirhtly the weight of increasing years; he still carries 
ou an extensive business at the slianty, which has become a household word throughout the 
couutv. 

LE GRAND ROCKWELL (deceased) was l)orn in P.utteruuts, Ots(^go Co., N. Y., March, 
ISl'i: was the son of Ai-ds and Betsey (Shaw) Rockwell; he moved to Bainl)ridge, Chenango 
Co., N. Y., where lie was engaged in mercautile business; he cam(> to Wisconsin in th(> fall of 
188(1, and remained in Milwaukee till Feltruaiy, 1837. when he came to Walworth County, and. 
in ('ompany with Mollis Latham and Albei-t Ogden. he selected and laid out the plat of Elkhorn 
Village, with a view of making it the county seat, which result was subse(inently accomjjlished. 
Being a man of superior ability, energetic and enteriirising, he was at once recognized as a 
leading spirit in the little colony of Elkhorn. He was appointed the first Postmaster, first Reg- 
ister of Deeds and Clerk of the Court. The duties of these several offices were discharged with 
fidelity and ability. He was the first to organize a banking house in the village, and was sul)- 
8e(piontly engaged in the business during his life time: in conducting this branch of Vmsiness, 
he was an exception to the rule, and often accommodated needy and irresponsible ])eople, tnist- 
ing to their sense of honor for security rather than refuse them on accohnt of inability to furnish 
the customary indorsement or security. It is said of him that he was very seldom a loser by 
misplaced confidence. Of all public enterprises of merit, he was a powerful champion: his 
liberal efforts in behalf of the liest interests of Elldioru are fresh iu the memory of his old 
neighbors and friends. His generous nature, the ])urity of his public and }irivate life com- 
manded the respect and esteem of all who knew bim. In the family circle, he was a kind and 
loving husband and an affectionate and considerate father. He was a member of the Protestant 
Episcopal Chm'ch, for which he labored earnestly, faithfully and conscientiously- He was mar- 
ried, at Elkhorn., Aug. '12. 1844, to Miss Frances A. Hickox: four children were born to them 
-John C, Edward H-, Ella L. and Le Grand; the eldest, Joh.. C, died April 2'2, ]8()7; the 
daughter, Ella L., is the wife of Oliver W. Shepard; the loss of his son and financial troubles, 
growing out of the robbery of his bank, preyed upon the mind of Mr. R., undermining his health 
until his death, which occiUTed at his home iu Elkhorn, Dee. 23, 1809. In his di^ath, Walworth 
Countv lost one of its most influential and respected citizens. 

Al'GUSTUS SMITH was born iu Chester. Mass.. Oct. 25. 1801; is the son of William and 
Sarah Smith; was married in Westfield in 1820, to Miss Alniira Stiles. Their children were 
William A. (Rutli H.. Sarah A., deceased); Sarah A., the second of that name, is now Mrs S. 
R. Edwards, of Sugar Creek (Mary A. M. . dec(>ased): Franklin H.. Oliver P. and Austin E. ; 
the two younger were born in Wisconsin. Mr. Smith and family emigrated to Troy, Wis., in 
October. 1838, where ho resided until July, 1854. when he removed to Beloit. M'is., where hestill 
resides. While a resident of Walworth (bounty, he held many local otfices: was one of the first. 
if not the first. President of the Walworth County Agricultural Society. H(> was an active 
member of the Congregational Chm'ch, and was much respected. 

HARLEY FLAVEL SMITH, oldest son of Richard and Sarah (White) Smith; was born 
in Towushend, AVindham Co., Vt., Sept. 28, 1808; he received his primary education in the 
common schools; was next a student in several classical and select schools: he jtrepared to enter 
Middh'bury College in an advanced grade in the Junior year at the Chest(n' Academy, Chester, 
AVindsor (3o., Vt.; from Chester, he removed to Saratoga Springs, N. Y.. wIku'c, Sept. 1, 1830, 
he entered the otfice of Thomas J. Marvin, attorney at hiw, as a student and clerk; at the close 
of 1831, he changed to the office of William L. F. Warren, of the same place. Mr. W. was at 
that time District .Vttorney of tli(» county of Saratoga, and Master and Examin(>r in Chancery, 
and had a wid(>r range of ]iractice than any other lawyer in the county. He remaiiu>d in the 
office of Warren until June. 1833. when he removed to the village of W^yoming, then in the 
county of Genesee, where he enterc'd upon the duties of teacher of the Latin and Greek lan- 
guages and mathematics, in a school in which the Rev. Josejih Elliott was Principal. In the 
spring of 1835, he removed to the village of Pike, then in All(>gany Co.. N. Y.. where he was 



516 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

encrapjed in a select school as a teacher, in the same branches as at Wyomiuo'; at the same time, 
he was piu'suing his studies and serving a clerkship in the law office of the Hon. Luther. C. Peck, 
then one of the leading lawyers of Western New York. He continued thus engaged until May, 
18;-58. when he was admitted as an attorney of the Supreme Coui't of the State of New York, at 
the May term of that court, held in the city of New York. In August, 1838, he removed to 
Castile, then in the coujity of Genesee, where he practiced his profession until the close of 
1848. At that time, in hope of regaining his impaired health, he came West; he remained in 
Chicago and vicinity for several months, and finalh' came to Wisconsin and located at Elkhorn 
May 13, 1850; he formed a law partuershi]) with H. S. Windsor, of that place. This con- 
nection was continued over a period of eighteen years, during which time the firm had a very 
resjiectable practice and was classed among the leading law firms of the county. Mr. !i. was ad- 
mitted to practice in the Walworth Circuit Court May 20, 1850, and in the Supreme Coiu't of 
Wisconsin June, 1851. At this writing, he has practiced over thirty years in the Supreme Court 
of the State. Mr. Smith, during his extensive practice in that coiu't, has argued many important 
cases successfully, and commands the respect and confidence of the court and bar. He is still 
in practice at Elkhorn, where his well-known ability and long experience in his ]n-ofession have 
established his reputation as one of the leading lawyers of his section of the State. On the 
15th day of September, 1833, he was married to Lydia Ann Nourse, of Rockingham, Windham 
Co., Vt., daughter of Daniel and Nancy Nourse. She was a young lady of estimable character, 
gooil education, and was born in Rockingham Dec. 4, 1809, and died at Elkhorn, Wis., May 
7, 1881 ; they. had one daughter — Nettie Smith, their only child, born in Pike, Allegany 
Co., N. Y., Se])t. 19, 1835, who, since her mother's death, has directed her father's household 
affairs. Mr. Smith's father, Richard Smith, was born in Townshend, Vt., May '26, 1782; was in 
early life a teacher, and possessed a high order of intellectual power. His father, David S., was 
born in Providence, R. I., in 17G1, and was a soldier of the Revolution under Washington at 
Valley Forge. Sarah White Smith, the mother of the subject of this sketch, was born in Towns- 
hend, Vt., Dec. 9, 1786; was a daughter of Edward White, of Attleboro, Mass., a descendant of 
the family of that name who came to America in the Mayflower. Her mother, Sarah Tom'telott 
White, was a deseemlant of a French Huguenot, named Tourtelott. who emigrated from Paris 
to Rhode Island in the early settlement of that State. 

HOWARD L. SMITH, Principal of the Elldiorn schools; commenced with the term begin- 
ning Sept. 26, 1881. The school consists of fom* departments, with a membership of 230 scholars; 
four assistant teachers are employed. Miss A. J. Dann is the high school assistant; Miss Jesse 
E. Wiswell is in charge of the grammar school; Miss Addie M. Spooner of the intermediate, 
and Miss Lizzie Towusend of the primary. Mr. Smith was born in Madison, Wis., March 29, 
1861; is the son of John Y. and Sarah A. (Warner) Smith; he is a graduate of the State Uni- 
versity, of the class of June, 1881; he has taught one term of school (Blooming Grove) previous 
to coming to Elkhorn. 

JOHN H. SNYDER, proprietor of the Central House, Elkhorii; business established in 
1869. This house has thirty-five well-ftirnished rooms, is pleasantly and centrally located, be- 
ing situated opposite the southeast corner of the coiu-t house s([uare; at this date, is the only 
hotel in the village. Mr. S. is a native of the town of Hudson, Columbia Co., N. Y. ; is the son 
of Henry J. W. and Catharine S. ; was born December 24, 1834. He came to Wisconsin in 
1846, with his grandparents; made his home in Mukwanago. Waukesha Co., where he was sub- 
seipiently engaged in farming and the hotel business, keeping the Miikwanago House. April 
10, 1869, he moved to Elkhorn, purchased a hotel and named it the Central House. In 1876, 
he bought a farm of 270 acres in town of Elkhorn. He was married, at Rochester, Racine Co., 
July 3, 1857, to Miss Eliza R. Muuson, daughter of Edwin H, M. Mrs. S. was born in Roch- 
ester, N. Y. Thev have four children— Fred H., Clifford F., John H., Jr., and Maud E. 

WYMAN SPOONER, deceased, was born inHardwiek, Worcester Co. , Mass. , July 2, 1795. 
He was bred on a farm, and received the ordinary educational advantages of the common dis- 
ti-ict school till he was fourteen years old, when he was apitrenticed to the printer's trade. He 
served his full term, and graduated master of the trade. At the age of twenty-one, he became 
connected with a newspaper, and remained, first as a compositor and last as editor-in-chief, for 
twelve years, and there laid the foundation for his futm'e intellectual life. Dm-ing his editorial 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 517 

life, ho road oxtousivoly all tho works [lertainiiij; to fundauieutal law. and. in 1833. noninienced 
[iractice. He removed, soon after beiiii; admitted to the bar. to Canton. Ohio, and from there 
to Racine, Wis., in 1S42. Ho snbseiiuontly reniovod to Elkhorn, Wis., where he made his home 
for thirty-live years. Durini>- his residence in Wisconsin, ho was honored i^y marks of esteem 
and confidence from his fellow-citizens which come only to men of the highest standing, both as 
to moral worth and intellectual strength. In 1846, ho was Judge of Probate; in 1853, he was 
elected Judge of the Circuit Court, which office he held till l857: he was member of the As- 
sembly iu 1850, 1851, 1857, 1801; Speaker of the Hoixse in 1857; a member of the State Senate 
iu 180'2--fi3, being its presiding officer the latter year; elected Lieutenant Governor for throe 
successive terms— 1804 to 1870. On retiring from office iu 1870, ho ceased all active work in 
public affairs. Ho died at the residence of his son, in Lyons, AValworth Co., Nov. 18, 1877, at 
tl^e ago of 82 years. Mr. Spooner left an unoxceptionably jmre record. He was in person 
tall, spare and erect. He spoke deliberately, in a harsh, high, but not unpleasant voice. He 
was a mt)dol presiding officer, and is remembered by his cotemjioraries as the best parliamenta- 
rian of his time. If not great, he was true, and his memory, untarnished by vice or the low tricks 
of his time, is that of one of tho bost of the early statesmen of Wisconsin. His political pre- 
dilections were Ili>publicau. Diu'ing the latter years of his life, like Horace Greeley and others 
who followed his lead, he broke somewhat from his old party affiliations. 

W. J. STRATTON, dealer in drugs, medicines, paints, oils, wall-paper, books, etc. , Elk- 
horn: business established in 1876. He is a native of Hamilton, Madison Co., N. Y. ; is the 
only son of James and Ann Stratton; Avas born July 22, 1S34. His parents wore natives of En- 
gland, and omigi'ated to New York tho year of his birth. In the fall of 1843, the family moved 
to ^\'isconsin and settled iu the town of Troy, Walworth Co. Mr. S. spent the early years of 
his life on his father's farm; received a co'" imon-school education. He stiKlied daguerreotyping 
at Delavan, and iu 1853 began business iu that line for himself. After three years" experience 
as a photogTapher, he ([uit the business and engaged iu farming until 1804, when he sold his 
farm and enlisted in Company L, 3d AV. V. C. ; on the re-organization of the regiment, he was 
assigned to Company D, and served until the close of the war. On his return from the aiiiiy, 
ho Ijought a farm of 120 acres in the town of La Fayette, Sec. 2, and followed farming until 
1S73, when he rented the farm and moved to Elkhorn. In January, 1875, he sold his farm, and 
the following year he began in his present business. Mr. S. was married, in the town of Troy, 
]March 26, 18515, to Miss Jane A., daughter of Robert and Ann Wolfendeu. Mrs. S. was born 
in tho city of New York. They have three children — Charles J., aged 23 years; Iva A., aged 
19 years; and Lyle W., aged ih years. ]\[r. S. was elected Justice of the Peace iu 1877. 
and has been a member of the Town Board of Elldioru two terms; is a memljer of tho present 
board. 

EEV. SYLVESTER E. SWEET, Pastor of the Regular Baptist Church of Elkhorn since 
November, 18(9. He is a native of Leeds Co., Canada West; is a son of Abijah and Maria 
(Rhodes) Sweet; was born Nov. 18, 1838. In 1845, he came to the United States with his par 
euts, and made his home at Southport, Wis. ; two years later, they moved to Portland, Dodge 
Co., and, iu 1854, to the town of Bear Creek, Sauk Co. He enlisted, in June, 1801, in tho Ctth 
Battery. Wisconsin Light Artillery; was ])r()moted to a Second Lieutenancy; was with his com- 
mand in th(i various engagements in which they [)articipated - nine in all; he received a gun- 
shot wound iu tho hoiRl at the battle of Champion Hills. June, 1863, and served until tho close 
of the war. He was educated in a common school, and at the Wayland I'niversity, at Beaver 
Dam, Wis., fi-om which he graduated in the class of 1872. He was regularly ordained a min 
ister of the Regular Baptist Church at Marble Ridge, Sauk Co., and began ])roaching at Do 
Soto, Vornoa Co., Wis.; he has been constantly emjtloyed since as a minister of tlu* (iospel. He 
served as Pastor of the Beaver Dam Church two years, and su]>plied tin; pulpit of the Randol[)h 
Church for a considerable time; he had charges of the Trempealeau Church three years, the 
Mouticello Prairie Church two years, and came from there to Elkhorn in November, 1879. Mr. 
Sweet was married, at Marble Ridge, Sauk Co.. ^^'is., Fob. 20, INOO, to Miss Achsa Perry. 
daughter of Daniel T. antl Salome (Burdick) I'orry. They have four children Lewis E. P.. 
George E., Emiua E. and Ella E. ; the two youngest are twins. 



518 HISTORY OF WALWORTH OOLTNTV. 

JAMES L. TUBES, surveyor. He is a native of the town of Augusta, Oneida Co., N. Y. ; 
is the sou of Samuel and Polly (Frost) Tul)l)s, and was bom Se|)t. 10, 1824. When U years of 
age, he moved with his parents to Victor, Ontario Co., N. Y. He received a common -school 
education. Since 1857, has made his home in Elkliorn. 

REV. J. \\ . VAHEY. resident priest at St. Patrick's Church, Elkhorn, \\ is., was appointed 
to his present parish in 1878. He was born in Castlebar, County Mayo, Ireland, on the luth 
of April, 1829, and is the son of James and Mary Vahey. In the spring of 1848, he emigrated 
to this country and entered the Lazarist Seminary, at St. Louis, Mo., in which he finished his 
ecclesiastical studies, and in which, for three years subsecjuent. he tauglit Latin, Greek, [ihil- 
osoph}' and the Holy Scrijitures. From there he went to Buffalo. N. Y. ; studied law in the office 
of Austin & Scroggs: returned to Missouri, was admitted to the pi-actice of law by Judge Stone, 
and practiced his profession for some foiu' years in the Ninth Judicial District of Missouri. He 
then went to Dubuque, Iowa, and. after nine months, during which he taught philosophy, was or- 
dained jn'iest by Bishop Loras. He founded the Ft. Dodge Catholic colony, built a church and 
residence there, and entered on arduous missionary labor. Diu'ing the war, he was Chajilain 
at the Alton, 111., military prison, and did good service to the X^nion cause. In 1864, he came 
to Wisconsin to teach in the seminary, but scarcity of priests forced Bishop Henni to appoint 
him to the A\'auke.sha parish Father Vahey has been one of the most effective and vigorous 
members of the priesthood. During his ministry, he built eighteen churches, five })arochial 
residences and two large schoolhouses. In addition to this, his pen was not idle, for several 
well-known publications are from his jieu — "A Priest Among Scientists," which is now being 
published in New Y'ork; " Julia, or Sister Agnes," a ehanniiig novel; "The Fom* Seasons," a 
controversy with D. AV. Spaulding, Episcopal minister; and " Lectures on Scientific Subjects," 
which were published within the last seven years. In politics, he is Re|)ublican, and goes in 
for universal fi-eedom and toleration, allowing each one to suj)])ort and profess belief in the re- 
ligion of his choice. Know-Nothingism he opjaosed, with all the energy of his soul, as unchristian 
and detrimental to the growth and s])irit of our country, and hence he may be classed with Ste- 
phen A. Douglas, of Illinois, and H. A. Wise, of Virginia, as stamping out this monster. In 
\Visconsiu, there is no man more respected by all parties than Father A'ahey. Long may he 
continue his usefulness at Elkhorn. and enjov the gi-and church he has built there. 

CHARLES WALES, farmer, P. O. Elkhorn; has 2(X) acres of land situated on Sees. 5 
and 8, town of Geneva. Mr. W. was born in ^he town of Plymouth, Chenango Co., N. Y., Oct. 
22, 1818: is the son of Geoi-ge and Sally (Crain) Wales. He was brought u'p a fai'mer: was mar- 
ried, in Cortland Co., N. Y., Oct. 26, 1848, to Eliza A. Crandall, daughter of-Richard Crandall. 
Mj-s, W. was born in the town of Norwich, Chenango Co.. N. Y. They have four childi-en — 
Ruth E. is a resident of San Juan, South America, and is engaged in teaching; the second is 
Rosa P. ; the third is Belle B.. now the wife of Clinton Dewing, of Mitchell, D. T. ; the young- 
est, Charles M.. is a student of the State I'niversity of Madison, and is fitting himself for the 
calling of mechanical engineer. Mr. W. came to Wisconsin in 184."!; all of his children were 
born in this State. He settled on the farm which he still owns, in the towTi of Geneva. Mrs. 
\y. died April 6. 1S67. Mr. W. has served as Assessor of Geneva one term, and Supervisor two 
terms. He was married again, this time at Elkhorn, on Dec. 20. 1869, to Lorahamia, daughter 
of Elijah Butler. Mrs. W. was born in Maine. They had one child, named Jennette. Mr. W. 
moved to Elkhorn in 1875, where he has continued to reside, still conducting his farm. 

FRED A. WARNING, proprietor of Warning's Hall, and dealer in gi-oceries, provisions 
and liquor.-s, Elkhorn; for description of hall, see history of Elkhorn. Mr. ^^'arning was born 
in Mecklenberg-Schwerin, Germany, Dec. 8, 1832; is the son of F. A. and Anna L. S. Warn- 
ing. He lost his father in his youth, and in 18-")1. emigrated to America with his mother; 
made his home in Racine, A\ is., where he kept a barber-shop till 1856. In 1855, he came to 
Elkhorn and jimrhased some lots, on which he liuilt a wooden building, and, in November, 1856, 
moved his family to Elkhorn. ^Ir. ^^'arning opened a barber-shop and gi'ocery at his new place 
of business. In 18()6, he ipait the barber business for good; made a trip to Germany in March 
of that year, and remained till July, when he returned to America. He continued the grocery 
business at the old stand till 1878, when he built the substantial and commodious brick building 
which he now occujiies as a store, saloon and public hall: the building is eighty deep by forty- 



HISTORY OF WA I. WORTH COl^NTY. •'Jl!> 

foiu- feet in width, and eosst $10,000. Ho was luarricd. in the town of ('aledoniu, llacine Co., 
Wis.. May 17, IStiO, to Miss C'aroline Schmidt, dauj^hter of (Jarl Schmidt. Mrs. Warning's 
father was Postmaster at the county line station, and was killed by the cars in 1870. Mr. and 
Mrs. Warning had nine children Mary L., Lucy A., Frances S.. Minnie M., Frederick A. (died 
m childhood), Charlotte F. (died when 4 years of ago), Annie I. (living), Oaroliuo (died in in- 
fancy). Ida H. (living). Mr. \Varning"s hall is a popular i)laco of resort for parties, theaters 
and entertainments. 

JOSEPH PHILBKICK WEBSTER, deceased, was horn on the l)anks of the Blue Merri- 
mack, in Manchester, Hillshoro Co., N. H., in 1S20. His early educational advantages were 
those of all Xi>w l'',uglanil l)oys whose parents were* in what were called moderate circiunstances. 
He attended the oouimon schools and acqiiired a good English education. He afterward grad- 
UJtted fi-om the Pembroke Academy, New Hampshire, then under the charge; of Isaai- Kinsman. 
The late J. W. Webster, of Kenosha, and Kev. Dr. William H. Ryder, of Chicago, were his class- 
mates. He early showed an inordinate love for music, and mastercnl all that his humble sur- 
roundings would allow of musical knowledge. He played the violin, the flute and the fife almost 
intuitively, and was at an early age a musical prodigy in the section where he lived. At fifteen 
years of age, he played all instruments he had even- seen, with facility, but knew not one note 
from another. .\t this age, he began his tuition in the New tiugland Siugiug School, which in 
one term ri])ened him into a successful rudimental teacher. Beyond that he never could tell 
how he bee:ime t]ie master of harmony and melody he was. It is known that he taught the ru- 
diments in New Hampshire while yet a boy, and that in ISIO he came to Bostcm. At that time, 
he had never seen a piano forte, or other keyed instrument with a flnger register. Under the 
tuition of Dr. Lowell Mason, George James Webb and B. F. Baker, he remained thi'ee years, 
mastering, meanwhile, the science of harmony, counterpoint and thorough bass, and the tech- 
nique of the piano and organ. Thus fortified, the young musician went to New York in 1848, 
wh(>re he fell in with Bernard C'overt, one of the noted tenor singers of that time, 'With him 
he began his career as a concertist. They sang for a season in New York and vicinity with suc- 
cess. SuliKi^((uently. Mr. Websl(>r removed to Connecticut, where he lived six years as a teacher 
of music. The loss of his voice, in 1S48, restricted his musical work to instrumental practice 
and C()m])()sition. He became- the leader of a miisical troupe well remembered by all New En- 
glanders of that time — the Euphoniaus — who. under his leadershi]) and through his composi- 
tions, shared the ])opular favor with the Hutchiusons, their only rivals in their special depart 
ment at that time. From 1850 to 1855, he resided in the South, where he pm-sned his profes 
sion as a music -toachei\ and imbibed that intense hatred of slavery which broke out in his war 
songs years after. He returned to the North in 1855, and first became known to the West as a 
musical composer of merit through the pul)lication of some ballads by an Indianajwlis house. 
He had already wem an Eastern re[)utation as <i l)allad writer, prior to his living in the South. 
The well-known music firms of Firth, Pond & CV)., of New York, and Oliver Ditsou. of Boston, had 
publishetl sulfiicient of his compositions to e.stablish him as a favorite conjpuser. He at once 
took a leading ])osition as the song writer of the West. He made his home, with his wife and 
two children, in Racine. Wis., a few years later, anil afterward removed to Elkborn, where he 
resided till his ileath. which occurred Jan. 18, 1875. During his later years, while living in 
Elkhom. his genius blossomed and bore finiit that has rendered him immortal, and ranks him 
as one of the most exalted song writers of his time. His works were voluminous, and covered 
the whole realm of sentimental song. No chord of the heart he failed to touch, no hope left un- 
inspired, no grief unassuaged. The mo.st commonplace versification, when wedded to his har 
monies, glowed with his own ins[)iratiou and became alive with a warmth of expression and a 
depth of meaning that was not there before. " The Sweet By and I5y " shows the jiower of cre- 
ative genius. Pleasant ver.ses. but not remarkable either for originality of idea or felicity of 
expression, have become the heart .song of hope to the civilized world, and Webst(>r. fi'om the 
ethereal heights, may, perchance, hwir his own songs sung in ;dl lands aJid in many tong-ues — 
his heritage to the tired soul through all the ages. But an imperfect list of his [U'oductions 
shows his wonderful versatility, and undoubted proof of the high order of his genius, as evinced 
in their contiiuied and increasing poinilarity as the years go by. I'ollowing are the titles of a 
few. destined to the perennial life which trn(> g(>nius breathes into its work: "(ireen Old Hills 



520 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

of our Country's (Hory; " " There's a Change in the Things I Love: " " I'm Standing By Your 
Grave, Mother: " " Lorona; " " Hattie Bell;" " Willie's Grave;" " Home is Sad Without a Mother:" 
" Little Frock and Shoes." War songs— " Brave Men, Behold your Fallen Chief: " " Brother 
and Fallen Pragoon; " " Scott and the Veteran; " " New Star Spangled Banner; " " Our Coun- 
try's in Danger; "' " Fill TJp the Ranks, Boys:" " Irish Volunteer." These are but a few of his 
efforts up to the close of the war. After the death of Lincoln, Mr. Webster wi-ote his largest 
work — a grand cantata of the rebellion, in which he shows his great 2-)atriotism and his great 
sorrow at the loss uf the nation's savior. After this, his con^positious were strictly ballads, as 
before, with the exception of one Sunday school work and a light operetta, <nititled the " Beati- 
tiades." His songs, " Under the Beautiful Stars," " When I Lie Dreaming," " Touches of Little 
Hands," "I Stand on Memory's Golden Shore," "Little Maud," "The Old Man Dreams," 
" Don't Be SoiTowful, Darling," " Summer Sweets Shall Bloom Again." " It Will be Summer 
Time By and By," and " The Sweet By and By," all speak of the author's ability, genius and 
power to touch the hearts and inspire the souls of all music-loving jieople, and they need not 
the assistance of any tongue or pen. The song " Golden Stair" spread like wildfire all over 
the land, and "Drifting Into Harbor" met a like favorable reception. "The Unfinished Prayer," 
"Oh, How Fast the Days are Passing," and "I am. Weary. Let me Best," are also selling at more 
rajiid rates than ever before. Sjiace does not allow a more extended sketch of this gifted man. 
The common lot of men came to him in January, 1875. He left a sorrow-stricken family, con- 
sisting of a wife and four children, to mourn his death, and in the hearts of all who knew him 
a heaviness that only his own great faith in the sweet by and by can lighten. His memory is 
embalmed beyond chance of desecration in the warm and grateful hearts of a loving people. 
His family still live in Elkhorn— Mrs. Webster, with their four children, Joseph Haydn, Mary, 
Louie Beethoven and Fi-ederick Handel. The three boys were named out of his great love and 
admiration for the old musical masters. 

■ BELDEN WEED, retired farmer, has a farm of 160 acres in the town of La Fayette, Wal- 
worth Co. Mr. Weed was born in Albany Co., N. Y., March 31, 1805; is the son of Justxis and 
Lucy Weed; was brought up a farmer. He moved to Greene Co., N. Y., in 1855, where he 
remained only one year, and then moved to Walworth Co., AMs. , and settled in the town of La 
Fayette, where he was engaged in fanning till 1878, when he retired from active work and 
moved to the village of Elkhorn. 

STEPHEN G. WEST, farmer; residence and P. O. Elkhorn Village. Mr. West has two 
farms, one lying in the town of Sugar Creek, which is conducted by his son, Walter A.; the 
other is situated in Elkhorn, where he resides, the aggregate acreage being 389 acres. The 
siibject of this sketch is a native of North Norwich, Chenango Co.. N. Y.; he is the son of Ste- 
phen G. and Rebecca (Pike) West, and was born Nov. 5. 182fi. In 1839. he came to ^\'isconsin, in 
company with Mr. S. B. Edwards, and joined his father and lirothers in the town of La Fayette, 
who had already started a homo in that town. He received a common-school education, and was 
brought up on a farm ; he was marrit>d, at Troy Centei-, Dec. 3 1 , 1852, to ]\Iiss Martha A. , daughter of 
Nelson Lake. Mrs. West was born in Otsego Co., N. Y. Inunediately after his marriage, he made 
.his home on his farm of 120 acres in the town of La Fayette; continued his residence at that 
place till 1850, when ho sold out and bought a farm of 200 acres in the town of Sugar Creek. 
He pursued his business of farming in that town till 1867, when he bought a tract of 35i acres 
in the village of Elkhorn, where he has made his home to this date (1881). Mr. and Mrs. West 
have had eight ehildren---De Witt C. is a graduate of the Indiana Dental College, Indianapolis, 
lud., of the class of 1881 (March); married Miss Cora Gofl', daughter of Dr. Goff, and is prac- 
ticing dentistry at Elkhorn; Walter A. married Miss Rosabelle Fitch; he was a teacher for sev- 
eral years, and is now managing his father's farm in the town of Sugar Creek; Helen R. and 
Charles L. are at home; Stephen G.. Jr., is now a student of Beloit College ; Penn, born the 
day Mr. Lincoln was assassinated and died on the day Mr. Garfield was shot, aged 16 years; 
Cora died at the age of 9 years; Hattie O. is at home. Mr. "West has served two year's as Su- 
pervisor, and two years as Assessor of the town of La Fayette, and one term as Assessor 
of Sugar Creek; has been the nominee of the Democratic jiarty of his district for mem- 
ber of Assembly, and was defeated with the balance of the; ticket. Since residing in Elkhorn, 
he has served several years as Clerk of the Elkhorn School Board. He was also Secretary of the 



HISTOKV OF WAI.WOHTH COl'NTY. 521 

\\'alwi)rt,li County Agricultural Snoioty for nine yours in suocossion, and still Imlds the important 
position of superintonilent of llural hall. 

JAYNES r,. WHKELEll. District Attorney of Walworth County, \\is.: was elected in 
1879; Mr. W. is a native of Pawlet, Kutland Co., Vl. ; is the sou of Lyman and Sally WlKn-ler, 
and was born Feb. 28, 1853; ho received an academic education at the Dean Academy of 
Franklin, Mass., and at the Oneida Academy, of Oneida, N. Y., and took a regular course at the 
Albany Law School; f;;raduate<l in 1876, and was admitted to the bar of the State of New Y'ork 
May 17, 1876. Mr. Wheeler came to Elkhorn June 19, 1876. and began the practice of law: 
Feb. 19, 1877. he formed a law partnership with Mr. H. F. Smith, under the firm name of 
Smith & Wheeler, which has continued to this date. ilr. W. was married, at Macjuoketa. Iowa, 
to Miss Ella F. Shaw, daughter of D. C. Shaw. Mrs. Wheeler was born in ]\ra(|Uoketa, Iowa; 
thev have one child — a daughter, Daisy S. 

' HORATIO S. WINSOR, of the law firm of Winsor ct Sprague, attorneys at law. Elkhorn. 
Wis. Mr. \V. is a native of Rhode Island: is the son of Matthewson and Nancy P_ Winsor; 
was born Dec. 21. 1815: while quite young, he moved with his parents to Ontario Co.. N. Y.; 
received his education at the common schools and at the seminary of Lima, N. Y. ; he com- 
menced the study of law in the East, and, in 1839, came to Elkhorn, Wis., arriving at this 
place Nov. 15, he jim-sued his law studies iti the office of Edward Elderkin; was admitted to 
the bar in the Territorial District Court, Judge Ii-viu presiding; was admitted to the Territorial 
Supreme Com-t of Wisconsin, aud subsequently, to the Sujtreme Com-t of this State and to the 
United States Circuit Com-ts. He was elected District Attorney for ^^'alworth County in an 
early day, and served one temi as Ciniuty Treasm-er; in 18(U, he was elected to the Legislature 
of 1865 from Walworth County; in 185(.), he formed a law |>artnership with Mr. H. F. Smith, 
which was continued until 18(59; in 1880. he formed the existing pai'tuership with Mr. E. H. 
Sprague. ]Mr. W. was married, Jan. 1, 1846, in the village of Elkhorn, Wis., to Miss Maria L. 
Husted. Mrs. A\'. was born in Dutchess Co., N. Y. : they have three sous; one daughter, Ella, 
died at the age of 18 years; the sons are Curtis H., practicing attorney of Sioux Falls, Dak., 
married to Miss Josie Benedict; Frank H., who is an attorney of ^Mitchell, Dak., and Edward 
F., who is a clerk in the United States Land Office, at Mitch(>ll, Dak. Mr. "W. has a farm of 360 
acres, situated in the town of Delavan; he was the second attorney to establish himself in jirac- 
tiee at the place, and now ranks as one of the lawvers of the countv. 

CHRISTOPHER WIS^\ ELL. retired fanner, and President of the First National 
Bank of Elkhorn. He settled in the county in June, 1840 ; has been President of the 
bank since January, 187(\ Mr.. Wiswell is a native of the town of Dalton, Berkshire Co., 
Mass.; he is the son of Henry and Betsy (Salter) Wiswell, and was born Jan. 1, 1813. When 
the subject of this sketch was 4 years of age, the family moved to Chenango Co., N. Y., town of 
Norwich, where ho was brought up on a fann. In 1840, he moved to the town of La Fayette, 
Walworth Co., Wis., and engaged in farming; had a farm of 247 acres: he sold out and moved 
to the village of Elkhorn in 1865; here he bought a farm of 40 acres, which he still retains; 
besides, he still has 80 acres in the town of La Fayette. Mr. Wisw(41 was married, in Norwich, 
N. Y.. Aug. 13. 1838, to Miss Almira West, daughter of Stephen (1. 'West. Mrs. Wiswell was 
horn in the town of Sherburne, Chenango Co.. N. Y. ; they have seven children- Jennett is the 
wife of William Elsworth, of La Fayette; Henry C. is married and living in Manistee. Mich.; 
Charles was a m(>mb(?r of the 3d Wis. Cavalry, aud died at Little Rock. Ark., in 1864; Phillip 
S. married Louisa Harriman. and resides in La Fayette; Francis A., now Mrs. E. Rouse, of 
^lichigan; Jennie is the wife of \\'illiam L. Holden. of Merrill. Wis.; Jessie is a teacher by 
profession; Greorge married Clarissa Perry, and is employed as a comm(>rcial traveler for a 
Milwauk(>e house, and resides at Elkhorn. Mr. Wiswell has served four years as Supervisor 
from La Fayette: was a member of the Board of County Commissioners under the county system 
of five Commissioners. He has also s(-rved ius Supervisor of the town of Elkhorn several years. 

GEORGE W. WYLIE, Sheriff of \\alworth Co., Wis., and now serving his thii-d term. 
Mr. W. ih a native of the town of Westmoreland, Oneida Co., N. Y. : is the son of Robert and 
Susan (Hemstedl Wylie; was born Aj)ril 55, 1826: was student at Kirtland Academy, Ohio, for 
two years; he came with his jsaronts to Walworth Co., Wis., in 1842; the family located in the 
town of La Fayette, where George W. grew to manhood on his f ather'a farm, receiving his educa- 



522 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

tion in the common schools of the day; he was elected Sheriff of Walworth County for the term of 
1861-62. and made his home at Elkhorn; he served until September. 1862, when he resigned 
to accept the {)Osition of Quartermaster of the 28th W. V. I., and served two years in the late 
war; then, on account of [ihysical disability, was obliged to resign his commission and return 
home. He was elected Sheriff again, this time for the term 1865-()6; at the expiration of his 
term of office, he returned to his farm in La Fayette; he has 276 acres and one of the best farms 
in the county. He remained on his farm until January. 1881, when, having been re-elected 
Sheriff, he again removed to Elkhorn and entered upon and discharged the duties of his office; 
he has served twenty years as Assessor of the town of La Fayette, and T(.)wn Clerk five years. 
He was married, in the town of Lyons, of this county, June 7, 184(i, by William P. Lyon, now 
a Judge of the Supreme Court, to Jane Bristol, daughter of Henry Bristol. Mrs. W. was born in 
Schoharie Co.. N. Y. ; they have fom- children — Susan, now Mrs. George W. Fairchild, of 
Elkhorn; Elizabeth, now the wife of Charles Kuapp. of Hebron, 111.; Nettie and Halbert E.. 
Mr. W. is an efficient officer, a worthy citizen and genial gentleman. 

GEORGE H. YOUNG, M. D., physician and surgeon, Elkhorn; he came to Elkhorn Sept. 
3, 1843, and established himself in practice; he has been in practice in the place now over 
thirty-eight years — a period longer by many years than any other resident physician can claim. 
He is a native of Duanesbm-gh, Schenectady Co., N. Y.; was the son of George and Nancy 
(Waldron) Young; was born March 8, 1817; after completing his studies in the common 
branches, he began to study medicine >inder Dr. B. F. Joslyn, a regular physician and a pro- 
fessor of Union College, Schenectady, N. Y.; ho then took a coiu-se at the Fairfield College and 
a final course at the College of Physicians and Siu-geous, at Castleton, Vt., from which he gi'ad- 
uated in 1837, when not (juite 21 years of ago; he then commenced the practice of his profession, 
at Guilderland Albany Co., N. Y.: after one year's practice at this place, he removed to Scho- 
hai'ie Co., N. Y., where he practiced four yesu's; then, in September. 1843, he came to Elkhorn, 
where he has continued to practice to this date. He was married, in March, 1838, in the town 
of Sharon, Schohaire Co.. N. Y., to Miss Hester, daiighter of Peter Hilton. Mrs. Y. is a native 
of Schoharie County; they have five children — Anna is the wife of Thomas J.Hayes, of Maquo- 
keta, Iowa; Mary is now Mrs H. F. Phillips, of the same place; Hester is the wife of Dr. M. 
L. Saunders, of Thompson, III; George H. is a physician of Elkhorn; he graduated at the 
Chicago Medical College in 1881; Dr. George H, Jr., was man'ied to Miss Lam-a Potter; the 
youngest child is now Mrs. J. S. Brown, I'esiding in Elkhorn. Dr. Young has never been a poli- 
tician; the only office he was ever known to accept was that of Chairman of the town of the. 
Board of Elkhorn. 




HISTORY OF WAl.WOHTH COUNTY. 525 



TOWN or EAST TROY. 

ORGANIZATION. 

East Troy, the I'xtrcmo northeastern town in Walworth County, and known in the Oovorn- 
mental Sm'vey as "Town 4, Kange 18," was organized by act of Legislature March 21, 1843. 
From 1 838, the time when the five original towns of the county were formed, up to this datt>, 
the territory comprised in the present towns of Troy and East Troy (Towns 4. Eanges 17 and 18 
past) constituted a single town, known as the town of Troy. 

NATURAL FEATURES. 

The sceaeiT of East Troy is varied and very pietiu'es<[ue. the northern portion, in the vicin- 
ity of Crooked Lalce, being broken and hilly: the southern and western, level or g(^ntly rolling; 
and the eastern, rolling. 

The soil in the higher portions is mixed with clay, and, ou the lower antl level purl ions, a 
rich, dark loam. 

It is watered in the central part by Honey Creek, which enters the tovni on Section 30, 
runs in a general easterly direction, with a northerly liend on Sections 23 and 24, and leaves 
the town on Section 25. Crooked Lake, Potter's Lake and Anny Lake are in the nortliem part 
of the town, and Spring Brook runs thi-ough the southern part. 

Crooked Lake covers an area of 800 acres. Its southern extremity is ou Section 18. It 
extends over the northwest corner of Section 17, thence diagonally to northeast corner of Sec- 
tion 8, spreading over the northern half of Section 'J, and southwest portion of Section 4. It is 
extremely crooked, as its name indicat(>s. On the southeast shore, it is wooded, with occasional 
swamps; on the northwest, there are line fanns, that of Seymom- Brooks Lake View farm — be- 
ing at its uoi'thern outlet. The old mills were situated between the two forks of the stream 
that formed the outlet. Buck Island is in the northern part of the lake; two small ones, called 
Twin Islands, near the western shore, in Sectien 8: and Floating Island, near its center. The 
line of its shore, particularly the eastern, is very irregular, and on Section Vt, it constitutes a 
series of deep indentations. The lake is crossed by a bridge at the western extremity of West 
Bay, on Section 18, its iiaiTowest point, and its waters, before finding theii- cjutlet at the north- 
ern extremity, form a small detached lake, or pond, on Section 4, known as Mill Lake. 

Potter's Lake, on Sections 10 and 1 1, covers an area of 300 acres, being one mile in length 
and a half in width. The lake has no natural outlet, its surplus waters flowing over the low, 
marshy land on its southern side. It is a beautiful sheet of water, and was. in the olden time, 
a favorite fishing-gi-onnd of the Indians. This lake belongs tcj the United States Govern- 
ment. It is a meandered lake. Hon. John F. Potter, whose home, " Lake Side Farm," is on 
its northern shore, on Section 11, he was the first and for many years the only s(>ttler on its 
shores. 

Army Lake, with its one tiny island, is on Section 6, and Mud Luke is on Section 18. 

Spring Brook, which has its soiu-ce in Spring Prairie, runs through the large marsh on 
Sections 33, 28 and 27, and, taking a northeasterly course through Se(^tit)n 20. empties into 
Honey Creek on Section 23. 

Ther'j is a large swamp in the southern })art of Sections 2(5 and 27, extending through the 
southeast corner of Section 28, and into the southwest corner of Section 33, aiul southeast of 
Section 32, also, quite an exttnisive marsh, extending from the southwest part of Potter's Lake 
into the northern part of Section 15; and on Section 13, a swamp covered with a gi'owth of 
tamarack. 

Honey Creek enters the town of East Troy on Section 30, and runs through the entire U)wn 
from west to east, passing through Sections 30 and 29; the northwest corner of 28, and south 
east comer of 21: across 22, 23, and to the eastern verge of 24, where it makes a sharp bend 
and runs south to al)out the center of Section 25, where it leaves the town. 

M 



526 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

Spring Brook takes its rise in springs in the town of Spring Prairie, runs northeast 
through the marshy lands of East Troy, and empties into Honey Creek on Section 23. 

There is comparatively little prairie in East Troy, the land being rolling, with openings 
of oak similar to the neighljoring towns. The leveler j)ortions of the town are in the southern 
and western sections. The eastei'n and northern parts are rolling, with occasional hills about 
the lakes. The soil is a clay loam on the higher lands, and a dai'k marl on the leveler tracts. 
It is rich, and well adapted to the growth of cereals, and is excellent for pastm-e lands. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT OF EAST TKOY. 

The first settlers of East Troy were not emigrants fleeing from the malarious districts of 
Indiana and Ohio, or leaving the rocky and sterile farms of New England to find a richer soil 
and more abundant harvest in the young and growing West. Neither were they men wearied 
with business cares and anxieties, seeking change and rest in a new life, away from the turmoil 
and noise of a great city. On the contrary, " the tide of immigration," which afterward peo- 
pled the town with all these classes, " set in " early in the spring of 1836, in the person of one 
lone young man, who, having just sold his claim a few sections fiu'ther west, decided to " pitch 
his moving tent " " and make another claim on Section 29. This pioneer, Mr. Roberts by name, 
was soon joined by Mr. Asa Blood, who settled on the same section, bnilt a house, and jjoarded 
the younger man. The house was on the north bank of Honey Creek, near the present site of 
the mills, and was the first house in East Troy. 

Messrs. Blood and Roberts lived on their claim about a year, during the time making prep- 
arations for the erection of a saw-mill. After getting out their lumber, etc., they sold the 
property to Mr. Jacob Biu-git, who commenced building in the fall of 1837, and completed the 
work March, 1838 — the first saiv-miU in East Troy. 

After selling his claim on Section 29, jVIr. Blood moved to Sugar Creek and bought out 
"William Davis, who had already a cabin on Section 14, near Silver Lake. He lived in this 
place several years, when he removed to Independence. Iowa, where he died a few years 
ago. During the year (1830). there arrived and settled at East Troy the following: 

Austin McCracken built the .second log cabin on the north side of Honey Creek, near where 
the East Troy Hotel Jiow stands. His claim was located on Section 20. 

Daniel P. Griffin, with his family and his son-in-law, Allen Harrington and family, an-ived 
July 4, 1836, and made a claim on Section 20, just east of the present village. (More particu- 
lar notice of the circumstances attending his arrival are given in another part of this sketch.) 
Mr. Harrington claimed the northwest quarter of Section 21. 

Cyrus Cass, from the State of New York, made his first claim on the bank of Honey Creek, 
and afterward bought on Section 21. 

Lyman Hill located on Section 3. 

Oliver Rathburn located on Section 2. 

J. Haller, from Switzerland, located on Section 35, claiming the southwest quarter. Until 
within a few years, his farmhouse was still the only one on that section. 

So far as can be learned, these are all that settled in East Troy with their families in 1836. 

SETTLERS OF 1837. 

Jacob Burgit came early in 1837, bought the claim of Blood and Roberts, and imjjroved the 
water-power on Honey Creek. (See village of East Troy. ) 

Gorham Bunker, the lirst blacksmith in town, located a claim in 1886. and settled with his 
family in 1837. 

Elias Jenning settled on Section 23, and in 1847 built a grist-mill there, now known as 
"Atkinson's Mills," 

William Weed, an Eastern merchant, ruined in fortune in the commercial crisis of the 
time, came from Buffalo, N. Y. , to East Troy, and remained a few years. Two of his children 
died during his residence here, and, the health of Mrs. Weed becoming impaired, she retm-ned 
to her old home in Connecticut, and soon died also. Mr. Weed removed, after the death of his 
wife, to Waukesha, and thence to Beaver Dam. He was a most worthy and exemplary man. 
and a leader in all the reforms of his time. 



HISTOliV OF AVAI.WORTII COC'NTV. 527 

i\Ir. James V\ . Nail ami wife \v('i'(> also Eastern j)eople seekiiiij to relrieve their fortimes in 
tin- new and rajiidly i;ni\vin^' West. Both Mr. and Mrs. Aail were anions' tLo early and stanch 
supj)i)rters of the I'l-eslivterian Chnrch in East Troy, and active in temjierance and other re- 
forms. They sotm removed to (ieiu'va. 

Dr. James Tripp entered land on Secti(ms 5 and 0. and luiilt a saw-mill at the outlet of 
Crooked Lake. The lake, in early times, was known as " Tripp's Lake," and the mill as 
"Tripp's Mill." Dr. Tripp was also one of the early Whitewater pioneers, to which j)lace he 
subsequently removed, founded the village, and died there in 1844. 

Benjamin Jennings settled near the ]iresent village-, resided there some years; moved away 
in 1854. but returned in 18()5 or 1806. He died in East Troy some years since. 

Benjamin "Whitcomb lived neai' the outlet of Crooked Lake. He lias been dead several 
years. 

Dr. William M. Corham located on Section 2 in 1837. He had pn^vionsly located at Mil- 
wankee in the spriugof 18i!r) (May \H). bringing in a large stock of merchandise, but, the goods 
not being well adapted to the market, the venture proved unprofitable, and Dr. (ioiham returned 
tothe duties of his profession. While yet a resident of Milwaxikee. the Doctor was called on one 
day to attend a farmer at Spring I'rairie. upon whom a tree had fallen, rendering it necessaiy 
that the patient should be trephined. The distance was formidable, with not even a trail to 
follow, but the Doctor came out to Spring Prairie, jjerformed the operation, and. the following 
spring, the grateful fju'mer went to Milwaukee with men. teams, plow, and feed for all his 
force, plowed a thirty-acre lot. fenced one side of it. and. using seed that h(> had brought for 
tbo piu'pose, sowed as miich wheat as gave to his medical attendant '200 bushels of excellent 
gi-ain. Dr. Gorham also was the regular attendant, during this time, of four families who had 
settled at Rock River. After residing some years in East Troy, the Doctor returned to Mil 
waukee, where he now resides, probably the only physician now living who settled in the county 
at that early date. 

Henry Powers located on Section 3, and the first post office was kept in his house dm'ing 
1838 and 1839. 

Gaylord Graves, in the spring of 1837, came with his family from Oswego. N. Y., and set- 
tled upon the northwest quiu-t(>r of Section 21. The pi-operty is now owned by Cyrus Cass. 
Mr. Graves was popular among his neighbors, and. being a man of affairs, held several local 
ofMces. being County (!onunissioner. one of the iirst Justices of the Peace, etc. He was ap- 
pointed to the latter office by Gov. Dodge. January 3. 1838. his commission being for thi'ee 
years. In 1846. he rejH'esented the county in the Teiritorial Legislatm-e. He removed to 
Whitewater nearly twenty -live years ago. In 1880, Mr. Graves removed to Northwood, Iowa, 
where he lives in a contented retirement. 

Henry Powers, of Plattsburg, N. Y.. came with a young daughter, made his claim and Imilt 
his cabin on Section 3. He remained there until 1840. when he sold to Stillman Dewey. His 
daughter, Antoinette, became tlie wife of A. F. Pratt, of Waukesha. 

John Larkin. from Vermont, located no land, but was a sort of jierijiatetic shoemaker the 
first shoemaker in town. 

SETTLERS OF 1838. 

The settlei-s of 1838. so far as can be ascertained, wei-e the following: 

John F. Potter came in the spring, a young man under twenty, nuule his claim, built his 
cabin and settled on Section 11. on the northern bank of the lake which bears his name. The 
{)lace selected by Mr. Potter over forty years ago is still his home. (Further mention will be 
found in bi(jgra])hy. ) 

Lucius Allen anived October 28. 1838. and bought a farm on Section 31. He was a c;u'- 
pentei-. and. in 1841. built the first framed store in East Troy, occupied by Sewell Smith. He 
aftei-ward bought (jn Sectiem (). in Spring Prairie, and resided there many yeiU's; is now a resi- 
dent of Elkhoni. 

Stephen Field, in 1838. jim-chased the claim of Daniel Griffin, on Section 20, about a milt- 
east of the village (now owned by Stej)hen F. Field, his son). 

In 1837. Dr. James Tripp entered a claim on Setrtions 4 and 5, and, in the succeeding year, 
built a saw-mill at the outlet of Crooked or Tripp's Lake. This projierty was bought by A. W. 



528 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COTXTY. 

and N. W. Cole, who erected what was called the " Troy Lake Mill." The mill was started, 
but the flvime gave out, and, unfortunately, the money also gave OTit at about the same time, so 
that the property passed into other hands. E. H. Ball & Co. bought the mill, had the neces- 
.sary repairs made, and, in 1852, sold it to Seymom- Brooks and Timothy Mower. E. H. Ball 
■& Co. again bought the mill, and subsequently sold it to Timothy Mower, who sold it to Mar- 
tin Medbury. of Milwaiikee. In lS(i], it was bought liy Farrar cV Williams, and from them 
passed successively into the hands of Messrs. B. B. Humphrey, W. H. (Torseliue. Nathaniel 
Aiken. Little & Biu-nham. and fiually to J. P. Thomson. It was biu'ned in February, 1S76, 
nothing now remaining but the wheel. 

Samuel Chatin settled on the northeast ([uarter of Section 8. He died many years ago; his 
widow died March 15, 1S82. 

Christopher Chafin, brother of Samuel, came at the same time and settled on Section 4. 

Martin Pollard, fi-om Vermont, and Stillman P.. his brother, located claims on the south- 
east quarter of Section 8. Martin aftei-ward bought on Section 2. 

Wilder M. Howard, a young shoemaker, settled in 1888. and still resides in the town. He 
did not work at his trade until later. 

In 1889. there came, among others, the following: 

Seth Beckwith. who settled on the southwest quarter of Section 12; afterward sold out to 
Oeorge Ray. 

S. B. Edwards removed from Troy to the village diu'ing this year and opened a blacksmith 
«hop. There he erected the third fi-ame bitilding in East Troy, occupying the lower floor for 
Ms shop and the ujiper part for family use. In 1842, Mr. Edwards built a regular frame houSe, 
and, the next vear. commenced farming. He removed to Whitewater in 1878, where his wife 
died November 21. 1880. 

In 1841, Sewell Smith, a merchant from Vermont, removed with his family to East Troy. 
'George H. Smith, his son, was at that time tpiite a young boy. Mr. Smith lived over his store, 
having bought land on Section 19. George H. lived with his father until 185G or 1857. Lu- 
cius Allen built Mr. Smith's store, which was the first one in town. 

Capt. George Fox, father-in-law of I. F. Potter, left Maine in 1830. and, after residing 
for a time in Michigan, came to Wisconsin and settled on Section 1 1, in East Troy. 

William Burgit. from Nevv York, located on Section 29, where be now resides. (See biog- 
raphy. 

In 1840, there came, among others, Stillman Dewey, from Green Bay. and Amasa H'otch- 
kias 

E.\ELy TIMES .\ND EVENTS. 

Of those two important events, the first birth and the first marriage, no authentic record 
can be obtained. 

The first death that occurred in East Troy was that of Mi-s. Lucius Allen, who was biu'ied 
November 15. 1838. on the hill, then first iised as a cemetery, a little west of the present vil- 
lage. 

Miss Auger (now Mrs. Charles Taylor) taught the fii'st school in the old Methodist Chapel, 
proliablv in the summer of 1840. The early winter schools were also taught in this building 
and it is stated that one of the most severe punishments the teacher could inflict was to cause 
the delinquents to stand in the corners of the room away fi-om the stove in the center. This 
brought to terms the most refi-actory. 

Hon. John F. Potter was the first lawyer in East Troy, having a monopoly of tbut business 
until A. O. Babcock opened his oflice in I848. 

Dr. William M. Gorham was the only physician until the arrival of Dr. Bowman in 1840. 

Mr. Lucius Allen built the first framed .store in 1841. 

The first blacksmith-shop was that of S. B. Edwards. 

Ml-. Ausiin MeCracken kept the first tavern, on strictly temj)erance principles. Strictly 
speaking, his hovTse was not kept as a tavern, although he more frequently entertained the trav- 
eling pulilic than any one else. His place became a full-fledged, licensed tavern in 1838 or 
1839, at which time Austin Wright rented the place, and it was run by him not on strictly tem- 
perance principles. 



HISTOUY OF WALWOKTIl COUNTY. 52f> 

WhiMi till' Prcsln tcriaii ('hiirch was organized, Kev. Lcnmol Hall, ilu- lirst Walwortli 
County missionarv. ]iroaoliecl occasionally during- the first year. The first settled pastor was 
Kev. A. D. S]i(>rnian. a di'sccndant of the famous Roger Sherman, one of the (committee of five 
that drafted the Declaration of Independence. Rev. Mr. Sherman was a man of fine culture and 
highly educated, having l)(>en ['resident of a college in one of the older States. He died at Ra- 
cine in the year 1843. 

After the years of ISIU and LSI 1, immigration increased so rapidly that, in a few years, all 
the land in the town was taken up. and no separate mention of the settlers' names would he 
jKjssible: but especial mention of many who came early; and have left their mark u]wn the 
town, will be fotmd among the biogra|)hios. 

Gay lord Graves was born at Richfield Springs, in the State of New York, May '22, 1804. 
being the son of James N. Graves, who emigrated from Springfield. Mass., at an early day. 
Gaylord received a common-school education, and. at the age of (ughteen. commenced the battle 
of "life empty-handed. In 1824. January IS. after he had gathered a small caj)ital I)y working 
on a farm, 5li-. (jraves married Jliss Nancy Tuckerman. removed to Northern New Y^jrk, and 
took u]) some land for himself. This occupation proved so profitless that he was obliged to re- 
sort to teaching, during the winter months, to eke out a living. The demands of a gi-owing 
family, joined to his own ambition as a man. pressed his steps Westward. Removing to Os- 
wego, he lived there until 1836. when his hopes induced him to make another change further 
we.st. Accordingly, in September of that year, he left Oswego, traveling to Buffalo by stage. 
Next, embarking on board the steamboat Michigan for Detroit, he reached that port, but not 
"haven of rest," after a stormy pjissage of five days, Mr. Ixraves travt^ed through the State 
from east to west, then through Indiana, and around the southern end of Lake Michigan to 
Chicago, From there he followed the trail made by the detachment of soldiers under Gen. Wil- 
kinson in pm-suit of Black Hawk fom- years before. At this time, there was no settlement be- 
yond until Burlington was reached, where he heard of Daniel P. Griflin. of Honey Creek, with 
whom he had a slight acquaintance.. Being highly pleased with th^ country. Mr. Graves made 
a claim adjoining his of a quarter-section, making arrangements with Mr. Griffin to lireak three 
acres of land that fall. Returning again on foot, his intention was to bring back his family 
during the winter. This he found inexpedient, bxit. being afraid that he- would lose his claim 
if he remained away too long, he shouldered his pack again. March 18, 1837, and performed 
the entire journey on foot in thirty-two days. Floundering through snow, rain ;md mud, the 
Courageous pioneer at length set foot on his own claim, in Township 4 north. Range 18 east. 
The summer was s])ent in imiu-oviug his little log cabin for the reception of his family. In 
the fall he returned to Oswego on foot, this being his third journey by this mode of conveyance. 
Ml-. Graves left Oswego with his wife and four childi-en. February 9, 183S, and, on his return, 
found a commission from Gov. Dodge, dated January 3, 1838, appointing him a Justice of the 
Peace for thi'ee years. By the persuasion of his friends, he was induced to accept the office, 
and, at the expiration of his term, the commission was renewed. When the (jfJice became elect- 
ive, he was repeatedly retiu-ned. In 1845, he was elected to the Territorial Assembly', and again, 
to the first session of the State Legislature in 1848. Mr Graves also held tlie office of County 
Commissioner, and took the census of the northern [)art of A\'al\vorth County. At the sale of 
the Rock River District, he bid ofT the lands for Troy and East Troy. In fact, all through the 
early days of the C(mnfy. he was one of the most prominent of the men of its northwestern por- 
tion. 

In the yeai" 1844—15. typhoid fever prevailed in Troy and adjoining towns, removing by 
deatli man_\* valuable lives, among the nitmber being Mr. Graves' wife, who died January 5, 1845. 
leaving five childi-en— two sons and three daughters. The latter part of the same yeju', ho was 
united in marriage with Miss Ke-,^iah Fi-eemau, a daughter of Dr. Freeman, of Washington 
County. N. Y. In the s])ring following, she died with consum])tion. Again, in the year 1848. 
Aiai'ch 15. Mr. (Jraves was married to Mrs. JIary Ann Pike, the then widow of (^ol. Calvin Pike, 
and daughter of I. I'. Wheeler, Es((., of Whitewater, who were among the very early si'ttlers of 
Walworth County. ^Ir. Graves w-as connected with most of the <>arly organized efforts for the 
advancement of the mati'rial. intellectual and moral advancement of the county, and had the 
satisfaction of being among the very last to leave the scene of the ])ioneer labors which made 
possible the present unparalleled prosperity of this section of the county. 



530 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

EARLY TRIALS AND EARLY PROGRESS. 

The discomforts and hardships of the pioneers of East Troy were similar in character to 
those of their neighbors in the adjacent towns. While there was perhaps little actual snffer- 
iug, it was a continual struggle to make the siipply of the actual necessities of life equal to the 
demand. For the women particularly it must have been in daily and hourly discipline in the 
weary task of ■" making bricks without straw." Meals to prepare that should sustain the 
strength of the toiling husband without and satisfy the keen, if not fastidious, appetites of the 
hungry brood within, and this with no convenience of stove or cooking utensils, save a few 
kettles that could be hung on the ••crane'" if thoy were so fortunate as to po.sse-ss even that. 
■"Patent flour" and "self-raising meal" were unlieard of; baking-powder and compressed 
yeast did not gladden the eyes, or lighten the labors or the bread of the weary housewives of 
1836. They "blessed God and took corn-age, " if the barrel of flour brought from Milwaukee 
or Racine, and paid for with the savings of months, proved tit for the use of the family. Then 
the winters were long and cold, and clothing will wear out even in ever so new a country. The 
needle must have been busily applied every spare moment of the day to keep the big and little 
garments ready for use, and when the light waned, there was always the ever-ready and never- 
ending knitting. In those days, mothers could not send for their "old family physician," if 
the little ones were sick, or their own health failed; l)ut through the long hours they must 
•'watch and wait," only depending upon their own resoiu-ces for the strength and skill which 
should, with the help of God, restore them to strength. It was days of weary waiting, not idle 
waiting, with hands full of care, hearts full of forebodings, and nerves tense with anxiety that 
made the lives of the pioneer wives and mothers peculiarly havd. 

The actual perils and dangers attending the settlement of a new country are soon over, but 
the deprivations and hardships must remain until it is sufficiently advanced to contain within 
itself all the essentials of comfort, and it must always be true that these deprivations and hard- 
shi[)s will fall most heavily upon the women. After 1S3G and 1S37. the sharp edges of pioneer 
life became smoothed down, and tlie settlers in the new towns began to feel that their homes 
were taking on a more comfortable aspect. It was not until 1838 or 1839, however, that the 
harvested grain could be made into flour, without a long and tiresome journey. When the 
grist-mill was built at Geneva, in 1838, by C. M. Goodsell, and the settlers of East Troy could 
have wheatsn bread made from flom- that was fresh and sweet, it was a day of rejoicing. The 
ride of foiu'teen or fifteen miles that lay between the hai'vest-field and the mill seemed but a 
slight affair to men inured to the privations and sacrifices of a life in an unsettled country. 
The "Big Trail" that led Meacham and Spoor and Beardsley and Roberts into the country, 
had given place to roads that were passably good, and. in 1M3S. a mail nmte was established 
trom Milwaukee to Janesville and a Government road laid out, which passed through what now 
is the village of East Troy. This road became the great thoroughfare from Lake Michigan co 
the western part of the Territory, and, as East Troy was a central point, and furnished the best 
accommodations that could be found far " the traveling public " of the day, it soon became a 
place of considerable business importance. It is related that nearly every house in the village 
turned itself, at times, into a hotel, in order to accommodate the wants of the rapidly increasing 
number of travelers and teamsters. In 1841, the Beloit & Milwavikee road was established, and 
loaded stage coaches soon became familiar objects to the eyes of the villagers. 

In 183U, the fir.st post office was established, and the first appointed Postmaster Wcis John 
F. Potter. The office was at first located on Section 3, at the house of Henry Powers, and con- 
tinued in that j)lace two years. At the expiration of that time, at the request of Mr. Potter, 
the office was removed to the village, and. through his instrumentality. Mr. Sewell Smith was 
ap])ointed Postmaster. Mr. Smith had recently removed from Vermont and opened a store at 
the village, and the office was kept at the store. After his appointment, Mr. Smith retained the 
office about two years, when it was discontinued, owing to disagreements in regard to the separ- 
ation of the two towns. After a year, it was re-established and Mi'. Smith was again appointed 
Postmast(U'. He served in this capacity i^everal terms, making an aggregate of fifteen years. 
Mr. Smith held the office first until 1848. when he was succeeded by E. H. I5all. In 1853, John 
D. Hawes was commissioned and remained in posessiou for a short time only, being followed by 
Thomas Russell, who held the oflice until Mr. Smith's second ap])ointment in 1S()1. lu 18()(5, 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 531 

H. B. Chirk was commissioned and remainod in [wssesaion three years, boin<r aucceedod by J. 
W. Church. Mr. Church ht-ld the office for three months only, and was followed by the jjresent 
incumbent, P. O. (iriste. The ofH(^e was made a money order office in Auijust, 1870. The first 
order issued was to A. (). Babcock. and the tir.st order drawn was l)v Peter Yoss, at Manistee, 
Mich. 

The tirst assessment list for the town of East Ti-oy was made in May, 1844 —a year after 
its organization. This list shows 1 18 resident and 2f) non-resident land holders. 

In 1844, Mr. Jacob Biu-git built a grist-mill on Honey Creek, just south of the village, 
which was run under his proprietoi-.ship until 1854. Tlus old breast-wheel is still running in 
its oaken frame, and the solid walls of the present mill, made of the same substantial material, 
testify to the thoroughness of the work done neai'ly forty years ago. Mi'. Burgit disposed of the 
mill to H. B. Evans. It has since been owned by the following persons in their respective 
order. Ball & Dennison, Mr. Brown, Mr. Smith, Mr. Fox. C. F. Zasti-ow, and is now owned 
by Mr. Charles Smith. The mill in size is 30x40. two stories high, with a basement. It has 
two run of stone, and a capacity of seventv-tive. barrels of flour per dav. It represents a valua- 
tion of $5,000. 

THE FIRST TOWN MEETING. 

In accordance with the following notice, the voters of the town of Troy (then comprising 
the present towns of Troy and East Troy) assembled. April 5, 1842, for their first town meeting: 

Notice is hert'liy givfii to tin.' Eleoli>r,s of the town of Troy that a iiKM'ting will be held iit the house 
occupied by Austin SleCraeken in said town, on the oth day of April, l.S4',\ between the hours of 9 and 11 
o'clock A. M., to elect stich otiieers as required by law. and do and transact all necessary business for the 
organization of town and county government, as re(|uired by the act of 18-11. 

Mii.o Kei.se Y, Clerk. 

Met in accordance with aliove notice. Moderator, (lay lord Graves: Clerk, A. W. Wright. 
Oath of office administered by Es<piire Powers. 

The poll list numbered seventy, and wiis as follows: Albert W. Bryant, Robert Auger, 
Uoyal C. Flanders, A. W. Wright, Henry C. Porter, Stillman Pollard. Elias Jennings, Samuel 
Kybiu'g, George Fox, Allen Harrington, Cryton Bigalow, Isaac C!obb, Stillman Dewey, John F. 
Potter, Benjamin Jennings, Hiram Perry, Ebenezer Robinson, Leland Patch, Seth Beckwith, 
John A. Larkin, William Perry. C'hristopher Meinser, Sherrod Chapman, Lewis Griffin, Orlando 
Jennings, Gorham Bunker. Lucius Allen, Henry M. Filley, Ebenezer Dregg, Orwin Moffit, Selah 
S. Porter. Al)ijah De Witt. Calvin Harrington, Amasa Witherel, Martin Pollard, Samuel E. 
Chapin, Delanson GriiEn, Hersey H. Estis, Roderick Kellogg, Renlien Griffin, William Porter, 
C R. Hertz, Cyrus Cass, Jerod B. Newell, Sawyer Carter. Franklin Bigelow, William Whitney, 
Edwin W. Meacham, Ctn-tis Bellows, George Robinson, Buel Parker, (ieoige Edwards, Aaron 
Smith. Calvin C'ary, Edgar Aleacham, Chaiuicy Eggleston, A. H. Odell, Gaylord Graves, A. H. 
Wright, William B. Hibbard, .\llian M. Perry. Amos Wiltsie, Philo Clark, Hiram. Brewster, 
iJavid Whitman. Benjamin F. iMiiier. Soldeii Powers. S B. Edwards, Nathtmiel McDuftey, Gay- 
lord Graves and A. H. Wright. 

The officei's elected were: Supervisors, Gaylord Graves. Chairman; Ste])hen Field, Jesse 
Meacham; Town Clerk, .Stswell Smith: Assessors. Gorham Bunker, Franklin Bigelow: Treas- 
urer, Jacob Biu'git; Highway C'ommissioners, Gorham Bunker, Soldan Powers; School Commis- 
sioners, Soldan Powers, Henry M. Filley, Sewell Smith; Constables, Simon B. Edwards, Alban 
M. Perry; Fence Viewers, Jacob Burgit, George Matthews, Gorham Bunker; Sealer of Weights 
and Measures, Austin McCrackeii; Path Masters. Soldan Powers, George Hibbard, Delanson 
(iriffin. Stejshen Field. 

The com])ensati(m voted to town officers was .'Jl per day. except to the Healer of Weights 
and Measures, who reci'ived fi cents for eiich w(>ight ;ind measure sealed; tlie Town Clerk, who 
received 10 cents per folio of 100 words; and the Treasui'er, who reci>iv(>tl I \)n- cent on all 
moneys received and collected. 

It was voted that the Board of Supervisors should provide for the poor tm the cu'edit of tln^ 
town, and the expenses thus incurred should be collected on the next assessment roll. 

Fifty dollars was approju-iated for the contingent exj)enses of the town. 

The only other business done was to ])ass resolutions forbidding any ilaiigerous animal to 
roam at large, under ])enalty of a tine. 



532 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

SEPARATION OF THE TOWNS. 

March '21, 1843, the townships of Troy were separated, and East Troy, as such, commenced 
its new and independent existence. The territory embraced in the- present town has been, from 
the first, called by that name, to prevent confusion in the minds of those who have always known 
it as such, and to whom the fact of a ])erson settling upon a certain section in the town of Troy 
would convey a very indefinite idea. 

The first town meeting held by the voters of th? present toivu of East Troy was on the 10th 
day of April, 1843, at which time the following officers were elected: Supervisors, Gaylord 
Graves, Stilman Dewey, Gorham Bunker: Town Clerk, Sewall Smith; Treasurer, Jacob Bur- 
git; Assessors, Stilman Dewey, Leland C. Patch, Emory Thayer; Collector, John Dunkin; 
Commissioners of Schools, Sewall Smith, Henry M. Filley, A. W. Wright; Constables, John 
Dunkin, Marcus L. Jewett. Williams Porry. 

The following is a roster of the town officials to and including the year 1881: 

1844 — Supervisors, Sewall Smith, Chairman; Gorham Bunker, A. W. Wright; A. O. Bab- 
cock, Clerk: Jacob Burgit, Treasiu-er: Gaylord Graves, Assessor; John Dunkin. Collector; John 
Sprague, X. O Babcock, Austin Carver, Justices of the Peace: John Lowth, A. O. Babcoek, 
Henry M. Filley, Commissioners of Schools; John Dunkin, Williams Perry, M. L. Jewett, Con- 
stables. 

1845 — Siipervisors, Gorham Bunker, Chairman: Emery Thayer, Urban D. Meacham; Sewell 
Smith, Clerk; Jacol) Burgit, Treasurer: Gaylord (Jraves, John E. Cameron, Leland C. Patch, 
Assessors; John Dunkin, Collector; Sewell Smith, Gaylord Graves, Leland C. Patch, Commis- 
sioners of Schools: John Dunkin, Marcus L, Jewett, Ruel Parker, Constables. 

1846 — Supervisors, Austin Carver, Chairman; S. B. Edwards, James W. Bartholf; A. O. 
Babcock, Clerk; H. B. Clark, Treasurer: James W. Bartholf, Ebenezer Drake, Shubel Bunker, 
Assessors; John Dunkin, C'ollector; A. O. Babcock, Austin Carver, Cyrus Bull, Justices of the 
Peace; John P. Gallup, Amos Stilwell, Cyrus E. Rosenkranz, Commissioners of Schools; John 
Duncan, John Wilcox, Edward F. Edwards, Cimstables. 

1847 — Supervisors, Gaylord Graves, Chairman; Joel Pound, Stephen Knapp; Edward H. 
Ball, Clerk: Joseph Edwards, Ti'easurer: Gorham Bunker, George Cm'tis, James W. Bartholf, 
Asse.ssors; Amos Stilwell, Collector; Cyrus E. liosenki'anz, Levi D. Kosenkranz, Forest H. Har- 
wood. Commissioners of Schools; Amos Stilwell, Hiram Stilwell, William Haynes, Constables. 

1848 — Supervisors, Joel Pound, Chairman; S, B. Edwards, James W. Bartholf; A. O. 
Babcock, Clerk; Jacob Burgit, Treasm-er; Stilman Dewey, Shubel Bunker, Jacob Burgit, 
Assessors: John Dunkin, Collector: Augustus C. Brady, Austin Carver, Cyrus Bull, Justices of 
the Peace; Cyrus E. Rosenkranz, Levi D. Rosenki'anz, A. O. Babcock, Commissioners of 
Schools; Marcus L. Jewett. L. J. Edwards, John Dunkin, C'onstables. 

1849 .-Supervisors, Gaylord Graves, Chairman: William Burgit. Matthew Coleman; Wilder 
M. Howard, Clerk; H. B. Clark, Treasiu'er; William Burgit, Asses.sor; Forest H. Harwood, 
Siiperintendent of Schools; Marcius D. Cowdery, C. S. Blanchard, A. O. Babcock, Joel Pound, 
Justices of the Peace; Nelson Beckwith, Elias S. Bailey, Daniel Thompson, Constables. 

1850 -Supervisors, H, B. Clark, Chairman; Jacob Punk, George A. Ray; George H. Smith, 
Clerk; Seymour Brooks, Treasurer; James W. Bartholf, Assessor: Samuel P. Cole, Superin- 
tendent of Schools: A. O. Babcock, C. L. Oatman, Joel Calef, Joel Pound, Justices of the Peace; 
Seymour Brooks, Nelson Beckwith, William P. Edwards, Constables. 

1851 -Su])ervisors, H. B. Clark, Chairman; David Van Zandt, Nathan P. Randall; Greg- 
ory Bentley, Clerk; George Edward.s, Treasiu-er; Gorham Bunker, Assessor; Wi\liam Van 
Zandt, Superintendent of Schools; A O. Babcock, Gregory Bentley, Justices of the Peace; Nel- 
son Beckwith, J. L. Wilcox, Adolphus Northi-op, Constables. 

1852 -Supervisors, H. B. Clark, Chairman; George Bunker, William Mcintosh; A. C. 
Brady, Clerk; Emery Thayer, Treasm-er: William Burgit, Assessor; A. C. Brady, Superin- 
tendent of Schools; Timothy Mower, Jr., John Frazer, Justices of the Peace; Joseph Cummings, 
Charles Hillard, Nelson Branch, Constables. 

1853 — Supei-visors, Gorham Bunker, Chairman; William Mcintosh, William Burgit; Greg- 
ory Bentley, Clerk; Lucius S. Moody, Treasurer; James H. Hall, George A. Ray, Assessors; 
Harrison V. Train, Superintendent of Schools; Gregory Bentley, Henry Cousins, James W. 



HISTORY OF WALWOllTII COINTY. 533 

Bartholf, .lustict's of the Peace: L. .). Kilwurds. Daniel Hinel);uicli. Nelsmi M. Uraiieli, ('ou- 
st al)l(>s. 

1854 -Supervisors. (Jorliam Bunker, tlliairraan: William Mcintosh, S. B. Edwards: Georfjfe 
Beutley. Clerk; Lucius S. Moody, Ti-easurer: Janios H. Hall, ( reor^r(. A, Ray, Assessors: Gregory 
Etmtloy. Superintendent of Schools: John Frazer, Jesse Thoiubleson, Justices of the Peace: 
Nelson Beckwith, Freeman Ackley, Daniel Hiuebauch, Constables, 

18")") — Supervisors, John F. Potter, Chairman: William Burgit, Jerroil S. Ivnajjp: Wilder 
M. Howard, Clerk; Thomas Bnrgifc, Treasurer: Lucius Allen, William Burgit, Assessors; O. F. 
Bartlett, Superintendent of Schools; H. B. Evans, John F. Potter, James W. Knight, Justices 
of the Peace; ('ephus Sa,wyer. Erastus Holmes, Charles M. Hillard," Constabl(^s. 

1856 -Supcn-visors, Austin Carver, Chairman: L. J. Edwards, Wright Patterson; Gregory 
Bentley, Clerk; Thomas Russell, Troasm-er: Sidney B. Tullar, Simeon Bunker, Assessors: Sim- 
eon Bunker. Superintend(>nt of Schools; Gregory Beutley, John Frazer, Justices of the Peace; 
Nelson Beckwith, JosejJi Cununings Daniel Hiuebauch, Constables. 

1 857 —Supervisors, .\ustin CJarver. Chairman: D. G. Billings, (Jorham Bunker; H. I. 
Cowles, Clerk; J. W. Cliurch, Treasurer: John Frazer, Shubel Bunker, Assessors; R. A. Spencer, 
Su])erintendent of Schools; Henry Adams, Lucius Allen, Justices of the Peace: Charles Frazer, 
Alanson Beckwith, Frederick House, ('onstables. 

185S — Supei-visors, IJ. B. Clark. Chairman; Gorham Bunker, Jesse Thombleson; Gregory 
Bentley, Clerk; James Palmer, Treasurer; S. B. Tullar, Assessor; R. A. Spencer. Superintend- 
ent of Schools: Gregory Bentley, R. C. Flanders, Justices of the Peace; C. (t. Smith, S. Dartt, 
Charles Frazer, Constables. 

1859— Supervisors. William Burgit, Chairman: John Frazer, J. M. Stilwell; Ntnvtou King, 
Clerk: P. M. Clark, Treasui-er; Orrin Jloffit, Assessor; R. A. Spencer, Su1)erintendent of 
Schools; SejTUour Brooks, \\'illiam Miller, R. A. Spencer, Justices of the Peace; S. Dartt, Isaac 
Bear, Charles Miller, Constables. 

1860 — Sxipervisors, William Bm-git, Chairman; Stephen F. Field, David Holmes; A. O. 
Babcock, Clerk; M. Coleman, Treasurer; Orrin Moflit, Assessor: A. Sedgwick, Superintendent 
of Schools; S. B. Tullar. Elisha Stilman, Seymom- Brooks. Justices of the Peace: S. Dartt. L. 
J. Edwards, Charles Miller. Constables. 

1861 — Supei-visors, William Burgit, Chairman: Stephen F. Field. E. Baker; J. W. (Jhurch, 
Clerk; Thomas Russell. Treasurer; Orrin Moflit, Assessor; William Miller, Superintendent of 
Schools; William Jliller, A. O. Babcock, Justices of the Peace; D. P. Webster, C. S. Miller, L. 
J. Edwards, Constables. 

1862 — Supei-visors, ^^■illiam Burgit, Chairman: Stephen F. Fields. Edwin Bakei;; J. W. 
(Jhurch, Clerk; George Bentley, Treasurer; Orrin Moffit, Assessor; E. Stilman, Se\Tnom- Brooks, 
William Miller, Justices of the Peace: S. Dartt. Charles Miller, John Adkins, Constables. 

1863 Supervisors, William Burgit, Chaii-man: H. Adams, Alexander Frazer: H. B. Clark, 
Glork; S. Dartt, Treasurer; Seymour Brooks, Assessor: William Miller, .\. O. Babcock, Justices 
of the Peace; John Adkins, W. Titus, Josepli ('nmmings. Constables. 

1861— Supervisors. Edwin Baker, Chairman: W. G. Wright, I. L. Knapp; H. B. Clark, 
C'lerk: \X, G. Keats, Treasurer: Seymour Brooks, Assessor; Seymom- Brooks, S. B. Tullar. J. I. 
White, Justices of the Peace: S. Dartt, E. Stom, Charles Patterson. Constables. 

1865 -Supervisors, A. O. Babcock. (Jhairmau; Jesse Thombleson, Alexander Dowmau; S. 
B. Tullar, Clerk; Charles M. Hillard, Treasurer; William G. Wright, Assessor; NMlliam Miller, 
J. W. Chui-ch, Justices of the Peace; Charles Miller, Alanson Beckwith, Frederick Hawse, Con 
stables. 

1866— Supervisors, A. O. Babcock, Chairman; Enos H. Stone. Luther Chamberlain: S. B. 
Tullar, Clerk: John W. Stoney, Treasurer; Alexander Dowman, Assessor; S B. Tullar, Enos 
Stone, W. S. Keats, Justices of the Peace; Emery O. Cole. Jess(> Thombleson, David Dolman, 
Constables. 

1867 -Supervisors, C. S. Blanchard. Chairman: Drake H. I'hilli|)s. Enos H. Stone; S. B. 
Tullar. Clerk; Harvey Ambler, Treasiu-er ; Seymour Brooks, Asses.sor; William Miller. James H. 
Morrill, Justices of the Peace; S. Dartt, Roinhold Krush, Jesse Thombleson, ('onstables. 

1868 — Supervisors, A.. O. Babcock, Chairman; Alexander Frazer, J. W. Stoney; W. S. 



534 lirSTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

Keats, Clerk; 0. S. Miller, Treasurer; Seymour Brooks, Assessor; W. S. Keats, E. H. Stem, 
Justices of the Peace; William Foss, George Patterson, James W. Webster, Constables. 

1809 — Supei-visors, A. O. Babcock, Chairman; Alexander Frazer, J. W. Stoney; W. S. 
Keats, Clerk; W. Gr. Keats, Treasm-er; C. D. Webster, Assessor; William Miller, E. Berry, 
Justices of the Peace: J. W. Jones, S. C. Gofl'. Charles H. Miller, Constables. 

1870 — Supervisors, J. W. Chiirch, Chairman ; Alexander Frazer, J. W. Stoney; W. S. 
Keats, Clerk; Harry Amber, Treasurer; D. H. Phillips. Assessor; W. S. Keats, E. H. Stone, E. 
D. Holmes, Justices of the Peace; J. W. Jones, Henry Adkins, Alfred Potter. Constables. 

1871 — Supervisors. Alexander Frazer. Chairman; J. W. Chiu-ch, Seymom- Brooks; W. S. 
Keats, Clerk; George H. Smith. Treasurer; S. B. Tullar, Assessor: S. B. Tullar, William Mil- 
ler. Justices of the Peace; D. H. Dowman, E. F. Adkins. S. C. Goff, Constables. 

1872 — Supervisors, A. O. Babcock. Chairman; William Mcintosh. D. W. Patterson; W. S. 
Keats, Clerk; George H. Smith. Treasurer; S. B. Tullar, A.ssessor; W. S. Keats. D. P. Webster. 
Justices of the Peace; W. G. Keats. D, S. Waters. George Crites. Constables. 

1873 — Supervisors. Alexander Frazer. Chairman; Richard Brownlee, Charles S. Miller; 
W. S. Keats, Clerk; W. G. Keats, Treasurer; S. B. Tullar. Assessor; S. B. Tullar. Charles 
Frazer, Justices of the Peace; F. Chalin, J. Mcintosh, D. H. Dowman, Constables. 

1874 — Supervisors. Alexander Frazer, Chairman; Homer ^Brooks, Charles S. Miller; W. 
S. Keats, Clerk; W. G. Keats, Treasurer; S. B. Tullar. Assessor; W. S. Keats. D. P. Webster, 
Justices of the Peace; E. Merton. F. Chafin. S. Edwards, Constables. 

1875— Supervisors, William Bm'git, Chairman; Charles S. Miller. C. P. F. Chatin; W. S. 
Keats, Clei-k; George H. Smith, Treasurer; S. B. Tullar, Assessor ; S. B. Tullar, Charles 
Frazer, Justices of the Peace; E. Merton, S. Edwards, F. Chafin, Constables. 

187(i — Supervisors, Alexander Frazer. Chairman; C. P. F. Chapin. C. S. Miller: W. S. 
Keats, Clerk; W. S. Keats, Treasm-er; S. B. Tullar, Assessor; W. S. Keats. D. P. Webster, 
Justices of the Peace; C. M. Hillard, I. Chafin, John Funk, Constables. 

1877— Supervisors. William Burgit. Chairman; J. M. Hunter, C. P. F. Chafin; W. S. 
Keats, Clerk; W. H. Meadows, Treasm-er; S. B. Tullar, Assessor; S. B. Tiillar, Charles Frazer, 
Seymour Brooks, Justices of the Peace; A. Stebbins, J. J. Haller. F. Chapin, Constables. 

1878— Supervisors. William Burgit. Chairman; J. M. Hunter, C. P. F. Chafin; W. S. 
Keats, Clerk; James Mimaghan, Treasurer; S. B. Tullar, Assessor; W. S. Keats, Seymoiu- 
Brooks, Justices of the Peace; A. Stebbins, John J. Kavauaugh, John Funk, Constables. 

1879— Supervisors, William Bm-git. Chairman; J. M. Hunter. J. Doyle; W. S. Keats, Clerk; 
James Monaghan, Treasurer; S. B. Tullar, Assessor; S. B. Tullar, Charles Frazer, Justices of 
the Peace; C. M. Hillard, J. J. Haller, F. Chafin, Constables. 

1880— Supervisors, William Bm-git, Chairman; C. P. F. Chafin, J. M. Hiinter; W. S. 
Keats, Clerk ; James Monaghan, Ti-easurer ; S. B. Tullar, Assessor ; W. S. Keats, Seymour 
Brooks, Justices of the Peace: J. Cummings, Frank Chafin, Lon Green, Constables. 

1881 — Superivsors, H. H. Rogers, Chairman: Lindsey Atkinson (resigned, and C. F. P. 
Chafin appointed June 27), J. M. Hunter; W B. Keats, Clerk; James Monaghan, Treasm-er; S. 
B. Tullar, Assessor; S. B. Tullar, Frank Frazer, Jiifitiees of the Peace; A. Stel>bins, J. J. Haller, 
F. Chafin, Constables. 

VILLAGE OF EAST TROY. 

The first settlers on the site of the present village of East Troy were Mr. H. Roberts, Asa 
Blood, Austin McCracken and Jacob Burgit. The account of their settlements has already been 
given in the early history of the town of East Troy, as well as all the early history of the village 
previous to its beiug platted. The ]ilatting of the village occurred in March, 1847, Martin 
Fields, of Mukwanago doing the surveying. All that part of the village lying north of the 
main street, was owned and platted by Austin McCracken, and that south t)f the main street by 
Jacob Bm-git. McCracken and Burgit, the proprietors of the village, oftered special inducements 
to the peopling of the village by giving to each person a lot, providing he would build on this 
lot a house and improve it in various other ways. They also set a])art a certain number of lots 
for religious societies on which churches have since been built. In this manner, numerous 
persons were induced to settle in the village, and in a few years it assumed considerable im- 
portance, and is now one of the most ])i-osperous and flourishing villages in the county. 



HISTOin' OF WAI.WORTH COT'XTY. •'J35 

Tho first storo was Imilt for St>\vall Smith liy Lucius AII<'n in iSll. In tliis huildincj Mr. 
Siiiitli opeai'd tho Jh-st stock of ijoixls. This building is now standin<j; o)ii)osito tho East Troy 
House, and is ownod by D. (Hoason, aud at ]irosent unocouiiiiHl The second store was built 
and opened by Austin Wright in the following year — 1842. This building stood on the present 
site of the cbnig store of P. O. (rriste. Among the other early merchants were R. H. Malloi-y, 
who p\u-chased the stock of goods belonging to Mr. Smith, and commeuced business in the store 
Ini'lding owned by Mr. Wright, he in tho meantime closing out his stock ot goods aud removing 
from the village. Mr. ^lallory subse<iuently associated with himself as a parmer G. L. Oatman, 
and thev continued the busin(>ss together for some time. Stone & Markham were also early 
merchants. Mr. Markham remained as a partner of Mr. Stone's for some time, and was suc- 
ceeded by a Mr. Hurlburt, and he in turn by H. J. Cowles, Stone & Cowlos, then Austin & Dor- 
ranco. who were siTccei>ded by H. H. Austin, who still continues tho business. Alon/o Piatt was 
also one of the early merchants. 

The first school in the village of East Troy was taught by a IVfiss Auger in \S:]'.t. It was 
held in the Methodist Chapel, which was the lirst frame buikling en-cted in the village. The 
first schoolhouse was built in I84f). This was a one-story frame building, in size 20x36. The 
prosont schoolhouse was built in 1S58 or 1S54, the old one being too small to accommodate all 
the school children. The old schoolh(«ise has been remodeled, and is now owned and used by 
J. Bailey as a dwelling-house. The present house is in size 34x<')0, two stories high, with ac- 
commodations for about two hundred scholars. The school is graded. em])loying three teachers. 
The schools are in a ])ros]ierous condition under the principalshiji of L. E. Peck. 

^CHURCHES. 

Whilt» S[)riug Prairie claiius'the honor of the first sermon preached in Walworth County, 
July Itl, ISSf). East Troy claims the first jmblic religious service a kind of patriarchal service, 
held on the beaiitiful eminence just south of Army Lake, where Mr. Lawder now resides. The 
date is given as Sunday, July 4, 1S8(), but it must have been July 3, if on Sunday. This was 
just a week before the meeting in- S]iring Prairie. Mr. Daniel Griffin, with his family, was 
on his way fi-om his old home in Oswego, N. Y., to the new home in ^^■isconsin. He had already 
selected his location, and Saturday night found him yet a mile fi-om the chosen s])ot. His sous 
who came with him had arrived at nuui's estate, and were heads of families: so that quite a 
little colony encamped that July night on the hill. and. on the following day. (hey were gathered 
to Hinder thanks to Cod for bringing them thus far on their jom-ney in safety, and to ask His 
<livine blessing on th(^ir new undertaking. Ml'. Griffin was d zealous and enthusiastic Methodist. 
and the second (piarterly meeting of the Aztalan Mission, Rev. Salmon Stebbins, Presiding 
Elder, was held at his house on February 3, 1S3S. This mission embraced all the country lying 
lietween the Fox River on the east, the Rock River on the west, Stafe line on the south aud John- 
son's Rai)ids on the north. At the meeting at the house of Mr. Griffin, the Methodist Episco- 
pal Cliurch of East Troy was organiz(!d- said to have been the first cluu'ch organized in Wal 
worth County. The memlxirs of the class formed at this meeting were Daniel P. Griffin, Daniid 
Griffin, his son, Mrs. .McCracken, Mr. and Mrs. John S. Spoor and Benjamin Jennings Mr. 
and Mrs. J. W. Vail and Mr. and Mrs. William Weed joined tho class te)n])orarily. or until 
they shoidd be able to organize the church of their choice. Revs. Jesse Halst(!ad and Samu(>i 
Pillsbury wore the first preachers on this circuit, and managed to kee]) their appointments in tint 
face of ditliculties which were well-nigh insurmountable. During this first year. Mr. Halstead's 
horse becondng disabled, the undismayoHl i)ioneer, like a soldier indeed, bravely marched on foot 
from ])ost to post, detennined that he would "hold the fort" if once it was gained. L B. Cor- 
nish was Secretary. 

At the organization of the Methodist Church. John S. Spoor and Sanuiel S. Porter were 
made class-leaders, holding the position the greater part of their residen(^i' in the town. Mr. 
Spoor was also Sunday school Superintendent, aud both he and i\Ir. Griffin filled the offices of 
Trustee and Steward. Mr. (Jrillin also held au exhorter"s license until the time of his death. 
The church held its meetings at .Mr. (iriffin's house for a number of months, wluni a log h<mse 
was erected on tho proseiit parsonage sit(>, which was called "1110 Parsonage." oi- the -'Mission 



5^36 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

House." and became the place uf meeting immediately, althoujrh it was not entirely completed 
for two years. 

The buildintr known as the " Methodist Chapel " — the tirst fi-ame Iniildinc^ in the villajj-e 
of East Troy -was ])robably erected durino; the winter of 1839—1:0. It was built as a union 
church, and so used by all denominations for several years. It received its name from the fact 
that the Methodists were at that time the predominating sect, and used the ''Chapel" most fre- 
quently, having the only organized church. For many years this old landmark served many 
and various purposes — town hall, schoolhouse, etc. After the various denominations that once 
Worshiped here in common had each a "local habitation and a name," the Methodists used it 
alone until they erected their |)resent chm-ch edifice in 1S50. 

The ''Old Methodist Chapel" is now historic, and the children and graudchikken of the 
old settlers can see upon the lot of Mrs. Flowers, of East Troy, the church where, in the early 
days, sects and denominations forgot their differences of belief and ojiinioo, and only remembered 
that they were brethren needing the care and ])rotection of the same Good Father. 

About INtJO, the Methodists erected a neat frame structiu-e in tiie central part of the village 
for a chiu'ch building. At the time the house was built, the chm'ch numbered over one hundred 
members, but removals and deaths have somewhat decreased the number since that time. The 
first pastor of the church was Rev. Samuel Pillsbmy, succeeded by Revs. Jesse Halstead, James 
Flanders, James McKean, D. Worthingtim, L. F. Moulthroji, William Hanson, Henry AVhite- 
head, N. Swift, M. L. Read. J. C. Gallup, J. Bean, M. Butler, J. M. Snow, J. C. Dame, William 
M. Osborn. H. V. Train, William F. Delap. H. Hersev. S. Watts, R. P. Lawton. J. G. Pingi-ee, 
T. Wilcox, T. 0. Wilson, R. Cooley, W. W. Painter. Isaac Searles, L. F. Cole. T. Peep. S. Rey- 
nolds, J. D. Wilson, F. C. Parsons. A. Porter. M. J. Olmstead and S. C. Thomas. 

The second quarterly meeting held in East Troy was October 16 and 17, IS-il, John T. 
Mitchell, Presiding Elder. East Troy was attached to the old Aztalau Circuit one year (1837), 
then to Honey Creek (1838). next to Walworth (1S3U). to the Troy Circuit from 1840 to 1854, 
since which time it has been Icnown as East Troy. 

- Tlie Prt'sbj/ten'nn Church was organized June "22, 183V).. by Rev. Stephen Peet. of Green 
Bay, assisted by Rev. Lemuel Hall, of Geneva. The organization was at the house of Mr. J. 
W. Vail, the present site of the Du Puy farm. The constituent members of the church wei'e 
"William A^'eed, Betsey "\\'eed, J. "\V. Yail. Rebecca Yail, Amasa Hotchkiss. Araby Hotchkiss, C. 
A. Hotchkiss. StilmJiu Dewey. Caroline Dewey. William Trumbull. Elizabeth Chatin and Polly 
Burgit. William Weed was chosen Elder, and Amasa Hotchkiss elected Deacon. The church 
held religious services in the house of Mr. Vail for aboiit two years, and, from that time until 
the erection of their own chm-ch edifice, they worshiped in com]uon with other denominations 
in the Methodist Chapel. In 1848, the society commenced the construction of a building for 
public worship. The job was let, the meeting-house to be 25x30 feet, •• all to be done in good 
and workmanlike manner." It was to be built for $500. The movers in this enterprise had 
already experienced many delays and disappointments, and were again obliged to wait another 
season for their new church, the roads of that new coiuiiry being so nearly impassable that the 
contractors failed to get their lumber to the selected spot. The building was finally completed, 
and. June 21. 1849. it was dedicated, during the last year of the pastorate of Rev. C. E. Roseu- 
kraus. In June, 1855, this church clianged its name and adopted the Congregational polity. 
The society and chiu'ch ra})idly increasing in numbers, soon outgrew the little meeting-house, 
and early in 185(5 it was decided to erect one larger and more commodious, and which was 
better adapted to the wants of the rapidly growing town. In 1857. the basement of the build- 
iag was completed and occupied by the society. The financial crisis of 1857, which crippled 
the resources of business men from one extreme of the country to the other, did not spare even 
the new towns of the West. The work on the church building whs abandoned, and. as it is 
very hard to lift anew a load once laid down, so for fourteen years little was done toward the 
conipletion of the church, June 21. 1871. Rev. H, Fowle. then pastor of the chm-ch, held a 
memorial service — just twenty-two years before the old church had been consecrated to the 
service of God. Old memories stirred in the hearts of the surviving members, inspiring them 
with courage to make another attempt toward carrying out the long-delayed project. This 
awakened zeal re-acted upon the newer members, and in a year the work was finally completed, 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNT V. 637 

and, in September, IN7"2. the chnrcli was dedicated. The following have been pastors of the 
church: Uev. Hall, durintj tlu' lirst year: Kev. D. A. Sherman, two or three years; Kev. 0. E. 
Kosenkrans, six years: Hev. Chiu-les Morgan, twenty years, with an interval of two years, which 
was filled by Uev. A. Sedt;wick and Rev. Miles Doolittle: Rev. H. Fowle, four years: Kev. A. 
W. ("urtis, three years, who was su(H-eeded by Rev. J. Beardsley, the ]n-esent pastor. The old 
church, built in ISU). has recently passed into the possession of the Lutheran (Ihureh, and is 
aijain to be r(>iitted and used as a place of worship. 

The third church organized in East Troy was the Baptist. Octi)ber ,">, 1S42, the organizin^L^ 
council met in the Methodist Episcopal Chapel. Rev. Burgess, Moderator; Rev. H. Topping, 
Clerk. The seven Ba])tist Churches of Geneva, Delavan. Rochester, Sugar Creek, Mukwanago, 
S]>ring Prairie and AVhitewater. were represented. The following are the names of its ten con 
Htituent mcmliers: William Duncan, Ii'ena Dum^au, Horace Smith, Eliza Sperry, Gaylord Graves, 
Nan(^y Graves, Klvira Duncan, Gilbert Waters. Polly Waters and Betsy Ann Edwards. Rev. 
Alvah Bui'gess was the fii'st pastor, for the space of two years, succeeded by Rev. James Delany, 
ft>nr years: Rev. M. B. Tremaiii. two years; Rev. James Squier, two years; Rev. G. W. Gates, 
three veal's; Rev. P. Com'ad, two years; Rev. O. Martin, about a year; Rev. A. Weaver, one 
year; Rev. D. Dye, three years; Rev. E. L. Schofield, two and a half years; Rev. C. J. B. Jack- 
son, n(>arly two years: Rev. James Delaney, nearly four years, succeeded by Rev, W. A. Rupert, 
the ])resent pastor. Of the constituent members of this church only one is still living -Irene 
Duncan (now Mi-s. Irene Cole). The present church edifice was commenced in the year .1846, 
and completed in the spring or early summer of bS47, its dedication taking plac(» in June of 
that y(>ar. The original contract price for building was $l,3r)0, and the house has since received 
various improvements and moditicatious, making it a convenient and comixiodious chm'ch build- 

Till' <'iithiilir ('liiiirh of l\ant Trini was organized by Rev. Father Martin Kundig in 1S4K. 
After its in-ganization. services were held at the residences of some of its members until, in 
INr)4, th('y Imilt their first house of worship. This was a frame building, in size, 80x40 feet, 
costing about $1,200. This building was used until 1S70, when, on account of its being inade- 
ipiate to meet the wants of the cougi'egation, their present elegant stone strixctiu'e was erected 
in the northwestern pai't of the village. This building is in size 40xS0 feet, and cost S16,0<)0. 
The church numbers at present \(\'i families, or some over 500 communicants. The present 
pastor is Rev. Father Allan. 

Till' (icriiian Lnflieraii Cliiirrli was organized in the sjiring of 1S74 by' Rev. Morsk, of 
AVaterford. It was organized with fifteen farailies. Their sei'vices were held in the Baptist 
('hurch until l>S7't, since which time they have been held in the Methodist Church. About a 
year ago, the Lutheran Church ]»iu'chased the old Congregational Church l)uilding, which has 
been refitted and refm'nished and is now ready for occupancy. The chm'ch has at present a 
niemliership of twentytwo families. The ])resent pastor is Rev. D. Young. 

FIRST SUNDAY SCHOOL. 

[n 1N;-',S. probal)ly soon after the organization of the Methodist Church, the Christian 
men and won.en of East Troy made their first attempt to '"gather in the children for religi<jus 
instruction. The (>nter])rise was not a sectarian one. but was engaged in by all who recognized 
the necessity and usefulness of this l)ranch of the Christian Church. It culminated iu the i>stal)- 
lishment of a union school, which was continued until the various denominations had their own 
separate places of worship. According to general remembrance, the school was organized at 
the house of Mr. McCrackeu in the spring of 1888. Mrs. McCracken and her sister, Miss Aj'te- 
mesia McLeod, being among the most zealous Methodist working women of the* town. Mr. 
John D. S]ioor was made Superintendent at the organization. Its meetings were held at Mr. 
Griffin's, at Mr. Vails, at the j)arsonage, after its erection in the fall, and after the building of 
the "Methodist Chajiel,"" that l)ecame the usual place of assembly. There ar(> no records by 
which the |)rogre.ss of the school, or the ])articulars of the work that was done, can be traced, 
but the names of those who so early started the good work should always be gratefully remem 
liere(L 

In l'~'8'.l, Mrs. .1. W. Vail, a lady of culture and refini'ment. sU|i|)leiuentiMl her labors in the 



538 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

Sabbath school by opening a boarding-school for young ladies in her own house. The schou 
combined secular and religious training, and soon became a success. A good school and good 
home united was somewhat of an anomaly in the new countrj% and it is said that Mrs. Vail had 
pupils from many of the surrounding towns, and even from the " metropolis "' — Milwaukee. 
When Mr. Vail removed to Geneva, his wife again opened a school of similar character in that 
])lace. 

THE PRESS. 

The East Troy Gazette was established August 6. 1.S79. by F. D. Craig. Mr. Craig edited 
and published the pai)er until July. 1880. when it was ]">urchased by C. A. Cook, then proprietor 
of the Chrisman Adravce. at Chrisman. 111. The paper was then edited liy H. W. Metcalf until 
June. 1881. when F. D. Craig jrarchased and became its possessor. The paper is a six-column 
folio; in politics, neutral. Its circulation is 750 copies, its day of issue being Wednesday. 
F. D. Craig is its editor and publisher. 

The American. Merino, a sheet published in the interest ef the American Merino Shee]) 
Breeders' Association, was established by F. D. Craig in November, 1881. This paper is also 
a six-column folio. ]>ul>lished m(mthly. Its editor is A. H. Craig. withF.D. Craig as publisher. 

SOCIETIES. 

Trojan Lodge, No. 4.'}, I. O. O. F., was instituted February 19, 1850, by R. O'Connor, D. 
D. G. M. Their charter is dated January 18, 1850. The chartered members were Emery 
Thayer, Matthew Coleman, Elisha Stillman, Francis Winne, Daniel Eggleston, F. H. Harwood, 
James Palmer, Andrew E. Elmore. The lirst persons initiated into the mysteries of th(^ order 
were Timothy Mower, Henry P. Taylor, ^^'illiam T. Walker, Sewall Smith, Henry B. Clark, 
Russell H. Mallory, Simon B. Edwards, John D. Hawes. Gan-ett A\'iune, Alexander O. Babcock, 
Herman H. Winchell and Cyrus L. Oatman. The ofJicers elected and appointed at its organiza- 
tion were: F. H. Harwood, N. G.: Andrew E. Elmore, V. G.; A. O. Babcock, Secretary; 
Emery Thayer, Treasurer; Matthew Coleman, Warden; Francis Winne, Conductor; Sewall 
Smith, I G.; James Palmer, O. G.; Timothy Mower, R. S. N. G. ; Ru.ssoll H. Mallory, L. S. N. 
G.; John D. Hawes, R. S. V. G. : William T. Walker, L. S. V. G. The present officers are: T. 
H. Conklin. N. G.; C. M. Hillard, V. G.: W. S. Keats. R. S.; W. H. Meadows, P. S.; W. M. 
Howard, Treasurer; C. W. Smith. W.; Will Child. C; C. Densraore. R. S. N. G.; George 
Brewster. L. S. N. G.; C. S. Blauchai-d. R. S. V. G. ; J. H. Miller. L. S. V. G. ; A. J. Bliss, R. 
S. S.; H. Montague, L. S. S. The order has a membership at ]>resent of thirty-three. They 
have fitted uj) a hall over the drug store of P. O. Griste at an expense of aliout 5!400. Their 
meetings are held on every Tuesday evening. 

St. James Lodge, No.' 41, F. d' A. M. — This Masonic body was instituted at the lodge room 
of the Independent Order oi Odd Fellows, imder a dispensation granted March 14. 1851. Their 
charter is dated June 16, 1853. The chartered members were: L. Mayo, Hiram Medbury, J. 
Calitf, Stephen G. West. J. A. Larkin and H. fclemmons. The first officers were: Hiram Med- 
bury. W. M.; Stephen G. West, S. W. ; A. M. Perry, J. W. The present officers are: W. S. 
Keats, W. M.; N. J. Randolph, S. W.; O. F. Winne, J. W.; E. R. Hicks, Treasiu-er; E. T. Cass, 
Secretaiy; C. A. Dingman, S. D.; H. B. Reeves, J. D.; J. E. Reynolds, E. S. Kellogg, Stew- 
ards; W. E. Du Puy, Tiler. Th^ order at present has a membership of thirty-five. Their hall 
has been well fm-nished, at a consideralile expense. It is in the second story of Rogers' Block, 
and has been occupied by the institution since August, 1881. 

The Library Association was organized January 10. 18(i3, by some of the citizens of East 
Trov. The officers elected were as follows: T. Mower, President; William Anyan. Vice Presi- 
dent; J. G. Dorrance, Secretary: C. W. Smith. Treasurer; H. B. Clark, Librarian; S. B Ed- 
wards, H. H. Austin, William Burgit, Trustees. 

The fh-st donation was made by John F. Potter, and consisted of a set of American State 
I)apers. Dramatical entertainments, etc., have fi-om time to time been held to assist in the pro- 
cm-ation of books, the volumes at present numbering 1,000. The membership amoimts to $2, 
with the annual fees of ?1. The present officers, elected at the nineteenth annual meeting, are 
as follows: William Burgit. President: W. M. Howard. Vice President; W. S. Keats, Secre- 



HISTOHY OF WALWORTH COU^'TY. 539 

tary; William Burijit. Troasnror: T. H. Conklin, Librarian; P. O. Gristle. F. Dickerman, H. 
B. (jilbert. Trustees. Tiu" library room is in the boot and shoe store of \V. M. Howard. Har- 
rison Conklin is the Librarian. Theri< are now 950 vohimos m the libi-iry. vahied. with book- 
case, at ii)7()7. 

HOTELS. 

/'y'a.sf 7'ro.ii/ Howie. — The fir.st hotel kept on the site of this house, as well as in the village. 
was in a small lo<j building, erected by Austin McCracken in 183(5. Mr. McCracken kept the 
hotel until 1842. when ho sold out to Emery Thayor. who built the easu half of the present 
hotel in 1845. It was in size 28x42, two stories high. In 1855, Timothy Mower piu-chased 
the hotel property and k(>pt it until 1856, and disposed of it to L. J. Edwards, and he in tiu-u 
to S. B. Edwards" in 1802. In 18()4. Orson B. Morse purchased the proi)ertyand disposed of it 
to Hemy B. Clark in 18(58. Li JS72. H. H. Rogers purchased a half-interest in the hotel of 
Mr. Clark, and. dm-ing that year. Clark & Rogers piu-chased the old Catholic Church and 
moved it to the west side of the main hotel, and it now forms a part of the whole building. It 
is in size 30x40. and two stories high. Over this part of the hot(d is a large hall, which is 
used mostly for dancing purposes. The annex, which formed the alcove of the church Isuild- 
ing, was added to the north end of the main building, and now forms the sample room. This 
is in size 14x20. Mr. Rogers is a very obliging and accommodating landlord, and his house 
is one of the best in the county. In connection with the hotel is one of the finest barns in the 
State, erected by i\Ir. Rogers in 1879. The main building is 40x(50, with two wings,one 24x36, 
and the other 16x30. 

Buena Vista Hoiixe. This hotel, a three-story stone structure, in size 40x60, commenced 
building in 1846, by Samuel Bradley. Mr. Bradley was his own architect, carpenter and ma- 
son, constructing the Irailding as far as the roof with no help. The stones he drew from the 
quarry with one horse and wagon, and the cobble-stones, with which it is faced on all fom- sides, 
he gathered on the shores of the lakes in the vicinity. The building was not completed until 
late in the fall of 1849, when it was opened as a hotel, with Bradley as landlord. On account 
of his failure to meet certain demands, the hotel has since passed into the hands of various par- 
ties, and is now owned under a tax title deed by Richard Hotton. He is also its present pro 
prietor. 

BANDS. 

Ray & Goffs String Band was organized in 1874, with J. M. Ray, Chauncey Gofl", H. A. 
Tullar and \V. J. \\'are as the members. There has been no change in the band since it was 
organized, and it is now one of the best in the county. 

The East Troy Cornet Band was organized in August, 1881, witli H. A. Tullar as leader. 
The members ar(>, besides Mi-. Tullar, F. Conrad, D. F. Tullar, J. Conrad, Warren Smith, 
Herbert Smith, Will Smith, S. Medbmy, J. Monaghan, F. Howard, A. Dickerman and A. Smith. 
The band, since its organization, has been training under the supervision of Thomas Williams, 
(if Milwaukee^ 

INSURANCE. 

The Mutual Fire Insm-ance Company of Troy and East Troy was organized in 1875, with 
Alexander Eraser, Pre.sident; William Burgit, Secretary; S. B. Edwards, Treasurer. The tirst 
])olicy was given to C. S. Milhsr, and bears date September 4, 1875. According to their last 
annual report, in January, 1881, the amount of capital stock was 1374,(516, and the number of 
policies 203. The whole amount of loss thus far in 1881 is $2. The general office of the com- 
l)auy is in East Troy. The jn-esent ofllcers are: Alexander Fraser, I'resident; William Burgit: 
Secretary: and Homer Brcjoks, Treasurer. 

East Troy, like many other localities in this section of the country, has its mineral spring. 
It is situated on the fann of William Burgit. and the water, analyzed by Gusta\iis Bode, of 
Milwaukee, was found to contain 22.377 grains of soluble matter to one gallon, as follows: 
Chloride of sodium. .371 grains; sulphate of soda. 1.074 grains: silica, 1.315 grains: carbonate 
of lime, 11.880 gi-ains: carbonate of magnesia. 7.745 grains. 

On account of this spring, and the beautiful locaticm and surrouiulingsof the village. East 
Troy is undoubtedly destined soon to become one of the attractive pleasure n^sorts of the coun 



540 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

ty. Added to this, also, Ib the summer resort owned by H. H. Rogers. In the spring of 1881, 
Mr. Rogers purchased 107 acres of land on the north and east shores of Booth's Lake, in the 
town of Troy. On Troy Island he erected a building 18x40 for the shelter and comfort of 
pleasure-seekers. In partnership with S. P. Koyes, he built a small steamer, the Lady Anna, at 
a cost of $1,500. This "resort" being insufficient. Mr. Rogers has now purchased what is 
known as "Brooks' Island," located in Crooked Lake. This island contains about forty acres 
of land, and is one of the most delightful ])laces in the vicinity. Mr. Rogers will erect on this 
island buildings sufficient to accommodate all summer tourists who may wish to spend a few 
days here in fishing, etc., and the Lady Anna will be transferred to this lake, ^^'hen this is done, 
Crooked Lake will be as widely known as many of the other resorts, and much credit is due Mr. 
Rogers for his undertaking. 

FIRE. 

East Troy, like most coiintry towns, has had its experience in this respect. About 3 o'clock 
in the morning of Thanksgiving Day, in 1870, the cry of " Fire!" was heard, and was found 
to be well under way, in the tailoring establishment of Fred Bescli. A west wind was blowing 
at the time, and all efforts to extinguish it were useless. The four buildings on that street 
eastward were entirely consumed, as follows: Store building, owned by Joseph Doyle and oc- 
cupied by Fred Beseh as a tailor-ahoji and clothing store: store building, owned by S. Baldwin 
and occupied by J. M. Killips as a general dry goods and grocery store, with living rooms in 
the second story; store building, owned and occujiied by J, Bailey as a jewelry store: store 
building, owned by J. Bailey and occupied by Charles Hith as a grocery. These buildings have 
since been rejilaced with neat brick and frame stores. The total loss of this tu'e amounted to 
about $5,000, with no insurance. 

TELEGR.\PH AND TELEPHONE LINE. 

In 1881, a telegraph and telephone line was erected by H. H. Rogers and John Matheson, 
from Rogers' hotel in East Troy to the store of John Matheson, at Mayhew Station, the distance 
being about four miles. This line is in successful operation at present, the rates being 15 cents 
for ten words, and one cent extra for each additional word. 

OAK RIDGE CEMETERY ASSOCIATION. 

This burial-ground was imder the control of the town of East Troy until March 31, 1878, 
when, by a vote of the town, the Cemetery Association was formed, with S, B. Edwards, Pres- 
ident: W. S. Keats. Secretary; William Burgit. Treasurer. Since the association was formed, 
the cemetery has been re-surveyed, and various improvements have from time to time been 
made. The present officers of the association are: Stephen F. Fields, President; W. S. Keats, 
Secretary; A^'illiam Burgit, Treasiu'er. 

THE VILLAGE AS IT IS. 

The village of East Troy is at present represented b_\- the following business and profes- 
sional men: 

Dry Goods an;l Groceries, etc— C. W. Smith & Co.. H. H. Austin, Wilmer Bros. 

Groceiy and Meat Market— O. B. Rogers. 

Grocery and Jewelry— J. Bailey. 

Drugs and Medicines — P. O. Griste. 

Hardware -Meadows Bros., H. A. Tullar. 

Harness and Saddlery —A. C. Deist, Wendt & Keiber. 

Photogi-apher -S. K. Graves. 

Hotels — East Troy House, H H. Rogers, proprietor; Buena Vista House, Richard Hotton, 
proprietor. 

Newspai)ers- -East Troy Gazeife. F. D. Craig, editor and publisher; AineriGan Merino. F. 
D. Craig, publisher; A. H. Craig, editor. 

Millinery and Dress-Making -Julia Cowley & Co.. Mrs. Trainer, and the Misses Dwyer. 

Physicians— D. W. Rector. T. F. Johnson. C. P. Blanchard. 

Dentist — A. Stebbins. 




yyh 



' A- 



yx :/ {/ P i co/ixj n^- 






:.<'*!¥*.>^^';, 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COrXIY. 543 

Blaeksuiiths- Jamos IVronaiibaii. (). F. Winne. D. S. Watws. 
A\ a','ou-Makt're- H. Durtt, S. P. Kines. 
Maohiue Kojiairiiifjf-Shop— HaiTV Dickinaii. 
Cooj)er — M illiani V. Kiiapp. 

KAST TKOy IN 1S81. 

Thi- ])o]mlatiou of the town, according to the Federal census of 1S80. was 1,407. 

The grain and other a<;riciiltnval jmxluctsof 1880 were: Wheat, ;i5.000 bush(^Ls; coni, 70,- 
000 bushels; oats, 48.();!() Imshols; barley. 1,100 bushels: rye, 3,000 bushels; potatoes, 10,000 
bushels: ajiples, 10,500 bushels: hay, 2,500 tons; butter, 50.000 })ouuds. 

In 1881. there were 5.388 acres sown to grain; 258 acres of apple orchard; 2. I3S acres of 
mowing and pasturage: and 3. 188 acres of growing timber. There were 52() iriilch cows, val- 
ued at SI 0.500. 

There were seven whole and two joint school districts. The total enumeration of schcdars 
between the ages of four and twenty years was 4(52. of which number 34'.) attended school. 
Nine teachers were em])loyed, at monthly wages of $40.50 for male, and $23.50 for female, 
teachers. The town had seven schoolhouses. valued at $6,670, including tlu) sites. The annual 
expenditm-e for school puqioses was $3,100. 

RIOCKAPIIICAL SKETCIIKS. 

H. H. AUSTIN, clealer in general merchandise, one of the prominent merchants of Wal- 
worth County, was born in Oswego Co., N. Y., in 1832; received an academic education; helped 
his parents on the farm and continued to reside in his native State until the spring of 1854, 
when he came to Wisconsin with a view of teaching school. He stopped in the vicinity of Be- 
loit, but. as he was unsuccessful in obtaining a situation, he returned to New York; but, in the 
fall, he again retm-ued to AVisconsin, this time to East Troy, where lie engaged as clerk in the 
store of J. R. Stone & Co., a form(«r schoolmate of his. Thi-ee years sul)sequently, in partnership 
with John G. Dorrance, he j)urchased an interest in the business, when the lirni bi.'came Stone, 
Dorrance & Co., and so continued until 18()1. when Mr. Stone witlnbew and li^ft the tirm Dor- 
rance & Austin up to 18(54. Mr. Austin then purchased his pai'tner's interest and continued 
alone. In 1865, he pui-chased the otock of C. W. Smith, and for thi-ee years did business in the 
store now occu])ied by C. W. Smith & Co. In 1868, he purchased his present store, associated 
G. H. Willis as partner, and did business under tirm name of Austin & Willis until 1873, at 
which time Mi-. Austin purchased his partner's interest, since which he has been alone, doing a 
general mercantile business: also deals in wool, etc. He carries a stock of $7,000 to $8,000. 
Mr. Austin is a successful merchant and a good financier. He is a stanch Ke])nl)lican. but seeks 
no offices. He was married, in 18(50, to Miss Helen M.. daughter of Sanniel and Ann Fowier. of 
Troy. Thev have three cliildren Lucy F., Mary Belle and Charles H. 

" ALEXANDER O. BABCOCK, deceased. Among the early settlers of East Troy was A. 
O. Babcock. He was a native of Homer, N. Y., and came to East Troy in 1843. Here he estab- 
lished a law office and continued in the practice of his profession till his death, in 1875. He was 
a wise and safe counselor, rising above the standai'd of his profiwsion, and always remained true 
t<) the cause which he believed right; and, while he was a man of decided convictions, and never 
temporized nor apologized for his views, he was charital)le toward those who differed from him 
in ojiinion. Mr. Balxrock was a leader in public sentiment, and did mncli toward molding the 
opinions of others. His plain, simple manner of statement earned conviction with its logic. The 
|)eople of his town and county were not sUiw to [)erceive his ability and integrity of character, 
and employ it for the [)ul)li(! good l)y In-stowiug on him offices of trust and honor. He served as 
Jiistice of the Peace, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, County Attorney and member of the 
Assembly, and the duties of all these positions he discharged with zeal and lidelity to his con- 
stituents. He was a real child of nature, in full harmony with her work. Pie loved to roam in 
solitude by the lakes, and, equipped with fishing tackle, many a tine catch were trophies of his 
skill in that direction. He had quite a passion for hunting. Shooting was his delight, anil ho 
was very successful therein, and he was never so engl'ossed in business or [)leasui'e as to forget 



544 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

his faithful dog. Mr. Babcock had not long been a resident of oiu- village before he selected a 
site and built a mansion for his futiire home. With fine taste and great perseverance, he adorned 
his grounds, making his home one of the most delightful retreats to be found in the county. 
Here his vfidow still resides, and, in the sorrow of her widowhood, seems to find her sweetest 
comfort in continuing the work of beautifying her lonely home. 

SEYMOUR BROOKS, son of David and Catharine (Simpsou) Brooks, was born in Ovid, 
Seneca Co., N. Y., July 24, 1821. His father was one of the foremost farmers in that section of 
the State, and Seymouj- was bred to the same occupation, receiving a good practical education in 
the common schools and at the Ovid Academy. In 1S38, he moved into Livingston Co., N. Y., 
where he remained till 1843. At that tiine, in company with his brother Homer, he came West 
and settled in the town of East Troy, which has ever since been his home. The two young men 
brought with them the first thi-eshiug machine, with separator, ever brought into the county, and 
ran it together the first season after their arrival, doing a very profitable business. Homer sold 
out the thi-eshing business to Seymoiu- at the end of the first yeai-, and gave his attention to 
farmincr. Seymour ran the machine one or more seasons after, meantime purchasing 1 20 acres 
of land on Sec. 18, to which ho added by subsetpieut purchases till his whole farm embraced 
some 500 acres. He did not, while the ovraier of this fann, give his entire attention to its man- 
agement. He lived on it but one year, it being occupied and worked, during the remaining 
time of his ownership by a tenant. He utilized, it, however, for his stock-raising purposes, it 
being there that his first importations were placed and his first herds and liocks bred. In 1845, 
David Brooks, their father, sent the boys, Homer and Seymom-, a Dm-ham bull and three heifers 
of the same breed. These were the first blooded cattle brought into the county, and perhaps 
the first into the State. Seymoiu-, though constantly interested and engaged in stock- farming, 
also became engaged in mercantile business. In 184(">. he entered the employ of Edward H. 
Ball, a young merchant from Monroe Co., N. Y., who opened a store in the village of East Troy 
at that time. He remained as his clerk for three year's, and as his partner, under the firm name 
of E. H. Ball & Co., for eight years longer. In company with Timothy Moore, he, for a short 
time diu-ing this period, ran the store, Mr. Ball remaining a silent partner, with but a small in- 
terest in the firm, the style remaining unchanged. Dm-ing this partnership, a Ih-e made a clean 
sweep of their stock of goods, amounting to some $14,000, which nearly swept away the capital 
of the two active partners. Moore soon after left the firm, and E. H. Ball put in more capital 
and resumed his place as an active partner with Mr. Brooks. The fire occurred about the year 
1855. Among other ])roi)erty which had come into the possession of the firm during this co- 
partnership was the large farm at the foot of Crooked Lake, on the eastern half of Sec. 5, and 
laud adjacent, comprising some 400 acres of the best fiu'ming land in the town. In the disso- 
lution of the coijartnership, Mr. Brooks took the fai-m, on which he has since lived. It has, 
under his skillful management, been brought to the highest state of excellence, and, with the 
commodious and substantial dwellings, bai-ns, sheds, and all conveiiiences that experience could 
devise, constitutes a model farm and a model home. The farm, knoivn as " Lake View," has 
been, fi-om the time of its occupancy by Mr. Brooks, devoted to the raising of blooded stock — 
cattle, sheep, swine and horses. It is the largest and best-appointed stock farm in the county, 
with possibly one exception that of Charles Clark, of Whitewater, being its only rival. Dur- 
ing Jlr. Brooks' long residence in East Troy, he has served his fellow-citizens in nearly every 
position of trust or honor within their gift, having been Supervisor, Assessor, Treasurer and 
Justice of the Peace. He has held the latter office from time immemorial. Thi'oughout the 
county he is best kno^Mi as one of the originators and constant friends of the Walworth County 
Aoricultm-al Society, and the leader in the importation and improvement of stock. As a citizen, 
his life has been without blemish, and name without reproach. Mr. Brooks was married to Miss 
Susan Bulmun, of Oneida, N. Y.. June 19, 1847. Their li\ang childi-en are Hattie, James S., 
Martha. Alice, John Franklin and Edward Louis. 

HOMER BROOKS, farmer. Sec. 17; P. O. East Troy; one of the most prominent farmers 
of Walworth County; is a son of David and Catharine Brooks; was born in Seneca Co., N. Y., 
in September, 1819. He received a common-school education; helped bis parents on a farm 
until 1N43, when, with his brother Sej-mour, he came to Wisconsin, bringing along a threshing 
machine and horses; they landed in Milwaukee and started in search of work, but, as they were 



HISTORY OF WAI.AVOU'I'TT COrXI'V. 545 

strangers, ami the luacliinc a new thing (it being the first separator over in this part of tlic 
State), the people would not ein))loy them; so they tinally arrived at East Troy, where, altcn- 
agreeing to do the work for nothing if not satisfactory, they obtained permission of Adolphus 
Sjioore to do his threshing, ;ind, while doing that job, the neighbors came to see tlie new ma- 
chine, and as th(\v were all well jileased, they immediately re(|nestiHl the Brooks brothers to do 
their work. Thus the machine was furnished work for several months. In December, Homer 
went back to his native State, driving a team and wagon all the way. AVhile there, he associated 
N. li. Wilson as j)artner, purchased 2,(t(H) Merino ewes, and drove the same from Now York to East 
Troy; this required thi'ee months; Mr. Brooks kept his sheep, also worked some at farming, 
and in 1848 piu-chased 1 00 acres of his present farm. The year following, he was married to 
Almine Bm-git, daughter of Jacol) and Polly Burgit, and has since made fanning his principal 
business. In 1854, liis father sent him a few head of Dixrham stock, which was the first in the 
vicinity of East Troy. He now owns lilN acres of land, valued at $(')() per acr<% it being a good 
grain and stock fai-m. He now ki>e])s "i'iO Merino sheep, besides other stock, etc. He is a Re- 
[lublican, and has held local office, but taices little interest in politics. The children are ^\'aIter. 
Kittv (now Mrs. Henrv Scliwartz, of Spring Prairie) and AVilliam. 

"WILLIAM BURGIT. farmer. Sec. 29; P. (). East Troy; oldest son of Jacob and Polly 
Gardner Burgit; was born in Tioga Co., N. Y.. in 1818; was brought up on a farm; received a 
common-school education. In the fall of 1835, he removed with his j)arents to St. Joseph Co., 
Ind., and, in March, 1837, came to Walworth County. Here hi> heli)ed his father in saw and 
grist mill; also worked some at farming until 18(32, when he was married, at Rochester, N. Y., 
to Miss Maria J. Burleigh, and has since followed farming on the homestead of his father, which 
is located just south of the village of East Troy, and contains 270 acres of well-improved land, 
worth !j40 per acre. Mr. Biu-git is a gentleman who is highly resjiected by his fellow-men; a 
Republican in jiolitics: was a member of the Town Board many years, and, a« he always has 
taken an interest in educational affairs, he has been a memlier of the School Board for many 
years. He has one daughter Edith. He is the oldest living settler in East Troy. 

EDWIN T. CASS, attorney, son of Cyrns and Elizabeth (Thomas) Cass, was born in East 
Troy April 4, 1854; was educated at the gi-aded schools of the village. In 1873, he went to Ocon- 
omowoc and studied one year with Rev. James Magoffin. The following year, he had charge 
of the Boys" Department of the Lake Side Seminary. In 1875, he entered the Michigan State 
University at .Ann Arbor, with the intention of becoming a civil engineer; but he soon entered 
the law class, from which he graduated in March, 1877, since which time be has been doing a 
general law and collection business at East Troy, meeting with good success. He is a member 
of the A., F. & A. M.. and the I. O. O. F. ; politics. Republican. 

C. P. F. CHAFIN, farmer. Section 4; P. O. East Troy, :\Iukwanago, Waukesha Co. ; one of 
the i)ioneers of 1837: son of Samuel and Elizabeth Chafin, the former of New Hampshire and 
the latter of Massachusetts. The subject of this sketch was born in Weston. Yt. , April U, 181U; 
was left fatherless at the age of 5 years. In 1837, with his mother and two brothers, he came 
to Wisconsin, and s(>ttled in the town of East Troy. He at once located land on Sec. 4, which 
he commenced to improve, boarding with his mother until 1849. when he was man-ied to Miss 
Partliena Graves, then of East lYoy, but a native of St. LawTence County, of New York. He 
now owns 201) acres of land. Kit) of which he purchased at the land sale of 1S38, which he now 
has well improved, and is valued at $40 per acre. He is a Republican, and has been a Sujier- 
visor during the ])ast six years. He has had two children, one of whom is living — Frank. 

H. B. CLARK, deceased, was born at Southbury, Conn., May 21, 1814, and, as his parents 
di<>d while he was in his youth, he commenced work at the tailor's trade, which he followed in 
his native State until 183(), by which time he became impressed with tlu^ future pt)ssibilities and 
probaliilities of the West, and, believing that the chances were lietter for him in this broad do- 
main than in his native State, he came alone to Milwaukee, where he contimietl his trade until 
1S43. He then came to East Troy, and at once b(>came a silent ])artiier of the tinn of Austin & 
Wright, at the simie time working at his trade. In April. 1S45. he was married to Miss Char- 
lotte H. Stewart, a native of W.-llsville, N. Y. In .August. 1845. Mr. Wright died, and the bus- 
iness of -Vustin t*c Wright closed out. Mr. Clark was then in business as merchant tailor alone 
until 1858. when he engaged in treneral merchandise. iMMntr a member of the tirm of Clarli. 



546 HISTORY OF WALAVORTH COUNTY. 

Cliurch & Co., afterward Clark & Houghton. In 1863, be piu'cliasecl his partner's interest and 
continued alone until January, 1866, when he associated H. H. Rogers as i^artner; continued under 
firm name of H. H. Rogers & Co. until 1868, when the tii-m sold to Austin & Willis. Mr. Clark 
then purchased the East Troy House, subsequently deeded a one half interest to H. H. Rogers, 
and spent bis remaining years in hotel business. Mr. Clark was a thoroughly good, wholly use- 
ful and truly honest man. He was a kind husband and loving father, and a most excellent citi- 
zen — a man who probably had as few enemies as it is possible for anyone to have. But a short, 
time before his death, he made the remark rhat, although he had not accumulated as much of 
this world's goods as he might have, he was able to say that he could "die an honest man." 
He was a Democrat in politics, and for many years was Chaii-man of the Town Board. His 
death took place Oct. V2, 1875, and the funeral ceremonies were conducted by the Trojan Lodge, 
No. 45, I. O. (.). F. , East Troy, and the East Troy Encampment, No. 43, I. O. O. F. , of which 
he was Past Grand and Past Chief Patriarch. He left a wife and one daughter. 

A. C. DEIST, dealer in harness, trunks, robes, etc., is a native of Gennany, born Oct. 7, 
1S53, but was brought by his parents to the United States when he was but <> months old. The 
family at once came to Wisconsin, and settled in East Troy. The father worked at his trade of 
mason a few years, then purchased land, and has since followed farming. A. C. lived with his 
|)arents until 18 years of age, when he concluded to learn the harness-maker's trade; he there- 
fore served an apprenticeship of twtf years with Mr. J. W. Church, when he pm-chased the busi- 
ness. In 1875, he removed to his present location, and is now doing a good business. He was 
married, Jan. 23, 1876, to Miss Isabella I., daughter of Charles and Mary Fraser, of East Troy. 
They have two children —Mary E. and W. Foster. In ])olitics, he is a Reimblican. 

"HON. STEPHEN FIELD, deceased, was born in Windsor Co., Vt., Jan. 10, 1791; was 
maiTied in his native State, in 1814, to Miss Maa-j Jordan. Mr. Field emigrated to Wisconsin 
in 1838; spent one winter in Mukwauago, Waukesha Co., and, in the spring of 1839, moved to 
East Troy; settled on Sec. 20. where he had a tine farm of 320 acres. He was elected to the 
Legislative Assembly from Walworth County in the winter of 1845, and held various minor 
offices in his town. Mr. and Mrs. Field had a family of five childi-en, all born in Vermont. 
The eldest, Martin, married an adopted daughter of Maj. Meacham, and lives in Mukwanago, 
Wis.; Mary is the wife of A. E. Elmore, of Ft. Howard, Wis.: Augusta died in 1873, aged 55 
years; Stephen F. married Ellen Elmore, and is a farmer of East Troy; Rosanua is the widow of 
A. O. Babcock, an attorney of East Troy. Mi-. Field was engaged in farming till 1857, when 
he moved to the village of East Troy, where he resided till his death, which occuiTed Jan. 27, 
1879. In politics, he was a Whig, then Federalist, in early life, and, after the organization of 
the Republican party, he became an earnest sup[)orter of that party. Mr. Field was one of the 
earliest of the pioneers of this section, and, dm-ing the forty years of his life spent in this com- 
munity he was always known as an honorable and ujiright citizen, who commanded the resjrject 
and esteem of his fellow-citizens. 

STEPHEN F. FIELD, farmer. Sec. 20; P. O. East Troy; has 300 acres of land. The 
subject of this sketch was born in Windsor Co., Vt., Feb. 2, 1822: is the son of Stephen and 
Mary (Jordan) Field; emigrated to Wisconsin in January, 1838: made his home in Mukwan- 
ago," Waukesha Co., till the spring of 1839, when be came to East Troy and settled on Sec. 20, 
where he has made farming his Ijusiuess to this date. He was married, in Lloyd, Ulster, Co., 
N. Y. . Sept. 18, 1848, to Ellen Elmore, daughter of Job Elmore, of that county. One child, a 
son, was born to them, named Albert, which died in childiiood. 

P. O. GRISTE, druggist, was born in Ohio in Septembei-, 1840; received a common-school 
education, and at the age of 18 commenced to clerk in a general store. In 1S(J2, be came to 
East Troy and served as clerk for C. W. Smith & Co. most of the time until 1865, when he pur- 
chased the drug business of E. K. Barker, which was established in 1864, and has since been 
the only druggist in East Troy. He removed to bis jiresent location in August, 1880, at which 
date he completed his present stoi-e, building a wood structure, 22x55, and two stories in height; 
the first floor he uses for drug store and post office, and the second floor fm-nishes a lodge room 
for the I. O. O. F. He is a Republican, and has been Postmaster since 1868. He was married, 
at Hampden, Geauga Co., Ohio, Aug. 31, 1866, to Miss Millieeut L. Quiggle, of Geauga Co., 
Ohio. Gertie, their only child, died Aug. 23, 1881, aged 11 years. 



HISTORY OF WAI.WOHTll COUNTY. 547 

WILDEU M. HOWARD, dculor in boots and shoes. on« of tho ])ion.'("rs of Wisconsin, is a 
naiivo of Andovor, Windsor Co., Vt, born Oct. 21, 1S21. When 4 years of aj^e, his ]:>arents 
moved to St. Lawnvnce County, State of New York. At the age of 12 y(Mirs, his mother died, 
U'avint,' five children -four boys and one girl. In about one year after, he. with his father and 
brothers, retmiied to Vermont: hired out for one year to Dr. Burton to work- on a f;irm: at the 
end of the year, he hired to John A. Larkiu to learn the shoemaker's traile: stayed with Larkin 
about one vear, then worked one summer in Chester, Vt., at wool-carding and cloth-dressing: in the 
spring of 1837, hired to Webber Andrews, and in the following Sejitember, he, with Andrews and 
wife, left Vermont for Wisconsin; arrived sometime in October, and settled inMukwanago, at K) 
years of age. working most of the time on a farm until the winter of 1S89-I0, then went to Troy 
and attended one of the iirst schools in this part of the then Territory, in the spring of IS 41, 
went to Milwaukee and hired to Cornelius Howard to finish learning the shoemaker's trade; in 
the summer of 1842, carried Fnited States mail from Waukesha, AVis., to McHeury, III., and in 
the fall of the same year returned to Vermont, after an absence of five years, to visit relatives 
and friends; remained in Vermont about eighteen months, working most of thi^ time at his 
trade. May 16. 1844, he was married to Miss Electa L. Howard, ami, during the same month, 
started for"Wiscohsin: arrived and settled in East Troy about the 1st of July. 1S44, where he 
has since been in business. He is a citizen who is highly respected: is a Rejmljlican, and, iu 
August. 1864. enlisted in Co. E, 1st Wisconsin Heavy Ai-tiliery; was ai)pointed Comi)any Clerk, 
and left the State for Washington. D. C, and arrived at Ft. Lyon Oct. 8. and in a short time 
transferred to Ft. O'Rom'k, Va., where we remained in defense of Washington until the close of the 
war; retm-ned home at East Troy July 8, 1865. His wife died Dee. •"). 1878, leaving one child 
-Frank W. Dec. 2, 187U, was married to Miss Elizabeth Fountaine, of Racine, Wis.: is still 
in the boot and shoe business. 

J. M. HUNTER, farmer. Sec. 12; P. O. East Troy. Caldwell Fraii-i(^ Racine Co.; was born 
in Montgomery, Orange Co., N. Y., in 1817; received a common-school education; brought up on 
a dairy farm, and was thoroughly educated in the art of butter-making. He was married Feb. 
1, 1839; removed to Wisconsin in 1857. and first settled in Waukesha County. Three years 
later, he removed to the Soldiers' Hom(5, Milwaukee Co., where he was the First Superintendent of 
the Farming Department. In 1860, he purchased his present fm-m, which contains 200 acres, 
valued at S8.0U(). and has since been engaged in dairying. He now keeps forty cows, manu- 
factures butter on the Orange County plan, and sells the same to regular customers in Mihvau- 
kee at 30 cents a pound, delivering the same every two weeks; is a Democrat, and has been Su- 
pei-visor for five years. The children are Fanny, now man-ied. and living in Orange Co., N. 
Y. : David. Albert and Hemy. 

OEORGrE MEADOWS, hardware merchant, firm of Meadows Bros., is the oldest son of 
William and Elizabeth Howker Meadows; is a native of England, who emigrated to the United 
States in 1839: lived in Oneida Co., N. Y., until 1 849, when they removed t« Wisconsin and settled 
ou Sec. 32, East Troy, where they brought up a family of five children —G-eorge; Elizabeth, now 
Mrs. Jose])h Wolfenden, of Troy; William: Sarah, now Mrs. Edward Brondey. of La Grange; 
and Alice, now 5ii-s. L. H. Clark, of Horicon. Wis. The mother <lied in 1865, and the fach.r 
still resides on the farm. George was born in Oneida County Oct. 13, 1842; came West with 
his parents and lived with them until 1N66. when he was married to Miss Klizalieth Holden 
thini of Springfield, Walworth Co., but a native of England; purchased a farm of 1N9 acres on 
S|)ring Prairie, and lived on the same until 1 872, since which time, in jiartnership with his 
brother William, he has been engaged in hardware business. In 1881, they built their present 
store, a brick structure, 26x75, and two stories in height: they removed into the same in Novem- 
ber, and now do a leading hardware business, carrying a stock of $4,000. Mr. Meadows is a 
Republican, Imt takes no interest in jiolitics more than to ))erform his duties as a citizen. The 
children are Marv J., Jennie E. and Frank H. Meadows. 

WILLIAM "meadows, firm of Meadows Bros., son of William and Elizabeth Meadows, 
was born in Rome. N. Y., Sept. 4, 1S49; came West with his ]iarents. and, in 18(')9. went to Del- 
avan. wliere he learneil the tinner's trade. In IS72. he engaged in the hardware business with 
his l)rothi'r at East. Troy, and is now doing a hfading hai-dware trade. He was married, in Sep- 
tember, 1878, to Miss Clara S., daughter of R. W. and C. M. Goodrich. Politics, Republican. 



548 HIST015Y OF WALAVORTH COUNTY. 

JOHN F. POTTER was amoug the earliest settlers of East Troy. He is a native of Au- 
gusta, Me., born iu ISIT, and comes from the good old Puritan stock that emigrated to C3on- 
necticut as early as 1():?7. His grandfather, who was pastor of the First Congregational Chiu-ch 
of Lebanon, N.H., full of the patriotism that fired many noble hearts, went into the army as 
Chaidain. and served iu that capacity at the battle of Saratoga: ;nid. although the battle com- 
menced before the good Chaplain had finished the morning prayer, yet he never shortened it 
one particle by reason of the cannon" s roar. While his ancestors had been, many of them, grad - 
uates of Yale, and his father of Dartmouth College, N. H., Mr. Potter took his course of study 
at Phillips Exeter Academy, which has long ranked one of the first educational institutions of 
New England. In ]83r), he came to Chicago, and spent that and the following year in Michi- 
gan. Visiting his old home in Maine in the spring of 1837, he resolved upon locating in Wis- 
consin, and came West for that purpose in the spring of lS;-?8. He was chai-med by the beauti- 
ful country and the lake which now Ijears his name, and resolved to make a claim on its shores. 
He built a" shanty a little north of the lake, and not far from the great Indian trail leading from 
Waukesha through Mukwanago to Big Foot, now Oeneva, Lake. Here he lived alone for awhile. 
In coiu-se of time, a companion from the East joined with him in life's partnership, and contin- 
ued with him the pilgrimage till death snatched her away, diu'iug their futui-e residence in 
Washington. Mr. Pottei-'s father was a prominent lawyer in Augusta, and his son, naturally of 
a legal turn, had studied with his father before coming to Wisconsin. He was eaidy admitted to 
the bar, and is one of the oldest members of the bar in the State. He practiced law in Burling- 
ton some four years, and served as County Judge in this county ten years. He has served the 
town in severafoapacities. He was its first Postmaster, receiving his appointment in 188U. He 
was a member of our State Legisla.t)u-e in 18r)(), and acted a prominent part in the memorable 
events of that year. Being Chairman of the ot)mmittee ap})ointed for investigating the election 
frauds, he did "much in uncovering and bringing to light the irregularities which made such an 
excitement in political circles. Dm-ing the same year, he was chosen as United States Repre- 
sentative from this district, and for three consecutive terms was continued in that capacity at 
Washington. Those were stormy days. The fire-eaters of the South were more defiant than 
ever before, and their insolence became too much for human endurance. Mr. Potter proved to 
be the right man in the right place. Southern chivalry could not frighten him a particle. He 
manfully and fearlessly stood for the rights of his constituents. Incensed at some things which 
had transpired, Roger A. Pryor sent Mr. Potter a challenge to mortal combat, which he very 
promptly accepted: but when he named, as was his right, bowie knives as the weapons to be 
used, Ml-. Pryor refused to light, urging as a reason, " the conditions were barbarous." The fact 
was, he feared to come into such close contest with the brave Reiwesentative fi-om " Woody Wis- 
consin." The whole transaction gave Mr. Potter notoriety at home and abroad. Notwithstand- 
ing threats made that placed his life in great and constant peril, he continued, in all his service 
at^Washington, to advocate the cause of liberty without fear of man. The slave found in him a 
friend and helper. He strove to he a true representative of the wishes of his constituents. He 
was their servant, and felt it his duty to do their bidding, cost what it might. After his service 
as Representative, he was apiioiuted Consul General at Montreal, Canada. Since then, he has 
retired to the peaceful rest and quit^t which he finds at his own home; and, after a public life so 
stormy aud dangerous as that through which he has jiassed, r(«t at home seems doubly sweet, 
and no one can say he has not dearly earned the rest which he now so much enjoys. 

H. H. ROGERS, ju-oprietor of the East Troy House. This enterprising gentleman and 
genial landlord is the oldest son of Adam and Harriet Wiggins Rogers, He was born in Oneida 
Co., N. Y., Aug. IT), 1843. In 1855, he came with his parents to Wisconsin, and four years sub- 
sequently he launched his bark on the ocean of lift; and commenced to build his fortune. He 
first served as clerk for Clark, Chm-ch & Co., of East Tro}-, two years; then, to better fit himself 
in business, he spent a term at Lincoln Commercial College, Milwaukee; subsequently, he 
clerked two years for L. A. Tanner, of Whitewater, and six months for Sherwin, Nowell & 
Pratt, of Milwaukee, when ho returned to East Troy, and, iu August, 18(U. responded to the call 
of his country by enlisting in Company G. 3d W. V. C, and served until the close of the conflict, 
when he was* mustered out as Sergeant Major. Returning to East Troy, he clerked for H. B. 
Clark until ISfiti. when he became a partner in business, under the firm name of H. H. Rogers 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 549 

■k Co., mitil Fehrniiry. INCiS, wlii-u tho lirm sold to Austin & Willis. Mr. Clark then jnirc-based 
the East Troy Hous'o, and soou (Ua-ded a one-lialf interest to Mr. Hogej-s, who has since been 
l)ro])riotor of the plac^e. He also keeps a livery in connec-tiou with the house. His bar, erected 
in ISTS, is one of the Ih-st in the State; he also owns and runs the only billiard hall in East 
lYoy. Ml-. Rogers is one of those enterprising men who is found ever ready in making jsulilic 
impVovements that maybe needeil in the village, town or county. In ISSl, in eopartnershi]) 
with John Mathson, he erected a Bell t(*lei)hone from East Troy to Mayhew, a distance of four 
miles, which is now in successful operation. As a landlord, he is a general favorite with the 
public, being ever ready to accommodate his gaests. He is a citizen who is highly respected; a 
Democrat in politics, and is at present Chairman of the Town Board. He has one child living 
—Edgar A. 

O. B. ROGERS, merchant, son of Adam and Harriet E. Rogers, was born in Oneida Co. , 
N. Y., in 184S; came with his parents to Milton, Wis., in .1855; soon after, moved to East Troy, 
thence to Elkhorn, county seat of Walworth County; in 1871, went to Nebraska and took a Gov- 
ernment cJaim. Returning on(< year afterward, in 187_4- was married to Miss Ella ./., daughter 
of Edmund M. and Catharine S. Mills; in fall of 1S7(), engaged in the meat business, lirst in 
Elkhorn, then in Bm-lington: in spring of 1878, bought a farm in La Fayette; in January, 1880, 
exchanged for property in East Troy, and has since been engaged in the meat aud grocery biis- 
iness; built his present store in 1881, being a substantial wood structure, 22x55 feet, and two 
stories in height, using first tloorfor his business and second floor for dwelling; is a Republican; 
has two childien — Herschel E. and jNIabel M. 

SEW" ALL SMITH, deceased. The name of Sewall Smith is one worthy of s])ecial men- 
tion. He was among the early settlers, and, by reason of the influence which he has exerted aud 
the positions which he has occupied, has done much for the welfare of the place. Mr. Smith 
was a native of Andover, Vt.. where he resided until his removal to Wisconsin. In the fall of 
1840, he came West on a tour of insjiection, and, being pleased with East Troy, resolved upon 
locating there. He contracted for the building of a store, designing to enter into mercantile 
business when he should move there. Retm-ning to Vermont, he removed his family to East 
Troy in July, 1841, aud resided in the upper part of the store, while on the day after his an-ival 
he (jpened his store for trade, it being the tu'st store in the place. Here he continued in trade 
Some fom- years, and then rented his store for a time to R. H. Mallory. At the expiration of 
the lease, he returnetl to the store, in which he continued some four or five years, and then sold 
out to Stone cV Hurlhut, with the stipulation that he would not engage in trade for a ])eriod of 
tlu'eo years. He hail now built a house on the corner now occupied by the store of C. W. Smith 
& Co. In 1855, he built the fine mansion now occupied by Mrs. Hil)bert. In l.S5(), he built 
the store now occupicvl by his sons, and, at the expiration of the three yeai's' limitation re- 
opened a store, which has for the most of the time since been occu])ied by his sous. Mr. Smith 
hiis served the town in several positions, in all of which he has sho\vii himself not only compe- 
tent, but faithful to the trusts jjlaced in his care. He was the first Postmaster in the village of 
East Troy. For this he had special fitness, having already served ten years as Postmaster in 
Vermont; and. although he lost the offieie two or three times by a oliange of administration at 
W'ashington, yet it was sure to come back to him again, so that he has Ixhui a |)ublic servant in 
tliat cajtacity not less than fifteen years. He was a member of the iirst Constitutional Conven- 
tion; was tiie first Town CAurk for Tj-oy, befon* East Troy was sot oft', and serv(Hl as Chairman 
of the Board of Su]>ervisoi-s, and as T'reasurer. Mr. Smith has always taken a deep interest in 
all that pertains to the welfare of i\w town. State or nation, and has ever k<'i)t in sympathy with 
every movement for the good of humanity. Wliatevor ho undertook, he undcu'took in earnest. 
He was always decided and outspoken in his views, which may sometimes have called out tlie 
o|)position of those who diHen>d from him in sentiment, but it also endeared him the more to 
his friends, who always relied upon him as true to his convictions. Mr. Snjith was born in 
1(S(I2: married Miss Nancy Mansur in 1S25, and died in January, 1880, leaving five sons anil 
one daughter, and his widow, now aged 77 years. His children are (Tcorge H. and C. W., of 
the firm of C. W. Smith & Co.; E. A, now living at Tjawnsuce, Kan.; Nancy, Mrs. L. A. Tanner, 
of Whitewater; W. F., clerk for C. W. Smith & Co.; and O. M., now residing at Philadelphia. 



550 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

GEORGE H. SMITH, tinn of C. W. Smitli & Co.. oldest son of Sewall and Nancy Mansur 
Smith, was born in Windsor Co., Vt., in 1827; came with his parents to East Troy in 1841, 
where he has led a mercantile life in the store of his father. lu ISo'l. he went to Whitewater, 
where he was engaged in business until 1855. The following years he was a member of the 
tirm of S. Smith & Son, when he agaia went to Whitewatei-, and was senior member of the firm 
of S. Smith & Co. until 1868. when he returned to East Troy, and has since been a partner of the 
firm of C. W. Smith & C ). He was married, in 1856, ti Miss Ann Aliza, daughter of Jacob 
and Polly Gardner Biu'git. They now have two children —Ida and Warren. He is a Republi- 
can, and has held local offices. 

C. W. SMITH, of the firm of C. W. Smith & Co.. sou of Sewall and Nancy xMansui- Smith, 
was born in Windsor Co.. Vt. . in IS^l: came with his parents to East Troy in 1841; was edu- 
cated in the school of the village, ami the Lawrence University of Appleton. In 1858, he pur- 
chased the business of S. Smith & Son, and carried on the same until 1868, when he associated 
with his brother George H., since which time the firm has been C. W. Smith & Co. They now 
carry a stock of S10,(X)(), and are therefore doing a leading mercantile business. Mr. Smith is a 
Republican, but takes very little interest in politics, more than to perform his duties as a citi- 
zen, as he has but once in his life permitted his name to go before tlie people as a candidate for 
office. He was maiTied, at Fredonia, N. Y., in 1862, to Miss Mary B. Edwards, daughter of F. 
S. and Julia WTiite Edwards. They now have four children living — Leonard S., Carrie J., Her- 
bert C- and Mary L: Hattie Belle, deceased, died in July, 1881, aged 7 years. 

EMERY THAYER, deceased, an old settler and a prominent man of East Troy, was born 
in Medway, Mass., March 7, 1806, and spent his early days in Brookfield, X. Y. When 22 years 
of age, he removed to Saratoga Co., N. Y., where, and in adjoining sections, he continued in bus- 
iness for fifteen years. Failing to advance his fortunes in the East, in July. 1842, he embarked 
on the steamer " Indiana " for Detroit. There Mr. Thayer met Sewall Smith, an old and suc- 
cessful merchant of Walworth Co., who was on his way to New York to purchase goods. The, 
unsuccessful, but plucky merchant, was induced to go to East Troy, where he purchased (he 
McCracken tavern property, Gaylord Graves drawing the necessary papers. The venture proved 
the turning-point in his fortunes. Mi'. Thayer gathered so goodly a share of this world's goods, 
and such a fund of esteem from the community, that he retired, in the spring of 1853, to his 
fai-m near the village, to live a life of contentment and |)eace He. however, continued in the 
stock-raising business, and was active in organizing the Walworth County Agricultural Society. 
Mr. Thayer removed to Whitewater in 1870, where he died April 12, 1879. The services were 
conducted by Rev. B. D. Conkling, of the Congregational Chm-ch, and the remains were interred 
in Hillside Cemeteiy. 

SIDNEY B. TULLAR, Justice of the Peace, one of the prominent men of East Troy, is a 
native of Vermont, born Aug. 22, 1814. While yet a small boy, he was taken by his parents 
into the State of New York, where he was brought u]") on a farm: received a common-school 
education. In 1835, he was maiTied, at Hammond, St. Lawi-ence Co., N. Y., to Miss Ruth 
Bromaghim, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Carey Bromaghim, native of State of New York. 
Mr. Tullar then continued farming in said State until 1848, when he concluded to go West. He 
therefore removed his family to Wisconsin, and first settled near Beloit, but, two years subse- 
(juently, he purchased j^roperty in East Troy, and has since been a resident of the village. Here 
he served as Justice of the Peace and Town Clerk; also pursued farming until 1861, when he 
responded to his country's call by enlisting in Co. B, 16th W. V. I., and served until July, 
1862, when he was discharged on account of physical debility. Retm-ning home, his health did 
not permit him to do much business for about two years, since which time he has spent most of 
his time doing town business, as he has been Justice of the Peace the entire time, and Assessor 
for twefve years. The childi-en living are C. B., Hattie E., Hobert A. and Dell S. 

A. WILMER, firm of Wilmer Bros., dealers in general merchandise, son of Bernard and 
Elizabeth Wilmer. He was born in East Troy Mai-ch 10, 1843: was educated at the village 
school, also the public schools and S])encerian College of Milwaukee. Subsequently, he taught 
school for several terms, and, in 1868, was maiTied to Miss Mary A. Boyle, then of East Troy, 
but a native of Scotland. After marriage, Mr. Wilmer, in partnership with Theo Haller, en- 
gaged in mercantile business, which they continued under the firm name of Wilmer & Haller 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 551 

for about three years, when Mr. Wilmer sold his interest to A. E. Oviatte. lu 1871, ho erected 
the store he now occupies, associati^d his brother, Bernard, as partuer. and has since been doing 
a general merchandise business under firm name of Wilmer Bros., carrying a stock of about 
1(5.000. The children are Charley and Mary. Mr. Wilmer is a Democrat, but takes.nu interest 
more than tt) perform his duty as a citizen. 

B. WILMER, Jr.. merchant, firm of Wilmer Bros., son of Bernard and Elizabeth Wilmer, 
who were natives of Prussia and emigrated to the I'nited States in 1837: was m;u-ried, at Bos- 
ton, Mass., in 1840, and in the same year came to Wisconsin and settled in East Troy, and still 
re-sides on a farm on Sec. 34. Bernard, Jr.. was born in July, 1845, received a common-school 
education and lived with his parents until 1871, since which time he has been a member of the 
firm of Wilmer Bros. He was married, in 187fi, to Miss Eliza Boyle, then of East Trov, 
but a native of Cohoes, N. Y.: politics. Democratic. 




552 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 



TOWN OF TROY. 

ORGANIZATION. 

At the organization of Walworth County in 1S38, all the territory covering the northern 
half of the northeast (juarter of the county, being Town 4, Ranges 17 and 18 east, was given the 
name of Troy. This teiTitory was divided by act of Legislature, March 21, 1843, the eastern 
half (Town 4, Range 18 east) receiving the name of East Troy, and the western half (Town 4, 
Range 17 east) retaining the original name. This sketch is restricted to a nan-ation of events 
connected with the town as existing within its present geographical limits. 

NATURAL FEATURES. 

The southwestern portion of Troy is swampy, but the central, northern and eastern parts 
are diversified with lakes, groves of oak and other varieties of wood, beautiful prairie lands, run- 
ning streams and all the various accessories that help to make a lovely and attractive landscape. 
The town is watered l_iy Honey Creek, Crooked Creek and several small lakes. Honey Creek was 
christened in the fall of 1835 lay Meacham and Spoor, in their lu-st exploring expedition to Wis- 
consin. When they arrived at the beautiful stream, they found that the bees had discovered the 
flowery prairie just beyond, and laid up a store of choice food for the coming winter. It had 
been many long da3's since the hungry prospectors had tasted such delicious sweets, and they 
" jumf)ed the claim " ' of the provident little " settlers," " and took possession of their dwelling 
with all it contained. In remembrance of the confiscated meal. Honey Creek received its name. 
It enters the town of Troy on Section 31, runs in a general easterly direction through Sections 
29, 28, 27, 26 and leaves on Section 25. 

Crooked Creek, starting on Section 9, runs with countless meanderings into Section 10, 
curves to the north and enters Section 3, makes a sharp bend to the southeast and empties into 
Lake Lulu on Section 2. There is also a small creek on Section 13. which forms the outlet of 
Pickerel Lake. The beautiful little sheet of water, with its one Fairy Island, on Sections 13 
and 24, received its name, like Honey Creek, at a veiy early day. Rev. Mr. Beardsley. in his 
reminiscences of the early history of Troy, says: "An elderly gentleman by the name of 
Booth came into the country with the Meacham family. He had been in their family a number 
of years before coming here, and continued with them some years after their emigration here. 
He was a quiet, retiring man, that seemed not much biu'dened with worldly cares and labors. 
He was enchanted with the beautiful lake on Sections 13 and 24 of Troy, and was wont to spend 
a large part of his time on the lake, either in fishing or in some other manner. If any one in- 
quired for him, they were probaljly informed that he was down to the lake. And so it came to 
pass that it was often remarked by some one, ' Let us go down to the lake and see what Booth 
is about.' At last, the l)eautiful little body of water, not sm-passed by any in the State, came 
to be called ' Booth's Lake,' a name which it has continued to hold to this day."' 

Lake Lulu is on Section 2, and Swift's Lake on Section 8. Besides these, there are- small 
ponds scattered all over the State. 

There is a large swamp, covering about 3,000 acres, in the southwestern part of the tovra, 
extending from Sections 31 and 33 over the whole of Section 29, a large portions of Sections 
28 and 27, the northwest corner of Section 34 and a part of Sections 33 and 32. There is also 
quite an extensive swamp in the northern part of the county on Sections 9 and 10. 

The soil varies according to the locality, that of the level portions, and the small prairies 
being a vegetable mold, and the higher grounds and oak openings being mixed with clay or 
sand. Like all the to\yu8 in the county, it has lands well adapted to all the various branches 
pertaining to agricultural ])ursuit8, and that its natiu-al advantages have not been neglected, 
the fine farms, orchards and harvest-fields bear witness. 

There is a good water-power on Honey Creek, at the site of the old village. It was early 
improved by the construction of a dam, which, by causing the water to flow back over the marsh, 
created quite a large pond a little west of the village. 



HISTOHY OF WALAVORTH COUNTY. 553 

F.AKI.Y SETTLKKS. 

The two mou who fii'st visited tlu> region of Honey Creek, apiu'cciated its heaiitv and 
natural advantages for a permanent locvition. and diHiided to make it ""their homo and the home 
of their kindred. "■ wore Jesse Meacham and Adolphus Spoor. Of the history of Mr. Spoor. 
prior to his dejiarture from Lodi. Mich., on his prospecting tour to Wisconsin, there is hul a 
moagor account, but of Mr. Meacham nn)ro has been preserved. He was born in Burlington, 
Otsego Co., N. Y.. aboiit the year 1792, was bred a farmer and received what educational advan 
tages could be derived from the district schools of the j^eriod. At that early time the annual 
"muster" and revimv of the militia retained much of the flavor which it had imbibed at its 
first organization. The Kevolutionary fath(«'s were yet alive, and their thrilling stories of o}>- 
[)ression and determined resistance yet sounded in the ears of their sons. 

Young INIeacham was infected with the prevailing spirit, and, at the breaking-out of the 
war of ISl'i. he entered the American army. He was taken prisoner, and. after suffering many 
hanLshi|is and dangers, liarely 'escaping shipwreck in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and enduring 
much su-spense as to his ultimate fate, he was finally exchanged and reached his home in safety. 
His title of "' Major."" therefore, was not an empty one. but earned by actual service. In 1828, 
he was married to his brother" s widow. He never had children of his own, but her three sous 
stood to him in their place, and he was to them a father. Soon after his man'iage. he i"emoved 
to Lodi, Mich., bought a farm and r(^mained there about eight years. 

In the fall of 1S8."3. having sold his farm, he decided to look farther west before again lo- 
cating. Adolphus Spoor, his neighljor, being also desirous of exjiloriug the new ■"Territory of 
Wisconsin. " they started together from Lodi. in September. 1835, on their prospecting tour. 
The first point made was Milwaukee. At that little village, they were joined by two companions. 
Andrews and ('amp. also ex[)lorers and pi'ospectors, then proud in the possession of "one frame 
house," built by Solomon Juneau, and rejoicing in their newly located ])ost office, the little 
party ]>lacBd themselves under the guidance of one Mile Jones, who had scjme knowledge of the 
region then' desired to visit. They struck the "Big Indian Trail," from Milwaukee to Rock 
River, and followed it west, sto[)piug at "Waukesha's Village"" and "" Mukwanago's Village,'" 
as these places were then called, on their way. Reaching the region now known as East Troy, 
they |)ro(Hie(led west until they reached the little stream now called Honey Creek, near the site 
of the present mill. From Honey Creek (so named by them at the time), they went on to where 
Janesville is now located and still farther on to the present sites of Beloit and Ri)ckford. and 
thonce, turning eastward, ])assed through Belvidere and Chicago on their way back to Lodi. 

When passing through Ellchart. Ind.,they remained overnight. Being full of enthusiasm, 
and <lelighted with the new and beautiful country they had visited --particularly with the locality 
of Honey Creek, wliere they had determined to settle — they expatiated perhaps in too glowing 
terms for their own interest, on its manifold advantages and attractions. The description prob- 
ably av/akeued a desire in their listeners to ""see for themselves"" this land that was Mowiug with 
honey, if not milk, and led to ([uite a disai)pointment for the ex]ilorers on their return. 

After returning to Lodi. Miwsrs. Meacham and S])oor immediately began (o make ])repara- 
tions for their departure with their families early in the coming s]iriug. Mr. Meacham had a 
family of eight, and Mi". S])oor one of six. to take to the new home. Many things must be made 
ready before^ such a number of persons could start on a long journey, wliich was to end in a wil- 
derness, entirely beyond the reach of tin; most common necessari(^s of life. 

About the 1st of May. 183(), the little colony set forth. Their heavy household goods were 
shipped to Milwaukee, and the indisjjensablfis for the journey were laden u])ou immense covered 
wagons each family having one. drawn by two yoke of oxen. Mr. Meacham had a horse in 
addition to the oxcmi. After i-eaching Chicago, the party proceeded north along the lake shore 
to Racine, and thence west to Fox River. They found but one house on their route at Call's. 
now Ives' Grov(>. The party arrived at Fox River, at the point where the village of Roch(!ster 
now is. May 21. They crossed the river the next morning. Mr. S. A. Dwinnelf gives a 
graphic account of the difKcidties they encountenni in the passage: 

""The stream some sixty yards wide -was much swollen by recent rains. The Major had 
with him a fine blooded horse with which the men forded the river several times to ascertain 
the best place for crossing. He then placed his goods-boxes upon gi"ain moasiu"os iu his wagon 



554 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

to raise them above the water. Upon the boxes, he jilaoed the womeu. In this perilous po- 
sition, with the driver on liorseliack. they attempted to ford the stream. When they reached 
the cm-rent, the horse began to tiounder. and the oxen were frightened, and all but one com- 
menced to plunge and back water. ThwY were in great danger of u[)setting; but one ox, raising 
up his head and tail so that they nearly met. went straight through upon the bottom, taking the 
others with him, and they were landed in safety, upon which the men raised a shout of joy for 
their deliverance. The Major declared that the ox which had thus saved them in their jieril 
should never be killed or sold. He kept him until he died a natural death, and then gave him 
a decent burial."" 

The party, after crossing the river, found one solitary family, consisting of Levi Godfrey 
and wife, who had been settled liarely long en(jngh to get up their log cabin, liut long enough to 
be ready to give new-comers a welcome and entertain them hospitably, as the following extract 
shows. Mr. Isaac F. Smith, in his •'•Journal of 1S86," says: " We were awakened next morn- 
ing without being summoned by that modern contrivance called a gong, and, before sunrise, 
forded Fox River waist deep, and in good time for breakfast arrivnl at neighbor Godfrey's 
(Mr. Godfrey had expressed himself as vei\v glad that IVL-. Smith, who was about to .settle on 
the Rock River, would be so near a neighbor to him), where we discussed his hospitalities m a 
manner to satisfy the ambitions of the most fastidious cook in the country. At this place, we 
met the families of Maj. Meacham, Mr. Spoor and two others on their way to Troy." Mr. 
Smith also says, in another place, that '■ at this time no wagons had ever yet Ijeen west of God- 
frey's. '" A wagon had certainly lieen, as Palmer Gardner drove his into Spring Prairie April 
15 — a month earlier. 

The women remained at Mr. Godfi-ey's foiu' days, while the men went to Honey Creek, a 
distance of twelve miles, to select their sites upon which to build, and blaze the trees as a guide 
to the selected location. The entire party reached the place of their destination May 27, 1830. 

When Messrs. Meacham and Spoor reached Honey Creek, to their su.rprise and consternation, 
they found that the coveted prize, which they had taken so much pains to reach, and supposed 
just within their grasp, had ajiparently escaped them. The especial "claims" upon which 
their hearts were set, had the settler's mark upon them —the [)lowhad broken the land in a circle 
which took in a corner of each ([uarter-section, and other indisputable marks of prior claim had 
been made. They sulimitted to the disappointment as l)est they might, and made the liest of it 
by purchasing the claims. 

Mi'. Othni Beardsley, with his brother Alexander, and a yoimg man named Roberts were 
the fortunate possessors of the claims on Honey Creek. They had also been prospecting, and 
had selected this location and made their claims. Mr. Othni Beardsley and his brother, after 
selling their tu-st claims, selected others in the vicinity upon which they located, Othni upon 
Sections 23 and 20, and Alexander finally settling still farther to the west. Mr. Roberts moved 
to the east and became the first East Troy settler. Mr. Meacham's claim was on Section 25, 
Mr. Adolphus Spoor" s on the same section, bvit farther east. In a few weeks, Sylvanus Spoor 
and his brother John joined the settlers, Sylvanus locating a claim on Section 24. where he lived 
until the time of his death, and where his widow still resides. John Spoor l)oiight the claim 
of Alexander Beardsley. A young man by the name of Ruggl(>s. and an elderly man by the 
name of Booth, came in with the Meacham party. There is no record of their making any 
claims unle.ss Mr. Booth located his on the lake which bears his name. 

The Meacham party commenced their houses immediately after their arrival, and, as they 
were pretty well supplied with the necessary implements, they were able to saw the logs by 
hand, so as to commence housekeeping with a floor and other unusual luxuries in their log 
house. An old settler who visited them in the fall of 1S3(), sjieaks (jf their surroundings thus: 
"At Meacham" s Prairie, now Troy, 1 found the families of A. Spoor, Maj. Jesse Meacham and 
Othni Beardsley. The latter was the first settler there, arriving a few days previous to the 
other two, who had made claims the , [trevious autumn. They were all from the Territory of 
Michigan, and reached the spot about the middle of May, 1836. They were each possessed of 
considerable property, and, having the advantage of rich prairie lands upon which to locate, 
surrounded with timber in abundance, with a fine stream of dm-able water at hand, they were 
able to make their families comfortable at once, and the wilderness to blossom as the rose. 



HISTORY OF WAI.AVORTII COUNIV. 555 

Their log houses were neutly coiistriK^tod, having floors of hoards, whicli had hooii sawed by 
baud with whipsaws. " 

Othiii Beardsley oommoiUHHl phiwinj^- Alay K), ISl!(). Mr. I'ahuor (rardner, of Spring 
Prairie, got the start of him liy a few days. 

Mr. Othni Beardsloy was a rosidont of Troy for many years, and also a [rt'ominent citizen 
of the county. H(> was tlie first member of tlie House from Walwortli Cxjunty for the joint Dis 
tricts of Walworth and lloclv. He was first elected in 18HS, and re-elected in lS;!i) and 1840. 

.\dol))hus Spoor located on the eastern part of Section 25: dii^d in 1N()7. 

Sylvanus Spoor located on Section 24, and lived there until 1S7(S, when he removed to the 
village of East Troy. He died in 1879. 

John Spoor bought the claim of Alexander Beardsley. He lived ten yeai-s on Section 30. 
East Troy, and then removed to Lyons; died April 9, 1867. 

John It. Robinson and two brothers located on the northeast ([viarter of Section 28, in the 
fall of I83() and (leorge R. on 22 and 2:i in I837. 

During the summer of 18:i7, ipiite a colony emigrated from Hadley, Mass., and settled 
near the present villagi^ of Troy. The particular locality they selected was known by the name 
of Hadley Hill. Deacon Geoi-ge Hibbard and family, Charles Heath and family and Deacon 
Augustus Smith and family composed th(^ colony. Deacon Smith came in June, 1838, and 
bought Alexander Beardsley's claim. A. M. Perrv located in Mav, 1837, and rotiu-ned for his 
father in 1838. 

During the next sunjmer, Mr. Perry and his stm. Alljon M. Perry, located at Troy Center. 

Bemis and A. M. Foster settled in the west part of the town. 

Marcus Montague, from Massachusetts, made a claim in 1837. but lived (miy a few year.s 
after settling in the place. His widow. Mrs. Rice, still lives in Troy; also two children- 
Harry Montague and ^Irs. Dean. 

Horace Smith, from Massachusetts, a carpenter by trade, but worked little at that occu()a- 
tion. was active in all religious matters and a stanch, reliable citizen. 

Elias, Truman and William B, were adult members of the two Hibbard families that settled 
on "■ Hatlley Hill.'' Elias was the first Treasurer for the new town of Troj', served faithfully 
in some public capacity for many years, and di(xl in the town he selected for his early home. 
Truman died in Milwaukee several years ago. and William B., after residing in the same citv 
for many years a prominent and iufiitential citizen, removed to Chicago, where he now resides. 

Soldan Powers arrived in Troy May, 1N37, and located his claim on Section 1(^ just north 
of the present village of Troy Center, At the first town meeting, April o, 1842, iVir, Powers 
was honored by being elected to three offices -School Commissioner, Highway Commissioner 
and Fence Viewer. Since the division of the town, he has served fourteen terms as Town Clerk, 
besides filling various other offices. He was Iwrn June 14, ISDd, in the town of Marshfield, 
Washington Co. , Vt., and received his education at the common schools and academies in the 
vicinity. After leaving Vermont, he resided three years in Franklin County, N, Y. , two years 
in Orleans County, same State, two years in Jackson County, Mich,, and came to Wisconsin iu 
May, 1837, selecting a claim of UV.i acres in Troy and settling upon it. Dm'ing the first winters 
in Troy, he taught school, one at East Troy and ime at Troy Center, His first school in the 
territory was taught at Whitewater, and was the first school of Whitewater. In the fall of 183S, 
the first l)oard of county officeis was elected, and, as Walworth had not, at that tim(>. l)een detached 
from Racine County, the returns had to be made to Southport (now Keno.sha), the county seat 
of Racine County. Mr. Powers, being a member of the election board, went on foot with the 
retin-ns to Southport, and at that plac^e was unfortunately robbed by his fellow-lodger of all his 
cash, save 18 pence — a rather small amount for hotel bills and expenses home. In May, 1842, 
.Mr. Powers married Miss .\nna Flanders, of Stanstead, Canada East. Of their children now 
living, there ai-e Levi P,, Sarah .A (Mrs. E. Harrington, Kansas), Clarence L. and Mary A. (Mrs. 
W. C. Gregg, Troy). 

Oeorge VV. Blanchard came in witli Soldan Powers May, 1837, and settled on Section 11. 
He has been dead about twenty-seven years. His widow made her home with J. E. llevnolds, 
her son-in-law, until her death, December, 1881, 

J. R. Kling located on Section 29 and 3(1, Jacob Kling <lid not ari-ive until manv vears 



556 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

after. The latter was born in New York in 1784; is now ninety-seven years of age, and has a 
family of twelve children, some of whom are grandparents. He now lives with -T. E. Klino' in 
Troy. 

A. H. Odoll settled on Section 35, in the southern part of the town. He and his descend- 
ants still live on the same place. 

Jesse May hew came in IS-tO or 1841, and settled in the southern part of the town. 

THE ''PORTER SETTLEMENT." 

Samuel L. Porter, a native of Long Island, settled in Troy in 1837, but afterward removed 
to Delavan and thence to Baraboo, Sauk County, where he died. Mr. Porter built and run a 
hotel for many years. That l)uilding, wliich he also occupied as a house, is still standing. Mr. 
Porter did not enter his land until October 10, 1838, his claim lieing on Section 17. 

Among those that arrived in 1837 were Henry C. and Selah S. Porter, with their families. 
The Porter brothers were natives of Long Island. Henry C. was married in New York City. 
Removed, after his marriage, to New London, Conn.; back to the city of New Yt)rk in 1822; to 
Holly, Orleans Co., N. Y.. in 1832, and, in 1837, to Wisconsin. He arrived, with his family, 
in Troy, October 9. Selah S. Porter, after leaving his home on Long Island, went to the city of 
New York and learned the printer's trade. He married, and, after some years, removed to Wis- 
consin, arriving at Troy, with his family, in company with his brother, Henry C. Samuel L., 
who came tlie preceding season, was living in his log house, and the newly-arrived brothers, 
with their families, moved in with him. The united families counted sixteen, and the little 
house served for a tavern at the same time. December 24, Henry C. moved into his own log 
house — at the time minus a roof. 

Mr. Porter entered his land in the northwest quarter of Section 20, which claim is recorded 
March 1, 1839. 

The Porter families, with their childi'eu, vere the basis of what was known as the " Porter 
Settlement,'' near the western central portion of the town. Within the next few years 
after their arrival, settlers came in very rapidly, among others, there was James Stratton, 
father of W. J. Stratton, who located on Section 20, in the summer of 1843. His 
family consisted of his wife and only child. His br^jther-in-law, Moses Kelloway, had 
arrived the jirevious year, and both settled upon the same section. During the winter of 
1843, the first district school (>stablished near the settlement was opened near S. B. Chatfleld's 
house, and the then youthful AV. J. Stratton conft'sses that he has good cause to remember who 
taught it- John Stewart, of La Grange. After the people of the district had used the little 
log building for educational and religious purposes for some seven years, a faction, which mtiy 
be denominated the aristocratic element, clamored for a frame structure. Their opponents were 
sturdy, and the last meeting held in the building ended in open warfare. The meeting dis- 
persed, but those who believed that they had outgrown the log schoolhouse did not go to their 
homes. Before the nest morning sun rose, the log building was leveled to the ground, and a 
frame building duly made its appearance. 

The first religious services were held at about the time the log schoolhouse was built, by 
Rev. James Flanders and Rev, James Delaney. The latter, now a resident of Whitewater, was 
then living in East Troy. 

Previous to this pei'iod, S. Fowler had settled upon Section 22 and Loren Ferry upon Sec 
tion 21. In 1844, M. Watson and his brother-in-law, H. Drake, settled on Section 21; also S. 
Richmond and his family. 

It was at about this time that the famous controversy over the location of the '' quarter line 
road" oocuiTed. The Porters opposed it. as it would l(>ave them out in the "cold." The dis- 
pute lasted for a coujile of years, more than one fence being scattered to the winds and as 
pluckily erected, while the road was being "'fixed," as it runs at present. It is now a fine 
thoroughfare, but the memories of the former heat of battle still cling to objects adjacent. The 
cemetery is known as the ''Quarter Line Cemetery," and the first stone erected in it marks 
the bui'ial-place of James Stratton. who died January 1, 1849. There was the "Quarter Lin© 
Schoolhouse." and the boys of those men who were " Quarter Liners " were known all over the 
town as " Quarter Line Boys. ' " 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. ^al 

FIRST THINGS AND EVENTS. 

William Pitt Moacham. a grandson of Mrs. Patience Moacham. and son of Urban D. 
Meacham, wag born in Troy, September 27, 1836 -the first birtb in the town, and also in the 
county. 

The earliest marriage of which there is record was that of Sylvanns .S])()or and Caroline 
Goodrich, November 10. 18H7. 

Another early marriaije was that of Kev. James Flanders, a Methodist minister, to Miss 
Ann Elizabeth Porter, daujijhter of H. C Porter. 

Rev. Jesse Halstead (Methodist) was the first minister, beiiif]^ attached to the old Aztalan 
Circuit. In 1837. one of his appointments was at " Meacham' s Prairie, " and the quarterly 
meetinfr of that year was held at the same jdace. 

In the winter of 1839-40, a school was taught in the log house of Saiiuiel L. Porter, by 
Mrs. Ladd, of Mukwanago. The entire number of pupils, taking in all the " grades," was 
seven. One of the old residents of the town, then a youth, says they occasionally had a spell- 
ing school, and one of his early triuii!])hs was achieved on such an occasion; he " spelled the 
school down." The .scholars consisted almost, if not entirely, of the Porter children. 

The earliest district school was in the northern part of the township, taking in a portion 
of the northsvest jiart of East Troy. The school was taught l_>y Edmund Butts, at a salary of 
$10 per month, raised l^y assessment on the parents, according to the number of children sent. 
Mr. Butts and his wife lived in the house in which the school was taught. It was District No. 
1, and existed as early as 1839. 

The first post office established was in 1837-38; Jesse Meacham. jiostmaster, at the old 
village of Troy. 

Albert Hibbard caiTied the first mail, from Troy to Elkhorn, in 1838. 

The first Postmaster at Troy Center was John A. Perry. There are n(jw jiost offices at 
Adams. Little Prairie. Mayhew, Troy and Troy Center. 

S. B. Edwards, who ojiened the first blacksmith-shop in the town in 1839, now resides in 
Whitewater. He came from Chenango County. N. Y.. and landed in Milwaukee May 10 of that 
year. S. G. West, then a young boy, was his companion, and the two footed it through to Wal- 
worth County together. There he at once went to work at his trade, and. as he was the only 
general blacksmith on the direct road between Milwatikee and Janesville, he had more business 
than he could attend to. Mukwanago, Troy, East Troy, Eagle, La Grange, Sugar Creek, Rock 
Prairie, Elkhorn. and that region round, jiatrimized him. So great was the demand upon his 
skill that his customers would \>e obliged to wait two or three days for their turn to come. 
They would turn out their teams to jiasture, and jiatiently suffer the inevitable without a frown 
or a grumble. But the btilk of Mr. Edwards' work was the rejjairing of ])lows. In the mean- 
time, he had retiu'iied East and brought back his wife. After residing two years in Troy, he 
removed to East Troy, where he cimtinued to follow his profitable trade for a number of 
years. 

One of the first blacksmiths was A. Hutchinson, who, in 1840, opened a shojj in the ex- 
treme western part of the town. After residing here a few years, he removed to Dodge 
County. Mr. Hutchinson, the last heard fi-oin, was following his old trade, at Neosho, in that 
county. 

E.\RLY JESTIVITIES. 

The atmosphere of a home, while yet the childi-eu are young, is very nearly what the par- 
ents make it. If they are joyous, youthful in their feelings, and ready to start the men'y 
game, or tell the wonderful tale in the evening — if the noise, and bustle, and laughter, and 
song, are pleasant to them- then their home veiy soon becomes the favorite resort of all the 
fun-loving children in the neighborhood. It is the place where they can " have a real good 
time." So with the new town. In the earlier years of its growth, some leading s[)irit, or 
spirits, instinctively and with no si)ecial volition of their own. determine its general atmos- 
|)h(!re. 

It would seem that in the early days Troy was one of the homes where the " boys and girls " 

of Walworth County loved to gather when they f(4t the need of a good, genuine, hearty frolic 

something to relieve the monotony and loneliness of a pioneer life. There are many tales 



558 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

told of merry doings at " Meacbam's Prairie." and many pleasant memories connected with the 
hospitable founders of the place. " The Major " and " Mother Meacham, " or "Aunt Patience " 
■—the names by which she isremembered now--8till hold a large and very warm place in the 
heai'ts of all who knew them. In speaking of the latter, an old friend, who knew her long and 
well, recently said: " There was never a better woman lived; kind, generous, hospitable, never 
turning the needy from her door — from the Mississippi to Lake Michigan there was not a woman 
better known or better loved than ■ Mother Meacham. " " 

AMien she passed away. March 11. 1875, at the advanced age of eighty-one years, with her 
mental faculties unim])aired and her kindly spirit unchanged, the whole county mourned her 
loss. 

Diu'ing the early winters, the log houses of Troy were the scenes of many a merry dance; 
and, although the music might sound a little thin to ears accustomed to the stringed bands of 
to-day, it served its pm-pose well, and what the music lacked, the enthusiasm and exuberant 
spirits of the dancers supplied. When the festivities of the winter were over, and the seed was 
sown, and the garden planted, and the prairie was bright with verdure and flowers, there was 
a chance to rest a little and "kindle the fires of patriotism." The Fourth of July was cele- 
In-ated in Troy just as soon as there were enough people to be got together to make a celebration 
— in 1837 — and celebrated in style, too. with a banquet and toasts, and a dance in the evening. 
One of the toasts has been preserved. It was given by Dr. James Tripp, of East Troy, and was 
as follows: " To that important personage, the Devil— may he never be permitted to make vis- 
its abroad, nor to receive company at h^^me. " This celebration was at the house of Othni 
Beardsley. 

Another notable celebration was that of July 4. 1840. The service comprised reading of 
the Declaration of Independence, by Lucius Allen; an oration by Hon. Edward Elderkin; a 
short speech Viy Urban D. Meacham: music, etc.. ending with a banquet. Dr. Tripp was Pres- 
ident of the Day. The literary part of the programme was to be carried out in Jesse Meacham's 
new bai-n. and, for the convenience of the orator, ladies, band, and some of the distinguished 
guests, a platform was constructed at one extremity of the building. The Declaration was 
read, and Mr. Elderkm commenced his speech. He gi'ew warm and waxed eloquent, when, 
just as the American eagle was taking one of his loftiest flights, the unstable platform gave 
way, and orator, ladies, bass drums and fifes. " distinguished guests " and " prominent citizens " 
came down in a pi'oraiscuous heaji. 

The orator of th(> day was among the first of the disarranged celebrators to make his ap- 
pearance "right side up," and is said to have been entirely oblivious to possible bodily injiu-ies 
until his wild question. ""Whei'e's my speech'?" had been satisfactorily answered. 

As no one was serioiisly iujiu-ed. it was very funny, and, after shaking oif the dust and 
smoothing oiit their disheveled clothing, the patriotic crowd went on with the ceremonies. 
The glorioles bird resumed his flight as cheerfully as if nothing had interrupted it, and the fes- 
tivities of the occasion were in no measure marred by the sudden downfall. At the dinner 
which succeeded the oration, toasts were given, and Dr. Tripp gave one which, in the ears of 
Maj. Meacham. savored too strongly of Whigism. whin-eiipon the stanch old Democrat respond- 
ed with: * 

" The Whigs— they shoidd wisir a longer jacket, or steal a shorter fish." The dinner was 
furnished by Clark & Brewei-, landlords of the old hotel, and served to the guests in the open 
air on the green in front of the tavern. 

An old settler of Troy relates, among his early experiences, one, of attending a wedding, at 
which the groom was summarily called from his bride just as the knot was being tied. The 
[)igs had escaped fi'om the pen and made themselves heard at the door. There was no time to 
be wasted, and the minister, bride and company had to wait imtil the pigs were caught and 
securely imprisoned before the ceremony could proceed. The narrator of the story mentioned, 
also, the fact that he " sung at the wedding. " 

GROWTH AND^DEVELOPMENT. 

^^'hen the first settlers of Troy entered the town, they had with them only such articles as 
were essential for their immediate wants. They brought no cattle nor stock of any kind, and the 



<i vSA 



*Ai( 




i^v^^;t 




HISTORY OF WAl.AVORTH COUNTY'. 5ejl 

first thinjr to ho dono. afti»r tlu< liouses woro liuilt and tlic families uiidor oovor, was to provide 
th('ms(>lvos with th« rccniisitcs for proKtal)l(> farmiiij,'. A<«ordinirly. Messrs. Moachain and 
SpfX)r made a joiirney to Illinois in the fall of 1<S8(5. to Imy cattle; another, the following 
spring;, for hogs; and again, to Indiana, for seed grain for the crop of 18;J7. There was 
at this tim(> no grist-mill in the county, and it required long and lal)orious journeys to procure 
even the most common comforts of life. The season was too far advanci^d when Messrs. Meach 
am. Spoor and Beardsley reached Trt)y to raise much except veg(!tables that season. In 1837, 
viirious kinds of grain were raised, but it was not until 1838 that any largo quantity of wheat 
was raised. Had it not been for the fishing-rod and the gun. the lard(>rs of thos(> days would 
have been even more scantily supi)lied than they were. 

After the Milwaukee & Janesville mail route was laid out. in 1838, and an otlice estal)lished 
at Troy (Meacham's, or Honey Prairie), the village grew quite rapidly, and bid fair to become 
a j)lace of considersble imjiortance. Maj. Meacham was appointed Postmaster of the iiew ofKce, 
and continued to hold the iiosition for many years. Mr. Soldan Pow(>rs states that he must 
have performed the duties of Postmaster before the mail route was established, as Ju> met the 
Major in May, 1837, on his way to Milwaukee for the mail. Mr. Powers being at th(> time on 
his way to Troy to select his claim. At this time, Maj. Meacham was probably the most influ- 
ential man in the county. His prompt decision and equally prompt action, combined with his 
cheerful, hearty spirit, seemed to infuse life into the town where ho lived. About lS;^tS or 
1835*. he opened a jiublic house on the Milwaiikee & Janesville road, which he kept for a long 
time. About 1843, he erected a bai-u, which served as a sort of public hall for a time. It was 
40x100 feet the largest in the county, and, perhaps, in the Territory. The Troy Flouring 
Mill was built by him in 1844. on Honey Creek, near his residence. It was a three-story 
building, very tine for the time in which it was built. 

A public or district school was started at Troy as early as I83U. It was District No. 1, 
and the school tax was levied upon the parents of the scholars in proportion to the number of 
children they sent. A log schoolhouse was erected, and a teachia'. Miss Lucinda Allen — now 
Mrs. Young; she taught the next summer in District No. 3. Edmund Butts afterward taught, 
at $10 per month, the first winter school in a pi'ivate house. Mr. Butts and his wife lived in 
the house. The number of scholars was ten. The school was in the northern part of the town. 
Miss Allen taught in District No. 3. Butts taught the first school in town (in District No. 1). 

The first assessment list of Troy (1 842 1 shows 130 resident landholders and 35 non-resident 
owners. The land came into market three years ]irevio\is. 

SEPARATION OF THE TOWNS. 

The old town of Troy was divided, by act of Legislature, Mai'ch 21. 1843. The question 
of division had been agitated for some time, as the size of the town proved a source of incon- 
venience in aiTauging for public meetings which embraced the citizens from its extreme limits. 
The western jiiirt of the town was gradually becoming known as ^\'est Tr(.)y, and letters to the 
residents were so addressed. As that portion had the claim of priority of settlement, the set- 
tlei's wished to retain the old name, and accordingly, a petition was [iresented to the Legislature 
signed by leading citizens of the west part of the town, praying that their portion might \m set 
off from the townshij) as it then existed, and that it might still retain the name of Troy. The 
petition was ))artially granted the town was set off. but, to the utter disgjist and indignation 
of Maj. Mieacham. it was given the name of " Meacham. " The Major was not a man easily 
tliwarted when he had set his mind on eairying a meastu-e, and, believing that it was thi-ough 
the influence of citizens of the eastern portion of the tovsm that the old name was denied, he 
lost no time, but immediately starte<l for Madison to fix things more in accordance with his 
sense of justice and jiropriety. He arranged matters to his entire satisfaction; as he expressed 
it. "I let them know there was a (iod in Israel." Tlj* petition was granted according to the 
original rec|uest. and th(> citizens and the Major rejoiced at thi> name of simple, unprefised 
" Troy." So the older town (by a few weeks) rec(>ived no more lette)-s bearing the oflensive ad- 
dress of " West Troy. " and the younger, to its sorrow, had no office for " East Troy " letters to 
be addressed to for the space of a year. 



662 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

TOWN MEETINGS AND ROSTER. 

The first town meotinw of Troy (before its sepai-ation from East Troy) was held, according 
to notice. " at the house occiii)ied by Austin McCracken in said town, on the 5th day of April, 
1842, between the hoiirs of 9 and 11 o'clock A. M." (See East Troy.) 

The first town meeting held by the voters of the ]iresent town of Troy was at the house of 
Augustus Smith, ou the first Monday in May, 1843. The meeting was organized by appointing 
Augustus Smith. Moderator, and Soldan Powers, Clerk. The meeting then adjoiu-ned to the 
schoolhouse near Jesse Meacham's residence. "Upon again calling the meeting to order, Au- 
gustus Smith was again chosen Moderator, and Hemy C. Porter, Clerk. The officers elected 
at this meeting were as follows: 

Supervisors, Jesse Meacham, Chairman; Franklin Bigelow, A. M. PeiTy; Tovra Clerk, 
Alonzo Dougherty; Treasurer. Elias Hibbard; Assessors, Selah S. Porter, Timothy Mower; 
Collector. William B. Hibbard; Commissioners of Highways, Hiram Perry, Cryton Bigelow, 
Edwin Meacham; Commissioners of Schools, Timothy Mower, Alonzo Daugherty, William H. 
Gilbert; Constables, William B. Hibbard, A. M. Pen-y. 

Among other resolutions, the following were passed at this meeting: " That the town raise 
$50 for the support of the public schools for the ensuing year; that the town officers should re- 
ceive 50 cents per day for services rendered; and that the town raise $75 for its contingent ex- 
penses for the ensuing year." 

The following is a list of the tovm officials from the organization of the t(iwn. in 1843, to 
and including the year 1881: 

1844 — Supervisors, Jesse Meacham, Chairman; A. M. Perry, Selah S.Porter; Town Clerk, 
A. Daugherty; Treasurer, Elias Hibbard. 

1845 - Supervisors. Elias Hibbard, Chairman; Selah S. Porter, Alexander F. Bunker; Town 
Clerk. Soldan Powers; Treasurer, Augustus Smith. 

1846 — Supervisors, Elias Hibbard, Chairman; Selah S. Porter, Timothy Mower. Jr.; Town 
Clerk, Soldan Powers; Treasurer, Augustus Smith. 

1847 — Supervisors, Adam E. Ray, Chairman; Timothy Mower, Jr., Mark Watson; Town 
Clerk, John A. Perry; Treasurer. Augustus Smith. 

1848 — Supervisors, R. J. Northrop. Chairman; Mark Watson, Elias Hibbard; Town Clerk, 
John A. Perry; Treasurer, I. W, Hibbard. 

1849 —Supervisors. Adam ^i. Ray, Chairman; Hem-y C. Porter, Chapman Crafts; Town 
Clerk, I. S. Dean; Treasurer, Augustus Smith. 

1850 — Supervisors, Timothy Mower, Chairman; Sylvanus Spoor, Salmon C. Harmon; Town 
Clerk, Soldan Powers; Treasurer, Adam E. Ray. 

1851 — Supervisors, Soldan Powers, Chairman; Elias Hibbard, Chester C. Beach; Town 
Clerk, H. C. Porter; Treasurer, A. M. Perry. 

1852 -Supervisors, Gan-ett Winne, Chairman; C. C. Beach, James G. Briggs; Town Clerk, 
John A. Perry; Treasurer, A. M. Perry. 

1853 — Supervisors, Garrett Winne, Chairman; John Swift, Hiram Brewster; Town Clerk, 
Daniel Hooj)er; Treasurer, Jacob R. Kling. 

1854 — Supervisors. S. S. Porter, Chairman; George Hibbard, C. C. Beach; Town Clerk, Sol- 
dan Powers; Treasurer, A. M. Perry. 

1855 — Supervisors, A. M. Perry, Chairman; Thomas Emerson, H. B. Thayer; Town Clerk, 
Soldan Powers: Treasurer, Donald Stewart. 

1856 — Supervisors, Adam E. Ray, Chairman; John Swift, H. B. Thayer; Town Clerk, Sol- 
dan Powers; Treasurer, Selah S. Porter. 

1857— Supei-visors, Adam E. Ray, Chairman; S.G.Smith. H, B. Thayer; Town Clerk, Sol- 
dan Powers; Treasiu-er. A. B. Dibble. 

1858 — Supervisors, Daniel Hooper, Chairman; H. A. Taylor, S. C. Harmon; Town Clerk, 
Soldan Powers; Treasurer, R. M. Hibbard. 

1859 — Supei-visors. Morris Taylor, Chairman; E. A. Hubbard, C. C. Beach; Town Clerk, 
James G. Briggs; Treasurer. R. M. Hibbard. 

I860— Supervisors, S. S. Porter, Chairman; S. G Smith. George H. Willis; Town Clerk, 
James G. Briggs; Treasurer. R. M. Hibbard. 



IIISTOHV OF W ALWOKTH COIXTY. 663 

IcSO'i Suporvisoi-s. E. L. Dean. Cliainnaii; AN'. P. Jolmstou. Lyman C'lfiiions; Town Clerk. 
Sviklan Powers; Treasurer, S. S. Port(>r. 

180)8— Supervisors. N. M. Bunker. Chairman; S. G. Sniitli. M. P. Bishop: Town Clerk. 
Soldan Powers; Treasurer. Chark'S D. Balilwin. 

1S04- Su])ervisors. N. M. Bunker. Chairman; William Yandenburj^'h. (leorge IIibl)anl; 
Town Clerk. Soldan Powers; Treasurer. A. M. Perry. 

1805— Supervisors, S. S. Porter. Chairman; SamTiel Miu-dock. James G. Briggs; Town 
Clerk. Soldan Powers; Treasurer. A. M. Pen-y. 

1800 — Supervisors, E. A. Hubl)ard, Chairman; Daniel Vandeubnrgh. S. C. Harmon; Town 
Clerk. L. J. Smith; Treasurer. A\'. A. Dean. 

1807 Supervisors. E. A.Hubbard, Chairman: H. E. Nourse. C. B. Ackley; Town Clerk. 
L. J. Smith: Treasurer. A. J. Bliss. 

1808 — Supenisors. E. A. Hubbard. Chairman; William Yandenliurgh, C. B. Ackley; Town 
Clerk, L. J. Smith: Treasurer, J. W. Medbury. 

1809 — Supervisors. L. J. Smith. Chairman; J. B. Lagi-ange. W. H. Mayhew; Town Clerk. 
F. L. Andrus; Treasurer, N. M. Bunker. 

1870 — Su)3ervisors, \V. H. Mayhew. Chairman; William Yaudenburgh. Austin Randall; 
Town Clerk. B. Reynolds (elected but did not serve). Soldan Pow(>rs (ai>iiointedi: Treasurer. 
W. A. Dean. 

1871 — Super-visors, L.J. Smith, Chairman; D. Hooper. Austin Randall; Town Clerk, Paul 
Schwartz. Jr. ; Treasiu-er. O. F. "Winne. 

1872 — Supervisors. L. J. Smith. Chairman: J. A. Schwartz. J. B. Lagrange; Town Cl(>rk. 
Paul Schwartz. Jr. : Treasurer. AN'. H. Morrison. 

1873 — Supervisors. J. E. Reynolds. Chairman; Fred Owen. O. Ij. AVinne; Town Ck-rk. 
Paul Sehwai'tz. Jr.; Treasurer. Charles Dingman. 

1874 — Supervisors. J. E. Reynolds, Chairman: John Baker, R. M. Hibbard; Town Clerk. 
L. J. Smith; Treasiu-er. H. L. Randolph. 

1875 -Supervisors. J. E. Reynolds. Chairman; John Matheson. John Cha]iman; Town 
Clerk. H. L. Randolph (did not serve). L. J. Smith (appointed); Treasm-er. C. B. Babeock. 

1876 — Supervisors. John Matheson. Chairmjin; Fred Owen. Frank Minett; Town Clerk, 
Soldan Powers; Treasiu'er. C. B. Babeock. 

1877 — Sujiei-visors. John Matheson. Chairman: O. L. Dingman. Fred Owen: Town Clerk. 
F. L. -Andi-us: Treasurei-, C. D. Baldwin. 

1878 — Supervisors, John Matheson. Chairman; George Terwilleger. John Bluett; Town 
Clerk, F. L. Andrus: Treasurer, C. D. Baldwin. 

1879 — Supervisors. AV. H. Mayhew, Chainnan: "William Yandenbiu-gh. -H. L. Kice: Town 
Clerk, P. B. Stratton: Treasurer. John Hooper. 

1^80 — Supervisors. J. G. Briggs, Chairman; A\illiam Yandeuburgh. E. T. Atkins: Town 
Clerk, P. B. Stratton ; Treasm-er. Fred Owen, 

1881 — Supervisors, J. E. Reynolds, Chairman: William Yaudenburgh, E. T. Atkins; Town 
Clerk, P, B, Stratton; Treasurer, Thomas Donah >ie. 

TROY CENTER. 

The village of Troy Center is located on Sections 14 and 1 5 in the town of Troy. Pre 
vious to the coming of the railroad, a " ncnghborhood " had sprung uj) about lialf a mile north 
of the present village on Sections 1(1 and 11. The first settlers there were Soldan Powers, A. 
M. Perry and George W. Blanehard. in May. 1887. They, with the exception of Mi-. Blanch- 
ard— who came from Milwaukee came from (Chicago. The first house built was of logs, in 
size 10x12 feet, and covered with oak bark. This they lived in until a larger one, lOx'22, one 
and a half stories high, was built, in which they lived during the following winter. A few 
dwellings were subsequently erected here, but the place assumed no importance until the com- 
ing of the railroad, in 1871. w'hen the village was moved to its present location. The land on 
wliich the village is built was purchased from J. G. Briggs by some of the railroad officials in 
1871. and jilatted into village lots. Charles A\yman erected the first house on the village 
plat, during the same year. J. A. Schwartz also built and ojiened a store at that time. Will 



564 HISTORY OF WA]. WORTH COUNTY. 

iam H. Dewitt built a warehouse in 1871. In November, 1870, N. M. Bunker and L. J. 
Smith associated themselves under the tirm name of Bunlcer & Smith, and purchased this ware- 
house, which they are still operating, dealing in grain, wool, live stock, etc. 

The Troy Center Hotel was built by George Dewitt, in 1871, and purchased by Bingham 
Spragvie. Mi-. S])rague kejit it until he disposed of it. in 187fi, to its ])resent proprietor, Abram 
Beachtel. 

The tiouring-mill at Troy was built by Jesse Meacham in 1844. It has since been burned 
down twice, and rebuilt each time. It is now owned by J. A. Pierce, of Sugar Creek, and ope- 
rated by George McCarty. It is known as the Empire Mills. It is two stories high and has 
three run of stone. 

At a very early day, a saw-mill was built on Section 81. There was afterward a grist-mill 
started in the same locality, known as the Foster Mill, built by Bemis Foster, of Elkhorn. It 
was first run by Mr. Foster, and afterward by Patterson & Lane until the former's death. No- 
vember 13, 1881. It is now run by Mr. Lane. 

M.\yHE\V STATION. 

In 1871, a warehouse was built at this jioint by subscription, under the supervision of 
John Mather, and the railroad company established a station there. Subsecjuently. the ware- 
house was burned down. and. in 1872. was rel)uilt by John Matheson. Mr. Matheson. at about 
the same time, built and opened a store, blacksmith-shop, etc. In 187H. he was commissioned 
as Postmaster at this point, in accordance with a petition presented to the Post Office Depart- 
ment asking for the establishment of the office. During the same year, he was made railroad 
and express agent, and telegraph operator. Mr. Matheson carries a general stock of goods, and 
deals in live stock, grain, wool, and all kinds of produce. Mayhew Station is connected with 
East Troy by a telephone line, built by John Matheson and H. H. Rogers. 

Little Prairie is a small hamlet in the extreme northwestern part of the town of Troy. 
Adam E. Ray and the Bigolow families were among the prominent early settlers. 

The Methodist Episcopal Chm-ch was the earliest organized in that section. Elder Butts, a 
revivalist, being the first mover in its foi'mation. A small building was erected for the society, 
which, after being moved several times, was finally sold to John Credicutt. 

The Bible Christians organized a society at Little Prairie about the year 1858, holding 
their lu-st services in a schoolhouse. They subsequently purchased the " Temperance Hall," 
and remodeled it into a church building, which was destroyed by fire. About 1874, the society 
built another chiu'ch, and oi'ganized a society, the first members of which were Joseph Lackey, 
James Baird, Jerome Cook. Hemy Cook. William H. Morrison. William Malcolmson. Thomas 
Coombs and others. X Sabbath school has been maintained in connection with the chm-ch. 
The first pastor was Rev. Henry Ebbetts, who has been succeeded by the following clergymen: 

Revs. William Jolliffe. Wait. I. Dumbleton. Samuel Jollifte. T. H. Day. - - Greenway, 

Williston and George Haycraft. 

The society of the Seventh-Day Adventists of Little Prairie held their first meeting Jan- 
uary 19, 1867, at the house of C. W. Olds, in the town of Eagle, Waukesha Co., Wis. The first 
Trustees were Pliny Potter, C. W. Olds and William Cartley. The society owns a church build- 
ing, but it is not at present in a very flourishing condition. 

The school grounds are all in Troy; the district comprises two and a half acres, being 
situated in fom- towns Troy, La Grange, Eagle and Palmyra. The .school property is valued 
at 11.800. 

CHURCHES. 

Methodist. -In 1887, the old Aztalan Circuit was organized, and an appointment established 
at Troy. The first preachers were Revs. Samuel Pillsbui-y and Jesse Halstead. A quarterly 
meeting was held during the year at Meacham' s Prairie. 

Tlic Coiigregntiotial Church was organized August 17, 1839, by Rev. Lemuel Hall. There 
were twenty -five constituent members. In the ten yeai's following its organization, the church 
was increa8e<l by eighty-three, having had, in all, a membership of 108. In 1848, the church 
and Bocietv ere<:tVd a chm-ch edifice costing $1,400. with a seating capacity of about 300. 



HISTORY 0\- W ALWOKIH COUNTY. 5()5 

Thi'iv was at this tiuu' a Siiiulay scliool councpteil with the chuirh. w)iich was hirgely at- 
tendeil and very successful. There have lieeii connected witli the cjiurch as pastors: Rov. 
Leiiuiel Hall, Kev. M. Ordway. llov. D. A. Sherman, Rev. S. Challfee, Rev. C E. Rosenlu-anz, 
Rev. H. R. Snow, Rev. MiHon" Wells, Rev. James Hall and Rev. E. Sed-jwick. The church be- 
eauie weakened in consequence of some internal disagreement, and, about ISCiO, it was sold, and 
is now used for schoi>l purpose.s. 

THK \V.\It liKCORD. 

Troy stood the siege of the war days in the spirit of her namesake several centuries ago. 
She furnished her full (piota, and raised $12,0")'.) as her share of blood money in putting down 
the rebellion. Her record, as found in the general war hisfcorv, is one over which she need not 
blush. 

TROY IN 1881. 

The population of Troy, according to the Federal Census of 1880, was Wt-i. 

The grain and other agricultural products were: Wheat, 34,750 bushels; corn, (J1,U00 
bushels; oats, ;-14,000 bushels; barley, .",100 bushels; ne. lj>0i) bushels: potatoes, 7.500 bush- 
els: apples, 9.000 btishels; tobacco. U. 000 pounds: hay. 1.1)5'-! tons: butter. 48,000 pounds: 
cheese. (),000 pounds. 

In 1S81. there were 5,331 acrt-s sown to grain, 21;) acres of iirchard. 3.(100 ac^res of mowing 
and pastm-e lands, and 2,('>0() acres of growing timber. 

There were five whole and five joint school districts. The scholars between the ages of 
four and twenty years numbered 32U, of which number 230 attended school. There were seven 
schools. taTight by eight teach(>rs. at monthly wages averaging !f35.83 for male, and $21.92 for 
female teachers. The total amount expended during the year for school purposes was $3,473. 
There were seven schoolhouses, valued, including the sites at $5,150. 



BIOdKAJ'IIK'A]. SKKTCHES. 

F. A. BENNETT, farmer, Section 20, Troy; P. O. Adams: one of the ju'ominent farmers 
of Walworth, was born at New Berlin, Waukesha Co., Wis., August 2, 1847: received a com- 
mon-school education and was lirought up a farmer. In 1872, his father gave him l(j(t acres of 
land, located on Section 20, Troy, since which time he has been farming the same. He now has 
fine buildings and other good improvements, so that his land is valued at $45 ]ier acre. He was 
married, October 15, bS73. to Miss Celia S. Kling, daughter of J. R. and Emily (Bliss) Kling, 
and have one child — Blanche. In jiolitics. he is a Republican, with temperance principles. 

J. M. BREWSTER, farmer. Section 22, Troy; P. O. Troy Center; was born in Troy Jan. 
1 (, 1847; received a common-scho(5l education; remained with his narents on the farm, and, in 
December. 1870, was married to Miss Roxie Randolph, daughter of Charles and Anna (Cowell) 
liandolph. and is now engaged farming on the estate of his father. Hiram Brewster, deceased. 
The children are Cairie .J. and Charles H. 

HIR.\M BREWSTER (deceased), one of the early pioneers of Walworth, was a native of 
New Hamj)shire, born near Dover Dec. 21, 180(); learned the trade of a machinist, and, in 1841, 
was married to Miss Achsha MaiistU'. a native of Vermont, born in 1812. He then came to Wis- 
consin, lived in East Troy two yc^ars, when he settled on Section 22, Troy, where he followed 
farming during the remainder of his life. At his death, which occm'red Jan. 18, I8()I, he owned 
300 acres of land, which he left to his wife, who has since carried on the same. She now owns 
437 acres, 280 of which is worth $40 per acre and the balance valued at $20 per acre. The 
children are J. M. and George, l)oth of whom are now helping take care of the estate. 

NATHANIEL M. BUNKER, of the town of Troy, Sec. 10; P. O. Troy Center; one of the 
prominent farmers and senior memlxn- of the firm of Bunker & Smith, Troy Center; was born in 
the town of Milan, Dutchess Co., N. Y., Aug. 31, 1817. He lived at home until 18 y(>ars of age. 
when he commenced to work in a foundry in tlie city of Troy. N. Y., which was his |)rincipal 
business, although he worked at various em|)loyments until 1840. when he was married to Miss 
Pliebe E. Prescott, removing to I'oughkeepsie, N. Y.. serving as foreman in the foundry of A. J. 
Coffin &,Co. for fourteen veai's. His wife died in 1853, leaving three children — Hem-ietta S. 



566 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

now Mrs, L. E. Perry, of Dauham Park, Kau. ; Sarah M., now ?>lrs. Charles B. Babcock, and 
Nathaniel P., deceased. In 1854, ho married Miss Phebe S. Coffin, and came to Wisconsin 
March 17, 18-35; settled in the town of Troy on a farm of KiO acres, valued at l-tO per acre. 
The children by his second wife are Carrie C, WardS. and George W. Since November, 1875, 
has been in partnershij) with L. J. Smith, in the warehouse at Troy Center. Mr. B. is a Re- 
publican in poli-tics, has hold several town offices, and, in lS7t), represented his own district in 
the Assembly. 

S. B. CHATFIELD, farmer, Section 18; P. O. Adams; one of the early settlers and prom- 
inent farmers of Walworth; is a native of Connecticut, born Oct. 21, 1822, when he was 
but 2 or 3 years old, the family removed to Cheuancri) Co., N. Y. ; here the mother died, when 
he was but 7 years old, and, thi-ee years later, the father died. Thus, at the age of 10 years, he 
was left at the mercy of the world to take care of himself. He was soon bound out l)y his uncle, 
who was his guardian, to a farmer by the name of Theodore Bm-chard, of the town of" Hamilton, 
Madison Co., with whom he lived until he was 18 years of age, when Mr. B. rented his farm to 
Ml-. James Stratton, and, as Mr. S. wished to have young Chatfield remain on the farm, he 
served out the balance of his time with Mr. S. Upon reaching his majority, he was given 
■$100, two suits of clothes and a Bible, and, as he was now his own master, he served as a la- 
borer for farmers also attended school one term, and, in 1846, started West to seek his fortune. 
On his way West, he stopped with his guardian, David Bard, who then resided in Ohio. Here 
he received $8 /, which was his share of his father's estate. He then came to Wisconsin, arriv- 
ing at Troy Nov. 1, 184fi. with §301 in money and a few carpenter's tools, which he purchased 
on his way to the West. He at once went to James Stratton, who had come West, and settled 
in Troy in 1843, where he made it his home until Dec. 22, 1849, when he was married to Mary 
E. Holcomb; he then settled where he now resides, having previously purchased 80 acres of his 
present farm. Dec. 31, 1854, his wife died, leaving two children — Norman A. and Levi L. In 
185 r, he was married to Miss Catherine L. G. Kling, daughter of Jacob and Dorothy Kliug, 
by whom he had seven children — George K,, born June 8, 1858; Dewitt C, born Aug. 11, 
1862; Omer C, born April 24, I860; Jane E., burn Feb. 22, 1864; Jane E., who was 
accidentally burned to death, June 28, 1871. her clothing taking fii-e while asleep from sparks 
flying out of the stove; S. Libbie, born July 27, 1869; Alice J., born June 22, 1873; Seuecoa 
B.jborn November 15, 1875. Mr. C. now owns 118.V acres of land (24 acres of marsh laud, on 
Section 32, at $10 an acre), which has good improvements and is valued at ^60 per acre. In 
politics, he is a Republican, and in religion, a Baptist. He has raised sugar cane and manu- 
factured cane syrup for fifteen years, taking an interest in its growth and best methods of manu- 
faetm'e. 

THOMAS COOMBE, Section 18; p. O. Adams: a native of Cornwall, England: was born 
in 1814; brought up on a farm, and, in 1839, was married to Misa T. B. Hutchings. In 1849, 
they emigrated to the United States with their three children:' settled in the town of PalmjTa, 
where he purchased a farm of 80 acres; continued working and improving the same until the 
year 1866, when he sold the said farm for $900 more than the pm-ehasing price; in the same 
year, he bought an adjoining farm of KSO acres, harvesting four er(.)ps and then selling the same 
for $1,600 more than it cost him, and, in June, of 1870, when he purchased his present farm, 
which contains 240 acres, situated on Section 18, town of Troy, whore he has since resided. His 
family consists of ten children — John, Elizabeth. Serena, Oliver, Rosepha, Eliza, Emma, Heni-y, 
Levi and Ella. Death has never visited the house of this hardy pioneer. For many years jiast, 
lioth have been consistent members of the Bible Christian Church, father and sons being Repub- 
licans. 

ALBERT HALL, farmer. Section 1 ; P. O. Troy Center; his father, W. H. Hall, is a native of 
Vermont, born March 14,1821; in 1828, the family removed to St. Lawrence, N. Y., and to 
Mom-oe County, from which ])lace. in 1840, they came to Wisconsin, arriving at Whitewater No- 
vember 4, but settled at Koshkonong, Jeft'erson Co., where W. H. was married, Feb. 24, 1845. In 
1858, he removed to Whitewater, where he followed farming until ]S(>9, when ho purchased 
160 acres of land, located on Section 1, Troy, and Section 6, East Troy, where he continued 
farming until 1881, in which year, on the 8th day of February, his wife died, leaving three 
childi-en— James J., of Marshalltown. Iowa: Albert W., of Troy, and Lansing E.. of Genesee, 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 567 

Waukesha Co. Mr. Hall is a Dcmocraf, ami, in 1801, enlisted in Company H. IHtli W. V. I., and 
s(u-v(>d thi-ee yoai's and two months. A. W. Hall was born at Koshkononf^, .left'orson Co., Wis., 
AtifT. (i, 1S4S; has always livinl with his parents, and, in IHl'i, was married to Miss Mary E. 
Wcbli, daughter of James and May (Staey) Webb, and they now have one child William. Mr. 
A. Hall now owns the homestead which he purchased in .August, liSSl. and is valued at |t),00(). 

E. A. mnU5AiU), farmer, Section 'li: P. O. East Troy, one of the early settlers; is the 
eldest son of Alfred and Hannah (Steel) Hubbard; born in Greene Co., N. ¥., March 12, ISl^i. 
^Vhen he was but 2 years of age, he was taken by his jiarents to Livingston County, where he 
received a common-school education, helped his parents till the soil, and subserjuently clerked 
in a store two years. In 1845, he was married to Miss Eliza Kinney, daughter of Ezra and 
Louisa (Cloughi Kinney, and the same year came to Wisconsin and first settled in East Troy, 
where he pm-chased land, and followed" farming until 1847, when he purchased his present 
farm of 160 acn^s, at $12 per acre, which he has well improved. The chilth-en are Hannah L., 
Frank A., Edward A, Clara A., Willis P. and Paris P. In politics, Mr. H. is a Republican, 
and has held local otiices. Ho is a member of the Presbyterian (Jhurch. 

J. R. KLING, farmer, Section I'J; P. O. Adams; one of the early pioneers and prominent 
men of Walworth: is a son of Jacob and Dorothy (Gasper) Kling, and was born in Schoharie 
Co., N. Y. , Jan. 7. 1815; received a common-school education; sub.secjui^ntly, was engaged on 
the canal, having charge of cargoes to and from New York City; dm'ing those years, he always 
had a desire to go West: he, therefore, in the fall of 1835, went to Michigan, where he pm-- 
chased land, and, in the spring, went back East; he subsequently w(>nt to Michigan, and was 
exposed to many pioneer hardshii)s. In the fall of 18311, he concluded to go farther West; this 
time he came to Wisconsin and soon found his way to Walworth; he at unce piu'chased land (m 
Section 1, La Grange, and, two years later, purchased the land on which he now resides; dm-ing 
those years, he kept bachelor's liall, sewed on his own buttons and took care of himself, but. as 
this kind of life grew more an<l more monotonous year by ywir, he began to look for a partner. 
and, Jan. 25, 1843, he was married to Miss Emily Bliss, daughter of Gideon and Prudence 
(Pease) Bliss; continued farming with marked success and reared a family of eight chikh'en, 
seven of whom are now living — Mary E., now Mrs. George A. Matthews, of Woodbine. Iowa: 
Henry B.. resident of Woodbine, Iowa; Celia S., now Mrs. F. .4. Bennett, of Troy; Willard J., 
of Lake City. Colo., and Frank W., Edith A. and Ruby, living at home. Mr. Kling now owns 
1()0 acres of land, valued at $40 i)ei- ac-re. He is an active worker for the Rejiublican party, 
always taking a groat interest in conventions, and has held local offices. He is also an active 
workiir for the cause of temjserance. In religion, he is a Baptist. 

J.A.COB KLING, who is at present the oldest living man in Walworth Co., Wis., was born 
in Schoharie Co., N. Y,, Dec. 27, 1784; was brought up on a farm, and, in ISDS, was married 
to Dorothy Gas]:)er, and brought up a family of twelve chikh-en, all of whom arc* now living, al- 
though the ycjungest of the chiliken is nearly fifty years of age. The names of the children nnt 
John L., born Jan. 25, 1810, resides at Syracuse. N. Y. ; Peter, born Dec. 2, 1811. resides in 
Schohai-ie Co.. N. Y.; Henry, born Feb. 10, 1813, resides in Syracuse, N. Y. ; Jacob R., born 
Jan. 7, 1815, resides in Troy, Wis.; Mary Ann, boi-n July 30, 1817, now Mrs. John Anderson, 
resides in Troy, Wis.; William, born November 14, 1819, resides in Mason C!ity, Iowa: Hiram, 
born Sept. 4, 1821, resides in Algonia, Iowa; Elizabeth, born July 27, 1823, now Mrs. H. E. 
Nourse. resides in Trov, Wis.; Norman, born May 7, 1825, resides in Rome, N. Y. ; Christopher, 
born March 19. 1827. 'resides in Utica, N. Y. ; George H. born Jan. 29. 1829. r(>sides in Chi- 
cago. 111.; (.'/atharine L. G.. born May 10. 1832. now Mrs. S. B. Chattield, resides in Troy, 
Wis. In about 1850. the aged couple came to Wisconsin to spend their remaining years with 
their son Jacob K.. whore the mother died, in 1874, at the age of 81 years; the father still li\ 's 
with his son at the advanced ag(> of 97; he is in quite good health and able to walk to the neigh 
lK)rs'. 

WILLIAM S. LUMB. farmer. Section 30; P. (). Adams: one of the pioneers who si^ttle 1 
in Walworth in 1842; is a native of England, born Feb. 10. 1819; reannl a sailor, and. in 
ISU. emigrated to the Ignited States, and. after living one year in Oneida Co.. N. Y.. came to 
Wisconsin and S(*ttl{vl in Walworth. First, he lived in La Grange one year, then on Section 
18, Troy, about seventeen years, after which he purchased his present farm and has since resided 



568 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

on the same. He now owns IfiO acres, valued at $20 per acre. Mr. Lumb is a man of more tliau 
ordinary intellit^once and has a good memory. He was married, in 1S41. to Ann Rayner, a 
native of Enj;land. She died in 18(59, leaving fom' chilcheu — William H. lives at Pensaukee, 
Oconto Co.; Frank B., lives at Rockdale, Milan Co., Texas; Ben; Lettie, now Mrs. James 
Shearer, of Eagle, Waukesha Co. Mr. L. is a Democrat. Ben Lumb was born in Troy, Wis. , 
in 1857; received a common-school education: has been brought np a farmer; spent two years 
in the iron mines of Northern Michigan, and now has charge of his father's farm. 

GEORGE MacCARj'HT, proprietor of Empire Mills, Troy; is a native of Ireland; born in 
1844; learned the miller's trade, and, in the year 1865, emigrated to the United States, landing 
at Portland. Me. He then went to New York City, where he landed March 17. and immediately 
started for AVisconsin and first stopped with his brother, who resides at Palmvi'a, Jefferson Co. 
But within one week he enlisted in Company H, olst Wisconsin, and served until the close of 
the war. when he was mustered out as Corporal. Returning to Wisconsin, he worked at his trade 
at Janesville a few months, then at Quincy. Mich., a short time, when he came to Walworth 
County and worked in the East Troy Mills three years; then a short time at Richland Center, 
after which, in ])artnership with his father, he rented a mill at Dover, Iowa Co., which they 
ran six months. He then returned to AValworth. and, for the next two years. 1870 and 1871. 
was head miller in the East Troy Mills. The next seven years he was foreman in the City 
Mills, of Madison, since which time he has been proprietor of the Empire Mills, having rented 
the same May 15, 1880. In 1881, he leased the Lake Mills, of La Grange, and now nins the 
same. He also owns 120 acres of land in Eagle. Waukesha Co . valued at S^^O per acre. The 
children living are Tessie. George, Lizzie. Fred and Jennie. 

L. MARTIN, farmer, Section 18; P. O. Adams; was born in the State of New York May 4, 
18'24; reared on a farm, received a common-school education, aud, in 1844. came to Wisconsin 
and soon purchased his [iresent farm. In 184(), he was married to Miss Dyantha Bliss, daughter 
of Gideon and Prudence Bliss, and has since followed farming with the exception of the time 
from 185() to 1805, when he was engaged in the blacksmith and wagon business at Troy. He 
now owns 120 acres of land, valued at $35 per acre. The children living are Chester. Prances 
(now Mrs. Fred Bowman, of Iowa), Ai-fchur. Hattie and Willie. In ])olitics, Mr. M. is a Repub- 
lican; in religion, a Baptist. 

W. P. MEA.CHA.M, farmer. Section 25; P. O. Troy; is a sou of U. D. and Prudence 
(Gidds) Meacham, and grandson of Maj. Jesse Meacham; he was born in Troy Se[)t. 27, 1836, 
and is. therefore, the first male child born in Walworth County. When he was 8 years of age, 
he moved to Elkhorn, and, in 1852, to Freeport, 111. The nest four yeai-s, he spent in rambling 
about in different States, when he returned to Freeport and followed farming at that place for 
about eight year, diu'ing which time, in 1861. he was married at Monroe, Wis., to Miss Celesta 
J. Smith, daughter of Stephen and Amanda M. (Carter) Smith. In February. 1865. returned 
to Troy to take charge of his grandfather. Maj. Meacham. aud subsequently, on the death of 
his grandfather, he came in possession of the estate, which he now owns, the same containing 
210 acres, valued at $50 per acre. Mr. M. now keeps forty cows, manufactures about 8,00() 
pounds of butter per annum and about (500 pouniis of curd per week. He is a Democrat in 
politics and has held local offices; he is not a religious man, but is an honest, upright citizen, 
who is highly respected by his fellow-men. The chikhen are Carrie and Herford C. 

FRANCIS anXETT, farmer. Section 21 ; P. O. Troy Center; is a native of England, born 
Oct 21, 1835; in 1849, with his parents, William and Sarah Minett, he came to the United 
States and at once ca,me to Wisconsin and settled in the town of Troy. Francis lived at home 
but little, as he spent most of his time in the employ of other parties until 1855, when he was 
mcirried to Polly, daughter of Edwin and Mary Randall. She was born Jan. 16, 1837, in Gen- 
esee County, State of New York. He then followed farming for a number of years on Section 
16, Troy, where he piu'chased his present farm, which contains 190 acres, valued at $35 per acre. 
The childi-en are Albert F., Charles S., Jennie May, Hattie, Frank F. and Mattie E. Mr. M. 
is a Republican and has held local offices. He also took part in the war of the late rebellion. 
His father died Nov. 19, 18(58, aged 83 years; Sarah, his mother, died Sept. 22, 1859, aged 73 years. 
The children were born as follows: Albert F., born Feb. 10, 1857; Charles S., born March 2, 
18(50; Jennie M., born June 20, 1866; Hattie, born March 18. 1872; Frank F., born Aug. 31, 
1876; Mattie E., born Jan. 8, 1879. 



IILSTOHY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. •''69 

H. E. NOURSE. farmw. Soction "id: I'. O. Adams: one of t\w promiiumt farmers of 
Walworth County: is a native of Vermont, born in May. 'iS'U. In 1^25. they removed to Her- 
kimer Co.. N. Y. Here li(> received a comnion school education. hel])Hd till the soil, and. in 
February. ISUI, was marriinl to ^Fiss ElizalM^h Klinp;. daughter of Ja(5ol) and Dorothy Klinjf. 
and the "followiui; .May came to Wisconsin and at once settled where he now resides and has 
since followed farming with marked success. He now owns ISO acres of land, 100 of which is 
improved and valued at $10 per acre, and 80 acres' unimproved, valued at $10 per acre. He 
kee|)s a dairy of thirty cows and manufactures large quantities of butti^r and Dutch cheese; he 
has one daui^hter— Clara F. Mr. N. is a Republican in jwlitics and h;is held local offices; in 
religion, he is a Baptist. 

N. -T K.VNDOLPH. farmer. Section 22: P. (). Troy Center; son of (Jharhffl and Ann 
(Cowell) Randolph. He was born in Spencer, Tioga Co.. N. Y., Sept. 11, 184"): was brought 
by his parents to Wisconsin and lived with them in Granville. Milwauke(( Co., seven years, 
when the family removed to Walworth County, and settled in the town of Troy. Here heheli)ed 
till the soil. and. in 187(), was married to Miss Ella, daughter of Edwin and Catharine De Puy, 
of East Troy; in January. 1871), his father deeded his farm, which contains 120 acres, valued 
at $50 per acre. His parents are both living with him. In politics, he is a Republican. 

CHARLES RANDOLPH, is a native of Fredericksbm-g, Va. ; when tlu-ee years of age, 
was taken by his parents to Tioga Co.. N. Y., where, Oct. 28, ]8:-54, he was married to Anna 
Cowell. In 1848. he came to Wisconsin and lived in Granville, Milwaukee Co., until 1855, 
when he came to Walworth, purchased 120 acres of land on Section 22, Troy, which he culti 
vated until January, 1879, when he deeded the siune to his son, Nathan J. The children are 
Hars-ey L.. of Troy Center; Mary E., now ]Mi-s. M. Lytton, of Talbot Co.. Md.; William H.. of 
Illinois; Nathan .J., of Trov. and Rosie. now Mi-s. John Bresster, of Troy. 

.JOHN A. SCHWARTZ, merchant, Troy Center: oldest son of Paul and Elizabeth (Wag 
neri Schwai-tz; was born at Saline, N. Y., in 1840; was brought by his parents to Troy, Wis., 
in 1S43, and here helped till the soil until 1867, when he was man-ied to Elizabeth Wilmer, 
daughter of Bernard and Elizabeth, of East Troy. He then engaged in mercantile business at 
East Troy, which he continued for one year, then carried on a general huckster trade eighteen 
months, at the end of which time he came to Troy Centi'r. where he has since been doing a 
general mercantile business, carrying a stock of about $3,500. He is a Republican, but takes 
no interest in politics, more than to ])erform his duties as a citizen. His children are Albert, 
Bernard, Flora, George, Edna, John and Walter. 

PAUL SCHWARTZ, retired; P, O. Troy Center: a native of Bavaria, Gei-many, born in 
1811, and, in 1832, the family emigrated to the United States and settled in the State of New 
York. In 1838, Paul Schwartz was married to Miss Elizabeth Wagner, and, in 1843, he came to 
Wisconsin, arriving in th(> town of Troy with less than $400, but he immediately went to work, 
purchased SO acres of land on Section 11, and, as he was a good financier, he purchased more 
land fi'om time to time until he owned 339 acres, valued at $40 per acre. His wife died May 
17, 1881. and, as he was getting pretty well along in years, he sold his farm to his son, John A., 
and retired from active life. His children are .John A., Paul, Joseph, Caroline (now Mrs. Will- 
iam Porter, of Spring Prairie), Mary (now Mrs. John A. Gould, of Cherokee, Iowa), Henry and 
Eliza (now Mrs. John Randall, of East Troy). 

AUGUSTUS SMITH was born in Chester, Mass.. Oct. 25, 1801; is the son of William and 
Siirah Smith; was married in Westtield in 1820, to Miss Almira Stiles. Their chikb-en were 
William A. (Ruth H.. Sarah A., deceased); Sarah A., the second of that name, is now Mrs S. 
R. Edwards, of Sugar Creek (Mary A. M., deceased): Franklin H.. Oliver P. and Austin E. ; 
the two younger were born in Wisconsin. Mr. Smith and family emigrat(Hl to Troy, Wis., in 
October," 1838, where he resided until July, 1854. when he removed to B((loit, Wis., where hestill 
resides. While a resident of Walworth County, he held many local offices; was one of the first, 
if not the first. President of the Walworth County Agricultural Society. He was an active 
member of the Congregati(^nal Chinch, and was much respected. 

L. J. SMITH, farmer, Section 15; P. O. Troy Center; one of the prominent l)usines8 men 
of Walworth County and a member of the firm of Bunker & Smith; son of Sylvester G. and 
Diana Smith: was born in the town of La Fayette, Walworth Co., in January. 1840. He was 



570 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

left motherless at the age of 12 years. In 1862, he responded to the call of his country by en- 
listing in Company I, 28th Wisconsin; was chosen First Lieutenant before entering the field, 
and afterward was promoted to Captain, in which capacity ho served until the close of the con- 
flict, being mustered out of service in September, 1865. He then returned to his home in Troy, 
took charge of the homestead, and has since lived on the same, as he subsequently purchased it. 
He now owns 160 acres of well-improved laud, valued at $40 ])or acre. Mi\ Smith is a successful 
farmer, a good business man and a gentleman highly respected by his fellow-citizens. He is a 
Republican in politics, has held local offices, and was a member of the Assembly in 1881. He 
was married, in Deceml:)er, 1871, to Miss Helen M. Stewart; they have four children— Rollin, 
Mary, Clara and Carroll. 

JAMES STRATTON (deceased) was born in Wiltshire, England, Feb. 14, 1804. Here he 
passed his eai'ly days, married in 1832. and the next year came to America, settling in Hamil- 
ton, Madisou Co., N. Y. Living as a farmer in the East for over ten years; he came West in 
the summer of 1843 and settled in Troy with his wife and only child — W. J. Stratton. Mr. 
Stratton died, Jan. 1, 1849. His widow was mai-ried two years later to Jacob Watson. She 
still resides on Section 20. Their only child — a daughter — E. A. Watson, is now Mrs. Webb, 
and lives in Durango, Colo. 




HISTORY OF WALWORTH COIJXTY. •'J'71 



T(»\VN OF wnrPKWATKi;. 

NATURAL KKATUKES. 

Thi> town uf Whitewater is iu the extreme northwestern portion of the county. The sur- 
face vai'ies, the sontheasteru corner of the town being rollini; land or hilly. Fully three-foui'ths 
of the town, however, is com])aratively flat, of which one-foiu-th consists of swamp land. AVest 
of the village of Whitewater is a prairie covering two sections. With the above exceptions, the 
town originally consisted of openings, with patches of white aniji black oak and poplar. Its soil 
is that usually found in a flat country, but is occasionally of a light sandy variety. Near the 
village are several limestone <iu:uTies. The town is watered by WHiitewater Creek, consist- 
ing of two branches, one rising in the town of Lima, the other in Richmond; they both flow 
north into the Bark River. Bass, Whitewater and Round Lakes are all in the southeastern 
p.irt of the town, and abound in pickerel and bass-, there is also the pond south and east of the 
village. Several mineral springs have been discovered in this latter vicinity, but have not been 
analyzed. Originally, foiu' Indian mounds of quite imposing dimensions existed a short dis- 
tance from the northeast corner of Section 7: the largest was sixty-live feet long, twenty feet 
wide and Ave and a half feet high. When C. R. Gibbs came into possession of the property, 
the mound was leveled for the site of his residence. Excavations to unearth its contents have 
never been made. Northeast of this mound, about 120 rods, are thri>e other elevations of cone-like 
form, twenty feet across at the base and seven feet high. Aside from this locality, no other 
signs of prehistoric life, within the present limits of the town, have beau found. Ijimestone 
quarries have been discovered near the village. 

AGRICULTURE. 

Whitewater is an agricultural town, fully one-quarter of its poi)ulation following that pur 
suit. A quarter of its farms are devoted to dairying, there being several cheese factories in the 
town. Corn, oats, wheat, barley and buckwheat are the chief grain products. The first land 
was broken and the first crop raised by Dr. Edward Brewer, who came from Milwaukee in May, 
lS;n, took up a claim in the southwest quarter of Section 7, and then contracted f<ir the tilling 
of tt>n acres of land during the coming season. He had been accompanied by William and ^ 
Lcander Birgo, the three returning in July with Charles Hamilton, bringing with them seven 
yoke of cattle, one wagon and two breaking plows. The party was five days coming from Mil 
waukee, and gladdened the heart of their host, Samuel Prince, the first [lermanent settler, by 
bringing with them all the " solids " of metroi)olitan fare — poi'k, potatoes, tea, colt'ee, flour, etc., 
et<!. Dr. Brewer and Hamilton then went to work to improve the claim on Section 7. The 
Birges went on t(j Cold S|iring, but returned, jumped Norman Pratt's claim to the southeast 
<(uartei- of Section 2, and commenced to till the soil as the second farmers. The expense of 
living in those times was simply enormous, but, with the advent of new settlers and the raising 
of abundant crops in IHMU, the condition of the pioneers commenced to " look up." The next 
year, an assessment of property was made, preparatory to raising a tax foi- a coui-t house and 
school piu-poses. The total valuation of the town property was $57,1174. From the old books 
of Benjamin Bosworth, who had opened the first store in Whitewater the previous year, it a])- 
I)ears that the farmcus were not getting wealthy from the sales of their products: S|>ring wheat, 
86 to 40 cents per bushel; winter wheat, 40 to 46 cents; corn, ;^0 cents; butter, 1() cents per 
pound; eggs. S cents per dozen. The next four years witnessed unusual growth in the settle 
ment of Whitew-ater and in the jn-osperity of the town. But the Assessors will have to exjilain 
the decline in the value of pro[)i!rty to S^r)2,8f'):l This figm-e was based upon i;5,r)40 acres of 
land, including the village which had been taken up, five-sevenths of which was owned by resi 
dents. Thei-e wi>re over 111,000 acres of (loverment land yet in the marki't. 'i'he harvest of INI4 
was good, and put the early settlers in sidendid spirits. During the wint(>r. the farmers hauled 



672 HISTORY OF WALWOKTil COUNTY. 

their produce principally to Milwaukee, and returned laden with household provisions, i^oods or 
cash. The succeeding eight years passed away, and the country became thickly settled with 
prosperous farmers, who demanded some easier means of getting their grain to nicU'ket. The 
crops for 1846 to 1851 were poor- -the latter year a total failm-e. The ''pink-eye'" years will 
long be remembered by all the early farmers of the town and county. The Milwaukee & Miss- 
issippi Railroad was completed to Whitewater in September, 1852, and the whole condition of 
things was changed. Business men and the farmers who had mortgaged then- lands, rejoiced with 
new hope. Only the dozen tavern-keepers between Whitewater and Milwaukee, who, in pa.st 
time, had reaped such a harvest fi'om the constant and necessary travel- - only they put on long 
faces. In October, 1853, winter wheat was selling at Janesville for 80 cents per bushel, and 
in Milwaukee, during September, for as high as $1.30. 

At the close of 1854, the town was free from debt and "booming." No set-back occuiTed 
during the next year. Prices advanced- then came the hard times of 1857. The season opened 
well, especially for barley and wheat. But with the stagnation of business, the agricultural 
element suffered. 

The year 1860 made up for all previous disappointments, however. Then the town passed 
thi'ough the war and beyond. It is not necessary to detail its growth up to the present time. 
It is now prosperous and filled with all that goes to make up comfort. In 1881, there were 
growing in the town 5,848 acres of grain; 119 of potatoes and root crops; '259 of apples (7,835 
trees); 3,037 acres of grazing laud and grasses and '2,163 acres of timber. Of milch cows, the 
town possesses 1,378, valued at §22,374. And it must be remembered that the iovai is but half 
of its size when the first assessment was made. In 1880, the following crops were grown and 
products raised: 17,854 bushels of wheat; 14*2,280 of corn; 39,578 of oats; 1,791 barley; 891 
rye; 10,634 potatoes; 1,'200 root crops; 10,950 apples; 18 clover seed; 243 timothy seed; 500 
jwunds tobacco; 3,029 tons grasses: 45,025 pounds butter; 365,430 pounds cheese. 

The assessed valuation of real estate and personal proi>erty for 1881 was : 20,520 acres, 
valued at $386,782; village property, $762,550; total real estate, $1,149,332; personal property, 
$502,454; grand total, $1,651,786. " 

POPULATION. 

Since, and including 1S60. the increase in population of the town has been as follows: 
1860, 3,746: 1865, 4.005; 1870, 4,'286: 1875, 4.385: 1880, 4,523. This increase has been in 
the village, the population outside the corporation having decreased fi'om 1,006 t<) 902. 

TOWN ORGANIZ.\TION. 

The fi\e original towns of the county, Troy. Spring Prairie, Elkhorn. Delavan and Geneva, 
were organized by Territorial act. January 2, 1838. On August 13, 1840. the town of White- 
water was set off from Elkhorn, comprising Townships 3 and 4, Range 15. The first meeting 
of the Board was held at the public house in Whitewater — the Powers House — which had just 
been completed on the land donated to Joseph and D. J. Powers by Dr. Tripp. Zerah Mead 
had been a resident of the town for thi'ee yeai's, and it was chiefly through his efforts that a 
divisou was made. The town of Richmond was erected from Whitewater January 12, 1841, 
and comprised Township 3. Range 15, thus reducing Whitewater to its jiresent dimensions. 
The name Whitewater was given by the Government sui'veyors, from Milwaukee, who dividerl 
the county into townships, and who noticed the clearness and white color of the creek which 
waters tlie territorj' now embraced by the town. Other authorities have it that Solomon Juneau, 
who, with his son, spent much of his time hunting in this region, gave the creek the name, 
which he received from the Indians. The settlement itself was either called "' the creek," or 
nothing, up to the time it was surveyed by Prosper Cravath, in 1840. 

An election was held at the Powers House (which was owned by Freeman L. Pratt) on Se])- 
tember 27, 1841, at which it was decided to adopt the system of town government provided for 
by the Legislature of the preceding winter. Norman Pratt, Warren Earl and Asad Williams 
acted as Inspectors of Election. The Legislature of February, 1842, accordingly a[)pointed the 
annual meeting of the various towns for the first Tuesday of the succeeding April. Upon that 
day, the election occurred at Whitewater. 

I. V. Wheeler was chosen Moderator, and Warren Eai'l. Clerk. After resolving that $1 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH (OrNTY. oT3 

was sufficient for eacli day's official service. $30 for the support of schools, $10 for paupers and 
$50 for continijencies, the first town board was elected. Their names are iriven in full, as being 
the "honored first," and succeedinir thcni to ISS'J a])])oar the Supervisors, Treasurers and 
Clerks who have serv(>d the town of W hitewater. 

1842-43 - Supervisors. James Tripp, Chairman; Dr. Oliver C. Magoou and William Birgo;^ 
Warner Earl, Clerk: Asad Williams and Azor Kinney, Assessors: M'illiam H. Wheeler, Col- 
lector; Zerah Mead, Oliver C. Magoon and Calvin Pike, Road CJommissioners; Dr. J. A. Clark, 
Harrison Bishop and Oliver C. Magoou, School Commissioners; Isaac U. WTieeler, Treasurer; 
Leander Birge, C'harles Kol)inson and AVilliam H. Wheeler, t!onstables; Norman I'ratt, Sanuiel 
Prince and Thomas Xiin Home, Fence Viewers, and Sidney S. Workman. Sealer of Weights 
and Measures. 

This long list of oflicials included most of the "solid" men of the town those who paid 
most of the taxes and, as is inevitably the case in new countries, the servants of the people, 
however small at first their duties, felt themselves bound to stay and develop its untried re- 
sources. That the majority of these early settlers were industrious men and not mere advent- 
urers is evident fi-om the fact that the pauper fund remained untouched for five years. 

18-4:3— 14 — Supervisors, O. C. Magoou, Azor Kinney and William Birge; Treasurer, J. W. 
IMaynard; Clerk, O. A. Babcoek. 

1S44— 45 -Supervisors. O. C. Magoon, John P. Folson and Norman Pratt; Treasurer, J. W. 
Maynard: Clerk, Robert W. Earl, but W^illiam A. Harding ajipointed to serve. 

1845-46 —Supervisors, Thomas K. Le Baron, S. C. Hall and Zerah Mead; Treasm-er. Fred 
C. Patterson: Clerk, 1'. C. I'atterson. 

1846-47 — Supervisors, Prosper Cravath, Joseph A. Clark and J. W. Maynard: Treasm-er, 
Fred C. Patterson: Clerk, F. C. Patterson. 

1847-48 -Supervisors, F. C. Patterson, George Dann, Warren Cole, J. W. Maynard; Clerk, 
Prosper Cravath. 

1848—49 — Supervisors, I. U. Wheeler, George Dann, Wairen Cole: Treasurer, J. W. May- 
nard; Clerk, Prosper Cravath. 

1849-50 Supervisors, George B. Williams, I. B. Decker, Georg(> B. Hall; Treasurer, G. 
W. Lee, but D .C. Tripp served a |)ortiou of 1850; Clerk, S. Wakeley. 

1850-51 — Supiu-visors, S. Wakeley. Leander Birge, Asad Williams: Treasiu-er, L. A. Win- 
chester: Clerk. P. H. Brady. 

1851-52 — Supervisors. Leander Birge, William H. Wheeler. S. C. Hall: Treasurer, Jacob 
J. Starin; Clerk, E. Wak(>ley. 

1852-53 — Supervisors, S. Wakeley, William H. Wheelei', George G. Williams; Treasurer, 
Philetus S. Carver: Clerk, E. W'akeley. 

1853-54 Supervisors, S. Wakeley, J. L. Pratt, George G. Williams: Treasurer. William 
H. Wheeler; Clerk, Prosper Cravath. 

1854-55 — Supervisors, S. Wakeley, I. U. Wheeler, William De Wolf: Treasurer. William 
H. Wheeler; Clerk, Prosper CJravath. 

1855-56 -Sujx'rvisors. S. Wakeley, G.G.Williams, J. S. Partridg(>: Treiusurer, S(ah M. 
Billings; Clerk, Prosper Cravath. 

1856-57 — Supervisors, R. O'Conner, S. Clark, Thomas Bassett: Treasurer, Isaac' Joslyn; 
Clerk, E. Wakel(>y. 

1857-58 Supervisors, R. O'Conner, S. Clark, J. L. Pratt; Treasurer. Ira C Day: C!lerk, 
H. J. Cui-tice. 

1858-59 Supervisors, R. O'Conner, L. A. Winchester. J. L. I'ratt: Treasurer, S. Barnes; 
Clerk, N. S. Miu'ijliy. 

1859-60 Supervisors, Ruf us Cheney. E. S. Rodington, George Dann; 'I'reasnrer, S. Barnes; 
(Jlerk, H. O. Montagne. 

1860-61 Supervisoi-s, Rufus Clheney, C. E. Curtice, J. L. Pratt; Treasurer. David Chaffee; 
Clerk, H. O. Montague. 

1801-62 Sui)ervisors, J. L. Pratt, C. E. Cm-tice, J. C. Cole: Treasurer, Thomas Mount 
ford; Clerk, F. C. Kiser. 



574 HISTORY OF AVAL WORTH COUNTY. 

1862-63 — Supervisors, George Bunker, George Dana, George H. Foster: Treasui-er, Joseph 
C. Bower; Clerk, E. D. Converse — J. C. M. Mead appointed. 

1868-64- Supervisors, N. M. Littlojobn, George T. Fen-is. George H. Foster: Treasurer, 
Joseph C. Bower: Clerk, E. D. Converse. 

1864-65- Supervisors, N. M. Littlejohn, George H. Smith. O. Gallt: Treasui-er, George 
A. Caswell; Clerk, O. Montague. 

1865-66 — Siipervisors, N. M. Littlejohn, O. W. Fowler. Ansil Salisbmy; Treasui-er, Geoi-go 
A. Caswell: Clerk, William H. Lull. 

1866-67- Supervisors, N. M. Littlejohn, Zerah Mead, J. L. Pratt: Treasurer, I. IT. Wheel- 
er: Clerk, James D. Kobinson. 

1867-68 — Supervisors, Prosper Cavath, N. H. Allen, O. AV. Fowler: Treasiu-er, Fred Hul 
biu-t; Clerk, W. L. R Stewart. 

1868-69 — Supervisors, Prosper Cravath, Sylvester Hanson. C. C. Danforth; Treasurer, Fred 
Hulburt; Clerk, M'. L. R. Stewart. 

1869-70 — Supervisors, Prosper Cravath, S. Hanson, John A\'. Dennison; Treasurer, Duane 
Starin; Clerk, E. D. Converse. 

1870-71 - Supervisors, N. M. Littlejohn. S. H. Tuttle, R. McBeath ; Treasiu-er, Duane 
Starin; Clerk, E. D. Converse. 

1871-72— Supervisors, N. M. Littlejohn, S. H. Tuttle, R. McBeath; Treasiu-er, George C. 
Rowed (J. C. Bower appointed); Clerk, E. D. Converse. 

1872-73— Supervisors, N. M. Littlejohn, S. H. Tuttle, R. McBeath; Treasurer, Jo.seph C. 
Bower; Clerk. E. D. Converse. 

1873-74— Supervisors, N. M. Littlejohn, S. H. Tuttle, C. M. Blackman, elected, S. M. Bil- 
lings app)ointed; Treasiirer, Josej)h C. Bower; Clerk, M. De Wolf. 

1874-75- Supervisors, N. M. Littlejohn, George O. West, Gilbert Anderson; Treasurer, 
Joseph C. Bower; Clerk, M. De Wolf. 

1875-76 — Supervisors, William De Wolf, George O. West,,C. R. Beach; Treasurer, Joseph 
C. Bower; Clerk, W. L. R. Stewart. 

1876-77 — Supervisors, N. M. Littlejohn, J. J. Starin, John P. Cutler; Treasurer, Joseph 
C. Bower; Clerk, W. L. R. Stewart. 

1877-78 — Supervisors, N. M. Littlejohn, J. J. Stai'in, Andrew Engebretsen; Treasurer, Jo- 
seph C. Bower; Clerk, W. L. R. Stewart. 

1878-79 — Supervisors, N. M. Littlejohn. J. J. Starin, Andrew Engebretsen: Treasurer, 
Joseph C. Bower; Clerk, W. L. R. Stewart. 

1879-80 —Supervisors, N. M. Littlejohn, H. A. Congar, Andrew Engebreteen; Treasurei-, 
Joseph C. Bower: Clerk, Henry Heady. 

1880-81 — Supervisors, H. M. Littlejohn, H. A. Congar, George A. Rav; Treasurer, Joseph 
C. Bower; Clerk, H. Heady. 

1881-82 — Supervisors, H. M. Littlejohn, Cyrus Teetshom, George A, Ray ; Treasurer, 
Josejih C. Bower; Clerk, Henry Heady. 

Zerah Mead, who was appointed the iirst Justice of the Peace for the village, served almost 
continuously up to the time of his death, in 1875. I. U. Weeler, who also commenced to serve 
in that capacity, in 1844, held the office nearly every year up to 1867, or thi'ee years before his 
death. Mi-. Wheeler died February 9, 1870, in his eighty-fourth year, resjiected by the entire 
community. Prosper Cravath, still alive and teeming with local history and reminiscences, also 
served two terms between 1849 and 1852. 

SCHOOLS. 

In 1840, before the town of Richmond had been organized from Whitewater, the old log 
schoolhouse was built in the village. Afterwai'd, in the winter of 1843-44, the towu was divided 
into three school districts- No. 1 comprising the north third thereof, and Nos. 2 and 3, the re- 
mainder, being- known as the "Island" luid "Bluff" Districts. A new building was erected in 
No. 1 — the village — during the summer of 1844, on Lot 5, Block 4, for $240. This was the be- 
ginning of the present district system, which embraces the public schools of the town. At 
present, there are five school districts and seven joint districts, in which are 1,456 children of 



HISTORY OF WALWOHTII COUNTY. 575 

school age. Of this nnmbor. 751 iittcud Fifteen toacliors have charge of thescliools. .\ccord- 
iiig to the latest returns, the valiiatiou of s(rhool buildings is $15,950; of sites, §2,725, and of 
apparatus, .?420; total, §Ut.095. During the yeai' ISSl, §8,227.22 was nmeived, and §7,8l(>.27 
expended in the maintenance of the public school system in the town. 

EAHLY SETTLEMENT. 

Previous to 1886, not a single white [)erson had set foot within tho present town of White- 
water for the j)urpose of settlement. Says Prosper Cravath in his Keminiscenoes: " Then 
(1830), no habitation met the traveler's view giving promise of rest and welcome: no irack was 
seen to mark his route, save a little path, seemingly made by the former occupants of the soil. 
The highway of a nation was but a narrow path, scarce fifteen inches broad, and deep-worn by 
the tread of many feet. It e.\tended in a continuous line between the cities of Milwaukee and 
Galena, sending off at the present site of this village branches toward the north and west — one 
in the direction of Fort Atkinson, starting from Birge"s Addition; the second from the east side 
of the creek toward Bark River. A little below the point where Birge's mill now is, it crossed 
Whitewater Creek, then a silver thread half hidden by its grassy banks, its waters unobstructed 
by op})osiug dams, but flowing undisturbed from their fountainhead. On the eastern bank of 
the stream upon the tii'st rise of ground, there stood among the native oaks, about thirty skele- 
ton huts, the ' deserted village ' of a former tribe. These huts were circular in form, each 
covering an area of about eighteen feet in diameter. They were formed of poles nearly fifteen 
feet in length placed at a distance of about five feet ajiart and bent tog(^ther af the tops so as 
to give them a dome-like appearance. On the west side of the creek, the original village, and 
that part known as Chapman & Ludington's Addition, were then covered with openings, thickly 
wooded, as were most of the oi)eniugs. composed, on the addition, mostly of burr oaks, and in 
the village proper of about an eijual ((uantity of burr and yellow oaks. The rise of groimd on 
Block 14, between Second and Third streets, extended across Block 13, and. at the point of its 
greatest altitude, which was in the vicinity of Bower's Block, it attained an elevation of about 
three feet greater than the highest point near William liichardsou's house. A little distance 
west of the village, upon the farm of John M. Clark, and on the south side of th(^ street, usually 
known as the Prairie road, was an oblong mound built upon the summit of a bluff and extending 
north and south, sixty-five feet in length, twenty in width and at the center nearly five feet in 
height; 120 rods northeast of this were found three other mounds of a cone- like form, about 
twenty-five feet in diameter at the base and nearly seven feet high — records left behind by those 
rude savages who inhabited these regions before the white man came, to tell the simple story 
that here they had lived and died. * * * Such was the coimtry as found by the first set- 
tlers. * * They found themselves in possession of a tract of country rich in resources, yet, in 
some respects, disadvantageously situated; for toward the east there^ lay a low piece of land, 
bounded by a range of bluffs; toward tho south and north, wide marshes blocked the way, while 
toward the west was a country easy of access." 

In the fall of that year, or dm'ing the succeeding spring, Alvah Foster luarked a tree upon 
the east bank of Whitewater Creek, and passed on to make other like "claims." A cohmy of 
stalwart pioneers, guided by the indomital)le "Joe Nichols," started from Milwaukee in A]>ril. 
Three of them, Messrs. Nichols, Kelley and Bi'own, were accompanied by thc^ir wives. Beuoni 
Finch with his four brothers; Calvin \\ est and William Barron came unmarried. The party 
Tiiimbered twenty, and their hoiisehold goods were loaded onto two wagons. They had jio guide 
but Joseph Ni(!hols, who wiait in advance and marked the route which afterward became known 
as "Finch's Track." But if ever there was a box and compass, Joe was both combined. It is 
said of him by those who knew him liest that, after a short study of the surveyor's maps, he 
would start without guide of any kind, and, after journeying through scores of mil(>s of unbro 
ken forests, bring up at any section of a town required, ^\'hatever (he trait was instinct, judg 
iiumt or memory it was wonderful. Mr. Nichols was also a man of jirotiigious strength and 
endm'ance, and when be sot foot in the town it possessed a decided characti>r. Leaving the 
women and childi'en in camp, after William Barron had jumped the Fost(»r claim, tho party 
|)ushed on to explore. Continuing on the east side of the creek, they reached the army trail 
l)elow Morton's Mills and brought up at a point a few miles beyond Fort Atkinson, wher(> tho 



576 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

Pinches and 'Mr. Barron made their claims and settled. In July, Mr. BaiTon returned and made 
his title clear to his claim upon Section 4. by felling some trees for a log house. Mr. Foster, 
in the meantime, having become convinced that on account of the poor water-power the claim was 
not worth contesting, did not contest his interest. Mr. Foster was a champion of Fort Atkinson. 
Mr. Barron returned to his home near the latter placf. but not before the first jtermanent settler 
in the town of Whitewater had both located his claim and built his house. About two weeks 
after the arrival of the colony from Milwaukee, Samuel Prince journeyed from \Vaukesha to 
Fort Atkinson (then a great rendezvous for the early explorers of this region), and then, taking the 
trail, turned toward Geneva Lake, came upon Whitewater Prairie, west of the present village. 
Putting his name, with the date of his claim, upon a tree in the southeastern quarter of Section 
6, he made a tour of the siuTounding country, but "returned to his first love," about July 1, 
and there built the first permanent residence in the town of W'hitewater. The structure was 
twelve feet stpiare and eight feet high, being built of small logs. Mr. Prince was a widower 
from Vermont, and no doubt his intention was to keep '" bachelor's hall " for awhile cm this new 
and beaiitiful spot. And so he did; biit a jolly kind of a specimen it was. First, as has been 
stated, came William and Leander Birge. Dr. ISrewer and Charles Hamilton, and he took them 
in and siting them up in bunks, sailor fashion, until they could decide upon a location — and 
long after. In July, 1887, Norman Pratt came from New York aud_ claimed Section 8 for him- 
self, the north half and southeast quarter of Section 5 for his Iwother Freeman L., and the 
north half of Section 6 for Dean Williams, a neighbor. Having made arrangements at 
Fort Atkinson to have land broken on each section, in order to protect his claims, he retiu-ned, 
with his brother, accompanied by the two Mrs. Pratts and Dean Williams. The party came on 
the old steamer " De Witt Clinton." fi-om Buffalo, and were eleven days making the trip. By 
mistake, the boat ran past ^Milwaukee to Chicago, laid there awhile and then leisurely returned. 
At Milwat;kee they hired a team, and, after stopping with True Rand and Elijah Worthington, 
upon Heart Prairie, proceeded to Fort Atkinson. Mrs. F. L. Pratt was then little more than 
a girl, having married her hiisbaud when but seventeen, and her experience in the wilds of the 
West was something (juite new to her and not devoid of terror. They brought with them their 
infant boy, which fact of itself was not calculated to allay a mother's fears. They were obliged 
to be carried over the river in canoes, and Dwight Foster Maj. Foster — obtained the safest 
craft he could, and embarked himself, with the young woman who had then as she has now, a 
mortal terror of water. The Major was a very heavj' man, and their conveyance was a canoe, 
hollowed, it is true, from the largest tree that could lie found. Those who have had any ex- 
perience with this kind of craft will not need fm'ther detail as to the state of Mi-s. Pratt's feel- 
ings, and her joy when she landed safely and came in sight of Fort Atkinson. This was a few 
years after the Black Hawk war, and the defenses and tent jiaraphernalia (5f the military were 
still standing. Mr. Alviu Foster's house, where the Mesdames Pratt were left to board, was 
built of rough-looking logs, but there were brightness and sunshine inside. At that time, the 
house accommodated seven families. The Pratts and Mr. Williams having so pleasantly settled 
the women folks, rettu-ned to take up their claims near Whitewater Creek. They found that 
the Birges had '• jimiped " the claim to the southeast cjuarter of Section 5. Quite a warm dis 
pute followed, which resulted in the Pratts relinquishing that claim. The Pratts still retained 
Section 8, however. They then all went to work to build their two houses, living like brothers 
with ill'. Prince, now called "Captain." The bunks had to be increased by three, but it was 
all the jollier. When the new log houses were up, the iuinates thereof often returned the good 
treatment which the "boys" had received in " Bacheloi-'s Hall." Having thus established 
their homes in the wilderness, it happened sometimes that the Pratt sisters were left to keep a 
kind of a " Widows' Retreat " while their husbands were away on business. They were quite 
often put to their wit's end to keep off the horrors — in other words, the Pottawatomies dirty 
and disagreeable, but, as they afterward found, not dangerous. On one occasion, when the two 
women were alone, one of the noble specimens of red men advanced stealthily toward the Pratt 
residence, and ]ilaced his gi'easy blanket over the only window which admitted cheerful light. 
He then, to the extreme horror of the young women, strode into their living room where the 
table was set. This arrangement seemed to strike him in so favorable a light that Mrs. Freeman 
invited him to i)artake of the viands. The Pottawatomie had forestalled the invitation, how- 






^^^^^^ ^/y^^3^ r^f^ 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 679 

ever, and was making most ahinuiiig preparations for a "sweep." Having accomplished this 
move in a scientitic manner, his keen eyes roamed in search of other tasks to undertake in the 
same agi'eeahh» line. '^I'.vinff several bottles on a shelf, filled with [lepper sa\ice the good, hot 
old kind he made vigorous motions for "whisky! whisky!" Mrs. Pratt shook her head, but 
the [)ersi8tent son of the forest was not to be thus satisfied. H(< evidently thought he was being 
fooled. Seeing that nothing but the pepper sauce would do, Mrs. Pratt took down a bottle and 
passed it over. The Pottawatomie emptied its contents, rubbing his stomach and smacking his 
lips UTider the impression that he tapped a brand of XXX "fij-e-water" which went " right to 
the spot." To the great relief <,f the fi'ightened women, the big red man left, hi - face express- 
ing as much satisfaction as coiild be stamped on his copper cast. That he appreciated the 
favor sho^-n was proven from the fact that soon afterward the Pottawatomie returned with a fine- 
looking woman his squaw and presented Mrs. Freeman with a fine pair of moccasins, i'rom 
the first, he seemed to have slighted her sister, Mrs. Norman: and upon that occasion partiallv 
explained his antipathy by looking at hor and rubbing his own hair vigorously. Her hair was 
of a fiery red and did not comport with his idea of female beauty. Suffice it to say that, al- 
though they received several severe frights from the Indians diu'ing the lu-st of their stay in 
Whitewater, no harm came to them. 

In September of that year- (1837), Zerah Mead arrived from St. Lawrence County, N. i'. , 
to select a home for himself and young bride. He put up at the Prince House, and commenced 
the erection of an edifice (18x22 feet) with a shingle roof! Oh, the glory of that roof! It was 
meant to honor the young bride, no doubt, and it did. It was the first shingle roof which ever 
showed itself in Whitewater. In October, the Pratts had finished their house and retm'ued 
for their wives. Soon after, Sipiire Mead finished his "residence," and went liack to Northern 
New York for his wife, which left Prince's boarding-house compratively empty again. " Deacon" 
Willard B. Johnson was also one of that jolly bachelor crew, who, with Dr. Brewer and Charles 
Hamilton, had claims on Sections 7 and 18. William Birge, just after he had settled down in 
his new house, sold the old Barron claim on Section 4 (which he had purchased), to Daniel 
Butts, who biailt a house south of where the plow factory afterwani stood. In December, Rufus 
Clark came, with his wife, to live with the Birges. Thus, by the close of the year 1S37. the 
entire northwestern part of the town, including the site of the pn^sent village of Whitewater 
had been "sparsely settled." This first winter of 1837-38 proved to the old settlers what a jewel 
they had among them in the person of "Joe Nichols," who had made a claim and settled in the 
adjoining town of Lima. Possessed of a large dog. as hai'dy as himself, he made freqtient ex- 
cursions throtighout the country, and was surveyor, message-bearer- everything required by a 
new country. He made one trip to Milwaukee, taking with him 200 juniuds of honey on a sled 
and rettu-ning with provisions. On another occasion, trusting to a pair of unrtily oxen, they 
broke from his control when upon the seductive and level surface of Round Prairie, upset his 
barrel of honey and scattered the sweets upon the plain. Ho was such a favorite that when the 
Pratts and Birges and others heard of his catastrophe, a sttbscription pajjer went a circuit of 
twenty miles and "Joe" was more than reimbursed. The records do not indicate that the 
hardy marshal of the "Sovereigns" ever trusted oxen with honey again. 

To digress a little from the straight line of narrative, the " Sovenngns " composed a court 
which sat tipon the claims of the town and vicinity, which were entered in a book — and woe be 
to him who did not recognize the entries therein as law and gospel. Rejiresentatives were al- 
ways present at the land sales in Milwatikee. During the one of 1839, it is said that some 
rash mortal dared to bid for land upon which another had a claim, and whose name* was entered 
in black and white in that awful book of jtidgment. "Joe Nichols" being the executive officer 
of the coiu't, had the oflender by the collar liefore the last figure had esca]ied from his mouth, 
and good atithority stam]is it as a fact that th(» guilty man was never relieved by so much as 
the (juiver of a muscle until he had been thoroughly ducked in the waters of Menomonee River. 
Such was the "Sovereigns" code sometimes harsher -but unrelenting in the prosectition of 
its judgments at all times. 

In October, 1838, Richard Hoppin and David J. Powers arrived at the creek, the former 
claiming the soulhwi.st quarter of Section 1. The latter came here through the instnmientality 
of Mr. Johnson, who remained most of the tiim^ in Milwaukee acting as a kind of immigi-ation 

p 



580 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

agent for this section of country. Mr. Powers came alone and on foot, and the nest year 
bnilt tlie lirst store in the village and town for Benjamin Bosworth. 

By the spring of 1838, "the sameness" of being obliged to go to Elgin, 111., or to Milwau- 
kee, for iioiu', became simply intolerable. Mr. Butts laust either improve the water-power and 
erect a grist-mill, or leave the job to some one who could. Mr. Butts could not, but thought his 
brother-in-law, John Shaw, could. By the fall of the year, it became patent that Mr. Shaw 
couldn't. The Sovereigns resolved to drive Mr. Shaw off the premises if he didn't build or give 
somebody else a chance to. Under the circumstances, he protested. A committee then proceeded 
to Milwaukee to look up a capitalist who could build them a grist-mill. AsajA Pratt, who had 
just come West to visit his sons, suggested Dr. James Tripp, whom he had met on the lakes as 
a proper person to carry on the enterprise. Suffice it to say here that arrangements satisfactory to 
all concerned were completed. Dr. Tripp came to Whitewater from East Troy and built the 
mill, which he had in running order by the next April. His generosity and business qualities, 
combined with the money which his wife brought into the new settlement— $12,000 — a large 
sum then — made him the virtual founder of the village of Whitewater. The history of the 
early settlement of the village will be given more in detail in succeeding pages. Other early 
settlers, up to 1845, outside the village, may be mentioned: H. J. Starin, northeast quarter of 
S;.>ction 4, September, 1840; F. J. Starin, in the southern portion of Section 10, 1840; Ole Tolf - 
ecu, Section 27, 1843; Hans Arverson, Sections 27, 28 and 34, 1845; Thomas Thomison, Sec- 
tion 34. Afterward came A. Larson, G. Erickson and quite a colony of Norwegians, in the 
southeastern part of the town. 

Whitewater's eaely settlement. 

The early history of the town of Whitewater has embraced the narrative attempting to 
picture pioneer life in the settlement and in its vicinity during the first two years, up to the 
time when arrangements were made with Dr. James Tripp, of East Troy, to build the grist-mill. 
The committee of Sovereigns which went to Milwaukee in anticipation of the land which over- 
looked the water-f)Ower being bid off at the Government sale, advertised for November 19, 1838, 
consisted of Messrs. W. B. Johnson, David J. Powers and Norman Pratt. At the meeting of 
the Sovereigns held previous to their departure, it had been resolved that "the interest of the 
settlement demanded the erection of a grist-mill on Whitewater Creek, at the mill site on the 
south half of Section 4, and that no one should be permitted to bid off the said south half at the 
land sale unless he would give sufficient bond to erect a mill and have it in operation within one 
yeai'; that Shaw should either give the bond or sell out at a fair price; and, if he would do neither, 
to drive him off the premises." A few days before the sale was expected to take place, the 
above gentlemen, backed by the Sovereigns and their resolution, proceeded to Milwaukee to 
look up a moneyed man. Several were willing to buikl the mill, but no one would pay Shaw 
anything for his claim. But Shaw was on hand, and, aided by several relatives from Rock 
Prairie, proposed to hug his treasure until he got a good price for it. But after threatenings and 
counter-threatenings — the Sovereigns even admit to this day that Shaw was plucky, if he wasn't 
rich — bloody talk from the Sovereigns and defiance expressed, but more implied, a trade was 
made before the 19th, by which the claim was passed over to the committee for $500. Dr. 
Tripp, who had been on a visit to his native State, New York, had struck up a pleasant ac- 
quaintance in the boat with Asaph Pratt, on his way to visit his sons in Whitewater. The Doc- 
tor, in the course of their conversations, mentioned his desire to buy a water-power, and this 
was the fortunate combination of circumstances that gave the settlement its grist-mill. Then 
and there Dr. Tripp agreed to take the property off their hands and make the improvements. 
On the 20th, a quit-claim deed was executed as follows: 

This agreement made this 20th of November, 1838, between Willard B. Johnson, Norman Pratt and 
David J. Powers, of the tirst part, and James Tripp of the second part, witnessetli, as follows, to wit : 
Whereas, the said parties of the first part have tliis day eonveyed by ([uit-claim to said party of the second 
part, all their right, title and interest to the soutli half of Section 4, Township 4. Range 15, in Walworth 
County ; and, whereas, the sum of five hundred dollars ($.500) has this day been advanced by said Tripp, and 
placed in the hands of Elisha Newell, of Rock County, to be paid to John Shaw, Stephen Butts and Daniel 
Butts, from whom said Johnson, Pratt and Powers purchased said premises ■ providi-d I'l v the said Shaw, 
Butts and Butts .shall not in any manner interfere so as to prevent the said Jo-iason, Prat, nd Powers from 
purchasing said premi-ses at the coming land sale at the minimum price. Now, if the said Ti ipp shall in any 



HISTORY OF WALWORTIT COUNTY. 581 

manner !»• ]in'Vrntcd fn)ni iiurchasintc said premises at said sale, tlien said Johnson, Powers and Pratt are to 
refund to the said Tripp tlie sum of live liundred dollars. The said party of tlie second part agrees to and 
with the said parlies of the tirst pari, that he will erect, or cause to be erected and p\il in operation on said 
premises, within one year from the coniiuj; land sale in lliis district, a good, substantial grist-mill, such us tlu^ 
wants of th<' inhabitants of the surrounding country shall rc(|uire. 

In witness whereof tlie said parties have set tlieir hands and seals this 20th of November, 1838. 

In presence of W. Hookeu. 

\\'ii,i,.\un R. Johnson. [.se.\l. 

NoIlM.\N Pu.VlT. SE.A,!.. 

J.vMKs Turpi', s]i.\i,. 

1). J. Powers. [seal. 

Of the $500, $200 were jiaitl by thi> Buttses to Willitiiu Birge for his interest in the Barron 
claim, SdO to Barron, and §240 was divitled with Shaw. Tlio hind sale was postponed to the 
sncceodiuij February, but the temporary hcare was the means of gettino- the grist-mill erected 
sooner tliau it otherwise would have been. By the middle of April, Dr. Tripp commencetl to 
build the dam and mill, and, on June 27, the frame was raised. The following is from the 
graphic pen of Prosper Cravath, who had settled in the town of Lima in March: " It was a 
raising in which every one felt interested, and all were present, ready with a right good will to 
lend a helping hand whenever required. Men came from Lima, Johnstown, Richmond, La 
Grange and the fort, for they felt scarcely less anxious than the home population for the success 
and speedy accomplishment of the work. Near the old log house, a stone oven had been built, 
and this was the occasion of its first tritil. Mrs. Tripp was on hand to superintend its manage- 
ment, aided and abetted by plenty of female help, and it was astonishing to behold what tri- 
umphs of culinary skill were drawn from its capacious recesses. When the frame was raised 
and the last rafters properly joined, all repaired to the house, where a well-provided repast, got- 
ten tip in Mrs. Tripp's inimitable style, awaited them. After partaking heartily of the good 
things, and doing full justice to both their appetites and the dinner, they adjourned to the 
prairie, which is now Birge's Addition, and dividing into companies, enjoyed a good round 
game of ball, varied w-ith other athletic exercises." In September, one rtin of stones was in 
operation, and William Birge got his grist to the mill tirst and had it ground. The previous 
month, Seth M. Billings had become a resident of the settlement, and Samuel Taft built a 
blacksmith-shop. In October, 1839, Benjamin Bosworth, who emigrated from McHenry County,. 
111., opened the first store. It was built by D. J. Powers, who says of it: " Mr. Bosworth made 
his appearance and contracted with me to put up a log house, which was done, as per contract, 
in the thirty days of September, although I had to draw all th(! logs four miles for the body, and tO' 
raft the Itimber from Bark Mills (Hebron) for the finish; $160 was the price paid. The goods lay 
in the building three days and thi'ee nights without door or window, unwatchod and unstolen, 
although people by this time had Ijecome (piite plenty (they in fact came to mill from as far as 
Sun Prairie, Dane County). I mention this circumstance simply to show the jarimitive honesty 
and friendship of early settlements; theft and meanness of most kinds are usually an after- 
growth." Mr. Bosworth never resided in the village, a young man named Weed acting for him. 

Mr. Powers also used to tell a story illustrating the straits to which the women of those 
times were sometimes put to satisfy their social longings: '"In 1839. the ladies in the neigh- 
borhood of Whitewater — the men being absent to attend the land sale — paid Mrs. Powers a visit, 
yoking up the oxen themselves. After getting through their visit, they undertook again to hitch 
up, but. having forgotten how to do it, they got the oxen hitched to the sled, but they were un- 
fortunately put on with their heads to it; but, by perseverance, they finally succeeded in getting 
the oxen reversed and went home all right. This might seem a trifling matter now, but it was 
evidence of pluck on the part of these pioneer women." 

Many commenced to take np land around the settlement at this period, especially in the 
town of Lima. They threw their business into the creek— not literally- and it became evident, 
that a future village was to be. Joseph and D. J. Powers, now living on the "Joe Nichols'' 
claim, in Lima, wished t« build a hotel, but wanted to see something mori> in the shape of a 
village before they accepted Dr. Tripp's donation of land. The Doctor hesitated for awhile, 
arguing that this would seem like making too much fuss over a mill, a blacksmith-shop and a 
store, but finally sent for Prosper Cravath, from Lima, to survey and plat. The following is- 
Mr. Cravath's account of his work, written in 1858: "On that day (October 20), Dr. Tripp. 



582 HISTOJIY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

together with most of the settlers and the surveyor, repaired to the highest point of Block 13, 
there in solemn council assembled, to detennine the plan of the village, which they agreed 
should be christened Whitewater. The place chos(>n for their observations afl'orded an unob- 
structed view of the grounds to be surveyed, and they could note the most pleasant places for 
residences, as to also determine where a street would accommodate the greatest number of de- 
sirable locations. Main street was established as a Territorial road; this was a fixed fact. 
Taking this as a starting-point, they located Whitewater and Center streets where they now run, 
and the cross streets the same as in the present plan of the village proper, except that First 
street extended to Whitewater with the same angle as in Second street, and what is now Block 
9 and Lot 9. Block 18, was to be a common or kind of appiu'tenance to the village. It was 
never designed for a ]iublic park, or a public triangle, but was to be used for no particular ])ur- 
pose, or, as the Doctor said, 'it was to be kejst as a place for the boys to play ball on.' The 
space between Church and Franklin streets was reserved for chiu'ch and cemetery groiinds. 
Having fixed upon the ])lau, the Powers made choice of their acre, where Whitewater Hotel now 
stands — Lot 1, Block 1. The surveyor then proceeded to stake out the lots in Blocks 1, 2, 3 
and 4, between Main and North streets and the lots fi-onting Whitewater street, being Blocks 
% 3, 4. 5 and 6, Tripp's Addition. These extended back to the pond, and no one then dreamed 
that,' in coming time, they should be crossed by the track of the iron-horse. These they con- 
cluded would be of sufficient number for all that would build for several years to come." But 
the foundei-s of the village were ha]ipily disappointed. In the summer of 1851, Chapman & 
Xiudington's Addition was platted, and the next year, R. A. Tripp caused to be siu'veyed Tripp's 
Addition. Birge's Addition increased the limits of the village in 1854; Dann's Addition in 1855. 
Scores of buildings graced these sections of Whitewater, and it began to assume its present ap- 
pearance of picturescjue comfort. 

But this is going on too fast. A death, the Urst in the village, occurred on September IM, 

1839, and the occasion was doubly draped in moui-nful feelings, because a young man, only in 
his twenty-second year, was stricken down in the flower of his hope. Jothan N. Baker was 
buried near where the Methodist Chui'ch now stands. As the cemetery site changed, his re- 
ruains were removed. The ceremonies were conducted by Deacon Justus Carpenter, of Cold 
Spring. And let local history not fail to make mention that a year previous to this iintimely 
event, in November, 1838, the first sermon was delivered by Elder James Flanders, a Methodist 
circuit preacher, in the house of W. B. Johnson. In April, 1839, Warren Earl, a yoiing law- 
yer, settled in Cold Spring, but moved into the village in October, ])resumably to give more at- 
tention to the tirst suit regularly trie<l tliere. In Jiine, the summons had been issued, and, in 
October, Mr. Earl and his legal opponent. Prosper Cravath, was on hand to meet him, the case 
being William Birge vs. W. B. Johnson, a suit for payment of a certain amount on account of 
work performed and various articles of produce furnished by plaintiff. Mi-. Johnson denied the 
correctness of the charges. ]Mr. Cravath. for the defendant, obtained a decision in his favor 
from S(|uire Mead, before whom the suit was tried. This was his first case, although he did not 
then claim to be a regular practicing attorney. This was the tirst of Mr. Earl's practice also, 
whom Mr. Cravath cheerfully accords the honor of being the first lawyer who conducted the 
first regular law-suit in town. Scpiire Mead, who had been appointed Justice of the Peace in 
the spring by Grov. Dodge, had just oljtuined a copy of the Territorial statutes to help him over 
the rough places, and was quite more than moderately elevated over the legal tone which he 
had been able to instill into his decision. His tenure of office was virtually a life one. When 
alive, he often would laugh over his haiTowing experience of the first few months in his tenure of 
office, when he npither had legal authorities for his decisions, nor could obtain a scrap of help 
from his brother Justices — William Bowman and Jeduthan Spooner. 

The next year (1840), ''Squire" Wheeler was ajipointed Justice, so that Squire Mead was 
seconded in his glory — in other words, he was not alone in his glory. Settlement rapidly in- 
creased around Whitewater. In July, Powers' House was oj^eued by a grand dance, in which 
the boys went for their girls for miles around; a Congregational society was formed; a post 
office estal)lished in April ; the town subdivided and the old log schoolhouse erected- ^in short, 
everything was astir, as will be shown more in detail vmder the proper heads. In October, 

1840, Dr. Tripp moved into his log house in the village, and, November 18, 1840, Julius Birge, 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNT V. 58S 

William's son, was horn and took his rank as the first white child who commenced life in tht- 
town of \Vhitewater. Dr. Trip]) continued his regular policy of donating lots to every one who 
would settle in Whitewater, and W. B. Johnson kept up the supply of new-comers from Mil- 
waukee. In the winter and spring of 1841-42, the Exchange Hotel, now the Kenney House, 
was erected by Squire Parsons. Its opening was celebrated on July 5 the -Ith being too un- 
propitious for outdoor sport. During 1843, W'. B. Johnson relincpiished all his claims here, 
having failed to meet cei tain payments upon the lands. This was considered a village calamity. 
An event looked upon in the natiu-e of a loss was also the departure at about the same time of 
David J. Powers, who went to found the village of Palmyra. But an irreparable loss was the 
departure from this life of Dr. James Trijip, on September 4, 1844. Earnest, kind-hearted, he 
died in the harness of hard work, in his fiftieth year — passed away before he had reaped the 
fruits of his labors. Dr. Tripp died in "the best room" of the log house, still standing near 
Whitewater Creek, as part of the Winchester & Partridge Company's Works. His friend, that 
sturdy yoimg blacksmith, L. A. Winchester, was with him the last night which he passed on 
earth, and helped to bear his body to its last resting-place. The old log house, with its rough 
hewn rafters and plastered crevices, still stands. One of its sides is boarded up; its roof is 
shingled; another side is still exposed in its original shape, but weather-beaten liy forty years 
of storms. The old oak tree, looking as if it had grown into the old log house, still throws its 
rough and protecting arms over it. The two old doors still open into the little low kitchen and 
the more spacious "best room:" but the eucln-e-players, who made the rafters of the bed-room 
above ring with their mirth are gone — Mrs. Tripp's generous oven is gone and in the place of 
the good old times stands an old warehouse, filled with the products of a great manufactory. 
When Mr. Winchester looks through the dark windows, he sees something more than spokes and 
axletrees. 

Dr. James Tripp was born in Schenectady, N. Y., September 5, 1795, and was his wife's 
senior by seven years. Mrs. Tri[ip lived in Whitewater thirty-seven years after her husband's 
death. 

A REMINISCENCE. , 

In December, 1872, Zei-ah Mead wrote as follows: " Walking along the railroad east of 
the depot, one sees a great many buildings on the east side of the track, which, on inquiry, are 
foimd to belong to and are occupied by Winchester & Partridge for the manufacture of wagons, 
plows and scrapers — all of which I pass over as a marvel of enterprise, except the south side of 
the railroad track. One day last week, walking along the track and seeing the clumj) of build- 
ings on the south side, I took a fancy to see what they contained, and, on inspection, found 
sheds and buildings in all directions, filled to the roof with felloes, spokes, axles, tongues, bol 
sters, hounds, boards for boxes, plow and scr&per material, plank, and the Lord knows what 
else. Winding my way through this labyrinth of lumber, I came upon what is known as the 
•Tripp House,' it Ijeing the residence of Dr. James Tripp, the enterprising founder of the vil- 
lage of Whitewater. It is a double house, one part log and the other part frame, and in this 
house Dr. Tripp lived with his family, and there he died. I helped to take his remains out of 
this house and bury them in Grove Cemetery. The sight of the old house awakened some rem- 
iniscences of those early days, which I offer as an apology for doing what I am not accustomed 
to do, viz., appearing in print before the public. Another reason I have for this communication 
is that there are some erroneous ideas about the first settlement of our village which I would 
like to set right before I and the old house pass into oblivion, as there is only one person besides 
myself remaining in Whitewater that was here when the old house was built, and that is my 
friend and fellow-townsman, Freeman L. Pratt. 

■' In the spring of 1837, Samuel Prince erected a shanty of poplar poles on Section 6, about 
one mile west of the mill, where his widow now I'esides; some time during the ensuing summer. 
William and Leander Birge came, and soon after, Norman and Freeman Pratt, Dean Williams, 
Charles Hamilton and Edward Brown. In the month of September following, I came, and w» 
all camped and cooked our provisions in Prince's shanty. In the early spring, fom* or five broth 
ers by the name of Finch moved from Milwaukee to Lake Koshkonong, and their route was 
through Whitewater, but they saw nothing there to tempt them to stop, but one of their employes 



584 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

by the name of Barron cut the initials of his name on a tree on the bank of the croek, which 

•constituted what was then called a ' jack-kuife claim.' This claim he subsequently sold to Will- 
iam Birwe, who gave his note for $"200. 

" In the fall of 1S87, Norman Pratt built the first house (except the Prince shanty), log, of 
course, on Section S, near Noyes' stone quarry. William and Leander Birge built a log house 
on Section 5. Charles Hamilton and Edward Brewer, on Section 7, where the Clark family 
now reside, and I put up the body of a log house on Section 10 — which, I think, were all that 
were built in 1837. In the spring of 1838, William Birge sold his claim to a man by the name 
•of Shaw, and he built the log part of the old Tripp house, the identical old house that now 
stands in Winchester & Partridge's lumber-yard. He built it to hold his claim to the water- 
power and 3'20 acres on a half-section of land. The claim rules required that a certain amount 
of improvements should be made within a given time. The land was not in market at that time, . 
and we did not then know how soon it would be. But, as it ha]ipened, the land was proclaimed 
to be sold m November following, and every preparation was made for the sale, but at the last 
hour, and after we had all assembled in Milwaukee to attend the sale, a proclamation came 
from the President of the United States adjourning it to February, 1839. A good deal of in- 
terest was felt about the sale of the water-power, as we wanted a mill built as soon as ])Ossible, as 
there was none at that time nearer than Geneva or Beloit, and we were well aware that Mr. Shaw, 
the claimant, had not the requisite capital. A short time before the sale, a meeting of the set- 
tlers was had to consider what course to pui-sue, and a committee of three, consisting of Norman 
Pratt, David J. Powers and Roger B. Clark were chosen They were intrusted to find some 
capitalist who would buy out Shaw and give a bond to the inhabitants that a mill should be 
built and one run of stone in operation within one year from the time of jjurohase. The com- 
mittee worked diligently till th'i morning of the sale, and, while they were taking their break- 
fast at the old Milwaukee House, the news came that a steamboat from the lower lakes had ar- 
rived. The committee started to go down to the landing, and on their way they met Dr. Tripp, 
who had just landed. They made the proposition to him, and it secured his attention. After 
hearing the story of the committee, he was induced to buy the property and to pay Mr. Shaw 
$500 for his claim'and the old log house. He bought 320 acres, being the south half of Section 
4. He had never been thei'e, had never seen the property, and had no time to go where it was. 
as the sale was to bake place the nest day. But he bought it and paid Shaw 8500 without see- 
ing it, on the representation of others, and it was two weeks after he made the purchase before 
he came to see it He built part of the frame portion of the present mill, and had one run of 
stone in oparation durin^r tlie ensuing fall. He moved into the old log house, and built the 
frame addition afterward. He also built the mill house where Mr. Brown now resides. His 
miller, a Mr. Cawker, occupied it some time before.the Doctor died. He also built theOstrauder 
house, near the paper-mill, and the old saw-mill where the pajier-mill now stands. 

" Dr. Trip)p died in the month of September, 1844, aged forty-nine years — so saj's the in- 
scription on his monument. The village had (juite a start at the time of his death; there were 
quite a number of houses erected for residences, several stores, two jjublic houses, one church, 
meshanic-shops of various kinds, a post office and schoolhous\ The place was making some 
little progress toward the town which it now is. When I first came here, in 1887, the Potta- 
watomie Indians had possession, and had a temporary wigwam over the creek near where the boys 
l)lay base-ball. Game was plenty. Deer might be seen in droves of twenty or thirty. Grouse, as 
they call them, or prairie hens, were very plenty: also quails. The country was charming. The 
Indians had kept it bm-nt over every fall, so that when I came not a bush was to be seen. The 
old burr-oak trees looked like old orchards, the wild flowers were in gorgeous bloom, and the 
whole country looked like some gentleman's fancy park. I have never seen it look so beautiful 
since, and never expect to see it appear as well again." 

Building and settlement were now so rapid that it becomes certain that " the early days" 
— those days when men ai'e almost forced into brotherhood for self-protection and existence — 
had passed. The prominent names who, since that time, have built up the society and pros 
j)erity of Whitewater, are mentioned hereafter. By 1858, it had grown from a little hamlet to 
a beautiful and thrivinsf village of 2.000 inhabitants. 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 585 

UNTIMELY SUICIDE. 

Thomas K. Lp Barrou, on Jiuiuaiy 2, 1846, was a young man in his twenty-seventh year, 
engaged in business in the village of Whiti>wator. During his five years' residence here, lie 
had become a universal favorite. He was frank and affable, fair and n])right, sensitive to mor- 
bidness, (juite unassuming, conscientious in his smallest actions and most minor beliefs. Com- 
ing from Boston, where he had been educated in the Unitarian way of thinking, partly from 
necessity and partly from a desire to better his condition, he had devoted himself steadfastly to 
business, apparently giving but little thought to the opinions and utterances of different relig- 
ious teachers around him. Appearances are as apt to be deceptive as real. On that particular 
forenoon, none of his friends would have noticed that he was more gloomy than he had often 
been of late. H(^ had biiilt a[) a good business, and, what was better, a good charactei', and the 
•outlook for the year 184() did not seem to be desperate. But who can fathom the reality of a 
soul's doubts and struggles — that misery which heartless people and soulless ])eo]>lo sometimes 
call "mock misery?" Who? This young man, instead of going to a brother for help, took his 
own life in his own hands and went to God. Between 11 and 12 o'clock, the sharp rejiort of a 
pistol was heard in a small building neai' his store, and soon after, his clei'k found him, with a 
ball through his heart. Several letters were found in his trunk, directed to different persons in 
the village. In a long letter, dated December 26, 1845, he says, in conclusion: "What shall I 
say to you for myself — to the citizens generally? I say to them, I am more astonished than they 
will be. It seems to me it cannot be jiossible. But it must be so. I have been crazy for the 
last two months. I have attended to my business by routine — as a matter of coiu-se — but the 
situation I have been in has been horrible!" In a conversation just before his death, ho said: 
" I have heard the clergymen of each denomination, and each classes me, and all belonging to 
the same chm-ch, among infidels and disb(>lievers of the Bible. Do they lielieve me the wretch 
they represent me to be'? " Undoubtedly, in a state of religious and mental despair, he threw 
away one of the fairest lives which had glimmered for a shtrt season in Whitewater. 

MDRDER OF WILLIAM HAMILTON. 

A most sad affair, in the natiu'e of a tragedy, occm'red at the house of Richard N. Pease on 
the night of January 18, 1858. William H. Hamilton, George D. Doubleday, Joel Doubleday, 
Lewis Castle and Charles Pease were yoiing men who had often formed a charivari party with the 
above Richard. But when Richard himself married and settled in his little home, two miles 
south of the village, both he and his father, who lived near by, "dared them" to come on, when 
they heard of the young men's intentions some time befoi'e they determined to carry them out. 
It was all fun and good nature on their part, but it seems that the Peases took the matter more 
seriously. The young coui)le had been living with the "old people" for a few weeks after their 
marriage, but now had moved into their little home a few rods distant. This had delayed the 
stu'cnsKle, the party not wishing to distm'b the elders: and the afi'air might have turned out as 
disastrously as it did, for old Mr. Pease had himself boiTowed a gun and ammunition with the 
intention of using it. But now everything seemed propitious. So, at about 10 o'clock, the 
youngsters met at th(^ schoolhouse, three-(|uarters of a mile distant from their jirospective scene 
of operations, minus Charles Pease, who joimnl them later. With a light fowling piece, loaded 
with powder aud pa])er wads, two cow-bells, a tin horn, a fire poker and a stick, they started out 
for a bit of noisy fun such as " Dick " Pease had often indulged in with them. Arriving within 
a few rods of the house, William Hamilton took charge of the gun, while two of the boys, carry- 
ing the other woai)ons of war, advanced. They climbed the fence back of the house, Hamiltcm 
discharged one baiTol of the gun, and the music commenced. Fire poker, tin horn aud cowbell 
went " rattle- te-bang " in the air. against the fence aud house. It certainly was not a blissful 
awakening for a young married couph;, but the occupants knew who were making these noisy 
sidutations. The door of the house o[)ened and the boys flew over the fenc(^ as only boys on a 
frolic can tly. They had advanced only a few ste]is toward where Hamilton and .loel Doubleday 
stood, when they were starthnl by the loud report of a gun from behind. But. afler consulta 
tion, no one was found the wiser, and the party came to the conclusion that it was an innocent 
"scare." They now noticed that the residence of old Mr. I'ease was lighted u]). and soon after, 
Charles Pease, a younger brother of the serenaded, joined the boys in a companionable and 



586 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

pleasant manner, but told them they'd better not go to the house any more. But tkey did go 
nearer, in order to give their friend Richard the benefit ot a few songs, with the tin horn and 
the cow-bell swung on a string for accompaniment. Joel, aged fourteen, was swinging it with all 
the ardor of his years, when the string broke, or slipped from his hands, and the bell flew into the air 
and landed with a terrible racket ujion the roof of the house. Joel started to regain the bell. Ham- 
ilton said, " Considerable noise, that." A man rose from the ground near the house, advanced a few 

steps toward the latter, said, savagely, " D — n you, I'll give you ! " and disch;\rged his gun 

full at him. Hamilton fell to the ground pierced with a multitude of large shot in his left side. 
Joel, who had regained the bell and was standing behind Hamilton, was badly wounded in the 
arm, and the others barely escaped injury. The man who had accomplished this piece of 
cruelty returned at once into the house, and, as Charles Pease told the boys that neither Richard 
nor his father could be prevailed to receive the wounded man, they were obliged to carry him to 
Mr. Hunt's house, about half a mile east. William Hamilton never spoke a word after being 
shot, and breathed but once or twice after reaching his shelter. 

Mr. Pease was tried for murder at the May term of the Circuit Court, before Judge Keep, 
convicted of the crime, and sentenced to imprisonment for life. 

THE FIRST IN THE ST.^TE. 

The Pioneer Festival, which was given in the Montour House December 31, 1858, was truly 
a pioneer celebration, being the first old settlers' meeting ever held in the State of Wisconsin. 
Following is the report, which appeared in the Whitewater Register the next morning, and the 
sentiments are so well put, and so many who pai'ticipated in the festivities are either living or 
have been laid to rest in Whitewater, that the report is reproduced entire: 

A large crowd as.sembled at tlie Montour House last evening to participate in the Pioneer Festival. We 
have no means of judging accurately of the number present ; but should think 300 would be within the mark. 
The table was loaded with the choicest delicacies of the season, and in its design was a masterpiece of art. 
We have never seen a large company who enjoyed themselves more full}'. Every department was conducted 
in the most admirable manner, and the occasion was one of luiiversal hilarity and good feeling. The glee 
class were in their glory, and never acquitted themselves with greater credit. The tables were set three or four 
times, and yet some failed to achieve a dinner. The exercises at table were as follows ; 

Song — "Happy New Year." — Glee Class. 

REGULAR TO.A.STS. 

1. The Pioneers of Wisconsin, who sought, found and possessed the Promised Land. We are met to-niglit 
to do them honor. May their names ever be held in kind remembrance. 

" Their hands are hard ; their cheeks are brown ; 
Their coats are hodden gray ; 
No court l_y phrase hangs on their tongue. 

No trifle stops their way : 
Among the stately, stubborn oaks. 

The ax is ringing clear — 
The forest falls before the stroke — 
The Western Pioneer." 
Responded to by William Birge in a very happy speech, although he expressed himself as no speech- 
maker. He said if he was to pioneer a new settlement, he should do so with energy, but he was not prepared 
to speak. He was glad to see so many of the old veterans present on this interesting occasion, and wished 
them a happy New Year. 

2. 2'Ae Badger State — The brightest jewel in Old Virginia's early gift. Its setting— the largest of lake.* 
and mightiest of rivers. 

Song by the Glee Class — " Our Wild Wisconsin Home." 

WISCONSIN. 

'■ Why long to visit lands remote. 

Whose beauties charm the eye V 
Where could we find a fairer spot, 

Beneath a clearer sky V 
Aye ! here's a place to live and die. 

Without a wish to roam ; 
Our natal spot ; a long good-bye. 

We've found another home. 
Then cheerily we'll raise the cry, 

We never wish to roam, 
For there's no place like Wisconsin, 

Our wild Wisconsin home ! 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUN'TY. ^^^ 

" Aiui tnily. at no distaiil day, 

Our Ikmui' was wild and droar ; 
The jiray wolf ImiiU'd for his prey 

Anions the anllorcd deer. 
And tn)o|is of jiainled Indians lierc, 

Willi steallliy steps liavc come, 
To scalp the liardy jHoueer, 

And spoil his fairest home. 
But now we fear no danger iicur. 

For better days have come, 
And there's no place like Wisconsin, 

Our wild Wisconsin home ! 

" The pathless woods have disappeared ; 

The prairies wavt' with green ; 
And sounds of industry are heard. 

Throughout our wild domain. 
Now taste and wealth united reign ; 

Religion wears her dome ; 
While bus}' commerce flows amain. 

And learning tinds a home. 
Their songs resound, a home we've found 

Across the ocean's foam ! 
Oh ! there's no place like Wi.sconsin, 

Our wild Wisconsin home ! 

" Upon our chosen, favorite State, 

Our warmest blessings rest ; 
Still rich and prosperous be her fate. 

The Belle of all the West. 
Betide whai may, we'll love her best, 

Nor ever seek to roam. 
And in her broad and fertile breast. 

We'll find our tiual home. 
So here we'll rest ; here end our quest, 

No more we'll seek to roam. 
For there's no place like Wisconsin, 

Our wild Wisconsin home I" 

3. Twenty Tenrs Ago—The time when strong hands and willing hearts made for themselves a home in 
the pathless prairie, and formed the nucleus of fair and flourishing Whitewater. 

Prosper Cravatli responded, in a most excellent speech, reviewing t he scenes and incidents of the early day. 
■■ Home, Sweet Home," on the flute, by Mr. Ainsworth, of New Haven, Conn. — a beautiful thing. 

4. Our Working Men — The farmers and meehanics ; the miner and the merchant. Behold the works 
they have wrought ! 

Song— "The Song of Labor," by the Glee Cla.ss. 

5. The Pioneer Women of the JVc*<— Leaving comfortable Eastern homes to share with their husbands 
the toils and dangers of frontier life, they have lived to gather around them the comforts and luxuries of 
former days. 

Judge Baker, of Geneva, was called for ; was not present. 

Mr. Sherman M. Bcxitli was called for ; and, after rejieuted calls, arose and said he had long ago learned 
one lesson, which was, when a man had nothing to say, he had better say nothing. He thought .some of the 
husbands of the pioneer women ought to respond to that toast. 

Mr. D. J. Powers, of Madi.son", was then called and said, that he had much rather not speak in response, 
after so many honorable gentlemen liad declined to do so ; but rather than see .so noble a toast go unresponded. 
to, he woulduse his feeble efforts to do justice to the noble band of pioneer women. He gave a clear state- 
ment of the; trials and pleasures of Wiat early day, and of the prominent part taken in the .settlement of the 
country by the women. He also gave a history of a ball at Bark Woods, something like twenty years ago, and 
stated that thc;re were one or two ladies and g<-ntlemen present who were at that ball. The ball opened as 
balls usually do, .some coming on sleds and some on foot. The ball held till morning, and, though he was a 
strong temperance man, yet he must confess that some of the gentlemen became exceedingly nimble before 
the ball broke uji. This was the (irst regular ball held in this part of the country. 

VOI.IJNTKEU TOASTS. 

Our Young Wome7i—C<vc.Sil in any line ; Init peculiarly great in crinoline'.. 

Flute solo — "What Fairy-like Music," with variations, by Mr. Ainsworth. 

IJy Aug. H. Scoville ; Young Amerira—yhv liattery which will yet furnish the successful spark for the 
Atlantic cable. 

Res])onded to by Edson Kellogg, Esq. 

By Aug. H. Scoville ; Agriculture— "Vhe first industrial pursuit— the basis of all wealth. 

By l{ufus Clieney, ,Jr. : Solomon Ju]icau—T\n: founder of our commercial city. Plant the evergreen on 
his tomb. 



588 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

Responded to l)y Riifus Parks, Esq., who paid a beautiful tribute to tlie memory of his early friend. He 
had known him in his business connections, in liis social' connections, and in the family circle, and he could 
testifj' to his uniform benevolence, kindness and integrity. He was a friend to the friendless ; was never over- 
elated with prosperity, and never grew morose under adversity. Mrs. Juneau was a woman bred in the 
Western wilds ; but she possessed a sweetness and affability of temper which was peculiarly refined and 
pleasant, and she po.sscssed. besides, an unusual degree of intelligence. He was glad the name of his friend 
had been mentioned, and he hoped we should bear it in mind. 

By C. M. Baker, of Geneva : Whitewater — As I saw her in 1838, and as she is in 1858. Then beautiful, 
adorned by nature ; now more beautiful, embellished by art. 

Song — " My Own Sweet Native Vale," by the Glee Class. 

By William Berge : Pioneers of Wisconsin — They fearlessly braved the dangers and hardships to which 
they were daily e.vposed, in carving out their homes and paving the way for a den,>ie population, causing the 
wilderness to bud and blossom as the rose, affording countless blessings to the present and future generations. 
May they be crowned with long and honoralile lives, and tlic choicest blessings of earth and heaven be theirs. 

Responded to by Capt. J, E. Culver, of Milton, who gave a bird's-eye view of the commerce of the lakes 
in 183.5-3(i, though there was but one house in Racine at that time. He emigrated to this country for perma- 
nent settlement in 1837. 

Tlie First Log Hnuse in Whitewater. — Mrs. Tripp was called for, and she, in turn, called upon Hon. 
Rufus Cheney, Jr., who made a few brief and pertinent remarks. 

By D. C. Tripp : 1838— 7'A« Memori/ of the Earhj Pioneers of Wisconsin, who have departed this life, 
emigrated to that new country, "not made with Jiauds, eternal in the lieavens," already "cleared up" for 
their occupation. 

Responded to in an affecting speech, by Hon. Prosper Cravath, who paid a feeling and becoming tribute 
to the memory of his departed friends and early companions. 

By William Berge : The Olee Singers of Whitewater — The nightingales of the West — for skill and taste 
In music, none can excell. May their songs and joys increase in sweetness, as the cycles of time roll on. 

Song — "The Shepherd's Pipe." by the Glee Class, with flute accompaniment by Mr. Ainsworth. 

By William De Wolf : The Press of Wisconsin. 

Responded to in an exceedingly neat speech, by Sherman M. Booth, of Milwaukee. 

Song — " Ode to Science," by the house. 

Letters were read from Hon. Josiah A. Noonan, of Milwaukee, and Judge David Noggle, of Janesville, 
who were unable to be present. One was received from Hon. A. D. Smith, of Milwaukee, but too late to 
be read. 

CHARTER ELECTIONS. 

Dtiring the years 185fi-57, the growth of Whitewater was marked. As an example of its 
prosperity, it is stated by the Register that in May of the latter year as many as one hundred 
buildings were in course of erection. The outcome of such prosperity was with Whitewater as 
with other thriving settlements — a cry for a village organization. On March 6, 1S58, appeared 
a call for a public meeting, at Metropolitan Hall, to be held on the evening of that day, for the 
purpose of taking into consideration the propriety of applying for a village charter. It was 
signed by Aug. H. Scoville, P. H. Brady, O. Montague, S. C". Hall. William Birge, N. M.Little- 
john, H. B. Shed, 0. Gallt, T. Bassetti Lewis Cook, D. S. Cook, I. C. Day, M. E. Congar, O. 
Cooley, J. S. Partridge, Joseph McHose, M. P. McLaughlin, A. Y. Chamberlain, J. Woodhull, 
J. W. Fuller, J. L. Pratt, Alex. Graham, William W. Card, George Easterly, Edward Barber, 
W. Cole, H. L. Kann, George G. Williams, E. O'Connor, S. Field, J. M. Crombie, William 
De Wolf, L. A. Winchester, T. S. Bunner, N. M. Branch, J. L, Pratt, S. M .Billings, Isaac 
Joslin. L. C. Smith. D. C. Tripp and Daniel Graham. The meeting was held, J. L. Pratt, 
Chairman. Messrs. A. H. Scoville, N. M. Littlejohn, J. S. Partridge, Warren Cole, Edson 
Kellogg, R. O'Connor and William De Wolf were appointed a committee to draft a charter. 
At another o-athering, held on the Kjth, it was resolved to send the charter to Madison. Al- 
though a remonstriiuce was sent in by those who thought Wliitewtiter was going too fast, the 
bill of incorporation passed the Senate liy the latter part of March and was signed by the Gov- 
ernor. On Tuesday, May 4, the first charter election was held, the Union ticket being success- 
ful. N. M. Littlejohn was President of the Board of Trustees, receiving a majority of eighty- 
eight over R. O'Connor, the Democratic candidate. At the first meeting of the newly-elected 
board, held May 12, a series of by-laws for the government of the Trustees and the welfare of 
the village were adopted, the standing eommiltees appointed, books and papers for the proper 
conducting of a village government ordered and a petition presented by Mi'. Scoville from citi- 
zens owning property on 'NATiitewater street, asking for the construction of a plank sidewalk on 
the north side of said .street, from Second to Janesville street. It may be in the line of historic 
research and faithfulness to note that this first petition presented to the Board of Trustees of 
the village of Whitewater, was favorably reported upon at a sulisequent session. Hundreds of 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 589 

other documents of a like nature from citizens praying for " sidewalk relief " were passed upon 
with favor. At tli(> next moetinw of the board, held on the ISth, the temperance issue was 
raised — license or no license and for years it has been at the bottom of many of the local 
political conflicts which have stirred the village. Mr. Easterly, from the Committee on Licenses, 
submitted a majority report against granting licenses for the sale of intoxicating liquors. Mr. 
Curtice, from the same committee, submitted the minority report. On the heels of these re- 
ports. J. Van Cott ])etitioned for a saloon license, and his i)a])er was refcm-ed to the pro])er cus- 
todian. Of com-s(\ Mr. Easterly at the next meeting, reported against his prayer and all others 
similar to it. Mr. Cm'tice as promptly favored the granting of the licenses. He and his sup- 
porters triimiphed for the time. Mr. Easterly thereupon resigned at the next meeting of the 
board, and the would-be saloon-keepers flocked in to the Trustees like hungry birds. Mr. Scoville 
soon after resigned also. Although "license or no license" was continually agitated, the dan- 
gers of rebellion, the smoke of battles, the blood of sons and the tears of fathers and mothers, 
overcast and divnched all other considerations for the next few years. "Within a few years 
})ast, the issue has been fought over with vigor on both sides. The " no license " party gained 
the elections of 1N74, ISTy, 1S7<), 1877. 1878, 1880 and 1881. The vote was very close "in 1878, 
and the license advocates had but foi'ty-seven majority in 187U. The contest in the courts 
commenced over the result of 1878, when Sylvester Hanson was returned as elected President of 
the Board of Trustees. After a long and skillfully conducted light on both sides, Mr. Hanson 
was finally ousted on the gi-ound that the charter amendment extending the time of voting from 
4 to 6 o'clock P. M. was unconstitutional, and that enough persons voted after 4 o'clock to 
change the result of the election. 

The jjeculiar featiu-es of the contests in 1880 and 1881 are more worthy of being recorded 
as a singular ei)ocli in the charter history of Whitewater. On May 4, 1880, the charter election 
resulted as follows: 

License— President of the Board of Trustees, F. C. Kiser, 301 ; Trustees, G. S. Marsh, 299; 
<J. M. Brown, 301: O. B. Williams, '294; F. W. Tratt, 299; Supervisor, John W. Denison, 
298; :Marshal, Douglas Svkes, 300. 

No License -President, H. Warne, 299; Trustees, Joseph Haubert, 301 ; G. Halver.son, 300; 
J. Casserly, 300; T. A. Stevens, 302; Supervisor, W. L. R. Stewart, 300; Marshal. L. C. 
Baker, 299. H. Heady for Clerk, and John T. Smith for Treasm-er, ran on both tickets. 

It will be at once seen that the contest was over the election of Trustees. The Clerk de- 
clared the following elected: F. C. Kiser. President: C. M. Brown. Joseph Haubert and T. A. 
Stevens. Trustees. Messrs. Halverson and Casserly tied. Of the bourd declared elected. 
Messrs. Kiser and Bi'own only ([ualified. Mr. Haubert declined to act with them, as he ht^ld 
that his opponent was not elected. This left the new board without a cpioruui for the transac- 
tion of other business than the calling of a charter election, which privilege they took advan- 
tage of in 1881, as will be exi)lained further on. The old board, of which Messrs. W'arne and 
Haubert were members, continued, with several changes in its composition, to transact the busi- 
ness of the corporation. Messrs. Warne and Halverson were ousted in a suit brought against 
th((m by Marshal Sykes. The day before the regular time for holding the charter election, May 
'2, 1881, Joseph Haubert, President ))ro tem. : Byron Bro%vn, James Cass(^rly and (1. Halverson, 
Trustees, met at the otlioe of Pitt Cravath and adojited the following: 

Resolved, That no village (ilecliou will bo held on Tuesday, May '6. as provided by the ehailcr. Wo feel 
justified in poslponin.ir said election for the reason lliat the eomtnittecs appointed by oiu- eiti/.ens for Ihat ]mr- 
I)ose havini; failed to aj^ri^e upon any ])ian ealeuhUed lo promote harmony, under the (iresent stale of all'airs no 
j^ood eitizen desires to subji'ct himself lo litisation by aeeepting a village ofliee. Our charter perpetuates Itself 
an<l provides that in case an annual election is not held at the appointed time, it may be held at any subsequent 
tiin<! by giving ten days' notice. Whenever our citizens can agree to elect officers, and permit tluMn to hold 
the offices for which they were electeil. without prosecution, an election will l)e legall\' calli'd and conducted. 

Notwithstanding this manifesto, F, C. Kiser, President, and (,'. M. BrowTi, Trustee, of the 
board, dechmnl elected in 1S80, and Henry Heady. Clerk, with about twelve citizen electors, 
proceeded to a building on Second street for tlie ]mrpose of holding the el(>ctiou. Finding the 
door of the hall locked, they assembled tiiKUi the sidewalk below, and the electors appointed the 
three above ntuaed gentlemen Ins])ectors of Election. Furthermore, the caucus adopted a 
resolution that as "it w;is inconv(>uient to hold the election at the village olllce and lock uj) on 



590 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

Second street," it be adjonrned to Bower's Hall. An adjournment was taken, the oaths adminis- 
ered to the Inspectors of Election, the polls opened and the "No License" candidates were, with 
a trifling exception, unanimously chosen to guide the ship of village for the next year. The 
officers were: S. B. Edwai-ds, President of the Board of Trustees; Trustees, S. H. Tuttle, J. S. 
Partridge, G. W. Esterly and E. B. Grandall; H. Heady, Clerk; J. P. Cutler. Treasurer; J. 
W. Denison, Supervisor; G. G. Williams, Justice of the Peace; E. S. Redington, Marshal; 
W. M. King, Constable. In the evening, the board met and qualified, then resigned, and a 
new organization was effected by appointment, the legal gi'ound for this action being that prose- 
cutions would not hold against them if brought by the old board. To make a long story short, other 
resignations and re-appointments followed until the board finally stood: S. H. Tuttle, President; 
George Easterly, J. S. Partridge, S. B. Edwards, E. S. Redington, Trustees; H. Heady. Clerk. 
The board and Clerk were sued by Hemy Cornish, in the name of the State, on the ground 
that as the officers were not legally elected, their appointments were null and void. The next 
step in this strange complication of governments was taken by the Supervisors of the town of 
Whitewater. They held a meeting June 6, 1881, and adopted the following resolutions: 

Whereas, We, as the Board of Supervi-sors of this town, are advised by our attorney that, under the 
decision of the Circuit Court, for this judicial circuit, there are not at present, and cannot be. under the pres- 
ent charter of the village of Whitewater, any legal officers for said village, and that in the al)sence of all 
legal officers, there exists no village government, and that in the absence of all such government, it becomes 
the duty of the Supervisors of the town to extend town government over the territory embraced within the 
villager incorporation ; therefore, 

Mesiilved. That we, the Supervisors of the Town of Whitewater, do hereby declare our intention of ex- 
ercising the powers and duties of Supervisors, as fully within the territor_y embraced in the incorporated vil- 
lage of Whitewater as in any other parts of said town. 

Upon which resolution being adopted, licenses for the sale of liquor in the village were 
issued and paid for — §40 a piece. To make another long story shorter, the suits brought vir- 
tually by the old board against the new, went against them, and prosecutions were brought and 
convictions obtained against those who had been selling lirpior under the town license. The 
cases were brought in the Circuit Court before Judge Wentworth. The suit of the State of 
Wisconsin ex rel. Henry Cornish vs. S. H. Tuttle, President of the elected board, was made a 
test case. Judge Wentv/orth decided that the Board of Trustees were de jure officers of the 
village. The case was carried to the Supreme Court, which, on September 27. 1881, confirmed 
the decision of the lower court. The clause of the charter requiring a twenty-day residence was 
declared null —all else valid. And here the matter rests at present. The result of the contest 
has been a grand total of fifteen law-suits, one way and another, which have now all disappeared 
from the courts. 

THE VILLAGE ROSTER. 

1858-59 — Board of Trustees, N. M. Littlejohn, President ; Aug. H. Scoville, George 
Esterly, S. Field, C. E. Curtice; Treasurer, Ed. Bsu-ber; Marshal, E. F. Tarr; Clerk, L. H. 
Rann. 

1859-60- -Board of Trustees, N. M. Littlejohn. President; P. H. Brady, G. G. Williams, 
D. C. Tripp; Treasiirer, Ed. Barber; Marshal, E. F. Tarr; Clerk, L. H. Rann. 

1860-01— Board of Trustees, J. L. Pratt, President; G. Caswell. Joseph Haubert, I. 
Clark, C. M. Skyes; Marshal, E. F. Tarr; Clerk. James McBeath. 

1861-62 — Board of Trustees. George G. "Williams. President; J. S. Partridge, J. D. 
Sweetland, John Wilson, J. Haubert; Clerk. John L. Pratt; Treasurer. T. Hempel; Marshal, 
H. N. Wilkinson. 

1862-63 — Board of Trustees, George G. Williams, President; Joseph Haubert, Edson Kel- 
logg, Ole Rosman, Sylvester Barnes; Treasurer, John Wilson; Marshal. John S. Lathrop; 
Clerk, I. U. Wheeler, 2d. 

1863-64— Board of Trustees, William De Wolf, President; F. L, Kiaer, H. L. Rann, 
Edson Kellogg, C. C. Danforth; Treasurer, Theodore Hempel; Clerk, I. U. Wheeler, 2d 
Marshal, George L. Lawrence. 

1864-65— Board of Trustees. William De Wolf, President; C. C. Danforth, Edson Kel- 
logg, H. L. Rann, F. L. Kiser; Treasurer, Lewis Cook; Clerk, I. U. Wheeler, 2d; Marshall, 
S. D. Ferguson. 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 691 

18*55-66 — ^Board of Trustees, Jacob J. Stariu, President; A. W. Curtice, Fred A. Hurlbut, 
Joseph Hanbert, C. ('. Lowis; Troasuror, A. ^'an Valkeiiburg; Clerk, U. B. Woodbury; Mar- 
shal, S. D. Fergus^)ii. 

lS()6-67 -Board of Trustees, William De Wolf, Presideut; John M. Crombie, C. C. Dan- 
forth, S. H. Tuttle, T. D. Weeks: Clerk, I. U. WTieeler, '2d; Treasurer. W. L. R. Stewart; 
Marshal, S. D. Ferguson. 

1867-68 -Board of Trustees, W. L. R. Stewart, President; G. W. Esterly, I. U. Wheeler, 
G. T. Fen-is, Pitt Cravath: J. D. Robinson, Clerk; Treasurer, E. D. Converse; Marshal, N. D. 
Fowler. 

1868-69 — ^(High License ticket — $100) — Board of Trustees, George W. Esterly, President; 
W. L. R. Stewart, C. C. Lewis, Benjamin M. Frees, Henry McGraw; Clerk, Fred E. Day; 
Treasiu'er, E. D. Converse; Marshal, S. M. Billings. 

LS69-70 ^-Board of Trustees, J. L. Pratt, President; A. Y. Chamberlain, R. McBeath, S. 
H. Tuttle, Gilbert Anderson; Clerk, C. D. Chaffee; Treasurer, T. D. Weeks; Marshal, George 
W. Caward. 

1870-71 — Board of Trustees, William Do Wolf, President; George G. Williams, A. Y. 
Chamberlain. G. Anderson, C. M. Sykes; Clerk, M. Allen; Treasurer, J. Haubert; Marshal, S. D. 
Ferguson. 

1871-72 — Board of Trustees, William De Wolf, President; George G. Williams, A. Y. 
Chamberlain, G. Anderson, C. M. Sykes; Clerk, M. Allen; Treasurer, J. Haubert; Marshal, D. 
M. Fowler; Village Supervisor, S. A. White. 

1872-73 -Board of Trustees, J. S. Partridge, Presideut; S. H. Tuttle, H. Montague, 
Thomas Goodhue, Byron Brown; Village Supervisor, T. D. Weeks; Treasurer, Joseph Haubert; 
Clerk, George W. Steele; Marshal. D. N. Fowler. 

1873-74 — Board of Trustees, Thomas Bassett, President; George G. Williams, H. O. Mon- 
tague, Ansil Salisbm'v, Gilbert Anderson; Village Supervisor, S. A. White; Clerk, H. Heady; 
Treasurer, Joseph Haubert; ;\Iarshal, William H. Noyes. 

1874-75 — Board of Trustees, S. Hanson, President; T. A. Brown, R. Cobm'n, Ole Sobye, 
Jas. Gleason: Supervisor, J. W. Denison; Treasm'er, George S. Marsli: Justice of the Peace. 
Zerah Mead; Marshal, George O. West; Clerk, W. H. J. Hewitt. 

1875-/6 — Board of Trustees, Sylvester Hanson, President; T. A. Braun, R. Coburn, J. S. 
Partridge, O. Sobye; Clerk, W. H. J. Hewitt; Treasurer, George S. Marsh; Marshal. Douglas 
Sykes; Justice of the Peace, N. M. Branch; Village Supervior, J. W. Denison. 

1876-77 — ^Board of Trustees, T. A. Brown, President; R. Coburn, J. S. Partridge, Job 
Harrison. .Jr.. L. C. Smith; Village Supervisor, J. W. Denison; Justice of the Peace, N. A. 
Spooner; Treasurer, George S. Marsh; Clerk, Ira Pearson; Marshal, J. W. Hall. 

1877-78— Board of Trustees. T. A. Brown, President: G. W. Esterly, F. W. Tratt, O. W. 
Fowled, E. F. Donnelly; Village Supervisor, J. W. Denison; Marshal, Marcellus W. King; 
Justice of the Peace, George G. Williams. 

1 878-79 —Board of Trustees, S. Hanson. President; E. D. Coe. A. I. DexU'i: E. T. Don- 
nelly. C. J. Partridge; Clerk. I. (J. Wheeler; Treasm-er. G. S. Mar.sh; Village Supervisor, J. 
W. Uenison; Marshal. W. M. King; Justice of the Peace. Henry Heady. 

1879-80 — Board of Trustee;-. G. A. Ray. President; R. C. Shepard. Henry Warue. G. 
Halverson, J. Casserlv; Clerk, Henry Heady; Treasurer, J. Taylor Smith; Village Supervisor, 
W. L. R. Stewart; Marshal, N. A. Kinney. 

At this point, (occurs the interesting break which has been accorded full explanation. Facts 
merely are stated and no opinions expressed as to the merits of the case. 

WHITEWATER DURING THE W.4R. 

" Old Walworth," where citizens for years had been noted the State over for a certain dig- 
nity and steadfastness of character, redeemed herself during the war from any taint of sluggish 
blootl. No county of the State Wcis tilled with mcjre and better practical workers for the defense 
and maintenance of the Union. The town of Whitewater itself was in earnest, clear to the 
bjickbone, of indignation and patriotic love -old men and matrons, stalwart men, girls and boys, 
all united either to pour out their strength in the work of relief or place their bodias upon the 



592 inSTOKY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

rack of torture or before the shafts of death. Of the women's work, a separate division will be 
maJe; of the men's, labors in the raising of troops and money, an account follows; of the pass- 
age of the brave boys in blue through the bloody battles of the war, the general war history of 
Walworth County gives a full account. The inauguration of President Lincoln and the firing 
upon Sumter, separated by only a month and a week, had the effect to lirmly cement the North 
upon a leader and a policy. It meant patriotism and war, and Whitewater was stiiTed to ac- 
tivity with the country, the State and the county. One of the first soldiers to enlist from Wal- 
worth was the gallant John F. Potter, who enlisted as a private in a Washington company, and 
then returned to his home in East Troy for a few days, to arrange his business and family 
affairs, so that upon his return, he could either join the Army of the Potomac, in the defense of 
the national capital, or join the army of Union Congressmen in the defense of the national 
policy. Though in less prominent walks of life, the patriots at Whitewater were equally prompt. 
The first war meeting at Whitewater was held at Metropolitan Hall, and was attended by one of 
the largest and certainly one of the most enthusiastic assemblages which ever gave expression 
to earnest feelings there. George G. Williams and J. L. Pratt were called to the chair. 
Speeches were made by Messrs. Cravath, Stebbins, Cheney. Murphy and others. Devotion to 
the Union was the watchword. It was evident, as an eye-witness observed, that there were no 
traitors in Walworth County, and that " the home of John F. Potter harbors no traitors and 
countenances no treason." By the last of the month, the "Whitewater Light Infantry " had 
been raised to its full <|uota under the exertions of Capt. C. E. Curtice and his co workers. The 
company numbered lOil, including officers. At a meeting, held on the 20th. it had been resolved 
to pay the wife of each volunteer §5 per month and $2 for each child. In two days from tljat 
time, the subscription to this fund had reached over $7,000. exclusive of the $1,000 to be raised by 
tax on village property. At that gathering, as stirring and earnest as the first, thirty-five young 
men volunteered their services and $4,000 was subscribed on the spot. Such men as N. M. Lit- 
tlejohn. T. D. Weeks, William De Wolf. Edson Kellogg, George G. Williams, S. Wakeley, L. 
Cook, J. Haubert, R. Cheney. Jr.. Willard Stebbins, J. L. Pratt and many others, put their 
shoulders to the wheel then and kept them there persistently and faithfully. A committee was 
appointed to take charge and disburse the fund, and another to hold meetings in adjoining 
towns. The good work of raising money and troops went on, interspersed by meetings and poll 
raisings. Finally, on June 12, the company was inspected by Col. S. A. Bean, Fourth Regi- 
ment. The boys were eager for the fray — one stout, plucky (bxit, unfortunately, little) fellow, 
deserving special notice for his "war tactics," which he considered fair because of the state of 
the country. But his attempt to elevate himself half an inch by filling his stockings with paper 
failed so disastrously that he was promptly, though courteously, rejected. A few nights after, 
the boys were presented with Bibles by Rev. E. J. Miner, and with pin-cushions, needles and 
thread — gifts of the ladies — also with a flag, made expressly for them by Mrs. George Esterly. 
A beautiful bouquet to each soldier came from the hands of Miss Frank Cheney. Then fol- 
lowed the dance — and who knows how many hearts ached for the girls to be left behind; and 
who knows whether those little pin-CTishions and things had not as much to do with brave after- 
conduct as the Bibles and their moral precepts. The next morning, June 15, the company de- 
parted to join the Fourth Regiment at Camp Utley, Racine. They were drawn up in front of 
the Exchange Hotel, where relatives and friends from all parts of the county, shook them by 
the hands and gave them God-speed. Citizens fell into line, escorted them to the cars, gave 
them three rousing cheers in strong, cheerful voices, but beneath all was the mutual knowledge 
that sad feelings and smothered tears were all ready to overwhelm this show of stout an un- 
daunted hearts. Of the feelings of one father, as he saw the last two of five sons " go off to 
the wars," history saith naught. A. Sentenn, of Whitewater, was one of its humble but most 
sincere patriots. One of his sons, who was for years a resident of Charleston, S. C, was im- 
pressed into the secession ranks, but managed to escape the day before the bombardment of 
Fort Sumter, and fled to New York; here, in company with his younger brother, he joined the 
Union forces. Of the other three boys, one joined the First Regiment, and two. the Whitewater 
Light Infantry. Such is war— the blood shed quietly by the "old folks at home " comes from 
a deeper spring of anguish than that shed in the confusion of battle. There is good cause for 
doubting the boys' enduring patriotism, too; for in Jamiary, an advertisement appeared offering 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 593 

$30 reward for the deserter, M. O. Sonteim, n^ed uiueteeu. It was signed by Capt. George H. 
Walther, Company I, Sovoutli Ucgimont, and written from Camp Arlington, Va. 

With the departure of Whitewaters first company, those remaining breathed easier, but 
did not abate their exertions in th(* field of agitation, money-raising and general preparation for 
the war, which they commenced to realize was to demand so much of cnery community. Before 
preparations for raising another company were commenced ^mdor the September call for troops, 
the people of Whitewater had a chance to look upon one of the finest bodies of men which ever 
met the enemy from Wisconsin — the Sixth Regiment, which, under command of Col. Lysander 
Cutler passed through the village, August 28, en route for Washington. During the first part 
of September, J. L. Pratt received a commission from the Governor to raise a second company. 
Opening an office under the bank of AVhitewater, he set to work with energy. By November 
1, with the assistance of La Grange and Sugar Creek, the conii)any was ready for service. 
Messrs. Noble, Kellogg and Cravath, by their stirring appeals in the surrounding districts had 
done much to make the •" Lander Body Guard " possible. It was so named in honor of Col. 
Lander, the second of Hon. John F. Potter, in the celebrated Prior aft'air. The Guards were 
presented with a flag by N. S. ^Murphy, who made an eloquent si^eeoh in behalf of the ladies; 
pocket Bibles and needle-books were showered upon the boys, both for use and memory' s sake, 
and fitting responses and speeches were made at a meeting hold on November 1, preparatory to 
the company's departiu'e for Janesville. The next day witnessed a repetition of the scenes 
growing out of the depiu'ture of the Whitewater Infantry in June. Although for a number of 
months, "Whitewater was not called upon to bid adieu to a whole company of "boys " raised in 
the village and vicinity, enlistments continued in her midst, andnuml)ers had joined the "Wal- 
worth County Plowboys, " the ' " State Line llifies" or the ' 'Treadway Rifles. " The ladies were now 
fairly organized in their work of relief, and were nobly doing their part to sustain the cause. 
Interest — a breathles interest - -was also maintained in the struggle by letters from members of 
the Foiu'th and Thirteenth Regiments, some of which appeared in pulilic print; but more were 
perused in solitude or brought as a treasure before the broken family circle. From a letter 
written home to Mrs. C. E. Cm-tice, by her husband, the Captain of the Whitewater Light In- 
fantry, the following extract shows how the l)oys acquitted themselves in their first tight, just 
below Vicksburg, May IS, 1802. After detailing the incidents connected with the taking of 
Baton Rouge and Natchez, and giving an account of a personal reconnoissance which the Cap- 
tain made by order of Brig. Gen. Williams below Vicksburg, for the purpose of getting in- 
formation concerning the land approaches to the city from below, he continues; " A party of 
men went on shore for wood half a mile from the steamer. An escort to the party was detailed 
from my company. They were obliged to go ashore in small boats. Soon after landing, the 
boys discovered a rebel cavalry soldier near them. An artillery Captain from om- boat ordered 
the escort to follow the rebel, take him prisoner or shoot him. This they attempted to do, and, 
having followed him to the top of a hill and fired at him several times, a company oi rebel 
cavalry concealed on the hill, rushed from their hiding-place in the bushes and commenced an 
attack upon the four or five boys who had reached the top of the hill. My men returned the 
fire with deadly aim, killing three with their four shots. They retired, loading as they went. In 
the meantime, Charles Perry, of my company, was wounded and fell, but sprang to his feet 
and made his escape to his companions, where he fell again, and by them was picked up and 
borne away. The rebels lacked the courage to follow and take the whole escort prisoners or 
kill them, which they could easily have done if they had had the pluck to do so. Perry is badly 
wounded; one ball passed through his left arm, breaking the bone between the elbow and 
shoulder, one through the fleshy part of the right thigh, a buckshot in the nose and a flesh 
wound on the wrist. From the numl)er of wounds, you can judge nt the amount of shooting 
the rebels did. James Scott was slightly wounded in the arm, and F. W. Ludeman had a ball 
pass through the seat of his pantaloons. The Sergeant Major of our regiment was also wounded 
in the leg. Thus ends the tirst tight the Whitewater company has been in." 

During the summer of 1802, two more calls for troops had been made. Both Capt. Pratt 
and Capt. Curtice had returned home broken in health, the former having gone into business 
again, and the latter merely passing through the sieges of a sick furlough. On August 5, a 
rousing meeting was held at Metropolitan Hall to raise another volunteer company. Patriotic 



594 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

speeches were made and a paper was presented, signed by forty citizens, including a number of 
ladies, pledging themselves to use their utmost endeavors to obtain men to till up the company, 
J. S. Partridge and Edson Kellogg being appointed a committee to ascertain the number of 
men required of the town. They proceeded to Madison and returned with a commission au- 
thorizing E. S. Rediugton to enlist the men. At a subsequent meeting, Messrs. S. "Wakeley, 
Lewis Cook, William De Wolf, George Bunker, Prosper Cravath and J. Haubert were appointed 
a committee to make arrangements with other portions of the county for raising the quota of 
volunteers, to avoid the more unpatriotic process of a di-aft. A large county meeting was held 
at Elkhorn August 15, and another of a local nature at Whitewater on the 19th. A number of 
vouncr ladies, some of them daughters of leading citizens, agreed to capably till the places of a 
like number of ••stay-at-homes" — mostly sellers of tape and buttons. The quota of men to be 
raised iu Walworth County was yet 5S1, a crisis in the affairs of the county had been reached, 
and Whitewater partook of the general alarm, excitement and determination. The di-aft for 
"300,000 more" was made by President Lincoln, August 14, soldiers from Troy, La Grange, 
Sugar Creek and Delevan — the •• Federal Guard" — were being di'illed in the village by Cai>t. 
E. B. Gray (home on a fm-lough) — nutionally and locally everything was warlike again. AJid 
yet the town of Whitewater had already furnished tifteen in excess of her quota. On the 16th, 
the companies commanded by E. S. Redington and Capt. James R. Kenyon went into camp at 
Milwaukee, to follow the fortunes of the Twenty-eighth Regiment. The officers of Capt. Red- 
ington's company, with the exception of Sergt. W. G. Palmer, were from ^Vhitewater, with 
eighty of the privates. The total enlistment was 109 men, over half of whom were honest, 
sturdy mechanics. The first engagement of any account was that at Halena, Ark. , July 4, 
1863; and what is strange, although over a hundred letters were written to friends and relatives 
in Wisconsin by members of the company, the only epistle which reached its destination was 
that sent by Capt. Rediugton himself. By mere accident, he inclosed his letter in an official 
package, and can only account for the freak of luck in this way. When the folks at home heard 
that news had Ijeen received fi'om their boys, the Redington home held something of a reception 
for the next few days, delegations coming as far as from Waukesha. 

In October, the town voted to raise $6,000 for the support of families of volunteers, and 
orders were issued in sums of 25 and 50 cents. By January, 1S63, it appears that of the $5,626 
raised for the bounty fund, only $75 remained uncollected; that " A. Castle's cow, not used" and 
•'O. Montague's house retm-ned. " One of the sad local events which cast a shadow over the 
marked decline of the rebellion diu-ing the winter of 1863, was the death of Lieut. James M. 
Mead, at Helena, Ark., Feln^uary 13. A large concourse of living relatives and wai^m friends 
attended his funeral at AVhitewater on the 22d of that month. The lamented young soldier, in 
his twenty-tifth year, had been away from home but two months. ITnion meetings were held 
with renewed vigor, the tone of eneom-agement and manly endeavor which had permeated former 
c'atherings having given place to one of certainty iu the immediate success of the Union arms. 
Lieuts. Chaffee and Cross, in June of this year, were luisily engaged in recruiting men for the 
Thirteenth Artillery. During the previous year, a numlier of men had gone from this vicinity 
in ■' Barston" s Cavalry, " which facts must be remembered when the work which the town accom- 
plished diu-ing the war is summed up. In October, the President called for ■• 300.000 more." 
and of the 112 cb'afted at Milwaukee, for the to\vn of "Wliitewater, forty paid for substitutes, 
two reported for duty and seventy deserted their coimtry. The Government now offered $402 as 
the bounty for veterans and $302 for new recruits. The cold weather of December and Jan- 
uary did not fi-eezo the heat of local patriots, for, at a special town meeting, held on the last 
day of 1863, it was resolved to raise $4,000 by tax to pay the bounty of the thirty-eight men to 
be raised, provided a like amount should be subscribed. The soliciting committee to procure 
volunteers rushed through the fi-(.isty air of that ■•snap," ranging fi^om zero to 28 degrees below, 
but obtained their money and their men. Let the names of the heroic eleven be recorded: 
N. S. Murphy, Henry Newton, T. D. Weeks, F. L. Kiser, Ole Rosman, Emery L. Caswell, D. 
O'Donnell, Patrick Cummings, Thomas Thompson, E. D. Converse and O. B. Williams. Ou 
the 13th another meeting was held, and it was voted to raise a tax of $8,000 upon town prop- 
erty. Those who had already subscribed to the first fund were somewhat put out, but the 
■ trouble passed over. In April", Capt. Redington left for his command, having, during his stay 






/J^- 




n , 



^ 






HISTORY OF WALWOKTH COUNTY. 597 

here, recruited seventy men for the Twenty-oi<j;hth Regiment. Many of those who had served 
in Capt. Cm-tice's company enlisted. Next in the order of time vras the recruiting of the 100- 
day, by N. S. INIiu-phy. Several of the wealthy men of the village set a good example by en- 
listing, among others. Rufus Cheney, who had served dm-ing a portion of the war as I'nited 
States Paymaster, Edwin R. Cainc and Orel) Montague. Of the boys from sixteen totwimty-iive 
years who enlisttnl, were i'itt C'ravath, Charles Birge, Ed AntU'ews, Charles Black, James Glea- 
son, Thomas Jefi'ord and William Brennon. On September 21, they retiu-ned safe, sound and 
happy. On July IS, the call for "500,000 more'' stai'tled the country. It was the desire 
again of all good citizens to escape a draft by vohmteering their services, and subscription 
[>aj)ers were soon circulating in all directions for the raising of a sufficient fund — $10,000. To 
the credit of the town by September 5, Whitewater filled her c[Uota of sixty-eight, and was out 
of the draft being fifteen men ahead to apply upon any future emergency. 

On August 8, 1864, the young ladies of \\Tiit(^water gave a festival in honor of the veterans 
of the Fourth, who had retm-ned — J. G. Conklin, O. K. Eaton, W. M. King, A. Kittleson, J. 
Johnson, J. H. Buck. "Whitewater; S. L. Smith, Richmond; F. M. Robinson, S. Phillips, Lima; 
O. M. ( regg. Johnston; G. H. Svunmers, Cold Spring. 

On December 2<), appeared the final call for •'800,000 more," and, on January 10, the town 
voted to pay each volunteer $20(1 By subscription was raised 13,070, and by tax $4,800, re- 
cruiting in the town recommenced, and, by March 0, the quota was filled l)y vohmteers. Those 
who left on this last call joined the Fifty-second Regiment. Thus the strain upon the hearts, 
minds and pockets of the people. of Whitewater ended. Lee's surrender, Lincoln's assassination 
— joy and gloom — closed that ten-ible epoch with them as with the country. Balm to hearts 
and wounds and broken homes must now be applied — and the women-God bless them! — con- 
tinued their ministrations. 

A list of the soldiers who served in the three companies which AVhitewater may call her 
own, and who most of them reside in the village, or its immediate vicinity, is given below: 

Whitewater Light Infantry.- Captain, C. E. Curtice; A. E. Chaflee, William Ludeman, 
Charles Steele, Jehial Criger, Clinton Childs, Charles Cadman, Charles A. Green, J. A. Cham- 
berlain, Jacob Phillips, Austin Kettleson, I. Robinson, Whitewater; William Ross, Geneva; 
W. D. Hoard, of the Jefferson County Union, was also a member of this company. Capt. 
Curtice died June 4, 1866. 

Lander Guards. --Captain, J. L. Pratt; J. Collins, Ole Jacobson, George Godding, Dr. E. 
G. Horton. Dr. C. J. Miller, Prof. S. S. Rock-^vood, G. \^^ Steele, John Garbott, Whitewater; 
H. Babcock. D. Chatfield, William Jones, W. Olds, Little Prairie; W. H. Hall, Troy Center; 
J. Hodkis. Adams; Alex. Murdock, East Troy. Capt. Pratt died January 17, 1877. 

Ca])t. Redington's Company. -Captain, E. S. Rediugtou; Myron Hollis. H. N. Hayes. D. 
K. Sanford. William G. Palmer, C. W. Rockwell, G. E. Nickerson, Oscar Smith. Charles W. 
Schroble, Patrick Keenan, Charles Homes, John Grant, Joseph Kershaw, Hiram Edwards, 
Francis Kinney, John A\'. Harrison, George Trautman, -Jacob Thomas, Hem-y Lingemann, 
(Teorge Corkett, Charles fionnett, Frank Faust, David N. Goodrich, Andrew Strong, George M. 
Winslow, Lewis Cai-peuter, Silas Fero, H. N. Wilkinson, James B. Taylor, John Early, John 
Rogers, A. R. Wood, D. K. Sanford, Heart Prairie; G. W. Wiley, Elkhorn; Dimcan Wright, 
E. Edwards, E. M. Depuy, East Troy; Cajtt. L. J. Smith (Company I), Charles Dingman, 
Troy Center. 

Veteran Battalion of Whitewater and vicinity. — This is a solilier's organization formed on 
July 4. 1878, and which represents one hunilred regiments from nearly every Northern State. 
An annual encampmant is held for one week in August, and an el(>ctiou of officers, on May 30. 
Decoration Day. The memories of camp and field and the fires of patriotism are thus kept 
alive. About 340 names appear on the books of the battalion, most of them those who went 
from Walworth County. W. M. King is Commander; D. N. Goodrich, Lieutenant Com- 
mander; J. J. Criger. Adjutant; Louis Ammon, Quart eiTuaster; Rev. James Delaney, Chap 
lain; Dr. E. G. Horton, Surgeon; T. W, Morefield (Elkhorn), Drinu Major. 

women's belief work. 

On Thanksgiving Day. 1857. a relief societv was formed in W^hitewater to assist the suff(>r- 

<1 



598 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

ing who had been caught fast in the toils of hard times. It consisted of leading men of the 
village and their wives, and the good they did for long after will live after them. The society 
has never disbanded, but was partially swallowed np in the Soldiers' Aid Society, which formed 
under a call from the National Sanitary Commission, at Washington. In November. 1861, an 
organization was effected by Mesdames R. A. Tripp, B. G. Noble, S. C. Hall, J. S. Partridge, 
Prosper Cravath, J. L. Pratt, William De Wolf and H. B. Shedd. They were joined quickly 
by other noble-hearted women, who did much to sustain Whitewater's name as a patriotic and 
large-BOTiled Union village. They, and scores of the ladies of Whitewater, were active in sea- 
sou and out of season, and as promptly met a call for supplies as their husbands did for troops. 
For example, within three days after the call for supplies, in September, 1863, they had donated 
thirt3--two sheets, six pair of socks, ninety pillow-cases, six pair of di-awers, seventy-eight 
shirts, five pair of pillows, one double gown, thirty-six bottles of wine and jellies, several pack- 
ages of dried fruit, corn and delicacies, besides a large quantity of lint and bandages. They 
gave festivals and dances to raise money, and showed a business capacity in its disbui'sement, 
which the male sex does not always pattern after. It would be a mere repetition of what is 
generally known that all through the war the ladies of Whitewater did their duty. And when 
the cruel war was over, they labored with other sisters thi-oiighout the State for the establish 
ment of the magnificent Soldiers' Home at Milwaukee. 

GROWTH OF WHITEWATER. 

It will be seen, if a perusal has been given the early historj of Whitewater, that few fami- 
lies had fixed upon this spot as a home by 1840. The entire property within the present cor- 
porate limits of Whitewater did not then amount to 110,000. The growth of the settlement 
was steady for ten years, but. in 1852. it received a fresh impetus by the completion of the rail- 
road between Milton and Whitewater. In September of that year, the grand consummation of 
the event so long wished for, took place, and Wliitewater felt that it had a right to be jubilant. 
By 1855, several additions had been made to the village, and its population had reached 2, 224. 
Two years later, the assessed valuation of village property had reached $191,956 — far below its 
true valuation. For three years, the population increased continuously, the expectations raised 
by the organization of the Wisconsin Central Railroad Comjiany having served to draw immi- 
gi'ation hither. While the war lasted and there was a continual drain of men from the village, 
the increase was not marked. The following figures represent the growth from 1860: 1860, 2. - 
831; 1865, 2,958; 1870, 3,304; 1875, 3,394; 1880, 3,621. 

WHITEWATER AS IT IS. 

Whitewater is a thriving village of nearly four thousand inhabitants, situated upon the 
Prairie du Chien Division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad — the old Milwaukee 
& Mississippi line completed to Whitewater, as stated, in 1852. It is in the northwestern por- 
tion of the county, and is located in the midst of some of the richest farming country in the 
State. A niuuberof busy manufactories also strengthen its business stability. Socially, Wliite- 
water is noted for its refinement, its splendid normal school being as prominent in influence as 
it is in location. Main and Center streets, with the cross thoroughfares, are lined on either 
side with tastefiil and costly residences or cozy homes, to each of which is allotted a generous 
domain for ]>leasm'e grounds. The Congregationalists, Methodists, Episcopalians and Universal - 
ists have beautiful and commodious houses of worship. 

Grove and Hillside Cemeteries are beautifully situated east of the creek and pond, the rail- 
road passing between. The formtjr is situated about a quarter of a mile east of Dr. Tripp's old 
mill claim, but on the other side of the creek. When the village was first settled, a lot near the 
site of the Episcopal Church was set apart for burial purposes. After a few interments had 
been made, the plat of ground east of the village was selected and donated by Dr. Tripp. This 
was in November, 1848, when a cemetery association was formed, and the burying-ground passed 
from the control of the Town Supervisors. Additions were afterward made until the gi'ounds 
contained ten acres. In May. 1858, the directors of the association purchased the beautiful 
knoll across the pond, and the two cemeteries are now known as the "old and the new buryiug- 
grounds. " From either, a striking view of the pretty and clean village can be obtained. The 



HISTORY OF WALAVORTH COUNTY. S99 

]iiiro breezes blow over tliem both, and tlie thundering horse, with his limbs of steel and his 
heart of lire, goes rushing between — a piotm-e of "Whitewater— a place to live in or to die. In 
the old cemetery lie the bodies of such men as Dr. James Tripj). Samuel Prince. Deacon Pros- 
lier Cravath. Rev. E. G. Miner. William Birge. Zerah Mead. F. L. Pratt. E. "Wakeley, I. U. 
Wheeler. Dr. O. C. Magoou. etc.. etc.; in the new. the boys in blue as calmly sleep — Capt. C. 
E. Curtice. Capt. J. L. Pratt and comrades, Edson Kellogg, Dr. John Deichman. and men who 
acted as noble though a later part in the history of "Whitewater. 

VILLAGE ORGANIZATION. 

The act to incorporate the village of Whitewater was approved by Gov. Randall, April 21, 
18.38. The elective officers were President and four members of the Board of Trustees, Mar- 
shal, Treasurer and Clerk. No specific provision was made for a fire department. In 1870, 
however, an engine-house was l)uilt on the creek, and the Balibitt system of water-works intro- 
duced. A water-wheel and rotary force-piimj) in the engine-house, water-mains with connections 
and hych'ants at suitable points, comprise the provisions which the village have made to guard 
against fh-e. Serious fires have oeciuTed in the establishments of George Esterly & Son and 
\\'inchester & Partridge. On IMarch 25, 1875, the conflagration which laroke out in the post 
office destroyed many valuable documents. 

SCHOOLS. 

The fu-st regular district school was taught by Sheldon C. Powers, of East Troy, who 
opened the log building situated near the R. A. Tripp house, in December, 1840. This build- 
ing. 16x18 feet, was thus thrown open to the public, to accommodate the northern half of the 
town of Whitewater. A more commodious fi-ame stnictiu'e took its place, but the advent of a 
regular system of public education for the village dates from January, 1856. On the 7th of that 
month, the schoolhouse on Center street, enlarged and imju-oved so much since, was viewed by 
twenty-five or thirty taxpayers and citizens interested in education, and found to be a good, 
comfortable two-story brick building- the lower story divided by a hall into two apartments, 
the upper consisting of an assembly chamber. Here they held a meeting. Mr. Birge, Chairman, 
and discussed the question of school books. W. A. Baldwin. A. A. Lewis, William De Wolf, 
H. A. Congar, M. E. Congar, W. K. Cash, S. S. Workman and S. M. Billings all said some- 
thing to the point. The result of the discussion was the adoption of these text-books : Thomp- 
son's arithmetics. Clark's grammai'. Moutieth & McNally's geography. Sanders' readers and 
spellers. The school opened with an attendance of 130. Mi-, and ]\Irs. A. A. Lewis, teachers. 
A Mr. Henderson soon afterward took charge, with Miss C. Leffingwell and Miss ]\[ary Billings 
to attend to the juveniles. But one school proved insufficient for the gi'owing population and 
the growing ideas, eonsecjuently Union School. No. 2. was completeJ in September, 1857. 
That was also a brick structure. 24x3(5 feet, two stories, and cost !?1.500. It provided for sixty 
additional pupils. The enrollment of scholars at present in the two schools —the Center Street 
and East Side — is 600 — 350 for the former and 250 for the latter, They are in charge of L. L. 
Clarke, who is assisted by five teachers in the Center Street School and four in the East Side. 

ALMOST A SEMINARY. 

On March 28. 1865, S. A. White, N. M. Littlejohn. George Esterly. J. S. Partridge, Will- 
iam De Wolf and Ole Rossman becjime the incorporators of the Whitewater Seminary, whose 
estaljlishment had been urged for several years by the best people of Whitewater. Subscrijition 
books were opened, but not enough was subscribed before the Board of Regents of the nonnal 
schools invited proposals for the location of sites from difl'erent sections of the State. The 
special town meeting, held in August, voted to raise $20,000 for that purpose, and the seminary 
project was abandoned. 

STATE NORMAL SCHOOL. 

It is provided by the State constitution that the residue of the income of the school fund, 
aside from the amount expended in the maintenance of the ])ul)lic schools, shall be ai)]iroi)riated 
to the support of academies and normal schools. In 1857. nine years after the constitution 
was adopted, an income of 25 per cent of the swamp land fund was set a])art for their sup])ort 



600 HISTORY OF WALAVORTH COUNTV. 

and a Board of Regents appointed to oversee its disbiu'sements. In 1865, the fund was divided 
into two equal jiarts, one applied to drainage purposes, the other to the support of normal 
classes in high schools and academies. Its disbursement was still controlled by a Board of 
Regents. Under the provisions of this same act, it was provided that one-fom'th of the income 
should be transferred to the common school fund, until the anmial income of the latter should 
reach $'200, ()(.)(>. In 1866. the State Board of Regents was incorporated, and, as the normal 
school fund had reached !?600.000, and was rapidly increasing, it was resolved to commence 
the establishment of regular State institutions. The fund now amounts to over $1,000,000. 
The law provides that "'the exclusive pm'pose of each normal school shall be the instruction and 
training of persons. lx)th male and female, in the theory and art of teaching, and in all the 
various branches that pertain to a good common-school education, and in all subjects needful to 
qualify for teaching in the public schools; also, to giye iusti'uction in the fundamental laws of 
the United States and of this State, in what regards the rights and duties of citizens." Eight 
representatives are allowed from each Assembly District n the State, nominations to be made 
by city or county Superintendents. Each candidate must be sixteen years of age. of sound 
bodily health and good moral character. Di])lomas <u'e not granted to those less than nineteen 
years of age. 

In February. Platteville was selected, conditionally for the first site, and in ^Nlay, A\'hite- 
water received the second preference to accommodate the southeastern part of the State. On 
the 16th. the school was permanently located at Platteville. so that really the establishment of 
the one at Whitewater takes priority. It was opened April 21. 1868, Oliver Ai'ey, A. M. . for 
merly connected with the normal schools in New York. He had achieved a marked success in 
bringing the high school at Bufl'alo to a high state of efficiency, and was afterward at the head 
of the New York State Normal School, at Albany. Moreover. Prof. Arey was assisted by his 
talented and finely educated wife, a graduate of Oberlin, At the dedicatory ceremonies, a 
brief historical sketch of the enterprise was read hj Hon. A\'illiam Starr, President of the Board 
of Regents. Addi-esses were delivered by the Principal. State Superintendent A. J. Craig and 
others. The faculty was composed of the following: Oliver xArey, Principal and Professor of 
Mental and Moral Philosophy and of the Theory and Practice of Teaching; J. T. Lovewell, 
Professor of Mathematics and Latin; Mrs. H. E. G. Arey, Preceptress and Teacher of English 
Literatm'e, French and Drawing; Miss Emily J. Bryant, teacher of history, gi'ammar and geog- 
raphy; Dr. H. H. Greenman. Teacher of Vocal Music; Miss Virginia Dechman, Teacher of Instru- 
mental Music. During the tirst year. 150 students were enrolled. In 1877. Prof. Ai'ey resigned 
his position, and Prof. \\'illiam F. Phelps assiuned the responsibilities of the principalship. He 
remained two years, when, J, W. Stearns. A. M.. was called to Whitewater from the Aj-gentine 
Republic, where he had been at the head of a large normal school for a few years previous. The 
faculty for 1880-81 is as follows: J. W. Stearns. LL. D. . President, Professor of Mental Science and 
Pedagogics; Albert Salisbm-y, A. M., Reading, History and Political Economy, and Conductor of 
Institutes. Second District: W. S. Johnson, Natiu-al Sciences and Drawings; J. N. Humphrey, S. 
B., Latin; Miss Mary L. Avery, A. B., English Language and Literatm-e; Miss Mary De Lany, 
Geography. Civil Government and United States Histoiy; Mi's. E. M. Knapp, Vocal Music; Miss 
Harriet Salisbury, Princij^al of the Preparatory Department; Miss Margaret E. Conklin, Super- 
intendent and Critic of Practice of Teaching; Miss Kate E. N. Tujtper, Ancient Languages and 
Principal of the Grammar Grade. Model School; Miss Ellen A. Persons. Assistant Gram- 
mar Grade; Mi's. Ada Ray Cooke. Teacher Intermediate Grade; Miss Ellen J. Couch. Teacher 
Primary Grade. The total number of members enrolled in the normal school is 477 — 303 in 
the normal department. 94 in the academic and grammar departments. 54 in the intermediate 
and '29 in the primary. The model and training department is made up of a i:)rimary, inter- 
mediate and higher grade of pupils, mostly from the immediate locality of the school. Each 
grade occupies a separate room under the charge of an experienced teacher with such assistants, 
either temporary or permanent, as may he necessary; and the most thorough and practical 
methods of teaching are employed. Connected with the school are a reading-room, library and 
apparatus. Two literary societies also serve to bind the students together outside the routine of 
study. 

The school edifice is of cream colored brick, anil is in the modern style of architecture. 



IirSTORY OF WAl.WOKTII COrXTV. fi'^l 

The maiu Imiklini; is 10Sx()7 feet, with ;iii extension or wing SCtxKJ feet. The entire strnotiire 
is three stories high iibove the biisenient. and is heated by eleven hot-air furnaces with liberal 
provisions for veutihition. The grounds embrace an area of ten acres in an elevated position, 
overlooking the surrounding couutry for many miles. They have been handsomely laid out in 
walks and lawns, and are ornamented with trees, shrubbery, evergreens and flowers. 

THE POST OFFICE. 

The ])ost office was established at Whitewater April 1, 1840, D. J. J^owers, Postmaster. 
Before this, the ])eople had depended upon Milwaukee. A weekly mail was established with 
Troy, and Mr. Powers cm-ried " the bulk of it" for some time in his coat-pocket. Within a 
month, the mail was received direct at the office in Whitewater. Since then the Postmasters 
have been T. K. Le Barron, Warner Earl. E. Wakeley, G. G. Williams, I. U. Wheeler, L. H. 
Rann, E. B. Gray. H. O. Montague. Prosper Gravath and H. McGraw. 

THE PRESS. 

The Whitewater (iazette was established by H. J. Curtice January 5, 1855. J. A. Leonard 
and A. Emerson purchased the paper the next year and removed it to Wauk(>sha. The first 
number of theWhitewater li('(jisti'r appeai-ed March 25, 1857, H. L. & L. H. Rann. editors and 
proprietors. Both of these gentlemen were vigorous \\Titers, L. H. Rann being especially fond 
of prn-ely literary to|>ics. The paper was a seven-column folio. In ri'gard to its first number, 
five columns and a half were devoted to advertisements. The tirst page was given up to mis- 
cellaneous reading matter and the business cards of H. J. Curtice, attorney and chancellor at law; 
Richardson & Smith, planing-milh Winchester & De W^olf, foundry and machine-shop; E. A. 
Smith & Co. . wholesale and retail merchants, dealers in fancy and dry goods, crockery, hardware, 
etc.: S. C. Hall &Co., ditto; Brady. Starin & Cook, dry goods, groceries, hardware, boots, shoes: 
etc.: B. G. Noble, drugs, stationery, etc.; O. H. Congar & Co. , ditto; L.W. Cutler, groceries. 
pure wines, whisky, etc. ; T. Bassett. groceries, provisions, garden seeds, stoneware, boots, shoes, 
etc.; J. F. Barker, ambrotype and photographic gallery; Dr. H. S. Klein, surgeon dentist. 
The salutatory on the second page excuses editorial shortcomings by the " good looks " of the 
paper — which, in all walks of life covers a multitude of sins. It indorses the platform of the 
Republican party, adopted in Philadelphia in June. 1S5<V ••doctrines ('((ually removed from 
the fanaticism of pro-slavery-ism or that of abolitionism." The Reginter, however, agreed to 
attack "the Sevastopol of slavery in its outworks and chief defenses" — the sham Democracy. 
It would strive to become a family paper and avoid vulgarity — "while having no holy terror of 
a joke, and being disposed to look upon a funny story as a sin of less magnitude than forgery 
or horse-stealing."' On the same page, it brought out the circumstances that the world-re- 
nowned Hutchinson family was still "on the wing'" and would sing at ISfetropolitan Hall: that 
the Cougars had dissolved partnership; that the Wisconsin Farmers and Mechanics" Club had 
thro^vn open its tiooks for subscri])tions; that Baldwin's Tannery would tan anything uniler 
heaven: that the Whitewater Seminary would teach young ideas how to shoot u[) from the ])ri 
maries to the higher branches, '•bills payable in advance;"" that '•No. 1 drug store" would 
compound wine — "just the thing for a spring medicine" — and that O. G. Fay would supply 
the solids at his eating-saloon; and finallv, that Prosper Cravath would sell '200 village lots — 
SlOO for residence sites— $1 '25 to |800 more choice— and $'250 to $800, located for business, 24 
to 3;-5 feet front. Other city advertisements filled nearly half of the second ])age and a portion 
of the fom-th. The paper was. in short, excusable for editorial deliucpusncies. on account of its 
■'good looks." It had been the intention of the proprietors to issue a month earlier, but they 
were delayed l)y the non-an-ival of their No. 4 hand-press from New Yoi-k and their type from 
the new fouijdry of Edward .Miller, Milwaukee. In 18fi8. L. H. Rann retired, and the business 
was conducted by H. L. Rann. who soon after associated with himself H. G. Parsons. The 
paper was enlai'ged. newly dressiid and its form changed from a folio to a (piarto. For two 
years, the Register was one of the handsomest and most ably edited jtajiers in the State. But 
the pro])rietors made reputation faster than money, and the senior editor's health showed un- 
mistakable signs of giving entirely away. So a ])urchaser was sought, and, in April, 1870, Dr. 
E. G. Benjamin became proprietor and editor. He changed the form of the paper and assumed 



602 HISTORY OF WALWOIITH COUNTY. 

"patent iusides," with a view of making his investment a paying one. When it came into the 
hands of its present ablo editor and pi-oprietor, E. D. Coe. in 1871. it was as a six-column quarto, 
"patent insides. " Upon assuming management, on November 1 of that year, he discarded the 
" insides " and changed the form to a folio, eight columns to the page. On March 25, 1875, 
the Register office was destroyed in the post office tire, but, through the generosity of the Wau- 
kesha Democrat establishment, the former never missed an issue. The following week, the 
paper appeared in its own new dress, and has since been issued, with but one exception, on its 
publication day. The Register v/ns established as a Republican paper, and so remains. Politics, 
however, are secondary to its aim of presenting a faithful and full register of local and county 
affairs. Its agricultural department is a feature — and one thoroughly appreciated by farmers. 
Three power presses run by steam, have succeeded to the single hand jiress, which, for a numljer 
of years, was adequite for all the needs of the office, and indicate somewhat the extent of the 
business which has grown up from the moderate beginnings and expectations of early years. 

The A\1iitewater Chrnniele was established June 1 1. 1879. as a live-column quarto. It is 
now a four-column journal, foiu'teen pages, pamphlet form. Pitt Cravath has continued its 
editor and pioprietor. It is an independent weekly paper, devoted to the local interests of 
Whitewater. It sticks to its text and succeeds. 

CHURCHES. 

First Methodist Episcopal Church. — In the fall of 1837, when the pioneer settlers 
had but fairly located upon the present site of Whitewater. Rev. Jesse Halstead preached 
one of the first sermons ever delivered in the town. When the old log schooJhoiise 
was built, in 1840, occasional meetings were held there by the Methodists and other 
denominations. It will be readily appreciated how "few were gathered together" at 
that early day, but, under the lead of Rev. Alpha Wan-en and other Methodist clergy- 
men, the services were all the more homelike and hearty. In 1843, Whitewater became a 
separate charge under his pastorate, and a class was formed composed of these members: J, 
K. Wood, leader; Mrs. J. K. Wood. Henry Johnson, A. R. Eaton, Mrs. A. R. Eaton, Mrs. 
Dr. Clark, Mrs. J. J. Starin, Roxana Hamilton and Miss Whitcomb. Meetings were next held 
in the new brick schoolhouse for a time. In 1841*. the society, then in charge of Rev. J. Har- 
rington, felt strong enough to commence the erection of a church edifice. It was completed 
under the pastorate of Rev. J. M. Walker, in 1852, and dedicated in February of that year. 
The building was enlarged while the society was in charge of Rev. A. C. Himtley. The present 
commodious and elegant edifice on Center street, one of the finest outside of Milwaukee, was 
dedicated by Bishop Merrill, October 19, 1873. It was built at a cost of $30,000. Among 
those who were foremost in carrying on the undertaking to its present full completion may be 
mentioned Rev. C. N. Stowers, then pastor, O. Gaialt, F. L. Pratt, Prof. Rockwood, O. D. 
Hamilton, R. Rockfellow, Mrs. H. M. Caine. James Cox, T. H. Webb, Ansil Salisbiu-y, A. S. 
Kinney, William Mclntyre, C. M. Rockwell, Leroy Brockway and others. 

In 18S0, under the ])astorate of Rev. G. W. Wells, the church building was cleared of 
debt, the ladies' society assuming $750. They have since paid about half this amount. The 
society under its present pastor. Rev. Henry Sewell, is full of life, strong and gi'owing. As 
stated, the fu'st pastor of the society was Rev. Al])ha Warren. Rev. J. Harrington and Rev. J. 
M. W^alker served after him up to the year 1852. Next in order were Revs. Hendrickson and 
Robinson; Rev. A. C. Huntlev, 1860-64; Rev. W.H. Sampson. 1861-62; Rev. R. C. Parsons, 1862- 
64; Rev. R. H. Stiuchfield, 1864-65 and Rev. E. W. Kirkham, 1865-68. The latter, a Welshman 
in nationality, was so natural, pathetic and gifted, both in utterance and conduct, that he made a 
lasting impression upon every one with whom he came in contact. He had been transfeiTed 
from Cincinnati, and remained with the society three years. At last, worn out with labor, he 
died at Winona, in 1871. having retired from the miuistiy on account of broken health. From 
1868 to 1871, Rev. A. C. Manwell had charge of the society — which experienced a remarkable 
revival imder the influence of Mrs. Van Cott. Following came Rev. C. N. Stowers, 1871- 
74 ; Rev. O. J. Cowles, 1874-75 ; Rev. H. C. Tilton, 1875-76; Rev. C. N. Stowers 
and Rev. A. A. Reed, 1876-77 : Rev. G. W. Wells, 1877-80 ; Rev. Henry Sewell, 
1880-81. Connected with the church, under the latter's ministrations, are the ladies' 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 603 

societies for charitable and missionary work, and a large and prosperous Sunday school. It 
numbers 140 and is superinteudeil by H. P. Goodman, There is also a fine Bible class and a 
Young People's Assembly, which meets at (J o'clock every Sabbath evening for Bible study and 
religious exercises. 

Whitewater has been the seat of the General Conference three years — in 1859, Bishop 
Amos presiding; 1878, Bishop Merrill; 1881, Bishop Fobs. 

First Coniin'iiafional Cliiirclt. — Although first established under a Presbyterian form of 
government, the organization which merged into the First Congregational Church, of ^Vhite- 
water, was the pioneer religious society of the county. On the 3d of July, 1840, at the resi- 
dence of Deacon Prosper Cravath, in Lima, the following persons assembled to form "The 
Presbyterian Chui'ch of AVliitewater:" Deacon Prosi)ei- ('ravath. Deacon Zerah Hull, Justus 
Carpenter. Levi Kinney, James Hull, Meriam Cravath, Ada Kinney, LaiU'a Cravath (Smith), 
Emily Cravath (Salisbury), So])hronia Cravath, Wealthy A. Carpenter, Jenny Williams, Roxy 
Hull, HaiTiet Hull and Maria Cravath. The by-laws for the organization of the society were 
prejjared by Prosper Cravath, and were so satisfactory that they were in demand for some years 
loy various bands of Christians throughout the State, who desired to form societies but did not 
see their way clear as to the ]irelimiuaries. These first members joined by letter, and the first 
sermon to the small but enthusiastic baud was preached soon after. Services were held during 
the year preceding the concentration of the society in the village, at the houses of Messrs. Cra- 
vath, Johnson, Carpenter and Kinney. In June, 1841, the congregation began to worship in 
the old log schoolhouse, near Mrs. Tripp's subsecjuent residence. 

Sometimes the members would prefer an 0])en-air meeting under the old trees before the 
door; or they might choose O. A. Weed's wagon-shop, on Main street, or Judge Pike's or Sid- 
ney Workman's house. Rev. Daniel Smith, their first minister, began his services in the fall 
of 1839, before the formation of the regular society. Being a missionary of the Presbj'terian 
Church, he could give but (jue-third of his time to the society at Whitewater. But that portion 
he gave cheerfully and faithfully. In June, 1S41, he was succeeded by Rev. Seth Smalley, 
who preached oue of the first sermons in the village of Whitewater under some oak trees where 
now stands the Methodist Chm-ch. Leaving the ministry to engage in agriculture, Mr. Smalhn' 
was succeeded the next year by Rev. H. F. Case, of Canton, Conn. With the Baptists, who 
had formed a society in 1842, the Presbyterians held their services in the upjter story of Mr. 
Weed's wagon-shop. In November, 1843, the Congregationalists of Whitewater organized a 
society ami united with the Presbyterian Church to form the society now known as the First 
Congregational Church. Twenty-six signed the constitution. Justus Carpenter and W. B. 
Johnson had been authorized to build a church, if sufficiently encouraged. A one-story frame 
btiilding, ■2()x36 feet, ten feet high under the eaves, had accordingly been erected on the lot 
where now stands the magnificent edifice of the society. Its cost was $4(17, and all the slips 
were sold except four, the subscri])tions mostly being paid in "'labor performed." When com- 
pleted, it was found that the society had no legal existence; hence, the formation of the new 
organization to whom the building was deeded. Dr. Tripp donated the land for the site. Fol- 
lowing the close of Mr. Case's labors, in 1S44, came Rev. M. P. Kinney, of Homer, N. Y. At 
the commencement of his ministry, which lasted nine years, a purely Congregational mode of 
government was ado])ted. In 1850, another and more commodious church edifice was completed. 
In 1854, the pul])it having been irregularly supplied during the jireceding year. Rev. William 
A. Baldwin began his ministry. He was succeeded, in S(\ptember, 1858, by Rev. E. G. Miner, 
of (ioneva, formerly of Dr. Adams' Church, Boston. Mr. Miner was pastor several years; came 
here in September, 1858, and left July, 18(56. In the summer of 180(3, he received a call 
to Beloit College, and was succeeded, in October, by Rev. T. G. Colton. In 1871, an elegant 
building was erectcul on the site ui the old church at a cost of $18,000. Three years thereafter, 
ill the autumn of 1874, Mr. Colton resigned his pastorate, and was succeeded by Rev. B. D. 
Conklin. who remained until July 1, 1880, when the |)reseiit incuiubeut. Rev. E. P. Salmon as 
sumed the charge. Pr(>viously, however, on Fel)ruary 9, I8.S0, the church edifice was entirely 
destroyed by fii-e, entailing a loss of $25,000 u]ion the society. Upon this pro])erty was an in- 
flurance of about $l(3,0t)0. Immediate steps were taken to rebuild, and a magnificent structure 
is now nearly completed, on Church street. Its cost, with site, will be over S2'2,000. The 



604 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

membership of the society is over two hundred. The Congregational Church is one of the 
strongest and most prosperous in Whitewater. 

St. Luke's Episcopal Chnrcli. — In the fall of 1841, Father R. Cadle, founder of the Cadle 
Homes, which have accomplished so much good throughout the State, came to Whitewater and , 
held services in the log schoolhouse which stood on the present site of the park. Several at- 
temjits, during the next ten years were made to organize a society, none of which proved suc- 
cessful. Dr. James Trii)p and his wife, Rosepha Ann, had donated land for the erection of a 
church, on the present site, corner of Church and Center streets. At length, in March, 1852, 
an organization was effected. Dr. Tripp died in 1844, but his good and energetic wife con- 
tinued her useful connection with the church until February 2, 1881, when, in her seventy- 
ninth year, she was called by death to the church universal. It is safe to say that no ono who 
ever lived in Whitewater was more generally respected. Her funeral was largely attended, 
Bishop Welles officiating, assisted by Rev. S. D. Stearns, present pastor of the church. As 
stated, an organization was effected in 1852, by Mrs. Tripp, Mr. and Mrs. George Williams, 
Mr. and IMrs. Z. Mead, Mr. and Mrs. Hop])in and others. Rev. L. R. Humphi-ey, who had 
been officiating every fifth Sunday since October, 1851, Ijecame the regular pastor of the society 
upon the consecration of the little wooden chiu'ch building by the Bishop, Right Rev. J. Kemper, 
April 22, 1852. Mr. Humphrey resigned on account of injiu'ies received in a railroad accident 
in 1861. From 1862 to 1864, the pulpit was variously supplied, but in April of the latter year. 
Rev. H. W. Spalding, of Janesville, was called to the charge, but resigned, in January, 1865, 
and was succeeded by Rev. John McNamara, late Chaplain of the First Wisconsin Infantry. 
The year 1867 saw the church building renovated, greatly improved and free of debt. Mrs. 
Flavia White presented the society with a tine !$500 bell, whose mellow metal still forms a part 
of the present musical instrument. Mr. McNamara resigned July 1, 1868, being succeeded by 
Rev. W. E. A\'alker. The parsonage was refitted diu'ing this year, but, unfortunately, in Feb- 
ruary, 1869, when every outlook seemed 'so |)rosperou8, the church building was destroyed by 
fire and all its contents burned, except a valuable communion set. Three days after the fire — 
February 20 — a meeting was held by leading chui'ch members, and it was resolved to rebuild at 
a minimum cost of $1 0,000. Services were held in the district schoolhouse until July 1, 1869, 
when the corner-stone of the church was laid by Bishop Kemper. On November 3, it was opened 
for worship by the celebration of the Holy Communion, the sermon being preached by Rev. H. 
W. Beers, D. D., Dean of the Milwaukee Convocation. Having been cleared of debt, the 
building was consecrated on Easter of the year 1873. The edifice is a gem of solid Euglish 
setting, gray stone without and tasteful wood finish within. Its cost, when comjDleted, with the 
rectory, amounted to over $20,000. Rev. C. J. Hendley became the pastor of St. Luke's Church 
in 1870, remaining one year. Temporary supplies filled out the next year, but in 1872, Rev. 
Erastus B. Smith assumed the pastorate, which he retained until May, 1873. In September of 
that year, Rev. R. D. Stearns, present pastor, took charge of the society, which is now one of 
the leading religious forces in Whitewater. It numbers sixty communicants. In 1879, occurred 
the death of another ]ullar of the chui-ch — Judge S. A. White. In 1880, his mother donated 
an expensive and richly tcmed memorial organ. The society, in short, is free of debt, and rich 
in heart, mind and estate. 

SI. Patiirk'.'i Church (Catholic). — In the fall of 1851, the Catholics of the village selected 
the lot which is now oeeta])ied. and an edifice was erected in 1852-53. The society now consists 
of about 900 members. Connected with it is also a flourishing school of 80 members; also a 
total abstinence society, which has done a power of good. The property consists of a large 
piece of land, in a tine location, on which are the church, school, sisters' and priest's houses. 
The )iresent priest in charge is Rev. Father J. Fitzgibbon. 

The first priest who visited Wliitewater was Very Rev. Martin Kundig, Vicar General of 
the diocese. No church then existed in Whitewater, and Father Kundig celebrated mass, bap- 
tized children, etc., in the houses of a few Catholics, who had settled among the bluffs south- 
east of the village. He commenced the erection of the church, which was completed before 
the coming of Rev. Father James M. Doyle, of Waukesha, in 1853. For nearly fotir years, he 
continued his visits to Whitewater, once in two weeks. It was under his pastorate that the 



HISTOKY OF WAT- WORTH COUNTY. 605 

present parochial residence was built. The lir.st resident [)ast(ir was Kev. R. Dunphy, who 
became pastor in 1S57, and remained in charge of the couijregatiou for alxnit twelve years. 
Many improvements were made in his time; the new church was built and partly paid for. It 
cost about $11,000. Rev. Fathc^r T. Kirwan was the next ]iastor, who remained about one 
year, and was succeeded by Rev. Father H, F. Fairbanks, wht) continued jiastor for about 
eleven years. Under his charge, the remaining debts were paid, schoolhouse erected, Sisters' 
house built and other improvements made, amounting in all (payments of debts and for im- 
pi-ovements) to about $12,000, besides current exjienses. He was succeeded by Father George 
L. Willard, and he in turn by Rev. Father James Fitzgibbon, late pastor of East Troy, Wal- 
worth Co. Very Rev. Father Kuudig died in Milwaukee in the Cathedral House, and Rev. 
Father Doyle in St. Mary's Hospital, Milwaukee. Rev. Father Dunphyis at present in Ii-eland 
in poor health. Rev. Father Kirwan died in Kenosha. Rev. Father Fairbanks is pastor of St. 
Patrick's Cluu'ch, Milwaukee, and Rev. Father Willard is in Yankton, Dak. 

liiimanuel Churcli (Ecaiigelical Asftoriatioii). The first work of this association began in 
the year 1S56 in the town of Cold Spring, Rev. John Meier preaching in the district school- 
house near Henry Cooper's. That gentleman and Rev. John Hammetter held regular services 
at the same place, also visiting Whitewater the same year. Among the lirst attendants at these 
meetings were Victor Egloff and family. In 1869, the .church building on Janesville street was 
erected, being dedicated October 17 of that year. Rev. B. D. Beyers, of Illinois, preaching the 
sermon. The cost, with ])arsonage, was about $3,400. In 1805, the missions of Cold Sj)ring 
and Whitewater were united, the two joining together in the erection of the Immaniiel Church 
building. The pastors of the charge have been: Rev. G. Miller, 1857-58; Rev. C. A. 
Schnake, 1859-60; Rev. W. F. Schneider, 1861-62; Joseph Harlacher, 1863-64; Rev. J. G. 
Eslinger. 1865; Rev. John Mieer, 1866-67; Rev. J. M. Hammetter and Rev. Tobias Rabus, 
1868; Bev. William Huelster, 1869; Rev. C. F. Zimmermaun, 1870-71; Rev. John Dietrich, 
1872; Rev. F. William Pfefferkorn, 1873-75; Rev. Schneider, 1876-78; Rev. L. Strobel, 
1879-80; Rev. J. Kahl, 1881. The present parsonage was built during Mr. Strobel's admin- 
isti'ation. The membership of the society is at present between thirty and forty — that is 
exclusive of the members residing in Cold Spring. 

First U}tive7'salisf Chnrcli. — In February, 1868, a conference of Universalists was held in 
the Congregational Church to see what could be done toward establishing a society here. Ser- 
mons were preached by Bev. Sumner Ellis, of Milwaukee, Dr. A. C. Barry, of Racin(>, and 
others. The feeling seemed so encouraging that aul>scri])tion papers were put in circulation. 
Rev. B. F. Rogers was engaged as pastor, a constitution for the government of the society 
having been presented by him, J. H. Cushiug and F. J. Starin and adopted. On May 15, a 
meeting was called to take into consideration the propriety of building a church stnicture. 
Over $4r,0(X) had already been subscribed. The lot on Center street was piu'chased, and, on 
Sei)teml)er 10 of that year, the corner-stone of the fine church was laid. Dr. Bany delivering 
the sermon. The basement was fitted uj) for use, and the society had a home. The dedicatory 
ceremonies occurred July 14, 1869. Rev. S. H. Tuttle, of Minneapolis, preaching the sermon. 
Wnen comi)leted. the total cost of the building was $10,000. On October 17, 1S71, Rev. Jud- 
son Fisher took charge of the society, Mr. Rogers having resigned during the previous month. 
He filled an engagement of four years until January 1. 1876. Services were sus|iended until 
April, 1877, when Rev. B. F. Rogers was recalled, and continued with the society until the 
latt^ir part of 1879. In March, 1881. there having been an interval of over a year during which 
the church was without a pastor. Rev. H. Slade assumed the charge. 

First Baptist CImrch was organized in the summer of 1842, with sixteen members. Elder 
A. B. Winchell was soon after engaged as its first jiastor. For the lu'st (>ight years, meetings 
were held in Mr. Weed's carriage sho[) and other places that could be obtained. A church was 
built and dinlioated in 1850. The society now numbers al)out fifty members, but has no settled 
pastor, Rev. P. \V. Mills su]iplyiiig the jiulpit. 

There is also a Norwegian Methodist E[)isco|)al Church (jn the East siile. Rev. O. L. Han- 
son, pastor. The building was erected in October, 1873, at a cost of $1,100. The small so- 
cieity of Free Methodists have no |)astor: Services are occasionally held by Rev. Heniy Lewell. 



€06 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

SOCIETIES. 

Whitewater Lecture Association. — In the fall of 1857. a library association was formed in 
Whitewater to cultivate popular taste, M. Paris McLauthlin, President. This organization 
continued to be in favor for a number of years, being especially upheld with enthusiasm in 
1858 and 1859. The Whitewater Lyceiun succeeded it, and numbers of other like organiza- 
tions have borne witness to the elevated standard of Whitewater society. The Whitewater 
Lecture Association is the latest and the best of these soeieities, its objects being, as stated in 
the constitution, " the furnishing of financial and moral supjiort to lectiu-e courses and other 
agencies for the promotion of intelligence, good taste and rational enjoyment among the people 
of Whitewater and vicinity. " Its members must be stockholders to the extent of one or more 
shares. The meeting for the formation of the association was called at the residence of J. S. 
Partridge, November I'i, 1877, when the constitution was adopted and T. D. Weeks elected 
President; Albert Salisbiuy, Secretary, and George W. Esterly, Treasurer. There has been 
no change in officers, except that Joseph H. Gushing now acts as Treasiu-er. Since the estab- 
lishment of the lecture courses, none but the best talent — musical and literary — has been en- 
gaged. Such names as Wendell Phillips, Prof. Richard A. Proctor, Benjamin F. Taylor, Mrs. 
Mary A. Livermore, Eliza Cady StantxDn, Paul du Chaillu, '"Bob" Burdette. Gen. Kilpatrick, 
Helen Potter, Olive Logan, Litta Concert Company, Remenyi Concert Company, etc., etc., 
which have appeared upon them indicate the taste which is being "pandered" to. The lecture 
association is a gi-eat success, and every man, woman and child in Whitewater will subscribe to 
that declaration. 

St. Jolin's Lodge, No. 57, A., F. d- A. M. — The hall of this society is located in Central 
Block. Date of dispensation August 2y, 1853; charter granted June 15, 1855. The first 
officers of the lodge were as follows: G. G. Williams, W. M. : J. W. Mayuard. S. W. ; Milton 
Rowley, J. W. ; J. S. Pai-tridge, Secretai-y. Present officers: J. W. Roberts, W. M. ; D. W. 
Fowler, S. W. ; H. Stauss, J. W. ; W. G. Schultz, Secretaiy; J. T. Smith. Treasurer. The 
membership is sixty-six. 

Walivorth County Encampment, I. O. O. F., was organized December 7, 1865, with the 
following charter members: Seymour Lewis, Oscar Smith, A. S. McCutehin, G. C. Rowed, 
E. F. Donnelly, A. H. Laurence and H. Johnson; R. H. Hotchkiss, Grand Patriarch, and L. 

B. Hills, Grand Scribe. 

Halcyon Ijjdge. No. 15, I. O. O. F,, was organized by Grand Master Sam Ryan January 20, 
1870, as the continuation of an old society by that name formed in 1848, but which had dis- 
banded. The charter members were: John T. Smith, R. M. Beach, George Danu, R. O'Conner 
and J. L. Pratt. It has just refitted a beautiful little hall over jMi\ Crosby's dry goods store. 
Its members, which number ninety-six, meet Tuesday nights. Present oiiicers: H. Crail, N. 
G. ; William Fish, V. G. ; O. L. Giesey, R. S. : G. C. Rowed, Per. S. ; W. E. Spooner, Treas- 
urer. 

Whitewater Lodge, No. 3'.l, A. O. U. W. — Organized August 22, 1878, with twenty-six 
charter members. Its first officers were: A. S. McCutehiu. P. M. W. : J. H. Rockfeller, M. W. : 
W^illiam Smith, G. F. ; L. Sykes, O. ; Lee Stillman, Recorder; O. F. Farrer, Financier; A. 
McCutehin, Receiver; D. E. Barnes. G.; E. Colbert, I. W.; N. B. Biu-tch, O. W. Present 
officers: E. N. Congar, P. M. W.; Albert Sali.sbm-y, M. W. ; E. D. Geer, G. F.; W. J. Mc- 
Intyre, O. ; Gorge H. Johnson, Financier; C. M. Brown, Receiver; Harry D. Bell, Recorder; 

C. F. Burrell. G. W; George W. Coburn, L.W; Andrew SchoU, O. W. The lodge is in a 
flourishing condition, occupying an elegant hall, nearly fiu'nished and free of debt. Its present 
membership is 122. 

The people of ^Vhitewater commenced to agitate the temperance question at a very early 
day, and have continued in that coiu'se ever since. One of the fii'st organizations was that 
formed November ^8, 1847 — Rev. M. P. Kinney, President; E. Wakeley, Vice President; F. F. 
Fuller, Secretary; membership, 107 — 93 men and 74 women. Eleven years from that period. 
it is recorded by one who follows these matters with a keen eye: "Of the men, only seven 
have openly and frequently violated their pledge, and, of the youth who signed, all but two 
are temperate and respected citizens." 

Ever since then lodges have been springing up, some of the most recent organizations being 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 607 

active — Division, No. 131, Sons of Temperance and Crystal Fountain Lodge, No. 37; the latter 
was organized in Ocitober. ISSO, and has a inomhersliip of over fifty — Eev. H. Sewoll, W. C. ; 
Mrs. Boltz, W. v., and E. LawTonce, Secretary. The stirring temperance revival under Dr. 
Tracy, in December of that year, resulted in the formation of a strong union — 900 members 
and a Band of Hope. 

The Custer Rifles is a military company organized July 7. 1877. Its present membership 
is sixty-tive, and its officers are as follows: Captain, J. E. Bassett; First Lieutenant, J. D. Ho- 
gan; Second Lieiitenant, J. Rogers. 

The ^Miitewater Brass Baud was organized in the fall of 1874. It consists of twelve mem- 
bers, Joseph Hall, leader. 

BUSINESS TOPICS. 

In preceding pages, the business of Whitewater has been brought up to the building of its 
first mill and its tii-st store. In the succeeding fall after the Bosworth store was built, Joseph 
and Benjamin Stanton purchased the good will of the proprietor, with his goods, and erected a 
frame building. I. U. Wheeler, with his sons Egbert and William, came in October, the latter 
building a blacksmith-shop and tmning out steel plows. Patrick McLaughlin also opened a 
tailor shop. The next important addition to the business of the village was the brickyard which 
William Wood established on Dann's Addition, in the spring of 1841. He bm-ned 40.000 brick 
in his th-st kiln. Thomas K. Le Barron, a young man just of age, fi-om Boston, bought out the 
Stantons in September; Philander Peck had a store build for him by that industrious mechanic, 
Mr. Powers, and others came to settle and help build up the young community. In the spring 
of 1842, Charles E. Cm-tice. then without the title ••Captain," appeared as a new-comer, and 
went into the gi'ocery business. In the fall of 184"2, R. O'Connor became a respected resident 
of the village. He died in December, 1881. In the spring of 1843, O. A. Weed's wagon-shop 
was completed, and thereafter for years all struggling religious societies made its upper part a 
place of refuge. In the fall, Sheldon C. Hall, Hemy C. Leffingwell and a host swarmed into 
the village. L. A. Winchester showed his form in the streets of AVhitowater — rather, over a 
blacksmith's forge — in the spring of 1844. He had erected a shop on Tripp's Addition, Lot 3, 
Block 1. By sununer, he had worked up so good a business that he took Joseph Rogers 
into partnership with him. Harvests had been good for several seasons, immigi-atiou was on 
the increase and many commenced to be attracted hitherward from other points in the county. 
Among others. Deacon William Potts moved in from Geneva. In the spring and summer of 
1845, Dr. Rice, E. Wakeley (a lawyer) and J. L. Pratt, afterward the well-known wagon-maker 
and bravo soldier, settled in AVhitewater and became noteworthy additions. In the winter of 
this year, there came from York State two warm friends and men who made their mark — San- 
ger Marsh and J. S. Partridge. They opened up with a stock of general merchandise. In 
1847, George G. Williams bought some land of Norman Pratt, in Section 8, and went into the 
pottery business, while Rufus Cheney, of Milwaukee, became a fi.xture of Whitewater, going into 
partnership with S. C. Hall to build up a general trade. By 1850, a list of its prominent busi- 
ness houses and professional men presented the following appearance: General merchants. Peck, 
Keep k Co., S. C. Hall & Co., Marsh & Partridge, Rufus Cheney, Jr., Levi Powers, R. O'Connor; 
groceries, Caswell k Curtice, D. Giddings, Rol^ert Campbell; saddle and harness-makers, J. 
Witting, Worm & Schenhart; tailors, P. McLaughlin, R. McBeath, A. Senteun and J. Bon- 
nell; Drs. Clark and Rice, Lee & Warne; lawyers, E. Wakeley, E. Brown and P. Cravath. In 
March of the next year. Messrs. P(>ck, Keep & (3o. sold out to P. H. Brady, J. J. Starin and D. 
S. Cook, leaving for larger fields in Chicago. At this time, the population of the village was be- 
tween 700 and SOO, but when the railroad was completed the next year, a depot erected, Edward 
Barber appointed agent, and all the signs were in ])reparation for prosperity and growth -wii}'. 
[)iosperity and growth came. In June. 185'.^, Mr. P(>ck's body was broiight back here for inter- 
ment. He had left for larger fields than either Whitewater or Chicago. The same year. Will 
iam De Wolf, who had been a resident of La Grange for ovi^r ten years, started out in his suc- 
cessful business career by going into partnershi[) with Mr. W'iuchester in the mauufactm'e of 
plows. They employed seven men the first year, and their ■•power'' was one horse. The 
•second year they put in a small ])ortable engine, at which piece of recklessness many of their 
friends shook their heads, predicting ruin. In March, 1853, the old Tri[)[) Mill was purchased 



608 IIISTOnY or WAL\S'OHTH COTTNTY. 

by William Birge and the water-power much improved. In the summer, arose the magnificent 
" Emporium Block," Warren Cole, proprietor. It was then the finest establishment in the vil- 
lage. J. T. Smith, L. W. Cutler and others were added to the business population about this 
time. Except for the slight setback of the cholera during the simimer and fall of lSr>4, the 
village continued on the uji-grade until the hard times of IS.'jT. 

Dr. O. C. Magoon, who came to Whitewater in company with Warner Earl, in 1831), was a 
victim of the cholera year. N. N. Littlejohn, an im])ortant business acquisition, came to White- 
water and started a lumber yard in the fall of 1856. Not only in business but in politics, he 
has been one of the foremost. In the spring of 1857, two more lawyers were attracted to the 
village — N. S. Mm-phy and Edsou Kellogg. The former is now a resident of Milwaukee; the 
latter died in Whitewater October 20, 1865. A mo.st important event for the manufactm-ing in- 
terests of the place occurred this year (1857). George Esterly, who had been manufacturing 
his reapers at Elkhorn and Eacine, as well as at Whitewater, concentrated his whole business 
here, erected shops, moved his family to the village and became a permanent and most valuable 
fixture. Three large lumber firms were now doing a large business — Littlejohn & Co., Salisbury 
& Co. and G. Bunker. Previous to the hard times, it was a large shipping point for wheat, 
165,0(10 bushels having been sent over the Milwaukee & Mississipjii Railroad for nine months 
previous to Juno, 1857. The high prices and inflated business of war times followed so closely 
after this depression that Whitewater soon regained her lost ground. Although her growth 
since the war has not been remarkable, it has been steady, and she now possesses scores of sub- 
stantial houses in all lines of trade. 

WiHchenter d- Parf ridge Miunifaiiitriiiy Comjiuiii/.— Li. A. Winchester, the senior member of 
the company, and its President, settled in Wliitewater in 1844. He established himself as a black- 
smith in a small shop located on the ground now occupied by the present extensive works, and 
near the log house of his friend, Dr. James Tripp. Mr. Winchester took Joseph Rogers into 
partnership with himself, the connection continuing for three years. For the next five years, he 
sturdily pounded out his fortune alone. In 1825, William De Wolf moved in from Heart 
Prairie and engaged with Mr. Winchester in the manufacture of plows. The firm of Winchester 
& De Wolf employed seven men the first year, depending upon one horse for their ''power." 
They made fifty plows and melted 1,000 pounds of cast iron per week. The business ex))anded 
so much that they put in a small portable engine the second year, at which many of their best 
friends shook their heads, and ominous whispers of "ruin" went round. But additions were 
made to the works, as their patronage extended far beyond the limits of the county, and ghastly 
ruin may have grinned from afar, but kept his distance. In 1857, J. S. Partridge, who had 
been a resident of "WTiitewater for twelve years, became a partner in the manufactory. He has 
retained his connection ever since, being now the Secretary and Treasm'er of the Company. In 
that year, under the energetic management of Winchester, De Wolf & Co., the business of the 
firm took a gi-eat stride toward its present high standing. In 1864, the mauufactiu-e of wagons 
was added to their list of goods, and new shops were built to accommodate the gi-owing demand 
of customers. The fii-st year's manufacture was 350 wagons. In 1867, Mr. De AVolf retired 
from the finn, and the business continued under Winchester & Partridge. In 1874, the Win- 
chester and Partridge Manufacturing Company was formed, with L. A. Winchester as President, 
and J. S. Partridge as Secretary and Treasurer. The manrifacture of plows has been discon- 
tinued, the company confining their eftbrts to the work of turning out farm, freight and spring 
wagons and the Osage corn and cob mill, which are unexcelled for dxu-ability and convenience. 
Since the first year, the firm have manufactured 70,()00 wagons, ajid the quality of their work 
has been the means generally of raising the standard and lowering the price of these articles. 
From that small blacksmith-shop, buildings have sprung up which cover ten acres of ground, 
used for both manufacturing and storage purposes. The main building is 250 feet in length, 
two stories. Since the manufacture of wagons was commenced, the '' Whitewater Wagon" has 
acquired a world-wide reputation, l)eing selected for several i-easons, both by the United States 
Government and by the agents of the England's Northwestern Boundary Expedition, for its 
great superiority over other makes. It has therefore been rightly Ijranded " Government Stand- 
ard." It was the only wagon to which a medal was awarded at the Centennial Exhibition. The 
company nov/ employ 160 men, and the works have an annual cipacity of 5.000 wagons, instead 



HISTOia' OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 609 

of 350. Over twenty tons of cast iron ai'e absorbod weekly, and the lumber which is constantly 
carried in stock would fill 500 cars. In a word, the Winchester & l'artrid<^(^ Manufacturing 
Coinj)any is one of several establishments which has drawn an enormous amount of business to 
"Whitewater and kept it here — an honor to the villaj,'e and to th(> m(>n who represent it. 

(,\'(>r<i(' /';.s-/<'c/_(/ci-.S'())(.— The senior member of the firm was born in rist(>r County, N.Y., in 180'.); 
came to Wisconsin in 1S8(). and moved his family to Walworth County in 1S;57. He commenced 
the manufacture of his "Hea<ler" for harvesting grain in lNi4, on liis farm in the town of La 
Grange, and took out his lirst patent in that year; continued their luanufactm-e until 1855, 
when ho brought out his hiind-raking reaper. In 185(>, he manufactured his reaiiers at White- 
water, at Elkliorn and at Racin(>, Wis.; in 1857, he concentrated his business at Whitewater, 
l)ut up sho])s and moved his family here. As his business increased year by year, he added to 
his works, which are now represented by the following floors: Blacksjnith-shop, 40x80 feet: 
foimdry. etc., 40x70 feet; tri]) hammer, etc., 20x45 feet; wood-shop, 40x100 feet; machine- 
shoi>. 4(txlOO feet: carjienter-shop, 40x100 feet; paint-shop, 50x450 feet; warehouse, etc., 40x 
160 feet: rei>air-room. 40x80 feet: steam tire-engine, 20x4(Heet; pattern-shop, etc.. 20x50 feet; 
office, '25.xi{0 feet. In 181)5, he brought out what is now so widely known as the celebrated Es- 
terlv Broadcast Seeder ami Cultivator combined, of which this factory has manufactured more 
than 20,000. In 1870. he added his present self -raking reaper to his list. In 1872, his son, 
George W. Esterly, who had had charge of the office for something more than ten years, was 
admitted as a member of the firm now known as George Esterly & Son. In 1875, they began to 
.'<up])ly the public with their "no-canvas" harvester, with which they were, last season, unable to 
furnish more than half the number ordered. Li 1880, they are intr(jducing to the public the 
celebrated Appleby Cord Binding Harvester, in addition to their other lines of machinery. 
This firm now employ about 10() hands, and they put on the market this year goods to the 
amount of about $120,000. Their monthly pay roll is about $3,500. 

In addition to the above, ]Mr. George Eaterly is now proprietor of the \Vhitewater Furniture 
Factory, which was organized in the spring of 1874. This is a large brick structure, 50x200 feet, 
having three floors: also has a steam dry-house 40x60 feet, and a shipping-room and storehouse 
40x00 feet, with two floors, in connection with the same. This establishment employs from 
seventy-five to ninety hands and their pay-roll amounts to from $25,000 to $30,000 per anuiun, 
and their anniial production from $75,000 to $100,000. The product of these two establishments 
finds market all over the Northwestern States and Teiritories. 

Since 1880, the shops of George Esterly & Son have been very much enlarged and the 
business greatly extended. The sales of both concerns this year will exceed $()00,000, and, to 
keep pace with the growing demand for their goods, will re(juire the douliling of their present 
facilities. 

The l>< Wolf Wire Clutli Mainifartiiriiui Coinpaii!/ was formed three years ago by William 
De \\'olf and Son. An experiment was made with two looms. Init the business was sa.success- 
ful that their new factory now incloses twenty-four looms. It is a large two-story wooden 
building. 120x32 feet, over thirty-five hands are em|)loyed, the natiire of the manufacture being 
wire netting for screens. This year 2,000.000 square feet will be turned out of this busy 
establishment. 

7'lif Whifewatet- Paper Milln were built by Messrs. Tripp & Crombie in ISIU). J. W. Deni- 
son and L. A. Tanner, present proprietors, came into [lossession of the property in 18(')(). The 
mills were destroyed by fire in 1808, but rebuilt the next year, and increased in capacity. 
They consist of a large two-story brick l)uilding. Some twenty hands are employed, ft)rces 
being run night and day. The ])rincipal manufacture for the past two years Jias been brown 
wi'apj)ing- paper — between 3.O0O and 4,00(1 pounds being tui'ned out daily. 

('. M. Brown d- Co.. flour and feed mill. This is the old original Dr. Tripp Mill, with the 
additions made by William Birge, as noted. The wooden jwrtion is 50x00 feet, two stories and 
a half, the stone portion, 40.x50, built by William Birge in 1850, throe stori(w and basement. In 
1873, Mr. Brown came into possession of the pro])erty, forming a partnership with A. F. and (}. 
S. Bridge, and later with A. I. Dexter in 1881. The capacity of the mill is 75 barrels of flour 
and 100 bushels of feed per day -four run of stone. Its brands are "Our Best,"' "O. K." and 
" XXX." 



610 IITSTOKY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

Branch Mill. — This mill was built by Asaph Pratt iu 1843. aud operated by Ansil Salis- 
bury and others nntil 1802. John Lean & Co. have been the proprietors for a number of yeai's. 
The mill aud machinery have been greatly improved, the run of stone having increased" from 
two to five since the pro])erty passed from Mr. Salisbm-y. This mill is situated a mile south of 
the village, biit has an oflSce in Whitewater. 

Wliifeirafi-v Brrirrry. — The original one-story brick building was erected by William Mar- 
shall in ISnO. N. Klinger pm-chased it in 1864, aud three years after commenced to make 
additions to it. His main building is now 42x48 feet, with a nest of smaller edifices near by. 
The capacity of the brewery is 2,000 barrels of beer per year. Mr. Klinger also manufactures 
a small quantity of ale. 

Cheese Factories (near village).— William Marshall, R. Springsteen, H. A. Starin, Will 
iam Galloway, firm of McCutcheu. Coburn & Billett. 

Butter Factories. — Rann Brothers. H. A. Cougar & Son. 

Machine Sho}} and Planing Mill. — J. Vandewatcr. 

Furniture Factor ij. — H. Stauss. 

Carriage and Blacksmith Shops. — Whitewater Union Works, E. J. Morey, proprietor ; M. 
M. Webb, A. & O. Fowler, W. H. Noyes, Henry Liugermann. J. McGill. 

Wood Works. — Daniel McLean, A. McCloy, A. L. Giesey, John McCollins. 

Marble Works.-- ^. J. Criger, Haskell & Severance. 
Brick Yard. — Joseph Daun. 

Pottery. — Michael Ohnhaus. 

BANKS. 

The early banking history of WTiitewater varies little from that of other sections throughout 
the State during the troublous times of 1857 and 1858. During that prosperous year — 1855 — 
A. Graham and A. H. Scoville opened an exchange aud banking office in Bower's Block. But 
the most noteworthy attempts to establish permanent banking institutions in the village were 
those which resulted in the formation of the Merchants' and Mechanics' and the Bank of White- 
water. The former opened lier doors to the public in August, 1857, issuing notes of .fl and .|2 
denominations. These first bank bills were covered with the figures, expressive of the denomi 
nation, in red ink. On the $1 note, the vignette in the center rejiresented an old-fashioned 
husking frolic. At the right end. the figure SI had a train of cai-s steaming past it below, 
passing evidently throiigh rich farming land and brisk villages. At the left, a Goddess of Lib- 
erty and an Indian guariled another figiu'e 1 from the skillful counterfeiter, and under them the 
State arms apjseared to awe him into a proper sense of his duties as an American citizen, to let 
the money of the realm alone. On the $2 bill, the central work of art was a fai-ming scene. 
The figure 2 appeared over the face of the bill in various positions, but the left, a sailor and a 
girl — his wife, perhaps — his star — beamed upon the world, dividing a figure 2, as the sum-total 
of their perce[)tible possessions. The girl and her sailor was protected by the State arms. A. 
S. Scoville acted as President, and J. S. Partridge as Cashier. A brief career of a little over a 
year closed its sphere of usefulness, the Bank of Whitewater having in the meantime sprung 
into being under the patronage of S. C. & E. C. Hall. But on April 4, 1865, this well-known 
firm failed for a large amount on account of an imfortunate " deal " in pork and the general de- 
cline of 23rices from the war standard. For twenty years they had been leading business men — 
foremost in all undertakings for the good of the village. Their failiu-e caused the suspension 
of the bank. 

The village, however, was not left without banking facilities, for, on January ], 1864, the 
First National Bank of Whitewater had opened its doors, with Sanger Marsh, President, and C. 
Moms Blackmau, Cashier; other stockholders, L. A. Winchester, J. S. Partridge, William De 
Wolf, F. F. Farnham and J. A Allen. The fitrst report made on that day exhibited as follows: 
Cajiital, $33,471.15; liabilities, due depositors, !?75.40. 

The bank was regularly organized November 12, 1863. Mr. Marsh remained President uji 
to October, 1873, when Mr. Blackmau succeeded him. The latter gentleman has retained the 
j)Osition to the present time. Iu the spring of 1864, the capital of the bank was increased $25,- 
OUO, and, in July, of the same ye;u', another .$25,000. Its jiresent condition is represented by 
the following figiu'es, taken from the report of October 1, 1881 : Capital, -$100,000; siu-plus, $33,- 



HISTORY OF WALAVORTII COUNTY. 611 

000; undivided profits, $5,784.49; national bank-notes outstanding, f!)0,000; deposits, $300,- 
937.38. Its officers are C. M. Blaokman. President; Lewis Cook, Vice President; George S. 
Marsh, Cashier; C. M. Blaokman, George S. Marsh, J. "W. Denison, Lewis Cook and N. H. Allen, 
Directors. 

HOTELS. 

The first hotel Iniilt in Whitewater was the Powers House, erected by Joseph and D. J. 
Powers in 1840, upon land donated by Dr. James Tripp. In October of that year, Freeman L. 
Pratt became its projirietor, built an addition the next year, and called it the Whitewater Hotel.. 
In the summer of 1843, IVIr. Pratt rented the hotel to E. F. & S. Davis. Eli King, the next pro- 
prietor, sold out to S. Wintermute in 1850. Ten years thereafter, he enlarged the hotel and 
called it the Montour House. In 1805, Mi'. Wintermute sold it to G. A. Mosher, and, two years 
later, the hotel was bm'ned to the ground. Upon its site, in 1879, Mr. Wintermute erected a 
two-stoiy brick Iniilding, which he now iises as a livery stable. The Wliitewater exchange, now 
the Kinney House, was completed by Squire Parsons in July, 1842. Its present proprietor ia 
O. G. Bunn. The Bowers House was opened in September, ISSO — J. C. Bowers, proprietor. 
The other hotels are the Courtland House, E. White, proprietor; the Whitewater Hotel, A. Cook, 
proprietor. 

PR0FESSION.\L DIRECTORY. 

Newspajxi-s. — Whitewater Register, E. D. Coe, proprietor; Whitewater Clinviicle, Pitt 
Cravath, proprietor. 

Lawi/rrs. —Weeks & Steel, J. H. Page, Bishop & Cravath. H. Heady. 

P/(//.s/rm)(.s\— Dr. E. D. Cary, Dr. E. G. Leland, Dr. C. J. Miller, Dr. D. D. Belknap, Dr. 
H. Warne. Dr. W. Rice, Dr. J. C. Salsman, Dr. H. E. Lindsay , Dr. E. G. Horton, Dr. J. Green. 

Dentists. — Dr. James Parsons, S. Saxe. 

Photographers. — J. P. Whipple, H. P. Goodman. 

BUSINESS DIRECTORY. 

Flour Feed, Salt, Etc.—F. B. Hall, R. Coburn. 

Butter. Eggs, Etc. —A. I. Dexter. 

Lumber, .S'«,s7/, Doors, Blinds, Etc. — N. M. Littlejohn. 

Plon\i, Agricultural Implements, Etc. — T. A. Stephens & Son, John Knight, Tostig Halver- 
son. 

Liveries. — S. Wintermute, Foyer & Newkirk, Hull & Black. 

Dri/ Goods. Etc. — O. Crosby & Co., Creighton Brothers, Cook & Bell, Gallt, Bulkley & Co., 
Cleland. McBeath &; Co., F. Campbell & Co., T. H. Kvle. 

Millinery.— "Mrs. E. M. Williams. 

Clothing Store.i. — R. McBeath, G. Halverson & Son, G. Anderson. 

Boots and Shoes. — P. & G. Trautmann, J. Pilon, Harvey Arveson. 

Harness and Saddlery. — Joseph Hanbert, J. ScheiTer. 

Hardware. — William DeWolf & Son, Burton & Dewev, W. L. R. Stewart. 

J«reters.— John T. Smith, B. F. A\'ood, V. Egloff. 

Furniture. — Fairchild & Co., Thiele & Goodhue. 

Druggists.— H. & H. L. Warne, A. V. Burk. 

Cigar Makers. — G. R. Home, T. H. Packard. 

Barbers, — A. Hahn, R. J. Pelzer. 

Grocers. — Bortle & Thayer, Ed. Engebretsen, W E. Spooner, N. Steenson, Bridge Bros., S. 
Bams, J. C. Cox, Helgesou Brothers, H. N. Inman, "Chicago Branch Store" (L. Ericson). 

Meat Markets. — Ewing iSc Dunn, Charles Fose, William Smith. 

R.\ILR0AD COMMUNICATION. 

In September, 1852, the Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad reached Whitewater and sup- 
plied a long-felt want. This is now the Prairie du Chien Division of the Chicago, Milwaukee 
& St. Paul road. There was a proI>ability that more direct communication would be opened 
with points to the north and south l)y the construction of the Wisconsin Central Air-Line, in 



612 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

1857. How this jsrojoet and all other railroad schemes aflfecting Whitewater and the county at 
large tinally tiu-ned out has been fully explained in the history dealing with general county 
topics. The old scheme — the Wisconsin Central, and later, the Chicago & Northern Pacific — 
is now vigorously revived in the Chicago, Portage & Superior Line, which is expected to run 
fi'om Superior City to Chicago via Chippewa Falls and Portage. 

BIOGRAPHICAL SKKTCHE.S. 

NATHAN H. ALLEN. He was born in Mercer, Kennebec Co., Me., June 23, 1808; is the 
son of John and Susan Allen. He was brought up a farmer. Wlien 19 years of age, he moved 
to Orouo, Penobscot Co., where he engaged in the lumber business. He subsequently became 
interested in banking, and for several years was President of the Orono Bank. He was elected 
to the Legislature of Maine in 1852. He was married, in Orono, Nov. 3. 1836, to Miss Char- 
lotte Read, daughter of John Read. Four children were born to them — Lauraette, died July 
30, 1855, aged 17 years; Margaret C. is the wife of D. M. Platte, of Red Cloud, Neb.; May R. 
is Mrs. Edward Morris, of Savannah, I. T. ; Harriet R. died in infancy. Mrs. Allen died April 
9, 1852. Mr. Allen was married again. May 3, ]853, to Mrs. Maria F. Frees, widow of Ben 
jamin M. Frees, whose death occm-red Dec. 6, 1846. at his home in Orono; they were married 
Dec. 5, 1844. Mrs. Frees had one child, a son, Benjamine M. (see sketch.) She is the daughter 
of Col. Samuel and Mary Bufium, and was born in Palermo, Waldo Co., Me.; her father was 
an officer of the war of 1812. In 1856, Mi\ Allen closed up a prosperous business and moved to 
Wisconsin, in hopes of benefiting his wife's failing health. They made their home in Moui'oe, 
where Mi\ Allen engaged in the lumber business, which he contimied till August. 1863, when 
he moved to Whitewater." On coming to this place, he entered upon his former line of business 
— hunber — and continued it until 1874, when he sold out and retired from active business. 
They have one child by their present marriage, a son, Charles F., now a lumber merchant of 
Guide Rock, Neb. He is married to Miss Alice M. Burrows. 

GILBERT ANDERSEN is a native of Norway, the son of Andi-ew and Sarah Gulbrandsen; 
was born in Norway Sejit. 4, 1838. He came to America in 1853, and directly to Whitewater, 
where he has since resided. In 1862, he commenced in the clothing business. He carries a 
good line of ready-made clothing, hats, caps, gents' fiu'nishing goods and merchant tailoring; 
also, agent for steamship lines to and from Europe. He was married, in Whitewater, Wis., 
Feb. I4, 1865, to Ellen C. Falk, daughter of J. Falk. Mrs. Andersen is a native of Norway, 
and came to America in 1864. They have one son and four daughters — Albert J., Ida S., Emma 
M., Emilie and Clara. 

HARVEY ARVESON, dealer in and manufacturer of boots and shoes. He was born in 
Norway May 28, 1841 ; is the son of Hans and Ester Arveson; came to America with his parents 
in 1844, and directly to Whitewater, where his father purchased a farm five miles south of the 
village, where his mother still resides. His father was engaged in farming there till his death, 
which occurred Dec. 29, 1873. His farm consisted of 280 acres of land. Harvey Ai-veson con- 
tinued on the farm till he was 25 years of age. He then spent some years in clerking and farm- 
ing alternately, till April, 1879, when he embarked in his present lousiness. He has a well- 
stocked store, and employs a number of workmen. He was married. July 4, 1871, at Elkhorn, 
to Carrie, daughter of Christian Mason. IVIi-s. Arveson was born in Norway, and emigrated to 
America in 1845. 

SYLVESTER BARNS, gi-ocer, was born in Stonington, Conn., Feb. 22, 1823; is the son 
of Amos and Margaret Barns. When 10 years of age, he moved with his parents to Central 
New York (Oneida County). He was brought up a farmer, and also learned the carpenter and 
joiner's trade. In 1855, he emigrated to Whitewater. Wis., and for ten years worked at his 
trade in that place. He then engaged with the Winchester Manufacturing Company, under 
contract, on wood work, and continued that connection fifteen years. In April, 1881, he entered 
Tipon his present lousiness, that of grocer and dealer in provisions. Mr. Barns has never been 
an office-seeker, the public positions he has held being that of Village Treasiu'er, and one of the 
Board of Village Trustees. He was married, in Westmoreland, Oneida Co., N. Y., Oct. 7, 1848, 
to Miss Cornelia E. Parker, daughter of Ephraim Parker. They have two daughters — Carrie 



CO 

o 

I 

o 

o 



C/3 













J* 

V 




IHSTOHY OF WALWORTH COrXTY. 615 

P. and Maggie D. Although only a short time in mercantile business, Mr. Barns is building 
lip a veiy satisfactory trade. 

LEWIS BENNETT, farmer, Soc. 1('>: P. O. Whitewater; has 120 acres; was l)orn 
in Homer. Cortland Co.. N. Y. When 8 years of age, he moved to the town of Cort- 
land; and 19 years old, to Tompkins County, where he made his homo till 184S, when he 
moved to Wisconsin and made his home in WTiitewater and engaged in the cliain-])nmp busi- 
ness, being the first to introduce that style of pumps into use in Wisconsin; followed that Imsi- 
ness about three years; made his home in the village of WTiitewater till 1866. excepting one 
yeiU" spent on a farm. In 1S6(). ho moved to his present faiTU, on Sec. Ki. He was married, in 
Palmyra. W'is. , Nov. 2. 1850, to Miss Mary A. Kriger, daughter of John Kriger. Mrs. Ben- 
nett was born in Outai'io, Canada, and came to Wisconsin in 1846. They have three sons and 
two daiighters — Alfred S. . Eliza A.. Alvin C. , Jessie H. and Clarence B. Alfred S. married 
Ella Peacock, and lives in the town of Whitewater; Eliza A. is the wife of Winfield Kanouse, 
of Livingston Co., Mich. Mr. Bennett served in the late war as a Government employe in the 
engineer's department, at Nashville, Tenn. 

SETH M. BILLINGS, deceased, was born in Rutland. Vt.. in 1S14: was l)rought up a 
fai-mei'. He was married. Feb. 16, 1835. to Miss Lena Markle. In ISHU. he emigrated to 
Whitewater. Being a man of excellent lousiness ability and executive talent, he was frecjuently 
called upon to accept positions of public trust and honor. He was elected Sherifl' of W'alworth 
County, and served diu-ing the term of 1861-62. In all matters of public interest, he was ac- 
tive and liberal. In his private and social life, he was courteous, kind and generous. He was 
a conscientious member of the Congregational Chru'ch. His death occiuTod Jan. 18. 1880. 

GEORGE R. BIRGE. farmer. Sec. 2; P. O. Whitewater; has 80 acres in Whitewater and 

40 in C'old Spring; was born in Columbia Co.. N. Y.. Oct. 14. 1810; is the son of Elijah and 

Mary Richmond Birge: learned the carpenter's trade, serving his time in Kinderhook, N. Y. ; 

worked at his trade m New York C'ity several years; went to Sing Sing, where he was in charge 

of the construction of the south wing of the State Prison; came to Whitewater, Wis., in 1858, 

and engaged'as a liuilder and contractor; had charge of the building of the first normal school 

at WTiitewater; went to Chicago right after the great tire, and had charge of several large 

buildings in the rebuilding of that city. He also had charge of the building of the Bidwell 

House at Palmyra. Wis. In 1863, he purchased his present farm in Whitewater, but did not 

occupy it until 1876. He was married, in Columbia Co., N. Y. . Nov. 2. 1841. to Miss Alice 

Palmer, daughter of Ahira Palmer. Thev have two children, a sou and a daucfhter — William 

. . . " . . '-^ 

W. and Libbie M. In politics. Mi\ Birge is a Republican. 

C. M. BLACK]\IAN. President of the First National Bank of AN'hitewater. which position 
he has held since the fall of 1873. He was born in Bridgewater. N. Y. . Oct. 10. 1833. He is 
the son of Alva and Almira Briggs Blackman; was educated at the Sau(|uoit Academy. Oneida 
Co., N. Y. He emigrated with his parents to Wisconsin in 1847. and mad(^ his home at Stough- 
ton, Dane Co. In the fall of 1856, he engaged in the mercantile business, in which he contin- 
ued seven years. In November, 1863, he moved to Whitewater, where he helped to organize 
the First National Bank, of which he was the first Cashier. He continued in that capacity till 
tile time of the death of Mr. Sanger Marsh (its President), October. 1873, when he was elected 
President, and has held that position to this date — 1882. Mi-. Blackman was married, at 
Whit(>water, Aug. 10, 1860, to Miss Mary E. Billings, daughter of Scth M. Billings. Mrs. 
Blackman was born in Cl(>veland, Ohio. They have fom- children — Edith, Jessie, Mary and 
Thane M. Mr. Blackman is a zealous member of the Congregational Church, and has served 
fourteen years as Superintendi'iit of its Sabbath school. 

JOHN BORTLE was born on the Livingston Manor tract. New York, Oct. IS, 181 1 ; is the 

son of Richard Bortle. Ho was married, in Verona, Oneida Co., N. Y., Feb. 21, 1<S3(), to Sarah 

Wood, daughter of David Wood. Mi-s. Bortle was bom inVerona. They had niii(> children, of 

whom six are living— Sarah M. , now Mrs. James Hackett, of Whitmvater; J. Wilson, died Nov. 

5, 1867, aged 26 yeai-s; ho was a member of the 28th W. V. I., and served three years in the 

late war: Maiy L.'is Mrs. "Warner Hadley. of Johnstown, Wis. : Luther O. died March 4, 1848, 

in childhood; Almeda G. is Mrs. Wesley Saxe, of "Whitewater Village; Almeron died March 3. 

1848, in childhood; Rhod;i is the widow of Vernon Taft, of AVhite water; Cecil O. married Marv 

i; 



t)16 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

Cleland: lives at the old homestead; Oscar mamed Eva McLeau, and is a grocer of Whitewater. 
Mr. Bortle came from New York to Wisconsin in 1843, and settled on Sec. 32, where he still 
has a farm of I'lO acres. He continued his residence on the farm till March, 1878, when he 
removed to Whitewater Village, his present residence. 

CECIL BORTLE. farmer. Sec. 32: P. O. Whitewater; he has 40 acres of land, and his 
father 117 acres. Cecil was born in Whitewater. Wis.. Jan. t. 1850; is the son of John and 
Sarah Bortle; was brought up a farmer; married. March 29, 1877. in Lima. Eock Co., Wis., 
to Miss MaryCleland. daughter of James and Mary (Wilson) Cleland. Mrs. Bortle was born in 
Koshkonong. Jefferson Co. . Wis. They have one child, a daughter. Clara Belle. 

JOSEPH C. BOWER, contractor and biiilder. and proprietor of the Bower House, a first- 
class hotel, and of Bower's Opera Hall. The Bower House was built in 1879; opened for bus- 
iness Sept. 9. 1880. The house is a fine brick and stone structure, tifty-fom' feet front on Main 
street, and 109 feet on Second street. 54x85 is three stories, balance two stories. The building 
contains forty rooms, exclusive of two tine stores fronting on Main street. Mr. Bower will in- 
crease the dimensions of the house the coming summer, so that it will be 54x144, raising the 
rear part and adding thirty rooms. The public hall known as " Bower's Hall " is a substantial 
brick and stone structm'e, 100x75 feet. The hall proper is 100x44 feet 18 feet high, with stage 
room 20x44, exclusive of di'essing rooms, and has a seating capacity of 800 persons. The hall 
is supplied with six changes of scenery. This hall was built in 1870, on the site of the old hall 
that was built in 1850 and burned May 9. 1870. The subject of this sketch was born in York- 
shire. England, Dec. 9, 1821; is the son of William and Sarah Bower: came to America with 
his parents in 1827, who made their home in Dutchess Co., N. Y. They moved from there to 
Bridgeport, Conn., and from there to Derby. When of suitable age, he leai-ned the machinist's 
trade, in Birmingham, Conn., where he served three years. He then emigrated to Wisconsin 
and located in Raymond, Racine Co., 1841, where he was engaged in farming till 1843. He 
then went to Milwaukee and learned the mason's trade, which he worked at three years. In 
1846. he came to Whitewater to helji build the brewery at that place, since which time he has 
made his home here. Mr. Bower, by his energy and enterprise, has probably done more toward 
the development of this town than any other one man. He has been the contractor and builder 
of a lai'ge proportion of the brick buildings of the place, and at one time was the owner of twelve 
brick business buildings. He was married, in CJold Spring. Jefferson Co., Wis., in 1853, to 
Miss Adelia A. Marsh, daughter of Jonathan Marsh, ili's. Bower was born in Ferrisbui'g, Ad- 
dison Co., Vt. They have fom- children, two boys and two girls, living — George W.. Albert E., 
Emma and Nellie. !Mi'. Bower has seiwed eleven years as Town Treasm'er, and is the present 
incumbent. 

PETER H. BRADY, deceased, was born in New York Jan. 3, 1821. When grown to man- 
hood, he went to Illinois, and was emjiloyed as merchant's clerk in Aairora till 1841, when he 
naoved to Whitewater, Wis., and engaged as clerk in the general store of P. Peck, continuing 
Tinder the firm of Peck & Keep, till 1848. when he was admitted as a member of the tirm. This 
connection continued until 1851. when the tirm was dissolved, and Mr. Brady entered into part- 
nership with Jacob Stariu and D. S. Cook in the same line. In 1857. he sold his interest to 
his paiiners. and bought into the Whitewater Foundry, with Allen & Powers, under the firm 
name of Powers, Allen & Co. He closed oitt his interest in this concern and went to Piano, 
111., in 1865. Here he bought a half-interest with his brother Jesse in a fruit farm. As the cli- 
mate proved injurioits to his health, he sold out after the first year, and returned to Whitewater. 
He only sur\ ived a short time after his return, dying Oct. 10, 1866. During his residence in 
Wisconsin, he had various offices of public honor and trust. In 1858 and 1859, he was elected 
Secretary of the Wisconsin Central Railway. In 1863, he was ap[)ointed Postmaster of the 
Wisconsin Senate, and in 1864 was elected Assistant Chief Clerk of the Assembly. He was 
married. April 22, 1852. to Margaret U. Rameau. Two children were born to them — Howard 
R. and Greorge P. The elder brother, Howard R., is conductor in the employ of the Atchison, 
Tojjeka & Santa F^ Railway; the younger, George, is a student of the Whitewater NoiTnal 
School. Mr. Brady lost his wife in 1861. Her death occiuTed Feb. 9. He was man'ied again, 
Oct. 18, 1865, to Harriet A. Wilkinson, who survives him. One child, a daughter, was born of 
this marriage, named Anna C. Words of praise of the departed are too often hollow and mean- 



HISTOKY OF WAT.WORTII COl'NTY. CIT 

inorlcss; but in the jiresent instance, sjjace will not permit the wi'iter to pay more than a ])ass- 
iutj tribute to the virtues of a most worthy man: Strictly conscientious and upright in all bus- 
iness transactions, genial and courteous in his intercourse with all, he was universally liked, 
and one of the most popular merchants that ever did business in \\'hitewater. In the words 
of one of his old partners— a gentleman whose good opinion is a com])liment to any one — 
"he was a grand, good man."' 

.\LBERT F. BEID(tE, of the tirni of Bridge Bros., grocers and millers, was born in 
.Tetlerson Co., A\"is., March '.^S, 1854; is the son of Robert and Isabel Bridge. He was 
educated in the common schools, and at the State Normal School of Whitewater. In ISTfi, he 
engaged in the grocery business at Whitewater with Edward Engebretsen, under the firm name 
of Bridge & Engebretsen. with store located at Bower's Hall Block. This connection was con- 
tinued until 1879, when it was dissolved by mutual consent, and Mr. Bridge began business at 
the corner of Center and Second streets, which he continued until 1881. In January, 188,1, 
his brother George entered the firm, and it has since been known as Bridge Bros. Thej- carry 
a full line of staple and fancy gi'oceries, crockery and (pieensware, and do an extensive liusiness 
in farm produce. They have a large refrigerator in connection with their estaljlishment, which 
enables them to handle perishable produce to advantage. They are also interested in what is 
known as the Stone Mill of AVhitewater, of which they own one-third. A. F. is equally inter- 
ested in a similar store to the A\'hitewater which is located at Marshalltown, Iowa, his partner 
being his brother Charles, who is in charge of the business. 

BYRON BRO\VN, of the firm of Brown & Holloway, millers, Fall River, Cohimbia Co., 
Wis., resident of Whitewater, was born in South Bristol, Ontario Co., N. Y., May 20. 1827; is 
the son of Joseph and Sarah Brown. In early youth, he entered his father's mill, where he 
learned the miller's trade. In March, 1850, he came to Delavan, Wis. , and engaged as miller 
with E. F. & J. Mabie. of that place, and continued in that mill thirteen years. He was mar- 
ried, at Bergen, Genesee Co., N. Y., Sept. 9, 1855, to Amelia T., daughter of Luke and Susan 
Taylor. Mrs. Brown was born in Delavan, "\Ms., Oct. 12, 1837, being the first white child born 
within the limits of the town: and in 18(5;! Mr. Brown bought the fiouring-mill at Eliist Troy, 
which he operated until 18(30, when he bought the Stone Mills at Whitewater, in comjiany with 
John Lean. One year later, he bought Mr. Lean's interest, and operated the mill alone until 
May 12, 1873, when he sold a half -interest to C. M. Brown, and went to California in company 
with his wife, retmming after a few weeks. In 1876, he sold the balance of the mill to Girdon 
Montague, of Geneva, and went to California in company with two of his daughters, one of 
them, Allie, an invalid, who. they were in hopes, would regain her health from a change of cli- 
mate. But alas! the disease had made too much of an inroad on the ])oor girl. and. in less than 
two and one-half years, death saved her from further pain. ]\Ir. Brown retm-ned to \\hitewater 
in 1S77. and. in 1878. bought into the Stone ilills again: continued in business at Whitewater 
until June. ISSI, when he sold out and bought the Fall River Mills, at Fall River, Columbia 
Co., in company with John Holloway. where he has since continued in business. Mr. and Mrs. 
Brown have had nine childi-en — Carrie A. ; Alice M. , died in California, aged 20 years: Nettie 
A. is the wife C. H. Sproat, of Dakota; Fred E., Ada L., Dean M., Eva M., Edna E. and 
Helen T. 

CHARLES M. BROWN, of C. M. Brown & Co:, i)roprietors of Stone Mill. He was born 
in Schoharie, Schoharie Co., N. Y., Dec. 17, 1840; is the son of William B. and Mary H Bi-own. 
When 5 years of age (1845), he came to Walworth Co., Wis., with his i)arents. and made his 
home in the town of Walworth. He was brought up on a farm until ]8(')0, when he began 
learning the miller's trade in the Big Foot Flouring-Mills; was there one year, and then went 
to Eau Claire, where he engaged in the same business. From that time till 1873, he o])erated 
as a jom-neyman miller in various ])lace8. May 12 of that year, he bought into the Stone Mills, 
and has continued the business to this date. He was married, in Walworth, June 21, 1802. to 
Miss C. M. Douglass, daughter of G. L. Douglass. Mrs. Brown was born in A\'alworth. They 
have had four children. Ghmnie. a son. died when 2 yeai's of age: Alice A. is aged 14 years; 
Willie D., 12; and Grace A., 7 years. 

OTIS G. BHOW.N. lessee of the Kinney House, was born in South Bristol, Ontario Co., 
N. Y.. Oct. 11. 18:!4; is the son of Joseph and Sarah Brown. He was brought up a farmer, and 



618 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

emigrated to Wisconsin in 1854; located on a farm neai- Delavan, Walworth Co.; was maiTied, 
Id Delavan. July 4. 1H60, to Miss Frances A. Stowell. daughter of Israel Stowell. Mrs. Brown 
was born in Delavan, Wis. They have had three children — Nellie, Cady and Herbert. Cady 
died in infancy. Mi. Brown moved to Darien, where he was engaged in farming eight years. 
In the fall of 1872, he moved to Whitewater, where he has since resided. He has served as 
Marshal of ^^'hitewater one year, and as Constable live yeai's. In 1881, he leased the Kinney 
House, which he is keeping at this writing, and, by his superior management, has made it one 
of the popular hotels of the place. 

BULKLEY, CRANDALL & CO., dealers in dry goods, carpets, groceries and crockery. 
This firm was organized January, 1882, and are successors to Gallt, Bulkley & Co., which firm 
was organized January, 187G, and were successors to Gallt, Birge & Co. The business was first 
started by Orlando Gallt in 1855, in a wooden store situated on the present site of Bower's store 
block, near the post office. There he did a general merchandising business (see sketch of Mr. 
<5allt). Mrs. Helen M. Caine, daughter of Mr. Gallt, represents the Gallt interest in 
the present l)usiuess. The fii'm now occupy the tine corner store in the Bower Hotel block, cor- 
ner of Second and Main streets. Their salesroom is 85x30 feet, and thoroughly stocked with 
everything in their line. Four clerks are employed. Brownell Bulkley, senior partner of the 
above firm, was born in Greene, Chenango Co., N. Y., Aug. 18, 1844; is the sou of Samuel and 
Phoebe Bulkley; while quite young, moved with his parents to Madison County. He was edu- 
cated at the Union School of Fayetteville, Onondaga Co., and began his business life as a mer- 
chant's clerk in Cazenovia. After six years' experience, he was given general charge of the 
business, and, in addition to a stated salary, was allowed an interest in the net proceeds of the 
business. He continued in this business eight years under the above arrangement, making four- 
teen years in all that he was with the house. He was married, June 3, 1872, at Cazenovia, to 
Miss Amelia M. , daughter of Andi-ew J. Craudall. Mi's. Bulkley was born in Owego, N. Y. 
They have one son, Robert C. 

JAMES BURTON, of the firm of Barton & Dewey, dealers in hardware, tinware and stoves, 
was born in Malone, Franklin Co., N. Y. , April IG, 1821; is the son of Curtis and Phebe Bur- 
ton; was educated in the public schools and in the Western Reserve College at Hudson, Ohio. 
His father was a tanner by trade, and proposed to make the son adopt the same business; but, 
(m becoming informed that it was very distasteful to him, he gave his consent that his sou 
might seek some more congenial business. So. at the age of 15, he struck out for himself. 
He went to Ohio City, now a part of Cleveland, where, on noticing an advertisement for a boy 
to learn the printing business, he applied at the office of the Ohio City Transcript, where he 
was engaged, and served two and one-half years. At the expiration of that time, he entered the 
■office of the 0]iio Obwrrin; at Hudson, Ohio, where he was employed two years. He then at- 
tended the Western Reserve College at this place. Before completing the course, he had an 
opportunity to become proprietor of the Ashtabula Sentinel, which he published thirteen years. 
In 1853, he came to Milwaukee, Wis., and engaged as salesman with the wholesale house of Ball 
& Goodrich; was in the employ of that firm twenty-eight years, twelve of which he was travel- 
ing for said firm. On Nov. 24, 1879, he engaged in his present business with Mr. Dewey. 

LUTHER CADMAN, carpenter and builder, was born in Saratoga Co., N. Y., Jan. 18, 
1810; is the son of George and Desire (Beboe) Cadman; when 14 years of age, moved to May- 
field. Montgomery Co.; came to Whitewater in the fall of 1843; was actively engaged at his 
trade of carpenter and builder; built a lai-ge proportion of the early structures, including the 
.■second church in the village; built the American House and kept it t\veuty-two and a half 
years, beginning in 1853; was carpentering nine years, farming two years; went to Nebraska in 
May, 1878, and retm-ned to Whitewater in March, 1881. He was married, April 3, 1836, in 
Fulton Co., N. Y., to Miss Maria Miller, daughter of Fred Miller. Mrs. Cadman was born in 
Montgomery County. They had fom- children, of whom two sons only are living — George and 
Charles. George married Colia McKinley, and lives in Nebraska; Charles married Louisa Car- 
penter, and lives in Whitewater. He was a member of the 4th A\'. V. C. , and served two and a 
half years, till the close of the war. Mrs. Cadman died Feb. 28, 1880. When Mi-. Cadman 
came to Whitewater, the whole town constituted one road district. There are but two or three 
men now living in the village who were there when he settled in the place. 



HISTORY OF WAI.WOUTII COrNTY. 619 

JOHN U. CLAlUv, deceased, was boru in Pawlett, Kutlaiul Co., Vt., March 3. 1803; was 
the son of Ozias Clark, who was an early settlor of that conuty. He was l)rout):ht up a farm-r: 
was married, in Granville, Washinifton Co.. N. Y., in 18;)7, to Miss Julia A. Bcckwith, (lau>;h- 
ter of Harry Beckwith. In 1845, Mr. Clark, in hopes of bettering his fortunes, came to Wis- 
consin and selected a site for a farm in the town of Whitewater. Walworth Co.; returninj^ to 
Vermont for his family, he moved to the new liome in the A\'est in the spriuj^ of 1840. He had 
secured a tractof laudcomjn-isiutif 8(H) acres, situated on Sec. 7 and adjacent section. This tract 
embraces some of the finest land in this fertile region. The following year, Mi-. Clai-k bought 
a flock of 270 thoroughbred Merino, or fine-wool sheep, which came from Connecticut, and 
thus laid the foundation for that branch of farming which has since developed to such an 
extent that the town of Whitewater and vicinity is at this writing the center of attraction for the 
sheep-breeders of "\\'isconsiu. INIr. and ]\Irs. Clark had three children — two sons and a daugh- 
ter. The oldest son is Hemy B. Th(> daughter, Frances, is the wife of Judge C. R. Gibbs, of 
A\'hitewater; the youngest son, Charles M., is a farmer, and owns the old homestead in White- 
water. Jlr. Clark continued to farm successfully on th(* wisely chosen location till the time of 
his death, which occiuTed May JIS, 18fi4. No words of eulogy are necessary to refresh the mem- 
ory of friends and neighbors as to the many sterling qualities of the deceased, but as this work 
is intended for a record, as well for the coming generations as the present, it will be jjrojier 
tt> state that he was an enterj>rising, thrifty, ujiright citizen, who was always right on (questions 
of public interest, liberal in encoiu-aging the supjiort of schools and churches: a zealous mem- 
ber of the Congregational Church, his liberal donations and generous example aided in secm-ing 
the success of that society: a modest and unassuming man, he won and deserved the friendshiji 
and esteem of all who knew him. In politics, he was first a ^Vhig, and, on the organization of 
the Republican party, became one of the most earnest suppoi'ters of its ]iolicy. 

CHARLES j\I. CLARK, farmer and l)reeder of registered S])anish Merino sheep and Short- 
Horn cattle, Sec. 7; P. O. Whitewater. He is a native of Pawlett. Rutland Co., Vt. ; is the son 
of J. M. and Julia B. Clark: was born Nov. 25, 18;58. He was brought up a farmer, and, in 
1846, came to Wisconsin with his j^arents and located on Sec. 7, town of ^\'hitewater, Walworth 
Co., where his father purchased a tract of 800 acres of land. The subject of this sketch was 
married, in Plainlield, Mass., Nov. 4, 1859. to Miss Ellen Bassett, daughter of Thomas Bas- 
sett, of Plainlield. One son was born to them — Henrv L. Mrs. Clark died at her home in 
Whitewater. Dec. 30, 1804. Mr. Clark was manned again. Feb. 22. 1S0(\ in Orwell. Vt.. to 
Miss Ellen, daughter of Daniel Holbrook. Mrs. Clark was born in Orwell. Addison Co., Vt. 
Two daughters were born to them — Jennie and Julia. Mr. Clark's father was interested in 
breeding fine-wool shee]) in Vermont, and. on coming to Wisconsin, pun^hased a fine flock of 
piu'e-blooded Merinos from Vermont, his being the third hand from the importers. These sheep 
have been bred by both father and son with the greatest of care, and improved, until, at this 
writing. Mi-. Clark has a flock of 25t) head of fine-bred sheep, that will compare favorably with 
any registered sheep in the country. He has been breeding thoroughlireds since 1875. and is 
recognized as one of the most successful stock-growers in the State. His herd of high-toiiped 
Bat(^s Short-Horned cattle are remarkable for their jiurity and perfection. They are mostly from 
the best Kentucky' herds; are considered to be among the finest in Wisconsin. His herd ranges 
from seventy-five to one hundi-ed. He has a fine farm of 400 acres, lying just outside of the 
village of Whitewater, complete in its appointments, and justly noted as a place of attraction 
to all lovers of fine stock. The general hospitality of its proprietors maki's the stranger always 
welcome, in the genuine, old-fashioned frontier style. 

DR. J. A. CLARK, deceased, was one of the first physicians who settled in \\hitewater. 
-Vlthough not identified with any church, hn was an honest man — " the noblest work of God." 
He was born in Stowe, Vt., Sept. 28. 1814. When 17 years of ag(>. his fathcsr removed to 
Towushend. Ohio. After studying medicine for three years with Dr. Ijathrop. of Bellevu(\ 
Ohio, Dr. Clark came to Whitewater in 183',l. and commenced the ])ractice of his profession. 
He afterward took a course in Rush Medical College. Chicago, from which institution he grad- 
uated with honors. The lamented deceas(>d left a widow and four children. 

SIMEON COBB, deceased, was born in Kutland Co.. Vt., in the year 1800; was the son of 
Joshua Cobb. He was brought up a fanner. He moved to Oneid;i Co.. N. Y., where he was 



620 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

married, Dec. I'i, IS.")7, to Miss Betsy Hungerford, daughter of Jacob Hungerford. Mrs. Cobb 
was Ikh-u in Veniou. Oueida Co., N. Y. Five children were boi-n to them— Henry E., Henry H., 
Caroline E., Ellon M. and Elizabeth E. The eldest, Henry E., died when 2 years of "age; 
Henry H. is a farmer of Whitewater; Caroline died when 10 years of age; Elizabeth E. is the 
wife of Frank AV. Tratt, of Whitewater. Mr. Cobb emigrated to Wisconsin iu 1855, and en- 
gaged in fanning in the town of Whitewater, where he resided until his death, which occurred 
Oct. 12, lS(3(j. Though never ambitious of public distinction, he was widely and favorably 
known as an upright, honorable man. a good neighbor and worthy citizen. Mrs. Cobb sxu'vives 
her husband, and resides with her son, Henry H., on the old homestead, adjacent to the villao-e 
of AVhitewater. Henry H. was born iu Oneida, Madison Co., N. Y., Nov. 28. 1831. He came 
to "Whitewater in 1853. and located on his present farm of 150 acres. 

UEORGE W. COBURN, drayman and dealer in coal and wood, commenced business in 
1877 with one team; now runs three teams; employs four men; handles 1,700 tons of coal and 
400 cords of wood annually. Mr. Coburn was born in Ohio Dec. 11. 1N42; is the son of F. H. 
and Lodema Coburn; came to the town of Whitewater. Walworth Co.. Wis., with his pai-ents, in 
1848. where his father bought a farm of 892 acres; Creorge was brought Tip on a farm; was married. 
Feb. 25, 1868, to Miss Ada. daughter of Joseph Hawes. Mrs. Coburn was born in New York. 
Mr. Colmrn was engaged in farming until 1877. when he moved to Whitewater and engaged in 
his present business. 

ROSWELL COBURN, proprietor of elevator or warehouse, dealer iu general produce. 
His business was established in 187'.), under the firm name of Slocum & Coburn. In Septem- 
ber. 1880. Mr. Coburn bought out Mr. Slooum, and has since conducted the business alone; 
deals in wheat, oats, barley, rye, clover seed and feed. He was born iu Cornish Flats, N. H.. 
in 1S20; when 5 years of age, went to Rochester. N. Y. . where he grew to manhood. On 
achieving his majority, he went to Kalamazoo. Mich., where he resided until 1851, when he 
moved to Walworth Co., Wis., and settled in East Troy; was engaged in farming until 1805. 
when he sold out and moved to Delavau, and engaged in the hardware business. In 1873, he 
moved to Whitewater and engaged in the same line of business until 1879. when he entered upon 
his present business. He was married, near Rochester. N. Y. . Oct. 22, 1848. to Miss Eliza- 
beth, daughter of Peter V. Shulters. Mrs. Coburn was born in Herkimer Co. , N. Y. 

EDWIN D. COE, editor and proprietor of the Whitewater Register, was born in Jefferson 
Co.. Wis., town of Ixonia. June 11. 1840. He is the son of Orris K. and Paulina S. Coe. He 
was educated in the common schools and Wayland University, and in the State University at 
Madison. Shortly before he was to have graduated, he enlisted in Co. A, 2d W. V. I.. April 
la, 1801, for three months. The regiment did not leave the State imder the three-months' call, 
and he re-enlisted, August, 1865, in Co. A, 1st W. V. C. in which he served two years, during 
which time he participated in the battles of Cape Girardeau, Chalk Bluft'. Bloomffeld, Horners 
ville. and various skirmishes. On his return from the army, he began the study of law at 
Watertown with Gill & Barber, with whom he continued six months. He next spent one year 
in the office of Bennett, Cassoday & Gil)l)s, of Janesville, and was admitted to the bar May, 1S()5. 
SooQ after, he engaged in the lumber l)usiness with his father, in Watertown, which connection 
lasted two years. He then, in the summer of 1868, Ijought into the Watertown Repnhlii-an 
office, with Mr. J. H. Keyes; severed his connection with that pa})or about a year and a half 
later, and went to Beloit, where he published the Beloit Joiinml and Free Press till October, 187 1, 
when he came to AA'hitewater and purchased the Whitewater Register office. Under his man- 
agement, the circulation of the paper and business of the office have been increased until Mr. 
Coe may be said to have the largnst and best-a])pointed office in the county, Mr. Coe has 
served two years in the Wisconsin Legislature. 1878 and 1879, being elected as a Reimblioan, 
of which [larty he is a, z(>.alous member. He was married, at Janesville. Sept. 26, 1865. to Miss 
Emma E. Spaulding, daughter of Joseph S|)aulding, Mrs. Coe was born in Janesville. They 
have five children — four sons and one daughter — Florence E., Elswortb S. . Dwight D., Joseph 
S. , Robert K. Ml-. Coe is the present Chief Clerk of the Wisconsin Assembly. 

J. W. CONVERSE, farmer. Sec. 19; P. O. Whitewater; was born in Oueida Co.. N, Y.. 
Oct. 6. 1812; is the sou of Thomas and Lydia Converse; was brought up a farmer, and, when 
21 years of age, went to Jefferson County, where he was married, Oct. 5, 1837, to Miss Susan 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. t521 

Doiiue, dauglitor of Azariah Doaiio. Mrs. Ooiivorse was l)i)rn in I'jllishurir, Jefferson Co. One 
son was born to them — Azariah D. In IS.")!'), Mr. Converses and family moved to Whitewater, 
Wis., where they have since resided. The son, Azariah D. , was lioru in Ellisl)m'g, Jefferson 
Co., N. Y., Nov. 10, 1888; came to Wisconsin with his father in 1856; was married, in tlie 
town of Whitewater. Feb. 18, 1872, to Miss Marian Crossett. Mrs. Converse was born in She 
l)oygan, Wis. They have one child, a daughter, Stella May, aged (5 years. Mr. Converse and 
his father have a farm of 200 acres, situated on Sec. lit, Whitewater, which they have occupied 
since 1871. In 1873, they began the breeding of Ayrshire cattle: have now a stock of forty 
head, one-quarter of which are full-bloods, imported from Jefferson Co., N. Y. Having also 
a large stock of other cattle, they do an e.xtensive dairy l)usiness. 

ORK.AMEL COOK, farmer, and breeder of registered thoroughbred Sjiauish IMerino sheep 
and Durham Cattl(>; P. O. Whitewater: farm comprises 200 acres, and situated partly in Sees. 
9. 10 and 15. Mr. Cook began breeding Merino shee]) in 18(54, getting stock bred by Tyler 
Stickney, of Shoreham, Vt. : also of L. C. Remele and Gei-main Cutting of the same place: also 
of R. (ileason, O. C. Bacon, Chester Roach, Dennison Blackmer, of Vermont. Mi'. Cook has a 
flock of 200 choice sheep. His first start in Durham cattle was bred bv E. G. Douglass, Elgin, 
III: A. Kir.shaw. Du Page Co., 111. : Samuel Tenuy, Durham Hill Post Office, Waukesha Co., 
Wis.: John Zuill. Johnstown, Rock Co., Wis.: George W. Havenden. Galva, Henry Co., Ill; 
and Richard AVray, Richmond, McHenry Co., 111. He has now a fine herd of Short-Horns. 
Mr. Cook was born in Charlton, Saratoga Co.. N. Y.. April 6, 1821. He is the son of Zebulon 
and Margaret Cook. He was brought up on a farm until 18 years of age, when he served a 
regular apprenticeship of three years at the carpenter's trade. He was married, in Ballstou. 
Saratoga Co., N. Y., Jan. 22, 1845, to Miss Clarissa Curtis, daugliterof Luzon and Susan Cur- 
tis. They had two children boni in the East — Emma C. and Willard O. Emma is now Mrs. 
Edward I. Morey. of Whitewater. In the fall of 1854, Mr. Cook and family' moved to Walworth 
Co., Wis., and settled on their present farm. Two children were born to them in Whitewater, 
a daughter and son — Mararett S. and Frank H. Mr. Cook and wife are members of the Con- 
gregational Church, Whitewater. 

PITT CRAY ATH. attorney at law, editor and proprietor of Whitewater Chrntiirh', was born 
in Lima, Rock Co., AVis., Aug. 1, 1844; is the son of Prosper and Maria P. (Noble) Cravath: 
came to Whitewater with his ])arents in 1845. Ho was educated in the public schools and the 
State University: graduated in 18(i8. and, the following year, attended the Albany Law School 
of Albany. N. Y. : graduated, and was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of New York 
in 1865. He retiu'ned to Wisconsin and began the practice of law at AVhitewater, in comjiany 
with N. S. Murphy, of the Milwaukee Sentinel; continued that connection three yeai-s, and then 
went to New Orleans, 1868, where he was elected Assistant Secretary of State of Louisiana, 
which office he hold two years: also served as Secretary of the Senate two years. He then re- 
turned to AVisconsin and spent a year or more in the office of Carpenter & Mm'phy. at Milwau- 
kee. From there he went to Algoua. Iowa, where he jiracticed law and purchased the office of 
the Upper /Ms Moines: remained there five years, and returned to Whitewater. Wis., 187U. 
He started the Whitewater ('lironicle. a weekly newspaper, steam power press, which he still 
pnblish(>s. In the fall of 187',). he formed a law psu'tnership with Mr. Samuel Bishop, as Bishop 
& Cravath. Mi-. Cravath was maiTied, in Waukesha. Wis., Oct. 2(1. 18()7. to Miss Manna 
Dowd, daughter of Capt. John Dowd. Mrs. Cravath was born in New Yoi-k. 

PROSPER CRAVATH, attorney at law. Whitewater. Wis. He was born in Cortland. 
Cortland Co.. N. Y.. May 28. I860: is the son of Prosper and Mariam Cravath. When 20 
years of age. he began th(> study of law in the office of Mr. Hawks, a prominent lawyer of Cort- 
land. After f)ursuin:; the stuily two or thnn? years, he tm'ned his attention to other pm'suits. 
He was married. Mar;'h 28, 18:J4, to Miss Mia'ia Noble, daughter of Solomon Noble. Mrs. 
Cravatii was born in Massachusetts. Two chihh-en were born to them. The daughter, Emmii, 
is the wif(> of Dr. ^^'illard Rice, of Whitewater. The son, Pitt, is an attorney at law and e<li 
tor and propri(<tor of the Whitewater Chroii.iele (see sketch), hi 18:iU. Mr. Cravath emigrated t<i 
Wisconsin and settled in Lima. Rock Co., near the town line of Whitewater. He resumed the 
study of law, and was admitted to practice in the Circuit Com't of Jefl'er.son, Wis., in the fall of 
1843. In 1845, he moved to the village of Whitewater, wli(>re he has since resided. He was 



622 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

elected a member of the first Wisoousin Legislature, held several local offices and for eight years 
was Postmaster. For upward of forty years, Mr. Cravath has been an honored resident of 
Whitewater. He found it a wilderness, without roads, churches or schools. He has lived to 
see it grow to a beautiful, prosperous town, of nearly four thousand people. He surveyed its 
streets and lots, and has always been a zealous worker in behalf of all worthy public enter- 
prises. He has done more than any other resident of the town in preserving a correct record 
of its history. Many vahiable articles of great historical importance have been written by his 
pen, and to him are the jmblishers of this work under obligations for miich of the interesting 
matter that goes to make up their history of Whitewater. Mr. Cravath is now nearly 73 years 
of age, but his interest in the town seems just as fresh and earnest as ever, and his voice is still 
heard with pleasure by his fellow-townsmen as he discusses the local issues of the day. A o-eu 
ial, kind-hearted and honorable man, a good citizen and true friend, when this generation shall 
have jiassed away, and the futiu-e historian shall treat of Whitewater and its pioneers, he will 
find no subject more worthy of his pen than Prosper Cravath. 

J. J. CRIGER, manufaetm-er of and dealer in imported and native marble and granite; 
business established in 1876. He was born in Niagara Co.. N. Y., Nov. 20, 1838; is the son of 
Wm. Criger; came to Wisconsin with his parents in 18-12; they located near Brodhead, Rock Co. ; 
three years later, moved to Whitewater. He enlisted, April 23, 1861, on the first call for 75,000- 
troops for tlie late war; was mustered in as a private of Co. A, 4th W. V. I. for three years; served 
the term of his enlistment; participated in most every engagement in which his company 
and regiment took part; re-enlisted at Baton Rouge, La. ; was taken prisoner at the storming 
of Port Hudson, in May. 1863, and held till the capture of that point by the Union forces; was 
promoted to Sergeant Major July 4, 1804, from 3d Corporal, and ser\'ed till mustered out, Oct. 
14, 1865. After the close of the war, on returning from tlie army, he engaged in the marble 
business with Sjwoner & Marsh, in the spring of 1866. From the last of October, 1872, to 
the last of October. 1875. he worked as a journeyman. He then ran a shop at Whitewater 
about two years. In the fall of 1875, he went to Monroe, Wis., and carried on the same busi- 
ness there about a year, and retui-ned to Whitewater and started in the marble business again 
at that place. He was married, in Whitewater, April 27, 1864, to Miss Sarah M., daughter of 
Levi Edmunds. They have two children — Frederick H. and H. Frank. 

JOHN W. DENISON, of the firm of Denison & Tanner, pa])er manufacturers, jiroprietors 
of the Whitewater Paper-Mills. Mr. Denison was born in Durham, Greene Co., N. Y., April 6, 
1819; when 10 years of age, moved with his parents. John and Martha Coe Denison, to Genesee 
County. On arriving at manhood, he engaged in mercantile, grain and produce business at 
Spencerport. Monroe Co., N. Y., in com])any with C. Church & Co. In 1847, without severing 
his connection with the firm, he went to Wisconsin and established a branch house at East Troy, 
Walworth Co., under the name of E. H. Ball & Co., Mr. Ball being a member of the old firm 
of Eastern partners. In 1854, Mr. Denison, purchasing the other intere.st in the business at 
Spencerport, conducted it until 1856, when he closed it up and retm-ned to Wisconsin, and re- 
sumed business at East Troy with Mr. Ball. In I860, they sold out to Clark. Church & Hough- 
ton. Ml'. Ball went to Milwaukee, where he has since been known as a member of the firm of 
Ball & GootU-ich, wholesale jobbers. Mr. Denison remained at Troy, settling up the old busi- 
ness of the company, and dealing in wool and other produce. In 1866, he came to Whitewater, 
and, in company, with ]Mi-. Tanner, bought the pajier-mills. In 18()8. the mills were bm'ued. 
They rebuilt them the following year, so that they resumed mauufaetm-ing that fall. Mr. Den- 
ison was married, at Spencerjiort, N. Y., March 9, 1854, to Mary A. Perkins, daughter of Jul- 
ius A. Perkins. Mi's. Denison was born in Cortland Co., N. Y. Their family consists of three 
daughters and one son — Mary, Nellie, John J. and Hattie — all born in East Troy. Mary is the 
widow of F, W. "Winchester, of Whitewater, Mi-. Denison is a member of the County Board of 
Supervisors, representing the village of Whitewater. 

H, B. DEWEY, of the firm of Bui'tou & Dewey, hardware merchants, was born in Albany, 
N. Y., May 4, 1844; is the scm of D. L. and Eveline Knapp Dewey, In 1850, he came to Ber- 
lin, Wis., with his parents, where he was educated in the city schools. He began learning the 
tinner's trade in 1S6S, and served an api^renticeship of three years. He then went to Luding- 
ton, Mich., worked as a jom'neyman three years, and then formed a partnership with J. D. Hus- 



HISTORY OF WALWOKTII COUNTY. 623 

ton in the hardware^ husinnss. which oonnoction was continued two years. He thou returned to 
Wisconsin and enjjao-od in the sam(> line at S|)riiio; (li-een, Sauk Co. Three years later, he sold 
out and cam(> to A\'hite\vater. and, in company with Mr. James Burton, entered upon his present 
Inisiness, Nov. 24, 1871). Ht> was married, at Ludingtou, Mich., in the spring of 1877, to Miss 
Lena K. Egglestou, daughter of H. L. Eggleston. Mrs. Dewey was l)orn in Paw Paw, Mich. 
They have two children -Addi(> aud Belle. 

WILLIAM D. DE WOLF, hardware merchant and wire-cloth manufacturer, was Ixjrn iu 
Bridgewater. Oneida Co., N. Y., July 21, 1821; is the son of Jabez and Thankful (Fairchild) De 
Wolf, who w-ere the parents of thirteen children, seven of whom are living at this date, the 
youngest being over 58 years of age. He was l)rought up a farmer, and, when nearly 21 years 
of age. he emigrated to \Visconsin, arriving at Milwaukee, his cash capital amounted to 75 cents, 
whicli was absorbed in })aying for his conveyance to hotel and a night's lodging on the floor of 
a crowded hotel. The next morning, on falling in with a neighbor of his brother, who resided 
in Heart I'rairie, La Grange, A\'alworth Co., he started for that town. By the kindness of his 
brother's friend, he obtained a dinner on the road, and arrived at his brother's on the 1 5tli of 
May, 1842. He soon after bargained with his brother for 250 acres of land for $1,000, to be 
paid at some future time. Thus, when scarcely of age, he was the owner of a large farm, sit- 
uated on the south side of Heart Prairie, and $1,000 in debt. By working out, he earned the 
means to improve his farm, and was shortly enabled to pay off his indebtedness. Ho was mar- 
ried, in November, 1845, in the town of Richmond, to Miss Eunice L. , daughter of Esquire F. 
Hawes, an early pioneer of that town. Mrs. De ^\oU was born in Tyrone, Steulien Co. , N. Y. Mi-. 
De ^^'olf■s desperate efforts to secm'e a clergyman or some one com[)etent to perform the marriage 
ceremony were interesting and arduoiis. His fu'st venture was a letter to the Rev. Mr. William 
C. Regei-, an Episcopal clergyman of Janesville. On the failure of that gentleman to put in an 
appearance on the day before the one set for the wedding, or to give notice of his coming, Mr. De 
Wolf became nervous, and, being determined to have no postponement of the nuptials, he sallied 
forth in search of a substitute for the tardy dominio. He first visited Delavan, only to be dis- 
appointed, then tried Elkhorn with little success; from there he went to Troy Center; the only 
encom-agement he received was a promise fi'oiu a Justice of the Peace that he would try and get 
a Methodist minister he knew of to come to his relief. On the way to the home of his bride the 
next day, he intercepted the Episcopal clergyman on his way to the wedding. On arriving at 
their destination, they wore surprised to find the Justice and the Methodist minister on the 
ground ready for duty. This complication onl_y added zest to the occasion, and the knot was 
duly tied by the Rev. Mr. Roger. Mr. and MJrs. De Wolf prospered in worldly aff'airs, and, in 
the coui'se of time, wore blessed with a family of six children, three sons and tlu'ee daughters — 
Delos, Sarah W. D., Manuering, William, Gertrude and Lizzie W. The oldest son, Delos, died 
at Denver, Colo., in 1870, aged 31 years; his widow is a resident of Rock Prairie, Wis.; Sarah 
is the wife of Henry McGraw, Postmaster of Whitewater; Mannering man'ied F. A. Salisbury, 
and is in business with his father at Whitcnvater; William married Mary E. Cook, and is also 
in business with his father In 1852, William De Wolf moved to Whitewater and entered into 
partnership with Mr. L. A.. Winchester iu thi; manufacture of plows aud in hardware merchan- 
dising. He continued this connection imtil isn5. wlien, on dissolving partnership, he took the 
hardware trade. Subsecjiieutly, ho engaged in the manufacture of wire cloth, iu the fall of 1877. 
See sketch elsewhere of the latter business. Since 1875 and 1877, his sons have boon in part- 
nershi]) with him. Mr. De Wolf has never l)een an asjiirant for public office, but has served his 
town, AN'hitewater, three terms as Chairman. 

GEORGE D. DOUBLE DAY, farmer, and grower of blooded horses, sheep and cattle. Sec. 
17: P. O. Whitewater; has 400 aci-es; was born in Scott, Cortland Co, N. Y.. Sept. 12, 1836; 
is the son of Charles D. and Mary J. Doulileday: came to Wisconsin with his ])arents in 1848, 
and settled in the town of Whitewater, Walworth Co. He was married, Jan. 14, 18()7, in Chi- 
cago, to Miss Carrit! Rockfellow, daughter of Rufus R. Rocdvfcillow. Mrs. Doubleday was born 
in New York City. They have four childriMi -Emma L., Geoi-ge D., Everotte aud Lewis. AVith 
the exception of eight years s])ent in the mining region of Colora,do and in N(nv York City, Mi'. 
Doubleday has been a resident of Whitinvater since coming hi^re, in 1848. He has long boon a 
successful grower of blooded horsos, and his stables tui'n out some of the Ix^st steppers in the 
West 



624 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

GEORGE ESTERLY, manufacturer of farm machinery, was born in Ulster Go , N. Y., Oct. 
17, 1809; is the son of Peter and Rachel Esterly. He was* brought up on a farm, and, in 1837, 
came to Wisconsin and settled iu the town of La Grange, Walworth Co., where he purchased 
1, 120 acres of land and engaged in farming. As early as 1843, he had 300 acres under wheat. 
The difficulty and expense of harvesting by hand, what was in that day a great number of acres 
for one farmer to have, led him to imjuire into the natm-e of the machinery that had been in- 
vented for harvesting purposes. Not being satisfied with what he found in use, he became an 
inventor, suffering the usual fluctuations of hope and fear, success and disappointment, till 
finally he got oq solid ground. His immense works in operation at Whitewater, covering acres 
of ground and giving employment to huudi-eds of men, afford the host proof of his success. See 
sketch of his reaper works in history of Whitewater. Mr. Esterly is the author of sundry pam- 
phlets on the currency, in which enlarged views of national importance are presented in a clear 
and forcible manner. 

SIMON B. EDWARDS was bora in Windsor, Broome Co., N. Y., Nov. 10, 1815; is the 
son of Joseph and Abigal Buell Edwards. When 7 years of age, he moved with his parents to 
Chenango Co., N. Y., where he was brought up on a farm till 16 years of age, then learned the 
blacksmith's trade; served four years. He was married, at Sherburne, March 8, 1838, to Miss 
Betsey Ann Wheeler, daughter of I. U. Wheeler, since a well-kuown pioneer of Walworth Co., 
Wis., late of Whitewater. Mrs. Edwards was bora in Dutchess Co., N. Y.. April 18, 1818. In 
the spring of 1839, Mr. Edwai-ds came to Walworth Co., Wis., on a tour of inspection. He 
selected a location at a ])oint now called East Troy. As it became known that he was a practi- 
cal blacksmith, the settlers rolled up some log-s for a shop, and, procuring some tools near by, 
he began operations in th-it line. He returned East in the fall, and in October he moved his 
family to their new homo. He Inxilt a frame shop, with dwelling in the second story. This 
was the first frame structure iu East Troy. He alse located the southeast quarter of Sec. 11, 
Town 4 north, Range 18 east, 160 acres. He subsequently increased his acreage till at one time 
he had 800 acres. He worked at his trade about four years after coming to East Troy, and 
then devoted his attention to farming. In 1852, he sold out. and bought a large farm in Troy. 
However, he remained only one year in that town, and then returned to East Troy, where he was 
engaged iu milling and dealing in real estate. Mr. Edwards was Deputy Sheriff under Sheriff 
Mallory; was also the first Treasurer of the two Troys, and Supervisor of East Troy several years. 
In 1878, he moved to Whitewater, whore he ijurohased a fine residence, just completed by Mr. 
Coburn, situated on Main street, adjacent to the normal school. Since coming to Whitewater, 
he has been called on to part with his wife, who had been an invalid for some time previous to 
moving to Whitewater. Her death occurred Nov. 21, 1880. She was an honored member of the 
Baptist Chm-ch from early life, having been admitted to membei-ship in Norwich. N. Y. She 
was known as an exemplary wife and mother, beloved and respected by a large circle of friends. 
Mr. and Mrs. Edwards' family consisted of six daughters and two sons — Helen M. is the widow 
of Lieut. George H. Wright, "of the 7th Infantry. U. S. A. : Hattie A. is the wife of Hon. Lem- 
uel Duelle, State Senator, of North wood, Iowa: Sarah K. is now Mrs. Robbins Parker, of Da- 
kola; Melville died when 7 years of age: Herbert is in the employ of a large wholesale hardware 
house at St. Paul. Minn.: Mary L. is a teacher in the Whitewater school: Etta L. is also a 
teacher, of Northwood, Iowa; Anna W. is a teacher in Necedah, Wis. Mr. Edwards was in- 
fluential, in company with Mr. Seymour Brooks, of East Troy, in organizing the Walworth 
County Agricultural Association, and these two are probably the only feurviviug members of the 
few who first moved in the matter. Mr. Edwards has been faithful in his eftbrts for the success 
of the association, and, with the exce[)tion of the year when he lost his wife, he has never 
mi.ssed a mi^eting of the association. 

EDWARD ENGEBRETSEN. grocer, was born in Whitewater, Wis., April 8. 1854: is the 
son of Andrew and Ester Engebretsen. His parents are natives of Norway, and emigrated to 
Whitewater, Wis., in 184'J, where they still reside. His father is a millwright, and helped 
build the Stone Mill of Whitewater. He was etlucated in the public school at Whitewater. He 
began his mercantile ediication as a clerk with John A. A^'hite, with whom he was employed two 
years. He next engaged with John D. Alcott, grocer, as a clerk, and, on that gentleman selling 
out and going to Stillwater, Minn. , he accompanied him, and was retained as clerk in Mi-. 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COl'NTV 



625 



Luwoll's titoro at that place two ycvirs. Ho returned to Whitewater, and. in Oc^tober. l.S((3. he 
entered uiwn his |)rt>s(>nt business. i\Ii'. Euojebretseu has a hir<,'e and well-stocked store in bis 
line of <Ti-o('eries, provisions antl crockery. He is also agent for the Domestic sewing machine. 
He was married. Oct. 10. 1878. in Cold" Spring. Jefl'erson Co.. AVis., to Miss Florence Steele, 
daughter of Hugh Steele. Mrs. I'lngebretseu was born in Cold Spring. Thoy have one child, 
a daughter. Pearl V. 

DAVID L. FAIRCHILD. of the tirm of D. L. Fairchild & Co., undertakers and dealers 
in furniture. The business was established in 1879, under the tii'm name, of Case, Fairchild 
cV Houston. Mr. Fairchild bought out the other parties July 18, 1881, and formed the present 
partnership with Mr. L. C. Smith, of D. L. Fairchild & Co. The subject of this sketch is a 
native of Hunter, Greene Co., N. Y. ; is the son of Edward and Sally (Winter) Fairchild. When 
7 years of age, he moveil with his j)areuts to Cattaraugus County, where he resided until 1S50. 
He then went to Nashville, Tenn. , and remained till September, 18r)4; then came to the town 
of Walworth, Wis., and engaged in farming till 1867, when he moved to Elkhorn; was elected 
Treasvu-erof Walworth County; was re-elected, and served eight years in succession. He then 
moved to the village of "Whitewater, where he has continued to reside to this date. He was 
married, in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., June. 1854, to Miss Cornelia M. Luce, daiighter of Robert 
and Philomela Luce. Mrs. Fairchild was born in Cattaraugus Co.,N. Y. They had live chil- 
dren; the eldest, Matthew, died in infancy; Robert L. died when 3i years; the eldest living is 
H. Lam-a; ne.\t, 'Slary G. ; and the youngest, David L. In addition to other official duties, Mr. 
Fairchild served as Superintendent of Schools in the town of Walworth several terms. The 
tirm of D. L. Fairchild & Co. have a large assortment of fm-niture. including some of the latest 
and finest designs. They are also i)ri?vided with a fine hearse and undertakers' goods, and have 
also a branch store in Ft. Atkinscm, Tinder the management of A. H. Downing, who is the junior 
partner. They cany an eijually large stock in Ft. Atkinson, where they have another tine 
hearse and complete' outfit in the undertaking line. This firm handle the walnut and ash fur- 
niture manufactured by Berkey & (iay, (irand Rapids, Mich., and white ash goods manufact- 
m-ed by the Widdicoml) Furniture Company, of the same place, both justly celebrated for their 
fine workmanshij). 

CHARLES G. FAY, Dejiuty Sheriff, was born in the town of Fenuer, Madison Co., N. Y., 
Nov. 27, 18"26: is the son of Alviu and Roxa E. Fay. He was educated in the Theological 
Seminary at Cazenovia, Madison Co. He learned the trade of carjienter and builder, at which 
he worked till 184U, when he moved to Wisconsin and located in Koshkonong. Jeft'erson Co. 
The next year, 1850. he came to \\hitewater and engaged at his trade. He was elected Con- 
stable; re-elected, and seiwed ten years. In the fall of 1870, he was elected Sherifl' of Wal- 
worth County for tlie term of 1871-72. Since the expiration of his term of office, he has served 
as De])uty Sheriff continuously, excejiting two years. He has also sei-ved as Deputy State 
Tr<'asurer Agent for the past ten years, being the present incumbent. Ho was married, in 
Koshkonong. Wis.. Nov. 6. 1851. to Jane E. Beemer. daughter of Simon Beemor. Mi-s. Fay 
was born in Sussex Co. . N. J. Thoy have one child, a son. named Elton A. 

REV. JAMES FITZGIBBON. "pastor of St. Patrick's Catholic Cluu-ch, Whitewater, is a 
native of Clare Co.. Ireland, the son of James Fitzgibbon, and was boru Juno 22. IKiO. The 
subject of this sketch emigrated to America in 1849. and made his home in (!hicago. 111. He 
was educated for the priesthood at St. Mary's University of that city, and was ordained at St. 
Louis, by Archbishop Kem-i(;k, Juno 14, 1854. His first charge was St. Mary's Cathedral, of 
Chicago, and subseipiontly was assigned to the Church of the Immaculate Conception at 
Springfield. 111., where he labored eight years. On the breaking out of the late war, he was 
appointed CJhaplain of the Post Hosiiifal. with headquarters at Har])er's Ferry. Va.. receiving 
his commission from President Lincoln, which positioti he held till the close of the war, since 
which time he has been laboring in Wisconsin. In Octolxu'. ISSl. he was calhnl to his present 
charge at ^\ hitowater. 

CAPT. BENJAMIN M. FREES, of the Kirby-Carpenter (Company. Imuber dealer.s. Chi 
cago, fonnerly a resident of Whitewater, is tht! son of Benjamin M. and Maria F. Frees; was 
born in Orono. Penobscot Co., Me., in 184f); lost his father while an infant; came to Wisconsin 
with his stepfather. Mr. Nathan H. Allen, in 185(). and from there to Whitewater in August. 



626 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

1863. He enlisted. Aug. 27. 1864, as a private of Co. H, 38th W. V. I. ; was commissioned 
First Lieutenant of the same company Sept. (5. ten days after his enlistment. He distinguished 
himself at the l)attlo of Petersburg, Va. , as a brave and efficient ofKcer. and was promoted to 
Ca|)tain Jan. 1-4. 1865. his superior officer. Capt. Cory, having lieen relieved for physical disability. 
At the time of his promotion. Capt. Frees was but a little more than 18 years old. being proba- 
bly the youngest of his rank in the service from Wisconsin. He was with his command in all 
actions in which they participated till the close of the war. He was married to Miss Etta R. 
Adams, removed to Chicago, and entered iipon his present business. 

J. O. FULLER, fai-mer. See. 2; P. O. Whitewater; has 240 acres of land; was born in 
Onondaga Co.. N. Y. . March 14. 1836. He is the son of Shubel and Harriet Fuller; was 
brought up a farmer, and came to Wisconsin in 1857. and located in Walworth County, town 
of Whitewater. He was married, Dec. 16. 1857, in Whitewater, to Miss Elizabeth M., daugh- 
ter of Dr. Magoon. Mrs. Fuller was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y. Her people came to "W'al- 
worth County at an early day. One child was l)orn of this marriage, named Anna. Iili-s. Ful- 
ler died in 1875. Mr. Fuller was married. May 1, 1877, to Emma Woodhouse, daughter of 
Belinda and William AVoodhouse. Mrs. Fuller was born in Delaware Co. ,N. Y. 

OHLANDO GALLT, deceased, was born in the State of New York July 29, 1809; spent 
his boyhood days in Oneida County. In early life, he engaged in mercantile business at Weeds- 
port, Cayuga Co. , where he was for several years at the head of a prosjjerous lousiness on the 
community or co-ojieration plan. He was married at this place, in September, 1831, to Miss Anna 
Fink. In June, 1854, he moved to Whitewater, Wis., where he was engaged in mercantile busi- 
ness with his sons-in-law, Mi'. Cain and Cole, and for twenty-tive years his name has stood at 
the head of the firm, his other partners during these years being William H. Birge and Mr. 
Brownell Bulkley. Four years previous to his death, he retired from active business on ac- 
count of failing health. His death occmi'ed while at the residence of his son-in-law, Warren 
Cole, Jr. ,at Leon, Iowa, April 12, 1881. Mr. Gallt was an exemplary and public-spirited citi- 
zen; a liberal siipporter of religion, he was charitable to those in distress, social in nature, ar- 
dent and conscientious in his political views; devotedly attached to his home, family and friends. 
His success was due to his strict attention to his l)usiness, and to his unc^uestioned honesty and 
integrity. Mr. Oallt had two children, daughters; the elder, Helen M., is the widow of 
Edwin R. Caine, and resides at Whitewater; the younger, Elizabeth A., is the wife of Warren 
Cole, Jr., of Keokuk, Iowa. 

JUDGE CHARLES R. GIBBS, farmer, Sec. 7; P. O. Whitewater: has 240 acres of land. 
He was born in Granville, Washington Co., N. Y., Dec. 14, 1813. He is the son of Leonard 
and Betsy Roberts Gibbs, who were natives of New York, of English descent. His grandfathers 
were both soldiers of the Revolution. He received an academic education, read law with his 
brother, Leonard Gibbs, three years, and. in 1832, went to Georgia, where he resided until 
1839, holding the position of Postmaster during the years of 1835 and 183(5. He piu-sued the 
study of law with Hon. Turner H. Trippe; was admitted to the bar of the State of Georgia, 
and practiced his profession in that State until 1839. He then moved to Shelby Co. , Ala. , 
where he was Judge of the County Court from 1841 to 184('). He then moved to Rock Co. , 
Wis., making his home near Janesville, where he was engaged in farming. In 1848, he was an 
unsuccessful candidate for the State Senate, running on the Free-Soil ticket. He was beaten 
only by thirty-live votes on a poll of over thi-ee thousand, running considerably ahead of his 
ticket. In 1854, he was elected Register of Deeds of Rock County, and served the term of 
1855-56. He was Commissioner at Large of Schools, and Secretary of the Board of Education 
for the city of Janesville three years, during the war, and also lield other local offices. During 
the years from 1854 to 1858 inclusive, he served at Secretary of the Rock County Agricultural 
Association, which embraced the most prosperous years of its history. In 1858, he formed a law 
partnership with John R. Bennett and John B. Cassoday, of Jane.sville, under the firm name of 
Bennett, Cassoday & Giblis, which connection lasted seven years. He was appointed member of 
the Board of Managers .of the Industrial School for Boys by Gov. Harvey, and was connected 
with the board from April, 1862, to A|iril, 1880. In 1866. he moved to Whitewater and engaged 
in farming, and breeding tine-wool sheep. Short-Horned cattle, blooded hor.ses and Poland-China 
hogs, having as tine a stock of the difJ'erent kinds as can be found in the State. In 1872, he 



HISTOKY OF WALWORTH COU^n'Y. '!27 

was olooted to the Assoiubly from tlio Third District of Walworth Cc^unty, comjirisini^ the towns 
of Kast Troy. La (jraiii^e. Sugar Cruek, Troy and Whitewater, receiving Ll'58 votes as a Re- 
])ublican against r)4U cast for the Democratic nominee, Perry Gr. Harrington. He was appointed 
i)y Gov. Taylor as a delegate to the National Prison Congress held at St. Louis in 1874. being 
also a delesrate from the Industrial School. Taking: an active interest in aOTicultural matters, 
he has served as President of the Walworth County Agricultural Association for the year 18S(), 
uj) to that date the most successful year of the association. He was married, in Georgia, June 
1. IS38. to Miss Martha H.. daughter of Wilie Pope. They had seven childi-eu, of whom only 
four are living -Pope. Prank L.. Helen and John. Mrs. Gibbs died March 12, I860, at Janes- 
ville. Judge Gibbs was married, Nov. 20, 18(')0, to Mrs. Frances Birge. widow of Leander 
Birtre, and daughter of John M. and Julia B. Chu'k. Thev have one child, a daughter named 
Frances. 

LYMAN GOODHUE, deceased, was born in Westminster, Vt., May 20, 1800. He 
was married at the age of 21, in his native State, to Miss Goodell, and at once moved to 
Slimmer Hill. Cayuga Co. , N. Y. , where he opened up a farm in tJie wilderness. They had 
four children born to them. The eldest, George, died aged 27 years; Eliza, when 16 years 
of age: Fannie A. is the wife of I. N. Norton, of Whitewater; Lyman M. married to Cynthia 
A. Burlingame. and is now junior partner of the firm of Thiele & Goodhue, fui'uiture-dealers, 
Whitewater. In 1850. Mr. Goodhue emigrated to Wisconsin and located on a farm in Lima. 
Rock Co.: seven years later, he moved to Whitewater, where he resided till his death, which 
occurred March 23, 1882. He was a prominent member of the Congregational Church Society. 
contributed liberally toward the building of the churches, and was always a free giver in sup- 
jwrt of the society. Some time in 1864. his sight failed him, and for eighteen years he bore 
patiently the great affliction of blindness. 

L. G. GUILD, farmer. Sec. 2; P. O. Whitewater; has 61 acres; was born in Conway. 
Mass.. Jan. 22, 1806. When 25 years of age (1831), he was married, near Boston, Mass., to 
Miss Lucy Converse, and moved to Cattaraugus Co., N. Y. They had three children born t(_) 
them — Charlocte. Edward and Mary. The eldest. Charlotte, was the wife of William Stewart. 
and died in 1851: Edward was a soldier of th(^ late war; was a member of the 22d W. V. I.: 
served three years; was captured and held a prisoner fourteen days; ho is now a resident of 
Glidden, Iowa; Mary died aged 3 years. Mr. Guild and family subsequently moved to Buffalo. 
N. Y.. where they lived till 1837, when they moved to Muskego, Waukesha Co., Wis., where he 
purchased 240 acres and was engaged in farming twenty-six years. In 1839, he lost his wife, 
and was married again, in 1840, to Polly Shields. They had one daughter, Lucy A., who died 
when 14 years of age. Mr. Guild moved to Whitewater, Walworth Co., Nov. 1, 1863, and set- 
tled on Sec. 2. where he now resides. He lost his second wife Dec. 31, 1873, and was married 
again. -A.ug. 16. 1874, to Mrs. Caroline Storms, daughter of James Betts and widow of Daiiiel 
Storms. Mrs. Guild was born in Staten Island. N. Y. She had four children by her former 
marriage — Sylvia, James. Elizalieth and Emma; Sylvia is the wife of Beuajah Clark, of Rich- 
mond. Wis.; James mai-ried Laura Rogers and lives in Whitewater; Elizabeth died aged 4 
years; Emma is the wife of James Lea, of Waukesha. 

ABRAHAM HACKETT. retired farmer, was born in Hamilton, Canada, Sept. 30, 1811 ; is 
the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (iloore) Hackett. His parents were from New Jersey. He was 
maiTied. in 1834, to Maiw Randall, daughter of Joseph Randall. Seven children were born to 
them — Jacob, died aged 40 years; William W. married Kate Van Scork, and lives in Huntley. 
111.; Abraham J. man-ied Mary Ridge and lives in Whitewater; Josejih R. married Lydia Hol- 
den and also lives in AN'hitewater; Mary J., now !Mi-s. Samuel Reams, Hampshire, 111.; Elenor A. 
is the wife of John Vote, of Ft. Dodge. Iowa: Ryan G. lives in Oregcm. Mr. Haekett emi- 
grated to Whitewater. Wis., in 1839; arrived in that town Aug. 10; settled on Sec. 17; had a 
farm of 176 acres. Mrs. Hackett died in 1852. He was married again, in 1853, to Mrs. Lydia 
M. Waterbury. daughter of Samuel Bouns; had one child by this marriage — Lindsay S., 
married Maria Bradway and lives in California. Mr. Hackett moved to Cold Spring, Jefferson 
Co.. in 1860. and, one year later, to Hebron, same county; lived in the latter town two years, 
and retm'ned to Cold Spring; four years later, sold out and moved to Whitewater. His second 
.wife died in 1879. His son. Joseph R.. enlisted in the late war in 1861. under Capt. J. L. 
Pratt, in the 4th W. V. I.; was discharged while at Vicksburg for physical disability. 



628 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

JAMES HACKETT. fanner. P. O. Whitewater: settled on Sec. 21 of 120 aere.s of land; 
was born in Ujiper Canada Jnly 11 1836; is the son of John and Eliza Haekett; came to White- 
water. W^is. . with his parents in October. 1840. His father made his home on the farm now 
occupied by the son. James was married. Nov. 16, 1856, to Miss Sarah M. Bortle, daughter of 
John and Sarah M. Bortle. Mi-s. Haekett was born in the State of New York. They have 
eight children — Elizabeth. Dora. Lyman. William. Etta M., Elsie. Loyal and Pearl. 

GULLIK HALVERSON. of the fii-m of G. Halverson & Son, merchant tailors and cloth- 
iers. He was born in Valebo. Norway. Sept. U. 1822; is the son of Halver Halverson. He 
emigi-ated to America with his parents June 11. 1845. and located in Richmond, AValworth 
Co.. Wis., and for the succeeding thi-ee years worked by the day and month in the different 
pai'ts of the county. In 1848. he took a Government claim in Richmond, on which claim he 
worked till 1859, when he traded his farm for village ]iroperty. and for the next two years 
was an employe as painter in the reaper works of George Esterly. In 1861, he formed a part- 
nership with Mr. Chist Gunderson and engaged in the clothing business, with a very small cap- 
ital, which connection was held until 1862, when they dissolved. He then carried on the bus- 
iness alone until 1863, when he formed copartnership in the same business with Gilbert Ander- 
son, under the firm name of Anderson & Halverson, which connection was held until Fell. 1, 
1873. when they dissolved by mutual consent. From that time until February. 1881. he carried 
on the business alone, on a more extensive scale. Feb. 1. 1881, his son. Miner, was admitted 
as partner, under the firm of G. Halverson & Son. They carry a large stock and are doing a 
good business. Mr. Halverson was married, in Norway, May 8, 1845, to Miss Dorothy Mason, 
daughter of Mads Mason. They have five childi'en living, and have lost three. Mary Ann is 
now Mrs. E. Mason, of the town of Whitewater; Can-ie is the wife of S. Simonson, of 
Whitewater; Julia is naw Mrs. E. Rosman, of the same town; Miner is in business with his 
father; Halbert, the youngest, is a clerk in the store. Mr. Halverson has served several terms 
on the Village Board. 

DAVID HAMILTON, farmer. Sec. 20; P. O. Whitewater; is a native of Lansingville, 
Tompkins Co., N. Y. ; was born in 1802. He was a carpenter by occupation, and a teacher of 
the public schools for several years. He was married, in Lansing, N. Y.. in 1827. to Miss 
Belina Brown. Their family consisted of nine children — Frances E. is the wife of Jacob J. 
Starin, of Whitewater, Wis.; Roxana M. is the wife of R. M. Hamilton, of Willington, 111.; 
Nathaniel A. married Miss Emma Scott, and is practicing law at St, Joseph, Mich. ; Bethana 
J. is the wife of A. V. Mills, of Lake Mills, Wis.; William H. died at the age of 22 years; 
Mary L. was the wife of George W. Swan, of Oakland, Cal. . and died at that place January, 
1879; Ada A. is a teacher of the same place; Jesse B. married Mintie Trvon. and resides in 
Lansing, Mich. ; was a member of Co. A, 1st W. V. C Edgar C. man'ied Emma A^'ood. and 
lives at Mason City, Iowa; was a member of Co. E. 47th W. V. I.; Mr. Hamilton and family 
moved to Wisconsin in 1842 and located in the town of Whitewater, where he and his wife still 
live, in the enjoyment of good health and a fair share of this world's comforts. The eldest son 
and all five of the daughters have been school-teachers. 

SYLVESTER HANSON, mannfactiu-er of sorghum syrup, is a native of Greene Co., N. Y. ; 
is the son of Samuel and Sarah Hanson; was born Dec. 24. 1808. in the town of AVindham; 
was brought up a farmer; was married in his native county, June 9, 1831. to Rebecca D. Win- 
ter, daughter of Rogers and Ruth AMuter. They have one son, Horatio V. , who is married to 
Jane Warren and residing in Montana Territory. IMr. Hanson, in 1837. removed to Hamilton 
Co., N. Y. ; was elected Justice of the Peace, and held the office for fifteen years. He was also 
one of the Justices of Sessions of the Court of Common Pleas two years; served as Supervisor 
ten years in succession of the town of Morehouse; he also served two years as Associate Judge 
of the Coiu't of Conunon Pleas. He was engaged in farming, hotel -keeiiing and in mercantile 
business. In 1853. he went to California and remained until 1855, when he came to Wiscon- 
sin and located in Heart Prairie, Walworth Co., and engaged in farming. He was elected Jus- 
tice of the Peace and served in that capacity till 1866. when he moved to Whitewater. Soon 
after coming to Whitewater, he was elected to the same office, and served ;i niunber of years. 
In 1862, he represented his district in the Legislatm-e. He has served one term as Supervisor, 
and three years as President of the village of Whitewater. Since his residence in this town, 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. "-9 

he has been en<^aged in the inaiinfacture of sorijhum syruj). for which he has the most iiujiroved 
a{)paratus. The maximmu number of i^allons manufactured at his works in any one season is 
5.000 cjiillons. The averaire is 3.000. 

ELISHA G. HARRIS, farmer. Sec. 1; P. (). Whitewater; has 101 acres. The subject of 
this sketch was born in Windham Co.. Conn., April 21. 1831; is the son of Elisha and Hannah 
Harris; was brought up a farmer, and came to Wisconsin in 186(5; made his home in White- 
water till 1869. when he moved to Cold Spring, Jefierson Co.. where he was engaged in farm- 
ing till the spring of 1874. when ho sohl out and purchased his present farm, in the town of 
\\'liitewater. He was married, at Narragausett Bay. R. I., March U, 1850, to Miss Rebecca O. 
Millard, daughter of William B. and Eveline Millard. Six children were born to them-~James 
E,, George B. (deceased, died in childhood), Alice A., Ira C, Anna D., Ina B. and Ida H. The 
two latter are twins, aged 10 years, and so nearly alike that strangers cjinnot tell them a]iart. 
Mr. Harris and family are Episcopalians. In politics, he is a Republican. 

JOSEPH HAUBERT does a general harness business, the establishment of which dates 
back to September, 1859. He is a native of the village of Tholey, Rhine, Prussia, and a son of 
Joseph and Angelika (Hoii'man) Haubert. He was born Feb, 24, 1821 . Having aiTived at a suit- 
able age, he entered his father's harness-shop in his native town as an ai)prentice, served five 
yeai-s;" he then traveled in Germany and France, working as a journeyman harness-maker. 
During his travels, he s]ient two years in the city of Metz, afterward so noted as a fortress in 
the late Franco-Prussian war. In 1847, he emigrated to America, and came direct to Milwau- 
kee, where he engaged at his trade. Shortly after, he went to Elkhorn, Walworth Co., where 
he opened the first harness-shop in the town, working in the interest of Gen. AN' ailing. He 
continued in that shop till 1849, when he retm'ned to Milwaukee, where he rented a room for $3 
a month, and. bori-owing $1U0 to buy some lace with, he started in business for himself in 1851. 
He had soon cleared enough so that" he could supi)ly himself with stock, and also moved to bet- 
ter quarters. Elated with his good prospects, he must have some one to share his joys, so, on 
the 19th of August of that year, 1851, he was married, in Milwaukee, to Miss Mary Rust, daugh- 
ter of Herman Rust. Mrs. Haubert was born in the city of Bremen, Germany. Mr. Haubert 
continued business in Milwaukee with such success that in a few years he had accumulated a 
snug fortune. Being tempted by the speculative spirit of the times, he invested largely in real 
estate. He had the misfortune to lose his residence and business house by tir(>, both in the 
same year, by which he lost heavily. The commercial crisis of 1857 completed the wreck. He 
closed out in Milwaukee, and, with very limited means, came to Whitewater, September, 1N59, 
and started a small shop. By fair dealing and strict attention to business, he was soon on solid 
ground again financially, having extended his business and increased the number of hands em- 
ployed. Again he invested a surplus in real estate, this time buying a brick store on Center 
street. This property was subsecjuently bmned, in 1873, entailing a heavy loss above the in- 
surance. ;\Ir. Haubert has now a first chiss harness-shop, in which he employs four men. His 
stock is the largest of the kind in the county. His family of ten living children are named 
resix'ctively, Anna, ^lary, Julius, Henry, Libbie, Rosalia, George,_ Cecilia, Louisa and Sophia. 
Two have passed away. Mary is now Mrs. Francis Lungershausen, of Whitewater: .Julius 
married Ella Smith, and is a harness-maker of Ft. Atkinson; Henry married Bella McCutchin, 
and is with his brother in Ft. Atkinson. Libbie is Mrs. W. C. Spielman. of Cincinnati. Ohio. 
Mr. Haubert has served seven y(>arH on the Village Board, and three years as Treasm-er. 

LUCERNE E. HAWES, "son of Morris F. and Sarah (Launsbnry) Hawes, was born in Chau- 
tau<|ua Co., N. Y. , Aug. 14, 1829. He accompanied his parents to Michigan in 1833, and to 
Walworth County in 1837. In 1852, he engaged in the livery business at Whitewater, which 
he continu<Hl about fifteen years. He tlien moved to his present farm, on Sec. 18, where he has 
since resided. He was married, in Albion. N. Y.. Dec. 26. 1854, to Miss Clara Beemer. daugh- 
ter of Samuel Beemer. They have had six children Stella B., Hattio C. Mabel L., Fred E., 
Maurice -J. and Francis M. The eldest, Stella, died in childhood, aged 4,^ yi^ars. 

HENRY HEADY, attorney at law, holds the offices of Justice of the Peace, Court Commis- 
sioner, Town and Village Clerk. He was born in Norwicih, N. Y'., Aug. 8, 1838, and is the son 
of John and Electa Heady. In early boyhood, he learned the tanner and currier's trade in his 
father's tannery, and worked at that occupation until 25 years of age, when he enlisted, June, 



30 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

1864, in Co. F, 89th N. Y. V. I. ; participated in the battles of Cold Harbor, first battle of 
Petersbiu'g, and at the siege of Petersbiu'g and Richmond. He received a gun-shot wound at 
the captiu'e of Petersburg, by which he lost his right anu. He was detained at the hospital until 
October, 1865, when he received an honoraltle discharge nnd returned to his home in Norwich, 
N. Y. , and engaged in the tanning business, which he followed three years. He then took up 
the insiu'ance business and began the study of law. After pursuing his studies two years at 
Norwich, he went to Minnesota and engaged in teaching in the public schools of Minneapolis. 
In the spring of 1872, he came to Whitewater, Wis., resumed his law studies, and was admitted 
to the bar in the Circuit Coui't of Walworth County in February, 1873. Since his residence at 
W'hitewater, he has served five years as Justice of the Peace, and is now serving the sixth ; has 
served as Town Clerk three years, and Village Clerk fom' years, being the present incumbent in 
both offices. He was married, in Guilford, N. Y., in September, 1867, to Miss Lucy Deluvan, 
daughter of Nathan Del avan; Mrs, Heady was born in Guilford. They have had three chil- 
dren — Wealthy, John H. and Lucy S. The eldest. Wealthy, died in childhood. 

THOMAS HEMSLEY, deceased, was born in Putsey, England, in 1797; in his younger 
days, traveled several years in Europe; came to America in 1821; was married, in Chatham, 
State of New York, in 1824, to Anna Woodruff; moved to Middlefield, Mass; had a family of 
five children — Mary J. is the wife of Samuel Hull, of Johnstown, Wis. ; Esther is Mrs. Luther 
Smith, of Eichmond; George married Melissa York; died in 1871: Laui-a is the widow of Gil- 
bert Johnson, of Oregon, Dane Co., Wis. ; Emeline is the wife of James Smith, of Whitewater. 
Mr. Hemsley came to Whitewater, W^is., in the fall of 1843, and settled on Sec. 33, where he 
was engaged in farming. His death occurred in 1876. He was an intelligent, well-read man, 
who had seen much of the world; was respected and highly esteemed by all who knew him. 
His wife died in March. 1835. 

DR. E. G. HORTON, physician and siu-geon, is a native of Stockbridge, Madison Co., N. 
Y. He is the son of Norman and Esther Horton; was born -4ug. 20, 1830. In 1842, he came 
with his father to Wisconsin, and settled in Koshkonong, Jefi'erson Co., where he was brought 
up on a farm till 21 years of age, diu'ing which time he received an academic education at the 
Adams Academy of Ft. Atkinson. He then began the study of medicine with Dr. Luther, at 
Ft. Atkinson, which he continued for three years. He then took two regular coui'ses of lectures 
at the Rush Medical College of Chicago, during the winters of 1853-54-55; graduated March, 
1855. After receiving his diploma, he practiced his profession three years at Ft. Atkinson, and, 
in 1858, moved to Whitewater, where he has since resided. He enlisted in the late war, and, 
in November, 1861, was appointed Assistant Surgeon of the 13th W. V. I., and served until 
Nov. 21, 1864. His superior officer was Sm-geon John Evans, with whom he served three years, 
it being a noticeable fact that no change was made in the medical staff of the regiment dm-ing 
that time. On his return from the army, he resumed practice at Whitewater, which has been 
continued to this date. His experience in surgery and his skill as a physician entitle him to 
rank amonsr the leading; medical men of his section of the State. He was married at Ft. At- 
kinson, April 1, 1855, to Miss Harriet Rawsan, daughter of Emery and Julia A. Rawsan. Mrs. 
Dr. Horton was born in Stockbridge, Madison Co., N. Y. They had one daughter and a son. 
The daughter, Minnie I., is now the wife of Prof. G. W. Reigle, Principal of the high school at 
Spring Green, Wis. The son, Emery N., died at Minneapolis at 21 years of age, after thi-ee 
days' illness. 

JAMES W^ HULL, proprietor of livery stable; has a farm of 145 acres situated on Sec. 21, 
Whitewater. The subject of this sketch was born in Norfolk, Litchfield Co., Conn., March 27, 
1829; when 7 years of age, accompanied his parents to Scott, Cortland Co., N. Y. In 1848, he 
moved to Wisconsin and located on Sec. 21, Whitewater. He was man'ied, at Ft. Atkinson, in 
1860, to Miss Martha Castle, daughter of Ashel Castle. Mrs. Hull was born in Canada, but of 
New England parentage. They have two children — Emma and James. Mr. Hull was engaged 
in farming till Oct. 22, 1881, when he moved to Whitewater and engaged in the livery business, 
still retaining the ownership of his farm. Mr. Hull has served as Assessor of the town of White- 
water eight or nine years. 

LEVI JOHNSON, farmer. Sec. 31, Cold Spring, adjacent to village or Whitewater; P. 0. 
Whitewater; has 156 acres of land; was born in Guilderland, Albany Co., N. Y., Jan. 1, 1815; 



rf^'^r^^ 





HISTORY OF UA]>WORTH COrNTV 633 

is the son of Henry and IClizaboth Johnson; when (juite youui;, luoveil with his parents to Htock 
bridge, Madison Co., where he was bronijht n]> on a fami. In 183r). \h\ went to Michif^an Ter- 
ritory, anil in ISHfi k) Chicago, and from there to ]\Iilwankee, making the entire distance fi'om 
Detroit, Mich., to Milwaukee on foot. After exploring Wisconsin a few weeks, he set out on 
his return to his home in the East, where he arrived, having traveled 700 miles of tlie distance 
on foot. He had married in New York, [)revious to his exploring tour, June, 1836. His wife 
was Miss Sarah S. Page, daughter of A\'i!liam Page, of New Y'ork. They had one son born to 
them in the East, which died in infancy. In 1839, he emigrated to Wisconsin, arriving in 
"U'hitewater in April of that year; he selected a claim in Cold Spring, Jeftei-son Co., adjoining 
the village of ^\ hitewater, where he has contiuned to reside to this date. Three children were 
born to tliem — Emegene E., died when 14 yem's of age; Josephene C. is now the wife of E. ¥. 
Donnelly, foreman of the paiutshojis of Estei-ly's reaper woi'ks; Lucia died in infancy. Mr. 
Johnson lost his wife, who died in 184*J. He was married again in 1855, in Lake Mills, Wis., 
t<) Minerva, daughter of Rufus Reynolds. Mrs. Johnson was born in Ohio. One child, a 
daughti>i', was born of this marriage, named Sarah M. , now the wife of D. C. Hall, of Edger- 
ton. Wis. Mr. Johnson was the first Supervisor of Cold Spring, receiving all liut on(^ vote cast 
at ihe election. He was subsequently elected Assessor, and served in that capacity. Mr. John- 
son was one of the earliest pioneers of his section of the State. Beginning with almost noth- 
ing, he suftered all the inconveniences of pioneer life. His first cow vras obtained by trading 
off his cook-stove. He has now a fine farm of 15(i acres, a commodious residence, and sur- 
rounded by iill the conveniences of a wealthy farmer. Though not a politician, Mr. Johnson 
takes a warm interest in the administration of public afiairs, and casts his vote with the Demo- 
cratic party. 

W. S. JOHNSON, teacher, and Professor of Natm-al Science of the Whitewater Normal 
School. He was born in Rutland Co., Vt., Nov. 6, 1847 ; is the son of 0. D. Johnson. He 
came with his parents to Waukesha, W'is. , and from there to Kilbourn City: was educated in 
the public schools and by subsequent private study. At the age of 20 years, he l)egan his career 
as a teacher; was elected Superintendent of Schools and County Surveyor of Dunn County in 
1871. and served until 1874; was Principal of the New Lisbon school three years. In 1877, he 
came to Whitewater to accept the position of teacher of drawing and book-keeping. About a 
year ago, he was assigned to his present posititm — that of Professor of Natural Science. He was 
married, in Menominee, Dunn Co.. AVis, Aug. 3, 1873, to Miss Cora E. Smith, daughter of Royal 
Smith. jNIi's. Johnson was born in Maine. They have two sons — Paul F. and Carl F. 

JOHN LEAN, of John Lean & Co., proprietors of the Branch Mills, Whitewater, Wis. 
See sketch of these mills in history of Whitewater. Mr. Lean purchased these mills in 1866, 
enlarged and improved them, substituting two tm-bine wheels for the old overshot wheel, and 
increasing the run of stone fi'om two to five. The mill has machinery for and tm-ns out the finest 
flour by the new jiroeess; capacity of the mill is seventy barrels per day; does a general custom 
and merchant liusinoss. The mill is 3()x6() feet in size; has an abundant jwwer, having a twenty- 
seven-foot head. It is located just south of the village limits, on a Itranch of the Whitewater. 
John Loan was bom in Cornwall, England, near Plymouth, Aug. 8, 1833; is the son of ANilliam 
and Martha Lean. He leanied the miller's trade, and in 1848 came to the United States; spent 
one year in traveling in this country, andretiu-ned to England. In 1851, he emigi-ated to America: 
made his home in Chestnut Ridge, Dutc^hess Co., N. Y. In 1854, he went to Markliam, Canada 
A\'est; remained in Canada till 1867, working at his trade. In the last-mentioned year, he 
came to Walworth Co,, Wis., and located at Delavan; was em[)loyed in the Delavan Mills two 
years, then went to La Grange and operated the Lauderdale Mills two years. He also operated 
the Genoa Mills two year's; worked in various places in Walworth County until 1865. when he 
bought an int(M-est in Stone Mills at Wliitewater, with Mr. Bryan Brown. One year later, he 
sold out. and liought the Branch Mills, which heo|)erated alone until recently. He was married 
in Delavan, in Se])tember. 1858. to Miss Susan Jones. Mrs. Lean was born in Utiea. N. Y. 
They have two children, a son and a daughter — Sarah J. and John W. Mi-. Lean has 57 acres 
adjacent to his mill ])roperty. 

DR. A. G. LELAND. sm-geon and homoeopathist physician, commenced jiractice in White 
water. Wis., in June. 1805. He was born in Otto, Cattaraugus Co.. N. Y. . Dec. 17. 1830. 



634 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNT! . 

"When 8 years of age, he lost his father, Asa Leland, by death, and. about three months aftor- 
■wai'd. his mother. He was then adopted by his uncle, C R. Leland, a prominent lawyer in 
New York State. He received his education at Cornell's Private School and Irving Institute. 
After spending some time in his uncle's office and in teaching, in 1848 he began the study of 
medicine. The next year, he removed with his uncle to ]\Iilwaukee. As the latter died about 
two months after his arrival at Milwaukee, he concluded, for pecuniary reasons, to temporarily 
suspend his medical studies and accept a clerkship in the Milwaukee Post Office. Subsequently, 
he was teller in a bank, and afterward served three years as Secretary and Local Treasurer of 
the Milwaukee & Chicago Railroad Company, now Chicago & North-Western. He then resumed 
the study of medicine, under the instruction of Drs. Tracy & Brown; attended lectm'es and 
gi-adiiated at Hahnemann College in Febraaiy. 1865. He commenced to practice in Milwau- 
kee, but, in June of the same year, was indiiced to take the practice of Dr. Fish and remove to 
Whitewater, where he has continued the practice of his profession with marked success. He 
was maiTied. in 1857. to Grertmde H., daughter of Prof. A. Mills, of New York City. They 
have three children — Frank. Abram M.. Lillie G. 

HON. NEWTON M. LITTLEJOHN, lumber- dealer, is a native of Litchfield, Herkimer 
Co.. N. Y. He is the son of Tilly and Nancy Littlejohn; was born July '2S. 1823. While quite 
young, he removed to Hamilton. N. Y. He was educated in De Lancy Institute. Hampton 
Springs, and. in 1852, went to Illinois, where he remained until 1854. From there he removed 
to Chesterfield Comi House. Va.. and from there returned to Hamilton. N. Y.. iu 1856. remain- 
ing only a short time in that place. He came to \\'iscousin in 1856 and located at Whitewater, 
Walworth Co.. where he engaged in the lumber business. In that early day, before the railroad 
had intersected the county and created markets every ten miles or less, Whitewater was a popu- 
lar trading-point for a radius of many miles. Mr. Littlejohn was enabled to build up an exten- 
sive business, his annual sales amounting to 3,()0(),()()0 feet of lumber. At this writing, it is 
only about half that amount. However, with a full stock of di-essed lumber, sash, doors, bliuds, 
etc., in addition to his general stock, he has a very satisfactory trade. He was elected Chair- 
man of "Whitewater in 186], and re-elected each term during the late war, and many terms since, 
having served eighteen years in all. He is the present Chairman. During the trying years of 
the war, he was active in procuring the necessary quota of troops for his tovrn, and performed 
the arduous and often unpleasant duties of his office in those trying terms in a most satisfactory 
and credible manner. He was elected to the State Senate from Walworth County in the fall of 
1863, on the Republican ticket, for the term of 1864-65; was re-elected the two successive 
terms, serving in all six years. During these eventful years, when grave questions were pend- 
ing, both in State and national matters, Mr. Littlejohn proved himself an able and patriotic leg- 
islator. In addition to other public trusts confided to his care, he was chosen President of the 
Soldiers' Orphans' Home at Madison, and served four years. He was married, at Hamilton, N. 
Y. Sept. 8, 1848, to Miss Jane S. Newton, daughter of A. Newton. Mrs. Littlejohn was born 
in Bridgewater, Oneida Co., N. Y. They have two children — Jessie and Ernest. 

SANGER MARSH, deceased, for over a quarter of a century a leading business man and 
a public-spirited citizen of Whitewater, was a native of Alexander, N. Y., where he was born 
Aug. 27, 1815. His father, Wolcott Marsh, was a farmer, and the son passed his youthful days 
in acquiring a good basis of health and education for his long business career. After reach- 
ing his majority, Mr. Marsh, believing that his destiny was not to be worked out as an agricult- 
urist, left the old homestead, and, f m-nished with a small capital by his father, resolved to become a 
merchant; was in business at Nuuda and Attica, N. Y. Seeing that there were better oppor- 
tunities for a young, pushing man in the active and growing West, in 1845, Mr. Marsh, in com- 
pany with J. S. Partridge, a near and a dear friend, settled in Whitewater and opened a general 
store. For ten years thereafter, he followed in the straight and onward career of a merchant, 
continually growing in worldly influence and establishing himself in the confidence and hearts 
of the community. At the expiration of that period, he was enabled to retire from active busi- 
ness. In 1863, Mr. Marsh and C. M. Blackman organized the First National Bank of White- 
water, and the former continued its President up to the day of his death, Oct. 29, 1872. An un- 
fortimate accident, by his team rvmning away, brought his life to a close and left a widow and 
four children to mourn his tintimely end. Mr. Marsh was twice married — the first time to Miss 



ITISTOKY OF WALWORTH fOUNTY. t)8.5 

Harriet N. Horton, of Nundu, N. Y., in .Jamiarv. ]841. His wife died Jan. 22. 1843, and left 
to the care of the youn<:j widower his only son, Cl(>orge S. Marsh, now Cashi(>r of the First Na- 
tional Bank. In January, 18")!, he married iliss Chelsea Pratt, by whom he had three daugh- 
ters, two of whom reside in \\'hitewater. The deceased was a broad minded, liroad hearted bus- 
iness man. and earned success and the warmest place in hundreds of hearts l)y his strict integrity 
and his kind treatment of all. in whatsoever condition of life he found them. He was a man of 
mind and of heart, and when his presence was taken from the community, it left a great and a 
sad gap behind. 

GEORGE S. MARSH, Cashier of the First National Bank of Whitewater, Wis., was ap- 
pointed to his present position in 1872. He was born in Nunda, N. Y., Jan. 17, 1843. He is 
the sou of Sanger and Harriet Marsh. He came to W'hitewater in 1857; was educated iu the 
public schools, and student of the State University during the years 1800-01. On completing 
his studies, he was engaged as merchant's clerk, which occupation he pursued three years. In 
1864, he was employed as book-keeper in the same bank of which he is now cashier. In 1872, 
he was j>romoted as cashier, and has occupied that jiosition to this date. He was married, 
June (), 1865, at Stoughton, Wis., to Miss Harriet Blackman. Mi-s. Marsh was born in Brido-e- 
water, N. Y. Two sons were born to the*"! — Fred B. and Henry H. The older died at the ao-e 
of 13, and the younger at the age of 11 years. Mr. Marsh lost his wife, who died Au(j-. 2, 
1872. He was married to Miss Rebecca Wight, his present wife, at W'hitewater, Wis., Mav 20, 
1874. Mrs. Marsh is the daughter of J. W'right: was born in Girard, Penn. They hav(> two 
children — Alice F. and Fitch G. 

ROBERT McBEATH, merchant tailor, established himself in business iu Whitewater in 
1850, in company with Mr. Patrick McLaughlin, which connection lasted till 1858, when, on 
the death of his partner, Mr. IMcBeath bought out the heirs and has since conditcted the business 
alone. He was born in Paisley, Scotland, March 15, 1828; is^the son of John and Mary Mc- 
Beath. He served a regular apprenticeship to the tailor's trade with his father, in his native 
town, and, in 1847, came to America. He spent a few months at Lonsdale, R. I., and then re- 
moved to Quincy, Mass., where he remained one and a half years. From there he went to Chi- 
cago, and, in April. 1850, came to Whitewater, Wis., and began business as given above. In 
1854, he and ^h. McLaughlin built the first three-story brick building in Whitewater. He has 
had no time to devote to putilic business, but has served on the Town Board <jf Supervisors three 
terms, and as a member of the Village Board one term. He was married, in Cambridge, Wis., 
Nov. 13, 1856, to Mrs. E. A. Bell, widow of Alexander Bell and daughter of Alexander Stew- 
art, an officer of the British Ai-my. Mrs. Bell had one son and one daughter — Ellen A., died 
in her 12th year — by her former marriage: Harry D. Bell, now of the firm of Cook & Bell, mer- 
chants, of W' hitewater. Mi-, and Mrs. McBeath were blessed with five children, of whom four 
are now living. The eldest, Mary E., is the wife of Charles F. Hill, of Geneva, "Wis. ; Robert 
and John were twins; John died in infancy; the next born was named John A., and the young- 
est, Edward N. Mr. McBeath, while one of the oldest of the Whitewater merchants, is also one 
of the most substandal and respected citizens. 

H. H. McGRAW, Postmaster of Whitewater, was appointed Jan. 12. 187U, and entered 
upon the duties of the office Feb. 1 following. Mr. McGraw was born in Cortland (Jo. , N. Y. , 
March 30. 183U; is the son of John and Minerva McGraw. He came to Wisconsin in 1855 and 
spent one and a half years at Delavan, Walworth Co. At the expiration of that time, he retm-ned 
East, where he resided till October, 1865, when he moved to Whitewater, and has since made 
this place his home. He has been engaged in uurserj' business, and subsequently engaged in 
the grocery line; has been in the latt(n- business four years. He was married, at Whitewater, 
Dec. 16, 1869, to Miss Sarah W. Do Wolf, daughter of AVilliam De Wolf, a jiioneer of Wal- 
worth County. Mrs Mctiraw w;is l)orn in La Grange. Wis. They have thre(> children — Will- 
iam H. , Elizabeth G. and Arthur G. 

JOHN McINTYRE, retired farmer, has a farm on Sees. 9 and 15, 'Whitewater, of 240 
acres. He was bom in county of Annapolis, Nova Scotia, Nov. 17, 1809; is the son of James 
C. Mclntyre. In 1828, he moved to l4)ndon District, Uj)per Canada, and from there to White- 
water, Wis., in September, 1845; made his home on the farm described above, and piu-sued the 
occupation of farmer till Ajn-il, 1881, when he leased his farm and retired to the village of 



636 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COl-NTY. 

Whitewater, where he now resides. He was married in Canada, Jan. 7, 1838, to Miss Hannah 
Edison, daughter of Aloses Edison. Mrs. Mclntyre was born in Canada. They had six chil- 
dren, the three eldest born in Canada, the others in Whitewater, Wis. Eliza is now Mi's. P. E. 
Worthington. of Racine; Susan is the wife of Greorge Ferns, of Whitewater; Hannah; William 
died Jan. 1. 1880. aged 33 years; Margaret is the wife of John Sorcomb, of Chicago; Louisa is 
the wife of Niles J. Biu'tou, of Richmond. 111. Mr. McInt\Te, though often solicited to, has 
never served to any extent in oflficial positions, preferring to devote his imdivided attention to 
his fai-ming interests, in which he was eminently successful. 

ZERAH MEAD, one of the most prominent and most respected of the early citizens, of 
W^hitewater, was born in Riitland, Vt. , June 4, 1800. He spent his boyhood days on his fa- 
ther's farm; removing to Wadington, N. Y. , in 1825, built a woolen factory, which he operated 
till 1832; afterward, he settled at Niagara Falls, Canada, 1832, where he operated a woolen- 
mill. Oct. 6. 1X35, he married Miss Fama Mott. his surviving widow, at Wadington, X. Y. 
The next year, ho ba;le his wife good-by and started for the West, September, 1837, to fashion 
out a home in the forests of Wisconsin. How well he succeeded — shingle roof and all — has 
airoady been learned. Returning to W^adington, he brought back his wife to their new home 
in Whitewater the succeeding spring, and engaged actively in farming. Although Mr. Mead 
shunned public offices, the people of the town and village had such confidence in the justness 
of his character that they favored him with almost a life term as Justice of the Peace. Their 
only child and son, James M. Mead, was born at Niagara Palls, May, 1837, and, when the war 
was at its height, received his commission as Lieutenant of Co. D, 28th W. V. I. The young 
man left the State with his company Dec. 20, 1862, and in two months and two days from that 
time, his body was returned for burial to his grief-stricken parents and a sorrowing community. 
He died at Helena, Ai-k. , Feb. 13, 1863, while waiting to join the Yazoo Pass expedition. 
'Six. Mead would have been 25 years of age in May. His death was a sad blow to his parents, 
but they Ijravely bore up under it. On March 23, 1875, the mother was made a widow. Mr. 
Mead had been a remarkably active man, and his death was occasioned by bilious pneumonia. 
His wish that no lingering disease should wear away his strength was gratified, and he passed 
away in the full onjovment of his facultie.s, and possessed almost of his earlv manhood strength. 
"JEREML^H MILLIS, farmer, Sec. 27; P. O. Whitewater; he has 160 acres of land; set- 
tled in Whitewater in December, 1842. He was born in Gallatin, Columbia Co., N. Y. , March 
1, 1818; is the son of Teal and Olive Millis. While quite young, he moved to Yates County 
with his parents, and from there to Whitewater, Wis., in Deceml)ei', 1842. He was married, in 
Johnstown, Rock Co., Wis.. Jan. 10, 1844, to Sarah A., daughter of John and Nancy Coiu-tier. 
Mrs. Mills was born in Bedford Co., Penn. They have had twelve children, of whom only four 
are living —Montgomery, James, Cordelia and Lemuel; Orin D. died aged 17 years. Mi-. Millis 
was one of the pioneers of Whitewater. He was elected one of the early Road Commissioners, 
and heljied to lay out many of the roads in this town. He and his family participated in the 
hardships of pioneer times of this town. Mr. and Mrs. Millis are members of the M. E. Church. 
In politics. Ml'. Millis is a Republican. 

PETER B. MILLIS, farmer. Sec. 27; P. O. Whitewater; he has 180 acres of land; wa.s 
born in Dutchess Co., N. Y. , April 27, 1820; was m;u-ried, at Barrington, N. Y., Occ. 13, 1844, 
to Miss Eliza J., daughter of Samuel and Martha Vance; moved to Whitewater, Wis., in 1846, 
where they have since resided. They have five children — Mary E., Henry C, Mji'on B. , Martha 
A. and Arthm- W. 

E. I. MOREY, of the Union Carriage Works. He, in compiiny with Andrew McCloy and 
E. D. Holmes, organized this business under the al)ove-\vi'itten title Jan. 18, 1879. Mr. Morey 
has charge of the blaeksmithing dep;xrtment, Mr. McCloy of the wood-shop, and Mr. Holmes of 
the paint-shop. They employ eight hands and do a general carriage-making business, and turn 
oiit about fifty new jobs a year. They had operated together in the same line in another shop 
the year previous to the opening of their present shops. Mr. Morey was born in Homer, Cort- 
land Co., N. Y., July 21, 1847; is the son of Reuben and Abby Morey. He learned the trade 
in Wausaw, N. Y. , commencing when 15 years of age, and serving a four-years apprenticeship. 
He then worked as a journeyman in Illinois a short time, and came to Wisconsin in 1866 and 
spent one and a half years in Delavan, working at his trade. He then attended the State Nor- 
mal School at Normal, 111., one year, worked at Ottawa, 111., one year, and then attended the 



HI^STOHY OF WALWORTH COTXTY. *i37 

Chicago University oni' your: rcturnod to A\iscousiu and worked at his trad(> in Milwaukee and 
Janesville; came to Wiiitewater in 1S77. where he has since resided. He was married, in 
Whitewater, April 13, ISSl, to Miss Emma C. Cook, daughter of (). Cook. ISIrs. Morey was 
born in Saratoga Co., N. Y. 

RICHARD O'CONNOR was one of the pioneer business men of Whitewater of the early 
days of 1842. He was born in New York City March 17, 181G. While a young man, he was 
employed as salesman in the dry goods house of Nathaniel Weed, whore he acquired a thorough 
business education. He came to Wisconsin in 1S4G and selected Whitewater as his future 
home: returning to New York soon after, he was married to Miss Elizabeth M(_)rgan. Mrs. 
O'Connor was bom in the same city as her husband. Almost iunnediately after their marriage, 
they emigrated to Whitewater, and Mr. O'Connor began business as a druggist and dealer in 
books and stationery. By the exercise of the superior business alnlity with which he was 
blessed, and a fair and honorable manner of conducting all transactions, he soon built up a 
prosperous business, and firmly established himself in the esteem and conlideuce of the fellow- 
citizens. For more than a score of years, he discharged the duties of Assessor of the town with 
unparalleled satisfaction. Ho was prominently identified with the establishment and embellish- 
ment of the beautiful cemetery of A\'hitewater. In fact, all local enterprises calculatad to im- 
prove or benefit the place received his hearty encouragement. Possessed of a wide range of 
general information and gifted with superior conversational powers, he was always entertaining 
and instructive in his intercourse in his family circle and acquaintances. For forty years, he 
was a potent factor in the business and social life of the home of his adoption, and his influence 
was always good. There is no danger that his virtues will fade from the memory of his gen- 
eration, but it is apjiropriatf- that, in jn-eserving the annals of the town so long his home, that 
some record of so worthy a man should be i)reserved. Death came to him amidst the hap]>y 
holidays of the Chi-istiau world. Dec. 27, 1881, at the age of 63 years. His family left to mourn 
his loss consists of his wife and six children — Lilla. Josejihine (now the widow of F. E. Day. 
of Nebraska). Dora, Nellie. Frederick and Harry. 

DR. CH.\RLES M. PALMER, was born in Liucolnville, Waldo Co., Me.. June 23, 1823: 
is the son of Nathaniel and Susan Palmer: came to Wisconsin in bSDO and made his home in 
Fitchburg. Dane Co.. where he was engaged in farming. He began the study of medicine in 
1861. The following April, 1862. he enlisted, and was commissioned Ca])tain of Co. F. 2d W. 
V. I., and served until July, 1863, when he was obliged to resign on the account of ])hysical 
disability. On his return from the army, he was engaged in farming in Dane County. He was 
married, in Canaan. Me., in 1846, to Miss Sarah E. Plununer. Eight children were born to 
them: Georgia and Mary E., the two eldest, married the " Wallace Bros.," of Lebanon Mo. ; 
Velma, the third daughter. maiTied W. B. Kerve, but she died a few years after h(>r man-iage; 
her death oecivrred in March. 1876; Florence, the fourth daughter, is the wife of Hiram Dodge, 
of Minnesota: Charlie, the eldest son, mai-ried Miss Mattie Herndon. of Lebanon, Mo., where 
they still reside; also the younger brother. Arthur: both are in the em])loy of the " Wallace 
Bros.:" Susie died at the age of 15 mouths; Birdie the youngest, has been with her eldest 
sister since her mother's death, which occurred in the autumn of 1872, at the age of 46 years. 
Dr. Palmer went to Colorado in April. 187U, and practiced his profession in Colorado Springs, 
whtm he was man'ied, March 27, 1881, to Miss Frances E. Hawes, fifth daughter of Morris F. 
Hawes, of "V\'isconsin, when they returned to spend the winter of 1881 -82, in Octoljer, when 
they will again return to Colorado. 

* JOHN S. PARTRIDGE, Secretary and Treasurer of the Winchester & Partridge Manu- 
facturing Com]>any. Mr. Partridge is a native of Covington, Genesee (jo. , N. Y. ; is the sou 
of Rnfus and Priscilla Ashley Partridge: was born Jan. 28, 181U. His parents were descende<l 
from old New England familie.-s. When 18 years of age, he went to Lockport, N. Y., whore lu> 
spent a couple of years, and from there to Nunda, N. Y. , and engaged as merchant's clerk, which 
emplovment was continued five years. when he moved to Attica, N. Y., and began busine.ss tor 
himself as a merchant. In th(! fall of 181(5, he emigmted to Wisconsin with Sanger Marsh, 
now deceased. They located at Whitewater and engaged in merc^antile l)usiness. On the com- 
pletion of the railroad to this place, they erected what is still known as the " Big Warehouse." 
and, in connection with their other business, they bought grain and ])roduco extensively. In 
1850. he closed out with Mr. Marsh, and was associated with Mr. Alex. (Jraham in the same 



638 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNT'S. 

business one year. They both sold out, and Mr. Partridge helped to organize the Farmers' & 
Merchants' Bank of Whitewater, of which he became Cashier. In the fall of 18.57, he piu-- 
chased an interest in the manufacturing business of Winchester & De Wolf, and the firm was 
known as Winchester, De Wolf & Co., since which time his business history has been identical 
with that of Winchester & Partridge Manufacturing Comj)any, of which he is Secretary and 
Treasurer. The present prosperity and assm-ed success of the company testifies to the faithful 
and able manner in which be has discharged the duties of his department. 

JOHN PEACOCK, farmer, Sec. 20; P. O. ^\'hitewater; has 200 acres; was born in Cam- 
bridgeshire, England, Dec. U, 1880; is the son of Richard and Lucy Peacock; came to America 
in 1853; made his home in Cook Co., Ill, one year and a half, then came to Whitewater, Wis.; 
was married in that town, May 10. 1856, to Miss Caroline Doubleday, daughter of Charles and 
Mary J. Doubleday. Mrs Peacock was born in Scott, Cortland Co., J^. Y. They have two chil- 
di-en— Ella .L and Millie; Ella is the wife of Alfred Bennett, of Whitewater. In 1800, Mr. 
Peacock and family moved to Central City, Colo., where they resided five years, and then 
returned to Whitewater, where thev have since resided. 

ANDREW PEDERSON, blacksmith and farmer, Sec. 22; P. O. Whitewater; has 72 acres; 
was born in New Christian, Norway, Feb. 5, 1835; is the son of Peter and Carrie A.nderson. 
He learned the blacksmith's trade in his native country, and came to America in 186f); made 
his home at Madison, Wis., one year, went from there to Stoughton, where he worked one and 
a half years. He then came to Whitewater and engaged with Winchester & Partridge; worked 
in their shops ten years. In 1877, he purchased his i)resent farm, on Sec. 22; three years later, 
he moved on to it, continuing his work in town. In the fall of 1881. he built a "substantial 
blacksmith shop on his farm, where he is doing a good business. He was married, in Norway, 
April. 1857. to Miss Torriana Christianson. They had three sons Ijorn to them in Norway — 
Peter. Samuel and Christian. Four other children were born to them in America — Charlie, 
Alfred, Cai'oline and Carrie. The two younger died in infancy. 

WILLIAM POTTS died April 4, 1861, under such peculiar circumstances as call for nar- 
ration. He was born in England and trained to the sea. He held office in the British Navy. 
For many years, he had been a member of the Baptist Church. On the day in question, he left 
Elkhorn, with his wife, in his usual health. When a short distance from the former place, find- 
ing her questions unanswered, she turned to look in his face, and found him dead. In 1843, 
Mr. Potts built a saw mill on Sec. 27, and operated it a number of years. He was generally 
respected, and his (juiet demise was universallv mourned. 

HENRY H. PHCEXIX. farmer. Sec. 31; 'P. O. Whitewater; is the son of William and 
Susan Phosnix, and was born in Ontario Co., N. Y., April 16, 1819. He came to Walworth Co., 
Wis., with his parents, arriving in what is now Delavan. Sept. 26, 1836. That town boasted 
only one settler at that date, a man by the name of Perkins, who lived in a rude log shanty on 
the north side of Turtle Creek. Mr. Phcenix, then a lad of 17 years, assisted in getting out the 
timbers for the first mills built in the town, and, in fact, for the first regular buildings. During 
the next few years, he assisted his father in opening up a farm and establishing a home. He 
then traveled through the north and eastern parts of the Territory, then a wilderness, visiting 
the sites of Watertowu, Waui)uu, Fond du Lac and many other places, whose whole claim to 
towns consisted of from one to three log buildings The years 1841, 1842 and 1843 he spent in 
Manitowoc; lived in Packwaukee from 1852 to 1857, when he moved to his present home in 
Whitewater. Ho was married, at Utter's Corners (the southwest corner of Whitewater). Oct. 
20, 1842. to Harriet R.. daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Utter. Mrs. Phoenix was born in 
Bradford Co., Penn. They have six children — four sons and two daughters — John W., James, 
Samuel A., Susan E., Sarah E. and William C. The eldest, John W., married Amelia Inger- 
soll; James married Lina Richards; Samuel A. married May Wilson; these three brothers live 
at or near Emmetsburg. Iowa; Susan E. is the wife of James Blount, of Kossuth, Iowa: Sarah 
K. is now Mrs. A. Wilson, of Richmond: William C. is at home. 

ASAPH PRATT, father of Freeman L.. came to Whitewater from Madison Co., N. Y., in 
1839. His family comiu'ised a wife and eight children. He purchased a large tract of land in 
the town of Whitewater. He built the tiouring-mill now owned by Mr. John Lean, situated just 
south of the village. He was a man of culture, and enjoyed the highest resjiect and warm 
regard of his fellow-townsmen. His death occurred in 184-1. 



HISTORY OF WALWOKTII COUNTY. 639 

FREEMAN L. Pit ATT, doccased, was born in Eaton, Madison Co., N. Y., July 31, 1814; 
•was tho son of Asaph and Hannah Pratt. When ho was 5 years of age, his family moved to 
S(oekl)ridu;e, of the same connt_v, where he grew to manhood in the healthful atmosphere of a 
farm. He was married, at Smi'thtield, Madison Co., N. Y., March 24, 183(), to Miss Melinda 
Maek, da\ighter of Levi and (*atharine De Mott Mack. The following year, 1837, Mr. Pratt 
and family in company with his brother Norman and family, emigrated to Wisconsin Territory 
and made their home on the present site of Whitewater. These wore the tir.st families to estab- 
lish themselves at this place. The Pratt brothers built the first log house. There was one 
shanty in the town when they came, which was occupied by a party of bachelors, consisting of 
Charles Hamilton, Dr. Brewer, William Birge, Leander Birge and others. Mr. Pratt built the 
first log house in the town — in fact, the only other habitation there was the shanty above men- 
tioned. For the next three years, he was engaged in farming. In 1840, he purchased the Pow- 
ers House, which he re-named the Whitewater House, and engaged in hotel-keeping, still retain- 
ing his farm. In 1845, he sold the hotel to Warner Earl, and resumed farming, which he con 
tinned until 1873, when, on the account of failing health, he retired fi-om active business. His 
death occurred Feb. 18, 1880. His family consists of wife and four chikh'en, two sous and 
daughters — Morgaute, married Anna Colton, and resides in Baraboo; Katie E. died when 5 
years of age: Luella J., when 7 years of age; William H. resides in Whitewater with his 
mother. Mr. Pratt never sought political distinction, but rather enjoyed a quiet, peaceful life 
in the circle of his family and friends, and among whom his lot was cast. An upright, honor- 
able man, of warm sympathies and generous nature, he may well be claimed among the worthy 
pioneers of Walworth County. 

CAPT. EDWARD S. REDINGTON, dealer in hay, produce and stock, was born in Mon- 
treal, Canada, Nov. 1, 1820, during a tompoi-ary residence of his parents in that city. His 
parents were New England people, and his grandfather on his father's side was a soldier of the 
Rovolution. In early childhood, he accompanied his parents to St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., where 
he was brought up a farmer and lumberman. In 1847, he came to Wisconsin and located in 
Cold Spring, Jefferson Co. In the spring of 1850, he joined a i)arty bound for the gold fields 
of California, by the way of the plains. He drove a foiu'-horse team from Whitewater to Cali- 
fornia. In the winter of 1851, he returned to Wisconsin, and was married, the following Feb- 
ruary, 1852, in Cold Springs, to Mrs. Mai-y A. Brink, daughter of William Greenleaf. Mrs. Red- 
ington was born in the vState of New York. They have four childi-en, one son and three daugh- 
ters — William R., who married Louisa Renwick, at Holyoke, Mass., where he now resides; Lillie 
C, now the wife of Prof. J. H. Cliamberlin, of Marietta College. Ohio; Etta J. and Sarah B. 
Mr. Redingion moved to Whitewater, Wis., in 1853, and then made another trip to California 
ovei'land, with a foiu'-horse team, making the second team of the kind that he drove over that 
route without losing an animal. His last trip he was only gone ton months, and retiu'ued to 
Whitewater January, 1854. He engaged in fai'ming, and followed that business a few years, 
and then engaged in the produce business. August, 1862, he recruited a company for the 28th 
"W. V. L in the late w;a'; was comiuissioued Captain. He was at the battle of Helena, Ark., 
July 4, 18t)3; took part in the Yazoo Pass expedition; was detailed with his company by Gen. 
Steel to act as pioneers for the Ai-my of Arkansas. In the march from Helena to Little Rock, 
after tho captiu'e of the latter ]ilaoo, he received orders to organize a pioneer corps for the 
dej)ai-tment, and remained in command of the same until the Mobile expedition was planned, 
when he was ordered to join his regimimt and command his company through that cam[)aign. 
After the smTonder of Moliile, ho was ordered to Texas in command of pioneer corps; was mus 
tered out at Brownsville. Texas, and returned to Madison, Wis , Se|it. Hi. 18(55. On his return 
tnnn the army, he resumeil farming and engaged in the produce business at Whitewater, which 
ho has continued to this date. 

E. M. RICE, farmer. Sec. 5; P. O. Whitewater; was born in Bridgeport, Addison Co., Vt., 
Feb. 13. 1817; is the son of Jonas and Hannah (Hemenway) Rice; was married, Dec. 24, 
1840, in his native town, to Miss Laura E. Wicker, daughter of Ira Wicker. Mrs. Rice waa 
born in the same town as her husband. In June, 1811, they emigrated to AVisconsin, and 
located on Sec. 5, Richmond, Walworth Go., where they had a farm of HiO acres. Mr. Rico 
was elected Superintendent of tho Poor of Walworth County in 185(), and sim-vihI six years. Mr. 



640 II IS POKY OK WALWOKTII COUNTY. 

mul Mrs. Rico liiivi> boiMi iiu'iiiliors of tho doiiLjri'j^nt-ioniil (ninrch since INll. Mr. Rico wiw 
oloctinl Di'svc'on ol" tho Ricliinond Ooiiijjro^ntioniil Oliurch, and scirvod liftoon yours. Thoy hiivo 
two (liiu<;hti>rs Mary B. and Ada K. Tiio (>ld(\r, Mary B.. is tho wife of I'^dward Wood, of 
Minn(>s()(a. Th«> youn<;^or. Ada K.. is now Mrs. Levi A. Nichols, of Liim. W'alwortii ("o.. Wis. 
Mr. Rico and I'aniily )uov(h1 to Whitowalor in iSCiT, \vhi>ro th(>y havo siuc(< n^sidod. 

S. S. RDCKWOOl) is a tonchor liy i)roi'ossion, bnt at tliis writing is odifinj^ iho Whitowalor 
lir</is!l('r. Ho is n nativ(> of Frnnkfort, H(>rkinior Co., N. Y.; is tlio son of S. M. and Catharine 
Hoot Kockwood;' was born Doc. 21, 1S;!7. Whon A yoars of ap^(<, in 1841, ho accoiupaniod his 
jmronts to Wisconsin and sottlod in La Fay(>tt(>, ^\'al\vorth Co. Ho wa.s odncatod in (lio Milton 
Acadi>niy and at tli(> Stat(> Ilnivorsity at Madison. J5oforo coin])lotin<;; his coin's(> in Iho uni- 
vorsiiy, ho (>nlist<>d in th(> Kilh W. V. I.. Co. E, Aufijnst, ISfU, and was coinniissioniHl Socond 
ljiont(<nanl l)(>foro loavinj;' tho Stat(\ Nino months later, hi* was appointiHl Commissary of Sub- 
sistence, with rank of Caiitain, and served in that (•ai>acity till lh(" close of th(> war, just previous 
to which tinu> )u> was br(<vetl(>d Major for meritorious service, and was mustered out in October, 
\Si]b. Durini; his oidistnient, he servoii in Iho Army of the TiMinessoo as a jjfonoral stall' otlicer, 
and was ai one time for throe months Acting Chief Conuaissary of the liith Army Corps. 
While in discharge of his duty, hemademany trips up and down the Mississip))i, and, though often 
in danger of lire from masked batteries, he oscajied without injury. On his return from the 
army, ho engag(>d in liusin(>ss in C-hicago as a produce commission merchant, and was for thn^e 
years a nuMnber of the lioard of Ti'ado. He next spent two and a half years as a iVofessor of 
Mathematics in Milton College, ^Milton, Wis., and snbseipuMitly was engagi>d for many years as 
Professor of Mathematics in the Stati* Normal School at Whitt>wal(>r. lie has also served one 
year as .\ssistanl Stale Siiporintondent of I'ublic Instruction, under ^\'illiam V. Whitford. His 
long oxjierience as a l(>acher and well known scholarshi]) havo given him a prominent [H)sition 
among the leading (>ducational men of the Stale. H(< was njarriivl, March 'Jit, lS5'.t, in Milton, 
Wis., to Miss Flora A. Hawloy, daughter of A. L. H Hawley. JMrs. Hockwood was bora in Fissex, 
VI. Thev havi> two sons -S. Hawh^y and Ooorgo H. 

F. s! ROSWMOLIj, fimnw. Sec. *li2; 1'. O. Whitewater: ho has 1(10 acres of land, and half- 
interest in the chi>ose factory, and also in the house. He was born in Norway June 24, 181(5; 
is the son of Solwi>e and Carri»< Gundi<rson Roswi'll; camo to America in IS I;?, and settled in 
Ashippnn, nodg(> Co., \\'is. , wh(>r(< h(> lived ono year. Ho then went to Milwanki>o, when* he 
learntnl tlu* carpenter's trade. lie was married in l\lihvaukoe. in IS 17. to ]\Iiss Paulina, dangh- 
tw of r. L'aulson. In ISt*,!, h(> went to California; in IS.'iO, returned to Wisconsin, bought a 
farm of '200 acres of land in .\shipimn, and also opened a country store in 1851, and look his 
wife to California for her health; th(< joiu'ney was fiuitloss; his wife died the following year, 
1852. Mr. Roswi>ll n>luriu>d to Wisconsin, and ho and his brothers bought a fju-m containing 
;{20 acres of land in tlui town of Kaymond, IJacino (-o. He lived one year there, and was mar- 
ried again, -Vug. '20, 1854, to Miss I'lngber Cllavi<n, daughter of Igel Clavon, then moved back to 
.\shippun, in his old plac(<, in 1855. He lived here sevente(>n years, and had seven daughters 
and thn>i> sons- I'idman, Paulina, C'arrie, Hi>nry, Annie, Ida, Hilda, Cnstava, ]>ena, lOmma. The 
latter died aged 7 years; I'anlina is now married to Mr. Flias .lohnson, of Milwaukee. He then 
sold in .\shippnn and .moved to llu> town of Whiti>\valer, A\alworth Co., \\ is., in 1872. Mr. 
Roswoll has never aspired to public ollici>. but has always taken a warm interest in public 
affairs. It was through his good judgment and determined energy, while acting as Road Com- 
missioiKvr, that gravel was first used in his road district. The greatly ini})roved condition of 
roads in his |)or1ion of tho town is owing to his elVorts and example. 

.\MvKKT SALISIVFRY. Conductor of Institutes, and Professor of History and Political 
lOconomy in i\n^ Whitewati>r Stati> Normal School. He was born in Ijima. Rock Co., Wis., Jan. 
21, 184;1; is th(> son of 01i\or and lauily Salisbury; was educated at Milton College, Milton, 
Wis.; gradiKitod in 1870; has served three years as tlie Principal of Iho public schools of Prod- 
head, Wis., and nine years in his ))resent position in tlu> Slate Nornial School, commencing 
March 1, 187;1. Mr. Salislnu'v is a soldier of the late war. He (>nlisled, in December, 18(11?, 
in Co. H, i;ilh W. Y. I., and served two years. Dtn-ing a yiortion of his t(>rm of service, ho was 
detailed as military Postmaster at New Orleans, and mail agent for Texas. He was married, 
in November, IStKi. in Sullivan. .loH'orson Vo.. \\'is.. to Miss Abba A. Maxson. daufrhter of Dr. 



iiiST()i!Y OF wAi.woiri'ii corx'rv. 641 

ilohn .Maxsoii. Mrs. Siilislinry was born in All(><j;ain Co.. N. Y. Sho iliod May 25, 1NS1, 
li>iiviiiii; four clulilnni. Ilir(>t> (laufj;lil('rs and a son L. Gcrti-ndc, 01iv(<r M. , (iracn IC, Abba \\ . 
Mr. SaHsbury s jicopli" W(>rt- amonij Iho V(>ry (>arli('st piunci'rs ol' Ijiina. 'riic snlijiM't of (his 
Hkotcli is the oldest \vliit(> porson born in that town. 

AMSIL SArJSBlUlY, rotirod farnu'r. was Imrn in Cnrlland ('o., N. ^■., town of Oincin- 
natns. May 15, ISO'.). H(> was brou<^ht up a farnior by his [larcnls, Silas and Lydia (Dodjjjf*) 
Salisbury. In May, IS;)". ln> came to Sprinj^ I'rairii", Walworth Co., W is. llo ])ur('has(>d a 
claim on the site \vhi'i'<> Vienna now stands, which hu sold soon after, and. n( the land sales of 
F(*brnary. ISIU), lu^ bonj^lit another clnini, and purchased of tlu> (Joveriunent ll>(t ac.r»<s in another 
part of thi< town. He was inarrii>d, in Michi<;;an, in ISIH, to Olive Dame, dau^ddor of Joseph 
I>anie. They had seven children four sons and three dauf^htei's: the two eld(>st \v(<re twins 
— Ef:;bert and Ktldii'; lOddie died when Ki years of ai^e; M;;ber( married -lane (iaibratli and 
lives in Iowa; the next younivor, Scott, niarrieil Miu-y J'larl, and is employcid as freight. a<,'ent at 
Whitewater; the eldest dau{i;ht(>r, Stella, is now Mrs. Clarence J. I'artridij(\ of \\'hit(>wat(>r; the 
second daufjhter, EHie, is Mrs. Maunerinff Dt* Wolf, also of this ))lace; Willard is a clerii in 
the ^\■hitewater l*ost Otliee; Jessie, the younfjest, resides with h(>r pariMils. In ISl(i,Mr. Salisbury 
moved to jjima, Ivocic Co., whore hi> was eni^a^ed in farniinj^ till ISTil, when he niov(>d to While 
water, when* he had a farm of SO acres lyin^' in the village limits. About ISCiO, he |mrchaseil 
the Branch Mills, near Whit(>water, which he own(»d fiix years, and t.h(>n sold to T. Vincint. 
Mr. Salisbury is a lar^'(< pro|)erly ownei' oC Whitewater. He has recently built a lilK^ brittle 
block, front i!i^ on First and Center st.re(>ts. 

NKLSON SAJjISHI'UY. deceased, was bc.ni in Marathon. Cortland Co., N. Y.. .I;in. I, 
ISIH. He was mwried, in his native county, in ISIl. to Miss Ksthei- ("ravath, dauehtor of 
Prosper and Marian Cravuth. They had on(^ child, a dauyjhter H(<len now the wife of Mr. 
L L. Clark, I'rincijial of thi> Whit(>wat(>r Scliools. In ISliU, Mr. Salisbury (Mime to Wisconsin 
!ind seloct(>d a farm in fjima, Uock Co.; r(>turned to New York, Jind, in ISH, emij^rated to his 
new lionu^ in Wisconsin. A few years later, h(> bouf^ht the farm now own(>d by C!a|)l. I";ilin<;;w<ii)d, 
in the same town, where he pursued the occupation of fanner, working; witli well dinxMed 
ener>^y, which .was crowned with merited su<^cess. In IS-IT), he lost his wife, who diixl April 
18. In IS.Mi. he Sold out and moved to the villaj>^e of \\ hiti>wiitor, and enijai^ed in the lumber 
business. Some time later, Ik* became interost(Hl in bankiiifi;, and for sevei'al y(*arH was 
Cashier. He was married ajjain, in .lannaiy, ISIIO, to Mrs. Julia Ib'men^'way, widow of 
Hem-y ('. Homengway and daughter of Josiah W luting. Mrs. Salisbury was boi'n in New Marl- 
borough. Berkeshire, Mass. For the last t.(>n y(>ars of his life, Mi'. Salisbury was engagt>d 
in building several tine residences, including those now owned by Mr. L. A Winchester, Mrs. 
Sanger Marsh and Mrs. Salisbury. His death occurred in September, ISSO. He is spoken of 
by his old neighbors as a man of industrious and systematic habits, jiossessed of superior intel- 
ligen(?e and stric^t integrity. I[e was .justly (biassed among the most relial)l(( of the busin(>ss 
men of Wliitewat(»r. 

DK. STI':PHKN SAXK, dental surgeon, w.is born in ( rreeiie Co., N. Y.. March liO, IS'M.. 
He is the son of C. F. and Ueb(<cca Saxe. In ISt4, h(> moved with his parents to Lima, Buck 
Co., Wis. ; was brought up on a farm, rc^coiving his education in t,lie conunon schools and at 
Milton Academy, now Milton C'ollego; was engaged in t(>aching several years; was engaged in 
farming in Lima luitil 1S71. .\bout IS74, he moved to Whitewater and l)(>gan the study of 
dentistry with Dr. (Iroonman. In 187S, lu> op(>ned a set of dental rooms on I''irst street, and, 
later liought out the office formerly used by Dr. (Jreenman, where he has sincre o])erated success- 
fully. He w^us married, in Cnderhill, ("hittcuuhm t%).. Vt., Oct. S, 1857, to Miss Fainiy M. 
\\'ooih'ufr, daughter of I'^.li Woodrull'. They have two childiiii lloifier S. and Mary U. The 
son is the local report(>r for the l)<iili/ licloil Oiillaok. 

LUt;iUS W. SFVICKAN{n<; marble dealer. He was born in I'lssex, Kss.'x (!o., N. Y., J)ee. 
23, 18'i4; is the son of Sanuu^l Severance. When 20 y(<ars of age, he went to Manchester, 
.Mass., where he learned the machinist's trade, at which he work(>d as an o]>erator of machinery, 
being employed in one mill at Manchostor sovontoim years. H(> was married. May 22, 1851, in 
Willsboro, Essex Co., N. Y., to Miss Lucretia M., daughter of David Hayward. Mrs. Sever- 
anc.> was born in Essex, N. Y. Mr. Sevc^rancc continued his residence at Manchester, wh(^re his 



642 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

two children were born— Charles L., born April 28, 1852; and Frank H., born Nov. 28, 1856; 
Charles L. was educated at Beloit College, Wisconsin; studied medicine, and attended two 
coiu-ses of lectures at the Hahnemann IMedical College of Chicago. He was a young man of 
rare promise, but was cut ofi" at the opening of his career. His death occm-red while in his 20th 
year. The younger brother, Frank H., is a gi-aduate of Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y., tak- 
ing a regular scientific coui-se. He is now engaged as night editor of the Buffalo Express. In 
May, 1862, Mr. Severance emigrated to Wisconsin and located at Whitewater, AValworth Co., 
where he continues to reside to this date. On coming to Whitewater, he engaged with Mr. S. 
D. Wright in the marble business; continued for one year, then worked at his trade until 1876, 
when he went into partnership with S. C. Haskell in the marble business again; this connection 
lasted until March, 1882: the firm is now Severance & Steel, manufacturing the finest of mon- 
lunents from the liest foreign and .iinerican marble, and of Scotch and native granite. 

R. C. SHEPARD, agent United States Express Company; has been in employ of the com- 
pany eleven years. The subject of this sketch was bom in Knoxboro, Oneida Co., N. Y., May 
11, 1840; is the son of Josei:)h and Phebe Shepard; came to Whitewater in the springof 1856; 
was with D. S. Cook twelve years, as salesman. In the fall of 1870, he entered the service of 
the United States Express Company, and. Nov. 1, 1871, he was appointed agent, and has held 
that position to this date — 1882. He was married, in Lima. Rock Co., Oct. 15, 1867, to Miss 
Augusta M. Baker, daughter of Harvey Baker. Mrs. Shepard was born in the State of New 
York. Thev have one child — Frank R. 

ANDREW W. SHERMAN, farmer. Sec. :51; P.O. Whitewater; has 34 acres of land; his 
wife has 50 acres making in all 84 acres, formerly belonging to the Utter estates; was born 
in Homer, Cortland Co., N. Y., Oct. 17, 1829; is the son of Erastus and Rhoda T. Bostwick 
Sherman; was brought up a farmer, and, in May, 1844. came to Whitewater. Wis., with his 
parents. He was married, Nov. 1:}, 1871, in Lima, Rock Co., Wis., to Mrs. Sally S. Rock- 
well, widow of Em-otes Rockwell, and daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Utter. Mi-s. Sherman 
was born in Genesee Co., N. Y. She had three children by her former marriage; the eldest one, 
H. M. Rockwell, died; the other two, twins, Henry Edwin and Harriet Ellen, are still living; 
the son man-ied Rachel M. Yonker, of Green Lake Co.. Wis.; Harriet Ellen is the wife of 
James Chapel, of Green Lake Co. , Wis. Erastus Sherman, deceased, was born in Saratoga 
Co., N. Y., Aug. 28. 17U8. He was brought up a farmer, and moved to Cortland County. He 
was married, at Charlton. Saratoga Co., Oct. 15, 1818. to Miss Rhoda T. Bostwick. They had 
seven children, five of whom are living — Louisa is Mrs. J. L. Blunt; Harriet was the wife of 
James L. Hull, and died aged 32 years: Andrew (see sketch): Selina; Mary C. is Mi-s. Ben 
Doud, of Whitewater; Curtis H. married Harriet E. Hull, and lives in the townof Whitewater. 
The subject of this sketch moved to Whitewater, Wis., in May. 1844, and was engaged in farm- 
ing until the time of his death, Avhich occurred June 22, 1866. Mrs. Sherman was born May 
21. 1802. and died June 6, ]S7(l 

JAMES SMITH, farmer, Sec. 33; P. O. Whitewater; has 240 acres of land. He was 
born in Verona, Oneida Co. . N. Y. . Dec. 2. 1824; is the son of Nathaniel C. and Susan Hul- 
bert Smith; was brought up a fanner, and emigrated to Wisconsin with his parents in June. 
1845; made his home with his father, on Sec. 3, Richmond, till he was married, Dec. 25, 1851, 
in Sugar Creek, to Miss Emeline, daughter of Thomas Hemsley. Mrs. H. was born in Mid- 
dlefield, Mass. After his marriage. Mr. Smith established himself on Sec. 34, Whitewater. In 
the fall of 1881, they moved to their present home, on Sec. 33. They have had eight children, 
five of whom are living — James E. was born Nov. 28. 1852, died Sept. 7. 1864; Charles E., 
born Oct. 28. 1854, died Oct. 10, 1864: Susan E.. born Feb. 24. 1857, now Mrs. S. Taft, 
Whitewater: Emma G.. born Sept. 2. 18()0, and died April 16. 1873; Olin N.. born Dec. 22, 
1862; Alvin E., liorn Dec. 25, 18()6; Marv E.. born Dec. 17. 1870; Clara E.. born Sept. 2, 
1876. 

J. TAYLOR SMITH, watch-maker and jeweler, established business in Whitewater in 
Febniary, 1851. He is the son of John and Kittie Smith; was born in Ashton-under-Lyne, 
England, Sept. 2, 1827; served foiu- years in learning the watch-maker and jeweler's trade in 
Manchester, and worked at it three years in Liverpool. In 1848, he emigrated to the United 
States and B(>ttled on a farm near Milton, Rock Co., Wis. Three yeai's of farming satisfied his 



HISTORY OF AV A I.WORTH COUNTY. ' 643 

aiubitiou in that direction. He then came to Whitewater, where he worked for a short time as 
journeyman at his trade, and then a small shop in his line, which he carried on for two years. 
Ho then traveled iu the South awhile, and in 1S53 returned to Eni^land, with the intention of 
fijoing into business in Liverpool, but, failing to arrange matters to his satisfaction, he changed 
his plans: was married. May '25, 1851!, at the cathedral and parish church of Manchester, by 
th<> Kev. 11. Remington, M. A., to Isabella Calvert, daughter of 'J'homas Calvert. Mrs. Smith 
was born in England. Immediately after their marriage, Mr. and ^Irs. Smith came to America, 
and directly to Whitewater, Wis., where Mr. Smith engaged iu business, which he has mate- 
rially increased, and continued to this date. Mr. and Mr.s. Smith were Vilessed with three sons. 
llie oldest, Alfred C. married Libbie Loveland, July, 1881, and resides in Boston, Mass., where 
he is in charge of the office of the Waltham Watch Company; his second son, George C, is 
traveling for the same company, and is now in New Mexico. The youngest son, Sidney C, is 
in the Chicago office of the same company. Mr. Smith has never been an aspirant for public 
office, but has held the position of Village Treasurer two terms. He is thoroughlv imbued with 
American ideas, sympathies and prejudices, and is to all intents and pui'posos an American. 

LEONARD C. SMITH, of thi. firm of D. L. Fairchild & Co., undertakers, and dealers in 
furniture, was born in Orwell, Rutland Co., Vt., Oct. it, 181^5; is the son of Cah^b and Abigail 
Pierce Smith: was bi-ought up a farmer: was married, Oct. 24, 184S, in his native town, to Miss 
Amanda M. Herbert, ilaughter of Reuben Herbert. Mrs. Smith is also a native of Orwell, Vt. 
In October, 185(), Mi-. Smith emigi'ated to Wisconsin and located iu Whitewater, where he has 
since resided. They have no children of their own. but have brought up a nephew of Mrs. 
Smith's — George L. Teeple — whom they regard as a son. On coming to Wisconsin, Mr. Smith, 
in company with Mr. A. F. Knox, engaged in the importation of fine-wool American Merino 
sheep, bringing them from Vermont. They iutoduced over one thousand blooded sheep into this 
section of the State, one lot of fifty-three costing $fi,5()l). Though not the very first to bring 
in fine-wool sheep to this section, they were among the earliest to materially aid in improving 
the breed of sheep in Wisconsin. Mr. Smith spent ten years at this Inisiness and farming; was 
a partner in the Whitewater Cutter Works during 1877, 1878 and 1879: July, 1881, joined 
Mi\ Fairchild in the present business. 

WALL.iCE E. SPOONER, grocer, was born in Monkton, Addison Co., Vt., Feb. 22, 1845; 
is the son of Truman B. and Electa Sjjooner: when 3 years of age, accompanied his parents to 
Norfolk, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., and from there to Elkhorn, Walworth Co., Wis., in August, 
IN53. Here he passed ten years of his boyhood and school life, and, in 1863, moved to WTiite- 
water and completed his schooling in the public schools of that town. He was initiated into 
the mercantile business in the store of Mr. N. A. Spooner, a cousin of his father's, where he 
spent three years. He then engaged in the grocery business in company with his father, on 
the corner of Second and Center streets. In September, 1880, he purchased his father's inter- 
est, and has since conducted the Inisiness alone. In April, 188], he started a second store in 
the same line, situated a few doors west of the old stand. Mr. Spooner has two "n'ell-stocked 
stores in the line of groceries, provisions, crockery and glassware, and has an extensive and 
increasing trade. 

H. J. STARIN lived in Whitewater for forty years, and, if the old saying be true that the 
man is blessed who m;dceth a leaf or a blade of grass to grow where one was not l)efore, then 
truly is the deceased blessed for that one effort of his life. In September, 1840. he arrived from 
Fultonville. Montgomery Co., N. Y., and spent his forty years in Whitewater as an agricultur- 
ist or horticulturist. Shade trees he made a specialty, and very much of the ac([uired beauty 
of the village is due to his labors. Mr. Stariu was one of the best-known men in the town, and 
the whole community was shw'ked when he was found dead in his bed (m the morning of May 
13. 1880. He was in his 72d year at the time of his death. The deoeiised was a Universalist, 
the burial services being conducted at the house, by Rev. G. W. Laurence, of Janesville. 

H. A, STARIN. farmer. Sec. 1; P, O.Whitewater: has 180 acres; was born in Whitewater, 
November, 1842: is the son of Henry J. and Eva G. (Schermerhorn) Starin. Mrs. Stariu was 
the daughter of Judge Schermerhorn. who was a pioneer of Wisconsin of 1841. The subject of 
this sketch was brought up a farmer; was married, in Whitewater, iii 18()1). to Theodora Hare, 
daughter of Walter Hare. One child was born to them, which died iu childhood. Mrs. Starin 



644 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

died in April, 1870. Mr. Starin was married again, in 1S73 to Miss Eliza A. Rawson, daugh- 
ter of Emery Rawson. They have three children — Minnie M. .George F. and Florence E. Mr. 
Starin has never been an oiBce-seeker, but has served three years as Justice of the Peace of 
Whitewater. 

JACOB J. STARIN was born in Montgomery Co., N. Y., Aug. 16, 1825: is the son of 
John J. and Elizabeth Starin; came to Wisconsin in September. 1840, with his uncle, Henry J.; 
located at Whitewater. In 1844, he engaged as merchant's clerk, with P. Peck, afterward Peck 
& Keep; in 1848, he bcmght an interest in the business, making the firm Peck, Keep & Co. 
Changes occurred, and the firm subsequently became Brady, Starin & Cook. Mr. Starin was 
engaged about nineteen years in that line of business. He was married, Oct. 2, 1852, l)y Ihe 
Rev. R, Humphry, at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Whitewater, to Miss Frances E. Hamilton, 
daughter of David and Beliua Brown Hamilton. Mrs. Starin was born in Lansingville, Tomp- 
kins Co., N. Y. They have two sons — Philander P. and William A.; the eldest is book-keeper 
in the land department of the Chicago & North- Western Railroad at Chicago; the younger is an 
attorney, also of Chicago. 

J. W. STEARNS, President of the State Normal School of Whitewater, was apisointed in 
August, 1878. He was born in Sturbridge, Mass., Aug. 10, 1889: is the son of O. O. Stearns; 
was educated at Harvard University, graduating in 1860. He accepted a position as teacher in 
the State Normal School of Minnesota at Winona in 1861. which position he held a little more 
than a year. He next engaged in newspaper work at Winona, and from there went to Chicago, 
where he held the position of Professor of Latin in the Chicago University until 1874. He then 
went to the Argentine Repulilic, South America, where he organized a normal sthool at Tucumau, 
which he conducted successfully four years, serving as President, He then visited Europe, 
where he spent several months in travel. While in Eiu-ope, in 1878, he received an oft'er of the 
Presidency of the Normal School of Whitewater, Wis., which he accepted. Retui-ning to the 
United States, he proceeded to Whitewater and entered upon the discharge of his duties in 
August of that year. He was married, at Winona, iu 1862, to Miss Florence, daughter of 
David Blood. Mrs. Stearns was born in Dracut, Mass. They have two children living — Fred 
W. and Florence. 

REV. RUFUS D. STEARNS, resident i)astor of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Whitewater, 
since September, 1873. The subject of this sketch was born iu Edmestou, Otsego Co,, N. Y., 
Feb. 18, 1821; is the son of Isaac H. and Lois (Doane) Stearns. He received an academic edu- 
cation at Belleville Academy, Belleville, Jefferson Co., N. Y,; took a regular course at Union 
College, Schenectady, from which he graduated ia 1844. He then took a three years' course 
at the Episcopal Theological Seminary of New York City, and was ordained in Grace Church, 
New York, June, 1847. He ])roceeded at once to Sackett's Harbor, New York, where he was 
the established pastor of St. Luke's Chtirch four years. From there he went to Medina, Or- 
leans Co., and officiated as pastor of St. John's Church seventeen years; then to Boonton, 
N. J., where he presided over St. John's Church five years. From there he came to White- 
water in Se])tember, 187;-3, and has since performed the duties of St. Luke's Church. Mr. 
Stearns whs married, at Watertown, Jefferson Co., N, Y., Sept. 28, 1850, to Miss Elizabeth P. 
Cooke, daughter of Dr. A. B. Cooke, of the United States Navy. Mi-g. Stearns was born in 
Brooklyn, N. Y. They have two sons and one daughter living; have lost three; the eldest, 
AVilliam R., died when 1 year old: Emily B. died at the age of 15 years: Edwin A. is at 
Blair, Neb.; Charles W. married Jessie Mallory, and is living at Elgin, 111.: one child d'wd in 
iafancy; the youngest is an adopted daixghter, Bessie B. 

N. H. STEENSON, grocer, was Iwrn in Norway July 18, 18+8: is the sou of Rev. Christo- 
pher and Anna Steeusoii. He emigrated with his parents in 1850 to .America, and settled in the 
town of Richmond, Walworth Co. In I85(), his father having been ordained a Methodist min- 
ister, the family moved to Cambridge, Wis., where the father was the resident pastor. N. H. 
Steenson was educate I in the common schools and in the Albion Academy of Edgerton, Wis, 
In 18(59, he came to Whitewater and engaged as clerk in the general store of Mr. James Bridge; 
continued in his employ five years, or until the time of his death. He then formed a partner- 
ship with Charles Bridge, and bought out the old store. One year later, he sold out to Mr. 
Bridge, and remained with him one year as clerk. Then, on the account of poor health, he quit 



HISTORY OF WAI, WORTH f'OUNTY. 645 

lmsiiit>s8 for awhile, and attiMuli>d the normal st^hool till January. 1875, when he engaj^cd in tht^ 
present business. In addition to a full line of groei>ries, he cjuTied a full stock of bufi'alo robes, 
blankets, f^loves and mittens. By fair dealing and strict attention to the wants of his custom- 
ers, lie has built up a very substantial trade. He was married, in Whitewater, Dec. 25, 1878. 
to Miss Josepheue. daughter of Edward and Ann Toal. Mrs. Steenson was bom in Eagle, 
A\'!Uike8ha Co.. Wis. 

T. .v. STEPHENS, dealer in farm maohinery; business estal)lislied in the spring of 187'2. 
He was born in Herkimer t'o.. X. ¥., April 28, 1810; is the son of Sylvanns H. and Mary Fair 
chikl Stei)lunis. Having arrived at a suitable ago, ho learned the tanner and currier's trade, at 
which h(> worked twonty-tive years. He went to Buffalo, N. Y., in the sin'iug of 18S7, and, in 
Se[)tember of that year, he came to Wisconsin, lauded at Milwaukee, then only a hamlet, and 
from there came to Walworth County with an uncle the same fall, and located in Sugar Creek, 
on Sec. 1; remained two years; sold his claim to Mr. Pike West, and returned to the East. He 
was married, in Herkimer Co., N. Y., April 21, 1841, to Miss Mai'y C, daughter of Mathew 
Smith. He resided in Columbia. Herkimer Co.. until the spring of 1858. when he moved to 
Whitewater. Wis., and engaged in farming. In 18(j8, he moved to the village of Whitewater, 
and in 1872 engaged in the present business. He attended the first settlers' meeting in the 
winter of 1888. to locate the county seat of Walworth County, and it was voted to Elkhoru as 
the center of the county. He has foiu" sous and two daughters — W'illiam R.. Theodore. Sylvauus 
H., Lyman J., Martha Ann and Emma Bonheur ; the oldest, William R., is married, and 
resides at Chicago: Theodore is married, and lives at Bi'odhead, Wis. ; Sylvanns H. is married 
and is in business with his father at Whitewater; Martha .\un.is the wife of Archer C. White, 
of Whitewater. 

JOHN D. SWEETLAND, retired merchant, was born iu Stafford, Genesee Co., N. Y., April 
8, 1815; is the son of J. D. Sweetland; when 18 years of age, accom[)aniod his familj^ to Chau- 
taucjua County, where he was bi'ought up on a farm. He was married in that county, in 1842, 
to Miss Eliza Leffingwell, daiighter of Erastus Leffingwell. They hail one child born in the 
East, named Albert, now of \Vhitewater. Mr. Sweetland moved to Whitewater in 1854, and 
engaged as clerk for S. C. Hall, merchant; three years later, he formed a partnership with 
Cushing & Stewart in the hardware and ili-y goods business, under the linn name of Cushing, 
Sweetland & Stewart, which connection lasted till 1877, when he sold out and went to Colorado; 
retiu'ned to W^hitewater after a few months, and has since been in no active business. One son 
was Viorn to him in Whitewater — Edgar C, now of Soach Park, Colo. 

CYRUS TEETSHORN, farmer; P. O. Wliitewater; has a farm of 200 acres in Lima, Rock 
Co., Wis.; was born in Greene Co.. N. Y. ; when 7 years of age. moved to Boston. Erie Co., N. 
Y.. and, in September, 1888, left New York for Wisconsin, and arrived in Richmond, Walworth 
Co., October of that year; was brought up a farmer on his father's place, on the west county line. 
on Soc. ('). He was married. Sept. 7. 1851. in Miltcm. Rock Co., to Miss Mary Johnson, daugh- 
ter of Porter and Martha .fohnson. of Linn. Walworth Co. Mrs. Teetshorn was born in Niagara 
Co.. N. Y.. and came to Walworth County with her people in 1888. They have two sons-— Frank 
E. and Marshall E. ; the elder, F. E.-, is Train Dispatcher at Green Bay, for the Green Bay, 
Winona & St. Paul Railway; Marshall is agent and operator at Black Creek. Wis., on the same 
line. After his marriage. MJr. Teetshorn lived in Lima, Rock Co.. where he still has the farm 
previously rr>entioned, situated on Sees. 88 and 84; he resided on that farm eighteen years, and 
then moved to Lima Center, where he lived ten and one-half years; from there, moved to White- 
water, in So[)temV)er. 1880. Mj-. Teetshorn is at present a member of the Board of Supervisors 
of the town of Whitewater. 

HENRY F. THIELE, of the firm of Thiele & Goodhue, undertakers, and Healers in furni 
ture, is a native of Hanover. Germany, the sou (jf Henry and Carolina Thiele. He was born 
Jan. 28, 1882. He partly learncnl the cabinet-maker's tratle in his natives country, and, in 1848, 
emigrated to America; settled in Milwaukee, Wis., where he resumed work at his trade; resided 
in Milwaukee six years, two of which he s])out as a merchant's clerk; at the expiration of that 
time, he went to Ft. Atkinson, where he was engaged in the furuitm-e business. In 1858, he 
came to W'hitowjiter, where he worked awhile as a journeyman, then Ijegan in the undertaking 
business: iu 18fi2, he stocked a store wiili general furnifure, and was buildiug up a tine trade. 



646 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

when, by the l)m-niiig uf an adjacent building, he was burned out in 1864, and sustained a loss 
of $4,000. He rebuilt immediately and resumed business; at this time, had a partner, Mr. F. 
Achtenhagen, now of Milwaukee. Everything was running smoothly with them till 1870, 
when they were Inirued out, this time also from outside tires; the partnership was then dis- 
solved. iSIr. Thiele resumed business again, which has continued to this date. He formed a 
partnership with Mr. Goodhue Sept. 20, 1881. They occupied their present tasty and commo- 
dious rooms, with fronts on both First and Center streets. Their stock is full and complete in 
their line, embracing the most modern and elegant designs. Two hearses are employed in the 
business, one of which is of the finest finish. Mr. Thiele has had many years' experience as an 
undertaker in Whitewater; he built the first hearse in town, and has furnished the supplies at 
about three thousand funerals. This firm are also dealers in pianos, organs and other musical 
insti-uments. Mr. Thiele was married, at Delavan, May "27, 185"), to Miss Barbara Loetz, daugh- 
ter of Michael Loetz. They had nine children, of whom seven are living — Hemy. the eldest, 
is married to Anaie Veitenheimer and lives in Milwaukee; Jennie died aged 7 years; Frankie 
died aged 5 years; the others are William T., Frederick, Clara. Joseph, Annie and Lizzie. 
William T. is a promising young musician. As a cornet player, he is scarcely excelled in tha 
State. 

DR. JAMES TRIPP, deceased, was born in Schenectady, N. Y., in 1795. He received 
his medical education in the College of Physicians and Surgeons of the Western District of 
New York at Albany, from which he graduated about 1817. He engaged in the practice of 
medicine at Mobile, Ala., which he continued till 1819, when he retiu-ued to New York and was 
married, in Laurens, Otsego Co., to Miss Rosepha Comstock, daughter of William Comstock. 
He was commissioned Surgeon of the tiOth N. Y. V. I. June 11, 1822, He continued to practice 
medicine till 18H5, when he decided to turn farmer. Two years later, 1837, he emigrated to 
Wisconsin TeiTitory and made his home in Troy, Walworth Co., where he built a saw-mill. In 
1839, he moved to Whitewater and became one of the founders of that thrifty town, in which 
he was one of the largest property owners. During his residence in Wisconsin, he only prac- 
ticed when called in counsel in critical cases. His skill as a physician and thorough knowledge 
of his prof ession were well known and appreciated. He died in September, 1844, leaving a wife 
and two sons — Daniel and AVilliam J. Mrs. Dr. Tripp survived her hustjand many years, her 
death occiuring Feb. 2, 1881. As one of the pioneer women of Whitewater, she will long be 
remembered for her many sterling qualities by her old neighbors and friends. She was gener- 
ous and kind to those in distress, possessed of quick perception and sound judgment, combined 
with great force of character. She was a leader in those schemes of benevolence and reform 
which the ladies of a Christian community are likely to interest themselves in. A consistent 
member of the E]iiscoj)al Chm'ch. she was always liberal in its support. 

MRS. ROSEPHA ANN TRIPP, deceased", wife of Dr. James Tripp, was born in Lau- 
rens, Otsego Co.. N. Y.. Nov. 2, 1802, and died in Whitewater Feb. 2, 1881. Her maiden 
name was Comstock. She was married to Dr. Tripp Jan. 4, 1825. The young couple removed 
fii-st to Montgomery County, but a dozen years' residence in the East convinced them that their 
stai' of fortune would rise in the West. They accordingly removed to East Troy in 1837. IVIi-s. 
Ti-ipp bringing with her a comfortable little fortaine. Her husband built a saw-mill at the 
outlet of Troy Lakes, but, being persuaded by the Pratts, Powers and others, of Whitewater, 
that a grist-mill in that vicinity would be moi-e profitable, he removed to that settlement in 1840, 
having in the meantime put that manufactory in working order. His wife assisted him in 
more ways than one, and the credit of firmly establishing the village of Whitewater belongs to 
Mr. and IVIrs. Tripp. Mrs. Tripp was a woman of strong will and quite remarkable business 
capacity, and when her husband died, in September, 1844. she continued the work he had left 
undone. Though less active in her later years, her influence was felt wherever she went. All 
her life. Mrs. Tripp was a stanch member and supporter of the Episcopal Chiirch, and when she 
died, her zeal in its cause was recognized by Bishop Welles, who conducted the funeral exer- 
cises. 

FRANK W. TRATT, farmer, and breeder of Durham (Short-Horn) cattle and registered 
Merino sheep. Sec. G; P. O. Whitewater; has 560 acres of land. Mr. Tratt was born in Somer- 
setshire, England, June 28, 1840; is the son of Thomas and Betsey Tratt. In 1844, he came to 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 647 

America with his parents, and was brouglit up on his father's farm, in Palmyra. Jefferson Co., 
Wis. In 1857, he removed to Whitewater, where he was man-ied, Oct. 18, 18f)2. to Miss Eliza- 
beth E. Cobb, daughter of Simon E. Cobb. Mrs. Tratt was born in Madison Co., N. Y. They 
have ail interesting family of seven sons —Willis J., Clarence, Walter F., Alfred H., Paul, Ral])h 
and one nnnamed. 

PHILIP TRAUTftL\.NN, of the firm of P. & G. Trautmaun. manufacturers of and dealers 
in V)Oots and shoes. This firm is doing an extensive business, having also a branch house in 
Marshall, Iowa, under the junior partner. They have been doing business in A\'hitewater since 
18G(), and for the past fifteen yeai's have occupied their ]>resent roomy est;d)lishment. The sub- 
ject of this sketch was born in Alsace, France, now Germany, Feb. 13, 1837; is the sou of Philip 
and Lena Trautmann. He came to America in 1855, and located at Lyons, Wayne Co., N. Y. 
Two years later, he moved to Madison, Wis., and from there to Whitewater in 18G0, where he 
engaged in business with his brother George, as given above. He was married, in Whitewater, 
May 8, 1801, to Miss Mary Butz, daughter of John Butz. ]\Irs. Trautmann was born in 
Switzerland. They liave six children — three boys and three girls — Minnie, May, Carrie, Ed- 
ward, George and Philip. 

SALMON H. TUTTLE was born in Shof=tield, Berkshire Co., Mass., Jan. 1, 1820; is the 
son of Salmon Tuttle; went to Columbia Co., N. Y., when 13 years of age, and i-emained till he 
was 22, then returned to Massachusetts, and, two years later, went to Clav(>rack, N. Y. In 1856, 
he moved to Whitewater and bought the distillery, which he operated with Mr. Schiiltz two years. 
The distillery was then destroyed by fire. He built a new one, which he operated awhile, then 
bought into the planing-mill and sash factory, which connection lasted four years. In the 
spring of 1874, he went to Colorado and located at San Juan, 100 miles beyond the end of the 
wagon trails, at a place called Animas Forks, where he and his party were the pioneer miners; 
was engaged in mining at this jwint four years, and is still largely interested there in silver 
mining. He returned to his home in Whitewater, where he still resides. Mr. Tuttle was mar- 
ried, in Sheffield, Mass., in November, 1843, to Miss Mary E. Mclntyre, daughter of Heman 
Mclntyre. Mrs. Tuttle was born in Salisbiu-y, Conn. They have one child, a daught(>r, named 
Louise E., now the wife of Charles E. Densmore, of Cedar Falls, Iowa. Mr. Tuttle has served 
as Su])ervisor of Whitewater three years, two years as member of the Village Board, and at this 
writing is President of the village, having been elected in the spring of 1881. 

JOSEPH VAN DE WATER, of the firm of Van De Water & Son, proprietors of machine- 
shop and feed-mill; also do planing and sawing; business established in March, 1878. Mr. Van 
De Water was bom in AVayne Co., N. Y., July 31, 1833; is the son of John and Catharine Van 
De Water; came to Whitewater in 1841. January, 1857, he went to Milwaukee, where he spent 
two years in learning the machinist's trade; returned to Whitewater and engaged in the reaper 
works of George Eslerly, and continued in his employ twenty-three years, eighteen of which he 
held the responsible position of foreman. In April, 1878, lie engaged in his present business, 
in comjiany with his son Fred. The enterprise has proved an entire success. Mr. Van De 
Water was married, in Whitewater, W' is., in May, 1857, to Miss Eulalie M. Ellis, daughter of 
S. and A. Ellis. They have two children — Fred and Bertha. 

WILLIAM H. VAN GIESON, deceased, sou of Samuel Van Gieson, was born in Bloom- 
field, N. J., June 8, 1835. When about 15 years of age, he went to Canada, where he was em- 
ployed three or four y(>;u-8 as a locomotive engineer. From Canada he went to New York and 
worked as a machinist. Ho was mairied, in Paterson, N. J., in 1856, to Miss Sarah Houghton, 
daughter of William Houghton. Mrs. Van Gieson was born in Paterson. After his miuriage, 
Ml'. Van (iieson made his home in Newark. Having a genius for mechanical pursuits, he be- 
came an inventor. Having patented an im]m)ved brass nail for u])holstering, he sold the patent 
for a goodly sum to New York jiarties, and then made a tour to Europe, where he introduced the 
invention. At Birmingham, England, he established a factoiy for the manfuacture of his im- 
proved brass nail. One year and a half later, he returned to the United States: studied law at 
Waterbury, Conn.; was in practice only a few years; his old love of invention j)rovailed over 
professional ambition, and the result of his labors was an invention of a machine for the manu- 
facture of gun cartridges. After securing his jiateut, he again visited Eurojie, and established 
a large shop for the manufactiu-o of ciu'tridges at Vienna. After one and one-half years spent 



648 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

in establishing the business, he sold out, having made a success of the invention. He retm-ned 
to New Jersey. His various patents had proved valnablo, and the income derived therefrom 
placed him in independent circumstances. In 1868, he moved to Milwaukee, Wis., and, one 
year later, to Whitewater, where he made his peiTnauent home till his death, which occmTed 
July '21, 1881. Soon after coming to Wisconsin, he became interested in mining and mining 
machinery in Colorado. He built several stanii)-mills. He was the owner and operator of the 
Little Annie Mine at Summit, which proved rich and [)rotitable. He then built the extensive 
lixiviation works at Lake City, Colo. He was engaged at that point one year, then sold out, 
having spent nearly six yeai-s in all in Colorado. He died suddenly while at home in White- 
water, leaving a wife and daughter to mom-n his loss. His daughter, Sai-ah, is the wife of 
Oliver P. Posey, of AVhitewater. His only other chilch-en, two sous, died in childhood. Mi-. 
Van Gieson died compju'ativfdy a young man — aged 47 years. Beginning for himself at the 
early age of 15 years, gifted with superior intelligence and gi'eat energy, he made good use of 
his talent as an inventor. He not only knew when he had a good thing, l_)ut he had the enter- 
prise and force of character to make the world acknowledge it. 

SALMOIIS WAKELEY, deceased, was born in New Milford, Litchfield Co., Conn.. Mai-ch 
17, 1794. His youth and early manhood were spent in cultivating an imkindly soil, picking up 
a faw scraps of regulai- education, which he improved to their utmost, and leanaing the shoe- 
maker's trade, which he also tm-ned to gt)od advantage in after years. Herein seemed to lay the 
great strength of his character — that he made the most of everything; so that, although his 
education was limited, by constant application yoked with native penetration, he became a 
broad-minded citizen, tiruily grounded in his beliefs and able to defend them. In 1818, Mr. 
Wakeley married Hannah Thompson, a woman of imcomm(m staljility and purity of character. 
He emigrated to New York in early life, where he resided until 18;5tj. He then removed to 
Lorain Co., Ohio, where he remained seven yeai's, coming to Whitewater in the spring of 1843. 
Mr. Wakeley became a member of the constitutional convention in 1846, where he made uji in 
common sense wliat he lacked in brilliancy. In 1855 and 1857, he also represented Whitewater 
in the Assembly. On Jan. 12, 1867, occiu-red his death, at the residence of his son, E. Wakeley, 
in Madison. An acute attack of pneumonia was the cause of his decease, he having retained 
his bodily and mental vigor to the last. His widow, thi-ee sons and two daughters smwived him, 
E. Wakeley and Charles T. Wakeley having established good reputations as la\\'yers, the former 
in Nebraska, the latter in Madison. Wis. Mi-s. Wakeley has since died. 

S. D. WAKD, deceased, was born in Madison Co., N. Y., March 18, 1821; was brought up 
a farmer, and also learned the trade of chair-maker, which he worked at several years. He was 
married, in Henderson, N. Y., Feb. 20, 1842, to Miss Charlotte Comee, daughter of Benjamin 
Comee. Three children were born to them — Emiline L., who was the wife of O. B. Wiliiams, 
of Whitewater; her death occui-red in 1881; Benjamin C. married Ines Mai-sh, daughter of 
Sanger Mar.sh, and resides at Whitewater; is a painter by trade; Samuel D. died in childhood. 
Ml-. Ward came to Wisconsin in 1857, and direct to Whitewater; remaining here only a short 
time, he moved to Hebron, Jefferson Co.; one and a half years later, he retm-ned to Whitewater, 
where he was engaged in various mechanical piu-suits till the time of his death, which occun-ed 
Dec. 6, 1874; his widow is still a resident of Whitewater. Mr. Ward was a man of peculiar 
mechanical genius; whatever he wanted to make, he made; all he needed was the necessary 
tools and materials; and his finished work was in everything he undertook — would compare 
favoi-ably with that of master workmen in the same line. 

DR. HENBY WAENE, physician and druggist, was born in Oneida Co.. N. Y.. Jime 10, 
1825; is the son of Benjamin and Lucy (Beckwith) Wame. He received his medical education 
at the Indiana State Medical School at La Porte, Ind., from which he gi-aduated in 1848. He 
had previously come to Wisconsin and located in Ft. Atkinson in 1845. In August, 1850, he 
moved to Whitewater and entered upon the practice of his profession, which he has continued 
to this date. In 1874, he entered into the drug business, which he still carries on in company 
with his eldest son, who was taken as a partner in April, 1881. Dr. A\'arne was man-ied, in Jef- 
ferson Co., Wis., Dee. 1, 1859, to Miss Cordelia Curtis, daughter of Cyi-us Cm-tis, a pioneer of 
^^ hitewater of 1836. While away to Milwaukee for provisions, his claim was jtunped; rather 
than contest it. Mi-. Curtis went to Jefferson County and made his home, where he built the 



HISTORY OF WAI.WOirrH COl'XTV. 



601 



C'lU-tis Mills. Mr. and IMrs. Dr. Warnc have a family of live sons aud foiu- daughters— Henry 
L., Marv, Rodell C. Hattin, (icorge, Ida. Jessie. Lucius and Cyrus; the eldest son, Henry, is a 
graduate of the Philad.4pliia Sclux)l of Pharmacy of the class of 1881 ; Mary is a teacher of the 
village schools; Rodell C. is a student of the State University. 

A. B. \\ARNKK, farmer. Sec. i>: P. O. Whitewater; has 80 acres of land; was born in 
Caraillus. Onondaga Co., N. Y., Oct. 1'.), 1807; is the son of Amos and Mary Warner; he was 
married, in 1832, to Miss Harriet, daughter of William Palmer. One child, a son, was liorn to 
them, named Ambrose. In 1833, Mr. Warner and family moved to Galena, La l\jrte Co., Ind., 
where he engaged in farming; while there, he lost his wife, who died Oct. 12, 1840; he was 
man-ied to Kuth Webster, daught(n- of Samuel Webster, Dec. 27, 1840; Mrs. Warner was born 
in Camillus, Onondaga Co., N. Y.; three children were born to them, all of whom are dead; 
Harriet L. died in childhood; Vienna L. died aged 21 years; and Amos H., who died at the 
age of 24 years. In I84(), Mr. Warner came to AVhitewater, Wis., and purchased the one-half 
of southwest quarter of Sec. Cr. returning to Indiana, he moved his family to their new home 
the following .spring. 1847. where they have since resided. Mr. W^arner is a member of the 
Universalist Church, and has always been a stanch Democrat in politics. Ambrose. Mr. War- 
ner's only sm-viving son. was born in Onondaga Co.. N. Y.. Oct. 7. 1833; was married, in He- 
bron. Jefferson. Co.. Wis., May 13, 18()2, to Miss Martha Folts, daughter of Jonas Folts; Mrs. 
Warner was born in Oneida Co., N. Y.; they have three sons and two daughters — A. J.. H. Ray, 
Hattie M. . Nettie and Jay F. 

T. D. WEEKS, senior partner of the law firm of Weeks & Steel, established his practice at 
"Whitewater January. 18(50. He was born in Northampton. Mass., Nov, 5, 1833; is the son of 
Spencer Weeks and Elvira Dimoek Weeks; came with his parents to Wisconsin in the fall of 
1843; they located in Hudson, now Lyons. Walworth Co.; after acquiring a primary education 
in the common schools of his town, Mr. Weeks went to Appleton and took a regulai- course at 
the Lawrence University of that city, from which he graduated in isr)8; from there he went to 
Albany, N. Y., and spent one year as a student of the Albany Law School; here he gi-aduated 
in 1859, and was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of the State of New York. June 1. 
1859; he then returned to Wisconsin and entered upon the practice of his profession at Racine, 
while pursuing his reading in the office of Lyon & Adams; six months thereafter, he removed 
to Whitewater, opened a law office, was admitted to the bar of Walworth County at the fall 
term of coiu-t. 1859; he was soon after admitted to practice in the Sui)reme Court of this State, 
and has continued to practice his profession at Whitewater to this date — January. 1882; he was 
elected to the Legislatm-e of 1867 from the Third District of Walworth County, and to the 
State Senate for the years 1874 and 1875; he has been one of the Regents of the State Normal 
Schools for twelve years; he was married, in the village of Whitewater. June 7, 18()5. to Miss 
Adda Hall, adopted daughter of S. C. Hall; they have two children— Helen Louise, aged 15 
years; and Charles S., aged 13; in 1875. Mr. Weeks entered into a law partnership with Mr. 
George W. Steel, which has been continued to this date, under the firm name of Weeks & Steel. 
•L U. WHEELER was born at Oyster Bay. L. I., N. Y., in 1787; his father was a Baptist 
minister; when I. U. was 11 years of age. he went to Dvitchess Co.. N. Y., where he leai-ned 
the carpenter's trade; he was man-ied, in 1817, to Miss Lavina Duncan; si.x chikh-en were born 
to them; Sarah, the oldest, was the wife of Jesse R. Kinne; her death occmTcd in Sugar Creek, 
Wis., Nov. 1, 1873; Maiy A is the wife of Gaylord Graves, of Iowa; Egbert C. died at White- 
water. Wis., in 1870; Han-iet, deceased, was the wife of Daniel Salisliury; her husband is now 
an honored resident of Elldiorn; Betsey A., dec(>ased, was the wife of S. B. Edwards, of whom 
a sketch is given elsewhere in this work; her death occun-ed Dee. 21, 1880; William H. died at 
Whitewater Oct. 4, 1857. Mrs. Wlieeler died at Sherburne, N. Y.. in 1835. Mr. AVlieeler mar- 
ried again, Jan. 20, 1837, at Sherbm-ne; his second wife was Miss Nancy Palmer, who was Iwrn 
in Chenango Co.. N. Y. Mi-. Wlieeler emigrated to Wisconsin in 1840, and made his home at 
Whitewater, of which place ho was the popular Justice of the Peace almost continuously until 
liis death, which occm-red Feb. 9, 1870. Diu-ing his life-time, fi-om his eai-lie.st manhood, he 
was distinguished by being chosen to hold some jwsition of honor aud public trust; as early 
as 1812, he organized a vohmteer rillo company, of which ho was commissioned Captain by Gov. 
Tompkins, of New York, Jime 21, 1815; he served as Constable many years, and was ap))ointed 



652 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

Deputy Sheriff of his county Jan. 1, 1829, which office he hekl foiu- years; he was then elected 
Justice of the Peace in 1833, ard re-elected each term during his residence in New York — an 
office which he resigned on coming to Whitewater in 1840; in 1841, he was a]:)pointed Justice 
of the Peace of Walworth County, by Gov. Doty, and, on the organization of the town, was 
elected the tu-st Justice; he was re-elected, and held the office continuously until his death, ex- 
cept fom- years that he was Postmaster under Taylor and Fillmore; he was possessed of a clear 
and remai-kably correct judgment; his lai-ge experience had made him familiar with points of 
law; his decisions were very rarely appealed fi-om, and scarcely ever reversed; his faculties were 
BO well preserved that he discharged his duties at the office up to within a very few days of his 
death, which happened when he was 84 years and 6 months old; his memory is cherished by a 
large circle of friends. MJrs. Wheeler siu-vives her husband; is still a resident of Walworth 
County. 

JOHN P. WHIPPLE, photographer; business established in Whitewater in 1869; he was 
born in Solon, Somerset Co., Me., Feb. 22. 1820; is the son of John Whipple; went to Ohio 
in 1851 and learned the daguerrean ai't, and carried on the liusiness a short time; then came to 
Wisconsin and opened a gallery at Sheboygan, which he carried on three years; from there, went 
to Two Rivers; from there to Green Bay, where he was engaged in the same business, with the 
improved methods; he enlisted, in 1862, in Co. A, 27th W. V. I., and served until the close 
of the war; after retm-ning from the army, he engaged in the photograph business at Port 
Washington till 1869; he then removed to Whitewater and established his present gallery; Mr. 
Whipple has facilities for doing all work in his line in the best style; he also has a view wagon 
for landscape work. Mr. Whipple is what is known as an infidel, and is very Ijold in express- 
ing his views. 

HON. SAMUEL AUSTIN AVHITE. deceased. The subject of this sketch was born in 
Franklin, Delaware Co., N. Y. , Aug. 10, 1823; he was the sou of Samuel and Flavia White; 
when 18 years of age, he graduated from Hamilton College, Clinton. N. Y ; he then began the 
study of law in the office of Judge Mason, of Hamilton, N. Y., and, later, pm'sued his studies 
with Elijah Ford, at Buffalo. In 1845, he came to Wisconsin and located at Geneva, Walworth 
Co. ; having taught school in his student days, he very natm-ally adopted the same vocation in 
his new home, and so engaged as teacher of the Geneva school ; he soon changed his place of 
residence to Port Washington, Ozaukee Co., where he entered upon the jwactice of his profes- 
sion; in 1853, he was appointed Postmaster by President Piei-ce; was elected to the Assembly 
in 1856, from Ozaukee County, and County Judge in 1861; an earnest Democrat in politics, he 
was, by virtue of his principles, a thorough Union man, and, in the dark days of the beginning 
of the late war, was fii'm and consistent in support of the Government; in the turbulent scenes 
that have become historic, as the " di-aft riots " of Ozaukee County, Judge White took an active 
part in sujjjjort of the Government; not being in sympathy with the popular sentiment of that 
locality, and being desirous of enjoying better educational advantages for his childi'eu than 
Port Washington afforded, he moved to Whitewater, AA'alworth Co., in June, 1863; he was mar- 
ried, in Geneva, AVis., in 1849, to Miss Mary Ferguson, daughter of Andrew Ferguson; Mrs. 
White was born in Coojserstown, N. Y. ; their family consisted of seven children— Katharine 
L., M. Flavia, Bufus S., Williston A., Jane L., George D. and Henry; the eldest son, Rufus S., 
died Jan. 24, 1882. In ]8(U, Judge White was aiipointed Assistant Bank Comptroller, under 
W. H. Ramsey, and served during the term of 1864-65; he was appointed Regent of Normal 
Schools in 1865, and held that position till 1870, during which time the second State Normal 
School was established at Whitewater; he was elected to the Assembly from the Whitewater 
District in 1870, and re-elected in 1871 — although a Democrat in an nvei'whelmingly Repub- 
lican district, receiving 964 votes against 567 for William Burgit, Republican; in 1874, he was 
again made Resident Regent of Normal Schools; this was his last public position; in 1876, being 
too much out of health to attend to the duties of the office, he resigned; he was prominently 
before the jseople as a candidate for State Senator in 1877, and, although he received a splendid 
home indorsement, he could not overcome the heavy Republican majority in the district, and 
was defeated with the rest of the ticket; at the early age of 55 years, after a successful business 
career, in which he had amassed a large fortune, and after many years of honorable public 
service, surroimded by family and friends and all that makes life dear, he was called away; 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 653 

deiith came to him on the ov(>iiiii<^ of Mureli 4, ISTS. In the dt'athof Judge White. Whitewater 
lost one of its ablest and most highly respected citizens — a man gifted with snperior intelli- 
gence, who always did well whatever duty devolved upon him: all w'orks of public improvement, 
and all calculated to olovato or ameliorate the condition of mankind, received his hearty and 
generous support: he won and deserved the good opinion of all who knew him: as an evidence 
of public sentinient in relation to the deceased, may be appropriately submitted a copy of the 
jireamble and resolutions adopted l)vtlie faeultvof the Whitewater State Normal School, March 
T). 1S7S: 

Whereas. We have received with profound sorrow, the intelHgenee of llie death of Hon. S. A. White, 
late aiul for many years an iietive and etH<'ient resident member of the Board of Regents of the State Normal 
School, and 

WiiEKK.is. The eminent publie services of the deceased, no less than his iiprijrht anil honorable ])rivate 
eharacter, are entitled to that just and n'enerous recognition of those who surviv(' him. Therefore 

Re^oli^ed. That in the death of .JudLCr White the cause of edncalion in Wisconsin has lost a tirm. inli-lli- 
ffenl and liberal champion and friend, tln' coninuinity and State a high-minded and iipri,glit citizen, and his 
family a generous and kind-hearted husband and father. 

Resoloed. That in view of the long continued and eminent services of the deceased in behalf of this 
institution, and of the hi.sjh respect we entertain for his character, we deem it due to his memory to suspend 
the .ses.sion of the school during the funeral olisccjnies of our departed friend. 

Resolned. That we tender to his alliicted family the assurance of our profound sympathy in their irrepar- 
able loss. 

Resolved. That a copj' of this preambh' and resolutions be transmitted to the family of the deceased, and 
to the Madison and Whitewater papers for publication. 

W. S. .JoHKsox. Secretary. Wii,li.\m F. PuEi.rs, President. 

WILLIAM E. WIGHT, farmer, Sec. 1: P. O. Whitewater: he has 134 acres of land: he 
was born in Benton, Luzerne Co., Penn., June 11, 1839; is the son of Lyman and Levina Wight, 
who were descended from New England people. The first family of Mights came from the Isle 
of Wight. England, about the middle of the seventeenth centiu-y, and settled in Massachusetts. 
Ml-, Wight was In-ought up a farmer, and came to Wisconsin in 185(j; located on his present 
farm in Whitewater: he was married, Oct. 2, 1861, in Whitewater, to Miss Alliina, daughter of 
Freman and Eliza Leighton; Mrs. Wight was born in Maine. In politics, Mr. ^^'ight is a Re- 
publican. 

ASAD WILLIAMS, deceased, was born in Stohiugton, Conn., Sept. 2(5, 1 781 ; he was brotight 
up a farmer: moved to Massachusetts, where he was married, by Rev. S. Taggart, Oct. 13, 1808,. 
to Jennie McGee, datighter of Jontithan McGee. Mrs. Williiims was born in Colerain, Franklin 
Co., Mass., Sept. 27. 1781. About 1814, they moved to Herkimer Co., N. Y. : they had two 
children borti to them in Massachusetts — Asad D. and Mary Ann: the daughter died in infancy; 
while residing in Herkimer County, they had two children born to them — Eliza J. and G:irrett 
L.: from there they moved to Stockbridgo, ]\Iadisou Co., where fotu' chiklren were born to them 
— Jtmathan M.. Nathan D., Clarissa A. and Thomas W. Asad D. was married to Cynthia Pow- 
ers, Sept. 2, 1839, by Squire Zera Mead, of Whitewater, and is now living near Ft. Atkinson, 
Wis.; Eliza J. married Norman Pratt in 1833; they now reside at Cheyenne, AV. T. : GaiTett L. 
was maiTied, in 1855, to Miss Amelia Leland; died when 48 years of age: Jonathan M. was 
married, Nov. 27, 1854, in Whitewater, to Miss Sarah M. Hamilton, by M. Rowley, and is a 
farmer of Whitewater, Wis. ; Nathan D. was married by the Methodist Episcopal minister, L. 
Anderson, May 2, 1844. to Betsy Ann Allisu, and is a farmer of Whitewater; Clarissa A. was 
drowned in childhood: Thomas W. married Carrie Hammond, and lives in ]\lilwaukee. In 
1839, Mr. Williams and family moved to Wisconsin: arriving in Whitewater Jun(« 11, he located 
on Sec. *5, where he was engaged in farming: for several years he served as Assessor: in politics, 
he was a Republican: he lived a successful, honest life, winning the respect and esteem of his 
neighbors; his death occunvd iVIay 1(5, 18()4: his wife lived to the advanced age of 99 years and 
(j months: she died Fol). 11, 1S8()' 

MRS. JENNY WILLIAMS, deceased, relict of Capt. Asad Williams, died Feb. 11, 1880, 
in her 99th year. When " Atint Jenny Williams " died, the village of AVhitmvater — all who had 
ever been sick or unfortunate felt, if they had been anywhere within the kind soul's emljrace, 
that a common mother had i)assed aw-ay. She w'as one of the first five members of the Congre- 
gational Church: l)Ut churches were ])tit out of sight where any one was sick, hungered or in 
distress of body and soul, and needed to be ministered unto; there she was ever to be found; 



654 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

and the teai's which fell were from the piu-est heart-sin-ings when the old, busy hands were 
folded and the kind old heart ceased its feeble beating. The following, from the pen of one of 
her friends, fittingly tells the story of her helpful life; " Feb. 13, 1880, Mrs. Jenny Williams, 
in remembrance of whom these lines are written, was tenderly carried to her last resting-place 
by her four sm-viving sons. Though a sad duty to perform, to them it seemed more appropriate 
that loving hands should lay one away who had so long loved and labored for them. Being 
one of the early pioneers of this place, a short history of her life is given by request. She was 
born Sept. 27, 1781, in Coleraiu. Mass. She was one of eight childi-en, all of whom lived to a 
good old age. One brother is still living, over SO years of age. Her father died in middle life; 
her mother at the age of 97. They were of Irish and Scotch descent, and her mother's ancestors 
were remarkable for longevity. Her maiden name was McGee, and, at the age of 27, Oct. 13, 
1808, she was married to Asad Williams, by Rev. T. Taggard, the ofSciating clergyman of the 
Presbyterian Chui-ch of which she was a member. For more than half a centmy they jom-neyed 
together, thi'ough sunshine and storms, on life's highway. Sixteen years ago, her husband died, 
in his 83d year. Eight children were born to them. Five now survive her — fom- sons and one 
daughter. ' To the latter the sad privilege was not given to stand by the grave of her mother, 
with her brothers, and mingle their tears together. For six years after their marriage, they 
resided in her native place, where two children were born — Asad Dean and Mary Ann — the lat- 
ter dying in infancy. They then removed to Herkimer Co., N. Y. ; from there to Stockbridge, 
Madison Co., N. Y., it then being a wilderness. In that State her other six chikken were born, 
namely, Eliza Jane, Garret Lansing, Jonathan McGee, Nathan Dennison, Clarissa Ann and 
Thomas. In 1839, they moved to Whitewater, Wis., settling on the farm where two of her 
sons now reside. She was one of the first members of the Congregational Chui-ch of om* village. 
Nearly eighty years ago, she united with the church in her native place, and never did she lose 
her faith in Chi'istianit}' or cease to lean upon the ai'm of Him who never tires. At the chm-ch 
of her choice, the officiating clergyman. Rev. B. D. Conkling, preached her funeral sermon, and 
for his kind and Christian sympathy and words of counsel the friends extend their heartfelt 
thanks. Intelligent, refined, with positive conviction of right and wrong, it was always pleasant 
to hear the subject of this memoir converse. Until her eyesight failed so that she could not 
read, she took a lively interest in all the political and social questions of the day. As old age 
crept upon her, she gave up the cares of life; she knew no ambition but the good of her loved 
ones, constantly fearing to make others trouble. For many years, she has seen that her chil- 
dren and gi-andchikh-en were supplied with stockings fi-om her own hands. When in her 97th 
year, she knit forty pairs of stockings, and, but a few days before she was taken sick, she called 
for more yarn, which, however, she never used, for ner busy hands grew weai-y, and she folded 
them to rest. With her, industry was one of the Christian graces." 

JONATHAN M. WILLIAMS, farmer. Sec. (3; P. O. Whitewater; has 135 acres of land; is 
t.e son of Asad and Jenny (McGeel Williams; was born in Stockbridge, Madison Co., N. Y.. 
March 17, 1820; was brought up a farmer, and came to Wisconsin with his parents in 1839; 
located on Sec. 6, where he now resides, June 11 of that year; an elder brother, Asad D., had 
preceded him, coming in September, 1837; te had made the claim on which the family located 
on their arrivial, two years later. Mr. Williams was married, in the town of Whitewater, Nov. 
27, 1854, to Miss Sarah M, Hamilton, daughter of Dr. Thomas Hamilton, of Rochester, N. Y.; 
they have three sous — Frank H., Leo A. and Charles M. 

NATHAN D. WILLIAMS, farmer and musician. Sec. (3; P. O. Whitewater; has 80 acres of 
land; he was born in Madison Co., N. Y., March 9, 1823; is the sou of Capt. Asad Williams; 
became to Wisconsin with his parents June 12, 1839; located on Sec. 6, AMiitewater; in the 
spring of 1840, having a natm-al talent for music, he and his brother, Thomas W., began prac- 
ticing wind instruments, while making sugar on the banks of Bark River; they next were in- 
strumental in organizing the Whitewater Cornet Band, which is still in existence; Mr. Will- 
iams and Mr. G. H. Johnson are the only remaining members of the original organization; he 
is also a member of the Severance & Williams String Band; this band has been in existence 
thirty-three years, without a break or change of membership, and is probably the oldest band 
in the State; his brother is prominently identified with the Milwaukee Musical Organization. 
Mr. Williams was married, in Stockbridge, Madison Co., N. Y., May 2, 1844, to Betsey A. 



HISTORY OF WAl.WORTH COUNTY. 655 

A11(MT. they havo tivo children — Georo;e W., m;irried, aud is now u ])racticiug physician of 
Marshalltowu. Iowa: Alma is the wife of John Fryer, of Ackh>y. Iowa; Cains C. is a teacher 
of nnisic at Ackley. Iowa: Linn A. is also a musician of Ackley; Leoua B. is a telegraph ope- 
rator, also of Ackley: George served one year in the late war in the AVisconsin Heavy Artillery. 

O. B. WILLIAIMS, foreman of the wood department of the AVinchester & Partridge Wagon 
Works: he was born in Huron Co.. Ohio. Aug. 11, 1838: is the son of James T. and Harriet 
(Moody) Williams: came to Milwaukee. Wis., in 1846, and in the same year to Genesee. Wau- 
kesha Co.; in ISr^l. he came to AMiitewater and entered the employ of AVinchester & Partridge, 
in the plow works: on the organization of the wagon works, was placed in charge of the wood 
department yards. an<l has discharged the duties of that position with satisfaction to the com- 
pany to this date. He was married, in Hebron. Jeft'ei-son Co.. AVis.. Aug. 27, 1859. to Miss 
Emeline L. AA^•^rd. daughter of S. I). AA^ard; j\Irs. AVilliams was lioru in Henderson, N. Y. ; her 
death occurred Aug. 3, 1881. 

L. A. AA'INCHESTER. President of the AA'inchester & Partridge Manufacturing Company, 
was born in Hartford. AVindsor Co.. Vt., Sept. 2'2. 1821; is the son of D. D. and Sarah AVilson 
AVinchester: he received a common- school and academic education; when 4 years of age. moved 
to AVoodstock, Vt., and from there to Springfield: when 17 years, he learned the blacksmith's 
trade, and, in 1843. came to AViscousin — Milwaukee — where he worked at his trade till the fol- 
lowing March, 1844; he then came to A\'hitewater, and, in company with Joseph Rogers, he 
carried on a general blacksmithing business; a full account of his change of business aud his 
history as a manufacturer is given in the sketch of the works, and wotild only be a repetition 
here. In justice to Mr. AVinchester. it should be stated that his remarkable success in starting 
with a common blacksmith shop and developing the magnificent business that he has, has been 
due to his continuous application to the details of his works, a natural adaptation to mechanical 
employment, and to the good business ability of his partners; with the exception of one year, 
1848 or 1849. which he spent in business at Fulton, Rock Co.. AVis., Mr. AVinchester has been 
established in Whitewater since 1844: about I860, he spent nearly a year in the mountains at 
Pike's Peak, iiinning a quartz-mill, which he did successfully; his business at Whitewater was 
continued by his partner without interruption; he is still interested in mining property in that 
region. 

SEPTER AVINTERMUTE, proprietor of livery stable; business established in 1853. Mr. 
Wintermitte was born in Sussex Co., N. J., May 10. 1810; is the son of Peter AVintennute; he 
was brought up on a hmn. and was mai'ried, Januai-y. 1832, to Emeline Bai'tholf, daughter of 
James Bartholf ; Mrs. AA'intermute was bom in the same county as her husband; they moved to 
Monroe Co.. N. Y., in 1837, and from there to Bernadott. Fulton Co., 111., in 1840, and from 
there, in 1844, to Pekin. 111., where they lived two years, and then, in 1846. came to AVhite- 
water. Wis. ; on coming to AVhitewater. ili\ AVintermute rented the Exchange Hotel, now the 
Kinney House; two years later, it was sold; he then moved to Richmond Center, where he 
farmed and kei)t public house till the spring of 1850, when he returned to AA'hitewater and 
bought the AVhitewater Hotel, which he kept till 1865; shortly after selling, the house was 
burned, and the land reverted to him. when he l)uilt his present substantial brick stables on the 
site of the old hotel: in 1870, Mr. AVintermiite bouijfht a large fai-m in the town of AVhitewater. 
containing 400 acres, which he still owns; he had also a good livery stable in connection with 
his hotel, which he started in 1852; with the exception of two years since that time he has been 
in that business continuously to this date. Mr. AMntermute's family consists of live children, 
thi'ee sons and two daughters - James. Peter. Elizabeth, Ellen and Frank; the eldest, James, 
mairied Caroline Bm'ch, and lives in AVhitewater: Peter is in the livery business at Muskegon, 
Mich. , and mairied Lucy Clapp. Mr. AVinteruuite has a fine herd of H(jlstine cattle cm his 
fai'm, which he has been perfecting for several vears. 

HENRY AVRIGHT, farmer. Sec. 11; P. 6. AVhitewati^r; he has 220 acres of land; was 
Iwrn in England May 20, 1839; is the son of Josejih and Priscella AVright; served a regular 
apjirenticeship as a seaman: sailed in the British min-chant service till he was 21 years of age; 
he then came to the United Staters and sailed in American vessels; in 1854, ho enlisted in the 
United States Navy, sailing in the frigates San Jacinto, Potomac and Waubash; was in the lat- 
ter vessel when she was emj)loyed in bringing home the AValker fililnisters; was in the United 



656 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 



States naval service three years; he followed the sea until 1861, when he settled on his land in 
Whitewater; ho has continued farming to this wTiting, except two seasons that he spent sailing 
on the lakes; he was married, June 6, 1866, in Belvidere, 111., to Miss Sarah, daughter of John 
Rogers; Mrs. Wright was born in England; they have foiu' children — John, George, Elizabeth 
P. and William. 

B. F. WOOD, jeweler, was born in Columbia Co., N. Y. , June 5, 1845; is the son of George 
F. and Lydia C. (Cutting) Wood; when 9 years of age, he moved to Sauk Co., Wis.; learned 
his trade in Reedsbm-g; subsequently lived in Woodland and Ironton; carried on the jeweler's 
business in the latter place about two years, t';en went to Oregon, and, shortly afterward, came 
to Whitewater, where he established his present shop Feb. 20, 1880; he was married, in Hebron, 
Jefferson Co., Wis., to Miss M. Delphine Coryell; Mrs. Wood was born in Rock Co., W^is; they 
have two childien, daughters — Lydia and Lina. 



asillliji 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 657 



TOWN OF DELAVAN. 

ORGANIZATION. 

The town of Delavan is oue of the original towns into which the county was divided by act 
of the TeiTitoi-ial Legislature of January 2, 1838. By that act, it received its name, and, as 
then defined, embraced the southwestern quarter of the county, and comprised what are now the 
towns of Darieu, Sharon, Walworth and the present town. The original town was divided by 
setting of Towns No. 1, in Kanges 15 and If) east, in 1839, to which was given the name of 
Walworth. Subsequently, January '>. 1840, Darien, lying immediately west of the present town, 
being Town No. 2, in Range 1 » east, was set oft', leaving the limits of Delavan as they now ai-e, 
with the exception of a single section. No. 1, which was set oft" February 2, 184<), to help form 
the present town of Elkhorn. It was named Delavan in honor of E. C. Delavan, a prominent 
temperance advocate of Albany, N. Y. 

TOPOGRAPHY. 

The surface of the town is generally quite rolling, but a very small portion being flat and 
level. There is considerable marsh land, the greater portion of it lying in the vicinity of Dela- 
van Lake. These marshes now constitute great natiu-al hay meadows. Around Delavan Lake 
was originally a large amount of timber, mainly oak, with some hickory and a little red cedar 
and poplar. Extending nearly across the town, fi-om the village of Delavan to Elkliorn, is a 
level tract of land known as Delavan Prairie, while in the western part is Blooming Prairie, 
which is smaller and of less importance. 

The soil in all portions of the town is a heavy, rich, clay loam, varying only in its color, 
that in the southern and lower portions being of light color, while that on the prairies and 
higher portions is mixed with a rich alluvial deposit of a darker shade. In the southwestern 
part of the town and extending in a northeasterly direction, and covering principally Sections 
22, 28 and 32, is Delavan Lake, a body of water about three miles in length by one and a half 
miles in width, in which abound the catfish, bass, pike, bull -head, pickerel and most other fish 
common to Western inland lakes. The stream constituting the inlet of the lake enters the town 
on Section 12, and, running in a general southwesterly direction, empties into the lake on Sec- 
tion 22. Nearly opposite this, about one mile west, Delavan Creek, the outlet of the lake, has 
its source. This sb-eam runs in a westerly direction across Sections 21, 20 and lU, and, crossing 
the town line into Darien, takes an abrupt turn and returns again to the town of Delavan and 
extends in a northerly direction. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

The first settlers of Delavan, Hemy and Samuel F. Phoenix, were men of strong religious 
principles, who were seeking a homo in thi^ new Territory of Wisconsin that tbey might found 
there a colony composed of people of like ideas with themselves. They believed if such a 
colony could be started, far away from the temptations of towns and cities, they might see grow 
up around them a community pledged to temperance, sobriety and religion; and " where, should 
a poor despised colored man chance to set his foot, he might do it in safety." 

With this design, the brothers left a flourishing business and pleasant homes in Perry, N. 
Y., and, in the month of May, 1830, started for the Rock River region, which, even at that early 
day, was noted for its fertility and beauty. After spending several weeks on the journey and 
in exploring the Fox and Wisconsin River Valleys, in the northern ])art of Illinios, the pros- 
pectors decided to explore the new and comparatively unknown Territory of Wisconsin. They 
reached the little settlement at Spring Prairie about the 1st of July, 1S30 a luouth after Dr. 
Hemenway, David Pratt and Solomon Harvey had arrived there with their families, and when 
there was no settlement l)etwoen that point and Janesville. The first week after their arrival 
was spent in exploring the country in the vicinity of Sugar Creek, in the town of Spring Prairie, 
and as far west as Rock River, in search of a mill site, and suitable place for the site of a village. 

On the 0th of .Juh-, Henrv, the elder of the brothers, returned to New York to the business 



658 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

there, and Samuel, not having yet decided upon a location, continued his explorations and in- 
vestigations alone. July 8, two days after his brother left, ho started fi'om his headquarters at 
Spring Prairie, mounted on " Wall," his horse. He took with him his ax, surveyor's compass 
and luncheon, and explored the country as far southvrest as Duck Lake (now Como), and thence 
southwest through the heavj' timber bt^tween that point and Big Foot Lake (now Geneva). He 
obtained assistance at the outlet of Big Foot Lake, and marked some claims, and about sunset 
took the Indian trail for Dr. Hemenway's tavern at Spring Prairie, ten miles distant, where he 
arrived about 10 o'clock. Mr. Phcenix came nearer giving up the idea of settling in "Wisconsin 
while awaj' on this trip tlian at any other period of his prospecting torn-. In the midst of the 
nntraversed wilderness, tormented by hungry mosquitoes and bewildered in trying to trace the 
indistinct and sometimes hardly discernible suiweyor's lines, no wonder his heart was hungry 
for the pleasant home in the East, and that for a brief time he felt like giving up the task he 
had voluntarily taken upon himself, and following his brother Hem-y to New York. He was not, 
however, a man to yield long to feelings of discouragement, and he tells us in his jom-nal: 
"Upon further consideration, I concluded it would give our journey to the country the ap])ear- 
ance of a farce, and would be too faint-hearted a business to comport with om- character; so I 
sought the Lord for wisdom to guide and strength to succor under these sinkings of mind. Thus 
committing my way to Him, I resolved to persevere." 

Col. Phcenix spent the Sabbath, July Itl, at Spring Prairie, preaching the first sermon in 
Walworth County to an audience of fifteen persons. The next foiu' days were sj^ent in exploring 
jiortions of Spring Prairie and what is now the tovm of La Fayette. 

On Friday, July 15, he once more started toward the southwest. Passing throiigh the 
present town of Geneva by the head of Duck Lake, and along the northern shore of Big Foot 
Lake, he turned toward the north, and reached Swan (now Delavan Lake) in time to make sur- 
veys of the lake and adj(_nuing prairie before dark. Toward night, he discovered the outlet of 
the lake. He says in his journal: "It is about the size of Sugar Creek at the crossing of the 
army trail, and with a current as brisk. " The first night in Delavan was spent in adeserted Indian 
wigwam near the lake. After covering the wigwam with mats which the Indians had left there, 
he made his supper of the bread ho had brought fi'om Spring Prairie, moistened with water from 
the lake, and making his bed of the remaining mat, not forgetting lo "acknowledge the good 
hand of the Lord in His protection and guidance," he laid down to rest and quietly slept 
through the night, on the very spot, where, four years after, he was attacked with his last 
mortal illness. 

On the following morning, he made some explorations under water with hook and line, but 
here his good fortune failed him, and the disappointment doubtless made the poor breakfast of 
bread and lake water taste even di-yer than before. It is no wonder that, under the circum- 
stances, he felt that " it went down rather hard." Piu'suing his explorations in search of a 
mill-site, he was rewarded by finding one on Swan Creek, with land adjacent which he thought 
would be a good site for a village, should his undertaking prove a success. He also found a fine 
spring of pure clear water, which both he aud "Wall" enjoyed exceedingly. The remains of 
his luncheon were disposed of, and after following Swan Creek to its outlet into Turtle, he 
turned his face again toward Spring Prairie. The triji back was pretty uncomfortable. He 
and his horse were both hirngry; it was hot July weather, insects of all kinds were "abroad in 
the land," and, by the time Col. Phcenix reached the prairie south of the present Shiretowu of 
Walworth County, he was very willing to lay down and rest, and "Wall" was glad to have one 
good meal of the luxuriant prairie grass. Col. Phcenix found the spot where he rested beautiful 
but nameless. Since that visit, it has been "Elkhorn Prairie." 

After Col. Phoenix had consulted some of the " neighbors " (living only three miles apart) at 
Spring Prairie, it was decided that a road from Racine to Wisconsin City, on Rock River, must 
cross Turtle Creek just above the mouth of Swan Creek, the present site of the village of Dela- 
van. He accordingly decided to return and make his claim. On Tuesday, July 19, he set 
out, taking a more northerly route than before, crossed Elkhorn and Delavan Prairies, and ar- 
rived at the wigwam he had left the Saturday before full of enthusiasm and corn-age, and more 
than ever determineil to carry out the design to which he and his lirother had consecrated them- 
selves. Mr. Phcenix made, at this time, the usual marks to secure his claim, by blazing trees 



HISTORY OF WAI.WORTH COUNTY. 659 

and corner stakes, and. in addition, ho christened the claim on the spot " Temporaneo Colony 
Claim." It was while engaged in seciu'ing it that the Colonel killed a rattlesnake, and was 
encouraged by the good omen to believe that the serpent intemperance might likewise be crushed 
in his little colony. 

Having taken three days' provisions from Dr. Hemenway's. the Colonel spent the next day 
in eximiiniug the country iii the vicinity of the present village of Delavan. At night, he rettu'ned 
to his home in the wigwam, hut was iiot as fortunate as at his i)revious visits. A drenching 
rain set in, and a part of tlie night was spout in keeping his tire alive and himself dry. On 
Thursday, July '21, he returned to Spring Prairie, meeting on the route Allen Perkins, who had 
also been to Turtle Creek and selected a claim eighty rods west of the present site of Delavan 
Village, on Tiu'tle Creek. On this claim, ili-. Perkins built the first house in the town of Dela- 
van. "Mt. Dwinnell thiis spealcs of it: "After wandering in the darkness for an hour, we heard 
a cow-bell, and were guided by it to the cabin of Allen Perkins, who lived a few rods west of 
the present village of Delavan. He had a cabin twelve feet square, with a wife and tive children, 
but in this limited space found room to entertain travelers. It was a characteristic of the pio- 
neers that, however small their cabin or numerous their family and guests, they always found 
room foi one more — their latch-string was always out." 

When Col. Phoenix met Mr. Perkins, the latter was wandering about in the vicinity of the 
present site of Elkhorn Village. After selecting his claim at Turtle Creek, he attempted to fol- 
low the track of a passing stage team, and became bewildered, and finally, utterly lost. At the 
time the Colonel met him, he had become nearly exhausted, but succeeded in reaching Dr. Hem- 
enway's, where he received the attention that he so much required. 

in the latter part of July, Col. Phcsnix pitched his tent on the present site of the village. 
On August 5, 183(3, he moved his fiu-niture and provisions to thejplace, and, with three hired 
men, really commenced to live in Delavan. 

At this time, the hoped-for weekly stage wagon had been started from Racine to Wisconsin 
City, a prospective town on Rock River, near the present city of Jauesville. (It proved to be 
only a prospective town. ) One trip had been made the week previous, and Col. Phosnix was full 
of hope in regard to the route, although disappointed at his failure to receive letters, as he had 
not heard from home for about thi-oe m onths. He says, in regard to the stage line, in a letter 
to his brother Hemy: "The road is nearly straight for sixty-five miles, and better ground 
cannot be found for the same distance in any of the Western States. The Tiu'tle Creek Crossing 
is the worst spot on the route, and that can be easily made passable.'' Notwithstanding the 
natiu-al advantages of the rout(>. it was destined, like many others in those days, to be a failure, 
as the stage made but a few trips. It is said that the stage-ch'iver on one of these routes, on 
arriving at the " city," which was his destination, finding no house nor Postmaster there, dis- 
mounted, opened the bag. and. taking out the letters destined for the place, fastened them to a 
stake and drove on. 

Although Col. Phoenix was eventually disappointed in the road to "Wisconsin City." he 
went to work with a will and energy that effectually prevented any disappointment in the mat- 
ter of founding the fixture village. The fall of 1S36 and the following winter were busy times 
for himself and little crew of men. One hundred tons of hay were put up. thirty acres of 
prairie broken ready for the coming spring, and rails prepai-ed for two miles of fence. In No- 
vember, he went to Illinois and bought his jirovisions for the winter- and seed gi-ain for spring. 
In October. William Phoenix, a cousin, anived with his family, being the first of the ex- 
pected colony that settled on the chosen spot. A house was built iuunediately. 20x22 feet in 
size, with puncheon tloor and shake roof. The house was built near the lianlc of the creek; on 
what is now Terrace street, and was the tir.st house bailt on the present site of Delavan Village. 
The family of AVilliam Phfjenix and Col. I'htcnix. with his men. moved into the house in the fall, 
although "it was not completed until later, as the boards for the chamber floor were drawn from 
Root River Rapids, forty miles distant, through deep snow diu-ing the following winter. 

On October '25. Col. PIkbuIx attended the "Belmont Legislature" as a lobl)y member, and 
it was mainly through his influence that the county at that time received the name of Walworth. 
Xt the next session of the Legislature, when the county was divided into towns, the southwest 



660 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

quarter was given the name of Delavan, in honor of Edward (J. Delavan, a prominent temperance 
man of Albany, N. Y. 

In March. 1837, Col. Phcenix went to New York for his family and retiu-ned to Delavan in 
the following July, arriving on Tuesday, July 12, 1837. In September, the family moved into 
the log house on the farm at Swan Lake, not far from the wigwam where the father passed the 
first nights during his prospecting tours. 

Heniy Phoenix arrived with his family in June, 1838, and the brothers set about active 
business — opening farms, laying out a village and erecting mills. 

The immigration of 1837 did not set in until late in the season, owing to the length and 
severity of the winter. Among others who came then were Henry Barlow and A. H. Taggart, 
young men from Castile, N. Y., arrived in June, by boat, fi'om Buffalo. The former was married 
July 3, 18-41, to Emeline La Bar, this being the fii'st marriage in the town. He had settled on 
Section 5. Daniel E. La Bar, William Hollinshead and Isaac Burson came fi-om Pennsylvania 
(by horse team), and an-ived June 2(). Mr. Burson settled on Section 4, Mr. Hollins- 
head on Section 3 and Mr, La Bar on Sections and 7. The first two were single men. Mr. 
La Bar did not bring his family luitil two years after. William A. Bartlett came during the 
summer and settled on Delavan Lake, neai' where Samuel Phoenix had built his log hoiise. 

Diu-ing the same season, Charles Bailey, fi'om Vermont, located on Section 25. Hiram Cal- 
kins, fi'om New York, arrived about the same time and lived with Mr. Bailey for several months 
until he made a claim on Section 2() for himself and moved on to it. A Mj-. Smith and a Mr. 
Cook settled on Section 2. They remained until early in July, when they sold their claim to 
Peter Boyee, who arrived July 11. James Hollinshead, a brother of William Hollinsehad, ar- 
rived in August and located on Section 3. Among others who increased the population of the 
colony at this time were Milo Kelsey, David, Cyrus and Edwin Brainerd and father, Luke Tay- 
lor and J. E. Bell. Mr. Kelsey was by profession a lawyer, and was, therefore, the fu'st in the 
town. Heni'y Barlow and William Hollinshead are the only ones who are still living where they 
first located; of the remainder, most are dead, save a few who have moved away. These, how- 
ever, formed the nucleus of the first white settlement of what afterward became the 
town of Delavan. In 1838, the tide of immigration was at its highest, and any attempt to men- 
tion indivielual names, or to follow the growth and struggles of this young community, would 
lengthen this article to tediousness, but it would be incomplete without mentioning a few of the 
incidents which at that time excited universal interest. Col. S. F. and Henry Phoenix were al- 
ways open-handed in jiromoting enterprises which promised well for the public good. During 
1837 and 1838, they were improving the water-power and getting out timber for a saw-mill. It 
was completed in February, 1839. The building was situated one and a half miles above the 
village. Here the timber and logs were sawed for a grist-mill, which went into operation a few 
months thereafter. Amos Otis was master builder. The frame of this mill was probably the 
tallest and heaviest that had at that time been erected in the county. It was raised on Thiu'sday, 
May 16, 1839, and all the people for a distance of twelve miles were invited and veiy generally 
turned out to assist in the operation. The first store was ojiened by the Phoenix brothers in the 
fall of 1838, near Swan Lake, about a quarter of a mile from the saw-mill. They opened a S6,- 
000 stock of goods which they disposed of in a short time. The goods were offered for sale in 
a shed that had been built for the use of the cattle, but which was divided into rooms and oc- 
cupied by the family of Mr. Samuel Phoenix, for six weeks after their an'ival, until their log 
house, on Section 15, could be finished. The goods were in "the west room," and Mrs. Phcenix 
and her scm Franklin attended to the selling; of them. The store was removed to the village of 
Delavan, and kept in the log house of William Phcenix, later in the same season, under the firm 
name of H. & S. F. Phcenix. 

Delavan having now a population of perhaps one hundred souls, the next requirement 
was the establishment of a post office, followed by the opening of schools, chm-ches, etc. 

FIRST THINGS IN THE TOWN OF DEL.WAN. 

The first post office was established in 1837, and William Phoenix was appointed Postmaster- 
At this time, they had a semi-weekly mail, the contractor being William B. Sheldon, of Racine- 
Previously, the nearest post olfice was at that jwint. 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 661 

The tirst chiirch was organized l)y tlu> Baptists during 1S3S. The organization consisted of 
sixteen members. 

The first school was taught iu the log house occupied by William Phojnix, in the summer of 
1839, by Miss Julia Dyer. She had about twelve scholars. 

The first settler was Samuel F. Phfenix, in 1831). 

The first log hoiise was built liy Allan Perkins, iu 183(i. 

The tirst land plowed and cultivated was by Samuel F. PhcBnix, iu the fall of 1836. 

The first religious meeting was held by Samuel F. Phrenix, August 7, 183fi. The first 
sermon preached by an ordained minister was by Elder Benjamin Pierce, October 7, 1836. 

The first lawyer was Milo Kelsey, who settled in 1837. 

The first white child born in the town was Amelia T. Taylor, daughter of Luke Taylor, on 
October 12, 1837, now the wife of Byron Brown, of Whitewater. A. H. Thomas who is said to 
have been the first child born there, was born over the line, in what i.-* now Darien, August, 
1837. 

The fii-st burial was a child of Salmon Thomas, which was brought from Ilacine, in June, 
1837, and biu-ied where the old cemetery now is. 

The first death wa.s Daniel E. La Bar, which occurred in July, 1839. He was buried a 
short distance north of the present village of Delavan, between the old and new cemeteries. 

On January 2, 1S41. Rev. Henry Topping baptized a number of persons at what may be called 
the "first regular christening." They were \\'yckum Cheesbro, Ira P. Larnard, Joseph Newcomb, 
Benjamin Bradway, Matthew Fuller, S. Ilees La Bar, Hannah A. La Bar, Mariah H. Cheesbro, 
Sarah Topping, Jane Hollinshead, Caroline Cramer and Betsey A. Bartlett. 

The first marriage was that of Henry Barlow and Emeline La Bar, July 3, 1841. 

The fii-st school was taught in 1839 by Julia Dyer. 

The first railroad connection was made in 1856, at which time the Eacine & Mississippi 
Railroad was completed through the village. It is now the only railroad passing through the 
town. 

OFFICIAL HISTORY OF DELAV.\N. 

Delavan was set ofi' and oi-ganized as a separate town in 1838, but it seems to have beeni 
till 1840, only the boundaries of a voting precinct. No record of any town meeting for the 
election of town officers can be found prior to 1842. 

At the first town meeting of the electors of the town of Delavan, held at the house of 
Israel Stowel on the 5th day of April, 1842, Ii-a LTtter was chosen Moderator, and Benjamin F. 
Hart, Clerk. It was voted at this meeting that but one Assessor and but two Constables be 
chosen, and that one-half of 1 per cent upon the assessment be raised for a school fund for the 
following year; that the compensation of the Supervisors be SI per day. A committee was ap- 
l)ointed consisting of Thomas Topping, William Phoenix and William A. Bartlett, whose duty 
it should be to report a bill of fees for all the town officers not provided for by law. This com- 
mittee reported as follows: "That the compensation for the services of Town Clerk for the 
town of Delavan be the same as the fee bill of the "State of New York, except when he shall 
preside with any of the town officers, in- which the law makes it his duty to jireside, for which 
he shall be entitled to receive $1 for each day actually so employed. Also, that every town 
officer whose compensation is not prescribed by law shall be entitled to II per day actually 
em[)loyed in the duties of his office.'' It was also voted that the Treasurei- receive 1 pel- cent for 
receiving moneys and I [)or cent for jiaying out the same. 

The first election of town olficer.s occurred on this same date. The whole numl)er of votes 
cast w;is fifty-six and the following-named persons were elected to their raspective offices: 

William A. Bartlett, Chairman; William Hollinshead and C. S. Bailey, Supervisors; S. S. 
Barlow, Town Clerk; J. C. Church, Asse.ssor; Jasper Griggs, Treasurer; Benjamin F. Hart, 
Collector (resigned and Nehemiah Barlow (dected); Edward A. Hollinslu»ad, Hiram Calkins and 
Edward Norris, Commissioners of Highways ; Henderson Hunt, A. B. Parsons and Hiram 
Calkins, School Commissioners; Israel Stowel and Albert Ogden, C!onstabl(>8; Thomas Topping, 
Sealer of Weights and Measui-c^s; M. B. Goft', Road Supervisor; P(>t('r Buys, Ira Utter and 
Isaac Burson, Fence ^'iewers. 

The following is a list of the officers since the organization of the town: 



662 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

1843 — Henderson Hunt, Chairman-. Hiram Calkins and J. C. Chnrcli, Supervisors; Will- 
iam Hollinshead, Assessor; S. S. Barlow, Clerk; Jasjier Griggs, Treasiu'er; A. Gaston, C. H. 
Stnrtevant and A. B. Parsons, School Commissioners; John L. Ward, Collector; Levi Gloyd 
and John L. Ward, Constables; William A. Bartlett, Sealer. 

1844 — William Phoenix, Chairman; George Passage and Calvin B. Carington, Supervisors; 
C. Brainard, Clerk; I. C. Church. Jasper Griggs and Joseph Bowker, Justices of the Peace; 
William Hollinshead, Henry Barlow and E. G. Wright, Assessors; J. R. Bradway, Edward 
Brainard and Samuel Jones, School Commissioners; H. Wells. Treasurer: John L. Ward, W. G. 
Hemour and R. G. AV^ight. Constables: John L. Ward, Collector; Elida Carver, Sealer. 

1845 — William Phcenix. Chairman: William Hollinshead and Ira Utter, Supervisors; C. 
Brainard, Clerk; J. R. Bradway, S. S. Barlow and L. H. Willis, School Commissioners; S. R. 
Crosby, Collector: S. R. Crosby and J. L. Ward, Constables: H. Stewart, Treasurer; Asa Glovey, 
Sealer. 

1846 — C. H. Stiu-tevant, Chairman; H. Mallory and George Passage, Supervisors; Hugh 
Bradt, Clerk; J. L. Ward, Collector; A. H. Taggart, Treasurer; William Phcenix, S. S. Barlow 
and Jasper Griggs, Justices of the Peace; J. R. Bradway, Daniel Clough and Uriah M, Perry, 
School Commissioners; S. R. La Bar and William Phcenix, Assessoi-s; J. L. Ward, John Will- 
iams and Isaac Kent, Constables; James H. Mansfield, Sealer. 

1847 — C. H. Stnrtevant, Chairman; Samuel Jones and Peter Boys, Supervisors; K. G. 
AVright, S. R. La Bar and Alexander ilcBeth. Assessors; Joseph R. Bradway, Daniel Clough, 
Jr.. and E. H. M. Bailey, School Commissioners: John Williams, Collector: Charles Smith, 
Clerk; John Williams, P. S. Carver and L. G. Calkins, Constables; J. D. Monell. Treasm-er; 
Henry H. Phcenix, Sealer. 

1848 — Samuel Jones, Chairman; Charles S. Bailey and Willard Isham, Supervisors; Charles 
Smith, Clerk; C. W. Allen, S. S. Barlow and Ira Utter, Justices of the Peace; Alfred Stewart, 
Treasurer; E. H. M. Bailey, Jose]^h R. Bradway and A. B. Parsons, School Commissioners; 
William A. Bartlett, Isaac Bur.son and K. G. Wright, Assessors: P. S. Carver, L. G. Calkins 
and John Dalton, Jr., Constables; P. S. Carver, Collector; James H. Mansfield, Sealer. 

1849 — Henry Mallory, Chairman; K. G. Wright and Asa Congdon, Supervisors; Samuel 
C, Kelsey, Clerk; William C. Allen, S. S. Barlow and William Hollinshead, Jiistiees of the 
Peace; William Pierce, William A. Bartlett and Asa Congdon, Assessors; Willard Isham, 
Treasurer; Thomas Liddle, L. G. Calkins and Jj. H. Willis, Constables; Joseph R. Bradway, 
School Superintendent. 

1850 — Asa Congdon, Chairman; James Ai'am, Samuel Utter, Supervisors; Hugh Bradt, 
Clerk; P. S. Carver, Treasm-er; J. R. Bradway, School Superintendent; William Hollinshead, 
Ira Utter, S. S. Barlow, Milo Kelsey, Justices of the Peace; Amos Eastman, John L. Ward, 
Charles S. Bailey, Assessors; Sanford Jones, P. S. Carver, C. P. Calkins. Constables. 

1851 — S. S. Barlow, Chairman; James Aram, K. G. Wright, Supervisors; Hugh Bradt, 
Clerk; William W. Clark, Treasurer; J. R. Bradway, School Superintendent; A. S. Spooner, L. 
H. Willis, Justices of the Peace; A. H. Taggart, William Pierce, William Hollinshead, Asses8or.s; 
C. P. Calkins, S. S. Babcock, Sanford Jones, Constables. 

1852 — Norman L. Gaston, Chairman: Hilas Meacham, James Dilley, Supervisors; Hugh 
Bradt, Clerk; William Pierce, Joseph S. Mott, N. M. Harrington, Assessors; William H. Clark, 
Treasurer; Samuel C. Kelsey, School Superintendent; Milo Kelsey. R. R. Menzie, Justices of 
the Peace; Sanford Jones, H. B. Hier, Charles Smith, Constables. 

1853 — A. H. Taggart, Chairman; Daniel Clark, S. W. Barlow, Supervisors; E. H. M. Bai- 
ley, Clerk; S. S. Babcock, Treasurer: Charles S. Stm-tevant, William Hollinshead, L. P. Bailey, 
Assessors; J. V. Bradway, School Superintendent; A. S. Spooner. Henry Mallory, Justices of 
the Peace; Nicholas Thorn. Sanford -Jones, Charles Smith, Constables. 

1854 — Joseph L. Mott, Chairman: Richard Williams, C. S. Bailey, Supervisors; E. H. M. 
Bailey, Cierk; W. W. Bradley, Treasm-er; Levi Gloyd, Henry O. Johnson, Samuel Utter, Asses- 
sors; W. A. Blanchard, School Superintendent; Thomas Bolls, Newton McGraw, L. H. Mills, 
Justices of the Peace; Sanford Jones, W. W. Clarke, Chauncey Woodford, Constables. 

1855— E. P. Conrick, Chairman: P. D. Kendrick, Samuel Utter, Supervisors; G. F. H. 
Betts, Clerk: Chauncey Betts, H. O. Johnson, C. P. Calkins, Assessors; L. H. Willis, James 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 663 

Lewis, Richar<l Williams, Justices of the IVaeo; P. 51. Keeler, N. Thorn, C. S. Babcock, Cou 
stables. 

1850 — E. I'. Courick, Chiiirmau; S. K. La Bar, Samuel Utter, Supervisors; H. J. Briggs, 
Clerk; E. H. M. iJailey, School Superiutendent; Charles Smith, Treasurer; J. C. Church, M. 
N. -McCiraw. Justices of the Peace; B. F. Burr, T. D. Thomas, C. T. Smith, Assessors; Charles 
Smith, P. M. Keeler, B. F. Biut. Constables. 

1857 — E. P. Conrick, Chairman; L. P. Bailey, S. R. La Bar, Supervisors; C. M. Bradt, 
Clerk; Charles Smith, Treasurer; G. H. Briggs, School Superintendent; T. D. Thomas, James 
M. Gaskill, Richard Vanalstine, Assessors; Charles S. Bailey, Justice of the Peace; N. A. 
Keeler, R. C. Perry, John Utter, Constables. 

1858— E. P. Conrick, Chairman; P. D. Keudrick, S. W. Barlow, Supervisors; C. M. Bradt, 
Clerk; G. F. H. Betts, Treasurer; George H. Briggs, School Sui)eriuteudent; N. McGraw, A. 
Bennett, Justices of the Peace; Homer Coleman, Chauncey Betts, C. S. Bailey, Assessors; D. B. 
Moor, Ira C. Perry, Sanford Jones, Constables. 

1859 — E. P. Conrick, Chairman; James Ai-am, M. R. Chover, Supervisors; .James S. Dilley, 
Clerk; E. W. Phelps, Treasurer, Jasper Griggs, Richard Williams, L. H. Willis, .Justices of 
the Peace; H. O. Johnson, George W. Paul, L. P. Bailey, Assessors; G. W. Briggs, School Su- 
perintendent; L. C. Luther, C. Y. Fitzer, George Tutlow, Constables. 

18(30 — Salmon Thomas, Chairman; James Aram, Samuel Uttei', Supervisors; Sardis Brain- 
ard. Clerk; B. D. White, Treasm-er; D. B. Masson, School Superintendent; H. W. Clark, New- 
ton McGraw, Justices of the Peace; E. H. Chandler, J. M. Gaskill, Henry Mallory, Assessors; 

D. B. Maxson, C. Y. Fitzer, George Tutlow, Constables. 

1861 — Salmon Thomas, Chairman; James Aram, James M. Gaskill, Supervisors; Sardis 
Braiuard, Clerk; Charles H. Sauborn, Treasurer; D. B. Maxson, School Superintendent; Richard 
Williams. L. H. Willis, Justices of the Peace; E. H. Chandler, L. P. BaiJey, S. L. Rice, Asses- 
sors; C. Y. Fitzer, P. M. Keeler, Chauncey Woodford, Constables. 

1862 — James Aram, Chairman; J. M. Gaskill, Samuel Utter, Supervisors; E. K. Barker, 
Clerk; removed and S. Brainard deputized; S. Brainard, Treasiu-er; Newton McGraw, Charles 

E. Griffin, Justices of the Peace; E. H. Chandler, S. L. Rice, H. G. Hollister, Assessors; C. Y. 
Fitzer, Lewis Han-is, C. Woodford, Constables. 

1863 — James Aram, Chairman; E. Latimer, Henry Mallory, Supervisors; Charles E. 
Griffin, Clerk; J. F. Latimer, Treasurer; George Cotten, H. G. Hollister, James M. Gaskill, 
Assessors. (No records of the remaining officers of this year can be foiind.) 

1864 -James Aram. Chairman; Homer Coleman, L. P. Bailey, Su])ervisors; K. N. Hollis- 
ter. Clerk; Newton McGraw. Treasurer; E. Latimer, H. G. Hollister, R. H. Bristol, Assessors; 
Newton McGraw, Homer Coleman, Justices of the Peace; C. C. Blanchard, Austin Woodford, 
P. M. Keeler, Constables. 

1865 — James Aram, Chairman; Homer Coleman, L. P. Bailey, Supervisors; H. T. Sharp, 
Clerk; removed and E. B. Hollister deputized; E. P. Com-ick, H. G. Hollister, J. M. Gaskill, 
Assessors; Newton McGraw, Treasm-er. (No records of the remaining officers of this year to 
bo found.) 

1866 — James .\,ram. Chairman; H. G. Hollister, Hem-y Barl(jw, Supervisors; Charles E. 
Griffin, Clerk; Newton McGraw, Treasm-er; R. H. Bristol," E. Hall, E. M. Shsu-p, Assessors; 
Newton McGraw. Ch;u-les E. Griffin, Justices of the Peace; Austin AVoodford, L. C. Luther, 
Chai-les Blanchai-d, Constables. 

1867 — James Ai-am, Chairman; H. G. Hollister, Hem-y Barlow. Supervisors; Charles E. 
Griffin. Clerk; E. Hall, L. P. Bailey, S. L. Rice, Assessors; C. D. Woodford, Richard Williams, 
Justices of the Peace; Henry C. Hunt, Treasm-er; Austin Woodford, Jr., C. C. Blanchard, L. 
C Luther, Constables. , 

1868 — James Aram, Chairman; H. G. Hollister, Henry Barlow. Supervisors; Charles E. 
Griffin, Clerk; Hem-y C. Hunt, Treasm-er; A G. Kellam, James M. Gaskill, L, H. Willis, As- 
sessors; Newton McGraw, Charles E. Griffin, Justices of the Peace; Austin W'oodford, Jr., L. 
H. Graves, C. C. Blanchard, Constables. 

1869 — James i\j-am. Chairman; H. G. Hollister, Henry Barlow, Supervisors; Charles F. 
Griffin, Clerk (died and I. P. Larnard ajjpointed); E. M. Sharp, Treasurer; C. D. Woodford, 



664 . HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

S. W. Meuzie. Justices of the Peace; A. H. Taggart, Assessor; C. C. Blanchard. B. Bassler, 
Austin Woodford. Jr. , Constables. 

1870 — James Aram. Chairman; H. G. Hollister. Henry Barlow. Supervisors; I. P. Lamard, 
Clerk; E. M. Sharp. Treasm-er; S. R. La Bar. Assessor; Newton McGraw, William Hollinshead, 
Justices of the Peace; Austin Woodford. B. Bassler. I. Y. Fitzer, Constables. 

1871 — James Aram, Chaii-man; Henry Barlow, H. G. Hollister, Supervisors; I. P. Larnard, 
Clerk; E. M. Sharp. Treasurer; C. D. Woodford, S. W. Menzie, D. B. Devendorf. Justices of 
the Peace; Austin Woodford, B. Bassler, I. Y. Fitzer, Constables; S. R. La Bar, Assessor. 

1872 — James Aram, Chairman; Henry Barlow, H. G. Hollister, Supervisor; I. P. Larnard, 
Clerk; E. M. Sharp, Treasm-er; Newton McGraw, A. S. Spooner, Justices of the Peace; S. R. 
La Bar, Assessor; B. Bassler, I. Y. Fitzer, Austin W'oodford. Constables. 

1873 — James Aram, Chairman; H. G. Hollister, L. P. Bailey, Supervisors (Mr. Bailey died 
March 9, 1874, and Henry Barlow was appointed to fill the vacancy); L P. Larnard, Clerk; N. 
A. Keeler, Treasurer; S. R. La Bar, Assessor; S. W. Menzie, C. D. Woodford, Justices of the 
Peace; B. Bassler, Austin Woodford, F. Donaghue, Constables. 

1871: — James Aram, Chairman; William Hollinshead, M. L. Hollister, Supervisors; I. P. 
Larnard, Clerk; F. A. Smith, Treasurer; S. R. La Bar, Assessor; A. S. Spooner, Mark INIc- 
Graw, Justices of the Peace; B. Bassler, Augtin Woodford, T. Q. Low, Constables. 

1875 — H. G. Hollister, Chairman; William S. Howe, William Hollinshead, Supervisors; 
I. P. Larnard, Clerk; William B. Munsell, Treasurer; S. R. La Bar, Assessor; S. W. Menzie, 
L. H. Willis, Justices of the Peace; Austin Woodford, B. Bassler, L. C. Luther, Constables. 

1876 — H. G. Hollister, Chairman; W. S. Howe, S. V, Barlow, Supervisors; I. P. Larnard, 
Clerk; William B. Munsell, Treasxu-er; R. H. Bristol, Assessor; A. Bennett, A. S. Spooner, 
Justices of the Peace: Benjamin Bassler, W. C. Van Velzer, John Briggs, J. S. Devendorf, 
Constables. 

1877 — H. G. Hollister, Chairman; William Redford, A. H. Allyn, Supervisors; I. P. Lar- 
nard, Clerk; W. H Nichols, Treasurer; R. H. Bristol, Assessor; S. S. Babcock, T. F. Williams, 
Justices of the Peace; J. S. Devendorf, James Devoue, Henry Dalton, Constables. 

1878 — H. G. Hollister, Chairman; William Redford, A. H. Allyn, Supervisors (William 
Redford moved away, and J. S. McDougal appointed in his place October 8); I. P. Larnard, 
(Merk; W. H. Nichols, Treasiu'er; R. H. Bristol. Assessor; S. W. Menzie, A. Bennett, Justices 
of the Peace; H. Dalton, W. C. Van Velzer, B. Bassler, Constables. 

1879 — H. G. Hollister. Chairman; J. S. McDougal, A. H. Allyn, Supervisors; L P. Lar- 
nard, Clerk; I. Y. Fitzer, Treasiu-er; R. H. Bristol, Assessor: T, F. Williams, A. Van Dyke, 
Justices of the Peace; Henry Dalton, E. Edwards, James Devone, Constables. 

1880 — H. G. Hollister, Chairman; John McDougal, A. H. Allyn, Supervisors; L P. Lai'- 
nard. Clerk; I. Y. Fitzer, Treasurer; R. H. Bristol, Assessor; S. W. Menzie, A. S. Spooner, 
Justices of the Peace; Albert Hollister, Even Edwards, W. C. Van Velzer, Constables. 

18S1 — H. G. Hollister, Chairman; J. S. McDougal, A. H. Allyn, Supervisors; I. P. Lar- 
nard, Clerk; G. H. Briggs, Treasurer; R. H. Bristol, Assessor; A. Van Dyke, T. F, Williams, 
Justices of the Peace: W. C. Van Velzer, Ora Williams, Even Edwards, Constables. 

DELAVAN VILLAGE. 

The village had its birth nearly cotemporaneously with the town. Its past life has already 
been shown in the account of the settlement of Mr. Phcenix and the building of the mill on 
Turtle Creek. The village itself gi'ew as a trade center for the sTu-rounding country from the 
time Mr. Phoenix first made his claim. 

In January, 1846, the village contained six blachsmiths, two wheelwrights, two saddle and 
harness-makers, one sash-maker, nine carpenters and joiners, one fanning-mill shop, two paint- 
ers, two cabinet-makers, nine boot and shoe makers, two tailors, three physicians, five lawyers, 
two laud surveyors, six diy-goods stores, two groceries, one tavern, one plow factory, five minis- 
ters of the Gospel — one Baptist, two Presbyterian, one Methodist, one Episcopalian — forty-three 
dwelling houses, sixty-three families and 400 people; one common and one select school, two 
temperance societies, of which three- fourths of the adults in town were members. 

The village was incorporated by act of the Legislature in 1855-56. The limits as defined 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUXTY. 'j'j'i 

in the act of incorporation were: The whole of Section 18, the west half of Section 17, the north- 
west quarter of Section 20 and the north half of Section lU, Townshi]> No. 2 north, of Range 6 
east, beini; one and a half miles scjuaro. The first charter was olrfained during the session of 
the Legislature in the winter of 1857-58. This charter was amended March 25, 1807, and 
again Mai-ch 6, 18(38, and, in 1880, a charter under the general laws of the State was obtained. 
The village was first laid out iu 1841 by S. F. and Henry Phoenix, Edward Norris doing the 
surveying. Additions have since been made by Ann Phcsnix, in 184('); T. K. Phcenix, iu 1852; 
Passage, Aram and Do^^^lie, consisting of 134 acres, in 1854; L. E. Downie, in 1856, and J. B. 
Devondorf, in 1858. It is situated in the best portion of the county, which, as a county, is only 
second for the value and variety of its agricultural products andtirst in the State for the amount 
of its products, proportionate to its area. The fii-st house in the village, as before stated, was 
built by S. F .Phteuix near the southeast corner of Block 15, in Terrace street. Among the 
first improvements of the village was a flouring-mill. which will be spoken of hereafter; a 
church, built by the Baptists, near the pre.sent one. on Block Ki, in 1841, the first in the village; 
a hotel, built by Israel Stowel, on Block 9, in 1839, also the first in the village, together with 
many others. 

The ih-st physician was Henderson Hunt, who settled in 1841, while S. S. Barlow, afterward 
Attorney General of the State, attended to all legal questions to the entire satisfaction of the 
one side and utter disgust of the other in every suit at law. 

The fii-st substantial brick building was built in 1842 byA. H. Taggart and George Passage, 
in which they opened a §4,000 stock of goods, consisting of a general assortment. This build- 
ing is now standing where it was built, on Lot 11, Block 14, and is used as a dwelling house. 

The first blacksmith was Alonzo McGraw, who built a shop and commenced business in 1840. 
This shop was two stories high, the U[iper story being used for some time for a church and school- 
room. It is now standing and used for a barn and storehouse. 

The first permanent pastor was Rev. Henry Topping, a Baptist, who came in 1839. 

The first merchants of the village were the Phcenix Bros., Thomas Topping, Hezekiah 
Wells, Caleb Croswell, George Passage, A. H. Taggart, N. M. Harrington and J. D. Monell, 
the fii'st store being opened by the Phoenix Bros, and the second by Thomas Toj)ping. 

The first banking and exchange office was opened by N. M. Harrington in the spring of 
1853. This was the fii'st in the county, as well as in the village. 

Less than forty-five years ago, the voice of civilization, culture, education and refinement 
could not be heard where now are busy streets, bounded with neat ])laces of business, art and 
j)rogress on either side. The beautiful elevations where then the untutored savage walked with 
princely mien, clad in native simplicity, caring for naught but present physical want, are now 
locations of chui'ches, school and houses of refinement. The Indian trail has given place to the 
iron rail that bears to oiu- seaboards the product of industry and toil, and the wild screech of 
the juvenile savage is succeeded by the meiTv song of the school-boy. Forty years ago, the 
[)ride of the then new tt)wu consisted in a grist-mill, a hotel of a small degi'ee, one or two stores, 
a blacksmith-shop and perhaps a dozen dwellings, accommodating not over a hundred souls. 
.\ow she boasts of improved walks, streets and residences; of an esecellnt and popular mill; of 
a cheese factoiy; of the celebrated " Pum]> and Wind-Mill Works; " of the Deaf and Dumb Asy- 
lum, and of numerous other works of manufactm-e and enterprise, that have ilone so much in 
adding to the gi'owth and prosperity of the village. A two-story sohoolhouse and five churches 
are proof that the people have not been asleep as to the wants of educational or spiritiial im- 
provement, and the civic and social relations among the inhabitants are eminently harmonious. 
Two good hotels now furnish accommodations to strangers and the traveling public, and Delavan, 
with its creek and lake inducements to the sporting man has become a desirable locality to re- 
cuperate the overgrown energies of sedentary life. 

vili,.\(;k dihectory. 
Delavan is now represented by the following business and professional men: 
Agricultm'al Im[)loments — D. McLean, C. S. Bal)Cock, Bowers & Parish. 
Attorneys at Law — R. R. Menzie, S. W. Menzie, A. S. Spooner, A. Bennett. 
Bakers- — T. Downs, P. Fleming.' 



HISTOKY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

Books and Stationery — A.. J. "Woodbury. 

Boots and Shoes — W. H. Haines & Son, Triuen & Wright, L. H. Nichols, T. B. Ward, 
George Passage. 

Blacksmiths — Ti. F. Bashaw, Goodrich & Fishman, George Sturtevant, J. M. Fitzer, David 
McLean, George W. Leech. 

Banks — E. Latimer & Co., Citizens' Bank. 

Billiard Halls — Delavan House, Andrus House, W. H. Fleming. 

Cigars and Tobacco — Van Velzer Bros. 

Clothing— W. W. Bradley, M. Gavett. 

Coal and Wood — O. G. Stowell & Co., D. B. Deveudorf. 

Dentists — George Morrison, John Morrison. 

Druggists— K. N. Hollister, G. H. Briggs, H. E. Doane, J. H. Camp. 

Dry Goods and Groceries — George Passage, J. H. Goodi'ich. 

Dry Goods— W. M. & E. Wells, Topping & Co. 

Groceries — K. N. Hollister, Sage & Goodrich, S. P. Wilbur, J. B. Delaney, James & Irish. 

Hardware— K. N. Hollister, T. J. Smith, C. T. Isham. 

Marble Works — J. B. Bossi. 

Fui-nitiire — Norris & Son. 

Livery Stables — H. G. Hollister, Livingston & Phillipp. 

Meat Markets — John Allott, Lowe & Utley, also dealers in live stock. 

Tailors— Thomas Ege, C. Wolf. 

Barbers — Samuel Perry, George Conklin. 

Gunsmith — H. L. Clark. 

Millinery — M. Jones & Co., Mi's. O. H. Hunt, the Misses Sharp. 

Hotels — Delavan House, Andinis House. 

Saloons — P. Fleming, P. Downs. 

Jewelry— H. H. Williams. F. A. Winn, S. D. Littlefield. 

Harness and Saddlery — John Shulz. 

Physicians— F. L. Von Suessmelch, C. C. Blanchard, H. D. Ballard, T. W. Martin, D. B. 
Devendorf, J. B. Hemenway, Abraham Patrick. 

Cheese Factory — J. M. Weeks. 

Pump and Wind-Mill Manufactory — ^O. G. Stowoll & Co. 

Grain Dealer -N. W. Hoag. 

House and Sign Painters — H. A. Higgins and J. A. Dudley. 

Sewing Machines and Musical Instruments — F. A. Smith. 

Job Printing — Republican, E)i.ierprise. 

Insm-ance Agents — C. H Sturtevant, A. T. Parish. 

Omnibus Line — H. G. Hollister. 

Flom-ing Mills — Amos Phelps. 

Lumber— D. T. Barker & Co. 

Niu-sery — F. K. Phosnix. 

Carriage and Wagon Makers — Goodi-ich & Fishman, G. W. Leech. 

Music — Howard Williams, Mason & Hamlin's Organs. 

CORPOH.'iTE VILLAGE HISTORY. 

The first election of village officers under the charter was held April 29. 1856. at Mouell's 
Hall. L. E. Downie, J. D. Monell, Jr., and N. L. Gaston were appointed as Judges of the 
Election, with James Lewis and C. M. Gregory as Clerks. The whole number of votes cast was 
202. Two sets of candidates were voted for, except E. F. Mabie, T. D. Thomas and N. Thorne. 
whose names were on both tickets. Charles Smith was on one ticket for Treasurer and on the 
other for Assessor. The result of this election, as well as all succeeding annual elections, was 
as follows: 

1850 — Leouai'd E. Downie. President; William C. Allen, James Aram. E. F. Mabie, T. D. 
Thomas, J. D. Monell, Jr., Willard Isham, Trustees; James Lewis, Clerk; Newton McGraw, 
Treasui-er; N. M. Harrington, E. Latimer, Assessors; Nicholas Thorne, Marshal. 



»-^ 

a 

o 

» 

2; 


y 
g 

CO 






HISTORY OF WAI.WOHTII (^OIXTY. 669 

1857— A. H. Barnes, President: J. D. Moiiell. Jr.. E. H. Clmmller. L. E. Downie, Willard 
iBhani. M. B Goff. E. B. Gates, Tnistees; Joseph Baker, Clerk: Newtcm McGraw, Treasurer; 
T. J. Smith, C. H. Stm-tevant, Assessors: N. Thorne, Marshal: Willard Isliam. Street Commis- 
sioner. 

1858 — George Cotton. President; E. Latimer, James Aram. C. Y. Fitzer, L. L. Frost, D. 

B. Devendorf, T. J. Smith. Trustees; J. B. Webb, Clerk; G. W. Hewes, Treasm-er; S. W. Bow- 
ker. J. C. Chm-ch, Assessors: Sanford Jones, Marshal; James Aram, Street Commissioner. 

1S59 C. Betts. President, E. H. Chandler, Newton McGraw, J. H. Mansfield, T. J. Smith, 
W. W. Dinsmore, E. Latimer, Trustees: P. H. Conklin, Clerk: E. W. Phelps, Treasurer: H. 

C. Johnson, H. S. Devendorf, Assessors: James Aram, Street Commissioner, 

1800* Jaiues Aram. President: George Passage, L. S. Frost, Ira Goodrich, D. B. Deven- 
dorf, E. VV. Phelps, T. J. Smith. Trustees; B. D. 'WTiite, Treasur.n-; Salmon Thomas, £. H. 
Chandler, Asesssors; L. C. Luther. Marshal; S. Brainard, Street Commissioner. 

18()1* — S. S. Babeock, President; George Cotton, Ludwig Von Suessmilch, George Passage, 
Hiram Burdick, Edwai'd Hall, E. W. Pheljjs, Trustees; H. C. Johnson, Treasurer; E. H. Chand- 
ler, Salmon Thomas, Assessors: L. C. Luther, Marshal; S. Brainard, Street Commissioner. 

1S62*— S. S. Babeock, President; George Cotton, Ludwig Von Suessmilch, E. H. Chandler, 
W. W. Dinsmore, James Ai-am, Trustees; Charles E. GriiHn, Clerk; S. Brainard, Treasurer; 
C. Y. Fitzer, Marshal: George Cotton, Street Commissioner. 

1863*— E. Latimer, President; H. B. Sutherland, C. H. Stm-tevant, W. Aug Ray. E. B. 
Gates, Trustees: J. F. Latimer, Treasm-er: P. Gormley, E. H. Chandler. Assessors: L. C. Lu- 
ther, Mai'shal: George Cotton, Street Commissioner. 

18r.4* -C. Betts, President: E. Hall, E. W. Pheljjs. Joseph Bates, W. C. Van Vleck, T. P. 
Ford, Joseph Walton, Tnistees; Ne\vton Mc(iraw, Treasurer; E. Latimer. C. Y. Fitzer, Asses- 
sors; C. C. Blanchard, Marshal; C. D. Hooker, Street Commissioner. 

1865*— C. H. Stiu-tevant, President; J. D. Monell, Jr., H. T. Sharp, T. Weed, T. J.Smith, 
L. Eddy. J. B. Devendorf, Trustees; Richard Williams, Clei-k; Newton McGraw, Treasurer; 
L. C. Luther, Marshal; C. Y. Fitzer, Street Commissioner. 

1866 — S. S. Babeock. President; James Latimer, James Caldwell. L. H. Nichols. Charles 
Smith. E. Hall. C. H, Stm-tevant, Trustees; Richard Williams. Clerk: Newton McGraw, 
Treasurer: E. Hall, T. J. Smith, Assessors: H. A. Stone, Marshal: (t. Mnnsell. Street Commis- 
sioner. 

1867— Charles E. Griffin, President; B. B. Bates, C. S. Smith, F. L. Von Suessmilch, D. 

B. Devendorf, J. F. Latimer, L. H. Nichols, Trustees; Richard Williams. Clerk; Henry C. 
Hunt, Treasurer: E. Hall, H. C. Hunt, .Assessors; Benjamin Bassler, Marshal: G. Munsell, 
Street Commissioner. 

1808* A. G. Kellam, President: J. B. Hemenway, C. M. McKee, H, H. Williams, A. D. 
Thomas, F. L. Von Si;essmileli, M. Abon, Trustees; Richard Williams, Clerk; H. C. Hunt, 
Treasiu-er: C. C. Blanchard. Marshal: G. Munsell, Street Commissioner. 

1869 — James .Vi-am, President: A. Shultz, W. W. Bradley, J. W. Patterson. P. Gormley, 
J. B. Hemenway, W. M. Wells, Trustees: R. M. Williams, Clerk; E. M. Shar]), Treasurer: A. 
H. Taggart, Assessor; I. Y. Fitzer, Marshal: L C. Luther, Street Commissioner. 

b870* — E. Latimer. President; Edgar Topping, R. H. James, H. J. Ross, J. B. Hemenway, 
H. M. Hunt, D. B. Devendorf. Trustees; Richard Williams. Clerk; E. M. Sharp, Treasm-er; C. 

C. Blanchard, Marshal; G. Munsell, Street Commissioner. 

1871*- E. Latimer. President: T. J. Smith, John C. Shultz. K. N. Hollister, 1'. (ioi-mley, 
H. H. Staley. W. M. Wells, Trustees: Richard Williams, Clerk; E. M. Sluu-p, Treasiu-er: I. 
Y. Fitzer, Mai-shal. 

1872*— S. S. Babeock, President: P. Gorml(>y, H. Buckley, 1). B. Barnes, Willard Isham, 
A. Phelps, O. Crosl)\% Trustees: Richard Williams, Clerk; E. M. Sharp. Treasurer: L. C. Lu- 
ther, Marshal: G. Munsell. Street Commissioner. 

1878* — Newton JIcGraw, President (died in March, 1874. before his term of office had ex- 
pired); J. M. Gaskill. ^\. W. Bradh-y, J. M. Gofif, C. C. Blanchard, Amos Phelps, J. J. Wat- 



•The reconls of the vilUgetir<' v»ry incomplete, an>l in iiiHtiy inntrtticeB thi- nauiea of ceri lin vjUaeo ufflceiN jir4J omitted. 



670 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

son, Trustees; Richard Williams, Clerk; John Menzie, Marshal; T. D. Thomas, Street Com- 
missioner. 

1874 — Willard Isham, President; C. C. Blanch ard, N. M. Harrington, James M. Gaskill, P. 
Goi-mley. H. G. Hollister, Amos Phelps, Trustees; Richard Williams, Clerk; F. A. Smith, 
Treasurer; S. W. Menzie, Police Justice; E. M. Sharj), Supervisor; W'illiam Nichols, Marshal; 
G. Munsell, Street Commissioner. 

1875—0. Crosby, President; W. W. Bradley, H. H. Williams, J. B. Hemenway, F. A. 
Winn, C. L. Williams. G. W. Bushnell, Trustees; Richard Williams, Clerk; W. B. Munsell, 
Treasurer; S. W. Menzie, Police Justice; George Cotton, Supervisor; E. Edwards, Marshal; 
L. A. Barnes, Street Commissioner. 

1870*— J. B. Hemenway, President; C. L. Williams, K. N. Hollister, H. G. Hollister, 
Dana Gove, John C. Shultz, S. L. Rice, Trustees; F. E. Latimer, Clerk; W. B. Munsell, Treas- 
urer; S. W. Menzie, Police Justice; George Cotton, Supervisor; L. A. Barnes, Marshal. 

1877— J. B. Hemenway, President; W. M. Wells, S. S. Babcock, O. Crosby, E. M. Sharp, 
I. R. Stall, H. G. Hollister, Trustees; A. IL Kendrick, Clerk; W. H. Nichols, Treasurer; S. W. 
Menzie, Police Justice: George Cotton, Supervisor; W. J. Devoue, Marshal; L. A. Barnes, 
Street Commissioner. 

1878— O. Crosby, President; N. W. Hoag, E. Wells, H. G. Hollister, C. H. Sturtevant, E. 
Young, J. C. Shultz, Trustees; S. S. Babcock, Clerk; W. H. Nichols, Treasurer; J. M. Gas- 
kill, Police Justice; I. Y. Fitzer, Marshal; T. L. Flanders, Street Commissioner. 

April 15, 1879, a special election was held, at which time the question, whether the village 
of Delavan should continue to exist under the special act of the Legislature incorporating the 
same, or will be re- incorporated under the general laws of the State, in accordance with Chapter 
140 of the revised statutes of 1878. The question was carried in favor of re- incorporation by a 
vote of 132 to 28. 

1879— L. Von Suessmilch, President; H. G. Hollister, Amos Phelps, E. Wells, C. H. 
Sturtevant, James Weed, John Shultz, Trustees; A. H. Kendrick, Clerk; T. Y. Fitzer, Treas- 
urer; C. H. Sturtevant, Police Justice; E. Latimer, Supervisor; L. H. Hollister, Mai-shal; F. 
A. Smith, Street Commissioner. 

1880*— J. B. Hemenway, President; W. W. Bradley. John Utter, J. F. Fishman, C. C. 
Blanchard, F. A. Winn, A. J. Woodbury, Trustees; A. H. Kendrick. Clerk; L Y. Pitzer, Treas- 
urer; James Ai-am, Supervisor; Chauucey L. Sage, Marshal; I. Y. Fitzer, Street Commissioner. 

1881— H. G. Hollister, President; John Utter, F. A. Winn, Fred Fishman, C. C. Blanch- 
ard, John B. Delaney, A. J. Woodbury, Trustees; A. H Kendrick, Clerk; G. H. Briggs, 
Treasurer; James Ai-am. Supervisor; Chaimcey L. Sage, Marshal; C. H. Sturtevant, Police 
Justice; J. M. Gaskill, Justice of the Peace; J. M. Fitzer. Constable. 

The first journal of the Board of Trustees was pm-chased of C. M. McKee for the sum of 
$3. The by-laws were adopted at a meeting of the board June 2, 1S56. The room where 
James Lewis then kept his ofJice was used by the fii'st Board of Trustees, they paying one-half 
rent. The pm-chase of furnitm-e for this room consisted of eight chairs at " 15 shillings and a 
sixpence," and a table for $(>. The first license granted by the board was on May 16, 1856, for 
the exhibition of Langi-ishe & Co. 's theater — fee, $5. The second license was granted June 2, 
1856, to James L. Perry to set up and use a "Merry-go-round," for one day only — fee, 12. 
The first committees appointed by the President of the board were as follow: On Finance - 
James Aram, T. D. Thomas, Willard Isham; on Judiciary- -William C. Allen, J. D. Monell, 
Jr., Willard Isham; on Folios — William C. Allen, James Ai-am, W^illard Isham; on Fire De- 
partment— E. F. Mabie, T. D. Thomas, James Aram; on Printing — J. D. Monell, Jr., W. C. 
Allen, E. F. Mabie; on Licenses — Willard Isham, J. D. Monell, Jr., E. F. Mabie; on Streets 
and Alleys —T. D. Thomas, James Aram, J. D. Monell, Jr. 

POST OFFICE. 

As stated, the post office was first established in 1887, and William Phteuix appointed 
Postmaster. He held the office until 1845, when he was succeeded by Cyrus Brainard. He 
held the office but one year, being succeeded by W. C. Allen in 1846. Mr. Brainard was re- 

* The records of the village are very incomplete, and in many instances the names of certain village officers are omitted. 



HISTOKV OF WAl.WUUTII COINTV. 671 

appointed in 1S4T. iiiul iciiiaini'd in possession until 1S4U. when Norman L. Gaston was ap- 
pointed. Mr. Gaston licld tlic otlici' until IN."),"!, when N. M. Harrin^'ton was commissioned. 
He. liowever. resigned the following year, after having greatly increased the mail facilities. 
He was succeeded by George Cotton, who hold the office for a short time only, being succeeded 
by J. H. Mansfield, "and he in turn by Charles Smitli. Mr. Smith was in possession of the 
office until 1870. when Martin Mulville. the present Postmaster, was connnissioued. Mi-. Mul 
villo discharges the duties oi l'ostmast(>r in a manner to win the praise of the patrons of the 
office. 

MANUFACTORIES. 

The situation of Delavan. its water-power and acce.ss to the markets of the country, make it a 
good manufacturing jioint. which at present is only partly developed. Th(> first manufactory of 
importance was the Phoenix Mills, which were erected by the Phcenix brothers in 1S39. The 
building was 80x50 feet, two stories high, with two run of stone. Caleb Croswell purchased them 
subsequently, and. after oi)erating them for sometime, they were purchasedby his brother, Edwin 
Croswell, who in turn disposed of them to E. F. Mabie. In 1S58. Mr. Mabie Imilt a new mill. 
The old one was squared ai-ound with the street, and the new one built against it, putting them 
both under the same roof, since which time the old mill has been used as a storeroom for grain 
and grists, ili'. Mabie also put in three run of stone. Amos Phel|is purchased the mills in 
1869 for §80.000, and they are now known as the Phelps Mills. Mi-. Phelps has made various 
improvements to the amount of ijl.llOO. among which is the addition of one run of stone. The 
mill is thi-ee and a half stories high, with a basement. In the basement is the cockle separator 
and the water-wheels, two in number; the first floor is the grinding floor; on the second floor, 
are the jnu-ifyers and bolts, and on the third floor are bolts, smutter, separator and dust-room. 
It has a capacity of 100 baiTels per day, and about one-fourth of the flour manufactm-ed is 
merchant flom-, while the remainder is custom work. 

The Pump and Wind-Mill Manufactory was built in 18(31 by Trumbull D. Thomas. Mr. 
Thomas manufactured u.OOO wooden pum])s [;>er year, besides doing a general planing and re- 
pairing business. He was succeeded by W'ocid & McGregory, and in 18(35 by D. S. Wood and P. 
M. Gormley, the firm Itecoming " \Vood & Gt)rmley." They enlarged the factory and in- 
creased the capacity of the works, continuing together for a few years, when Mi\ (iormley 
purchased Mr. Wood's interest. In 18(57, Mr. Gormley admitted A. D. Thomas as ei partner 
under the firm name of P. M. Gormley & Co. They further increased the capacity of the 
works, and continued the business together until 1871, when J. J. Watson was admitted as a 
partner, and the firm name liecame Gormley, Watson & Co. At this time, they commenced the 
manufactiu'e of iron pum])s and the U. S. Star Wind-Mill, and added a foundry and niachine- 
sho]). The works were continued under this management until 1878, when A. H. Barnes was 
achuitted as a ])artner. the firm's name remaining unchanged. In 1878, Mr. Watson withdrew 
from the fii-m, and, in 187U. Mr. Gormley died, since which time the business has been conducted 
under a lease by O. G. Stowell under the tii'm name of O. G. Stowell & Co. The factory is 
situated in the southeastern part of the village, near the depot, and has a capacity of 15,000 
pumps and 1,800 wind-mills (ler year. The foundry and machine-shop ar(^ built of brick, the 
remainder being of frame. Thirty-five hands are steadily employed. The motive power con- 
sists of a sixty horse-power engine. The i)roduct of the factory is shipped to all parts of the 
United Slates, but more particularly throughout Wisconsin, Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska. 

A cheese facitory was built in 1878 by a Mr. Logan, who operated it for a few yeare and 
sold out to D. (x. (!lieov(>r. In January, 1881, it was pm-chased by J. M. \\'(>eks. The factoiy 
is of frame, 24x50 feet, and two st(.)ries high, and rt'pi'esents an investment of f'2,0()0. It con- 
sumes the milk of about 800 cows. In August, 1881, Mr. Weeks manufactured 15,S77 pounds 
of cheese, consuming lOi jwunds of milk in the making of a pountl of chi'es(\ This cheese is 
sold mostly at the factory to P^astern merchants. Besides the mamifacture of cheese, about 
sixty pounds of butter jier day are mad(> during the fall. 

Cigar Manufactory, No. I'ia, was established in 1878 by the Van Velzer Brothers. Tliey 
employ five men and manufacture yearly 125,000 cigars, which are shijijied to various points 
throughout the surrounding country. Theii- favorite brands are the "Cash," "La Excellencia" 
and " La Pliima.'" 



672 HISTOKY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

In 1875, N. W. Hoa^ erected a two-story frame elevator, in size 24x136 feet. It was first 
oiierated by horse-power, but the business increased to such an extent that a tift-een horse-power 
©mnne was added in bS7(). Mr. Hoag ships about .')()( ),000 bushels of grain per year. 

SOCIETIES. 

Harmony Lodge, No. IJ. A.. F. d- A. M., was organized previous to 1854, but the charter 
was surrendered in 1859, and Delavan Lodge. No. 1'21, was instituted. Their dispensation was 
granted by G. M. Traev, (Jrand Master, October 1, 1859, and their charter is dated June 13, 
TsnO. The first officers were: L. H. Nichols, W. M. : Isaac Y. Fitzer, S. W. ; Charles H. San- 
born, J. W. ; Charles Smith, Secretary. Newton MeGraw, Treasurer; J. W. Patterson, S. D. ; 
W. L. Daggart, J. D.; David Lynus, tiler. The present officers are: L. H. Nichols, W. M.; F. 
D. Gooch-ich, S. W.: A. -J. Woodbury, J. W. ; T. J. Smith, Treasurer: F. L. Von Suessmilch, 
Secretary; James Davidson, S. D. : M. Vedder, J. D. : David Lynus, Tiler. The order at 
present numbers seventy-two members. They have fitted up a hall at an expense of about 1300, 
and their meetings are held on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. 

Di'lar:in Cliapter. No. 'df^, R. A. 3/., was instituted November 20, 1867, under a dispensa- 
tion granted November 7 of the same year by David H. Wright, G. H. P. The charter mem- 
bers were N. A. Keeler, F. L. Von Suessmilch, Voluey Brundage, Stephen D. Searl, Silas W. 
Bowker, Lucius W. Coukey, James Stryker, David A. Christie and Thomas P. Ford. Their 
charter is dated February 5, 1868. The first officers were: N. A. Keeler, H. P.; Stephen D. 
Searl, K.; James Stryker, S. ; T. J. Smith, Treasurer; F. L. Von Suessmilch, Secretary; E. S. 
Patterson, C. of H. :' George H. Dowuie, P. S. ; George Marsh. R. A. C. ; David Lvnus. G. ; 
L. H. Nichols. M. 3d V. ; H. \\ . Worth, M. 2d V. : C. H. Blair, M. 1st V. The present offi- 
cers are: S. S. Paul, H. P.; Isaac Y. Fitzer, K. : D. B. Devendorf, S. ; T. J. Smith, Treasurer; 
F. L. Von Suessmilch. Secretary; K. N. Hollister. C. of H. ; H. C. Gaskell, P. S. ; J. B. Will- 
iams. R. A. C. ; David Lynus. *G. ; M. Vedder, M. 3d V. ; A. J. Woodbury, M. 2d V. ; James 
Davidson, M. 1st V. There are at present forty members. Their meetings are held in the hall 
of Delavan Lodge on the second and fourth Mondays of each month. 

mice Brandt Lodi/e. No. '■>. I. O. O. F., was instituted July 14, 1871, with Isaac Y. Fitzer, 
H. B. Dunham, T. Q. Low, David Lynus. Newton McGraw and C. Low as the charter mem- 
bers. Their charter is dated December 8. 1871. The first officers were: Isaac Y. Fitzer, N. 
G. ; T. Q. Low, V. G. : Silas W. Menzie, R. S. The present officers are: T. Q. Low, N. G. ; 
Elias Dewey, V. G. ; F A. Smith. R. S. ; T. Moore, P. Sec. ; A. H. Kendrick, Treasurer. There 
are at present sixty-five members, and their meetings are held every Friday evening. They have 
rented and fitted n\i a hall at an expense of 1500. 

Gforge H. TIiohki.s Pout. No. 6, G. A. R.. was organized November 25. 1879, with the fol- 
lowing-named persons as the charter members: Elias Dewey. Martin Mulville. Dr. H. D. Bul- 
lard. F. W. Hutchins. Rev. Joel Clark, E. B. Judson, W. A. Knilans. Dr. C. C. Blanchard. A. 
Corbin. W. P. Webster. Thomas Mosher. Evan Jones. W. B. Moffatt, Dr. D. B. Devendorf, 
I. C. Abbott. H. C. Clark, N. C. Williams. Charles Van Wagner, Peter Nelson and James Will- 
iams. Their charter is dated November 25. 1879, and the first regular meeting was held on 
December 3 of the same year. The first officers were: Elias Dewey. Com.; Dr. D. B. Devendorf, 
S. V. Com.; F. W. Hutcliins. J. V. Com.; Dr. H. D. BuUard. Adj ; Martin Mulville, Q. M.; 
Dr. C. C. Blanchard. Surgeon; Charles Van Wagner. O. D. ; H. L. Clark, O. G.; Rev. Joel 
Clark. Chaplain. They have fitted up a hall at an expense of $75, and have one of the most 
prosperous institutions of the kind in the county. From the 1st of October to the 1st of June. 
meetings are held every Saturday evening, and. on the first and second Saturdays of each month 
during the remainder of the year. The present officers are: Elias Dewey. Com.; George C. 
Clark" S. V. Com.; H. L. Maliery. J. V. C. ; Dr. D. B. Devendorf, Surgeon; Martin Mulville, 

y. M.: R. S. Miner, O. D.; Charles Burr, O. G. : Schilling. Chaplain. The institution at 

present numbers eighty-two members. 

Delavan Cornet Band. —Hime 2, 1S()8, a meeting was held at the room of K. N. Hollister 
for the purpose of organizing a brass band. K. N. Hollister was made Chairman of this meet- 
ing and D. B. Barnes, Secretary. The organization was effected with the following members: 
K.^N. Hollister, E. S. Patterson, Joseph Hall, D. B. Barnes, F. A. Winn, E. Thomas, R. Will- 



HISTORY or WAI.WOUTH ('OUNTY. 673 

iams arid H. Clark. The officers electod were K. N. HoUister, President; 1). B. Barnes, Secre- 
tary; E. S. Patterson, Treasurer; Joseph Hall, leader. Instruments vver(> soon afterward pur- 
cluised by the baud at a cost of about i!?:ir)0. Their advancement in musical skill and science 
was so great that they soon had the reputation of being one of the b<wt in this ])art of the State, 
and their services were generally in re(|Uest on public occasions. This organization existed 
until 1S7(), when it was abandoned. .\])ril "iS, ISSO, the band was re-organized by the election 
of F. Burrows as I'resident: ¥. Henienway. Secretary: AV. C. Van Velzor, Treasurer, and E. 
Balufl". leader. F. X. Winn was soon afterward elected leader in place of Mr. Baluff, who 
moved from the village. This organization has purchased an entire new set of instruments at a 
cost of about S3()0. The present members are: F. A. Winn, Fred Burrows, Howiu-d Williams. 

E. F. Williams, Charles Crary, George Briggs, Charles Shultz. George Camp, Chai'les Briggs. 
James Parsons, 1{. Laughliu. Ed Leech and G. L. Collie. The officers are: F. A. Winn, leader; 
Fred Burrows, President: Howard Williams. Secretary; E. F. Williams, Treasur(>r. 

Fire Ik'partnwiif. — In July, bSTli. a mass meeting was held in ''Maple Grove Park. " at 
which time tlu* subject of the organization of a fire dextartment was discussed. A committee 
was. appointed to await upon the Boaixlof Trustees and request them to purchase lire apparatus, 
etc. They subseipieutly purchased a Babcock tire-extinguishei', together with 300 feet of hose, 
for $2,200*. Delavan Company. No. 1, was duly organized Jidy S, 187('), by the election of D. 
B. Barnes, Foreman; A. W. Pierce, First Assistant Foreman; G. F. H(>menway, Second Assist- 
ant Foreman; D. T. Gifford, Engineer; N. O. Francisco, Assistant Engineer: H. Gorman, 
Captain of hose; G. H. Sturtevant. First Assistant Cajitain of hose; W. H. Decker, Second 
Assistant Captain of hose; C. J. Walton, Secretary; L. H. Nichols, Treasurer. At the elec- 
tion of officers in 1877, D. B. Barnes was elected as Foreman; L. H. Nichols. First Assist- 
ant Foreman; J. E. Menzie, Second Assistant Foreman; C. J. Walton, Secretary; W. B. 
Munsell. Treasurer. At the election of officers in 187(S, F. A. Smith was elected as Foreman: 
L. H. Nichols, First Assistant; S. W. Menzie, Secretary; W. B. Munsell. Treasurer. At the 
election in 1879, S. W. Menzie was elected as Foreman; J. Davidson. First Assistsmt Fore- 
man; L. H. Nichols, Second Assistant Foreman: J. Devendorf, Secretary; J. B. Bossi, Treas- 
urer. In October, 1879, Pioneer Hook and Ladder Company, No. 2, was organized with L. 
H. Nichols, Foreman; W. H. Decker, First Assistant Foreman: M. Vedder, Second Assistant 
Foreman; J. E. Mosher, Secretary; C. A. Sage, Treasurer. The Board of Trustees had made, 
at a cost of §300, a hook and ladder tnick, which is now equij)ped with 142 feet of ladder, 
hose reel. Imckets, etc. At the election of officers for Delavan ('ompany. No. 1, in 1880, C. 
J. Walton was elected Foreman; F. A. Winn, First Assistant Foreman; C. T. Isham, Second 
Assistant J'oreman: E. Madden, Jr., Secretary; J. B. Bossi, Treasurer. The officers of 
Pioneer Comjiany, No. 2, for 1879. were re-elected in 1880. The present offi.'ers of Delavan 
Company, No, I, are F, A, Smith, Foreman; F. A. Winn, First Assistant Foreman: J. E. Will- 
iams, Second Assistant Foreman; E. Madden, Jr., Secretai-y; J. B. Bossi, Treasiu-ei'. The 
present officers of Pioneer, No. 2, are M. Vedder, Foreman: Will Blanehard. First Assistant 
Foreman; F. C. Van Velzer. Second Assistant Foreman; F. W. Hoag, Treasm-er; Bert Webster, 
Secretary. The first fire that occurred after the fire department was organized was a large barn 
belonging to H. B. Worth, which was struck by lightning and entirely consumed at a loss of 
$400. The second fire was a dwelling house belonging to the same ])erson, which occurred in 
April. 1878. This, however, was extinguished. The loss was §150. The third was at the ele- 
vator of X. W. Hoag, in September, IS78, which was extinguished with Init a .small lo.ss. Soon 
after this occurred the company received the following notice: 

F. \. Smith, Fnrimitn: 

yveffr .sVr— Will you i)l«a9e accept u small (■(Hilribulicni (.'JKI) licrcu-llli iiiclnsfd. lor llic bc-iiefit of your 
companv, as a matter of graliludc for the priiiii|)l miuuicr in which the rDiupany rcspunilcd lo the call on the 
alarm of tire at the new iSTovalor, runiiiii-i; half a iiiilf. from Ihc ciigini' liou^r to tin' (■lcv:itor. in just three and 
a half minutes from the first ta|i of the };ong. 

.I.VMEs Aram. 

At the same time, N. W. H<)ag i)resMited the company with an e!egaiit brass trumpet, on 
which is neatly engraved the date of th* fire. The next fire that occurrcsd was the residence of 
George Loach, in Januarv. IS79, which was also extinguished, the loss amounting to about 



674 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

$100. The next aud the last tire was the Deaf and Dumb Asylum, in September, 1879, the 
building b >iug entirely consumed, at a loss of neai'ly $4-0,000. In May, ISSO, the office of Fire 
Marshal was established. S. W. Menzie was elected to tliat office and re-elected in 1S81. 

De.hxran Tempi'vanci' Socii'fi/. — Probably the first temperance organization in Wisconsin. 
""At a meeting of the inhabitants of the town of Delavan, convened at the house of Milo Kelsey, 
•on the 29th of Decemlier, 1S3S, for the purpose of forming a temperance association, a pre- 
amble aud constitution was adopted. The following officers were elected: Solomon Thomas, 
President; Charles S. Bailey, Vice President; C. Brainard, Secretary." The first twenty-four 
aiames of members recorded are: Ichabod Brainard, C. S. Bailey, Edwin Brainard, A. B. Par- 
sons, W. A. Bartlett, E. Gr. Warner, Samuel F. Phoenix, Daniel Gates, Franklin K. Phcenix, 
Milo Kelsey, Oscar M itteson, Henry Phcenix, Susan H. Phoenix, Ann Phcenix, Hannah Older, 
JMary A. Phfienix, Mary C. Phcenix, Mary A. Bartlett, Caroline B. Foster, Mary Bruce, Amanda 
Xiippert, Bstsey Thomas, Jane Pepper. Sarah A. Phcenix. A list of 30o members is given on 
"the records up to January I, 1843, without dates of admission. From that date, January, 1843, 
to December, 1847, 24() additional members are recorded. The first move to unite temperance 
and politics was made at a meeting of the society at Milo Kesley's house, held March 30, 1839. 
On motion of Edward NoiTis. the following resolution was adopted: 

BesDlved. That the friends of Temperance and lovers of philanthropy should, regardless of parly politics 
or sectional interest, as they go to the polls, cast their votes for Temperance men instead of others, other 
tilings being equal. 

This resolution was rescinded February 12. 1840. 

Probably the first move toward prohibition in the Territory of Wisconsin was made at a 
meeting held February 12. 1840, at the house of AIoqzo E. Grows. Meeting opened by prayer. 
The following resolution was oflered by E. Norris and adopted: 

Whereas, Believing the present law of this Territory li(v.'n.iing 'h? retail tratBc in alcoholic drinks as a 
beverage to be immoral in its tendency and destructive in its inHuences. not onlv upon our political and moral 
but upon our social institutions, therefore 

Resolved, That this Society recommends the Territorial Temperance Society to take measures at or pre- 
vious to the next session of the Legislature of this Territory, to secure not only the repeal of the law above 
named, but the passage of a line prohibiting \.\iv retail trafH- in alcoliolic drinks as a beverage in this Territory. 

A revised constitution was adopted instead of the old one, at a meeting held in the Bap 
list Chm-ch, December 29, 1S41. 

May 2, 1844, a resolution was adopted prohibiting members of the society from stopping 
at a tavern where intoxicating drinks are sold, when any temperance house is accessible. 

Minutes of last meeting noted in book of records, as follows: 

July 28. 1847.— The society met agreeable to public notice. Opened by prayer: a song by S. R. La Bar. 
The meeting then listened to an address by S. S. Barlow, Esq. Song by A. B. Parsons. Edward Norris ap- 
pointed speaker for the next meeting. Then adjourned. 

H. M. S.^^NDPORD, See. 

Of those mentioned at this meeting. La Bar and Parsons only are living. Mr. Parsons is 
authority for the statement that that was the end of the society as an organization. Others suc- 
ceeded it, of which we have no :iccouut. 

The Delavan Christian Teniiwranci' Union was organized November 2(5, 1881. Silas W. 
Menzie, President; E. "W. Conal)le. F. D. Goodrich and James Par.sons. Vice Presideats; H. 
L. Clark. Secretary; Miss D. Johnson. Corresponding Secretary; Mi.ss Libbie De Wolf. Treas- 
iirer. Membership. January 23. 1882. S50. This organization is doing a grand work and pros- 
pering beyond all esjiecftitions. 

The Woman's Christian Tnaperanca Union is an organization that has been in operation 
some time. 

BANKS. 

The Walworth County Bank was established in about 1850. with W. C. Allen, President, 
and W. H. Dinsmore. Cashier. This continued to flourish, doing a heay\- banking business 
until ISO,"), when it was succeeded by the National Bank of Delavan. which was incorporated 
June 9 of that year. The incorp(jrators were W. Aug Ray. Anson H. Barnes. Sarah P. Kel- 
sey, W. C. Allen. D. B. Bai-nes. Milo Bell. A. D. Thomas. L. Pitkin, James A. Bell. Otho Bell. 
Henrv M. Eav. Ebenezer Latimer. Ira Ford. J. Mabie. Charles T. Smith. Salmon Thomas aud 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 675 

W. W. Sturtevant. Its first President was Otho Bell, with W. Aug Ray as Cashier. The 
amount of capital stock was $50,000. Mr. Bell was succeeded as President by Charles T. Smith 
and he in turn by E. Latimer. The bank continued to exist until January 8, 1880; oppressive 
taxation, gradual decline on Government bonds, expense attending the redemption of ciroul i- 
tion, etc., being the principal reasons for its closing. It was succeeded l)y the banking house of 
E. Latimer & Co., this organization being an unlimited partnership. The parties at its organi- 
zation were E. Latimer, F. L. Von Suessiuilch and A. H. Kendrick. March 10, 1881. N, M. 
Harrington, James Aram and J J. Johnson were admitted as equal partners, increasing the re- 
sponsibility of the firm to over |300,000--an amount not equaled by any banking institution in 
the countyj and making it one of the strongest banking institutions in the State, and for this 
reason, viz.. that each and every partner is individually responsible to every depositor, and that 
such responsibility is not limited to an assessment simply, as is the case in all national, State 
and stock banks. In other word.s, every depositor in this banking institution has the same 
security for his money that he would have had he a promissory note signed jointly by its six 
partners. The President of this bank is E. Latimer, with A. H. Kendrick, Cashier. 

The Citizens' Bank of Dolavan was organized early in the year 1875, by a number of the 
leading citizens and capitalists of Delavan and suiTounding towns. Prominent among the con- 
stituent stockholders of this bank were Edgar Topping, Otho Bell and Hon, Willard Isham, all 
•since deceased. Others were S. R. La Bar, C. H. Sturtevant, A. T. Parish, Frank Leland, James H. 
Camp, J. H. Goodrich, of Delavan, with .John De Wolf and Charles S. Teeple, of Darien; T. P. 
James, of Richmond; H. G. Reichwald, of Janesville, and others. These are all stockholders 
at the present time. The bank was legally organized February 24, 1875, and commenced busi 
ness in the building it now occupies March 11 of the same year. Its tu-st President was Hon. 
Frank Leland, who served the bank efficiently three years, when he resigned to accept the ap- 
pointment of United States Consul at Hamilton, Canada. On the retirement of Mr. Leland, the 
stockholders elected Hon. George Cotton to the vacant presidency, which position he has since 
and still tills with honor and efficiency. T. P. James, of Richmond, is Vice President; Charles 
B. Tallman was elected Cashier at the first meeting of the stockholders and has been unani- 
mously re-elected at each successive election. Mr. Tallman has given to the bank the best 
energies of a young but well-disciplined business man. The bank was organized by and under 
the statutes of Wisconsin, and is what is known as a "State Bank," making semi-annual reports 
to the State authorities. It took a leading position at once in the community upon its organi- 
zation, and its business has steadily increased until now there are but few banks in the State 
outside of the large cities that do the volume of business done by this bank. It is managed 
upon the most con.servative principles, never speculating or investing its funds in speculative 
paper. It is chartered to February 24, A. D. lUOO. 

HOTELS. 

The Andrus House was built by F. K. Phrsnix in 1847-48. It is a brick three-story build- 
ing, in size, 40x60, and i-epresents a valuation of $7,000. Its first landk)rd was a Mr. Ho\'t. 
Mrs. Samuel Phoenix became the possessor of the house in 1850 and still owns it. E. Andrus 
has been its ))ro])rietor since 1807. 

The Delavan House was built in 1850 by Horace Duyree. Its first landlord was Ward 
Mallory. Mr. Duyree sold the property to Alfred Mott in 1852, and he in tin-n to C. W. Phil- 
lips, who disposed of it to Strowe Brothers. Its present proprietor is Ed Strowe The hotel is 
frame. 80x55, and thre(> stc)ri(!s high, representing an investment of $0,000. 

WISCONSIN DENT.^L COLLEGE. 

This college was incorporated July 17, 1880, under the general law of \\'isci)nsin, for the 
j)urpose of teacdiing all the branches i)elonging to dentistry proper, with the following faculty: 
D. B. Devendorf, M. D., Profe.ssor of Dental Anatomy; John Morrison, D. D. L., Demonstrator 
of Operative Dentistry: George Morrison, D. D. L., Demonstrator of Mechanical D(>nti8try. 
Notwithstanding this college having met with some opposition, owing to the fact that it makes 
merit the qualification for graduation ri^gardless of the number of terms spent at the college, 
is at the present time in a prosperous condition, and holding its third term with students from 
many States in the Union. 



676 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

DEAF AND DUMB ASYLUM. 

The Wisconsin institution for the education of the deaf and dumb is located in the north- 
western part of the vilhige of Delavan, and the beauty and desirability of its location can hardly 
be siu'passed. This institution is educating that poi'tion of the children and youth of the State, 
who, on account of deafness, cannot be educated in the public schools. The school is divided 
into jn-imary, intermediate and academic departments, in addition to which a department of ar- 
ticulation is in successful oj^eration under the maaagemeut of experienced teachers. Instruction 
is given by signs, by written language and by articulation. In the primary department, few 
books are used, slates, crayons, pictures and other illustrative apparatus being the means em- 
ployed. In the intermediate department, the books used are prepared especially for the deaf 
and dumb: more advanced pupils study the text-books used in our common schools. The school 
gives instruction in the different branches of natural science, in mathematics, and a continuous 
seven years' drill in language and composition. The instruction is direct, personal and prac- 
tical. Four trades are also taught — cabinet-making, shoemakiug, baking and printing. The 
cabinet-shop was opened in March, 1860; the shoe-shop commenced business in 1867 and the 
printing office was established in 1878. A weekly paper, the Wisconsin. Deaf Mute Times, is 
now printed by the pupils. In October, 1881, a new Prouty printing press was added to the 
printing office. While the pecuniary profit derived from them ought not to be a test of their 
worth, which consists chiefly in fitting boys and girls for earning an independent livelihood, yet 
these shops are nearly self-sustaining. The law provides that all deaf and dumb residents of 
the State, of the age of ten years and under twenty-five years, of suitable age and capacity to 
receive instruction, shall be received and taught free of charge for board and tuition, but parents 
and guai'dians are expected to furnish clothing and pay the traveling expeuses. The whole 
number of deaf and dumb of the State, according to the census of 1875, numbers 720, about 
one-third of whom are of proper age to receive instruction. This institution was organized in 
1852, at which time but three of that unfortunate class for whom it was designed, received its 
benefits, and from that small beginning, it has gradually but steadily increased until now it 
dispenses its untold blessings to nearly two hundred persons, who, without its beneficent aid, 
would still be groveling in the lowest depths of ignorance— unfit for citizens or companions — - 
a heavy charge on their parents or depending on the charities of the public for a common sub- 
sistence. By the aid and benefits imparted to their otherwise dark and benighted understand- 
ings, the dumb are taught to speak and fitted to discharge the duties incumbent on them as citizens, 
to pursue honorable vocations; to be oljedient to the government under which they live, and to 
discharge all the duties reiptired of those who are blessed with all the full developments, of all 
the mental and physical faculties. To teach the dumb the use of language, the blind to see 
and restore reason to the insane, are objects that should enlist the most serious attention of the 
benevolent, the wise and the good. No state or philanthropist can bestow charities for a more 
laudable piu'pose than in contributing to the elevation of these unfortunate classes. 

The idea of a school for deaf mutes was first advanced in Walworth County by Mrs. Mary 
Lee, wife of Nelson Lee and daughter of Ebeuezer Cheesbro. Having a sister who was a deaf 
mute, and, having informed herself as to the law in regard to establishing such an institution, 
she circulated a petition in favor of raising a sufficient sum of money to organize such a school. 
She first circulated the paper in Elkhorn, with a view to starting the .school in that place, but 
met with very little encouragement. Next, she tried Delavan, with worse success. Finally, 
her father, Ebenezer Cheesbro, offered to furnish a room and bear the expense himself. Miss 
Isabella Cheesbro, a sister of Mrs. Lee, took an active part in the enterprise. She secured several 
scholars from that unfortunate class for whom the school was to be founded, hired the first 
teacher, Mr. John A. Mills, a deaf mute, whose compensation was fixed at $10 a month and 
board, and the school was opened at Mr. Cheesbro's house in the town of Darien. The school 
was kept at Mr. Cheesbro's four months, solely at Mr. Cheesbro's expense, when, on account of 
the noise made by the scholars, which was very annoying to Mrs. Cheesbro, the school was 
moved to a room in Delavan. 

At Ml-. Cheesbro's request, Hon. C. M. Baker drew up for him a petition to the Legislature, 
then in session, for a law founding an institute for the education of the deaf and dumb at or 
near the village of Delavan. Mr. Cheesbro procured signatures to this petition and was active 



HISTORY OF WALWOKTH COl'NTY. 



677 



in obtaining the passago of the act for that purpose, which became a law in the following April. 
This was the origin of the movoraont which resulted in founding that institution so creditable to 
the State, and whose buildings <-u-eso ornamental to the beauiiful locality they adorn. The land 
first occupied by tlie institution was donated by F. K. Ph(eui.\. one of its first trustees, and com- 
prised eleven and forty-six one humhedths acres, and these boundaries were subsequently en- 
larged by the purchasing of twenty-two acres more, of E. B. Gates, for $2,on(t. making in all a 
little over thirty-three acres, which are well situated for the wants of th(^ institution, affording 
adequate pasture and water and play-groun<ls for the pupils. 

The board was organized in June, 1852, at which time the following ollicers were chosen: 
W. Hunt, President; Wyman Spooner, Treasurer; F. K. Phoenix, Secretary; J. K. Bradway, 
Principal. Subseijuently, Wyman Spooner tendered his resignation and A. H. Taggart was 
chosen instead, and Rev. Lucius Foot in place of J. R. Bradway, also resigned. The first Trus- 
tees were as follows: Wyman Spooner, E. Cheesbro and W. C. Allen for one year; C. G. Will- 
iams, J. A. Maxwell and H. Hunt for two years; J. C. Mills, P. W. Lake and F. K. Phoenix for 
three years. At the time of the organization of the board, measm-es were taken to open the 
school", and, in July, it was commenced. An appropriation of §1,000 a year for three years 
having been made for the construction of a building, a building committee was appointed who re 
ported a series of plans and specifications, prepared by S. C. Kelsey. architect of Delavan. which 
were adopted by the board and approved by the Governor. According to this, the contract was let 
to Thomas BoUes, and a building of brick, 34x44. and two stories high, besides the attic and 
basement, was consti-ucted at a cost of §2,981.25. This building had .iccommodations for thirty- 
five pupils, and formed but jjart of the whole design which was afterward perfected with^ great 
care and at a considerable expense. The Iniilding. when perfected, was five stories high, r)GxC)0, 
including basement and attic. It was finished, in 1857, at a cost of $30,000. It stood in taste- 
ful elegance upon a sightly ehivation, attracting the eye of the traveler for miles around, inside 
of which there existed an air of homelike comfort. Among the otlu^r improvements made during 
that year was the construction of a work-shop, 24x48, two stories in height, at a cost of $1,500, 
together with a large barn. A terrible calamity befell the institutiou, in 1870, in i,he shape of a 
fire, which entirely consmned the entire building. A little after 8 o'clock on the morning of 
the 16 of September, the alarm of fire was given. It was found to be well stai-ted under the 
roof of the main building, near the head of the spiral staircase and at the base of the dome, 
where there was an e.xeess of combustible material and draft, and beyond the reach of any means 
of extinguishing it. In a few minutes, the whole upper part of the main building was in flames. 
The wind, fi'om the southwest, carried the fu-e at once to the east wing, and it was evident that 
that |ftu-t of the building could not be saved. For some time strenuous efi'orts were made to pre- 
vent the fii-e from s[)reading to the west wing and laundry building on the north; but the un- 
protected connections made passages for the flames which all means wera insufficient to check. 
In two hours, the whole building was in ruins. Fortunately, none of the scholars were injured. 
The school was immediately removed to the Methodist Church, but was taught there for a few 
days only, whin it wa-i again removed to the shops, etc., on the grounds which were temporarily 
arranged for that ])ur]ios(!. 

Now buildings — four in number — have since been constructiul. They are constnicted of 
brick, surmounting solid stone foundations. Their dimensions are as follows: Main building, 
50x100; cha[)el, 45x75; dining-hall. 45.>c75. with seating capacity of 250 persons. The school 
building is f)r)xl22. and is supplied with water and heated liy steam. There are eight school- 
rooms (m each floor, which are pleasant, light and airy. These iMiildings rejiresent an invest- 
ment of $(54,000, in addition to which $5,000 has been invested in boilers and steam heating 
app;iratus. The contract was let on tlie 4th day of May, 1880, to O. F. Nowland, of Janesville, 
and completed as contracted, January 8, 1881. E. F. Mix, of Milwaukee, was the architect. 

The total amount of money paid from the State treasury for buildings and current expenses 
of this institution since it was established is $757,848.18. The api)ropriati(m. for 1880. in- 
cluding the amount received from counties, was $114,000. 
The following is a list of its Trustees and officers: 

1853 -Salmon Thomas. W. C. X\Un\. J. A. Maxwell, J. C. Mills. E. Chesebro. C. G. \\ill- 
iams. H. Hunt. P. W. Lake. F. K. Phoenix. Trustees: H. Hunt, President; F. K. Phoenix. Sec- 
retary; A. H. Taggart. Treasurer. 



678 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUXTY. 

1854-55 -W. C. Allen, O. W. Blaneliard, N. M, Harriucrtoii, P. W.Lake. Salmon Thomas, 
H. Hunt, J. D. Monell, Jr., J. C. Mills. C. Betts, Trustees; H. Hunt. President; W. C. Allen, 
Secretary; N. M. Harrington, Treasiu-er. 

1856 —W. C. Allen. O. W. Blanchard. N. M. Harrington, Salmon Thomas. H. Hunt. J. D. 
Monell, Jr., G. Betts, Moses M. Strong, Harrison Reed, Trustees; H. Hunt, President; N. M. 
Harrington, Secretary ; J. D. Monell, Jr., Treasurer. 

1857— W. C. Alien, Mo.ses M. Strong, Harrison Reed, Salmon Thomas, H, Hunt, J. D. Monell, 
Jr., Joseph Baker, Willard Isham, Trustees; oflScers same as 1850. 

1858 — H. Hunt, N. M, Harrington, J. D. Morrell, Josej^h Baker, Willard Isham, Solomon 
Tliomas, C. Betts, W. C. Allen, Moses M. Strong, Trustees; H. Hunt, President; N. M. Har- 
rington. Secretary. 

1859— W. C. Allen, C. Betts, Willard Isham, E. P, Conrick. Samuel Collins, C. Miller, 
Hollis Latham, Timothy Mower, Martin Field, Trustees; E. P. Conrick. President; N, M. Har- 
rington, Secretary; W. W. Dinsmore, Treasurer. 

1860— W. C. Allen, C. Betts, Willard Isham, E. P, Conrick, C. Miller, Hollis Latham", 
Timothy Mower. Max-tin Field, C. D. Long. Trustees; officers same as in 1851). 

1861— W. C. Allen, C. Betts, Willard Isham, Hollis Latham. Timothy Mower, Martin 
Field, C. D, Long, A. H. Barnes. N. M. Harrington, Trustees; W, C. Allen, President; N. M. 
Harrington, Secretary: W, W. Dinsmore, Treasurer. 

1862— C. Betts, Hollis Latham, Timothy Mower, C. D. Long, A. H. Barnes, N. M Harring- 
ton, Thomas M. Martin. Salmon Thomas, Trustees; Salmon Thomas, President; N, M. Han-ing- 
ton. Secretary; W. W. Dinsmore, Treasurer. 

1863— C. Betts, Hollis Latham, C. D. Long, A. E. Barnes, N, M. Harrington, Thomas W. 
Martin. Salmon Thomas, W. t!. Allen, Willard Isham, Trustees; Salmon Thomas, President; 
N. M. HaiTington. Secretary: W. Aug Ray. Treasurer. 

1864 — Trustees and officers same as in 1863. 

1865 — Hollis Latham, C, D, Long, A, H. Barnes, N. M. Harrington, Salmon Thomas, W. 
C. Allen, Willard Isham, A. L. Chapin, H. L. Blood, Trustees: officers same as 1863-64. 

1866 — Trustees same as in 1865; W. C. Allen, President; Charlas H. Sturtevant, Secretary ; 
Alfred Thomas, Treasurer. 

1867-68 — Trustees and officers same as in 1866. 

1869 — Hollis Latham, C. D. Long. A. H. Barnes, Salmon Thomas, W. C. Allen, A. L. Cha- 
pin, H. L. Blood, W. C. Whiting, W. D. Bacon, Trustees; officers same as 1867-68. 

1870 — Trustees same as in 1869: W. C. Allen, President: C. D. Long, Secretary; Alfred 
Thomas, Treasm-er. 

1871 — Hollis Latham, C. D. Long, A. H. Barnes, A. L. Chapin, H. L. Blood, Tnistees; A. 
H. Barnes. President; C. D. Long, Secretary; A D. Thomas, Treasurer. 

1872 — Hollis Latham, A. H. Barnes. H. L. Blood, A. L. Chapin, James Aram, Trustees; 
officers same as in 1871. 

1873 — Hollis Latham, James Ai-am. A. L. Chapin, H. L. Blood. Edward D. Holton, Trust- 
ees; A, L. Chapin, President; George L. Weed, Secretary; A. D. Thomas, Treasiu-er. 

1874 — Hollis Latham, James Aram, A. L. Chapin, H. L. Blood. J. E. Thomas, Trustees; offi- 
cers same as in 1873. 

1875 — Willard Isham, A. L. Chapin, H. L. Blood, J. E. Thomas, Joseph Hamilton, Trust- 
ees; A. L. Chapin, President; Joseph Hamilton, Secretary; J. E. Thomas, Treasurer. 

1876 — Willard Isham, A. L. Chapin, J. E. Thomas, Joseph Hamilton, S. R. La Bar-. Trust- 
ees; A. L. Chapin. President: S. R. La Bar, Secretary; J. E. Thomas, Treasm-er. 

1877 — A. L. Cha]nn, Joseph Hamilton. S, R. La Bar, D. G. Cheever, Hollis Latham, Trust- 
ees; A. L. Chapin, President; S. R. La Bar, Secretary; Hollis Latham, Treasurer. 

1878— A. L. Chapin, S. R. La Bar, D. Q. Cheever, Hollis Latham, E. D. Holton, Trust- 
ees; officers same as in 1877. 

1879-80 — Trustees and officers same as in 1878; A. L. Chapin resigned, and Albert Salis- 
bury superseded him in November, 1880. 

By an act of the Legislature in April. 1881, the Boai-d of Trustees was abolished, and a 
Board of Supervisors was established, having supervision over all charitable and penal institu- 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 679 

tions of the State. This board at present consists of George W. Biirchard, President; Chai-les 
Luling, Jamos Bintlift', C. D. Parker and L. A. Proctor, Supervisors. 

The numlH>r of pupils each year we as follows: In ISa'i, S; 1851!, 14; lSr)4, 31; 1855, 34; 
lS5fi, 4U; KS57, 5(); 185S, 5'2; 1859, 7U; 18(50.87; 18(51, 81'); 18f)2, 88; 18(54, 80; 18(55, 91 ; 
18(5(5. 104; 18(57, 108; 18(58.85; 18(59,112; 1870, 144: 1871.149; 1872,1(54; 1878, 17(5; 1874, 
176; 1875, 181; 1S7»), 191; 1877. 182; 1878. 180; 1879. 200; 1880. 194; 1881. 218. 

The present oflicers. teachers and employes are: John W. Swiler. Sup(>rintendent; R. A. 
Gatiis. Steward; Julia A. Taylor. Matron; Edgar A. Fiske. Sa])ervisor of Boys; Ruth Sturtevant, 
Supervisor of Girls; W. A. Cochrane. George F. Schilling, Zachariah McCoy, Eleanor McCoy, 
Emily Eddy, Mary E. Smith, Rosetta C. Ritsher and Mary H. Hunter, Teachers; E. Young. 
Eoroman of the Cabinet-Shop; R. S. Miner, Foreman of the Shoe-Shop; N. E. Derby, Fore- 
man of the Printing Office; John Rouk, Engineer; George Fiske. Assistant Engineer. 

CHURCHES. 

Congregnfionnl Church society was organized on the 81st of July. 1841. It had at that 
time ten members, who had letters from other churches. On the 1st of August of the same year, 
the church became connected with the Congregational and Presbyterian convention, which con- 
nection is still continued. In 1844, a house of worship was erected on the central lot of Block 
13, on Birney street, and fronting the public park on the north side. The pulpit and permanent 
seats were not put in until 1848. This was a frame building, and cost .fl,O00. It contained forty- 
six pews and afforded seats for nearly two hundred persons. It is now a part of the pump fac- 
tory buildings. In the spring of 1855, measures were adopted to erect a new church building, 
the old one being too small to accommodate the congregation. Work was begun on this build- 
ing diu-ing the ensuing summer. It was dedicated to the worship of God on the 7th day of Feb- 
ruary, 185(5. This is the building now used as a place of worship. It is built of brick, 42x70, 
and has a seating capacity of 450 persons. Its original cost was $5,00(\ but the interior has 
been remodeled at a cost of $1,500. In addition to this, the cost of the bell and pipe organ was 
$1,700. In the autumn of 18(5(5, a chapel, 88x44, was put up at the north end of the church 
building. This contains an audience room 80x88, together with fom- side rooms. Its cost was 
$2,500. making the total cost of the chiu'ch building $10,700. The first jjastor of this chiu-ch 
was Rev. A. Gaston, who took charge in October, 1841. He supplied the puljnts in Elldiorn and 
Sugar Crwek, as well as in Delavan. His connection with the church continued fom- years. 
Rev. F. H Pitkin taking charge of the pulpit on the 20th day of October, 1845, and laboring in 
this connection till April 26, 1847. In October, 1847, the services of Rev. Lucius Foote were 
secured, and he continued in the pastoral care of the church until October, 1854. The present 
pastor, Joseph Collie, D. D., was employed as a stated siipply, on the 2d day of October, 1854, 
and was ordained April 9, 1855, and installed as ])astor November 4, 1857. The present mem- 
bership of the chiu'ch is 240. 

Episcopal Church. — The following statement is transcribed from the records, where it 

stands above the signatiu'e of Stephen McHugh: 

In the month of .Inly, in tlic year of our Lord IHU. tlir undersi;;ned. a missionary nppoinli'd by the Do- 
mestic Cominittei' of the Chiireli Missionary Society, arrived at this place, and, as soon as circnmstances 
would admit, orjranized a iiarisli under tlii' al)(ive name and title. Tlii'rc was no diocese ortcanized. nor was 
there any territorial law b^' whicli to Ije guided, lience the organization was according to the revised statutes 
of the State of New York and the usages of tlie cluirch in tliat State. The first Wardens and Vestrymen 
were as follows: Nehemiali Barlow and Hezel<iah Wells, Wardens; Caleb C'rosvvell. Stephen Harlow. B. J. 
Newbery, Joseph Rector, Salmon Thomas and Dr. Sherwood. Vestrymen. Having no einu'cli edilice, we were 
compelled to worsliip in scliool ro(Hns and otlier [(l:iecs. It please<i the Divine Ileail of tlie (!liureh to bless a 
stremious effort on tlie part of tlie few belonging to oiu' communion wiio llien resided liere. toward \]u\ erection 
of a house of worship, and witli limited means lliey sucei'i'ch'd. Tlu' liuilding was small, it is true, and un- 
attractive in its appearance, but tlien it was our own, and suHiciently capacious to contain .all wlio attended 
our services. In Nov<anber. 184"), tlie sub.scriber r(H:eived and accepted a call to Madison, and, after some 
time, was succeded by Rev. Mr. Bartlctt, then in Deacon's orders, who continued to officiate for some time; 
but in April, 1848, the undersigned received a call from the Wardens and Vestrymen to resume the pastoral 
chrirge of the parish. In .May. 1st!), In^ was appointerl agciil on the part of the parish to solicit aid from our 
friends at the East to enlarge our place of worship. On his return, instead of eniarging, after mature consid- 
eration, it was thought best to erect an (mtirely new editii'C, A gracious (Jod blessed the iinilerlaking, and on 
the 7th da}- of April, 18.50. tlie im^senl houseof worship was consecrated lo the worship and servFce of Al- 
mighty God, by the lit. Rev. Jackson Kemper, D. 1),, Bishop in charge of the Dioc:'se of Wisconsin, since 



680 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

which lime thf parisli lias goue ou subject to the mutations so iucideiilal to small parishes in a new country. 
On the first day of the present month, the undersigned ceased his connection with the parish he had planted. 
May it please God to give others the increase and the fruits. 

[Signed.] Stephen McHugh. 

October, 1851. 

The " small, uuattractive house " above alluded to was only 20x80. and at the time of its 
building there were seventeen eommunicauts. while at the organization of the parish there were 
fom-teen. The house was located on the east side of the church lot south of the public park. 
This house now forms a jiart of the drug store of H. R. Doane. The second house of worahip 
was also built on the south side of the park, at a cost of $1,200. This house was afterward en- 
larged to- meet the needs of the congregation. In 1877. the erection of their jiresent church was 
begun, and. July U, 1879. it was consecrated by Rt. Rev. E. R. Wells. Bishop of Wisconsin. 
The first baptisms ou record are Edgar Napoleon Lawsou. January 21, 1845; and Sarah Ann 
Lawson. January 22, 1845. The first confirmations were Nancy Van Tandt and Isabella Mc- 
Hugh, May 4, 1845. The first marriage %vas James H. Mansfield to Elizabeth Feroe. July 30, 
1845. The first burial was Edgar Napoleon Lawson, February 2. 1845. The succession of 
ministers is as follows: Stephen McHugh, 1844 to 1845; Rev. Bartlett, 1845 to 1848; Stephen 
McHugh. 1848 to 1851; G. E. Peters, 1858 to 185r,; Joseph Ailderly, 1856 to 1860; J. H. 
Nichols, I860; A. S. Nicholson, 1862; G. M. Skinner, 1862 to 1865; George W. Dean, 1865 to 
1870; F. C, Brown, 1870 to 1875; E. R. Sweetland. 1875 to 1878; Joel Clark. 1878 to 1880; 
Charles Holmes. 1881, 

The membership of the church numbers eighty nine. 

The First Baptixt Church was organized September 21, 1889. with seventeen members. 
Their first house of worship was erected in 1841. on lots donated by the founders of the village. 
It was a plain wood stnicture. without tower or spire, and captible of seating 200 persons Its 
size was 36x40, and cost about $1,500. It was located on the southeast corner of the present 
church lot, but was 8ubse([uently removed, and is now the main part of the City Livery Stable. 
Their second house of worship was a brick structure. 40x()0, and. including the gallery, had a 
seating capacity of 350 persons. It cost $4,000. The third and present house of worship was 
erected in 1880, This church is built on the same lots as the first church, and fronts Main 
street. This building in size is 70x128. and its entire cost, including building, fiu-nishing, etc., 
was $15,322.79. The valuation of all their church property, including lots, sheds, bell and the 
house of worship, with all its fm-nishing, is $20,01)0. There have been added to this church, 
including the constituent members, in its history and labors of forty-two years, a little more than 
twelve hundred persons, and at present, there are 485 members. The first anti-slavery conven- 
tion held in the State of Wisconsin was held in the Baptist Chm-eh of Delavan. The conven- 
tion assembled at the call of Chai-les H. Sturtevant and William H. Pettit. Jeduthan Jones, 
then of Elkliorn, was one of the speakers. The initial meeting, out of which gi-ew the present 
Wisconsin Baptist Convention, was held in this church, also, in July, 1844. The succession of 
ministers is as follows: Hemy Tojiping. fi-om October, 1839. to October. 1843: John H. Dud- 
ley, from April. 1844. to Octol.er, 1849; Mead Bailev. from 1850 to 1853; N. Botighton, from 
1853 to 1854; Albert Sheldon, fi-om 1854 to 1858; Jeremiah IJ. Cole, from 1858 to 1860; -John 
Williams, from 1860 to 1S61; David Burbauk. fi-om 1862 to 18(U: E. B. Palmer, from 18(54 to 
1865; J. E. Johnson, fi-om ]fS(i5 to l.sr.7; Charles T. Roe. INON to 1S69: D. E. Halteman. fi-om 
1869 to the present time. 

Methodist Episcojnil Chiircli. In 1S41, Rev. L. F. Moulthop was appointed to Troy Cir- 
cuit, having as a colleague Rev. Henry Whitehead. The circuit included Troy, Eagle, Hart 
Prairie, Round Prairie, Turtle Prairie, Delavan and Elkliorn. At Delavan, the meetings were 
held in Broadway's log house in the village, alternating with the residence of Mr, Phoenix, on 
the prairie. The number of members of the Delavan Methodist class at this its beginning is 
not known. From 1841 up to 1856, the Methodist society at Delavan was united with one or 
more societies of the neighboring villages. At this time, it began a separate existence, having 
church property valued at $2,500, and a full membership of eighty, with forty-foui- on the roll 
of probationers. Thomas White was the pastor. The pastors since that time have been: R. 
P. Lawton. M'hite, S. Sctimmou, J. B. Cooper, W. C. Manwell. R. B. Curtis, G. W. De 



HrSTORY OF WAIAVOUTH COI'NTV. 681 

Lamatvr, C. S. McChesnov. A M. Bullock, A. G. Higgins, O. A. Curtis, Hbiii-v F:iirli(i, E. (i. 
Updike. J. S. Diins. 

In 1864, its present house of worslii|). on Second street, was erected. Its size is 44x64 feet, 
two stories high, and cost $().r)l)(l. The niuulier of coiumniiicants reported at the conference of 
ISBlwaslOOr 

St. AiulrciV!>' Catholir Clnirrli. — The lirst mass of this church was celebrated in IS")], and, 
before a place of worshij> was built, their meetings were hold at the residences of Francis De- 
lauey and Morris O'Connor, and at Monell's Hall. Their church building was erected in 1856, 
at a cost of S7")0. In 1867. this building was enlarged, at a co.st of $"2,(100, and various im- 
provements, to the amount of $500, are now being made. At its organization, the communicants 
numb<>red about fifty families, and at present there are 150 families, which make about five hun- 
(ked members. Their first pastor was Father Pendergrast. and he has been followed by Fa- 
thers Mallon, Brenuan. Smith. Roach, Kennoy, Morris, Duui|)hy, Allan and the present ])astor. 
Rev. M. J. Taugher. Their church building is located in the southern part of the village, in 
Block lit, and fronts Fourth street. Until 1S80. the pastors of this church have held services in 
Elkhorn also. 

Tlif Baptist Clmrrh of Eant Delamii was formed February 14, 1845, Rev. Henry Topping 
being its first pastor. Seventeen members comprised the organization — Ira Utter and wife, L. H. 
Willis and wife, H. Beals and wife, Daniel P. Handy and wife, Mrs. Laura Bailey, Mrs. Clar- 
issa Wright, Lucy Pierce, Jerre P. Ward and wife. Nelson Calkins and wife, Elihu Eaton and 
Mrs. Clarissa Vincent. This meeting for organization was held in the old log school house, but 
a church building was erected the ne-xt yeai'. Their present neat and substantial edifice was 
Ijuilt in ISfiO. This is the only religious organization in the town outside the village, and is in 
a healthy condition in every respect. The society has a memliership of sixty-five, but no settled 
pastor at jiresent writing. Since Mr. Topping's departure, the pulpit has been occui)ied by El 
ders Reed, Morton, Bailey, Dudley, Sheldon, Barrel, Hai-ris. Farnham, Hutchinson, Dye and 
Adams. 

SCHOOLS. 

The first school of Delavan was a private school, organized and taught Ijy Dr. J. R. Brad- 
way, from 1842 to 1845. The building used was located on what is now Walworth avenue, 
nearly opposite the present site of Mr. Leech's blacksmith shop. The school was well managed, 
and as prosperous as could be expected in a new country. The building was burned in 1845, 
being the first tire that oecmTed in the new village. The private school was afterward taught 
in the old Baptist Church, by E. D. Barber. 

In September, 1842, the Commissioners of Common Schools, consisting of Messrs. H. Hunt, 
A. B. Par.sons and Hiram Calkins, for the town, divided the town into five school districts, and 
the village of Delavan was in School District No. 1. Proceedings were at once instituted to pro- 
vide a schoolhouse and organize a common school. The first common school was opened in the 
summer of 1843, in a log l)uilding owned by Mr. Phcenis, on Terrace street. In the year 1845, 
a wood building was erected on the site of the present building, and is remembered as th(* " Old 
Red Schoolhouse." Th(! lot on which it was built was donated by Mr. Phrenix, and has since 
been enlarged by purchasing other lots on the south. In the years 1852 and 1853, the north 
wing, and in the years 1S()5 and 1866, the hall and south wing, of the present brick building 
were erected. 

The common school has always boc^n well supported by the inhabitants of the town, and its 
interests well guarded. Dr. F. L. Von Suessmilch, who now holds the office of Treasurer, has 
served the district as such for the past sixteen years, and has don(! much, by his interest in and 
fidelity to the cause of education, to advance the schools. 

Some of the best teachers of the State have been employed from time to time, among whom 
are Maj. A. J. Cheney. Presid(int \V. D Parker, of the State Normal School at Black River Falls, 
Prof. T. C. (Chamberlain, State; Geologist, and Prof. R W. Lang, afterward Professor in the 
University of Minnesota. Miss Nellie B. Stevens, Principal of the grammar school, has held 
her pn^sent po.sition for a number of years. 

The school has been under the cai'e of Elias Dewey for th(v | )ast ten years, who has thor- 
oughly gi'aded it and arranged a course of study. There are four departments, each of which 



6&2 HISTORY or WALWORTH COUNTY. 

consists of fom- grades. The foiu- upjier gi-jides constitute the high school. Pupils who complete 
the coiu-se of study and graduate from the high school are awarded a diploma bj" the Board of 
Education. The high school was organized as a free high school, under the statutes of the State, 
in the year 1877. 

Miss Mary A. Ford built a building on the lot where Mr. A. Shulz's residence now stands 
in 185(3, and opened a private school. In the year 1859, she moved the building to the east side 
of Fifth street, north of Walworth avenue, built an addition and continued the school until the 
year 1874. The school was very popular as a primary, and Miss Ford is gratefully remembered 
by many who enjoyed the privileges of the school. 

NEWSPAPERS. 

The Walworth Voimti/ Junriial was the first paper published in Delavau. It was started in 
December, 1852, by J. C. Bunner, who was editor and ])roprietor. He was aided in the enter- 
prise by the citizens, who subscribed some $r!0()at the time it was established. It did not prove 
a permanent success, and at the end of two years the paper suspended publication. 

The Messenger was started in the fall of 1855. It was, like its unfortunate predecessor, 
aided by citizens' subscriptions to the amount of $50(\ Joseph Baker and William M. Doty 
were editors and proprietors. Mr. Doty sold his interest to Mi\ Baker soon after the paper 
started. Mr. Baker sold a half-interest to J. W. Lawton, and subsequently, his remaining half 
to H. L. Devereaux. Mr. Devereaux, after a time, sold his interest to Mi'. Lawton, who re- 
mained sole pro]jrietor for several years. In 1802, it adopted the name of the Delavan Repub- 
lican. 

The Delavan Kepnblinaii, as appears by the foregoing sketch, was first established under 
the name of the Measeixjer, in 1855. It took its present name in 1802. It was, at the time it 
assumed its present name, owned and edited by J. W. Lawton. In 18()1, a rival j^aper was 
started by E. G. Wheeler, under the name of the Delavan Patriot, which, in 1868, was bought 
by Mr. Lawton, and became merged with the Republican, under the enlarged name of the Dela- 
van Republican and Patriot. The old name was again resumed in 1865. Mr. Lawton, owing 
to ill health, retired from the paper, and died in Delavan in 1871. His successors were N. D. 
Wright and N. G. Woodbury. Mr. Woodbury's connection with the paper was of short dura- 
tion. Mr. Wright retained his ]iroprietorship till April, 1875. at which time he sold out to 
George B. Tallman. Mr. W. G. Weeks, the present editor and proprietor, bought and assiuned 
control April 1, 1881. It is Republican in politics, and is conducted with ability. 

The Walworth Coiinti/ Democrat was started in Delavan in 1859, by George Andrews, but 
ceased its ptiblication in 18'jl. 

The Enterprise, an independent Republican paper, was established August 8, 1878, by O. 
R. Conable. At the expiration of one year, it passed into the hands of its present editor and 
proprietor, Mr. E. W. Conable. It is a worthy candidate for favor, and is winning its way by 
careful and painstaking editorial work. It is yet young in years, and its history is to be made 
in the long, bright future that lies before it. 

THE DEL.4V.A.N GU.-iEDS. 

The Delavan Guards, a comi>any of the Wisconsin National Guards, was organized in Del- 
avan, Wis., early in the spring of 1880. Tney were mustered into the State service April 19, 
1880, by Col. Xicholas Smith, of Janesville, Wis., under Act 80 of the Revised Statutes. The 
following officers were commissioned by Gov. William E. Smith, April 27, 1880: Captain, 
Fred B. Goodrich; First Lieutenant, Charles T. Isham; Second Lieutenant, Menson Vedder. 

The company was assigned to the Fir.st Battalion, head(iuarters at Janesville, W^is. , and armed 
with Sj)riugtield bi-eech- loading rifles. The officers immediately adopted a regulation national 
guard uniform, at a cost of |1,200. The company went into camp at Rockford, 111., in August 
with the battalion, together with the Third and Sixth Illinois Regiments, and Tobey's Battery, 
of Chicago. The Delavan Guards were numerically the strongest company in camp, and were 
particularly complimented by the Governor and Adjutant General when the brigade passed in 



HISTOKY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 683 

At the annual inspoction, in November, they mustered fifty-three men, and received an ap- 
propriation of §5(')5 from the State. 

Tlie following is the Adjutant General's report made to the Governor on their standing: 
Streujjth of company, sixty-on(> men: uniform, national guard pattern, excellent style, (juality 
and lit; discijiliue and instruction - discipline, very good; instruction, good, considering time 
company has been organized; armory, fair; answer for ordinary drilling; remarks —too much 
praise cannot be given Cai)t. Goodrich and his Lieutenants for the interest, energy and forbear- 
ance displayed in organizing and drilling the Delavau Guards. They have had many discour- 
agements, and have won honorable success. The company has complii-d with the law in all 
respects. 

MUSTER ROLL. 

Captain, F. B. Goodrich; First Lieutenant, C. T. Isham; Second Lieutenant, M. Vedder; 
First Sergeant, E. B. Judson; Second Sergeant, W. Austin; Third Sergeant, L. Keeder; Fourth 
S(>rgeant, D. M. Jacobs; Fifth Sergeant, George Shepherd; First Corporal, N. Washbm-ne; 
Second Corporal. F. I). Goodrich; Third Corporal, W. C. Remey: Fourth Corjioral, N. Will- 
iams; Fifth Corporal, J. B. Keeder; Sixth Corporal, John Belton; Seventh Corporal, Jos. 
Devendorf; Privates, Frank Austin, William Bloughton, William Brown, G. M. Corbiu, Charles 
Conklin, F. C. Devendorf. George Ford, C. Y. Fitzer, E. Gormley, H. S. Hoag, William 
Haines, H. Jones, H. Kuehn, L. R. Laughlin, G. E. Leach, W. H. Marbecker. W^ L. McCoy, 
C. C. Martin. S. W. Menzie. P. A. Nelson, F. M. Poiinder, J. S. Parsons. W'. D. Paddock. F. 
F. Rice. H. E. Rice. William Blanchard. A. Reeder, F. B. Smith. C. H. Schultz, J. Sturtevant, 
C. T. Spooner. Jay Seaver, H. W. Traftord, F. Thomas, G. B. Tallman, H. Utley, G. B. Wash- 
burne. W. L. Williams, I. W. Wilday, R. J. Wilson, W. Chapp(41, George Besicker, Frank 
Besicker, A. McCoy, E. N. Ware, J. M. Smith. 

CIRCCSES AND SHOWS. 

Quite a novel feature in the history of the tovm is its identification with the circus and 
show business. It was for many years the winter quarters, from which, in the early spring, 
some of the largest and best- appointed shows of the time started on their annual exhibition 
through the country. Thus, what to most country villages is a novelty, became a part of the life 
of Delavan, and the keeping and training of wild animals, the riding school, the litting-out of 
shows, and all the accompaniments and parai>hernalia of the modern circus and menagerie were 
as common to the citizens of Delavan as the surroundings of ordinary country life. 

In 1850, E. F. & J. Mabie. proprietoi-s of Mabie's Circus and Menagerie, bought a large 
farm near the village and made it the headquarters for their shows. They bought the old Clongre- 
gational Church, in which they wintered their animals. They had at that time one of the largest 
traveling shows in the country. The brothers continued the business together until lSr)4, at 
which time Mr. E. F. Mabie sold out to his brother, who carried on the business the following 
year alone. In bStn), Mr. J. Mal)ie formed a copartnership with James Melville, and they or- 
ganized a " boat-show. " with which they traveled on the lakes during the summer, and sold out 
to Adam Forepaugh and 0'J5rien, of Philadoljihia. The Mabie brothers l)oth died some years 
since. Their widows are still residents of the village. 

In 1M57, H. Biickley and S. S. Babcock organized a circus in the town. They exhibited in 
the Southern States and in Cuba. They continued in business two years. 

In 18(19, W. C. Coup and Dan Castello organized a circus and camel team. They exhibited 
on« year, when they became associated with P. T. Barnum, merged their show into his, and 
traveled in the East two seasons by wagons. In 1872, they traveled by rail, wintering in Dela- 
van. In the spring of 187:5, Mr. Coup formed a copartnership with P. T. Barnum, and built 
the New York Hipjiodn)me. Ho soon after withdrew and built the New York Aciuariiun. In 
187fi, Coup organized W. C. Coup's New York Monster Circus and Menagerie, which is still in 
full ojieration. Delavan was Mr. Cou])'s homo for manj' years. Ho was the inventor of the 
" steam man," and the designer and getter-up of the well -remembered wax ligures rej)resenting 
the assassination of Lincoln. 

In 1858, Holland & Mosher organized a big tent show in Delavan. They had 10(t horses, 
and riders and performers in propoziionate number. They traveled two years. 



684 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

In 1865. Phillips & Babcock organized a tent and variety show, which they operated suc- 
cessfully two years. 

In lS7-i, H. Buckley & Co.'s Roman Hipiiodrome was organized in Delavan. This v,as 
one of the largest in the countiy. Their daily expenses were $2,000. They sold out, after 
traveling one season, to Haight, De Haven & Torj', of New York. One of the peculiar sights in 
the streets of Delavan during the organization of this show was the " Indian band," consisting 
of the chief. Black Eagle, and 100 of his wan-iors, who constituted a part of the troupe. 

In 1875, Harry Buckley and E. W. Colvine started a circus and menagerie, and traveled in 
the East and South. Dan Rice was their clown. 

In 1876, Dan Castello's (Jentemiial Circus was organized in Delavan. It was owned by 
W. C. Couj) and Dan Castello. 

James Hutchinson, now a partner of P. T. Barnum. and one of the leading showmen in the 
country, fii-st commenced the business in 1857, starting from Delavan as a " side-show solicitor. " 

Many who have been identified with the numerous shows fitted out from Delavan are still 
residents of the town. It has fitted out more shows than any other single town in the United 
States. It has now ceased to be a business. 

Many curious stories and incidents of the circus days of Delavan, among which is the follow- 
ing, of the monster elephant, Romeo. He escaped from his keeper one winter and took to the 
woods. The regular keeper had been discharged, and the new man had no control over him. 
The animal ranged about the country, creating a reign of terror. He amused himself by tearing 
down fences, destroying wagons or fai'ming tools, and chasing any person who came in his way. 
At one time, he had (juite a number of the iuhaliitants treed. The old keeper was recalled at 
last. On his arrival, he armed himself with a double-barreled shot-gun and undertook his capt- 
ure. On calling the beast, he seemed to know his old keeper's voice, and came toward him. 
As he approached, the man's confidence failed him, and he dischai-ged one barrel of the gun into 
his trunk and rau. The elephant gave chase. When he had nearly overtaken the keeper, the 
remaining barrel was given him. This checked him sulficiently to enable the keeper to reach 
the building that had tjeeu prepared for the elephant's recaptm'e. Passing in the large door, 
closely jiursued by the animal, the keeper was ([uickly di-awTa through a hole on the opposite 
side by his assistants. Some planks composing the floor (near the door) were an'anged so that 
they could be displaced ipiickly. The elephant did not attempt to pass over the space. A 
framework of timbers was then constructed close about him, and the process of subduing him 
commenced. Several sharp-pointed irons were heated red-hot, and with these he was prodded. 
At first, he disdained to show any sign of pain, but finally began to bellow, when the torture 
was suspended, the frames removed, and the animal found subdued and tractable. 

THE WAR RECORD, 

The war recoi-d of Delavan is that of all loyal eommiuiities of the North — the same labors, 
the same sacrifices and the same sad memories. The women of Delavan did their noble part in 
constant labor in the sanitary department. A floiu'ishing Auxiliai-y Ladies' Aid Society was kept 
u]i during the whole war period. The quota of the town on all calls for troops during the war- 
was 144. One hundi-ed and forty-nine men were furnished - an excess of five over the required 
number. Delavan raised by tax, for war purposes, $13,798. For fiu-ther accounts of the part 
her soldiers bore in the struggle the reader is refen-ed to the war histoiy of the county at large. 

SUMMARY. 

In common with the other villages of Southern Wisconsin, Delavan has become a summer 
resort. Delavan Lake, abounding in fish, is one of the most beautiful of those that have ren- 
dered the whole region famous throughout the country. 

A sunnner hotel at the lake, cottages, a steamboat, sail-boats, fishing tackle and other sports- 
men's outfit, with all modern hotel conveniences, both at the lake and village, render it a de- 
lightful summer retreat. 

The population of Delavan, according to the Federal census of 1880, was: Town, 930; 
village, 1,798; total, 2,728. The vahtation of 1881 was: Town, $484,325; village, $247,000; 
personal property, $420,475; total valuation, $1,151,800. 




' Gi^^yu.j ClA Mni^ 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 687 

The ^ain crops of 1880 were: Wheat, 21,480 bushels; corn, 94,880 bushels; oats, 84,899 
bushels; barley, 26,863 bushels; rye, R35 bushels. There were also raised 54,880 pounds of 
flax, and 2.922 tons of liay. The dairy jn-oducts were 87.01(5 pounds of butter and 35,480 
pounds of cheese. 

In 1881. tlie number of ;icres sown to i^rain was 6,835. There were also of mowing hind 
and pasturage 2,437 acres; of orchard, 2()7 acres; and of growing timber, 2,626 acres. 

Th(> town had, in 188], five whole and foiu' joint school districts. The total number of 
scholars enroIUnl was 763. of whom 542 attended school. There were seven schools, of which 
one was graded. Thirteen teachers were employed, at monthly wages — for males, $56.65; for 
females, 124.37. The amount expended for schools was $7,000. 

The number of schoolhouses was sis, vahied. with lots, at $13,825. 



15I()(;i!.\PIIl('AL SKETCHES. 

JOHN ALLOTT, pro|)rietor of city meat market in 1862. He was born in Yorkshire, En- 
gland, July 11, 1827; is the son of John and Sarah Allott. He learned the millwright's trade, 
and came to America in 1846, and made his home in Canada till 1851, when he moved to Wis- 
consin and settled at Beloit, and went into grocery business till 1862. He then came to Dela- 
van iind engaged in his present business, and also dealing in live stock. He was married in 
Buffalo, N. Y. , in 1849, to Miss Lucy Smith. They have three children living — John F. ,Heniy 
and Nellie. John is maiTied and living in Nebraska. Henry is interested in the market with 
his father. 

EDWARD AMOS, farmer. Section 3; P. O. Elkhorn; has 162 acres of land; was born in 
Thornberry, Gloucestershire, England, Nov. 20, 1837; is the son of Ezra and Mary Amos; came 
to America with his parents in 1S4(); made his home in Albany, N. Y. ; moved to Milwaukee, 
Wis., in 1849, where he resided until the fall of 1861, when he moved to Spring Prairie, \\a.\- 
worth Co.; was the owner of several different farms in that town; sold out. and, in the fall of 
1881, purchased his present fai'm, one of the best in the town, and made his home in Delavan. 
He was married, in Caledonia, Kacine Co., Wis., Dec. 4, 1861, to Miss Mary C, daughter of 
John H. Chambers. MJrs. Amos was born in Ulster Co. , N. Y. Her peojile were among the 
earliest pioneers of that section of New York. Mi-, and Mrs. Amos have had eight childi-en — 
Mary J., James T., John H., Edward, Jr., George C, James H., William H. and Ezra. The 
second child, James T., died in childhood; the youngest, Ezra, died in infancy. 

ELON ANDRUS, pro]irietor of the Andrus House, was born in the town of Arlington, Ben- 
nington Co., Vt. While (juite young, moved to Washington County with his jiarents, where 
he was brought up on a farm; was married, in Ham])ton. Washington, Co., New York, to Miss 
Ellen Merritt, a daughter of Daniel Merritt. They have two daughters — Nett and Belle. In 
1850, Mr. Andrus moved with his family to Geneva, Walworth Co.. where he was engaged in 
the lumber and lively business; also carried on a farm. After a residence of sixteen years at 
Geneva, he moved to Whitewater, where he kejit the Cortland House one year. From there he 
moved to Delavan, and purchased the Mallory House, which he named the Antb-iis House, and 
has kept it to this date. The house is deservedly popular with the traveling jiublic. Mi-. 
Andrus, while a resident of Geneva, sei-ved three years as Assessor of that town, and held other 
minor t)ffices. 

JAMES ARAM, Vice President of banking house of E. Latimer & Co. He was born near 
Utica, N. Y.. Aug. 9, 1813; is the son of ]\Iatthias and Elizabeth Aram. He was engaged in 
farming in e;u-ly life. He came to Wisconsin in 1838, and, in May. IS40. made his home in 
the town of D(4avan. He engaged in mercantile business fom- ye;n-s, and then changed to real 
estate, lumber and jiroducc* business. He was a stockholder in A\'alworth County Bank, and a 
stockholder and Director in the National Bank of Delavan; in 1880, was elected Vice President 
of the banking house of E. Latimer & Co. He has held many local offices. He was elected 
Jtistiee of the Peace in 1845, and held that office only a short time. He has served five years as 
President of the village of Delavan, and about the same time? as oni> of the Trustees; has been 
Chairman of the? Town Board fifteen years, and Side Supervisor for live years. He is the ]ires- 



688 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

ent representative to the County Board from the village; has also served as a member of the 
Board of Trustees of the Institute for the Deaf aud Dumb three years. He was married, at 
Perry, Wyoming Co., N. Y., Jan. 6, 1836, to Miss Susan Rood, daughter of James Rood. Mrs. 
Aram was born in Scipio, Cayuga Co., N. Y. They had three children, all of whom were called 
away. Mai-y E. died in Delavan, aged 13 years; Eveline, at the age of 7 years; and Marion 
A., in her loth year. Mr. Aram, in speaking of early times in Walworth County, relates as a 
part of his experience that, at one time, being obliged to leave home on business, he found his 
boots to be so dilapidated that they were not presentable among strangers. On trying to buy a 
pair at the usual trading -points, he discovered that there was not a pair to be bought in the 
county. Finding a neighbor with a good pair that would lit him, he leased them for a day, 
paying 25 cents for the use of them. Speaking of closeness of the early money market, he states 
that one summer his only cash capital was one bright shilling, which he treasured with great 
care sis months. 

STEPHEN S. BABCOCK, Under Sheriff of Walworth Co., Wis., was born in the town of 
Jerusalem, N. Y. , June 16, 1S24; is the son of Stephen and Betsey Babcock: when 3 years of 
age, moved with his parents to ^V'ayue County, where he was brought up on a farm. In 1846, 
he came to Wisconsin, arriving in Delavan in July of that year. He remained in that place 
only a short time, when he moved to the town of Darien and engaged in farming; thi'ee years 
later, 1859, he returned to Delavan, where he was engaged in the nursery, gi-ocery and other 
business, still retaining his farm in Darien till 1875, when he sold out. He was elected Justice 
of the Peace and served two yeai-s; was re-elected, and resigned to accept the office of Sheriff of 
Walworth County, to which he was elected for the term of 1879-80. On the expiration of his 
term of office, he" was appointed Under Sheritf, which office he holds at this writing. He has 
also served two terms as President of the village of Delavau. Mr. Babcock was married at Del- 
avan, Nov. 15, 1849. to Miss Eliza J. Barlow, daughter of Nehemiah Barlow. Mrs. Babcock 
was born in Rochester, N. Y. They have one child, a daughter, named Mary. 

CALEB S. BABCOCK, dealer in farm machinery; business established in the spring uf 
1871; is the son of Stephen and Betsey Babcock, and was born in Rose, Wayne Co., N. Y., July 
15, 1833; moved with his parents to Walworth Co., Wis., in 1843, and located in the town of 
Darien, lived there four years, and then moved to Delavan; was engaged in farming, and in the 
manufacture of brick with his brother, Stephen S., about four years. In 1871, he retiu-ned to 
the farm, and at the same time engaged in the sale of farm machinery, which he has continued 
to this date: makes a specialty of Walter A. Wood's machinery. Fish Bros.' lumber wagons, 
Cortland buggies, Emerson & Talcott's seeders and cultivators, and also keeps a general stock of 
farm machinery supplies. Since the fall of 1880, he has made his home in Delavan. He was 
married in this town, Jime 4, 1809, to Miss Sarah E. Brundage. They have two chikben— a 
daughter. May J., and son, Sly W. Mr. Babcock has an agency for his line of goods estab- 
lished in Sharon and in Troy Center. 

BURR S. BANGS, fanner, Sec. 10; P. O. Delavan; has 80 acres of land. He was born in 
Stanford, Delaware Co., N. Y., and is the son of Joseph and Huldah Bangs; moved to 
Tecumseh, Lenawee Co., Mich., with his pareats when 7 years of age; was brought up a farmer; 
was man-ied in Michigan, Feb. I'i, 1844, to Ai-mena Fisher, daughter of John Fisher; Mrs. 
Bangs was born in Massachusetts. They had six chikken — Anna; Samuel, died aged 2 years; 
Olive, was the wife of Ed. Rollins; her death occmTed at the age of 23 years; the three younger 
are Josephine. Francis B. and Cora E. Mr. Bangs and family moved to Wisconsin ^in 1854, 
and to Delavan in 1858. and settled on his present farm. Mrs. Bangs died Nov. 3, 1870. Mr. 
Bangs was married again. Dec. 31. 1872, in Elkhorn. to Mi-s. Rebecca Henderson, widow of Dr. 
S. W. Henderson and daughter of Nathaniel Hicks. Mrs. Bangs was bom in Westmoreland Co., 
N. B. She has four living sons by her former marriage — John H., Edward G., A. Eugene and 
Samuel W. Her former husband was one of the pioneer physicians of Elkhorn. See sketch 
elsewhere. 

D. T. BARKER, Elkhorn, dealer in lumber, coal, brick, etc. ; business established in 1871 ; has 
a branch yard in Delavan in comytany with his son, A. R. , imder the firm name of D. T. Barker 
& Co. Mr. Barker was born in New" London, Conn. , Dec. 3, 1824. He is the son of Phineas 
and Grace Barker. In 1845, he came to Milwaukee, Wis., and engaged in business with his 



HISTORY OF A\ALWOKTH COUNTY. 689 

brother, Phineas, as a dealer in hats, caps, etc.. which business he continued fifteen ye.ai-s. He 
came to AVahvorth County, located in the town of Delavan and engaged in fai'ming; in 1871, 
h(> moved_ to Elkhorn anil established his present business. He was married, in New London, 
Conn., in 1848. to Miss Eliza, daughter of Gordeu A. Andi'ews. They have four- children — 
Albert R.. inan-ied to Miss Abbic Wilson and living at Delavan; Eugene, living at Elkhorn; 
Hattie. now Mrs. Charles Scrcomb: and Charles H.. living in Elkhorn. 

A. R. B.\1\KE1\, of the tiiTa of D. T. Barker & Co.. de;Uers in lumlier. He was born in 
Milwaukee Jan. '2.'1. IS,"):}, son of D. T. and Eliza Barker; moved to Delavan in ISdT, and was 
engaged in milling; in 1875, went to Mason City, Iowa, where he rented a mill and operated it 
until 8e]itember, 187!), when he returned to Delavan and engaged in the Imnber business with 
his father, under the firm name of D. T. Barker & Co. In addition to the lumber business, 
this firm deals in doors, sash, lime and brick, carry an average stock of §il 0.000, and handle 2,- 
000,000 feet of lumber annually. Mr. Barker was married, at Mason City, Iowa. Aug. 17. 
1874. to Miss Abbie Wilson. Tliev have one child, a son. named Gorden H. 

HENRY BARLO^\". farmer. Sec. 5; P. O. Delavan; has 'iOO acres of land: settled in the 
town June 0. 1837; is accounted the oldest living re]>resentative of the ])ioneers of this town 
now residing here. He was born at Ballston Spa. Saratoga Co., N. Y., Nov. 2'-i. 1815; is the son 
of Nehemiah and Orlinda Barlow. He was brought uj) on a farm. In 1837, he came to ^\'is- 
consin and located on the northwest <(uarter of Sec. 5. Delavan, which he still owns. Being a 
single man, he found it convenient to spend his summers in Illinois, in the constraction of a 
grade for a railroad, for the first few years, but invariably passed his winters on his land in 
Delavan. so that he maintained a residence here all of the time. He was married, at the resi- 
dence of Mrs. Hannah R. La Bar, in the town of Delavan. July 3. 1841. to Miss Emeline La 
Bar. daughter of Daniel E. La Bar. Mrs. Barlow was born in Stroudsburg. Penn. This was 
the first marriage consummated in the town. They had eight children — four sons and four 
daughters — all of whom are living — Hattie L. . James R,, Anna, Cornelia. George S. . Horace, 
Edith E. and Frederick G. James R, married Adel E. Jackson, and lives in Delavan; Anna is 
the wife of Dr. T. W. Morse, of Beloit; Cornelia is a teacher of the village school of Delavan; 
George S. is an employe of Wisconsin Central Railroad at Portage City; Horace resides at home; 
Edith E. is now the wife of Mr. R. E. Holston, of Portage, Wis. ; Frederick G. is living in 
Valley City, D. T. Mr. Barlow has been a resident of Delavan continuously since coming here. 
He has served several years on the Town Boai'd of Supervisors, and many years as Treasurer of 
the school district. 

SAMUEL W. BARLOW, retired farmer, was born in Oneida Co.. N. Y., Feb. 4. 1802; 
moved to Genesee County; he learned the carpenter and joiner's trade, and was married, in 
Niagara Co., Feb. 24, 1831, to .^.Imira Wright, daughter of \\'illiam Wright, ili-s. Barlow was 
born in Vermont. They had five children born in Niagara County — Ruth, now Mrs. William 
E. Wood, of Walworth; Silas V., of Delavan; Elizabeth S., wife of Josiah Shelden. of Lima, 
Pepin Co., Wis.; William W., of Cottonwood Co.. Minn.; and Samuel W., Jr., of AN'rights- 
town. Wis. Mr. Barlow and family emigi-ated to Wisconsin in September, 1845, and located 
in Delavan, Wis., Sees. 31 and 32. Two childi'en were born to them in this town — Josiah W., 
now of Minnesota, and James L. . of Delavan. Mr. Barlow moved to Walworth in the fall of 
1861, where he engaged in farming until January, 1882, when, on losing his wife, who died 
Jan, I'.l of that year, he moved to Delavan. Hestill owns his farm of 100 acres. He has served 
as a menil)er of the Town -Board of Delavan two years. Two of his sons were in the army of 
the late war. William W. served tlu-ee vears in the 22d W. V. I. ; Samuel W. was a member 
of the 4'Jth 111. V. I. 

SILAS V. BARLOW, dealer in agricultural implements; has a farm of 80 acres of laud 
on Sec. 10. Delavan. He was born in Royalton. NiagcU-a Co., N. Y., Jan. 9. 1835; is the son 
of Samuel W. and Almira Baidow; came to Wisconsin with his parents in September. 1845. and 
made hi.s lume in the town of Delavan. Sec. 31. He was married, in La Grange, Jan. 30, 
1859. to Miss Antoinett Goflf. daughter of S. C. Goff. Mrs. Barlow was Ijorn in La Grange, 
Wis. They have one child, a son. Richard H.. who was bom A|)ril 2. 1802. Mr. Barlow has 
been engaged in his [iresent busini^ss for the ])a8t fifteen years; handles George Esterly's rea])- 
ers and mowers, and other farm machinery. St^ymoiu'. Sabine & Co. 's threshing machines, of 
Stillwater, Minn.; m-ikes his home in the villatie of Delavan. 



690 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

JUDGE A. H. BARNES camp from New York to Delavan in 1855; was a practicing at- 
torney till 1872. when he was appointed one of the Judfces of the Sujn-eme Court of Dakota Ter- 
ritory, with headquarters at Fargo. He established the first court ever held at Bismarck, of that 
Territory. 

CHAUNCEY BETTS, deceased, was born in Troy, N. Y,, March 27, 1796; was maiTied, in 
1819, to Maria H. Mather, and moved to the town of Lysander, Onondaga Co. The site of his 
old home is still known as Betts' Corners. He was engaged in mercantile and lumber business 
at this point till 1852, when he moved to Delavan, Wis. On his arrival at this place, he began 
business as a dealer in grain, wool and live stock, and continued it till shortly before his death, 
which occm-red Feb. 18, 1869. Before leaving the East, Mi-. Betts had served as a member of 
the New York Legislature, and, after coming to Wisconsin, was conspicuous in public affairs. 
He took an active ])art in securing aid and in encouraging the building of the Racine & Mis- 
sissippi Railway through Walworth County; he was President of the village of Delavan, and for 
eio-ht years a member of the Board of Trustees of the Institute for the Deaf and Dumb. He 
was possessed of devout religious opinions, and was a memlwr of the Congregational Chiu'ch for 
forty-eio-ht years. There were three daughters and two sons born to him. The eldest, Charles 
A. H., and the second, George F. , are spoken of in a separate sketch. The eldest daughter, 
Harriet, is the wife of E. S. Clark, of Salem, N. Y. ; Julia F. is now Mrs. Joseph Hall, of Mich- 
igan: Carrie M. was the wife of Samuel Kelsey, one of the pioneers of Delavan; her death oc- 
curred in the spring of 1859. Mrs. Betts was also a respected member of the Congregational 
Chm-ch. She died at Albany, N. Y., while on a visit to friends, Nov. 26, 1872. 

CHARLES A. H. BETTS, son of Chauncey and Maria A. Betts, was born in Onondaga, N. 
Y.. Sejjt. 20, 182(\ On an-iving at manhood, he engaged in the lumber and mercantile business 
in Osweco Co., iN. Y., commencing in 1846; he continued it until 1851, when he moved to Van 
Buren Co., Mich. ; was engaged in farming in the town of Lawton, and was afterward station 
agent at Lawton for the Michigan Central Railroad. In the fall of 1855, he went to Lawrence 
and eno-aged in the mercantile and lumber business; continued that business until 1862, when 
he came to Delavan and joined his brother, George F. , in the live stock and gi-ain trade. Three 
years later, he went to Pennsylvania and embarked in the oil business; spent several years in 
that State and returned to Delavan, where he has since resided. 

GEORGE F. H. BETTS, son of Chauncey Betts, came to Delavan in 1851 and engaged in 
mercantile business. On the completion of the Racine & Mississippi Railroad to this place, he 
became an extensive dealer in gi-ain and live stock. In l862,_he was joined by his brother, C. 
A. H., and together they carried on a large business. In 18 r2, George F. moved to Syracuse, 
N. Y., where he still resides. He is well remembered by the citizens of Walworth County as an 
enterprising business man, and, while resident here, was one of the leading men of the place. 

CHARLES C. BLANCHARD, M. D., was born in Ai-cadia, Cayuga Co., N. Y.. Aug. 7. 
1844: is the son of Dr. O. W. and Nancy (Foster) Blanchard; came to Racine, Wis., with his 
parents while a child, where he lived till i851, when he moved to Delavan and studied medicine 
with his father. Dr. O. W. Blanchard, a physician of the old school. He attended a course of 
lectm-es at the Rush Medical College of Chicago. Later, he attended a coiu'se of lectures at the 
Bennett Medical College of Chicago, of the eclectic school, from which he graduated in 1863. 
He retiu-ned to Wisconsin and entered upon the practice of his profession in the town of Wal- 
worth. One year later, he moved to Sharon, where he practiced eight months. In 1868, he 
formed a partnership with his father at Delavan, and succeeded to his practice after his death, 
which occurred March 25, 1879. In 1880 and 1881, Dr. Blanchard attended a course of lect- 
m-es at the Chicago College of Ophthalmology, and graduated in 18S1. He has been Secretary 
of the State Medical Society thi-ee years; is a member of National Medical Association, and was 
elected an honorary member of the National Institute of Eclectic Medicine and Surgery at St. 
Louis. The Doctor has sho\vn his interest in local politics liy serving fom- years as a member 
of the Village Board of Trustees. He was married, Sept. 25, bS71, in the town of Walworth, 
Walworth Co., Wis., to Miss Nellie E. Weaver, daughter of Edward Weaver. Mrs. Dr. Blanch- 
ard is a native of Detroit, Mich. The subject of this sketch served in the late war for a period 
of three years and ten months. He enlisted in the 22d W. V. I. in 18()2. as a jwivate. and 
went into camp at Racine; was transferred to the medical department, where he served two 



HISTORY OF "WALWORTH COUNTY. 691 

years; while ou duty in Kentucky he was takeu sick and discharged for physical disability. Ou 
his retiu-n to his home, he did not ri^gain his health till exjiiration of teu mouths. He then re-eulisttsd 
in the 100-days' service, and was commissioned Hosj)ital Steward: was stationed at Memphis dur- 
iui; the term of his enlistment. He then re-enlisted in the 4Uth W. V. I., under Col. Samuel 
V. Allows. Diu-ing the latter part of his service, he was jnit in charge of the hospital at St. 
Louis. So faithfully did he discharge the duties of that j)ositiou that he was recommended by 
the Medical Director for the position of Assistant Surgeon. The commission was issued, but 
did not arrive till the dav before he was mustered out of the United States service. 

ORIN W. BLANCHARD, M, D.. deceased, was born in Clarendon, Vt., Oct. 22. 1808; 
was the son of Willard and Sarah (Piatt) Blanchard. The family is of French origin, descend- 
ed from a Count of the same name. The first of the family who emigrated to A)uerica settled 
in Rhode Island five generations aga Dr. Blauchard's father was a soldier of the war of 1 81 2; 
his grandfather participated in the Revolutionary war. while he and his sons were in the serv- 
ice of the Government dui'ing the late war with the South. He was educated in the academy at 
Aubm-n, N. Y. . and began the study of medicine with Dr. Dauiel D. AVaite. of Cayuga County, 
and later, pursued his studies under Dr. Cady. of Senate, ne;u' Auburn. He then attended a 
com'se of lectm-es at the medical college of Castleton. Vt. . and begun practice neai- Auburn. N. 
Y. , in 1828, under a diploma from the State of New York. He continued practicing with marked 
success, and, in 1841, took a second course of lectm-es, this time at the medical college of Pitts- 
field, Mass. In 18-12, he moved to Racine, Wis., and established himself in ]iractice in company 
with Dr. B. B. Cary. Two years later ou, Dr. Gary being appointed to a Government position, 
the pai'tnership was dissolved. He continued his practice at Racine till 1847, when, in hopes 
of improving his wife's health by removing her from the lake winds, he removed to Delavan. 
In a few years, he had secm'ed a satisfactory practice, which he continued till 1851, when he 
was appointed Assistant Siu-geon in the regular army, and served tlu-ee yeair, in New Mexico. 
He then returned to Delavan and was in active practice till he was appointed Sm-geon of the 
4(lth Regiment, \\ . V. I. (lOO days" men); he was suljsequently commissioned Surgeon of the 
4'.tth Regiment, and served till the close of the war. So faithfully did the Doctor discharge the 
duties of his station, that, in testimonial of the kind regards of his comrades, he was presented 
with an elegant gold-headed cane by the 40th, and by the 4Vtth with a tine gold watch. After 
the close of the war, he resumed his practice in Delavan. Dm-ing the latter years of his life, 
he was employed principally in siu'gery, and as a physician in critical cases and consultations. 
An enthusiast in his profession, a thorough student, ripe in experieuc?, Dr. Blanchard, by his 
uniform skill and success, justly ranked among the leading surgeons and physicians of the State 
till the time of his death, which occurred March 25, 187U. He was married, at Ai'cadia, Scho- 
harie Co., N. Y. , Mai'ch 27, 1831, to Miss Nancy Foster. Three sons were born to them. 

JOSEPH BOWKER, deceased, was born in Locke, Cayuga Co., N. Y., Oct. U, 17U7. He 
removed to Wisconsin in 1.S44. He first settled at Geneva, then removed to Delavan, where he 
held the ofhce of Justice of the Peace for many years. He kept a store for awhile in the town. 
Mr. Bowker died in Delavan Mai'ch 20, 1850. He was a member of the first constitutional con- 
vention of 1846. He was the son of Silas Bowker, and maiTied for his wife Eliza Maynard, 
Oct. 19, 1817. 

WALLACE W. BRADLEY, merchant, dealer in dry goods and clothing; business estab- 
lished in 1848. He was bom in Tompkins Co., town of Groton, N. Y. , May 2(1, 1S20; is the 
son of Dr. Enos and Adah Bradley, who wore Connecticut people, and moved to New York 
in an early day; when about (> years of age. went with his parents to Darien, Genesee Co. , where 
he remained until 1^45, when he came to Wisconsin and located at South])ort. now Kenosha. 
In 1848, he moved to Delavan and oi)ened a clothing store, being the first to bring a stock of 
ready-made clothing to the village. With the exception of one year, 18(15, he has been in busi- 
ness in Delavan to this date, 18S1. During a greater part of the time, he has dealt in both 
dry goods and clothing. He was married, in Delavan, July 23, 185(1, to Miss Cynthia Keeler, 
daughter of P. M. Keeler. Mrs. Bradley died Dec. 31, 1853, leaving one child, a daughter, 
which subsecjuently died at the age of 12 years. Mr. Bradley was married again. April 21, 
1S55, at Delavan, to Miss Esther Larnard. daughter of Elisha Larnard. Tht^y hav(> two daiigh- 
ters — Allie and Eva. The older. Allie, is tlu* wife of AN'illiam H. Tvrrell, of Delavan. Mr. 



692 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

Bradley served as Treasurer of Delavan during the years 1S51 and 185'2, and has served as a 
member of the Village Board of Trustees four years. 

SYLVANUS BRMNARD. farmer in the village of Delavan. He was born in ]3rooklyn, 
Cuyahoga Co., Ohio. March 1, 1824; is the son of Job and Mary Braiuard; was brought up a 
farmer, and married, in his native town, March 22, 1848, to Mrs. M. S. Hoyt, widow of L. H. 
Hoyt and daughter of Hiram Ellis. Mrs. Brainard was born in Middlebury, Addison Co., Vt. : 
has one daughter by her former marriage — Isadora E. Hoyt, now Mrs. Frank Fai'nham, of Chi- 
cago. Mr. and Mrs. Brainard moved to Wheatland, Kenosha Co., Wis., in the .spring of 1852, 
where they had a farm of 201) acres. Mr. Brainard enlisted in Battery A, of Chicago, in the 
fall of 1864-, was discharged for disability early in January, 1865. In 1868, he sold out in 
Wheatland and locat '1 at Delavan, imrchased his present farm, and has made it his home since. 
They had two daughters born to them in Wheatland. Sylvia C. , the elder, is the wife of John 
W. Bntler, merchant, of Neola, Pottawattamie Co., Iowa; the youngest, Jennie C. , is now Mrs. 
Charles R. Neitzsch, Deputy Postmaster of Missouri Valley, Harrison Co. . Iowa. Mr. Brainard 
is a Republican in politics. 

DR. GEORGE H. BRIGGS, di-uggist and physician. He established his practice in Dela- 
van in 1856, whichwas continued until 1867. During nine years of this time from 1857 to 
1866 he was Physician to the Institute for the Deaf and Dumb. He began in the drug business 
in 18(58. which he has continued to this date. He is a native of Keeue, N. H. where he resided 
until 12 years of age. He then went to Nuuda, Livingston Co., N. Y., and received his educa- 
tion at the Nunda Academy; studied medicine with Drs. Tm'ner & Warner, at Nimda; took a 
coui'se of lectujces at the Geneva Medical College, and also attended a regular coui'se in the med- 
ical department of the Buffalo University, from which he gi-aduated in 1852. He began the 
practice of his profession at Nunda, remaining at that place one j'ear. He then attended a 
course of lectures at the Jefferson Medical OoUege of Philadelphia. In May, 1854, he came to 
.Delavan, Wis., but only remained a few months, and then went to Elkhai't, Ind., where he was 
in practice one year. He then returned to Wisconsin and located in Sauk City, Sauk Co., 
where he remained one year. He returned to Delavan in 1856, and practiced medicine until 
September, 1862, when he was appointed Assistant Surgeon of the 18th W. V. I., and served 
in the late war until June, 186:^, when he resigned on account of ill health and returned to Del- 
avan. He then bought out Mr. E. H. Chandler in the drug business, which he has continued 
to this date. About 18()7, he retired from active practice of his profession. He was married, 
at Elkhart, Ind., Sept. 10, 1856. to Miss Helena Chamberlain, daughter of Milo Chamberlain. 
Mrs. Briggs was born near Syracuse, N. Y. They have five children —three sous and two 
daughters — Charles A., Helen E., George L., Mary L. and Edward C. Dr. Briggs was Super- 
intendent of Schools of Delavan ill 1857 and 1858, and is the present Town Treasurer. 

MARTIN H. BRIGHAM, farmer, Sec. 36; P. O. East Delavau; has 200 acres; was born 
in Perry, Wyoming Co.. N. Y. , Aug. 2U. 1821; is the son of Jabez and Elizabeth Brigham. 
He came to Delavan Sept. 17, 1842, and made his home in the town of Delavan. He was mar- 
ried, May 7, 1846, in East Delavan, to Betsey Richardson, and made his h(jme on their present 
farm. Mrs. Brighum died Feb. 4, 187(). They have had four children —Randall W., Catha- 
rine, Samuel and Sarah J. The eldest. Randall A\'.. married Lizzie Smith, and lives at A\'est 
Libertyville, 111.; Catharine, is the widow of Irwin Barnhart, and has one son; Sarah J. is the 
wife of Oliver Hatch, of Delavan, and has an infant daughter. Mr. Brigham has always voted 
the Republican ticket since the organization of that party. 

REUBEN H. BRISTOL, farmer. Sees. 16 and 9; P. O. Delavan; has 186 acres of land. 
He was born in Lewis, Essex Co., N. Y. , Oct. 31, 1828; is the son of Isaac and Sophia Bristol; 
was brought up a farmer; moved to Delavan, Wis., October, 1848; was married in Delavan, 
July 5, 1852, to Miss Sabra A. Shepard, daughter of John B. and Rachel Shepard. Mrs. Bris- 
tol was born in Mayfield. Montgomery Co. , N. Y, Her people were among the early settlers of 
Delavan (1841). Mr. and Mrs. Bristol have had six childi-en — four daughters and two sons — 
Marion M., Henry J., Clara S., Stella R., Lena L. and Chester R. The second child. Henry 
J. , died in childhood. Immediately after his marriage, Mr. Bristol made his home on his pres- 
ent farm. During war times, he served three years as Assessor of Delavan; since that time, has 
held the same office six years in succession, and is the present incumbent. In 1868, he moved 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 693 

his family to the village of Dejavaii, whore they lived till 1S74, when they retm-ned to their old 
home on the farm. 

H.\11RY D. BULL.\RD, M. D., was born in Shrew.sbury, Vt., April I'J, ISSO, son of Dan- 
iel and Nancy (xates BuUard. The father was the seventh generation descended from Benjamin 
Billiard, who was one of that historic hand who came to America in the Mayflower in 1620. In 
17U0, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch moved from Massachnsetts to Vermont, and 
established the family in that State. When 15 years of age, Harry D. wont to reside with his 
uncle, in Western Now York, where he spent a year and a half. From there he went to Cedar 
Falls, Iowa, remaining six months. He then moved to Delavan, Wis., in 1850. One year later, 
he went to Racine, and attended McJtyun's High School; s])ent two years there and in teaching. 
From Racine he went to Beloit, where he was engaged in teaching till September, 1801. On 
the 14th of that month he enlisted in the 4th Battery Wis. Vols. After one year's service, he 
was detailed as Hospital Steward, and served in that capacity till the expiration of his three 
years' tei-m of enlistment. His health being badly impainnl, he returned North, and began the 
study of medicine in New York; attended a com-se of lectures at the Long Island Hospital Med- 
ical College. He subset (uently attended a regular coiu'se at the Bellevue Hos|)ital Medical Col- 
lege, and graduated in the class of lS()t3. He then came to Delavan, Wis., and was married, 
April 2, 18(50, to Miss Amanda Sheldon, daughter of the Rev. Albert Sheldon. She was born 
in Rhode Island. Immediately after his marriage. Dr. Bullard moved to Gillesiiie, 111., and 
entered upon the ])racticeof his [irofession: continued in practice at that place eight yeai's, when, 
in hopes of improving the health of himself and family, he returned to Delavan in Jvme, 1874, 
and has since been inactive practice at that place. He lost his wife March 17, 1880. Her death 
was lamented by a large circle of warm friends. Since 1875, Dr. Bullard has adhered to the 
homoeopathic practice of medicine; is a member of the State Hoimeopathic Medical Society. 

HORACE L. CLARK, sewing machine and gunsmithing. The subject of this sketch was 
born in Chautauqua Co., N. Y., Dec. 20. 1848; is the son of Luther and Angeline Clark; when 
li yeai's old, moved with his parents to Johnstown, Rock Co.. Wis.; received a common-school 
education: he enlisted in the late war, in May, 1864, as a private in Co. F. 4()th W. V. I., and 
served fom- months; he then went to Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and became a student of Eastman's 
National Business College; he graduated from there in 1805, and returned to Wisconsin and 
engaged as clerk in the drug store of McKee & Wheelei', of Delavan, Wis. ; he remained in 
that store under its dift'erent proprietors until 18(59, when he went to Illinois, and from there to 
St. Joseph, Mo., where he v/as engaged in the drug business; he made a thorough study of 
phai-macy. and passed a creditable examination before the Examining Board of the Misscjiu'i 
Valley Pharmaceatical Association; he was mamed, at St. Joseph, Dec. (5, 1871, to iliss Mary 
M.. daughter of James A. Matiiey; Mrs. Clark was born in St. Joseph, Mo.: they have three 
children — Robert L., Mary A. and Dosia L. IMi'. Clai'k moved to Troy, Kan., in 1875, and en- 
gaged in the di'ug business, which he continued one year: he then returned to Wisconsin and 
engaged with WaiTen Collins, of Janesville, as book-keeper in the music business: this connec- 
tion lasted till the fall of 1S78; he then came to Delavan, and, in February, 1879, established 
his present business. Mr. Clark has been a member of the Congregational Church for many 
years, and, while a resident of Johnstown, was Superintendent of the Sunday school. 

REV. JOSEPH COLLIE, D. D., Pastor of the Congregational Chiarch since Oct. 1, 1854, 
to this date, 1882. He has now been j)astor of this church over twenty-seven years, 
being a longer period in charge of one church than any other minister in the State, save one. 
He is a native of Aberdeenshire, Scotland: is the son of (leorge and Helen Collie; was 
born Nov. 24, 1824. He came to the United States in the summer of 1813(5 with his mother and 
his brothers, his father having died in his youth. The family located on the iiauks of the Fox 
River, near Aurora, 111. Remaining at this place about three years, they moved to Kendall 
County, and from there to Grant Co., Wis., near Plattville. Mr. Collie began his education in 
the common schools of that day, continuing his studies in the academy at Mineral Point: He 
next attended a regular course at Beloit College, which was just op(>ned. Like many other 
young men in a new country who were ambitious of accpiiring a collegi' education, Mr. Collie 
found himself short of the requisite funds to accomplish the end desired. But, unlike many 
others, ho did not give up tlie project. On leaving home, his cash capital aiiinuntiMl to just $7; 



694 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

bat, b}' industry and frugality, he succeeded in maintaining himself independently. He secured 
the appointment of janitor, and, by chopping wood and ringing the college bell, he earned 
enough to pay his way. After graduating at Beloit College, he went to Massachusetts and took 
a regular course at the Andover Theological School, from which he graduated in the summer of 
1854. On leaving this school, he offered his services to the Home Mission Society, with the 
understanding that he was to be assigned to some charge in Wisconsin. On his arrival at Be- 
loit, on Saturday, Sept. 30, 1854. he was instiaieted to proceed to Delavan and take charge of the 
chiu'ch here. Catching a ride part of the way, he hired a conveyance for the balance, and ar- 
rived at Delavan at 9 o'clock that night. The following Sunday, Oct. 1, he preached his first 
sermon from the piilpit of the Congi'egational Chiu'ch of this place. He was regularly ordained 
April U, 1S55, at Delavan. He continued to supply the congregation, and. on Nov. 4, 1857, 
was regularly installed as pastor, since which time he has been the only pastor of the church. 
Mr. Collie was maiTied, in Delavan, Nov. 4, 1856, to Miss Ann E. Foote, daughter of Rev. Lu- 
cius Foote. Mrs. Collie was born near Cleveland, Ohio. They had four sons and one daugh- 
ter — George L. , Martha L. (died in childhood), J. Arthur, Winfred R. and Henry G. Mr. 
Collie has been a pioneer of Wisconsin, and has endiu'ed most of the hardships incident to a life 
on the frontier. He is now in the enjoyment of the comforts and blessings of modern civiliza- 
tion, secure in the esteem and aftection of his congi'egation and fellow-townsmen. 

EDWARD S. COLMA.N, farmer, Sec. 5: P. O. Delavan; has 80 acres of land; settled in 
the town in 1854; was born in the town of Springfield, Otsego Co., N. Y., July '20, 1833; is the 
son of Homer and Malvina Colman. He spent his early years on a farm, and moved to Wis- 
consin in 1854 with his parents, and located on Sec. 5, town of Delavan; married to Miss Mary 
S. Shepard. daughter of J. B. Shepard. Mrs. Colman was born in the town of Dai'ieu, Gene- 
see Co., N. Y. . and came to this town with her parents in 1841. Mr. and Mrs. Colman have 
brought up one adopted child, a son. The daughter, Alice P., is the wife of Horatio B. Gre- 
nell. The son, Harris M. Colman. married Harriet A. Dockstader. and lives in the town of 
Delavan. Mr. Colman's brother, Anson D.. enlisted in the I'^th Iowa V. I., Co. F, in the late 
wai', fi'om Iowa, and died at Selma, Ala. 

E. W. CONABLE, editor and proprietor of the Delavan Enterprise. His connection with 
the paper commenced August, 1879, and he became sole proprietor June. 1880. Mr. Conable 
is the son of W. W. and Jane Conable; was born in Darien, Walworth Co., Wis., Nov. '25, 
1848; when 5 years of age, moved with his parents to Buchanan Co., Iowa. In the fall of 
1865, he commenced learning the printer's trade at Independence, Iowa. From this time until 
l87y, he was actively engaged as compositor, foreman and editor on various Iowa, Missoiu-i aud 
Illinois papers. Among the papers with which he was connected were Independence CoH.s-e/va- 
tivp, (Clinton County Adrertincr, Clinton Dailij Herald (of which he was foreman several years), 
Mechanics vi lie P/'e.s.s as editor and foreman, foreman and editor of the Stanwood Express, and 
had charge of the same office after it moved to Clarence, and called the Clarence Express. He 
was also foreman of the office of the Iowa Age two years, had sole charge of the Clinton Daily 
Herald one year, under contract, then, in comjjany with J. C. Hopkins, purchased the Lyons 
Advocate, changed the name to Clinton County Advert i.'ier : was interested at the same time in 
three other papers in the county; sold out and went to Chicago, where he spent one year, then 
returned to Iowa and took the foremanship of the Buchanan County Bulletin, which jiosition 
he has held since, four years, and then came to Delavan, Wis., and formed a partnership with 
his brother, C. R. Conable, August. I87U, in the publication of the Delavan Enterprise. In 
June, 1880, he bought his In-other's interest, aud has since been editor and sole proprietor. 
He was married, at Lyons, Iowa, Aug. 8, 1870, to Miss Altliea A. Oakes, daughter of Samuel 
Oakes. Mi-s. Conable was born in Maine. They had one son, Wallace O., born Aug. 20, 1878; 
died at the age of 1 1 months. 

GEORGE COTTON, President of the Citizens' Bank of Delavan, Wis. He is a native of 
Claremont, N. H. ; is the son of Nathaniel and Prudence Goodwin Cotton; was born Jan. 5, 
1815; was educated in the Hopkinton Academy, N. H., and at the military university of Norwich, 
Vt. , Capt. Alden Partridge, President. The winter of 1837-38 he passed in the South for his 
health, spending the most of his time in Mississippi and Louisiana. He returned to the East 
in the spring of 1838; then, in April, 1839, he went to La Salle Co., Ill, where he remaind 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 695 

thn'o yoars, iind ai;;ain returned to the Eiist. In 1S44, he came to the town of Darien. \\'al- 
worth Co., ^\"is. , and purcliaseu a farm. He returned to the East, and was married in New- 
port, N. H., May 8. 1844, to Miss M. Maroa, youngest daughter of Samuel Chellis. Mrs. Cot- 
ton was born at Newport, N. H. Immediately after their marriage, Mr. Cotton and wife pro- 
ceeded to their home in Darien, Wis., where Mr. Cotton was engaged in farming for the next 
few years. In 1840. he was elected Justice of the Peace and School Commissioner. In 184S, 
he was elected Chairman of the Town Board of Darien, and re-elected each year during his 
residence in that town. He was (>lected Chairman of the County Board of ^^'alworth County 
in 1851. In lsr)3, he moved to Delavan Village, and in 1854 was appointed Postmaster, under 
President Pierce, and held that office till 1858. He has served as President of the village and 
Supervisor of Delavan, and as a member of the Board of Trustees; has also served as Assessor 
of the town of Delavan. Mr. Cotton was one of the charter members of the Old Settlers' Asso- 
ciation, and served one term as President. In February, 1878, he was elected President of the 
Citizens' Bank of Delavan, and has held that position to this date — 1882. 

JOHN B. DELANY. gi-ocer, established his present business in the fall of 1877. He is 
the son of Frank and Ann Delany, and was born in Delavan March 17, 1850; received a common- 
school education and served a regular apprenticeship at the carjienter's trade. In the winter of 
1874, he joined Gordon & Witcher's part}- and went to the Black Hills. They were captiired 
by Ignited States troo))s as trespassers on Indian reserve, but afterward released: sj)ent one and 
a half years in the Hills, prospecting and mining, then returned East and arrived in Delavan in 
1877 and commenced his present business. He was married, at Delavan, April '2U, 1N80, to 
Miss Maggie Delany, daughter of James and Margaret Delany. He is a member oi the j)resent 
Village Board of Delavan. 

D. B. DEVENDORP, M. D., was born in Columbia, Herkimer Co., N. Y., March 17, 
1820; is the son of Henry S. and Elizabeth (Bellinger) Devendorf. He was educated at the 
Liberal Institute. Clinton, Oneida Co., N. Y., and took a three-years' course at the Geneva (N. 
Y. ) Medical College, gividuated, and received his diploma January, 1845. He ne,\t spent (me 
year in the New York City Hospital. He then established himself in practice at Frankfort, 
Herkimer Co., N. Y. , where he remained eight years. He then moved to Mohawk, remained 
one year, and from thei'e to Tonawauda, remaining nearly two years. In 1856, he came to Del- 
avan, Wis., and has been active in the pivictice of his jirofessiou to this date — 1882. He was 
appointed Assistant Sm'geon to the 1st W. V. I. in September, 1861, and remained with the 
regiment one year; was then detailed and made Post Sm-geon at Danville, Ky., until A])ril, 
1863; in May, was commissioned Surgeon of the lUth W'. V. I., then stationed at Suffolk, Va. 
Gen. James A. Garfield, Chief of Gen. Rosecraus' Staff, at Mm-freesboro, Tenn., issued the last 
order he received while in the Department of the Cumberland, to report to his regiment in Vir- 
ginia, where he remained four mc^nths: was then aiipointed Surgeon of the 4th i5rigade in the 
18th .\rmy Corjis, and served as such until the sjvring of 181)4, when he was apjiointed by Gen. 
William F. (" Baldy ") Smith as Medical Inspector on his staft", and remained with him until 
Octi)l)er following, when he was ordered by Gen. B. F. Butler on duty at the Chesa[)eake Hos- 
pital, at Ft. Monroe, Va. , where he remained until March, 1865. He was then d(4ailed as Med- 
ical Purveyor of the Army of the James, with head(jnarters on the James River, at Deep Bottom, 
a short distance below Butler's famous " Dutch Gap Canal." When the Dutch Gap was opened, 
he sailed the first boat, the hosjjital tug Constitution, through the canal. On his return from 
the army, in the fail of 1865, he resumed his ju'actice at Delavan. He held the [)osition of 
Physician for the Institute for the Deaf and Dumb si.x years. On the establishment of the 
W'iscousin Dental College at Dcilavan, he was appointed Professor of Surgery and .\natomy, 
and is now serving as such. He was married, at Fish House, Fulton Co., N. Y. , Oct. 20, 1853, 
to Miss Helena, daughter of Warner Dygert, a custom house officer of New York City. They 
have two sons and one daughter. Joseph S. is employed on the United States siu'vey in Colo- 
rado; Nora L. and Frank H. are twins; Nora is now the wife of Gi!orgi> J. Schuster, a whole- 
sale tobacco dealer of Milwaukee; Frank is at home. The Doctor is Examining Surgeon for 
United States Pensions at Delavan. 

ELIAS DEWEY, Principal of the Delavan Schools. He was born in Malone, Franklin Co., 
N. Y., A])ril 5, 1834; is the son of Elias and lihoda Mayo Dewey. He began his education in 



696 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

Franklin Academy at Malone; entered Middlebury College, Vt., in 1854, and graduated in the 
class of 1858. He commenced teaching school when only 15 years of age, teaching several months 
of each year while pm-suing his studies, and dmiug that time, passed the required examination 
and received a New York State certificate. In the spring of 1851), he came to Wisconsin, lo- 
cated at Whitewater and commenced teaching as Principal of the public schools. He taught a 
year and a half, then went to Trempealeau, Wis., where he taught one year; from there to Ocon- 
omowoc. Wis., where he taught until he enlisted in the army, in August, 186'2, in Co. G. 20th 
W. V. I., and served until the close of the war; was on detached service a great part of the time 
— -first as Hospital Steward, then as Chief Clerk at department headquarters, Springfield, Mo. 
He participated in the battles of Prairie Grove, Ark. , and Springfield. Mo. On his return from 
the war, he was again employed as Principal of the Whitewater Schools for five years. He then 
left Whitewater and taught one year at Eagle, Waukesha Co., from there went to St. Joseph 
Mich, where he taught one year, then went to Dela\an in the fall of 1872 and took charge of the 
schools. He has graded the school and arranged a course of study, and has been retained as 
Principal to this date, and is one of the oldest and most successful teachers in the State. He 
was married, in Oconomowoc, Sept. 3, 18G0, to Miss Priscilla A. Rockwell, daughter of Anson 
Eoekwell. Mrs. Dewey was born in the town of Butternuts. Otsego Co., N. Y. They have had 
five children, four of whom are living. Helen A. died when 3 years old; those living are 
Wiuifi-ed C. . Laura Mayo, Mary Rockwell and Isabella Starr. Mr, Dewey is Commander of 
George H, Thomas Post. No. 6. G. A. R., Department of Wisconsin. 

HARRISON R. DOA.NE, druggist; business established in February, 1877. The subject 
of this sketch is the son of William and Harriet Doane, and was born in Gerard, Penn,, Jan. 
1837. In 1838, moved with his parents to Weathersfield, W^yomiug Co., Penn,; was edu- 
cated at the Alfred University, Steuben Co. , N. Y. ; spent five j^ears in the lumber trade in Pot- 
ter Co., Penn. In July. 1861, he enlisted in Co. A.. 3d N. Y. V, C, served one year, and was 
discharged for physical disability. In 1863, he came to Delavan and engaged in the photograph 
business, which he carried on successfully till 1876, having at that time one of the best-appointed 
galleries in the State. He also carried on the millinery business on the first floor. April, 1876, 
he was biu-ned out. sustaining a loss of $3,000. Mr. Doane was married, in Wyoming Co., N. 
Y. . June 1, 1864. to Miss Irma Doane, daughter of Dan Doane. Mrs. Doane was born in 
Weathersfield. and was a professional teacher. 

WINDSOR S. DUNBAR, fanner. Sec. 12; P. O. Elkhorn: son of Samuel Dunbar. He 
was born in the town of Geneva in April. 1842. He lived at home until altout 25 years of age. 
when he went West, sjiending about three years in Nevada and Montana. He pm-chased his 
farm in 1867. He married Miss Sarah Sanders, daughter of John and Jane Sanders, who came 
to Walworth County fi-om Albany, N. Y. , in the fall of 1848. and settled in the town of Sugar 
Creek. Mrs. Dunbar was born in Albany, N. Y, , in 1845. Mr. and ]\Irs. Dunbar have two 
sons and two daughters — Cai-rie May, Bertha Jane, Roy and Frank. Mr. Dunbar's farm con- 
tains 105 acres. 

MISS EMILY EDDY, teacher of articulation in the Institution of the Deaf and Dumb, has 
been constantly employed as a teacher of the institution since 1857. She is a native of West- 
ern New York; and is the daughter of Rev. Chauncey and Julia Eddy; was educated at 
Jacksonville, 111., and came to Delavan, Wis,, in 1856. 

THOMAS EGE, merchant tailor, is a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, the son of Wolf- 
gang and Barbary Ege; was born Dec. 10, 183S. After completing his schooling, he was ap 
prenticed to the tailor's trade, but, before completing his term of service, he emigrated to Amer- 
ic.i, ai-riving at Detroit. Mich., in 1854. He perfected himself in his trade in that city, where 
he worked three years. He then moved to Darien, Wis, , and pursued the same occupation till 
1867, when he moved to Sharon and engaged in farming, continued in that business seven 
years, and then moved to Delavan and resumed work at his trade. In 1870, he opened in bus- 
iness as a merchant tailor. He does a general custom business, and is very popular with his 
customers. Mi-. Ege was married at Delavan, Jan. 6, 18()2, to Miss Elizabeth H. Sears, 
daughter of Thomas Sears. Mrs. Ege was born in England, and came to America in child- 
hood, and was brought up in Baltimore, Md. They have seven children — Mary J., Frank J., 
Henry J., Emma R, , Ida V., William T, and Annie L. 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 697 

GEORGE P. FLANDERS, deceased, was born in Hatley. Lower Canada, Sept. 8, 1812; 
Avas married in Canada in Ajn-il, 1838, to Miss Mary Jones. He was engajifed in milling in his 
native country, and in ISl'.l moved to Wisconsin, locat(Ml in La Fayette, Walworth Co., where 
he was engaged in farming. He subsequently moved to the town of Delavan, where he ])ur- 
sued a like business. Though not conspicuous in public matters, he was highly respected as a 
good citizen, neighbor and friend. His death occurred Aug. 7, 1871. His wife sm'vives him. 

GEORGE F. FLANDERS, farmer, Sec. 2; P. O. Elkhorn; has IfiO acres of land; was 
born in Hatley, Lower Canada, March 151, 1840; is thi> sou of George P. and Mary Flanders. 
H(( emigrated to Wisconsin with his parents in 184U. His family located on Sec. 82, La Fay- 
ette, Walworth Co. In 18(55, he moved to Sec. 2, Delavan. He was brought up a farmer; 
from 1800 to 1867, was ensrao-ed in teaching; in 187-4, he encraofed in the meat market business 
in Delavan, which he carried on fom- years; in the fall of 1879, he returned to his farm. He 
was maiTied. in Burlington, Wis. , May 16, 1877, to Miss lone Royce, daughter of Lewis Royce, an 
attorney of Burlington, Wis. Her father settled in that village when the town consisted of only 
two houses. Mrs, Flanders is an experienced teacher, having taught school successfully in Bur- 
lington, Delavan, Rochester. Geneva and in Iowa. 

DANIEL G. FOSTER, farmer. Sees. 6 and 7; P. O. Delavan; has a well-cultivated fai-m of 
300 acres; settled in the town of Delavan June 20, 1888, on Sec. 21. where he resided about six 
years, then moved to another farm on Sec. *), and from there to his jiresent home, on Sec. 7, 
in 1854, still retaining his farm on Sec. 6. He was born in New Hampshire in 1802; is the son 
of Daniel and Mary Davis Foster; when 2 years old, went with his parents to the State of New 
York, and settled in the town of Butternnts, Otsego Co. ; resided in that county until 1816, then 
moved to Cayuga County, where they lived ten years; then to Genesee County, town of Pei-ry. 
He was married, Dec. 25, 1829, to Miss Caroline Brainard, daughter of Ichabod Brainard. Five 
children were born to them in Perry — William H., Judson B. , Charles R. , Daniel G. , Jr., and 
Elon G. In the fall of 1887, Mr, Foster went on an ex]iliiring tour; had a temiiestuous voyage 
of nine days from Buffalo to Milwaukee; traveled from Milwaukee to Troy, Walworth Co. ; from 
there west to Delavan. had only an Indian trail, and had to wade a slough in Troy of some 
eighty rods; it being dark before he reached Delavan Prairie, he coitld not keej) the trail, but 
succeeded in reaching Delavan about 9 o'clock. On arriving in the town of Delavan, where he 
hatl friends, he selected a tract of land for a farm, and returned to his home in New A'ork. The 
following June. 1838, he moved his family to their new home in Wisconsin, arriving in Dela- 
van June 20 of that year. Two childi'en were born to them in Wisconsin- Ellen A. and James 
M. Ellen A. was the wife of Olin D. Barker, of Milwaukee, and died Nov. 2. 1871: James was 
a soldier of the late war; was h member of the 22d W. V. I. : he difnl A]iril K), 1870. Of the 
older children. William H. married Ellen J. Rice, and is living in Chicago; Judson B. married 
Sarah C. Dyke, and is a farmer of Delavan; Charles R. married AUie L. Lane, his first wife, 
whom he lost, and his present wife, Kitty Wilcox, resides in Chicago; Daniel G. , Jr., married 
to Melissa J. Case, lives in Chicago; Elon G. , married to Lina I. Smith, also of Chicago; 
Charles R. and Elon G. were both soldiers of the late war, and members of the 10th AV. V. I. 

E. B. GATES (deceased) was born in East Haddam, Conn., Aitg. 25, 1807. When 10 years of age, 
he moved to Utica, N. Y.. where he was married, Nov. 28, 1828, to Miss M;u'y Hickcox, daughter 
<jf Preserved Hickcox. Mrs Gates was born in Utica. Mr. Gates was a cabiut>t-maker Viy trade, 
and carried on that l)usiness at Utica and at Frankfort, N. Y. In June. 1844, he came to A\'is- 
consiu, and ]mrchased a fcU'm in the town of Dari(>n, near the village of Delavan; retmmed to 
the East, and, in September, 1845, moved his family to Wisconsin; spent seven years on his 
farm, and then engaged in the cabinet business at Delavan, which he continued until the time 
of his death, Nov. 25, 1874. Mr. Gates was a man of sujierior intelligence and good jtulgment; 
ho was a zealous member of the M. E. Church, and assisted in building two chiu'ch strnctm'es. 
His widow is still a resident of Delavan. Thevhad six children — two sons and four daughters. 

JEROME E. GATES, deceased, was born in Frankford. Herkimer Co., N. Y.. Nov. 8, 
1834; was the son of E. B. and Mary E. Gates; he came to Wisconsin with his jiarents in Sep- 
tember, 1845; made his home in Delavan; in his early manhood, he was engaged with his fa- 
ther in the furniture l)usi!iess; ho was subsequently employed as traveling agent for upward of 
ten years; for several years pnn-ious to his death, which occtured Juni' l.'i, INSl. he was em- 



698 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTl'. 

ployed as agent, of Wood & Sou, reaper mauufactarers. as traveling agent; at the time of his 
death, he held the responsible position of general agent for that firm in Northwestern Illinois; 
he died suddenly, at Wynett. 111., after three days' illness; he was a thorough business man, 
and (enjoyed the fullest confidence of his employers and the respect and esteem of all who knew 
him; he was married, in November, 1856. in Elkhoru. Wis., to Miss Louisa M. Ii-ish, daughter 
of Deacon Eastmaa Irish; Mi's. Gates was born in the State of New York; three children were 
born to them, two sons and a daughter — R. A., Rita B. and Earl M. ; the eldest, R. A., is the 
present Steward of the Wisconsin Institution for the Deaf and Dumb at Dolavan. 

R. A. GATES, Steward of the Wisconsin Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, has been an 
employe of the institution since March 14. 1870. He is the son of Jerome E. and Louisa Gates; 
was born Aug. 22, 1857; he was educated in the jiublic schools of Delavan. March 14. 1876, 
he was engaged as night-watch for the deaf and dumb. On the 1st of July following, he was 
appointed Sujjervisor of the Boys; Aug, 15, 1878. was emjiloyed as Clerk, which position he 
held till June 7, 1881, when he was ap})ointed Steward, with greatly increased responsibilities; 
underjthe new regulation, the financial management devolves upon the Steward. Mr. Gates 
was married in the institution, July 7, 1880. to Miss Kate De Motte, daughter of W. H. De 
Motte, Superintendent of the institution. Mrs. Gates was born in Indianapolis. Ind. They 
have one child, a son. named Jerome E. 

NORMAN L GASTON, M. D , deceased, was born in New York; studied medicine in Au- 
burn. .4bout 1848, he emigi'ated to Wisconsin and established himself in practice at Delavan. 
He was a man well up in his })i'ofe.ssion. and was a ])opular physician. He was prominent in 
local politics; was Postmaster at Delavan for several years; his death resulted from a stroke of 
[)aralysis. 

DR. IRA GOODRICH, deceased, was born in Weathersfield, Conn, in 1807; was a grad- 
uate of the class of 1832 of the Geneva Medical College of New York; practiced in Fairfield, 
N. Y., and subsequently in Susquehanna Co., Penn. In 1858, he moved to Delavan, Wis., and 
formed a partnia-ship with Dr. O. W. Blanehard, which was continued till 1860, since which 
time he continued to practice alone till the time of his death, which occurred June 8,1862. 
He was married, at Fairfield, N. Y., in 1838, to Miss Margaret Van Valkenburg, of Kinderhook, 
N. Y. They had four sons — Jaman H.. now a merchant of Delavan; Myron S., a resident of 
Tombstone, Ai-izona; Fred B., of the firm of Sage & Goodrich, grocers, of Delavan; Frank D., 
carriage maker, also of Delavan. 

FRED B. GOODRICH, of the firm of Sage & Goodrich, grocer.s, and operator for the 
Western LTnion Telegraph Company at Delavan, was born at Dundaff, Susquehanna Co., Penn., 
July 11. 1848; came to Delavan. Wis., with his parents in 1858, and was educated at the pub 
lie schools at this place. He learned telegraphing in the office of the Rticine & Mississippi 
Railroad Company, where he was employed two years. He then s[)ent three years <as operator 
in the principal cities of the South. Returning to the North, he was employed ten years in the 
general office of the Western Union Telegraph Company at Chicago, wher(> he was appointed to 
the position of Assistant Chief Operator, and was Manager of the Board of Trade Telegraph 
Office thnte years previous to the Chicago tire. He was married, at Com piest, Cayuga Co., N. Y. 
in 1868 to Miss Ella A. Bell; from her afterward separated. One child, a daughter, was born 
of this marriage Dee. 81, 1861), named Maud H. In 1877, Mr. Goodrich returned to Delavan, 
Wis,, where he was married. May 16, 1877, to Miss Belle Sage, daughter of K W. Sage. Mrs. 
Goodrich was born in Palmyra, Wis. The same year, 1877. Mr. Goodrich formed a partnership 
with his brother-in-law, Charles A. Sage, in the grocery business, under the name of Sage & 
Goodrich, and hascoutiuued in l)usiness to this date. He was instriim mtal in organizing the 
military company Dolavan Guards, of which he wis commissioned Captain. See histoi'y of the 
company elsewhere in this work. 

REV. DAVID E. HA.LTEM.iN, Pastor of the Baptist Church, Delavan. Wis., which posi- 
tion he has held since 18(51). He is a native of GermantoAvn. Penn, is the son of John and Julia 
Halteman; was born Aug. 28, 1834. He was educated in Denison University, Granville, 
Licking Co., Ohio, and at the Theological Seminary of Rochester, N. Y. He was ordained a 
minister of the First Baptist Church at Bloomfield. Edgar Co.. 111., January, 1857. His iirst regu- 
lar settlement as pastor was at Marengo, 111. He was in charge of this church twelve years, com- 



HISTORY OF WAIAVORTH COUNTY. tJiiP 

nioncing Juno, IST)?. In ISCiU, ho moved to Dolav.in to accoiit his prosont position. At this 
■VNTitiiif^, Dopomb(>r, ISSl, ho h;is sorvtxi twolve yi*;irs as pastor of this church. It is only justicH 
to Mr. Haltomau to stato that the church over which h<> has been called to preside the past 
twelve years, thouf^h always stronijf and prosperous, has made good its reputation for progress 
and substantial development under his care. See history of this chiu'ch elsewhere in this work. 
Mr. Halteman was married, at ISIarengo, 111., May 2U, 18()1, to Miss Mary L. Ford, daughter of 
E. E. Ford. She was born in Parish, Oswego ()o., N. Y. They have had live children, three of 
whom are living. Mary tirertrude is a student of Wayland University, Beaver Dam, Wis. ; Hat- 
tie H. : Francis W., died at the age of ") years; Chancy, died in infancy; the youngest, Robert 
J., is living, aged ti years. May 24. 18(51, INIi-. Halteman was appoint(>d Chaplain of the ir)th 
111. V. I. and served until May 1, 1S()2. During this year, he was understood to l)e absent from 
his church on furlough. For eight years, he has served as President of the Baptist State Con- 
vention. He has served as a member of the Board of the Wayland Univtn'sity, at Beaver Dam, 
manv years. 

"NICHOLAS M. HARRINGTON,* Delavan. The personal history of this gentleman is 
worthy of record and a lixod place in the annals of the earlier days of Wisconsin's mergence 
from her once bai'baric state, when the stalwart Winnebago occujiied, or later, when the wily 
chieftain. Black Hawk, invaded her territory to \vi'est it from the intruding white man. Mr, 
Harrington may be ranked with the class called "self-made men," but his career through life 
thus far illustrates more than the common meaning of that ap]u>llation in its ordinary applica- 
ticm; for, from his boyhood, he has stood aloof and far above what usually are regarded irresis- 
tible influencing siuToundiugs; and it is this strongly marked featm-e of his character, without 
apparent studied effort or ostentation, as best known to his boyhood accpiaintances, that renders 
the history and progi'ess of his life of peculiar value to those of coming generations who would 
be directed by example, and what has been and what may be achieved, as a rule and guide foi' 
life efforts and duties, rather than l)y the laggard plea and defense of " destiny " and " fixed 
fate." Mr. Harrington, therefore, stands before his generation, and is an example to those who 
follow — as, from first effort, establishing himself on a pedestal of elevated moral principle and 
always cultivating order and system in his habits; thus accjuiring, as a result, perfect mastery 
over inclination, passion, and the directing attributes of organization, physical and mental, 
nntil he has been able to subordinate all to a rational control of judgment, and, really, a pleas- 
urable direction in the line of duties, that has marked his manhood and career. It is in this 
light that his history is of special value to the coming man, as strikingly illustrative of what 
one may do for and of themselves when once imbued with a love of being right, and an ambition 
to climl) the hill of life among those to he kn(jwu and valued for their virtues and successes, 
always assuming, as a rule for himself, that the ." individual is wholly responsible for the use 
made of the talents with which he is endowed, and that the seed of usefulness is in his own 
hands." Mi\ Harrington was born in Rhode Island, at West Greenwich, July 15, 1815, and was 
the son of David Harrington and Amy .^.iidrews, the widow of William Corey, a sea Captain. 
His paternal ancestors on both sides were fugitives from religi(ms persiwution under Cromwell 
in th(i seventeenth century, and settled in Smithfield, R. I, They and their descendants par- 
ticipated in the French and Indian wars and the Revolution. Two brothers and a near relative 
on his father's side wore engaged in the opening tight for independence at Lexington, and two 
of them were killed, viz., Jonathan and Caleb Harrington. (See Lossing's Field Book of the 
Revolution, Vol. I, p. 554. ) The whole race of emigrants and descendants seem mark(id with 
courage, good, strong conunon sense and sound judgment, and vigorous intellects. In 1817, 
Mr. Han-ington became a resident of the town of Potter, Yatos Co., N. Y. , by the emigration of 
his parents in connection with his maternal grandparents and family. Mr. Samuel .\ndrews. 
Hero ho s|)ent his youth and early manhood, cultivating his mind by every mt>ans within his 
limit(Hl rea(^h. and achieving a marked characti^r for earnest yet consistent love of duty, and a 
faithful discharge of it, both to himsi»lf and others; honco he became a man witliout vicious or 
demoralizing habits, and with principles fixinl in heart and habit. His early educational ad- 
vantages were very limited, his attendance iit school not being more than one year, previous to 
his lUth birthday. At this time, ho began teaching at 111 per month, an occupation which ho 

'Written liv tli.- H..n. K II. WiUiuins, of tlio .stnt.' i.f N. w Yurk. 



700 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

coutinued during seven winters and two summers. During this time, he attended the Yates 
County Academy, and the Franklin Academy, of Prattsbiu-gh, N. Y. , and, by close application 
to his studies, in and out of school, acquired a good English education and some knowledge of 
Greek and Latin. He has all through his life been devotedly attached to books of the best authors, 
and, with his first earned 50 cents, invested it in a three-months' subscription to a newspaper. 
In 1843. he became an inhabitant of the Territory of Wisconsin, making Delavan, then an in- 
fantile hamlet, his first stopping-place, and soon fixed upon it as his permanent home, and en- 
tered into business life under the firm name of Harrington & Monell, as merchants, his partner 
being J. D. Monell, Jr. , of Hudson, N. Y. Subsei|uently. he assumed the whole business, and 
pursued it to a successful issue in the year 1H50, when he retired from this line of business and 
devoted his time and attention to travel, and afterward to banking, insurance, and various agen- 
cies and speculative [)m'chases. and sale of real estate, in which he has been eminently success- 
ful, never having failed to meet his business engagements to a day for the whole period of his 
business career, and rendering universal satisfaction to those who committed business trusts to 
his hands; yet thus careful and exact in his dealings, no fair man will charge him with mean- 
ness or oppression, while his neighbors award him universal respect. M'ith regard to ambitious 
aspiratioas for public pjsitioas, he disclaims any lack of appreciation of th^ honors, but says 
that the people can find just as good servants for less pay than he can afford to abstract his 
services and skill from his own affairs, and therefore has occupied comparatively but few pub- 
lic positions, except where constrained to do so from a conscious obligation, and in those only 
whei'e the emolument was nothing, or nominal, and that, too, without regard to the responsi- 
bility or labor involved; hence he gave his services to the Deaf and Diunb Institute, located at 
Delavan, for fourteen years, as Trustee, Treasurer and Corresponding -Secretary, and his best 
fostering care, without salary, and iintii this asylum of mercy had gained a hold upon the 
charities of the State that now carries it along triumphantly. He also accepted the office of 
Postmaster auder thf administration of Franklin Pierce, unsolicited, for the purpose of obtain- 
ing additional mail facilities for Delavan at this timB — 1853 —when there were but three mails 
each week fi-om the East, and three from the West, making a tri -weekly mail. So eftectual 
were his etforts and influence with the Post Office Department that, in one and one-half years 
after his acceptance of the post office, Delavan could boast of forty-six mails each week. AVhen 
these additional weekly, semi-weekly and daily mails wei'e secured, he resigned the office of 
Postmaster. In this connection it seems quite proper to say that Mr, Harrington is an admitted 
attorney at law in the courts of the State, which, with his other business qualifications emi- 
nently fit him for the intelligent discharge of all duties assumed. In politics, he is usually 
associated with the Democracy, but in the late war period he lent his influence earnestly to the 
preservation of the Union, He holds decided religious opinions! and is a zealous member of 
the Protestant Episcopal Church, and also a Freemason of a high order, to which institution 
he is strongly and couscientiously attached. Socially, he has few superiors; ever ready to 
draw, from all rational sources, knowledge and pleasure, he gratefully contributes, in return, 
from his exhaustless fund of carefully collected facts and points of history and interest, to the 
pleasure and profit of those about him. In his domestic relations, his treasure of a wife with 
him presides over the household in genial unison, and their home is the seat of domestic peace, 
pleatv and happiness, without excess or stint. For some years, they have mutually devoted 
their first care and attention to the rearing and education of their four children, viz.. three sons 
and one daughter; and. for the purpose of training his sons to practical business duties. Mr. 
Harrington has to some extent resumed merchandising, and now. since he has passed his sixth 
decade, is engaged in establishing himself and family permanently at a rural home one and one- 
half miles distant from the village, which shall embrace the practical facilities of farm life with 
that of cultivated moral taste and freedom from fancied town life restraints. To this end is he 
occupied in the erection of a country residence and outbuildings that shall vie with any in the 
State for taste, convenience and practical uses, and with other improvements of lawn and soil to 
correspond, and render it a success, both agriculturally and artistically. This, he says, is to 
ba the climax of his ambition, and to this end he is sparing neither skill nor money, and, when 
coasu nmated, it will compare favorably with anyplace in the State for its combination of taste, 
convenience and utility. -\.nother feature of Mr. Harrington's character is an ardent love of his 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUXTY. 701 

kindi-ed and friends, never forgottini^ and never failing to extend an up-lifting aid to their ne- 
ceswities and deticiencies. that seems almost by intuition to elevate and advance them al>ove the 
plane of their ordinary personal dependence, and place them where hope and prosperity bear 
them onward. It is with a miist commendable pride that he points to scores of individuals whose 
lives and fortunes verify this fact, and that, too, without an instance where the ends do not more 
than justify the means and affii-m the value and blessing of an elevating hand and spirit. His 
sympathies have always been dee])ly engaged in the welfare of the weak and those in distress, 
and for the aid of all such his labors have never been withheld. It is no ])urpose of the writer 
to eulogize or flatter the snbjt>ct of this life sketch beyond the statement of simple facts, and 
from them find evidences that confirm and bear out the philosophy of his life rule, viz. : " Sys 
tem in all things that we do, a hearty, lionest purpose to attain a higher and better and more 
perfect plane of hximan usefulness than from whence we start, and, by patient industiy and per- 
severance, secure success. " Such has been his course, his aim and faith, and the resiilts are 
before the world; yet. with all this, I would not claim that he is not without eccentricities, pe- 
culiarities, and even faults— for who that is human is"? His is a life and he a sample of what 
consistent efibrt, directed by correct principles, may aim at and hoj)e for. Mr. Harrington has 
been thrice married; his two first wives died in early wedded life, without children; therefore 
it is with his present companion, the mother of his children, that his paternal ties have been 
formed, and, by mutual bearing and forbearing, a most genial unity has been maintained and 
cemented, and which, doubtless, largely contributes to secm-e results so favorably distinguish- 
ing their lives and condition, Mrs. Harrington's maiden name was Catharine M. Crosby, 
daughter of Eber Crosby, a descendant of Enoch Crosby, alias Harvey Biu'ch, Cooper's Spy of 
the Revolution. She was born at Patterson, Putnam Co., N. Y. , Oct. 27, 1825, and is a lady 
of culture and sterling qualities, and a most fitting balance and aid to her husband. Mr. Har- 
rington is now a Justice of the Peace for the town of Darien, where he now resides at his 
country home. 

ELIAS HARRIS, carpenter and joiner, settled in the town of Delavan in March, 1846. 
He was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., July, 1819; is the sou of Josejih Harris; moved to Gene- 
see County, where he lived thirteen years, and from there to Erie County, near Bufl'alo. In 
1838, he went to Will Co., 111., and "resided at Plainfield till March, 1846, when he came to 
Wisconsin and located in the town of Delavan. In the fall of 1852, he began work in Delavan 
as a carpenter and builder, which he has continued to this date. He was married, in the win- 
ter of 18;i8, to Miss HaiTiet Southwell. They had three children, none of whom are living. 
Mrs. Harris died in 186(S. Mr. Harris was married to his present wife, whose maiden name 
was Miss Rachel, daughter of Deacon John Reader, Jan. 17, 1870. Mrs. Harris was born in 
Walworth. Wis., of which town her peojile were early pioneers. See sketch of her father. 
Since 1854, Mr. Harris has resided in the village of Delavan. 

JAMES B. HEMINWAY, M. D. , physician and surgeon; practice established in Delavan 
in 1856. He was born in Shrewsburj-, Rutland Co., Vt. , March 7, 1820; is the son of Sewell 
and Polly Bullard Heminway; was educated at Castleton Medical College, Fair Haven, Vt. . 
and at Ludlow, Vt. , studied medicine with Middleton Goldsmith, of Vermont, taking a regular 
course of lectures, and began practice of his profession. After practicing six years, he attended 
three courses of lectures at the Castleton Medical College, Vermont, and gi'aduated in 1S55; 
continued to practice at Middleton till 1856, when he came to Wisconsin and established him- 
self in practice at Delavan, which he has continued to this date, or during a period of twenty- 
five years. He was mjin'ied, at Ira, Vt. , Jan. 26, 1843, to Miss Mary Harrington, daughter of 
Joshua Harrington and sister of Judge C. B. and Philander Hamngton, t)f Biu'lingtou, Iowa. 
They had two daughters. The older, Mary M., was born May 2(), 1846. died when 2 years of 
age; Lillie H. was born Oct. 29, 1840; was man'ied to S. M. Pai'ish, of Chicago, Jan. 20, 18(jy. 
Dr. Heminway has been a member of the School Board several years, and President of the vil- 
lage of Delavan four years. He is the j)resetit physician of the State Institution for the Deaf 
and Dumb at Delavan, having been appointed from time to time' for many yeai's. 

N. W. HOAG, pro])rietor of Delavan, Clinton and Elkhom elevator, and dealer in gi-ain 
and livestock; business established in 1875. He was liorn in Montgomery Co., N. Y. ,Aug. 
24, 1835; is the son of Enoch I. and Sarah Wing Hoag. He came to Wisconsin in 1856, and 



702 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTS. 

located at Darien, Walworth Co., where he was engaged in mercantile business, also grain and 
lumber business, till 1872, when he closed out and moved to Door County and engaged in the 
lumber business there; three years later, he sold out and moved to Delavan, built the elevator 
which he is now operating, and engaged in his present business. The elevator has a capacity 
of 50.000 bushels. Mr. Hoag handles about five hundred Uiousand bushels of grain annually. 
He was married, at Darien, to Miss Laura A. Dodge, daughter of Leander Dodge. Mi-s. Hoag 
was born in Genesee Co., N. Y. They have thive chikh-en. The oldest. Frank D., is book- 
keeping in Chicago; Henry S. is engaged in the live stock business at Delavan; the youngest 
is a daughter. Gertie "W. Mr. Hoag has served eleven yeai-s in succession as Town Clerk of 
Darien, Wis. 

WILLIAM HOLLINSHEAD, farmer. Sec. 3; P. O. Elkhorn; has 420 acres of land; set- 
tled in the county June 20, 1837, on the farm on which he now lives; he was born neai- Strouds- 
burg, Northampton Co. (now Monroe), Penn., Sept. 3, 1806; he is the son of James and Sarah 
Hollinshead; was brought up a farmer and came to Wisconsin in 1837; early in July, located 
on the Government land in Sec. 3, town of Delavan; went East in 1842; was man-ied, in 
Stroudsburg, Penn., June 20 of that year, to Miss Caroline, daughter of James and Deborah Bm-- 
son; Mrs. Hollinshead is a native of Stroudsbm-g; they have one daughter, Elizabeth, now Mi's. 
Herman A. Briggs, residing at her old home. Mr. Hollinshead has held various town offices in 
the town of Delavan, and leader in advancing the agricultiu-al interests of the coTuity; in 1880, 
he retired fi-om active f.u'm business, having tm-ned his fann over to his son-in-law, Mr. Briggs. 
Though not an aspirant for public office, JIi'. Hollinshead has always been influential in local 
matters; by his intelligence and pm'ity of character, has commanded the respect and confidence 
of his fellow-citizens. 

C. N. HOLLISTER. retired farmer. His fai-m comprises 700 acres, lying mostly in Da- 
rien, of which town Mr. Hollister was an early settler —June 10, 1839. He is the son of Kinner 
and Mary Winchel Hollister; was born in Olive. Ulster Co., N. Y., Dec. 11, 1808; when quite 
young, moved to Dryden, Tompkins Co., with his parents, where he was brought up a fanner. 
He was man-ied in that county. May 7, 1837, to Maria C. Latimer. Mi-s. Hollister was born in 
Ulster Co., N. Y. One child was born to them in the State of New York — Uriah S. , now mar- 
ried to Emma Morrison, and living at St. Paul. Minn. In June, 1839, Mr. Hollister and fam- 
ily moved to Wisconsin and located on Sec. 5. Darien, Walworth Co., where he resided twenty- 
seven years, and then moved to Delavan. Sis children were born to them while living in Dar- 
ien. Kinner N. man-ied Frances M. Tilden. and is a merchant of Delavan; Eugene B. man-ied 
Nellie V. Jones, resides at Delavan; Helen L. died in infancy; Lillian, now Mi-s. A. H. Ken- 
di-ick, of Delavan; Warren C. is an employe of the Chicago, Milwaiikee & St. Paul Railroad; 
Elmer L. is a student of the Chicago Medical College. 

EDWARD B. HOLLISTER. farmer. Sec. 24; P, O. Delavan; has 120 acres; was born in 
Wyoming Co., N. Y., Nov. 23, 1825; is the son of Seth L. and Catharine Hollister; came to 
Wisconsin in 1842, arriving in Delavan Nov. 13. He took up a quarter-section of land on Sec. 
24, subsequently deeded 80 acres of it to his father, who came to Delavan some years later. He 
was married, in Geneva, Wis., May 24, 1849, to Miss Han-iet Eaton, daughter of Francis Eaton. 
Mrs. Hollister was born in Erie Co., N. Y. They have three children — Jehial E., of Chicago; 
Adelia, of Geneva, and Albert. The latter man-ied Ida Bm-dick, and resides at Delavan. Mi-. Hol- 
lister, though never conspicuous in public afiairs, is well and favorably known in the county as 
a worthy citizen, and at home as a genial, kind-hearted neighbor and friend. 

HENRY G. HOLLISTER, fai-mer and proprietor of livery stable; biisiness established 
July, 1875. He has resided in Delavan since 1871; was bore in Pen-y, Wyoming Co., N. Y., 
May 19, 1826; is the son of Seth L. and Catharine Brigham Hollister. In 1843, he came to 
Wisconsin and located on a farm in the tovm of Delavan, Walworth Co., Sees. 13 and 14, where 
he still has a farm of 280 acres. In 1871, he moved to the village of Delavan and engaged in 
the liutchering and live-stock business. Dm-ing 1874 and 1875, he was interested in buying 
and shipping horses. In 1875, he entered into partnership with Mr. C. W. Phelps in the livery 
business; continued that connection till May, 1880, since which time he has conducted the 
business alone. He was married, at Elkhorn, Dec. 21, 1848, to Miss Mary Ann Mallory, daugh- 
ter of Henry Mallory. They have had four children — Seth H., John H., Pemelia and Ella. 




^^S./faMu 



i^LCUU^ 



HISTOUY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 705 

John H. man-ied Miss May Howe, and lives in Iowa; Pemelia died when 18 years old: Ella is 
liviii<^ at Colorado Sjn-inffs. Mrs. Hollister died Dec. 29. 1873. Mr. Hollister was man-ied, at 
Roc'kford, 111.. Nov. 'iil. 1S77. to Mrs. Helen C. Crary, widow of William Crary and daughter of 
Poter M. Keeler. She was horn at Darieu. N. Y. Mr. Hollister has Ixien Chairman of the town 
of Dehivan six years: is the present incumbent. 

K. N. HOLLISTER. of Hollister & Jackson, merchants, successors to K. N. HoULster, who 
commenced business in ISfio as a uiiiuufactm-er of patent medicines. In 1871, he added a gen- 
eral di-ug store: in 1875, added groceries; and in 1879, stoves, hardware and tinware, having a 
double store, with a frontage of tifty-seven feet and depth of seventy-five feet. In the fall of 
1881, Ml-. S. L. Jackson became associated with him in the business, under the fu-m name of 
Hollister & Jackson. They have one of the most extensive and complete stock of goods in the 
county. Ml'. Hollister was born in Darien, Walworth Co., Wis., Jan. 21, 1841: is the son of 
Cyrenus N. Hollister. He spent his boyhood on his father's fann. A\'hen '20 years of age, he 
started a hardware store in Delavan, which he carried on from 18P)1 till 18(54, when he enlisted 
in the 4<Hh W. V. I. for 1(K) days; he received a Captain's commission: spent the winter of 
1864-65 at Nashville, Tenn. Ou his retiu'n the following yeiU', he began in the patent medi- 
cine business. He was married, Feb. 3, 1870, at Delavan, to Miss Fannie Tilden, a daughter of 
I. D. and Margaret Tilden. Mi-s. Hollister was born in Utica, N. Y., and was a popular teacher 
of Delavan. Thev have foiu- childi-en-— Kenneth, Margaret, WiUTen D. and Ned. 

SETH L. HOLLISTER, deceased, was born July 19, 1792, in Chatham, Columbia Co.. N. 
Y. ; was maiTied. April 2. 1818, to Catharine Brigham: Mrs. Hollister was born in Barrington, 
Mass., Feb. 10, 179(5: about 1824, they moved to PeiTy, Genesee Co., N. Y., where they lived 
till September, 1843, when they emigrated to Wisconsin and settled in the eastern part of Del- 
avan, Walworth Co., where Mr. Hollister was engaged in farming: his death occm-red March 
16, 1867: his wife siu'vived him a little more than a vear: she died Mav 12. 1868. 

MRS. BRIDCIET HUTTON resides in Sec. 13:"P. O. Elkhorn: she is the widow of John 
Hutton, who was born in England about 1804 and came to the LTnited States when 18 years of 
age; his tu'st wife was Mary Fay, born in Ireland; she died in the town of Delavan, Jan. 1, 
1864. Mr. Hutton was one of the early settlers of the town of Geneva; he settled in Delavan 
about 1858; his second wife, formerly Miss Bridget Mack, now owns the homestead; Mrs. Hut- 
ton is a native of Ii'eland, and came to the United States with her parents when she was a child 
Mr. Hutton had seven children by his fii'st wife, six of whom are living, and two of them reside 
at the homestead, viz., Frank, born in the town of Geneva in 1853, and Henry, born May, 1856. 
Mrs. Hutton has foiu- children — George, Sarah, Eliza and Alice; her farm contains 160 acres. 

CAPT. HENRY C. HUNT, master of the pleasm-e steamer D. A. Olin, of Delavan Lake. 
He was l)orn in the town of PeriT, Wyoming Co.. N. Y., Dec. 26. 1833; is the son of Henry and 
Mary Hunt. When 20 years of age, he came to Delavan, Wis., and engaged in farming near 
the village; continued on the farm till 1859, when he went to Pike's Peak, Colo.; .spent thi-ee 
years in the mountains, in mining and such other employment as he found available. On re- 
tui-ning to W^isconsin, he devoted one year to farming, and in January, 18(54, enlisted in Co. D, 
22d \V. V. I. ; participated in the battles of Resaca, Kenesaw ilountain. Lost Mountain and 
Peach Tree Creek. At the latter battle, July 20, 1864, he received a gun-shot wound by which 
he lost his left leg below the knee. He was discharged from hospital in June, 1865, and, on 
his retm-n to his home at Delavan, he was obliged to submit to a second am])utation of the limb, 
which, in his enfeebled condition, neai'ly cost him his life. On recovering his health, he engaged 
as salesman in the clothing store of Myers & Alcin, Delavan, which position he held five years. 
During this time, he sei^ved as Town Treasm-er two terms. He next engaged with J. H. Good- 
rich as salesman, and continued in that capacity five years; next engaged in the tobacco busi- 
ness, which he continued five years. In 1874, he was employed as master of the pleasiu'e 
steamer D. A. Olin, on Delavan Lake, and has served as her Captain to this date — 1881. Capt. 
Hunt was manned, Sept. 25, 1863, at Delavan, to Miss Maiy E. Uewey, daughter of Addison 
Rewey. Mrs. Hunt was born in the State of New York. 

WILLARD M'. ISHAM, deeease<l, was born in Smyrna, Chenango Co., N. Y., March 24, 
1820: died Nov. 2(), 187('). He was the son of Enoch and Mary Isham. aiul was man'ied to 
Eluah N. Francis March 1, 1843. They had six childi-en — Hattie, Frank, Delia, Charles, Lena 



706 HISTORY or WALWORTH COUISTTY. 

and Minnie — all of whom are living. At the age of IS, he went to learn the narriage-maker's 
trade. In 1843. he started a caiTiage-sho]i of his own at Earlville. N. Y. In 1 845. he sold out 
his business there, coming to Wisconsin and locating at Delavan, where he and C. H. Stui'te- 
vant went into partnership, making carriages, wagons, coffins, and doing carpenter work. In 
1849, they bought out another shop, making plows, of a Mr. Stewart, which they added to their 
other business. In 1851, they sold the blacksmith shop to Charles Fitzer for $1,100 in gold. 
In 1S53, he bought out C. H. Stm'tevant and continued alone for one year, when Joseph Wal- 
ton bought one-half of the business. They were together for three years, when he sold the 
rest of the business to his partner, Joseph Walton. He was then out of business for one year, 
when, in 1858, he bought out J. D. Monell, of the firm of Stiulevant & Monell, dealers in dry 
goods and groceries, etc. The firm then continued as Isham & Sturtevant until 1861, when 
they sold to W. W. Sturtevant. During the same year, they built the large brick wagon and 
carriage shop on the north side of Walworth avenue, where they built wagons and can-iages 
that had few equals for durability and good workmanship. They shipped their work to the 
northern part of the State and Iowa, and remained in the business until 1869, when they closed 
out their stock and discontinued the manufacture. In the same yeai', they sold one-half of the 
building to A. H. Barnes to be used for bank and offices, and W. Isham stai'ted a hardware store 
in the west half of the brick building, where he continued in business iintil his death, when 
the stock was purchased by C. T. Isham & Co. Dui'ing his life, he held many offices of trust. 
In 1855, he served one term in the Wisconsin Legislature. He served six terms as Trustee of 
the Wisconsin Deaf and Diunb Asylum, his death occiirring while in office. He has also been 
Mayor, Treasurer, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors and Clerk of the School Board. 

CHARLES T. ISHAM, hardware merchant; business established in Januaiy, 1877. Mr. 
Isham was born in Delavan, Wis., Ajjril 20, 1854; is the son of Willard and Eluah Isham. He 
learned the tinner's trade with his father, commencing when 18 years of age. Jan. 1. 1877, he 
began business for himself in the hardware line, which he has continued to this date. He car- 
ries a general stock of hardware, stoves, tinware and agricultural implements: average value, 
$5,000. Mr. Isham was maiTied, at Delavan, September, 1877, to Miss Etta De Wolf , daughter 
of John De Wolf. Mi-s. Isham was born in Darieu, Wis. Thev have one child, Willard. 

ROBERT H. JAMES. The subject of this sketch is a native of Richmond, Washington 
Co., R. I., where he was born May 12, 1825; he is the son of the late Thomas James, of Dela- 
van; his mother was Dorcas Perry, also a native of Richmond, R. I. ; his father and gi'andfather 
on his father's side were born in the same town of Richmond, and resided on the same farm, the 
old homestead having been in the possession of the James family for neaidy or quite a centiuy; 
the family was one of the oldest in Rhode Island Colony, and originally came to America from 
Wales; the subject of this sketch came with his father's family to Richmond, Walworth Co., 
Wis., in February, 1838, when but a boy of 12 years; he spent the time until he was of age on 
his father's fai-m, taking his share of the labor of the place; Mi\ James is gifted by natm-e with 
superior mental endowments, and had a thirst for the possession of knowledge; but his edu- 
cational advantages were only such as were afforded by the common countiy school of that eai'ly 
day; of these limited and often crude facilities he made the most in his power, and fitted him- 
self as thoroughly as possible for the business of his life; he followed the occupation of a 
fanner for a number of years, his farm lying adjacent to that of his father's, in the town of 
Richmond; but the failure of his health obliged him to abandon farming: having disposed of 
his farm, he moved to Delavan in 18(M; after a year spent in recxiperation and the prosecution 
of business on a small scale, he became a member of the well known firm of Topping & Co., in 
which relation he continued until the dissolution of the fii'm, which took place in 1868; the Top- 
pings removed from Delavan, and Mr. James continued the grocery part of the old firm, build- 
ing up a successful and constantly growing business; the house is now thoroughly established, 
and one of the best knovrai in the county, under the firm name of James & Irish; as a business 
man. Mi-. James is prudent and circumspect; in all the details of business, he is scnipvilously 
exact, meeting all his business engagements with conscientious fidelity; he is known among bus- 
iness men as above reproach, and the very soul of honor; it is, however, as a Christian man that 
Ml'. James is most widely known; he is a member and officer of the First Baptist Church of 
Delavan; in addition to his faithful devotion to all the interests of the chui'ch of which he is a 



HISTORY C)F WALWORTH COUNTY. 707 

inciubcr, he manifests in many ways a il('c|i interest iu the prosjx'i'ity of the (l(>nominatiou to 
which ho belontrs: the y<mn>^ memlxTs (if the chiu'ch find in him a kind and judicious counselor; 
to the work of the Sunday school and the reliijious education of chihlren he zealously gives his 
time and inHuence; he is a warm friend of Christian missions, and enters heartily into all the 
movements, religious and jihilanthroiiic, which look to the social and moral imjirovement of the 
community: few- men accomplish more than he for the good of his fellows and the honor of re- 
ligion, with the same power and 0]>])ortunity which he possesses; he is a man of peace, and of 
a meek and (pu(>t spirit, and while many men ai'e endowed with more splendid gifts, few exhibit 
in their daily lives a brighter assemblage of virtues; feeble health through many ye;u\s has 
hu'gely curtailed his active Christian work, and yet his earnest Christian ]mr[)(;se and self-deny- 
ing devotion has made him a man of nuu-ked usefulness. On Nov. 17. 1848, Mr. James mar- 
ried Miss INIary E. Paul, davighter of the late George "\V. Viinl. extensively known among the 
early settlers; they have no children: Mrs. James is in full symjiathy with li(>r husband's Chris- 
tian work, and to a large extent shares it with him; many friends desire for them many years of 
usefulness in the village and the church. 

S. REES LA BAR, farmer, Sec. 7; P. O. Delavan: has WO acres; settled in Delavan July 
4. 1839. with his parents, on the same farm which he now occupies, and has occupied continu- 
ously since, except three years spent iu the village of Delavan. The subject of this sketch was 
born in the town of Stroud, Monroe Co., Penn., Jan. 17, 182(1; is the son of Daniel E. and 
Hannah La Bar. He was brought up on a farm, and, in 188U, came to AVisconsiu Territory 
with his |)arents, arriving in Delavan Jiily 4 of that year. His father entered the northwest 
quarter of Sec. 7, the southwest (juarter of Sec. fi, and tht> west half of the north wvst ijuarter of 
Sec. 6. Town 2 north, Range 1<), east (Delavan). The La Bars exjierienced the usual inconven- 
iences incident to a })ioneer life; but. having, luckily or prudejitly, selected a site for a home 
possessed of great natiu'al advantages, common to '\\'alworth County, they ])ros])ered, and soon 
found themselves owners of a valuable farm. The subject of this sketch was married, at Del- 
ton, Sauk Co.. Wis.. Nov. 10, 185f), to Miss Harriet N. Tojiping, daughter of Rev. Henry Top- 
ping, of whom a sketch is given elsewhere in this work. Mrs. La Bar was born in Charleston. 
Montgomery Co.. N. Y.,and came with her parents to Delavan in ISHU. They have had eight 
c.hikU-en — Daniel. Charles H. , Gilbert. Nina. James. Frank, Ruth and Julia. Of these, fom' 
only are living. Charles H. died when IV) years of age; Nina. July, 1881. aged 1(> years; 
James died iu infancy: Julia died in childhood. Mr. La Bar was elected Assessor of Delavan 
in 1845: was a member of the Board of Supervisors in 1856 and 1857; was re-elected another 
term; was elected Assessor again in 18(')Vt, and served six years in succession. He was ap- 
pointed a member of the Board of Trustees of the Institute for the Deaf and Dumb in 1876. 
and served five years, or until the svstem of management was changed bv law. 

IRA P. LARNARD. Town Clerk, and agent of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance 
Comjiany of Milwaukee. He has been Town Clerk since April. 1860. and agent of the insur- 
ance company since 1869. He was born in the town of Barton. Tioga Co., N. Y.. Jan. 20, 
1821; is the son of Elisha and Nancy Larnard; his father was a native of Vermont, and his 
mother of Connecticut. In 1841, he came to Wisconsin, arriving in D(>lavan June 1: was en- 
gaged in farming al)out three years, then work(>d at the carpenter and joiner's trach^ a few months, 
then bought out a wagon-shop, and, in the spring of 1845, he returned East to his old home on 
a visit, but only stopped a short time, then came back to Delavan and continued the business of 
wagon-making (>ight years. He then sold out, and purchased an interest iu a brick business; 
was only connected with that enterprise one year and a half. While engaged in the brick bus- 
iness, in 1858. he formed a partnership with E. H. M. Bailey & Co. in the dry goods mercantile 
line, under the firm name of Laniard. Bailey & Co. One year later, they took in Mr. William 
A. Bartlett, and the firm was changed to Ijarnard, Bailey i.\: Bartlett. Next, Mr. Bartl(>tt sold 
his interest to Mr. M. B. Goft', and the firm name became Larnard, Bailey & Goft'. Mr. Larnard 
cemtinued the connection until the fall of 1858, when he sold out to (!liarles H. Tojijiing & Co.. 
and went to Pike's Peak, leaving D(>lavan in March. 1859. He remained in the mountains until 
September. 1859, and then returned to Delavan. He then bought out a small gi-oceiy. which 
he carried on two years, when he sold out to James Topping & Co.. since which time he has 
been engaged in book-keeping, perfonning the duties of Town Clerk, and conducting the 



708 HISTORY OF AVALAVORTII COUNTY. 

acency of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company of Milwaukee, commencing in 
1869 with the latter. In 1869. he was elected Town Clerk of Delavau. and has held the office 
to this date —1881. He was married, Sept. 6, 1848, at this place, to Miss Hannah A. Bradway, 
dauo-bter of Benoni Bradway. Mrs. Laruard was born in Schoharie Co., N. Y. They have two 
dauwbters living — Irma A. and Edna. They lost two — Emma, aged 9 years: and Ida. 7 years; 
both died of diphtheria. Mr. Larnard is a jironouuced temperance man. and can boast of that 
which few men can. that he has lived nearly sixty-one years without drinking as much as one 
gill of intoxicating liquor, and not a drop of lager Vieer. 

E. LATIMER, President of the banking house of E. Latimer & Co. Mr. Latimer is a na- 
tive of Ulster Co., N. Y.; is the son of Alexander and Nellie Smith Latimer; was born Oct. 25, 
1818. He served a regular apprenticeship at the carpenter and joiner's trade, and. in 18-14, 
engaged as a builder in the city of New York. In 1847, he moved to Wisconsin and located in 
the town of Darien, Walworth Co., where he purchased a tract of '280 acres of land and en- 
o-ao-ed in farming, continuing at this occupation until 1854, when he moved to Delavau, and, in 
company with Mr. O. Bell, built an elevator and engaged in the grain trade. He continued in 
this line about sixteen years, part of which time he was in partnership with his brother, J. F. 
Latimer. In 1S65, he participated in the organization of the National Bank of Delavan, and 
became one of its largest shareholders. He was elected President of the bank in 1878, and held 
that position seven years. On the organization of the present bank, he was elected President, 
and has held that position to this date. He has served as President of the Village Board two 
terms, and has been a member of the County Board of Supervisors two yeai-s, as Supervisor from 
the village of Delavan. Mr. Latimer was maiTied, in the town of Darien, Feb. 21, 1849, to 
Miss Elizabeth Weed, daughter of Rial N. Weed. Mrs. Latimer was born in Livingston Co., 
N. Y. They have two children — a son, Fred E., an attorney of Delavan, and a daughter, 
Mary. 

NELSON LEE, farmer. Sec. 9; P. O. Delavan; has 97| acres; settled in the county in 
1847. Mr. Lee was born in Guilford, New Haven Co., Conn., March 1, 1814; is the son of Elon 
and Lydia Palmer Lee; when 2 years of age, moved with his pai'ents to Monroe Co., N. Y. ; lived 
at Cattaraugus and Niagara till 1847, when he moved to Wisconsin and located in the town of 
Darien, Walworth Co., where he lived one year, then moved to the town of Sugar Creek, where 
he was engaged in farming till 1867, when he moved to his present farm in Delavan. He was 
married, at Clarkson, Mom-oe Co., N. Y, in 1837, to Miss Maiy E. Chesebro, daughter of Eben- 
ezer Chesebro. Mrs. Lee was born in the town of Berne, Albany Co., N. Y. They have two sons 
— Elon N., married Annie Bastin and lives at Webster City, Iowa; George P., mai'ried Edna 
Johnson and lives in Sugar Creek, Wis. Elon N. was Superintendent of Schools of Walworth 
County one term. He served in the late wai- as a member of the KHh W. V. I.; was dischai-ged 
for disability, and re-enlisted in an Illinois regiment. 100-days service. 

G. W. LEECH, proprietor of wagon and blacksmith shops; established his business in Del- 
avan in 1850. He was born in St. Albans, Me., May 10. 1832; is the son of William R. and 
Hannah (Sewell) Leech. About 1848, he began learning the wagon and carriage maker's trade; 
worked at it one yeai-, then, in 1849, came West and located at Delavan, Wis.; worked at his 
trade one year, and then started in liusiness for himself in 1850. He now operates two shops, 
and has been in business continuously in this place for thirty-one years. He was married, in 
Delavau, July 5, 1852, to Miss Elizaljeth Willis, daughter of Amos Willis. Mrs. Leech was 
born in Darien, N. Y. They have three children — George E., Mary E. and William L. 

F. C. LIVINGSTON, of the firm of Livingston & Phillips, proprietors of livery stable, was 
born in Bradford, Rock Co., Wis., April 30, 1852; is the son of Ezer and Elizabeth Livingston. 
His parents were from the State of New York, and settled in Rock Co., Wis., in 1845. The 
subject of this sketch was brought up on a farm, and, in 1877, went to Clinton, Wis., where he 
was employed as merchant's clerk till 1879, when he came to Delavan and engaged with iL'. D. 
M. Phillips in the livery Inisiness April 1. They have a well-stocked livery, and are doing a 
good business. Mr. Livingston is managing the establishment at Delavan, his partner, Mr. 
Phillips, being a resident of Clinton, Wis., where he is conducting another stable. Mi-. Liv- 
ingston was married at Elkhorn, Dec. 27, 1881, to Miss Helen, daughter of W'illiam Hall, of 
Delevan. 



HISTORY OF WATAVORTII COUXTY. 709 

ED:\mND F. MABIE. doceased, was born in Patterson, Putnam Co., N. Y., in 1810. 
About 1840, he, in company with his brother, Jeremiah, and a Mr. Hawes, organized and ope- 
rated the celebrated ]Mabie Circus and Show. The Mabies were the pioneer circus men of the 
AVest and South, and were among the few men in their line who maintained their popiilarity 
and made money at the same time. ^^'hile on one of their Western tours, in 1847, they 
were attracted by the ))eculiar natural advantages of Walworth Co.. Wis., and the sub- 
ject of this sketch selected a large tract of land, about 1,()0() acres, near Delavan Lake, and 
adjacent to th(> village of Delavan, besides purchasing various lots anil other property in the 
village. This prop(>rty was owned jointly by the two brothers, who had for years been partners 
in all their Imsiness relations. They also pm-ehased the Delavan Mills. Mr. Edmund Mabie 
was married, at Delavan. Nov. 25, 1850, to Miss Laura Buckley, daughter of Matthew Buckley. 
Mi-s. Mabie was born in Philadeljihia. Eight children were born to them— Marline. Mai-ianne 
C, Ann Maiy. Sarah E., ^Matthew G. (died when 4 years of age), Edmund G. . Gmxlon M., E. 
Foster (died in childhood). The eldest. Marline, is now the wife of J. jNI. Hawes, of Delavan: 
Marianne is now Mrs. Frank Sturtevant, of Dtdavan. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Mabie gave 
up traveling with the show, and made his home in Delavan, where he devot(>d himself to the 
care of the farms, mills and other property belonging to himself and brother. He was active 
in encoiu-aging the building of the plank road from Racine to Delavan, and later, in aiding in 
secm-ing the construction of the Eaeine & Mississippi Bailway to that point. He was generally 
recognized as an active, enterprising business man, liberal in his views in regard to public im- 
provements, in all of which he was cheerfully seconded by his brother. IVIi'. Mabie was a zeal- 
ous member of the Congregational Church. He served as President of the village of Delavan, 
and was a member of the '\\'alworth County Agi-icultural Association. His widow was married 
to 'Ms. Orlando Crosbv, Dec. 5, 1870, at Delavan, where she still resides. 

JERE:\n.A.H M.IBIE, deceased, was born in Patterson, Putnam Co., N. Y., June 12, 1812; 
was brought up on a farm. About 1840, in company with a brother, Edmund, and Seth Howes, 
he organized a circus, known as Mabie Circus, giving the first performance in his native town 
of Patterson. They traveled in the State of New York the first season; the next, in Canada; 
retm-ned to New York, and, in 184:^, made a tour of the West. Several years later, in 1S4(J, 
j\Ir. Howes sold oiit to the Mabies, who continued the business. In the spring of 1847, they had 
])iu'chased a large farm near the village of Delavan, and, suitable buildings being constracted, the 
circus was wintered here in the winter of 1848^9. From that out to the time of their deaths, the 
Mabies made this their head(piarters. The older Mabie had made his home here, but the subject of 
this sketch, having, in 1852, married, in his native county. Miss Anna Mary, daughter of Solomon 
Field, he made his home in the East until ]8(i2, when, on the account of failing health, he was 
ol)liged to retire from the show Imsiness, and established his home on the beautiful farm near 
Delavan Lake, known as Lake Lawn Farm. Some years previous, the brothers had divided the 
property, which had before lieen in coumion, the older, Edmund, taking the mill property at 
Delavan, and cei-tain tracts of land, and houses and lots, as his share, while Jeremiah received 
as his share the circus and menagerie, and the farm on Delavan Lake. Mr. Mabie disposed of 
the show in 1864, and continued his residence at the lake until the time of his death, which 
occurred Aug. 31, 1807. He died leaving a wife and three children Mary, Antoinette and 
Elizabeth F. The only son, Joshua, died when 5 years of age. Mr. Ma1)ie was well known 
throughout the United States as a successful sh(^wman. He had a peculiar turn for the busi- 
ness; (piick to appreciate the demands of the amusement-loving public, his good judgment and 
gi'eat executive ability made success crown his eftbrts. The Mal)ies were the pioneer circus 
men of the AVest. 

EOBEKT K. MENZIE, attorney at law, established in practice in June, 184'.l, at Delavan. 
He is the oldest living representative of Delavan. He was born in Dumfrieshire, Scotland, 
April 1,1809; is the son of Robert and Christiana Menzie; came to America when 3 years of age, 
with his parents, who located in Delaware Co., N, Y. He was educated by his father and at the 
higli school at Lancaster, Penn. When 18 years old, he began the study of medicine at Garratts- 
ville, Otsego Co., N. Y., and was also engaged in teaching school. He attended a regular course 
of lectiu'es at the New Haven .Medical (College of Connecticut, and graduatml one month before 
coming of age. He began the practice of mediciiu' at Garrattsville, Otsego Co. . N. Y. He then 



710 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

began tlie study of law at New Berlin, in Chenango County, with Ely & Bennett, remaining in 
that office one and one-half years, and then went to Robert and completed his studies with La- 
vinus Munsou, of that place. He was admitted to practice in the Supreme Coiu't of New York 
in 1837. and also as a solicitor in chancery at the same time; two years later, as counselor of 
the saiae court. Shortly after, he went to Schoharie Co., N. Y., where he practiced several 
j'ears. From there he went to Greene County. On the breaking-out of the Mexican war, in the 
spring of iS-tS, he raised the Itith Regiment of Volunteers, and was connnissioned Colonel, and 
served with honor under Gens. Scott and Taylor iintil the close of the war. After his retiu-n 
to New York, he came to Wisconsin, in June, 1849, and went direct to Delavan. He was ad- 
mitted to pi-actice in Circuit Coiu-t of Walworth County Dec. 10, 1850, and to the United States 
Com-t Jiine 1, bS57. He was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Illinois in 1805, 
and maintained an office in Chicago three years — 1872, 1873, 187-1 — since which time he has 
practiced in Wisconsin. He was mairied, at Holiert, N. Y. , June, 1836, to Rebecca A. Thorpe, 
a grand-daughter of Joseph Johnson, a soldier of the Revolution. They have had three ehil- 
tlren- —Charles H., a locomotive engineer, married to Emily Beebe, and resides at Freeport, 111. : 
John E. mai'ried Pricilla R. Ellis, is also a locomotive engineer, and lives at La Grange, Wis. ; 
Silas W., an attorney of Delavan. Ill's. Menziedied April 11, 18*30. Mr. Menzie was married, 
in the spring of 1867, at Belvidere, 111., to IVIi-s. Amanda F. Hageman, daughter of Pardon 
Miller. Charles Menzie was a member of Co. D, 22d W. V. I., and served from 1862 to the 
close of the war. 

SILAS W. MENZIE, of the firm of R. R. & S. W. Menzie. attorneys at law; the father 
established the business in 1819; the son, S. W.. became a.ssociated with his father in the prac- 
tice of law in 1866. The subject of this sketch was born in Gilboa, Schoharie Co., N. Y. , June 
2, 1842; he is the son of Robert R. and Rebecca A. Menzie; came to Delavan with his parents 
in 1849, and was educated in the Delavan High School; in 1861, he went to California across 
the plains; was piu'chasing agent of the California Stage Line till July 1; when on his return to 
the States, in the summer of 1862, he was a passenger on the ill-fated steamer Golden Gate, 
that was burned oft' the coast of Mancinello, Aug. 12; he was saved bydi-ifting ashore on a hen- 
cooj). being one of thirty-one persons who were saved out of a total of 750 who were on the 
burned steamer; he then returned to California and remained there until December, 1862. when 
he returned to Delavan, arriving in Janiiary, 18(')3; the following April, he was employed by 
the United States Government at Pilot Knob. Mo., and had charge of the post trains and Gov- 
ernment stables until August of the same year; in April, 1804. he made another trip overland 
to California, and remained there until December of the same year, then went to Central Amer- 
ica to accept a positinn from the Pacific Mail Steamship Company; he continued in the service 
of that company till June, 1866, when he returned to Delavan; he then resumed the study of 
law in his father's office at that place, and was admitted to the bar at Elkhorn in the Cii'cuit 
Coiu't, in September, 1866, and entered upon the practice of his profession; he was admitted to 
the Supreme Court of Wisconsin at Madison, Feb. 29, 1878; in 1868, he was elected Justice of 
the Peace, and re-elected each term since till this date — 1882; he has also held the office of 
Coiu't Commissioner sis years, and Fire Mai\shal of Delavan two years. 

R. S. MINER, foreman of the shoe-shop of the Institution of the Deaf and Dumb; was ap- 
2)ointed to his present position July 1, 1877; has from sixteen to twenty-five boys in his depart- 
ment, ranging from 14 to 20 years. Mr. Miner was born in LTtica, N. Y., Aug. 25, 184(^; is the 
son of J. G. and Mary A. Miner; when 6 years of age, moved with his parents to Texas; lived 
near San Antouia four years; from there went to Indian TeiTitoiy; lived at Tuekabacha, among 
the Creek Indians, three years; then came to Racine, Wis., in 1854. where he learned the shoe 
maker's trade; went from there to Kenosha, and from there to Delavan. He enlisted from 
Sharon, Sept. 13, 1861, in Co. C, 13th W. V. I., and served until Nov. 24, 1865, when he was 
discharged; had been promoted to Sergeant, and. in absence of his superior officers, was in com- 
mand of the company on its return to the North. On his return from the war, he made his 
home in Sharon. He was maiTied. Jan, 13, 1867, to Miss A. O. Sutherland, daughter of Henry 
Sutherland. Mrs. Miner was born in Cook Co., 111. In the sjn-ing of 1870. they moved to La- 
bette Co., Kan.; spent three years in that State; at the end of that time, returned to Wiscon- 
sin; spent some years in this State and in Minnesota. Since his appointment to his present 
position, 1877, he made his home in DeJavjui. 



HISTORY OF WAr.WOHTII COUNTY. 711 

GEORGE MORRISON. D. D, S., Pn>sid.-iit of the Wisconsin Dental Coiloj,'^, incorporated 
imdor the gen(>ral hiw of Wisconsin, has jiracticod his profession at Delavan since 1<S71. Ht< 
was horn at Malono, Franklin Co., N. ¥., April 24, 1887; is the oldest sou of John and Eliza- 
beth Morrison, from Aberdeen, Scotland. He was educated at Madi-id, St. Lawi-euce Co., N. 
Y., where he studied dentistry with Dr. E. G. Fitch, and commenced the practice of his profes- 
sion the year 18(51. He is the inventor of what is known as Morrison's artificial teeth plate, pat- 
ented April 13, 1869. and Dec. 12, 1871, which has given him a professional standing in the 
United States. See historv of Delavan for history of Wisconsin Dental College. 

JOHN MORRISON, D. D. S. Practice established in Delavan Dec. 1. 1874. He was born 
at Madrid. St. Lawi'ence Co.. N. Y. , Jan. 20, 1841; is the son of John and Elizabeth Morrison. 
He enlisted, in Augvist, 1862, in Co. G, 126th N. Y. V. I., and served until July 25, 186"). 
On his return from the ai-my, he began the study of dentistry at Ogdenslnu'g, N. Y. He then 
came to Palmyi-a, Jeiferson Co., Wis., and practiced one and a half years; from there he went 
to Paxton, 111, where he practiced two years; went from there to Harvard, 111., and remained 
till 1874, when he came to Delavan, Wis., where he remained until his <leath, which occurred 
Jan. 22, 1882. He was married, at Palmyra, Wis., in 1871. to Miss Mandaua Allen, daughter 
of J. A. Allen. Mrs. MoiTison was born in Palmyra, Wis. She died at Delavan in 1873. Dr. 
MoiTison was married again, June (>, 1877, at Heln'on, III, to Miss Addie Wickham, daughter 
of G. L. Wickham. She was Ijoru in H(>bron, 111. 

THOMAS MOSHER. of the firm of Eaton & Mosher, undertakers, and dealers in fumitm-e, 
was born in Schoharie, Schoharie Co., N. Y.. July 4. 183."); is the son of William and Sally A. 
Mosher; came with his pai'ents to Wisconsin in 1854, and located in Darien, Walworth Co.; 
learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked till the second year of the late civil war, 
when he enlisted, Aug. 15. 1862, in Co. D, 22d W. V. I.; was captured at Brentwood, Tenn., 
March 25, 1863; was taken to Richmond and Libby Prisons; was paroled and retiu-ned to his 
home; was soon after exchanged and sent to the front at Nashville, Tenn. He pai'ticipated in 
battles of the Atlanta campaign, and Sherman's march to the sea: served till the close of the 
war, and received an honorable discharge at Milwaukee, June, 1865. He was married, Dec. 
27, 1860, at Delavan, to Miss Ann M. Matteson, daughter of Phillip and Abbie Matteson. 
Mrs. Mosher was born in Abington. Luzerne Co., Penn., March 2, 1843, and came to Delavan 
with her parents. They have three chiklren -Mary E., Minnie B. and William M. Mi-. Mosher 
moved from Darien to Owatonna, Minn., in 1S6S); returned to Wisconsin in 1871, and made 
his home at Delavan, where he worked at his trade till Feb. 1. 1882, when he formed his pres- 
ent business connection with Mr. Eaton. 

MARTIN MULVILLE, Postmaster, Delavan, appointed May, 1870, is the son of Mathew 
and Britlget Mulville; was born in Ireland Aug. 3, 1843. Having lost his father in childhood, 
he came to America with his mother in 1851, and for the next two years resided at Oyster Bay, 
L. I.. N. Y. From there they moved to Albany, where they made their home till July, 1857, 
when they moved to the town of Delavan, Walworth Co.. Wis. Mr. Mulville spent the succeed- 
ing fom- years on a farm. Sept. II, 1801. at the age of lU years, he enlisted in the late war as a 
private of Co. A, lOth W. V. I., and served with his company and regiment in all the battles 
and engagements participated in by them till after the battle of Chickamauga. Dm-ing this 
battle, Sept. 20, 1863, he lost his left arm by a gun-shot wound, and received an honoral)le dis- 
charges for physical disability, June 24, 1864. He was married, at Delavan, July 13, 1804, to 
Miss Kate Golden. Mrs. Mulville was born in Ireland, and came to j\jiierica when quite young. 
They have three children — ('ora E. , Julia and James. Mr. Mulville served one term as Dej) 
uty Sherifi' and Jailer of Walworth County, and was aj)i)ointed to his present position in 
May. 1870. 

L. H. NICHOLS, manufacturer of and dealer in lioots and shoes; business established in 
1864; was born in Geni'see Co., N. Y., Nov. 27, 1N32: is the son of John and Eliza Nichols; 
learned his trade with his father in Now York, beginning in 1842; served threes years, then 
worked as a journeyman till 1854, when he came to Wisconsin and locat(>d at Delavan, where 
he worked as a jom-neyman till 1864, when he started in business for himself, which he has con- 
tinued to this date. He was married, in Delavan, Dec. 6, 1<S()(), to Miss lone McGraw, daugh- 
ter of Newton McGraw. Mrs. Nichols is a native ()f Wisconsin. They have one child, a daugh- 



712 HISTORY OF WALAVORTH COUNTY. 

ter, named Lionne. Mr. Nichols has. by good work and fair dealing, established a prosperous 
business. 

ALVIN B. PARSONS, retired farmer, Delavan Village, settled in the town of Delavan 
Aug. 20. 1.S3S; is the son of James and Olive Beach Parsons; was born at Johnstown. Mont- 
gomeiy Co. , N. Y. . Jan. 10, IS] 2. He received a common-school education and was brought 
up a farmer. He moved to Covington, Genesee Co., where he was engaged with a brother in 
the manufacture of gloves and mittens; from Covington he moved to Wisconsin, starting. Aug. 
6. 1838, by team to Buffalo, from there by boat to Chicago, and from Chicago to Delavan by 
team, which he brought from the East, guided by Indian trail to Delavan. Walworth Co.. Wis., 
where he aiTived Aug. 20. He made his home on his brother's claim, on Sec. 8. At the land 
sale of Febniary, 1839, he bought three-eighties on Sec. 9, and one on Sugar Creek, making 
320 acres in all, all of which he has sold, and now owns only 40 acres on Sec. 7. On his ar- 
rival at what is now the village of Delavan, he found only one house, and that uninhabited. It 
was built of logs, and iised on Sabliaths for holding meetings liy the few settlers on the prairies. 
He was married. May 21. 1847, in the town of Pewaukee. Waukesha Co., Wis., to Miss Catha- 
rine A. Stewai'd, daughter of Alexander Steward. Mrs. Parsons was born in Johnstown, 
Montgomery Co., N. Y. They have had three children — Myra E.. Ann Maria and James S. 
The oldest, Myra E., died when 7 years of age. The next two years succeeding his marriage, 
himself and family lived on the same land witb his father; he then moved to his present home 
in the village of Delavan. He was one of the constituent members of the Congregational 
Church of Delavan at its organization in 1841. The first membership was eleven, of which 
his father's family fiu'nished seven. When Mr. Parsons located in Delavan. there was but 
one other Congi'egationalist in the town. That was Mr. Charles S. Bjiiley. who lived with 
Samuel Phftnix. and was the first Justice of the Peace in the town. Mr. Parsons was the first 
Sunday School Superintendent. The school was oi-ganized as a Baptist Sunday school. He 
also wrote the constitution and by-laws for the first temperance organization in the town. 

GEORGE PASSAGE, merchant, Delavan; business established in 1842, being the oldest 
dry goods merchant in the county. Mr. Passage was born in Duanesburg. Schnectady Co., N. 
Y., Feb. 5. 1817 ; is the son of John and Eleanor (Corell) Passage. When quite young, he moved 
to Castile. Wyoming Co.. where he sj^ent four years in a hotel. He then came to Wisconsin, 
arriving at Delavan. Walworth Co., in June. 1842. He at once built a brick store, the first 
building of the kind in the village, and commenced business in the mercantile line. The building 
was situated on Walwoi'th avenue, corner of Terrace street. In company with A. H. Taggart, 
he carried on the business seven years, under the firm name of Taggart & Passage. He next 
formed a partnership with Mr. James Aram in the same business, which business was conducted 
under the name of Passage & Ai-am seven years. He was next engaged in mercantile business 
with W. W. Bradley, under the firm name of Passage & Bradley. In 1870, he formed a 
j)artnership with Myson Goodrich, as Passage & Goodrich, merchants, since which time 
Mr. Passage has conducted the Inisiness alone. Mr. Passage was active in encouraging 
the building of the railroad to this place, in which he sunk about $8,000. In 1865. he went to 
the oil regions of Pennsylvania, where he built and operated two livery stables — one at Titusville 
and one at Pithole. Both were biu-ned. by which he sustained a loss of !?7.00(). He retui-ned 
in May. 1866; was married, at Gainesville. Wyoming Co.. N. Y.. Feb. 26. 1840. to Miss Altie 
Davinson. They had six children — five girls and one boy. Eva is now the wife of J. A. Vaiighn, 
of California: Georgiana is now Mrs. Myron Goodrich, of Ai-izona; Emnia J. is the wife of Dr. 
Sawj'er. of Milwaukee; Rose Y., now Mrs. T. M. Stacus, of Dowerville. Cal. ; Frank mai-ried 
Miss Barnum. and lives at Breckinridge. Minn.; Ella is the wife of IVIi-. Page Buckley, of Del- 
avan. Mi-s. Passage died in Decemlier. 1866. Mr. Passage was man-ied again, in New Scot- 
land. Albany Co.. N. Y., in November. 1887, to Miss Ann Vanderpool, her father now living, 
at the age of 99 years. He has one son by this marriage — William. Mi-. Passage has 18 acres 
of land in the corporation limits, besides twenty-five village lots. He has served several times 
as a member of the Village Board of Tnistees. 

SYLVANUS S. PAUL, farmer; P. O. Delavan; has a farm of 200 acres situated on Sec. 1, 
Darien. and Sec. 36. Richmond. He was liorn in Chili, Moni'oe Co.. N. Y.. March 4. 1828; is 
the son of Zebulond and Malinda Sjiery Paul. He was brought up a farmer; came to Wiscon- 



HISTOKY OF WAT.WOETH COUNTY. 713 

sin in 1847 and loputed on his present farm in Darien. H(( was maiTied, on (.hristmas, 1855. 
in Ohio, to Miss Sophia Gibson, daughter of I'rof. John (Hhson. Mrs. Paul was a native of 
Massachusetts. They had two ehildi-en — Dophonzo G. and Walter C. The older, Dephonzo. 
married ^Miss Eva T(^nny, and resides in California: the younger died at the age of 5 years. 
5rrs. Paul di(>d April 14, 1S(U). Mr. Paul was married again, Sept. 10, 1802. in Richmond. 
^\'is.. to Miss Elizabeth Cire(>n. daughter of John Green. Mrs, Paul was born in Cayuga Co.. 
N. Y. Mr. Paul conducted his farm until INSl. when he leased it and moved to Delavan. The 
winter of 1SS]-,S2. he, in company with Mark Calkins, went to California, wher(> he contem- 
l)lates making his future home. 

AMOS PHELPS. j)roprietor of Delavan Mills, has owned and ojieratinl the mills since lSfi9. 
He is a native of Canada East, but of New England parentage. He is the son of Jeremiah and 
MiU'garet Phelps; was born June 15, 1823. He came to Wisconsin in 184('), and located at Biu'- 
lington. Racine Co., where he was engaged in milling and fai'ming till 18()5, except two years 
which he spent in California, in 1S50-52. He went to Minnesota in 1805, and engaged in mill- 
ing at Sheldon, Mauston Co. He continued at that place until iHV>[), when he came to Delavan 
and bought a half interest in a tlouring-mill at this place. In 1870, he Iwnight out his partner, 
and since that time has condiicted the business alone. Mr. Phelps was man-ied, at Burlington, 
Racine Co., Wis., Feb. 25, 1853, to Miss Maria C, daughter of Isaac Lyon. Mrs. Phelps was 
born in Columbia Co., N. Y. They have two daughters living, the eldest having died at Mad- 
ison in 1874. 

CHESTER W. PHILLIPS, deceased. He was born in Glover, Vt., in December, 1833; 
when IS years of age, bought his time of his father: remained in his native town until his ma- 
jority, then moved to Worcester, Mass.. where he resided until 1801, when he came to Delavan, 
Wis. For the two years sticeeeding his arrival in this place, he kept the Delavan House. At 
the same time he was engaged in the livery business; sold out in 1870, and devoted his attention 
tf) farming and the gi'owing of l)looded stock and fast horses. He was the owner of a great 
number of the liest trotters in the West. He was also interested in the extensive can-iage works 
at Clinton Jimction, Wis. His farm, situated near Delavan Lake, two miles east of Delavan, 
was known as Lake Lawn Stock Farm. He was married, in 1853, to Miss Hannah J. Barker. 
They had tive children, all of whom are dead. Mr. Phillips lost his wife. in March, 1808. He 
was maiTied again, Jan. 27, 180U, to Mrs. Anna Mary Mabie. widow of Jeremiah Mabie, and 
daughter of Solomon Field. Mi-s. Phillips was born in South East, Putnam Co., N. Y. She 
was the mother of three children by her former marriage. Three were also born Ijy the later 
raan'iage — two sons and a daughter — Ernest F., born Nov. 8, 1809; Huldah A., born Nov. 1, 
1873, died in infancy: Chester W., Sept. 8. 1874. Mr. Phillijis continued to carry on the stock 
business on an extensive plan till the time of his death, which occm-red Sept. 20, 1878. Mi-. 
Phillips was a n:ian who, through his own unaidinl eftbrts, native shrewdness and enterprise, had 
ac(|uired a large property, but, from the nattire nf his business, with its many uncertainti(>s and 
tem]itations, like many others engaged in growing fancy stock, he became embarrassed. Too 
proud to humble himself by changing his mode of living, he let his trouble prey upon his mind 
until they were ended in his untimely death. He is remembered as a true friend by those of his 
actpiaintances worthv of his regard, and by his family as a kind and affectionate husband and 
father. 

HENRY PHffiNIX, deceased, was born in the town of (Treenwich, Washington Co., N. Y., 
June 28, 17U2: was the son of John and Martha Martin Pluenix. His father died when the 
sul)ject of this sketch was (i years of age. Some years later, he apjirenticed to a tanner named 
Shark, at Painted Post, N. Y.. where he seiwed till he was of age. On the death of his em- 
j)loy(>r. he was given charge of the business. Later, he went to Dansville. and. in com])any 
with his brother. .Samuel F.. he started a tannery, which they carried on till they moved to 
Painted Post, and from there k) Perry. Genesee Co. ; was there tive years, then went to Troops- 
burg; retained the l)usiness at I'erry under the management of Samuel F. ; at this place, they 
were engaged in mercantile and other business. Henry was Postmaster. In 1830, in company 
with his brother. Samuel F.. he came to AVisconsin Territory in search of a new home. They 
seh^cted a site for a village and farms in Walworth County, naming the town Delavan, after 
the gi-eat temperance advocate of that name. They retm-ned to tlie East, and went back to 



714 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

Wisconsin that winter with men and teams to make improvements on their land. Hemy re- 
turned to the East, and, in the summer of 1838, having settled up the business in the East, he 
then set out with his family, arriving in Delavan in June of that year. His brother having 
moved his family the year before, and erected a saw-mill anil house on the outlet to Delavan 
Lake. Henry brought a stock of goods with him, which was opened in the log house of his 
brother, and which was the first mercantile business established in the town. The following 
year, 1839. they built the grist-mill, a store and shops, on the present site of Delavan, had the 
town sui'veyed and platted, and thus founded the village of Delavan. The subject of this sketch 
was married, at Painted Post. Steuben Co., N. Y., November, ISl'J, to Miss Ann Jennings, 
daughter of John Jennings. Eleven children were born to them, five of whom are living at this 
date— 1881. The eldest," Mary C, is the wife of Mr. John F. McKee, of the town of Darieu, 
their farm Ij'iug adjacent to the village of Delavan; Martha is the widow of Aaron H. Taggard, 
and resides in Delavan; Betsy P. is the wife of L. S. Frost, of Chicago; William H. is living at 
Rockford, 111. ; Ann J. is now Mi's. J. W. Patterson, of Oakland, Cal. ; Ellen M. was the wife of 
H. B. Sullivan, and died in September, 1871), at Oakland, Cal.; four- died iu infancy in the 
East, and one in Delavan. Mr. Phceuix, while a resident of New York, represented his district 
in the Legislature of that State one term (18"27). He was a man of pronounced religious and 
temperance principles, and a zealous member of the Regular Baptist Church. Full of energy 
and public spirit, his influence was potent in shaping the development and aiding the growth 
of the village of which he and his brother were the founders. His plans were cut short by his 
death, which occm'red Feb. 27, 1S4'2, a little less than five years after his settlement iu Dela- 
van. The early history of this village bears witness to the excellent traits of character of the 
Phcenix brothers, and will always stand as a monument to their memory. Mrs. Henry Phoenix 
was killed by the cars at Delavan in 1857. 

WILLIAM PHCENIX. deceased, one of the earliest pioneers of Walworth County, was 
born in Sussex Co., N. J., March 17, 1793. By occupation he was by turns farmer, clerk and 
school teacher. While ijuite young, he moved to what was known as the lake country of New 
York. He was married at Milo, Yates Co., July 18, 1818, to Miss Susan Bruce, daughter of 
John Bruce (who was subsequently one of the early settlers of Dai-ien, Walworth Co., Wis.). 
Soon after his marriage. Mr. Phosnix moved to Tioga Co., Penn., where he lived four years, 
and then moved to Franklinville, Cattaraugus Co.. N. Y.. where he was engaged in mercantile 
business. He subseijueutly retm-ned to Pennsylvania, and went from there to Perry, Genesee 
Co.. N. Y.. from where he emigrated to Wisconsin in l83f'). arriving in what is now the town of 
Delavan, Walworth Co.. Sept. '2,(\. The only settler in the town at that date was a man by the 
name of Perkins, who lived in a log shanty on the north side of Turtle Creek. The Phcenix 
family were the first settlers in the village. He was the first Postmaster of Delavan, being ap- 
Ijointed to that position in the summer of 1837. He was elected Chairman of the Town Roard 
of Delavan, and re-elected several times. He also served as Justice of the Peace. In 1855, he 
moved to Packwaukee. His death occm-red Nov. 25 of that year. His widow sm-vives him; at 
this wi'iting. makes her home in Packwaukee. They had five childi-eu. The eldest, Hemy H., 
is a resident of Whitewater; the second. Mary A., is now ISLs. Edwin Brainard. of Eau Claire. 
Wis.; Samuel A. married Frances Bentley, of Packwaukee. Wis.; William A. was killed in 
California while on duty as Sherifi" of Calavaras County. ;iged 2-1 years; John W. died in Dela- 
van, aged 11 years. 

SAMUEL F. PHCENIX, deceased, was born in Dansville. N. Y.. Dec. 18, 1798. His 
father died while he was a mere infant, and he was reared by his stepfather, Joshua Bartlett, 
a man of education, at that time employed in teaching. His education, so far as it was confined 
to books, was gained in the common schools of his district, and was completed at the early age 
of 15 years, at which period he entered into business in connection with his brother Henry, a 
relation which continued until severed by the death, Samuel nearly twenty years after. Oct. 
24. 1822. he was married, at Smyrna. N. Y., to Miss Sarah A. Kelsey. daughter of Samuel 
Kelsey. of the town of Sherburne. N. Y. Until 1837. the home of Mr. and Mrs. Phrenix was 
in Genesee Co., N. Y. In the spring of 1836, Messrs. Samuel and Hemy Phoenix made a 
joiu-ney of exjiloration and inspection to the new Territory of Wisconsin, arriving durijig the 
first days of July at the present site of the village of Delavan. After making several prospect- 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 715 

ing toiu's in the couutry, on the ()tli of July Huury rettu-ned to New York. On July 19, 183f), 
Samuel made his fu'st claim iu Delavan by blazinu; trees, etc., and christened it Tem[)erunce 
Colony Claim. This claim was near Swan, now Delevan Lake. Early in the spring of ]<S37, 
Mr. Phuinix returned to Pen-y, N. Y., for his family, arriving with them at Delavan iu July, 
1837. In February. ISHS, the brothers built a saw-mill ou the outlet of Delavau Lake, and, in 
1839. a large grist-mill. Becoming convinced in a short time that Tm-tle Creek would be a 
more favorable location for the futiu'e village of Delavan. they determined ou the present site, 
and, securing a tract of about 4,000 acres, located many claims for their friends, who soon fol- 
lowed them from the far East, and thus laid the foundation for the present beautiful and flour- 
ishing village. In all their enterj)rises. they were assisted and encoui-aged by William Phoe- 
nix, their cousin, who came with his family in October, 183f). The Phcenix brothers were men 
of high moral and religious principles, who were desirous of encom'aging the settlement of the 
better class of emigrants iu the little colony. To this end they encom-aged and materially 
aided the building of schoolhouses and chiu'ches. and the sale of lots in the young village. They 
also provideil for the prohibitiou of the sali^ of liquors, by stipulation, in the early conveyances, 
that none shoiild be sold on ])roperty sold by them. They were energetic, thrifty peojjle, and 
would undoul)tedly have made their influence f(>lt in shaping the destiny of Delavan had their 
lives been spared. Unfortimately, they both died while the village was in its infancy — Samuel, 
on Sept. 0. lS-t(). and Henry, Feb. 28. 1S4'2. Mr. and Mi-s. S. Phcanix had only one child, a son, 
named Franklin K, of whom a sketch is given elsewhere in this work. The mother, still full of 
energy, and with mental faculties luiimpaired, is an honored member of society in the village 
founded by her husband forty years ago. 

FRANKLIN K. PHCENIX. proprietor of the Phcenix Nui'seiy, of Delavan, Wis., is the son 
of Samuel F. and Sarah A. Phcenix; was born in Periy, Genesee Co., now Wyoming Co. , N. Y., 
March 8, 1S2.J. In July, 1837, he came to Walworth Co., Wis., with his [)areuts. and located 
on Sec. 1 5. town of Delavan, in September of that year. He rettirned East in the spring of 
1841, and attended school in his native town one year; returned to Delavan in 1842 and estab- 
lished a nui'sery. which he carried ou until June. 1854. when he njoved to Bloomington. 111., 
where he engaged in the same business on an extensive scale, having at one time 600 acres un- 
der stock, making one of the largest niu-series in the country, if not iu the world; annual sale 
amounted to §200,000. Owing to a succession of unfavorable seasons, he became embaiTassed. 
and was obliged to close out the business in 1877. He remained at Bloomington one year later, 
then went to the State of New York, where he remained until August, 187V). and them returned 
to Delavan, there he has since resided. On his retm-n to Delavau, he re-establisheil a nursery. 
He was man-ied. at Darien. Walworth Co., Wis., Dec. 2. 1850, to Mary E. Toi)ping. daughter 
or Thomas Topjiing. Mrs. Phcenix was born in Montgomery Co., N. Y. They had seven chil 
dren — five sons and two daughters — Samuel T. . A. Melville (died at 18 years of age). Fred S. . 
F. May, Frank, John J., Carrie. 

EDWARD POWERS was born in Dutchess County, State of New York, on Sept. 1, 1830. 
His father was Col. Charles Wesley Powers, whose grandfather, Justus Powers, emigi'ated to 
that county from Naumbiu'g, in Germany, about the year 1752. His mother, whose maiden 
name was Jane Ann Benjamin, was a desc(>ndant of an English family of some note. Edward 
was the fifth of a family of eight childi'en, of whom four besides himself are now living, one 
being Rev. Dr. Horatio N. Powers, an E|)isc()[)al clergyman of prominence, and auother being 
Dr. Frederick Powers, at present a practicing physician in Westport, Conn. The subject of 
this sketch was educated at Amenia SeuiinTu'y, an institution situated in the vicinity of his early 
home. He was brought up a farmer, but, upon reaching the age of 21, he aliandoned that 
occupation, and adopted, temporarily, that of teacher, xising his leisure time for the study of 
the higher mathematics, in order to fit himself for the profession of civil engineering. In 
1853, he entered into that ju'ofession, commencing in a subordinate capacity on a projected 
railroad in his native State, called the '■ Lebanon Springs Railroad," now known as he " Har- 
lem Extension, and rising from that to a higher position on a j)rojected road in the same State, 
called the Sackett's Hiu-bor & Saratoga Railroad. He also assisteil for a time in the construc- 
ti(m of the second irack of tin* Hudson River Railroad. In flu* sjiring of 185(), he came West, 
accej)ting a position in Iowa on what was then called the Chicago. Iowa \- Nebraska Railroad, 



716 HISTORY OF AVALWORTH COUNTY. 

one of the pioneer roads of Iowa, and forming now a part of the Chicago & North- Western Rail- 
way. In the location and construction of this road, he was employed the better part of three years, 
during which time occurred the gi'eat financial crisis of 1857. As this distiu'baoce in the financial 
world had a tendency for some time to retard railroad Vmildiug in general, Mr. Powers, in ISoit, went 
South, and, after doing some engineering in connection with the Mississippi levees, he engaged in 
the work of making topogi'aphical majjs of cotton iilautations in Mississippi and Louisiana, having 
his headquarters at Natchez. He was so employed at the time of the secession of the South and of 
the breaking-out of the war, and in May, 18()1, he returned North, his business in the South having 
collapsed and his siiiToundings having become unpleasant. Early in 1862. he entered the serv- 
ice of the United States as a clerk in the Quai'termaster's Department of the army, retaining 
this position until the close of the war. In 186n, he accepted a position in the engineering 
department of the Chicago, Eock Island & Pacific Railroad. In this capacity he made, under 
the direction of the Chief Engineer, Mi-. E. H. Johnson, the first survey for the gi-eat bridge 
over the Mississippi River l.ietween Rock Island and Davenport, built jointly by that company and 
the United States, his plans and estimates forming the basis of the action of CongTess in making ap- 
propriations for the work. The present bridge was subsequently biailt iinder the direction of 
United States engineers. As an engineer on the Eock Island road. Mi-. Powers had charge of the 
location and constniction of about 100 miles of the line westward from Des Moines, in Iowa. In 
1869. he resigned his position on that road to take charge of a railroad in Illinois — the Pekin, 
Lincoln & Decatiu' Railroad — as Chief Engineer. In 1871. he entei'ed into the service of the 
Chicago & North-Western Railway Company, having charge of the location and construction of 
their line from Green Bay to Escanaba, 114 miles, which was built during that and the follow- 
ing year. He has also at different times had charge of various other siu-veys and works of rail- 
way construction, embracing engineering operations in the States of Wisconsin. Illinois, Iowa, 
Missoiu'i and Michigan, and elsewhere, including the location of 195 miles of railway in Dakota 
in 1879, for the Chicago & North-Western Railway Company. On Oct. 27, 1874, Mr. Powers 
was married, in Delavan, Walworth Co. , Wis. , to Miss Elizabeth Adelia Sharp, youngest daughter 
of Capt John Sharp, deceased, and from that time this place has been his home. In 1877, he 
piu'chased his present residence in that beautifi^l village. He has one child, a daughter, named 
Sarah Cornelia. He is at present in the employ of the Chicago & North-Western Railway 
Company, with office at Escanalja, Mich. . where he is Resident Engineer of a l^ranch of that 
road called the Escanaba & Lake Superior Railway. Mr. Powers has attained some prominence 
outside of his profession as an advocate of the jsracticability of producing rainfalls by condens- 
ing the aqueous vapor of the atmosphere by means of concussions of artillerj- firing. A\'hile 
connected with the army, he noticed that, as a rule, great battles were followed by heavy rains, 
and later, he investigated the subject and wrote a book upon it entitled " War and the Weather," 
in which he cited numerous instances of rain apparently brought on by artillery firing, and in 
which he elaborated a theory of the caitse of the phenomenon. He has also lectured on the 
subject in AA'ashington City, New York, Chicago, and other places, and has made some efforts to 
induce Congress to authorize experiments in the matter by the A\"ar Department. In these eftV)rts, 
made some years since, he received much encom'agement from many jirominent public men, 
among whom were Gen. James A. Garfield, om' late lamented President, as shown by a testi- 
monial in Mr. Powers' jaossession bearing the signatvu'e, among others, of this noble man, whose 
death the nation has so recently been called upon to mourn. Mr. Powers has faith that, sooner 
or later, though perhaps not in his own lifetime, his theory will be proved to be correct, and 
that man will be able to control the weather so far as* to abolish droughts in this country. 

DEACON JOHN EEADER, deceased, was born in Head Corn, Kent Co., England, Feb. 
21, 1803; is the son of Thomas and Elisabeth Reader; was brought up a farmer. In 1822, he 
was married to Miss Elisabeth Featherstone, They had one child, Elisabeth, born in England, 
and, in 1824, emigi'ated to America. On arriving in the United States, he located in Oneida 
Co,. N. Y., where he was engaged in farming until the fall of 1836, when he left the East for 
Wisconsin Territory. On arriving in Walworth County, he selected a site for a home in Sharon. 
There he kept bachelor's hall until the following year, being the first white man to effect a 
settlement in that town. In 1837, he returned to the East, and, in September of that year, 
brought his family to Wisconsin and settled on Big Foot Prairie, See. 18, town of Walworth. 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 717 

He was ovciitually owiut of 100 acres of laiul. Nine children were V)oru to them in New York, 
so they came to Wisconsin witli a family of ten -seven daui;hters and three sons: Elizabeth is 
IN'Ii's. Edward Hall, of Beloit. Wis.; Phebe is the widow of James Bending, of Chicago; -John 
J. is a resident of Delavan (see sketch): Richard was an enlisted mechanic in the late wju'. anil 
died in IStVi from disease contracted in the army; Mai'y is now Mrs. D. Searl. of Rocktou. 111.: 
James married Almena Judd. and lives in California: Martha is the wife of Franklin Trahern. 
of Rockford. 111.; Caroline is the wife of David Jacobie, of Sharon, Wis.; Eliza is now Mi's. 
Robert Speusley, of Walworth; Rebecca married Jasper Voorhees, lived in California, and died 
Jnly 5. 1.S73: Rachel is the wife of Elias Harriss, of Delavan; Stephen married Emma Van 
Wort, and resides in California; Amanda is now Mi-s. Richard Wilson, o'' Delavan, Wis. Mr. 
Reader and family endlU'ed many privations and hardships dm'ing the early days of their set- 
tlement in ^\'alworth — more than usually fall to the lot of pioneers. Having a lai'ge family, of 
whom the oldest were all girls, Mr. Reader had none on whom he could rely for assistance, or 
who could share his responsibilities; his log house, hastily liuilt of green poplar logs, and 
jilastered with clay, had no floor, except a few split logs, or " puncheons," as they were called: 
as they only covered a small space about the stove, the balance of the room was covered with 
brush at tii'st, and, after being cleared, presented a surface covered with stubs, muddy when 
wet. or rough with nubs when frozen. The youngest child, an infant at the breast, was sick on 
the road, and died within two weeks after they had taken possession of their new home. The 
father had to make the coffin and biuy the baby with his own hands, unaided, for neighbors he 
had none to assist him. In .January. 1S3S, he was obliged to go to Chicago for provisions with 
his ox team, leaving scant supplies to subsist his family while away. Soft weather set in. which 
opened iip the streams and marshes, which were then uubridged, and made it impossible for 
him to return until many days after the time set. The mother economized her scanty stores 
until they were reduced to some corn-meal bran; this meal sifted and re-sifted, and finally the 
hulls eaten, starvation seemed inevitable, when, late, at night, the welcome rattle of the wagon 
was heard by the watchful wife and mother, who had spent many hom-s in listening for that 
same joyful sound. Hastening out. she stopped her husband some distance from the house, 
that he might not wake the children, who were sleeping the troubled sleep of hunger, until she 
could prepare some food for them. Hunger had not been their only trouble. The weather had 
set in cold again, and all were more or less frozen, especially about the feet. As spring 
a])proached, the cattle began to show the effect of the jioor <juality of hay on which they were 
kept. Mr. Reader, coming so late, was uualile to do his haying till after the frost had cut the 
grass. Consequently, the cattle failed and grew weak, until it was necessary for the family to 
tiu-n out in the morning and assist in getting them on their feet. The new grass soon came, 
and they rallied. Ground was broken, potatoes and corn planted, when again the provisions 
grew scant. The pork which had been Ijought at Chicago in the winter at $27 per ban-el had 
turned out to be mostly hogs' heads. The floiu- that cost $1S her barrel was exhausted. An- 
other trip was made to Chicago as soon as the oxen were strong enough to travel. This trip 
lasted sixteen days. Again the provisions gave out, and the former experience was likely to be 
repeated: but the mild s]>ring weather had brought out a bountiful su]iply of yellow-blossomed 
cowslijis in the meadows, which made excellent gi'eens, fmd for a few days constituted their only 
food. After the first crop was grown, they had no fiuther trouble for the want of provisions. 
Ml-. Reader prospered, and became one of the leading men of the town. He always enjoyed the 
confidence and warmest regards of his neighbors and fellow-townsmen. For eighteen years. 
h(> served as Chairman of the town, and at diflerent times held other minor ofifiees. At an early 
day in the history of the Baptist Chm-ch at Delavan, he had become a member, and on the estab- 
lishment of the chiu-ch in Walworth he was elected Deacon, which position he held until his 
removal to Delavan in 1804. In October. bSHS, he was call(>d upon to mourn the loss of his 
faithfirl wife, who had so nobly shared his struggles in his dark days, and gladdened the hap- 
l)ier hours of his prosperity. He survivcnl her a little more than ten years, his death occurring 
on Christmas morning, in the year of 187S. 

M1{S. ELIZABETH READER, deceased, mother of Deacon John Reader, was born in 
Kent Co., England, .lune 12, 1781; she was the wife of Thomas Reader, an English farmer: 
came to America with her husband, and settled in Walworth. Walworth Co., Wis., May 3, 1854: 



718 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

she lived to tbo remarkable age of 96 years, and at the time of her death, May 3, 1876, could 
boast of 128 living descendants, which included iom of the fifth generation: there were thirty 
grandchildren. She was a consistent Christian, and for many years a member of the Baptist 
Church of Walworth. 

JOHN J. READER, dealer in pumps and wind-mills, has been engaged in this line of bus- 
iness over twenty years. He was born in Waterville, Oneida Co., N. Y., April 7, 1828; is the 
son of John and Elizabeth Reader. In October, 1838, he came to Wisconsin with his parents, 
and made his home on Sec. IS. Walworth. W^alworth Co., where his father had 400 acres of 
land. He continued with his father until 25 years of age. He then went to Minnesota and 
remained two years, and then returned to Walworth County and engaged with W^ood & Gormly, 
piuup-manufactm-ers; continued with that company until after Mr. Gormly's death, since which 
time he has been engaged in business for himself, making his home in Delavan since 1863. He 
was married, in W'alworth. in 1852, to Miss Charlotte W., daughter of Amos Hitchcock. Mrs. 
Reader was born in Rochester. N. Y. They have six children— .A.da JT. . Leonard J.. Amos H. , 
John B., Eddie L. and Gertie L. Ada is the wife of James Davidson, of Delavan. Mr. Read- 
er's father was the first white man who made a claim in the town of Sharon. Walworth Co. , in 
1837. See sketch. 

PETER SAFFORD, butcher, was born in Cobleskill, Schoharie Co.. N. Y.. March 22, 
1820; is the son of Levi and Mary Saflbrd. His mother lived to the remarkable age of 102 
years. Mr. Saftbrd learned the l)utcher's trade in the city of Albany. N. Y., where he lived 
fifteen years. He then came to Delavan. Wis., where he has since resided. Dvu-ing the years 
1853 and 1854, he carried on the meat market liusiness at this place. He was married, in 
Westerlo, Albany Co., N. Y. to Miss Elizabeth Ward, daughter of Nathan Ward. Mrs. Saf- 
ford is a native of Albany County. They had three children, and have lost them all. Levi 
died in childhood; Benjamin, when 4 yeai's of age; and George, in childhood. 

H. W. SAGE was born in Berkshire Co.. Mass., Aug. 11, 1824; when only 4 years of age, 
moved with hie parents to Oneida Co., N. Y., near the town of Rome. In 1846, he came to 
Wisconsin and located near Southport, now Kenosha, where he continued to reside till the spring 
of 1854, when he moved to Delavan, Walworth Co. On coming to this place, he kept the Dela- 
van House six years: then ti'aveled for W^ood & McGregor, pump manufacturers, and their suc- 
cessors, ten years. For the past few years, he has been with his son, of the firm of Sage & 
Goodrich, grocers. Mr. Sage was man-ied. in 1849, in the town of Yorkville. Racine Co., 
Wis., to Miss Mary Hewes, daiTghter of Otis Hewes. Mrs. Sage was born in Onondaga Co., 
N. Y. They have two children — Anna Belle and Charles A. The daughter is the wifeof Fred 
B. Goodrich, of Delavan; the son married Miss Clara McCormick, and is in partnership with 
his brother-in-law, Fred B. Goodi'ich, in the gi'ocery business, itnder the firm name of Sage & 
Goodrich. 

GEORGE V. SCHILLING, teacher in the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb. He has 
served in that capacity for thirteen years; is a native of Prussia, the son of Chi-istian and Cai'o- 
line Schilling; was born Jan. 24, 1839: was educated in Gei-many until 1852, when he emi- 
grated to America and made his home in and about Almond, in Portage Co., Wis. He com- 
j)leted his education at Lawi-ence University, Appleton. from which he graduated in 1868. In 
November of that year, he was employed as a teacher in the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb 
at Delavan, which position he has held to this date — 1882. He was married, in Fond du Lac 
Wis., April 25, 1869, to Christine S|)ies. They had one child, a daughter, named Alice C. 
Mrs. Schilling died Feb. 14, 1874. Mr. Schilling was married to his present wife, at Fond du 
Lac, Wis., July 22, 1875, whose maiden name was Miss Mary Hunting. They have one son and a 
daughter — George E. and Mabel L. Mr. Schilling's long esjierience and faithfiil service have 
made him deservedly pojmlai" as a teacher of the institiition. Since 1868. he has made his home 
in Delavan. 

HON. ELIJAH MATTISON SHARP, United States Consular Agent at Paris, Canada, ap- 
{jointed July 3. 1878. He is the oldest son of Capt. John Sharp and Sarah Mathers Sharp. He 
was born in the town of Reading, near Watkins' Glen. Schuyler Co.. State of New York, Oct. 21, 
1832. He received a common and select school education; came to Wisconsin with his parents 
in 1850, and settled on the south side of Delavan Lake, in the town of Delavan, Walworth Co. 



HISTORY OF AVAI, WORTH COUNTY. 719 

He assisted his father on the fariu until the winter of 1854. when he taught a district school. 
Tlie followiue; winter, he entered the dry goods store of H. & W. M. Wells as a clerk, and 
remained in their employ thi'ee years. Early in the spring of 1858, he engaged in mercantile 
business with ]\Ii-. JohnL. Ward, under the firm name of Ward & Sharp, and continued this 
coimec'tiou six years; then, on account of failing health, he sold out and moved to the old farm 
on Delavan Lake. He ojierated the farm three years, and, regaining, in a measiu-e, his health, 
he retm-ned to the village and engaged in the grocery business with N. M. Harrington, nnder 
the firm name of E. M. Sharp & Co. He sulisequently bought out Mr. Harrington's interest, 
and the name of the firm was changed to E. M. Sharp & Bro., his youngest lirother, John M. 
Sharp, taking an active partnership in the business. Three years later, Mr. Sharp sold out, 
and started again in the dj'v goods business, this time alone. He continued in the same line of 
business until July 1, 1878, when he was appointed United States Consul at Paris. Canada, 
which position he now holds. He took a warm interest in ])olities early in life, and has always 
been an active worker in the ranks of the Repulilican party. He has served as Chairman of the 
Eepiiblican Assembly District Committee, and was for several years Chairman of the Republican 
Town Committee; has been Supervisor, and was Treasiu'er of the town of Delavan for tliree years. 
In 1871, he was elected member of the Wisconsin Legislature for the term of 1872, and again 
in 1875. He was a friend and jwlitical supporter of the late Senator Matthew H. Carpenter, 
and took an active part in the memoralile contest in the Wisconsin Legislature in 1875 for Mr. 
Carpenter's re-election to the United States Senate. Mr. Sharp was married, in Darien, Gen- 
esee Co., N. Y., Sept. 30, 1802, to Miss Sarah A. AMlliams, daughter of Koswell and Martha M'iU- 
iams. Mrs. Sharp was born in the town of Alexander, Genesee Co., N. Y.,Dec. IH. 183(1 They 
have three children living — Maiy E.,aged 10 years; Elizabeth, aged 5 years; and Hiram Manly, 
born in Canada, aged 1 year. They have lost four — Martha B., aged 12 years; Elisha M.,aged 
10 years; James Mattison, aged 7 years; and John W., aged 16 months — all of whom died of 
malignant diphtheria, within the brief period of two weeks, in August, 1870. Mr. Sharp's next 
younger brother, Hiram T. Sharp, is an attorney at law in Minneajiolis, Minn. The next 
younger brother, Elisha, died in the service of his countiy in the war of the rebellion. His 
youngest brother, John M., is in Northern Michigan, civil engineering. 

CAPT. JOHN SHARP, deceased. In rehearsing the names of the early settlers of AVal- 
worth County, that of Capt. John Sharp is worthy of prominent menti(3n: he was bom Fel). 5, 
1801, in Hunterdon Co., N. J. ; was the eldest son of Jacob Sharp and Esther Mattison Sharp, 
who were natives of the same State: their ancestors were Scotch and A^'elsh, who emigrated to 
America and settled in the then colonial province of New Jersey some two generations prior to 
the Revolutionary war, and were active jiarticipants in that long and weary struggle for inde- 
pendence. In the year 1812, Capt. Sharp removed with his parents to A\'estern New York, 
residing for a few years at Jacksonville, Tompkins Co., but subsequentlj' settled near Watkins' 
Glen, at the head of Seneca Lake, in Steuben County: it was dm-ing his residence here that he 
was made Captain of New York State Militia, receiving his commission from Gov. William L. 
Marcy. In June, 1850, he came to Wisconsin with his family and jiurchased a farm on the 
south shore of Delavan Lake, five miles south of the village of Delavan, where he lived until 
the spring of 18<)7, then removed to Delavan, where he died Dec. 20, 1871. Capt. Shar]> was a 
quiet, unassuming man, yet social in his nature, and an inbred gentleman, a man of sound judg- 
ment, genei'ous and noble impulses, of sterling integi'ity: scrupulously honest and honorable in 
all his dealings, he had many warm friends, and enjoyed the confidence and esteem of all who 
knew him. He was maiTied, Nov. 27, 1827, to Miss Sarah Mather (a descendant of the Rev. 
Cotton Mather), who is still living; following are the names of their children: MaryE. Sharp, 
now wife of Charles A. Bassett, Esq. ; E. M. Sharp, present United States Consul at Paris, 
Canada: Miss Susan Shiu-ji; H. T. Sharp, an attorney at law; Elisha Sharp, medical student, 
who was killed while in the service of the United States in the war of the rebellion: Jt)hn M. 
Sharj), merchant: Sarah A. Shar]>, now wif(> of William M. Shepard, Esq.: Miss Clara Sharp; 
I'Jizabeth A. Sharp, now wife of Prof. Edward I'owers. 

RE^^ ALBiaiT SHELDON, deceased, was born in Rhode Island in October, 1818; studied 
for the ministry, and was ordained in the Ba]itist Church of (Coventry, R. I., in 1842; was 
actively engaged in the discharge of duti<'s in his native State twelve years, and, in 1854, moved 



720 HISTORY or WALWORTH COUNTY., 

to Wisconsin; he made his home in Delavan, preaching in the church of his denomination at that 
place about three years; then, on account of failing health, he moved to a farm near the village, 
where he was engaged in farming something over seven years; in the meantime, he acted as 
supply to some neighboring chm-ches, as his health would ]iermit; at the expiration of that time, 
he moved to the village, and, two years later, to Macoupin Co.. 111. ; he served in his profession 
in that locality as his health would admit during the live years of his residence there; he then 
returned to Delavan and officiated as jaastor of the church at East Delavan. and subsequently at 
Sugai' Creek, which was his last charge; his death occiu'red April 7, 1874:, about two years after 
his retiu-n to Delavan. Mr. Sheldon was married, in Richmond, R. I., in January, 1837, to 
Miss Eliza Phillips, daughter of Bartholomew Phillips; Mi-s. Sheldon was born in the town in 
which she was married; they had five children, of whom only one is living; the eldest, Thomas 
A., died in childhood; Amanda M. was the wife of Dr. H. D. Bullard, of Delavan; her death 
occuiTed in March, 1880; Thomas B. maiTied Eimna King, and lives at Rockford, 111. ; Eugene 
A. was a soldier of the late war, and died at St. Louis, Mo. ; Burras B. died in infancy. Mi'. 
Sheldon was well and favorably known in Wisconsin; was an earnest worker in his holy calling, 
and enjoyed the respect and esteem of all who knew him; his wife survives him. 

HORACE F. SHELDON, farmer. Sec. 7; P. O. Delavan; was born in Washington Co., 
R. I., town of Hopkinton, March 15, 1822; is the son of Thomas and Rhode Sheldon; was mar- 
ried, in his native town, Jan. 30, 1843, to Miss Eliza A. Irwin, daughter of M. T. and Sophia 
Irwin; Mrs. Sheldon was born in Coventry, Kent Co., R. I.; in 1855, they emigrated to Iowa, 
where they resided two years, and, in 1857, came to Richmond, Walworth Co., Wis., and pur- 
chased a farm; resided in that tovm nine years, and, in 1806, purchased their present farm of 
132 acres on Sec. 7, Delavan, where they have since resided. 

JOHN B. SHEPARD, deceased, was born in Mayfield, Fulton Co., N. Y., Aug. 25, 1803; 
he was the son of Platiah and Elizabeth (Thompson) Shepard; was mamed, March 28, 1826, to 
Rachel Willis, daughter of Benjamin and Bridget. (Cole) Willis; five children were born to them, 
two sons and three daughters — Stephen H. , married Lemiva Paul, who is now deceased; Stej)hen 
lives in Delavan; Sabra A. is the wife of R. H. Bristol, of Delavan; Ann A. resides with her 
brother, Linus D; Mary S. is now Mrs. Edward S. Colman, oi the town of Delavan; Linus D. 
married Clarinda Z. Sawyer, and lives in the town of Delavan. 'Mi-. Shepard came to Wisconsin 
with his family in September, 1841, and located in the town of Delavan, Walworth Co.; the 
following year, he moved to Sec. 5, same town, where he resided till the time of his death, 
•which occurred Feb. 3, 1875; his wife died Dec. 24, 1872. 

STEPHEN H. SHEPARD, fanner. Sec. 4; P. O. Delavan; has 108 acres of land; was 
born in Maylield, Fvilton Co., N. Y., Jan. 1, 1827; is the son of John B. and Rachel 
(Willis) Shepai'd; came to Wisconsin with his parents in 1841; made his home in the town of 
Delavan; was married, June 11, 1856, in Delavan, to Miss Lemira G.. daughter of G. W. Paul; 
Mi-s. Shepard was born in Bristol. Ontario Co., N. Y. ; they have four chikb-en — Edna M., born 
Jan. 31, 1858; Ge(jrge A. born June 28, 1860; Robert B., born May 24, 1862; and Mary R.. 
born Oct. 28, 1864. Mi-s. Shepard died Aug. 20, 1867. 

LINUS D. SHEPARD, farmer. Sec. 5; P. O, Delavan; has 80 acres of land; is the son of 
John B. and Rachel Shepard; was born in Darien, Genesee Co., N. Y., June 19, 1838; came to 
Wisconsin with his parents in 1841, and located in the town of Delavan, where he has since 
resided. He was maiTied, in the town of Sugar Creek, June 4, 1873, to Clarinda Z., daughter 
of Adna Sawyer; Mrs. Shepard was born in Richmond. Walworth Co.; they have live childi-en 
— John Adua, Eunice R., Alfi-ed H., Earl L. and Alice E. Mi-. Shepard's father, John B. Shep- 
ard, was the son of Pelatiah Shepai'd and Elizabeth Thompson; he was born at Mayfield, Fulton 
Co., N. Y, Aug. 25, 1803; was man-ied, Mai-ch 28, 1826, to Rachel Willis, daughter of Benja- 
min Willis and Bridget Cole; they moved to Delavan, Walworth Co., Wis., in 1841, with his 
childi'en, Stephen Henry, Sabra Amelia, Ann Augusta, Mary Selina and Linus Delavan. Mrs. 
Shepard's father, Adna Sawyer, was born in Harvard, Mass, Feli. 11, 1824; came to Wisconsin 
in July, 1849, and located in Walworth County; lived at Elkhorn, Richmond and Sugar Creek; 
in the latter town he still has a farm of 120 acres; he was married, at Elkhorn, Nov. 10, 1849, 
to Serena N. Viles, daughter of Alfred Viles. Mr. Shepard was boru in Somerset Co., N. Y.; 
they have had live childi'en — Alfred V. lives in Richmond; is mairied to Emma H. Stone; Clar- 




'%Msfc! 



^mff-. 






^M 



.'-'^.i. __ 'ii(^:_ 



>l If 




LA,<r LA'.VM FARK, DELAVAN LAKE. STF^OW'S PARK.DELAVAN LAKE, WIS. 

f^ISS MAMIE MA3IE^ PROPRIETOR. E. M.ST ROW, PROPRlETOf^, 



<te=^- 





.';A«*?sif> 






PLE/\SUR,E STE>\^lEf^ D A.OLIN, 
del.aVaH lake, v/is. 



HISTORY OF WALWOKTII COUNTY. 72^^ 

inda Z. is the wife of Ijimis D. Slie]);inl: Liicy (li(>(l at the ai^e of 17 years; Zebulon M. died 
in cliildhood: Kuuice M. died when 1(5 years ohl. Ml'. Shepard and wife are now living in the 
town of Delavan. Mrs. Shejiard had one (hinghter by a previons inarriajje, now Mrs. Hannah 
H. Flitcioft, of Delavan. 

J. C. SHULZ, harness-maker; business established in 1853; he was bom in Prussia May 3, 
1832; is the son of "William Shnlz; he came to America in 1853; spent six months in Chicago, 
and then cami> to Delavan. AVis. , arriving at this ]ilace in Sejitember of that year; he learned 
the hai'ness-maker's trade with his brother, A. Slmlz, who had estalilished himself in business 
h(<re in June of the same year; in 1858, he formed a partneishi]i with his brother, which was 
continued until 1875, since which time he has conducted the business alone. He was married, 
in Delavan, Oct. 17, 1857, to Miss Frederika Gretzinger; Mrs. Shulz was born in Wurtemberg, 
GeiTnany; they have two childi'en — Charles H. and Ida L. Mr. Shulz has served foiu' years 
as Village Trustee of Delavan; his business is established on a tirni basis, and his stock com- 
prises everything usually found in a tirst-class harness-shop. 

THOJrAS J. SMITH, hardware merchant, came to Walworth Co., Wis., in 1848; he was 
born in Ti-umbull Co., Ohio, Feb. 17, 1823; is the son of Sarah G. and John Smith; he learned 
the tinner's trade, commencing in 1841 at Fulton, Stark Co., Ohio; in 1844, went to A\'ayues- 
burg, where he carried on business about one year; he then went to Mansfield, worked two 
yeiirs, then to Eacine, Wis., in 1848; stopped a short time, and then came to Delavan, Wal- 
worth Co., Wis., where he spent the winter of 1848-49; then he returned to Kacine and worked 
at his trade until 1852; then moved to Geneva, worked at his trade two years, and, in 1854, 
returned to Delavan and started in the hardware and tin business, which he has caiTied on suc- 
cessfully to this date; he was married, in September, 1856, at Geneva, Wis., to Miss Julia C. 
Cooper, daiighter of Thomas Cooper; Mi's. Smith was bom in Vermont; they have one son and 
two daughters — Fred B., Caro L, and Mary B. Mi\ Smith has lieeu a member of the Village 
Board six years. 

CHARLl'^S T. SMITH, farmer. Sec. 17; P. O. Delavan; has 141 acres. Mi-. Smith was 
bom in Stocklnidge, Madison Co., N. Y., March 3, 1816; is the son of Joel and Ann Malloiy 
Smith; was man-ied, Se])t. 30, 1841, in Augusta, Oneida Co., N. Y., to Miss Melicent Hinman, 
daughter of Truman and Abigail Hinman; Mrs. Smith was bom in Augusta, N. Y.; they ha^e 
had seven children — Ann S., wife of Marshall Topping, of Delavan; Alfred M., of Dakota; Or- 
ville S., a Congregational minister of Chicago; his wife was Miss Hannah Lawson; Charles E. 
and Homer H. are single. Mr. Smith moved to Delav.in in 1845, and has since resided on his 
farm near the village. 

A S. SPOOXEE, attorney at law; practice established in 1850; was born in Keene, Essex 
Co., N. Y., March 3, 1819; is the son of Joel and Lydia Spooner, who were natives of Massa- 
chusetts; he was educated in the common schools and at the Jamestown Academy, Chautauqua 
County; he commenced the study of law in the office of Judge Marvin, at Janiestovra, N. Y. ; 
studied a short time, and then returned to Essex, where he learned the shoemaker's trade, and 
w^as engaged in that business ten years; in 1849. ho moved to Delavan, Wis., and resumed the 
study of law with Judge William C. Allen, of that place: was achnitted to the bar of the Circuit 
Cotirt of Walworth County in June, 1850; he then attempted to establish a practice at Beloit; 
after a few months, he retiu-ned to Delavan; was elected Justice of the Peace in 1851, and re- 
elected in 1853; was elected District Attorney in 1853, and re-elected in 1S55; was appointed 
Assistant United States Assessor October, 1863, and held that position until June, 1870; was 
appointed United States Dejmty Collector of Internal Revenue Jime, 1870, and held till January, 
1871; was elected Justice of the Peace in 1872, and held it until 1877, when he resigned to accept 
the office of District .Attorney; was re-elected Justice of the Peace in the spring of 1S8(), and re- 
signed in 188 1. Mr. Spoom^r v/as man-ied, at Lewis, Essex Co., N. Y., Dec. 25, 1844, to Miss Sarah 
M., daughter of Isaac Bristol; Mrs. Spooner was boi-n in Lewis; they have had nine children, 
seven now living — Mary C. died when 2 yi>ars of age; C^arrie M. is a teaelu>r of the La (Jrosse 
High School: .A.<lelaide M. is a teacher at Elkhorn: Luella J. is a teacher by profession; Charles 
T. is a farmer of Delavan; William L. died in childhood; Alma L., teacher of a private school; 
Alfred K. and Etta E. are students of the Delavan High Schocd. 

X 



724 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

EDGAR M. STEOW, proprietor of the Delavan House, which he pm-chased of C. W. 
Phillips in the spring of 1866. Mi-. Strow was born in Hartford, Washington Co., N. Y., Jan. 
14, 1S3(), son of William and Abigail Strow; in 184S, he moved to Argyle, N. Y., where he was 
engaged in hotel-keeping till the spring of 1866; he then came to Delavan, Wis., and, in com- 
pany with his brother, George B., purchased the Delavan House; subsequently, his brother, 
John W., bought out Geoi-ge B.'s interest; since 1S75, the subject of this sketch has been sole 
proprietor of the hotel; this hotel is in good repair, is provided with sample rooms, billiard 
room and bar, and has ample accommodations for seventy guests. Mr. Strow was married, at 
Burlington, Wis., Sept. 25, 1881, to Miss Julian J. Leslie. 

ISRAEL STOWELL, deceased, was born in New Hampshire Sept. 10, 1812; was brought up 
a farmer; married, in Cortland Co., N. Y., Feb. 11, 1835, to Polly M. Jones, daughter of Triunan 
Jones. In 1838. he moved to Wisconsin and settled in the village of Delavan: he built the 
tirst frame building in that village, which is still standing, now occupied as a dwelling; there 
he kept hotel for many years; owned a livery stable, and the stage line between Chicago and 
Delavan; the latter was one of the institutions of the times; the stages were of the old-fash- 
ioned Concord style, drawn by four horses; the arrival and departm-e of those ancient convey- 
ances attracted more attention than does a train of cars at this time; diu'ing the early days at 
Delavan, Mrs. Stowell and Mrs. Ann Phcenii were the only ladies in the place, and. whenever it 
was deemed necessary to organize a sewing society or other ladies' gatherings, it was desirable 
that both should be jiresident in order to have a quorum. Mr. and Mrs. Stowell were blessed 
with tive childi'en; the eldest. Rowena, was the wife of James Hay, now deceased; the second, 
Stata M.. died in childhood; the third, Frances A., is now Mrs. Otis G. Brown, of Whitewater; 
Alida is the wife of William H. Cory, of Milton. Wis.; Charles died when 16 years old. In 
1856, Mr. Stowell moved to Darien. Mrs. StowelFs death occm-red May 8. 1873. Mr. Stowell 
married again, Jan. 27, 1875, his second wife being Mrs. Mary Hughes, of Delavan, who sur- 
vives her husband, who died suddenly of apoplexy, Jan. 27. 1876, his sickness lasting only a few 
miniites. Mr. Stowell was a large-sized, large-hearted man, whom all loved and resjjected that 
knew him; he was a man whose influence was always good; many of his old neighbors are liv- 
ing who love to testify t his many admirable qualities. 

OLIVER G. STOWELL, manufacturer of pumps and wind-mills, was born in Jefferson 
Co., N. Y., town of Antwerji, July 28, 1842; is the son of Guy and Catharine (Stroud) Stowell; 
he learned the tinner's trade, then enlisted, in May, 1861, in the ]st N. Y. A., served one .year, 
and was dischai-ged fcr disability; on his retiarn from the army, he engaged in the hardware 
business at Antwerp, N. Y. ; continued business two years, and, in 1868, moved to Wisconsin; 
stopped at Delavan, where he was married, Feb. 22, to Miss Adelaide Tilden, daughter of Lnke 
Tilden; Mrs. Stowell was born in Oneida Co., N. Y. ; they have one child, Guy; he went to 
Sharon the same year and engaged in the hardware biisiness, which he continued three years; 
he then moved to Delavan and engaged with George W. Baily and Burr Robbins; traveled with 
them three years, then returned to Delavan and engaged in his present business. 

CHARLES H. STURTEVANT, insurance, loan and collection agent, was born in Orange 
Co., Vt., June 3, 1818; is the son of Francis and Jerusha Bartlett Sturtevant; Mr. Sturtevant's 
family were remarkable for longevity and numbers, he being one of the family of eighteen 
chikh'en of the same mother, eight of whom are living at this date, foiu' being over 70 years of 
age; some of his ancestors lived to lie over lOt) years old. In the spring of 1837, Mr. Sturte- 
vant sought his fortunes in the West, making his home at Chicago until 1841, when he moved 
to Delavan, Wis., and has resided here since; he learned the cari^enter and joiner's trade, which 
he worked at for a few years, then engaged in the carriage and wagon making business in com- 
pany with the late Willard Isham for several years; next was a merchant eight years, then, with 
Mr. Isham, built a carriage-shop, and followed that business from 1801 to 1869, since which 
time he has been in the insm'ance and collecting business; he rejiresents the following compa- 
nies: The Phcenix, of Hartford; North British Mercantile, London Assurance, and the Water- 
town, of New York. He was married, in Darien, September, 1842, to Miss Prudence Keeler, 
daughter of Peter M. Keeler; they had six children, four of whom are living; the oldest, Sarah, 
is the widow of George Martin, of Delavan; Charles M. man'ied Bertha Dike, and lives at Dela- 
van; Helen IT. is an assistant teacher of the Delavan High School: Francis W. married Marian 



HISTORY OF WAJ. WORTH COUNTY. 725 

Miil)ie; two were lost in childhood — Azel uud Mary L. Mrs. Stnrtevaut died in October, 1855. 
Mr. Sturtevant was miUTied, in Allegany Co., N. Y., Januaiy, 18-47, to Miss Amanda Brown, 
daughter of Orlando Brown; Mi's. Stnrtevant was born in the State of New York: four children 
were born to them — Harry B., giadnated at the State University in the class of 18(S(), and is a 
civil engineer in the employ of the Chicago & North-Western Railroad; James B. is at Still- 
water. Minn.; J. Lou is a student at the State I^niv(>rsity; the youngest, Jack L., is at home. 
Mr. Stnrtevant has been Chairman of Dolavan two terms; was one of the five County Commis- 
sionei-s of Walworth County one term, and was elected to the Wisconsin Legislature of 1<S63; 
he was one of the signers of the call for the first anti-slavery (convention ever held in the State, 
which convention was calleil ami held at Delavau in 1843. Jeduthan Sj)ooner presiding. 

W. WAKHEN STUKTEVANT. farmer; P. O. Delavan; has a farm of 145 acres, situated 
on See. 12, town of Darien. The subject of this sketch was born in West Fairlee, Orange Co., 
Vt., Mai-ch y, 1832; is the son of Francis and .lerusha (Bartlett) Stnrtevant; he came to Wis- 
consin in 1843 and located in 1 he village of Delavan, Walworth Co.; for the succeeding ten 
years, was engaged as a builder and merchant: he then devoted his attention to farming: his 
farm lying adjacent to the village, he has ojierated it withoiit changing his place of residence. 
He wasman'ied, in Darien, Wis., Sept. 30, 1S()2. to Mary E. Kay, daughter of Henry M. Ray and 
sister of W. Augustus Ray, of Chicago: Jlrs. Stnrtevant w-as l)orn in Delaware Co., N. Y., and 
came to Wisconiu with her parents in lNy2; they have three children, two sons and one daugh- 
ter; the eldest son, Ray, aged 20 years, is a resident of Chicago: the younger son. J. Shep, and 
daughter. Susie, aged 9 yeai's. are at home. Mi\ Stnrtevant has never been an office-seeker, but 
has always been active in politics; ever since the organization of the Republican party, he has 
been a member and Chairman of the Town Committee, and has fi'eqnently served as delegate 
in Republic conventions. 

JOHN W. SWILER, Superintendent of the Institution for the Education of the Deaf and 
Dmnb; received his apjiointment in 1880, the month of June; he was born in Cumberland Co., 
Penn.. Dee. 14. 1844: is the son of Christopher and Mary Swiler; he moved to Monmouth, 111., 
with his parents in 1852. and was educated in Monmouth College, graduating in 18fi4: he spent 
two years in commercial pursuits, being engaged in the book trade; in 1867. moved to Jackson- 
ville. 111., where he was em])loyed as teacher in the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb at that 
place, a position which he held until June. 1880, when he was appointed to his ]iresent ])osi- 
tion; during the last four years of his stay in Jacksonville, he was Professor of the Mathe- 
matics of that institution; since entering u]>on his duties at the Delavan Institute, Mr. Swiler 
has, by close attention to the many im])ortant duties of his office, and by a conscientious dis- 
cheU'ge of the obligations devolving upon him, proven himself a comjietent and trustworthy offi- 
cer. He was married, in Spring Grove Church. Des Moines Co., Iowa, June U, iSfiO. to Sliss 
Hattie Chandler, only child of George and Matilda Chandler: they have two chilih'en — Ruth 
and George. 

AARON H. TAGGART. deceased. He was l)orn in Greenwich. Washington Co.. N. Y.. 
Dec. 30. ISK); he cam(> to Wisconsin Ten'itory in 1837. and located at Delavan, Walworth Co. ; 
he engaged in the mercantile business with Mr. George Passage in the summer of 1842, under 
the tu-m name of Taggart & Passage; they built a small brick building, in which they did busi- 
ness, which was the first brick store in the town: it is still standing; this business connection 
lasted seven years: he was subsequently engaged in farming; about 1856, he moved to his fann, 
in the southern limits of the village, where he resided until his death, which occiUTed April 25, 
1^74. Mr. Taggart was man-led, at Delavan, Sept. 1, LS46. to Miss Martha PlKenix. daughter 
of Henry Pluenix: i\Irs. Taggart was born in Troopsburg. N. Y., and came to Delavan witli her 
parents in June, 1838; th(>y had seven children -Sarah A.. Henry H., Ada E., George M., Will- 
iam ]'., Louis H. and Fred H.--all of whom are living but Sarah A., who died ftlay 3, 1874, 
aged 27 years. Mr.s. Taggart still resides on the farm, where she has 155 acres of land, lying 
partly within the village limits. Mr. Taggart was a good business man, and well thought of in 
the community; he was a member of the Village IJoard; was active in encouraging the building 
of the Racine & Mississii)])i Railroad; h(> was a man po.ss(wsed of great moral as well as ]ihys- 
ical courage, and never failed to s])eak boldly and ])laiiily his opinion on all subjects; had gi'eat 
rosolutiim and determination in carrying out any project in which he was interested; was Treas- 



726 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

urei- of the first Board of Deaf and Dumb Institute, aud largely interested in the building of 
plank roads, being stoekliolder and member of board in the company: also interested in getting 
first telegraph line from Racine to Delavan, office being in his store, the operator being one of 
the clerks. Henry Briggs, the first operator in Delavan. IMi-. Taggart was one of the prime 
movers in establishing the first jn'inting-press in Delavan. 

LUKE TAYLOR, one of Walworth County's early pioneers, was Isorn in Byron, Genesee 
Co.. N. Y., Dec. 15, ISO'J; was brought up a farmer: while yet a young man, traveled through 
Michigan and Indiana: retm-ned to New York, where he was married, in 1884, to Susan An- 
drews, daughter of Dr. John Andi'ews: soon after their marriage, they emigrated to Wisconsin 
and located at Racine, in May, 1835; remaining in Racine only a short time, they moved to 
Gardner's Prairie in the fall of 1830, and from there to Delavan, Walworth Co., inthe spring 
of 1837, and built a log house just north of the present pond; his daughter, T. Amelia, now 
Mrs. Byron Brown, of Whitewater, was the first white child born in Delavan, Oct. 12, 1837, 
within the present boundai'ies. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor lost foiu- childi-en in childhood; one 
daughter, Mrs. Alex. McGinty, died aged 22 years; one son, George L., man'ied Maggie Flan- 
ders, resides in Minnesota. Mrs. Taylor died in 1854. Mr. Taylor spent two years in Cali- 
fornia; returned to Delavan, and, Dec. 23, 1861. he enlisted in Co. I, 13th W. V. I., and served 
till November. 1862; he is now a resident of Milwaukee. 

NICHOLAS THORNE, dealer in horses, was born in Poughkeepsie, Dutchess Co., N. Y., 
May 24, 1825: is the son of Nicholas aud Eliza Thorn. When only a lad of 17 years, he 
shipped on a whale-ship, from Greenport, L. I., and when 20 years of age he had crossed the 
Equator four times; spent two years in the whaler, then shipped in a packet-ship sailing be- 
tween New York and New Orleans, and New York and Liverpool: during his six years of sea- 
faring life, he visited many strange countries, and gratified his love of travel and acquired con- 
siderable knowledge of foreign lauds, both civilized and barbaric. In 1848, he left the sea 
and came to Wisconsin, and purchased a fine farm of 322 acres near Delavan Lake, Walworth 
County; in 1855, he sold out and returned to the East; he spent five years traveling with the 
Mabie Circus and Inlying horses; about 1870, he wont to Marshalltown, Iowa, where he was 
engaged in the horse business: in the fall of 1875, he retm-ned to Delavan, and has since made 
that village his home. He was man'ied, at Beloit, Wis., in May, 1858, to Miss Maria Gaston, 
daughter of M. B. Gaston; Mrs. Thorn was born in Auburn, N. Y. ; they have foiu- children — 
Harry P., Amie, William and Maria L. Mr. Thorn has served as Constable six years, and Mar- 
shal of Delavan four years. 

REV. HENRY TOPPING, deceased, was born at Charleston, Montgomery Co., N. Y., 
March 14, 1804; he was the son of Jared and Sarah Topping; was educated at the common 
schools of his day. and by private instruction; in early manhood, he engaged in teaching school, 
and subsequently became a merchant of Leesville, Schoharie Co., N. Y. He was man-ied, at 
Sloansville, of the same county, Dec. 31. 1828. to Miss Nuel Van Doren. daughter of William 
Van Doren; she was liorn in Sloansville. Mr. Topping was ordained a minister of the Gospel 
of the Regular Baptist Chiu-ch at Leesville, in 1835, and served as pastor of that chui'ch till 
1889; being a man of deep convictions of religious faith, full of zeal in his calling, he- became 
impressed with the belief that it was his duty to devote himself to missionary work inthe fi-ont- 
ier settlements of the country; haping fi'iends in Walworth Co., Wis., he came hither with his 
family, and took up 80 acres of laud on Turtle Prairie; very shortly after his ai-rival at his new 
home, he was visited by the Phoenix brothers, of Delavan, who had been hojjing for such an 
acquisition to their little colony; they being favorably impressed with his earnest Christian zeal, 
at once invited him to fill the pulpit of the Baptist Church at that place; he accepted the prop- 
osition and liecame the pastor of that chm-ch, being the first regulai-ly established minister at 
Delavan; two years after his an-ival in Walworth County, he moved to the village of Delavan 
(1841): in addition to his regular- charge, he performed the duties of missionary in adjoining 
tovms and counties, where he did substantial work in his holy calling: in 1845, he was called 
to take charge of the church at East Delavan and the clnu'ch in the town of Walworth, and con- 
tinued his labors in that field till his health again failed him: in 1850, he moved with his fam- 
ily to Delton, Sauk Co., where he was engaged in mercantile business, and, as his health per- 
mitted, performed the duties of minister of the Gosjtel; he remained at Delton seven years, and 



HISTORY OV WAl. WORTH COUNTY. '^i 

then returned to Delavati, where he engaged in the mercantile business with his sons, continu- 
ing this Imsiness till 1M)7: he moved with his family to the extreme southern limits of Illinois, 
in the vicinity of Cairo: here he engaged in the growing of small fruit for two years; tinding 
the climate iinhealthful, ho again moved, this time to Franklin, Ottawa Co., Kan., where he 
resided till the time of his death, which occurred Nov. 20, 1870; he loft a family of four chil- 
dren — Chiirles H., now senior member of the firm of Topping & Co., of Delavan; Hairiet N., 
now the wife of Mr. S. R. La Bar. of the town of Delavan; Marshall, now book-keeper of the 
firm of Topping & Co.; Emma, now Mrs. M. W. Elmore, of Ottawa. Kan. His wife, Mrs. 
Nuel To[>ping. died Oct. 11. 1880. Mr. Toi)ping was a man of advanced opinions on the great 
moral questions of temperance and anti-slavery, and throughout his life was an enthusiastic and 
able champion of these two important subj('('ts; the commencement of his eit'orts in behalf of 
temperance and freedom dates back to the year 1825; he was a man of warm impulses, rigid in 
his views on the subjects of morality and sobriety, without being unkind or imcharitable; he 
was a man whose influence was always good, and who commanded the esteem and confidence of 
his fellow-citizens of all classes. 

CHARLES H. TOPPING, merchant. Delavan, is a native of Charleston, Montgomery Co., 
N. Y. : is the son of Rev. Henry and Nuel Van Doren Topping; was born May 27, 1830; he 
came to Wisconsin with his parents in 1830, and made his home in Walworth Coimty; in 1851, 
he began business for himself as a merchant in Delton, Sauk Co.. Wis.; continued business 
there until 1857. when he moved to Delavan and engaged in mercantile busiaesswith his father 
and brother; seven years later, his father and himself withdrew, and Mr. S. R. La Bar was 
taken as partner: the business was continued until 1807. when it was closed up; he then accom- 
panied his father to Southern Illinois, where two years were spent in fruit-growing: from there 
he went to Ottawa. Kan., and was engaged in nursery business; he returned to Delavan and re- 
established himself as a merchant at this place under the old firm name of C. H. Topping & Co. 
Ml-. Topping was married, at Sharon Springs. N. Y., April 10, 1855, to Miss Mary, daughter 
of James Parsons; Mrs. Topping was bom at Sharon Sjirings; they have five sons; Henry, the 
oldest, was admitted a member of the firm of C. H. Topping & Co. (the firm name is now 
changed to Topping & Son) February. 1881: the youngest sons are James P.. Wandell, Alliert 
R. and Louis. The house of C. H. Topping & Son are extensive dealers in dry goods. car])ets 
and ladies' fine shoes, and cany an average stock of i^20.(tOO. 

PETER TRINEN. manufactiu-er of and dealer in boots and shoes. The subject of this 
sketch was born in Prussia. Germany. April 19, 1846; is the son of John and Annie Trinen; 
he began learning the shoemakers trade in his native country; came to America in 18()7, and 
located in Racine. Wis.; shortly afterward, moved to Salem, Kenosha Co.. where he worked at 
his trade one year; he then moved to Geneva, Walworth Co.: worked there till May, 1800, when 
he came to Delavan: worked as a journeyman till 1871, when lie engaged in his present Imsi- 
ness; he was married, in Delavan, Jan. 14, 1874, to Miss Eliza Hagoman, daughter of Theo- 
dore Hageman; Mrs. IVinen was born in Germany, and came to America when 2 years of age; 
they have two children, daughters — Gertrude and Caroline. 

HORACE W. UTLEY. of the firm of Lowe & Utley, projjrietors of Delavan meat market 
and dealers in live stock, successors to Hollister & Co.. commenced business Dec. 5. 1881. The 
subject of this sketch was born in the town of Richmond. Walworth Co., Wis., Nov. ('), 18(Jl; 
is the son of Edward and Caroline Utloy. In 1809, he moved with his parents to Delavan; 
shortly after, moved to Nebraska, where his father was engaged in stock-growing; remained in 
Nebraska throe years, and then return(>d to Delavan, where he attended school till 1S75; he then 
engaged in the meat market business with his father: continued this business about five and a 
half years, when they sold out; was out of business from that time till Dec. 5. 1881, when he 
fonned a partner.shij) with Mr. Lowe in their present business. Mr. Ftley was married, at 
Delavan, Nov. 15, 18S1. to Miss Katie Crosby, daughter of Nelson ('rosby; Mrs. Utley was born 
in Delavan. Mr. T'tley's fath(>r was a i)ioneor of the town of RichmoTid, having settled there 
in 1839. where he still o\vns a farm, whilti he resides in the viUage of Delavan. 

S.\MUEL UTTER, farmer. Sec. 2(); P. O. East Delavan; has Kit acres: was born in Wash- 
ington Co., N. Y., Jan. 23, 1807: is the son of Abraham and Marilda I'tter: was brought up a 
farmer; when 20 years of age, went to Castile, Genesee Co.. where he liv(>d till September. 



728 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

1843. when he moved to Delavan, Wis., and made bis home on the farm which he now occupies. 
He was married. Feb. 23, 1832, to Charlotte Ferris; they had two children, who died in child- 
hood. Mrs. Utter died Sept. 26. 1840. Mr. Utter was niarriod a.,'ain, in Ca.stile. Sept. 9, 1841, 
to Harriet A. Winston, daughter of John Winston; Mrs. Utter was born in Chenango Co., N. 
Y. ; they had three children born to them — Amanda, Loretta and John W. ; Amanda is Mrs. 
John S. Spencer, of Cook Co.. 111. ; Loretta died at 3 years of age; John W. married Ella Vir- 
gil, and lives in town of Delavan. Mr. Utter has never been desirous of public office, but has 
served his town (Delavan), three or four terms as Supervisor; during the many years of his 
residence in Delavan. he has won the esteem and confidence of his neighbors and fellow-citi- 
zens as an upright, honoraV)le man. 

JOHN UTTER, dealer in live stock. He was born in Washington Co.. N. Y., Nov. 1. 
1825; is the sou of Abram and Marilda Utter; when 2 or 3 years of age. he accompanied his 
parents to Castile. Wyoming Co.. where he was brought up a farmer. In the spring of 1856, 
he emigrated to Wisconsin and settled in the town of Delavan, See. 35, where he had a fine 
farm of 200 acres; he sold out and moved to Delavan Village in 1871; was engaged in millincf 
one year with Mr. Amos Phelps; he was next engaged in the grocery business; sold out to Mr. 
Wilbur, and coatinued in the wool aad stock business, in which he had been operating in con- 
nection with the other business; he has dealt in and handled stock for the past twenty-four 
years. He was married, in Wyoming Co., N. Y., May 2, 1848, to Miss Louisa Lapham, daugh- 
ter of Wiusor Lapham; Mrs. Utter was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y.; they have two children — 
Eva M. and Floyd W., one a resident of Delavan, Wis., and the other of Chicago, 111. 

RICHARD VAN ALSTINE. deceased, was born in Albany, N. Y., in 1824; was a shoe- 
maker by trade. He was married, in Sloansville, N. Y., to Miss Maria L. Snyder, daughter of 
John Snyder; Mrs. Van Alstine was born in the State of New York; four children were born to 
them; the eldest, (xeorge H. . died when 3 years of age; Clarence E. resides at Delavan, Wis.; 
Richard married Miss Fanny Dobbin and lives at Edsou, Chippewa Co., Wis. ; the youngest, Mary, 
is now Mrs. A. L. Hathaway, of Bloomington, 111. Mr. Van Alstine emigrated to Delavan, Wis- 
consin in the spring of 1850, where he engaged in the boot and shoe business; he continued in 
that business about six years, and then devoted his attention to farming and dealing in real 
estate, which business he followed to the time of his death, which occurred June 22, 1878. 

CLARENCE E. VAN ALSTINE, farmer; P. O. Delavan; is the son of Richard and Maria 
L. Van Alstine; was born in Sloansville, Schoharie Co., N. Y., Sept. 20, 184',); came to Dela- 
van, Wis., with his jiarents in the spring of 1850. where he has resided to this date; he has a 
large farm uu Sec. 27, town of Delavan, which he manages, but resides in the village. See 
sketch of Richard Van Alstine, elsewhere in this work. 

W. C. VAN VELZER. of the firm of Van Velzer Bros., cigar manufacturers, was born in 
Hudson, Walworth Co.. Wis., Dec. 18, 1847; is the son of Philander Van Velzer; has served 
as Deputy Sherifl'and Constable since 1876; in 1877. he became interested with his brother in 
the cigar business; their factory turns out 200.000 cigars annually, and gives employment to 
six hands; among their most popular brands are La Pluma, Cash, Dart and King Charles; W. 
C, not lieing a practical cigar man, does the traveling ami outside work, in addition to his offi- 
cial duties. He was married, Nov. 12, 1872, at East Delavan, to Ella, the adopted daughter 
of L. Wilcox; her family name was Bradley; they have two children — Millie C. and Ferdi- 
nand P. 

FERDINAND P. VAN VELZER, of the firm of Van Velzer Bros., cigar-manufactixrers, 
was born in Hudson, now Lyonsdale, Wis., Sept. 12, 1852; is the son of Philander and Pru- 
dence Van Velzer; in 1875, he began learning the cigar-maker's trade at (!lintou. Wis. ; served 
two yeai's, and then came to Delavan, and, in company with his brothers, started their first cigar 
factory. 

DR. FREDERICK LUDWIG VON SUESSMILCH-HOERNIG was born at Wm-zen, 
Saxony, Oct. 26, 182(.'; when a few weeks old, went with his father, who was an officer in the 
army, to Dresden; when 12 yeai's old, went to the Gymnasium of Grimma; his father being 
transferred to Leipzig, he also went, and was a student of the Nichulai College; from there his 
father was transferred to Bautzen as commander of the district called Lusatia; there he finished 
his college education, graduated May, 1843, and went to Leipzig to study medicine, and in 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 729 

1845 went to the Royal Surgical and !\[edioal Collei^e at Dresden, and passed his exam- 
ination in tlio spring of 1848: from there he went to Wnerzbiu'g, but, being on the Re])ublican 
side, arraigned against his family, all officers iind Royalists, he considered it better to go to 
America, which he did Sept. 12, 1848; arriving in Now York, he sjient some time without any 
particular aim, and then came to Milwaukee, Wis.; after a short sojourn in the city, he went to 
Materford. Racine Co., where he formed a partnership with Dr. Flanhardt in the practice of 
medicine; not having then acciuired a Iniowledge of the English language, he only remained a 
few months, and returned to Milwaukee, where he was assistant of Dr. Frederick August Luen- 
ing for nearly two yeai's; in 1850, he went to Burlington, Racine Co., and entered upon the 
practice of his jirofession: from there he went, with Mn: John Bruce, in July, 1851, to Darien, 
Walworth Co.: after jiracticing eleven months at that [)lace, he moved t(j Delavan, where he has 
resided ever since. He was married, in April, 1852, at Dai'ien, to Miss Caroline Older, daugh- 
ter of John D. and Laiu'a Older: they had two children — Charles Frederick and Amelia May; 
his wife died April, 1857: he married again, to Miss Francis Maria Stowell, daughter of Guy 
O. and Catharine O. Stowell, of Antwerj), Jefl'erson Co., N. Y. : they have six childi-en living — 
Charles Guy, Charlotte Amelia, Katharine Hedwig, Ernest Liidwig, George Oliver Otto and 
Henrietta Theresa: the second wife died Oct. 11, 188(>. Dr. F. L. Von Su.essmilcli is the son of 
Karl Frederick Von Suessmilch Hoernig, who was a General in the Saxon army at the time of 
his death: the mother's maiden name was Charlotte Amelia Mai. The Doctor has served nine 
years as Trustee of the village of Delavan, and one year as its President; has been sixteen years 
Treasiu-er of the School Board, and was twice appointed Notary Public. Dr. Von Siiessmilch 
is widely and favorably known as a skillful j)hysician and surgeon, loved and trusted by his 
friends, respected and feared by his enemies: he is the owner of several tine farms, aggregating 
5()() acres, situated in the town of Delavan. 

JOHN M. WALKER, f;u-mer. Sec. 10; P. O. Di'lavan: has 80 acres of land; was born in 
Wyoming Co., N. Y., July 13, 1881: is the son of John and Margaret Walker: was l)rought up 
a farmer; when 18 years of age, .learned the molder's ti-ade in Livingston Co., N. Y,; 
on becoming of age, he went to Vaughn, Canada, where he worked at his trade about thirteen 
years. He was married, in Vaughn, Dec. 29, 1859, to Miss Hannah Kirby, daughter of Nathan- 
iel Kirby: Mrs. Walker was born in Markham, Canada: three childi'en were born to them in 
Canada — ^ Walter W,, Hattie M. and John K. In 1806, Mr, Walker and family emigrated to 
Delavan, Wis.; purchased his present farm on Sec. 10, where he has since resided; three chil- 
dren were born to them in Delavan — Charles H., Durward E. and Edith M. 

ELISHA WELLS, of the firm of W. M. & E.Wells, merchants, Delavan, was born at Al- 
bany, N, Y., Feb. 9, 1841: is the son of Hezekiah and Eliza (Morgan) Wells: he came to Mil- 
waukee, Wis., with his parents in the smnmer of 1842, and to Delavan in January, 1843: was 
admitted a partner in the dry goods business with his father and brother in 1809: since his 
fath(»r's death, Dec. 7, 1869, he has been the junior member of the fu'm of W. M. & E, Wells, 
in the same business; he spent the winter of 1880-81 in Colorado, New Mexico and California, 
returning May I, 1881; he was maiTied. Dec, 10, 1867, at Delavan, to Miss Mari.-i Eddy, daugh- 
ter of the Rev. Chauncey Eddy: JL's. Wells was born in Saratoga, N, Y. : they have two sons — 
Walter A., aged 12 years, and Julius, aged 4 years. 

WALTER M. WELLS, of the tirm of W. M. & E. Wells, merchants of Delavan, was l.ioru 
in Albany, N. Y, June 10, 1829; is the son of Hezekiah and Eliza (Morgan) Wells; he came 
with his i)arents to Wisconsin in 1842: spent a short time inMilwaitkee, and then came to Del- 
avan, January, 1848, where he has continued to reside to this date. In 1S49, he commenced 
business as a miu'chant, being admitted as a partner in the business established by his father 
in 1848: subsetpiently (1S()9), his brother, Elisha, was admitted a member of the firm, and since 
thi^ father's death, Dec. 7, 1869, the business has been conducted by the sons under the firm 
name of W. M. & E. Wells; the house, a first-class dry goods establishment, has been iu exist- 
ence since 1848, ext(>nding ever a period of thirty-eight ye;u's. The subject of this sketch, 
Walter M. Wells, was inarried, at Poultuey, Vt., Sept. 28,' IS70, to Miss Lucretia A. Mallary, 
daughter of Sanniel Mallary; iSIrs. Wells was born in Sandusky, Ohio. From April, 1870, to 
October, 1871, Mi\ Wells was interi^sted iu the stove business at Chicago, in company with Mr, 



730 HLSTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

William A. Barlow: they were burned out in the great lire of that year, since which time Mr. 
Wells has devoted his attention to his business at Delavau. 

WILBUR (j. WEEKS, editor and publisher of the Delavan Republican, of which he be- 
came proprietor in April. 1881: he was born in the town of Spring Prairie, Walworth Co., 
March 23, 1859: is the son of Samnel and Charlotte Vantine Weeks: began learning the printer's 
trade in the office of the Elkhorn Iiidcpeiident, where he spent one year; then went to Waukesha 
and was employed two years on the Waukesha Democrat: having served a regular apprentice- 
ship at the business, he nest engaged as jom-neyman on the Milwaukee Soitiiiel. where he was 
employed one year: he was subsequently employed as compositor in other offices in the State 
until 1880, when he came to Delavan, and was foreman of the Enterprise office from December, 
1880, till April, 1881, when he bought out the Republican office: under his management, the 
paper is making good progress, having a subscription list of 700. 

SAMUEL P. WILBER, grocer, was born in Schoharie, Schoharie Co,, N. Y., Aug. 2(5, 
1839: }8 the son of Martin and Permilia Wilber; he came to Wisconsin with his parents in 
1847, and located at Clinton, Rock Co., where he was brought up on a farm, and continued in 
that business until 1874, when he sold om and engaged in the grocery business at Delavan, with 
Ml'. S. G. Allen: the following year, he moved his family to Delavan, where he has aince re- 
sided; he continued his connection with Mi-. Allen two years, then sold out. and was out of 
business about one year: he then started in the same business with Mr. J. R. Williams, under 
the style of Wilber & Williams; two years later, he liought out his partner, since which time he 
has carried on the lousiness alone. He was married, in Allen's Grove. Wis.. Nov. 28, 1865, to 
Miss Sarah M. Allen, daughter of Philip and Cai'oline Allen; Mrs. Wilber is a native of Roches- 
ter, N. Y. 

L. H. WILLIS, farmer. Sec. 23; P. O. Delavan; he has 240 acres of land: settled in the 
county in 1840: he was born in Sparta. Livingston Co.. N. Y., June 14, 1817, son of William 
and Elizabeth Hoyt Willis: his gi'andfather on his mother's side was a soldier of the Revolu- 
tion; was promoted captain for meritorious conduct, and served through the seven years' 
struggle for independence: when 8 years of age, L. H. Willis went to Wyoming County, where 
he remained until 17 yeais old; he then retm-ned to Sparta, where he resided until 1840; in 
August of that year, he came to Walworth Co., Wis., and made his home in the town of Delavau, 
on his present fann. which has been his home to this date. He was married, in Pennsylvania, 
in May, 1842. to Miss Mary M. Bowers, daughter of Orsemus Bowers; Mrs. AVillis was born in 
Cayuga Co., N. Y. ; they had seven children, of whom five are living — Ai-thur, Sarah, Charles, 
George and Hattie; one son, named Charles, died at the age of 2 years: William R. was mar- 
ried to Cynthia Paddock, and died aged 27 years; one child died in infancy; Ai'thiu- man-ied 
Amelia Esterly, and lived in Ottawa, Kan. ; Sarah is the wife of Charles E. Howe, of Wauke- 
gan, 111.; Charles married Ann Irons and lives in Harvey Co., Kan.; George married Flora 
Williams and lived in Geneva, Wis. Mr. Willis lost his wife in 1871, her death occm-ring July 
5; he was married to his present wife, Elizabeth Adi'iance, daughter of Jacob Adriance, Aug. 
21, 1872, in Scipio, N, Y. ; Mi-s. Willis is a native of that town. Mr. Willis has served as Su- 
pervisor of Delavan foiu- years; served as Assessor two years; has been a member of the Baptist 
Church for more than fifty yeai's, and took the lead in forming the Baptist Church in East Del- 
avan in 1845; he took the lead in forming the school district in East Delavan, and was kept on 
the School District Board for thirty years; he served as Justice of the Peace for twenty years; 
he has always been called upon to take the lead in every imjjortant measiu-e that has oc<;mTe<i 
in town; he commenced life without any property. In politics, he is a Republican; helped 
organize that party in Delavan. and has voted the ticket ever since. Mr. and Mi-s. Willis are 
members of the Baptist Church. 

HEZEKIAH WELLS, deceased, was born at Milford, Conn., Dec. 24, 1796; was married, 
at Albany, N. Y. to Mary Eliza Morgan; was born Sept. 28. 1802, died Nov. 30. 1854. Mi-. 
Wells was engaged in the mercantile Imsiness at Albany, N. Y., twenty years, then removed to 
Milwaukee. Wis.. October, 1842, and for a short time kept a hotel, then known as the Milwau- 
kee House, which was situated .on Wisconsin street, near where the custom house now stands; 
the following January, he removed to Delavan, 1843, and commenced business again as a mer- 
chant, having the only store in the place. He was married again, June 11, 1855, at Delavan, 



HISTORY or WAT-WOKTII COUNTY. 731 

Wis., to Mary (AFoor) Hniitington, wlio was born at Woodstock t'oiin.. Oct. S, ]S09: she is still 
li«ng at Dclavaii. Mr. Wells l)ecame a communicant of the Protestant Episcopal Church in 
Albany wlien a young man, and continued an active and consistent chiu-chman to the close of 
his life: he was instrumental in oreranizinsj Christ's Church at Delavan in JN44, and was chosen 
one of its Wardens, and hold the office till the time of his death; he had eight children, all born 
of the first marriage; the eldest, Minot Morgan Wells, was a clergyman of the Episcopal Church; 
ho was man-ied, at Sin": Sino;, N. Y., to Emma Hott'mau; liis death occurred Oct. 15, 1873; Henry 
died Jan. 12, 1849; Walter Morgan married Lucretia Adams, of Poultney, Vt., and is at this 
date a merchant of Delavan; Lyman R. died Nov. 25, 1837; Sarah B. died Jan. 11, 1854; 
Spencer li. is a Congregational clergyman, late missionary to India: married Mary Seiper, of 
Atlanta, 111., now residing at Delavan; Elisha married Maria W. Eddy, of Delavan. and is now 
a merchant of this place: William A. is deceased. Mr. Wells continued business at Delavan 
till the time of his death. Dec. 7, 1869, being 73 years of age. 

H. H. WILLIAjNIS, born in Dublin, Ireland, 1815; served an apprenticeship of six years to 
a Liverjtool watch manufactm-er: settled in Delavan, Wis., May, 1840; bought Lot 8, Block 12; 
erected the first store on Block 12, and opened the first jewelry store in Delavan in June, 1849, 
and carries on the same business now, in connection with his son, Howard Williams. He was 
married, in Ireland, to Jane CmTan; sis children were born to them: the eldest daughter, Susie, 
is the wife of C. P. James, of Beloit, Kan. : the eldest son, Henry, is married, and lives at Bon- 
ham, Texas; the second daughter. Ella, is teaching at the Blairsville Ladies" Seminary, Penn- 
sylvania: Jennie lives with her parents at Delavan: Robert married Gracia Marsh, and lives at 
Burlington, Kan. : Nettie is the wife of Rev. I. J. Atwood, of Oberlin. Ohio, a Congregational 
minister, destined to sei-ve as a missionary to China. Mr. Williams" first wife died, and he 
married IVIrs. A. A. Cui'tiss. daughter of P. M. Keeler; three sons were born of this marriage, 
the first dying in infancy; the second son. Howard, is associated with his father in the jewelry 
business; the youngest. Ed. F.. is in the Citizens" Bank of Delavan as Assistant Cashier. 

A. J. WOODBURY, dealer in books, stationeiy and fancy goods, successor to D. L. Shader, 
who established the busiaess in 1871. The ])resent proprietor purchased the establishment 
Aug. 1, 1878. Ml-. Woodbiu-y was born in McHem-y Co., Ill, near McHeniy. July 9, 1846; 
is the son of William H. and Allura B. Woodbury. Mi-. Wood bm-y resided in his native county 
till 1867. when he came to Delavan and engaged in the drug business, which he continued one 
year, when he was ap])ointed Steward of the Institute for the Deaf and Dumb, and sm-ved 
in that capacity fi-om 1870 to 1878. He was man-ied, at Delavan, Aug. 9, 1873, to Miss Alice 
Jacobs; they have two children — Ida L. and Ethel L. 




732 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 



TOWN OF DARIEN. 

ORGANIZATION. 

When, by act of the Territorial Legislature, approved January 2, 1838, the town of Dela- 
van was created, consisting of four townships, the one now forming Darien was among the 
number. By an act approved January (3, 1840, Town 2 north, in Range 15 east, was formed 
into a separate town, by the name of Darien, from a town of the same name in New York, from 
which most of the early settlers came. The surface of the town is generally quite level, the 
greater portion of the rolling land being near the central and northern part. 

TOPOGRAPHY. 

The soil is of excellent quality throughout, being easy of cultivation and highly product- 
ive. The town is very fairly timbered with the various varieties indigenous to this part of the 
State. The inhabitants are mostly Americans, with a small admixture of other nationalities. 
The population of 1875 was 1,442; it is now 1,394. 

The Turtle Creek, the largest and most important stream in the town, enters on Section 13, 
and, after a circuitous bend, piassea through the town soixth and westerly, leaving it on Section 
18. This stream fiu'nishes some water-piower, but it is too level to be of superior valne as such. 
Muzzy Creek enters on Section 33 and flows a little to the northwest, leaving the town on Sec- 
tion 3l, and empties into the Turtle in Rock County. Spring Brook Creek enters on Section 31 
and leaves the town on the same section, em|)tying into the Muzzy in Rock County. For some 
distance on either side of the Turtle is considerable marsh laud, and also in the southwestern 
pai-t of the town, in the vicinity of the Muzzy and Spring Brook Creeks. Tiu-tle Prairie, so 
called from the creek of the same name, extends across the town east and west, a little south of 
the center, the others Ijeing Ridge Prairie, in the northeast; Rock Prairie, in the northwest; Hazie 
Prairie, on Section 13, and Blooming' Prairie, north of and near the center. The original oak 
openings were in the north and northeast part of the town. There are still existing a few of 
the Indian mounds, supposed to have been built \>y the ancient Mound-Builders, but these are 
of small size and almost undiscernible. These are principally on Section 18. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

The town of Darien was first settled by Christopher Chesebro and E. Belding, who came in 
April, 1837 — the former from Otsego County, N. Y., the latter from Hadley, Mass. Mr. Chese- 
bro settled on Section 14, built a house, broke a few acres of land, and planted corn, beans and 
a few other vegetables. Mr. Belding located on Section 11, and also broke a few acres of land. 
He is now a resident of Delavan. !^Ir. Chesebro died in the sjiring of 1839, his death being the 
first in town. At the time of their coming to the town of Darien, both of these [lioneer settlers 
were- unmarried. Next came N. S. Comstock, fi'om Delaware County, N. Y. , on horseback, the 
date of his advent being May 28, and the locality of his settlement Section 7. After erecting a 
log,^house, he broke twenty acres of land and retm-ned to New York for his family. Being pos- 
sessed of some money, MJr. Comstock escaped many of the hard " rubs " which most of the pio- 
neers were obliged to endure. A. W. Maxson, now of Janesville, fiu'nishes further interesting 
information of the settlers of 1837 and 1838, in the following words : " Joseph Maxson, a native 
of Rhode Island, settled in Allegany County, N. Y. , in 1804. He was then seventeen years of 
age, and his worldly wealth consisted of a scanty wardrobe and 2 cents in money. He sold his 
only p)air of shoes for an ax, and, going eight miles into the wilderness, cleared himself a farm 
— the site of the present village of Centerville. (The old ax and one of these cents are still 
kept by his son as jireeious relics. ) In the spring of 1837, he took his sou, A. W. Maxson, then 
seventeen years of age, the old ax for which ho traded his shoes in 1804, a few tools, and, with 
one horse and a wagon, started for Wisconsin. He anived on Turtle Prairie May 29. It was 
then in full bloom, and covered with wild flowers. Locating on Section 18, they cut the sod 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 733 

from tbo jn'iiirio wiUi an as, and ])lant-('d hivins and melons. Soon after they were locati>d in 
their now home, the father fell from his horse, and, striking; a stone, broke live of his ribs. 
His son, with the assistanc^e of two young mt>u (William Moore and Hiram Kiugsley), who had 
that <lay arrived from Illinois, undertook the duties of surgeou and nurse. They bled him with 
a jack-knife, buckled a strap around his body, and in throe weeks he assisted in building their 
cabin, cutting the lirst tree with the same old ax which cut th(> first tree in Centerville in 18(H. 
Itemaining about a month, he went back to New York for more supplies. Moore and Kiugsloy 
then broke a few acres of land on Sections ."> and lU, sowing part of it to buckwheat. They re- 
turned to Illinois, leaving thi' croj) in charge of yoimg Maxson. He cut it with a cradle, con- 
structed of a grass scythe and a few oak branches, threshinl it on the ground, allowed the wind 
to clean it, and th(>n ground it in a eott'ee-mill. This was the tirst grain raised in the town of 
Dju'ieii. In the month of June, John Lippett, Gyi-us Lii)]>ett, John Bruce, Salmon Thomas and 
Trumbell D. Thomas arrived. Soon after, a child of Mr. Thomas' died, and Mrs. Thomas gave 
birth to a child — Alfred W., since District Attorney, the first white child born in the town of 
Darien. In the fall of 1887, Benjamin Moore arrived with a large family. William Carter 
came in December and built a log house on Section 1^1, which was bm-ned the following spring 
by i)rairie tires. In the spring of 1838, Amos Older settled on the same section, his father, a 
gray-haired old man, accomjianying him. During the winter also came Austin Maxson, from 
the State of New York, walking the entire distance to Wisconsin. At this time, the largest 
wild animals were wolves and deer, although a lynx and a panther are said to have been killed. 
Mills had not been built, and the settlers went to Dundee, 111., to have their grain ground. The 
tirst saw-mill was built by Joseph Maxson and his son A. W., in 184^1, and was replaced in 1850 
by a grist-mill, also erected by them." 

Salmon Thomas, with his family, and his brother, Tnmibull D.. moved into the present 
town of Darien in June, 1837. Mr. Thomas' brother had made his claim in the fall of 1836, 
and paid a man to put a log house on it, but when the family arrived they found the logs 
rolled up and covered, but no door or windows. They were obliged to cut a door through before 
they could get in. 

The most prominent settlers who came to the town of Darien previcjus to 1841 are as fol- 
lows: In the spring of 1838, O. W. Carter, Jr., Leandor Dodge. Jacob S. (Jook. Jacob A. Sea, 
Lyman and Loreu K. Jones, Asher Johnson, Hiram A. Johnson, Jared Fox and Charles Ells- 
worth in the summer and fall of 1838: William and C. HoUister, in the sjn-ing, and Ebenezer 
Chesobro, Elijah Belden, Rev. Mr. Kingsley, John V. Walker, Hugh Long and Chester D. 
Long in June of 183'.); Nicholas Perry and two sons, Jabez B. Chesebro, Lyman H. Seaver, 
William A. Waterhou.se. Alvah Johnson. Joseph Wilkins and Robert Lawson in the summer 
and fall of 1839: Archibald Woodard. John Curtis, Lemuel Hollister. Elisha JlcCollister, Will- 
iam G. Mayhaw. Jasper Griggs, Hiram A. Stou(>. John Wilkins. M. Wootlhull and Robert A. 
Houston in 1840. 

Of these persons. W. E. Chesebvo. Cyrus Li]>]iett, William and Orange W. Carter. Hiram 
A. Johnson, Chester D. Long. Alvah Johnson, Cyrenius and William Hollister, and Salmon 
Thomas, are still residents of Darien. while Nicholas S. Comstock, Joseph Maxson. Benjamin 
Moore, E. B. Gates, John Bruce, Loreu K. Jones, Leander Dodge, Amos Older, Reuben Kuajip, 
Asher Johnson, Hugh Long, Lyman H. Seaver, Ebenezer Chesebro, Newton McGraw, Robert 
Lawson, Nicholas Perry, Henry To])]iing, Jesse Older, Eugene Flaherty and Jas])er Griggs are 
known to be dead. The settlers of a later date are Valentine Aldrich, Robert Hutchinson, 
Archibald Woodard, John Wilkins, Peter M. Keeler. Eli King. H. B. Greenman. Cornelius 
Dykemau, Jacob Niskern. John Niskern. Ira P. Lauard, Asa Foster, Randall Stone, Isaac Vail, 
Levi Bedell, Josiah Vrooman, John B. Hastings, Josiah Dod^e, Samuel W. Dodge, George Wal- 
ker, Moses McKee, Henry Froy. Ez"kiel Trip|i. Jeremiah Bradway. Jamas Dilley. Hiram Ondi>r- 
donk. John Rhinehart, Ovid Reed. S. C. and Amos Ives, Joshua Parish, Carey Welch, Lucius 
Relyea, James Dudley, Zebukni T. Lee, Levi Blakeman, Rial N. Weed, James McKey, William 
Woodard, Eusebias Barwell. Rufus, .Alexander and James Gallup, John B. Cook, Stephen Mc- 
Hugh, Thomas McHugh, John F. McKoe, Willard Blanchard and Elisha Hunt. A majority of 
the above-named persons were from the town of Darien, N. Y. 

When the town was tirst settled, the settlers came in with verv limited means: many of 



734 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

them had not sufficient to piu'ohase their land at tlie land sales, and had to borrow money by 
the jirocess called " machine shave. " They paid $200 for eighty acres, and on the whole 
amount of money 12 per cent interest. But they, however, came to stay, and the wealthy 
farmers of the town bear evidence to how well they have carried out their intentions. 

RESUME. 

The town of Darieu was first settled by Elijah Belding and Christopher C. Chesebro, in 
April, 1837. Mr. Belding came from Hadley. Mass., and settled on Section 10, while Mr. 
Chesebro came from Otsego County, N. Y., and settled on Section 15. They were both unmar- 
ried at the date of their settlement. Mr. Chesebro died in the spring of 1839, his death being 
the first in the town. Mr. Belding is now a resident of Delavar. In 1837 came Joseph 
and Arthur Maxson, who settled on Section IS; Nicholas S. Comstock, on Section 27; Salmon 
and Trumbull D. Thomas, on Section 12; William Moore, on Section 15; W. E. Chesebro, on 
Section 18: Benjamin Moore, on Section 5; Hiram Kiugsley, on Section 18; John Bruce, on 
Section 27; Cyrus and John Lippetl, on Section 35; Lorenzo Carter, on Section 35; Loren K. 
and Lyman Jones, on Section 10; William and Orange W. Carter, on Section 21; E. B. Gates, 
on Section 8; and Martin Moore is said to have come in at this time, but made no permanent 
settlement. 

The settlers of the spring of 1838 are Leander Dodge, on Section 28; Amos Older, on Sec- 
tion 21; Jacob A. Sea. on Section 35; Reuben Knapj), on Section 24; Asher Johnson, on Sec- 
tion 17; Hiram A. Johnson, on Section 18; Hugh and Chester D. Long, on Section 28; Alvah 
Johnson, on Section 20; Lyman H. Seaver, on Section 33; Ebenezer Chesebro, on Section 11; 
William A. Waterhouse, on Section 33; Newton McGraw, on Section 10; CjTennius Hollister, on 
Section 4; William Hollister, on Section 8; Robert Lawson, on Section lO; Jared Fox, on Sec- 
tion 11; Jabez B. Chesebro, on Section 10; John V. Walker, on Section 33; Nicholas Perry, on 
Section 34; Hem-y Topping, on Section 35; Jesse Older, on Section 20. 

FIRST THINGS AND EVENTS. 

In 1830, Caleb Blodjcett, of Beloit, was united in marriaere to Lorinda Jones, of Blooming: 
Prairie. This was the first marriage in town. 

Other early marriages were those of M. S. Pratt to Lydia Comstock, March 28, 1841 ; Peter 
Bowen to Hannah Older, May 4, 1840; William Carter to Adaline Seaver. December 15, 1841. 
Rev. H. To]iping tied the nuptial knots. 

The first birth in the town was A. D. Thomas, a son of Salmon Thomas, in August, 1837. 
He has since been District Attorney of Walworth County, and is now an attorney at law in 
Deadwood, D. T. " 

The first death was C. C. Chesebro, in the summer of 1830. He was Postmaster at the time 
of his death. 

In the summer of 1840, a private school was taught by Mrs. Maiy Carter, in Cyrus Lippett's 
house, being the first in the town. In the fall of the same year, a school was taught in what is 
now District No. 4, by C. D. Long. He commenced his school the 1st of November, in a school- 
house which had been previously built. Miss Adaline Seaver also taught a school that fall in 
the house of William A. Waterhouse, in what is now District No. 6. She commenced later in 
the month than Mi\ Long. There are now five whole and seven joint school districts in the 
town. 

In the summer of 1841, a saw-mill was built by Jose])h and Arthur Maxson. on the north 
bank of the Turtle, on Section 18. A fiouring-mill was built by the same parties in 1850, and is 
now owned by E. G. Chesebro. It is a two-story frame, custom mill, with two run of stone. 

The first cro]is were raised in the fall of 1837, by William Moore and Hirahi Kingsley. 
(See A. W. Maxson's recollections. ) 

In 1880, the following ero])s were raised: 

Wheat, 19,580 bushels; corn, 176,010 bushels: oats, 94,374 bushels; barley, 34,943 bushels; 
rye, 1,240 bushels; potatoes, 11,500 bushels: root crops, 500 bushels; apples, 15,400 bushels; 
timothy seed, 1,407 bushels; flax, 28,000 pounds; tobacco, 1,300 pounds; grasses, 3,110 tons; 
butter, 58,500 pounds; cheese, 89,845 |)oimds, and, in 1881, Wheat, 700 acres; corn, 2,96C acres; 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 735 

oats, 2,10)0 acres; barley, 2,400 acres; lye, 46 acres; potatoes, 101 acres; flax, 123 acres; gi-asses, 
2,749 acres; tobacco, 6 acres; f:frovving timber, 1,877 acres; apple orchards, 370 acres, with 7,940 
bearinij ti'ees; root crops, 1^ acres. 

Tlie re])ort of the County Su])erinteudent of Schools for 1881 states that in the town of 
Dari(>n there are five whoh^ distric-ts and live joint districts; the number of male childi-en in 
the town ov»n' four and unilcr twenty yeai-s of age is 213; female, 209; total, 422; there are 
eii^lit sc^hoolhouses in the town, with accommodations for the seatiuij; of 473 pupils; the cash 
value of all these houses is $3.()00; cash value of sites, $425; cash value of aj)iiaratus, §295; total 
valuation of all school property is §4.320. 

The amount of school moiu>y on hand. August 31, 1880, was $085.09. The amount received 
fi'om taxes levied on building and repairing was $03.50; from taxes levied for teachers' wages, 
$1,797.50; from taxes levied by County Supervisors, $188.10; from income of school fund, 
$109.50; from all other sources, $17.00; total amount received diu'iug the year, $2,921.41. The 
amount paid out for building and repairing was $98.07; for apparatus, etc., $2.94; for teach- 
ers" sei-vices, $2,181.50; for school furnitiu'e, etc., $39.80; for all other pm-poses, $271.31; total 
amount paid out dm-ing the year, $2,593.87; money on hand August 31, 1881, $327.54. 

CORPORATE HISTORY. 

The first town meeting and election of officers, aceoi'ding to the jiruvisions of the act setting 
oft' and organizing the town of Darien, was held at the house of John Bruce, in the jiresent vil- 
lage of Darien, on Tuesday, the 5th day of April, 1842. Salmon Thomas was chosen Chairman 
of this meeting, and J. W. Seaver, Clerk. Among other resolutions passed were the following; 
" That the town elect three Assessors; that the to^vn elect two Constables: that a sum of moaey 
be raised equal to one-fourth of 1 per cent, for the support of the common schools; that the 
officers of the town be allowed iit the rate of $1 per day for their services; that the town raise 
a sum of money ecpial to one-half of 1 mill on a dollar on the valuation of the taxal)le jiroperty, 
to defray the contingent expenses of the town; that all services (if tovni officers rendered which 
cannot be comjiuted by the day shall be referred to the Board of Hiipervisors, and by them au- 
dited as they shall deem just, and that such amounts, when so audited, shall be paid by di-afts 
on the Town Treasurer. " 

Fifty-thi-ee votes were polled at this election, as follows: W. A. Waterhouse, John Bruce, 
William Older, Samuel Fowle, Edwin Taylor, T. D. Thomas, Asa Foster, Reuben Knapp, Eli- 
sha McAllister, William A. Older, Asher Johnson, J. B. Cook, Leander Dodge, Isaac Vail, J. 
W. Seavei', John Williams, Jabez B. Chesebro, Nicholas S. Comstock, John Li]i])ett, Amos 
Older, Newton McGraw, William (t. Mayhew, Ebenezer Chesebro, L. K. Jones, Benjamin Moore, 
Homer L. Greenman, Silas Ha.skins, Hiram A. Johnson, L. H. Seaver, C. D. Long, Wiekham E. 
Chesebro, Richard Cook, Minthorn Woodhull, Elijah Beldiug. Cyrus Li))pett. Jesse Older, Will- 
iam HoUister, AVilliam Carter, Jared Fox, David Linsley, Jacob K. Cook, Lorenzo Carter, Sal- 
mon Thomas, Valentine Ahb'ich, Hiram A. Stone, George Cla])per, Henry King, Timothy Knajiji, 
Barney Bedell, Orange Carter, Eli King, Orange W. Carter and Jacob A. Sea. The names of 
the officers elected at this meeting appear further on, in the roster of town officials. 

The amount of money raised for the support of common schools for 1842 was $132.42; the 
amount raised to defray the contingent expenses of the town was $101.48; the proportion of 
county ex])ensos, as per certificate of the Clerk of the Board, was $175.70; the Collector's fees 
were $20.48; total amount raised for 1842 was $430.08. 

The school districts wen; sot oft" as follows: Ridge Prairie District, No. 1, and Blooming 
Prairie District, No. 2, September 21, 1840; Darien District, No. 3. Sejitember 28, 1840; Turtle 
Creek District, No. 4; Tui'tle I'rairie District, No. 5; and Spring Brook District, No. 0, Septem- 
ber 30, 1840. The number of scholars between the ages of four and sixteen in these districts in 
1842 was 138, as follows: No. 2, 17 scholars; No. 3, 23 scholars; No. 4, 48 scholars; No. 5, 27 
.scholars: No. 0, 23 scholars. The $132.42 raised for the support of these schools was propor- 
tioned as follows: No. 2, $10.31; No. 3, $22.07; No. 4, $40.09; No. 5, $25.91; No, 6, .$22.07. 
The following is a roster of t<5wn officials from the organization of the town to and ineludini' 
the year 1881: 

1842 — Supervisors, SaliiK in Thumas, ChainiKiii; Lym;ui H. Seaver, .Vsher Johnson; Joseph 



736 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

W. Seaver, Clerk; Loren K. Jones, Treasurer; Newton McGraw, Collector; Jared Fox, H. A. 
Stone, David Linsley, Assessors; John Lippett, T. D. Thomas, William Carter, Commissioners 
of Highways; J. W. Seaver, C. D. Long, Cyrus Lippett, Commissioners of Schools; Newfam 
McGraw, Reuben Knajip, Constables; Timothy Knapp, Sealer; Lyman Jones, Jacob S. Cools, 
John Wilkins, Benjamin Moore. J. A. Sea, Silas Haskius, Amos Older, Fence Viewers; David 
Linsley, L. K. Jones, Overseers of Highways. 

1843 — Supervisors. John Bruce, Chairman; Jared Fox, John Lippett; Joseph W. Seaver, 
Clerk: Hiram A. Stone, Treasm-er; Newton McGraw, Collector; Loi'en K. Jones, Valentine 
Aldi-ich, Assessors; T. D. Thomas, Jacob S. Cook, Hugh Long, Commissioners of Highways; 
Chester D. Long, Joseph W. Seaver, Amos Older, Commissioners of Schools; Newton McGraw, 
David B. Linsley, Constables. 

1844 — Supervisors, Salmon Thomas, Chairman; Loren K. Jones, Hugh Long; Joseph W. 
Seaver, Clerk: Leander Dodge, Treasm-er; Edson B. Older. Collector; T. D. Thomas, Valen- 
tine Al<h-ieh, Joseph Maxson, Assessors; Hiram A. Stone, William G. Mayhew, Asher Johnson, 
Commissioners of Highways; C. D. Long, J. B. Hastings, N. S. Comstock. Commissioners of 
Schools: Newton McGraw, Zebulon T. Lee, Joseph Chamberlain, Justices of the Peace: Edson 
B. Older, William A. Older, Homer L. Greenman, Constables. 

1845 — Supervisors, John Bruce, Chairman; Asher Johnson, Orange W. Carter; Joseph W. 
Seaver, Clerk; Asa Foster, Treasiu-er; N. S. Comstock, Salmon Thomas, Assessors; Alexander 
Gallu-p, Collector; Jacob A. Sea. John Wilkins, William G. Mayhew, Commissioners of High- 
ways; John B. Hastings, Rial N. Weed. Charles P. Soper, Commissioners of Schools; Amos 
Older, Justice of the Peace; Alexander Gallup, Homer L. Greenman, David B. Linsley, Con- 
stables. 

1840 — Supervisors, Newton McGraw, Chairman; John Williams. George Cotton; Jose])h 
W. Seaver, Clerk; Asa Foster, Treasm-er; Levi Beadle, Collector; Jared Fox, Valentine Aldrich, 
AVilliam Hoi lister, Assessors: Hiram A. Stone, Randall Stone, William Hollister, Commsisioners 
of Highways; Chester D. Long, George Cotton, Salmon Thomas, Commissioners of Schools; 
Loren K. Jones, Amos Older, Hiram Babcock, Justices of the Peace; Cyrus Lippett, John Tay- 
lor, Levi Beadle, Constables. 

1847 — Supervisors, Newton McGraw, Chairman; John Williams, Rial N. Weed: Andrew 
J. Weatherwax, Clerk; Jonathan Hastings, Treasiu-er; Salmon Thomas, John B. Hastings, Ben- 
jamin Case, Assessors; Cyrus Lii)pett, Collector; Hiram A. Stone, Triunbull D. Thomas. Elisha 
McAllister, Commissioners of Highways; De Witt C. Seaver. Charles P. Soper, George Cotton. 
Commissioners of Schools; Cyrus Li])i)ett, Alexander Gallup, Rial N. Weed, Constables. 

1848 — Supervisors, f-^aylord Blair, Chairman: Charles P. Soper, Asher Johnson; Jonathan 
Hastings, Clerk; Henry Fry, Treasiirer; Lyman H. Seaver, Assessor: W. A. Waterhouse, Col- 
lector; Josiah Dodge, Levi Blakeman, Joseph R. Wilkins, Commissioners of Highways: Charles 
P. Soper, Chester D. Long, George Cotton, Commissioners of Schools; William H. Moore, 
George Cotton, Asher Johnson, Justices of the Peace; W. A. Waterhouse, Homer L. Green- 
man. Francis Wilkins. Constables. 

1849 — Supervisors, George Cotton, Chairman; Willard Blanchard, Josiah Dodge; Calvin 
Serl. Clerk; Henry Fry. Treasm-er; E. P. Conriek. Essessor; Chester D. Long. Sup rintendent 
of Schools; Amos Older, George Cotton, Asher Johnson, Willard A. Blanchard. Justices of the 
Peace; Francis Wilkins, Cyi-us Lippett, Anson Perry, Constables. 

1850-— Supervisors. George Cotton. Chairman; Gaylord Blaii'. Rufus Conable; Charles P. 
Soper. (Jlerk; Hugh Long. Treasiu-er; W^illiam H. Moore. Assessor; Chester D. Long. Superin- 
tendent of Schools; Willard Blanchard. Archibald Woodward. Levi Blakeman. John W. Seaver, 
Justices of the Peace; Francis Wilkins, Treadwell Sojier, Joseph Nelson. Constables. 

1851 — Supervisors. George Cotton. Chairman ; Ebenezer Latimer, Hiram Onderdonk; 
Charles P. Sojier. Clerk; W. A. Waterhouse, Treasurer; William H. Moore. Assessor; Parker 
M. Cole, Superintendent of Schools; Archibald Woodward. Joshua Parish. John W. Seaver, 
Jiistices of the Peace; Jesse M. Scofield, Francis Wilkins. Joseph Nelson, Constables. 

1852 — Supervisors. George Cotton, Chairman; Asher Johnson, Hiram Onderdonk; Charles 
P. Soper. Clerk; W. A. Waterhouse, Treasurer; W'illiam H. Moore, Assessor; John B. Hastings, 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 737 

Superintondent of Schools; George Cotton, Calvin Serl, Bufus Conable, Justices of tlie Peace; 
Joseph Nelson, Francis Wilkins, W. A. Waterhonse, Constablos. 

]S5S — Supervisors, Salmon Thomas, Cliainnau; Hiram A. Johnson, Hiram Onderdonk; E. 
W. (xrow, Clerk: Lvman H. Seaver, A^^essor; William A. Waterhonse. Treasiu'er: J<inuthan 
Hastings, N. S. Comstock, Justices of the Peace: John B. Hastings, Superintendent of S<^liools: 
William A. Waterhonse, Samuel V. Chesebro, Constables. 

US54 — Supei'V'isors, Chester D. Long, Chaii-man: Hiram A. Johnson, Joshiia Parish: Charles 
P. Soper, Clerk: James Gale, Treasurer; Cyrus Lippitt, Assessor; James W. Seaver, Superin- 
tendent of Schools: William A. Wat(!rhoiise, John Williams, Salmon Thomas, Justices of the 
Peace; James Gale, Alexander Gallup, P. S. Carver, Constables. 

1855 — Supervisors, Hii'am A. Johnson, Chairman; Salmon Thomas, Ljinan A. Seaver; 
Williimi A. Waterhonse, Clerk; William Harjier, Treasurer; Hiram Onderdonk, Assessor; Jo- 
seph W. Seaver. Superintendent of Schools: C. P. Soper, C. Serl. J. J. Johnson. Justices of 
the Peace. 

1856 — Su]iervisors, John B. Hastings, Chairman: John Dc Wolf. Charles P. So]ier: AVill- 
iam A. Waterhouse, Clerk; John D. Older, Treasurer: Heniy Hodgkinson. Julius H. Seaver, 
^\'illard B. Babcock, Assessors; E. L. Hai'ris. Su])erinteudent of Schools; John Williams, R. 
N. Weed. Justices of the Peace; John D. Older. ANalter Hodgkinson. Constables. 

1857 — Supervisors. Josiah Dodge. Chairman: Lyman H. Seaver. Hiram A. Stone: Joseph 
W. Seaver, Clerk: William A. AN'aterhouse. Treasurer: William H. A\'illiams. Willaixl B. Bab- 
cock. Henry Hodgkinson, Assessors; Thomas Williams. Hemy M. Ray, Hiram A. Johnson, Jus- 
tices of the Peace; Chester D. Long, Superintendent of Schools: Ovid Reed, Charles P. Soper, 
Calvin Serl. Constables. 

1858 — Supervisors. Hiram A. Johnson. Chairman: John De Wolf. G. A\'. Lamont: N. W. 
Hoag, Clerk; Gaylord Blair. Assessor; A\'illiam A. \\'aterhouse. Treasurer; Calvin Serl. Henry 
Hodgkinson, Justices of the Peace; C. D. Long. Su]ieiintend(>ntof Schools; AVilliam A. AVater- 
house. J. F. Lyon, A. Jones, Constables. 

1859 — Supervisors, G. W. Lamont. Chairman; M. O. Grinnell, James Gale; N. W. Hoag, 
Clerk; W. A. Waterhouse, Treasurer; Hugh Long, Assessor: C. D. Long, Superintendent of 
Schools; William Harrison, M. B. Stone, Justices of the Peace; John F. Lyon, P. Roundy, L. 
K. Jones, Constables. 

18(30 — Supervisors, P. M. Cole, Chairman; James Gale, L. K. Jones; N. W. Hoag. Clerk; 
William Hai'per, Treasiu-er; C. P. So] ler. Assessor; J. L. Sutherland, Su])erintendent of Schools; 
O. H. (iilbert, R. W. Pardy. C. Serl. Justices of the Peace; P. W. Roundy, A\'illiam Harj.er, 
Constables. 

1861 — Supervisoi-s, P. M. Cole, Chaimuan; Edgar Tojijiing, \V. B. Rabcock; N. W. Hoag. 
Clerk; W. A. Waterhouse, Treasurer: C. P. Soper. Assessor; U. S. Hollister, Superintendent 
of Schools; Calvin Serl, Justice of the Peace; P. W. Roundy, A. Jones, Isaac Lyon, Con- 
stables. 

1862 — Su])ervisors, P. M. Cole, Chairman; P. M. Latimer, A. Jones: N. W. Hoag, Clerk; 
William A. Waterhouse, Treasurer; D. Rodman, Assessor: John S. Dodge, O. H. Gilbert, John 
Flaherty, Justices of the Peace; W. A. Waterhouse, M. Flaherty, Isaac Lyon, Constabl(>s. 

186;' — Su])ervisors, John De Wolf, Chairman: H. E. Seaver, J. J. Johnson: Orange Will- 
iams, Clerk; John S. Dodge, Treasm-er : W. k. Waterhouse, Assessor; J. F. Lyon, (i. W. La- 
mont, Justices of the Peace; J. O. Fuller, H. A. Stone, James Strvker, Constables. 

1864— Sui)ei-kisors, H. E. Seav(>r, Chairman ; C. S. Teeple, C. M. Fuller; N. AW Hoag, 
Clerk; W. A. Uaterhouse, Treasm-er: A. Jones, Assessor; Calvin Serl, K. A\'. Masson. Justices 
of the Peace; W. A. Waterhouse. Jose])h Chilson. Alpheus Grant. Constables. 

1865 — Supervisors, J. J. Johnson, Chairman; T. P. Davis. C. P. Soper; N. W. Hoag, Clerk; 
J. F. Lyon, Treasm-er; A. Jones, Assessor; J. F. Lyon, (i. AV. Lamont, Justices of the Peace; 
A. Jones, L. Borst, J. S. Dodge, (^-onstables. 

186() — Su|)ervisors, J. J. Johnson, Chairman; F. S. Hollister, H. E. Seaver; N. AV Hoag, 
Clerk ; J. F. Lyon, Trt'asnrer ; A. Jones, Assessor; C. B. Sperry, C. P. Soper, Justices of the 
Peace; L. S. A\'ilkins, D. Clough, A. Jones, Constables. 

1867 — Su])ervi8ors, J. F. Lyon. Chairman: I. W. Babcock, A. W. Maxson; N. W. Hoag^ 



738 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

Clerk; W. A. Waterhouse, Treasiu-er; A. Jones, Assessor; J. F. Lyon, U. S. Hollister, Justices 
of the Peace; John Owens, J. McKiuney, G. W. Lamont, Jr., Constables. 

1868 — Supervisors, J. F. Lyon, Chaii-man; I. Stowell, C. P. Soper; N. W. Hoag, Clerk; 
W. A. Waterhouse, Treasurer; A. Jones, Assessor; O. H. Gilbert, C. P. Soper, Justices of the 
Peace; John H. Owens, H. AVaterhouse, William Hollister, Constables. 

1869 — Supervisors, J. F. Lyon, Chairman ; O. W. Carter, Daniel Rodman ; N. V\'. Hoag, 
Clerk; J. M. Yanderhoof, Treasurer; A. Jones, Assessor: David Williams, A W. Masson, Jus- 
tices of the Peace; Richard Taylor, L. O. Robinson, D. E. Bennett, Constables. 

1870 — Supervisors, J. F. Lyon, Chairman; U. S. Hollister, A, A. McKay; N. W. Hoag, 
Clerk; Leroy Dodge, Treasurer; A. Jones, Assessor; A. Woodard, W. R. Jones, Justices of the 
Peace; John Owens, John L, Ormsley, John McKinney, Constables. 

1871 — Supervisors, J. F. Lyon, Chainnan; U. S. Hollister, H A. McKay; N. W. Hoag, 
Clerk: A. H. Stone, Treasurer ; A. Jones, Assessor; A. W. Maxson, David Williams, J. M. 
Yanderhoof, Justices of the Peace; John McKinney, L. C. AVaite, L. O. Robinson, Constables. 

1872 —Supervisors, J. F. Lyon, Chairman; U. S. Hollister, W. B. Johnson; T. R. Mor- 
gan, Clerk; A. H. Stone. Treasiu'er; A. Jones, Assessor; A. Woodard, O. H. Gilbert, Justices of 
the Peace; L. C. Waite, J. C. McKinney, Constaliles. 

1873— Supervisors, Daniel Rodman, Chairman ; Israel Stowell, E. E. Hillman; HL E. 
Seaver, Clerk; L. C. Waite, Treasurer; A. Jones, Assessor; David Williams. J. M. Yanderhoof, 
Justices of the Peace; A. Jones, J. McKinney, James Stiyker, Constables. 

1874 — Supervisors, J. F. Lyon, Chairman; W. H. Williams, U. S. Hollister; H. E. Seaver, 
Clerk: L. C. Waite, Treasiu'er; Darwin Clough, Assessor; A. Woodard, J. F. Lyon, Justice j of 
the Peace; J. McCannon, James Stryker, James Manslield, Constables. 

1875 — Supervisors, J. F. Lyon, Chairman: Chai'les Allen, W. H. Williams; H. E. Seaver, 
Clerk; James Stryker, Treasiu-er: D. P. Clough, Assessor; David Williams, C. P. Sojier, Jus- 
tices of the Peace; John F. McKinney, James Stryker, J. H. Owens, Constables. 

1876 — Supervisors, John De W^olf, Chairman; Charles Allen. A. J. Rodman; T. R. ]\^or- 
gan. Clerk; James Stryker, Treasurer; D. P. Clough, Assessor; J. M. Yanderhoof, A. Woodprd, 
Justices of the Peace: J. McKinney, Orange Starin, James Stryker, Constables. 

1877— Supervisors, J. B. Johnson, Chairman; W. H. Williams, W. H. Griswold; T. E. 
jSforgan, Clerk; D. P. Clough, Treasm'er; J. M. Yanderhoof, Assessor; A. Maxson, A. Woodai'd, 
Justices of the Peace; James Stryker, John McKinney, O. Starin, Constables. 

1878 — Supervisors, D. P. Clough, Chairman ; L. Downs, W. B. Babcock ; T. R. Morgan, 
Clerk; Rodney Seaver, Treasurer; J. M. A'anderhoof, Assessor; C. D. Long, A. W. Maxson, Jus- 
tices of the Peace; J. F. McKinney, O. Starin, S. Hare, Constables. 

1879 — Supervisors, John De Wolf, Chairman; I. W. Babcock, Charles Allen; T. R. Mor- 
gan, Clerk; Rodney Seaver, Treasurer; C. P. Soper, Assessor; W. H. Williams, David W^ill- 
iams, E. H. Smith, Justices of the Peace; James Stryker, John McKinney, Constables. 

1880 — Supervisors, J. B. Johnson, Chairman; Ai-thm- H. Stewart, I. W. Babcock; J. M. 
Yanderhoof, Clerk; Rodney Seaver, Treasm-er; D. P. Clough, Assessor; W. H. Williams, C. 
D. Long, Justices of the Peace; J. H. Owens, John S. Ormsby, John F. McKinney, Constables. 

1881 — Supervisors, J. B. Johnson, Chainnan; J. G. Matteson, A. H. Stewart; J. M. Yan- 
derhoof, Clerk; W. E. Clough, Treasurer; E. E. Hillman, Assessor; N. M. Harrington, H. E. 
Seaver, E. H. Smith, Justices of the Peace; Martin Dean, J. H. Owens, F. C. Folts, Constables. 

VILLAGE OF DARIEN. 

The village of Darien is located on Section 27 of the town of Darien, on the South-Western 
Division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, which enters the town on Section 2-1: 
and passes out on Section 31. The village was first settled by Johu Bruce, in 1837, who jim-- 
chased all the land where the village now is, and erected a small house, which afterward became 
a hotel. James Dilley and John B. Cook were subsequent settlers of the village. In July, 
1856, the village was platted by Hemy Frey, Hiram A. Stone and Edgar Tojiping, proprietors, 
since which time additions have been made by these gentlemen and John Bruce. 

In 1843, the first regular hotel was Ijuilt by James R. Bruce. This is now standing, and 




'^/^^ J.oA^iji^ 



(D(-ceAStD: 



HISTORY OF AVAl.AVORTII COUNTY. 741 

still kept as a hotel. Henry Fivy built the lli-st stoi'(> aiul ojieiied a iJy.OOO stock of o-oods iu 
May, 1.S44. 

Previous to the comiufj of the railroad, which passes tlu'oiigh the village, it did not improve 
to any gi-eat extent, ther(> being bnt few other dwellings in the locality than the cabins of the 
tirst settlers; but time is the magic wand that changes all things it touches, and which often 
makes the realization far bett(>r than the most sanguine hojies. The gi'owth of the village, how- 
ever, has at no time been ra])id, but constant and gi-adual. The business done here has alwavs 
been largi>Iy in excess of th(< a])i)arent resom'ces of the ])laee, and in .some res])ects it has been 
much gi'eater than that done by towns of much greater size throughout the country. Socially 
and religiously, this village " holds its own " with the others in the county, having a number of 
dift'orent denominational and secular organizations. They have tirst-class schools here, which 
maintain a high educational standard. 

The railroad reached this point early in IS")!), and Parker M. Cole soon afterward erected a 
small warehouse. This has since been removed, and is now used as a cheese factory. This 
had a cajiacity of about 8,000 bushels. Hiram Onderdonk built a warehouse durino- that year 
also. It has a cajiacity of 10,000 bushels, and is now owned and used by J. J. Johnson. ' In 
1857,* John Williams built a wai'ehouse, in size 30x80, two stories high, and with a cajiacity of 
15,000 bushels. It is now owned by William Blakely and H. A. Johnson, and used as a o-en- 
eral storehouse. John Bruce built a warehouse in 1858. This has a cajiacity of 5,000 bushels; 
is owned by D. P. Clough and J. B. Johnson, and used as a general storehouse. In 1861 or 
1802, M. B. Stone built a warehouse, two stories high and with a capacity of '2(t,(tO0 bushels. 
It is now used in the buying and shij^jiing of gi-ain. 

The shijiments of grain and stock from this jioint annually have been, diu'ing some years, 
simjily enoiinous. In 1860, the shijmients of wheat alone amounted to 206,000 bushels. This 
is the largest stock-shipjjers' jioint in the county, and said to be the largest on this line of road 
between Milwaukee and the Mississijijii River. 

Darien has now two general stores, two gi'oceries, one ch-ug store, one cabinet-shop and 
salesroom, two harness-shojss an- 1 salesrooms, one shoe-shop and salesrooms, two shoe-shojis. 
one hotel, one barber-shop and three mechanics' shojis. 

RELIGIOUS. 

The tirst church organized in the village was that of the Baptists, in 1850. Their church 
building is in size 30x60, and cost $2,000. It was built in 1858. At present, it has no resi- 
dent minister. Rev. D. Halteman, of Delavan, has it in charge. 

The Methodist Chiu-ch building was erected in 1870, at a cost of §52,500. It is in size 
30x50. The dedicatory sermon was preached in November of that year, by Rev. Samuel Fel- 
lows, The chm-ch society was organized a short time jirevious to the building of the church, 
with between tifty and sixty members. Most of the original members have died or moved 
away, so that the jiresent membei'ship numbers about twelve. Three huncb-ed persons can 
easily be seated in their church building. The churches in Allen's Grove and Darien are a 
sejiai'ate charge, and are presided over by the same minister. 

POST OFFICE. 

The th'st jjost office in the towai of Darien was estaldished in 1838, on Bloouiinc Prairie, 
and C. C. Chesebro was aj)j)ointed Postmaster. Delavan was at this time in his district, his 
apjiointment being obtained through the influence of Mr. Phcenix. In 1839, a petition was 
presented to the Post Office Department at Washington for the estal)lishment of an office at this 
point, which petition was favorably received and acted upon. John Bruce was made Postmaster. 
Ml-. Brace held the office some time, and was succeeded by Henry Frey, and he in tm-n by Ed- 
ward Topjiing and Moses B. Stone. The latter held the office until" 1861, when N. W. Hoag 
and Joseph Lyon held the office for a number of yeai-s. Then C. S. T(>e[)le was commissioned, 
and he was succeeded, in 1875, by the present Postmaster, G. F. Lathroj). 

*H. .\. Jubnsou, Esq., makes u mi?iiioraiidum iii i-orrrcling of proofs that Stone built the warehourte. 



742 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

TOWN HALL. 

For several years the question <3f building a town hall was agitated, but it was not until 
August 14. 1869. that a vote was reached authorizing the construction of a hall. The hall was 
built in the fall of that year, at a cost of $2,001). It is in size 'iSsTjO. with sixteen-feet posts. 

SOCIETIES. 

Darien Lodge, No. 12<>, A., F. & A. M., was organized March 29, 1860, and their charter 
is dated June 13, 1860. There were ten charter members, as follows: Alexander Smith, P. 
W. Wooley, John Dickson, H. A. Johnson, Calvin Serl, Samuel Bailey, Levi Blakeman, Alex- 
ander Reed, La Fayette Ghesley and S. K. Clark. Calvin Serl, W. M. ; S. K. Clark, S. W. ; 
Samuel Bailey, J. W., were the first officers, and so named in the charter. The present officers 
are: David Williams, W. M. ; Harvey L. Saxton, S. W. : William Blakely, Jr., J. W. ; Samuel 
Bailey, Treasurer; George F. Lathrop, Secretary; H. E. Seaver, S. D. ; H. W. Seaver, J. D. ; A. 
J. Redman, J. M. Vanderhoof, Stewards: James Stryker, Tiler. The lodge hold their meetings 
on the fii'st and third Tuesdays of each month. The present number of members is forty-one. 
Of the charter members, but one, Samuel Bailey, is now a member of the lodge. -John Dickson, 
Calvin Serl, Levi Blakeman and Alexander Reed have passed to the celestial lodge on high, 
while the others, with the exception of H. A. Johnson, who is still a resident but not a member, 
have moved away. The lodge occupies a rented hall on Lot 4, Block 26, which they have 
fitted up at an expense of about $800. 

Abraliain Lincoln Post, No. H, G. A. R., Department of Wisco}i.<^hi,'was organized August 
26, 1879, liy Deputy Commander Grift" J. Thomas, of Berlin, Wis., and their charter is dated 
August 16 of the same year. The charter memliers were: J. B. Johnson, Rodney Seaver, J. 
P. Waite, Edwin E. Park. A. M. Cook, L. H. Stebbins, W. F Enos, John McCannou, J. M. 
Vanderhoof, H. M. Fitzgerald. E. E. Hillman and Rosell S.Miner. The first officers were: J. 
M. Vanderhoof. P. C; H. M. Fitzgerald. S. V. C; Rodney Seaver, J. V. C. ; A. M. Cook, Sur- 
geon; L. H. Stebbins, Chaplain; A. M. Cook, Adjutant; J. B. Johnson, Quartermaster; John 
McCannon, O. D. ; W. F. Enos, O. G.; J. F. Capen, S. M.; E. E. Hillman, Q. M. S. The pres- 
ent officers are: J. M. Vanderhoof, P. C; E. E. Hillman, S. V. C; Michael Flaherty, J. V. C; 
H. M. McCannon, Surgeon; Benjamin Blass, Chaplain; Rodney Seaver, Adjutant; W. F. Enos, 
Quartermaster; J. H. Owens, O. D.; Stephen Hare, O. G. ; E. E. Park, S. M.; Riley Wheeler, 
Q. M. S. The post has a relief fund for the benefit of their worthy comrades in need. The 
membership at present numbers fifty, and their meetings are held weekly, in Williams' Hall, 
which they have partially fitted up at an expense of $75. The post is one of the most flour- 
ishing of its kind in the county. 

W.A.E HISTORY. 

Darien's war record is good. She raised nearly $1 5,000 for all purposes, and furnished one 
man in excess of her quota, which was 102. The reader is referred to the general war history 
for the individuals who gave " a hearty pull and a pull altogether " to bring this about. 

DARIEN IN 1881. 

The population of Darien, including the villages, was, according to the Federal census of 
1880, 1,394. The principal farm products for 1880 were: Wheat, 19,560 bushels; corn, 176,- 
910 bushels; oats, 94,374; b:irley, 34,943 bushels; rye, 1,240 bushels; potatoes, 11,950 bushels; 
apples, 15,400 bushels; timothy seed, 1,649 bushels; flax, 79,331 pounds; tobacco, 1,300 poimds; 
hay, 3,110 pounds; butter, 58,500 pounds; cheese, 89,845. 

In 18S1, there were 8,32() acres of growing grain, 370 acres of orchard, 2,749 acres of mow- 
ing and pastui'age, and 1,877 acres of growing timber; the number of milch cows was 907, val- 
ued at $22,675. 

CHEESE FACTORIES. 

In 1856, Parker M. Cole built a warehouse in the village of Darien, which was moved, and 
in 1870, coverted into a cheese factory. Mr. Cole operated it until his death, which occurred 
in 1877, and it is now owned by his widow, a resident of Milwaukee, and operated by Robert 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. "43 

Peiirsoii, o! tin- firm of Poarson l^rothcrs, of Sliarou. Tho factory consumes the milk of 300 
cows, which makes uiiio cheeses j)er day, of an average weight of sixty-five pounds. Most of this 
cheese is sold at the factory to Eastern merchants. The building is 24x60, one story in height, 
and represents a valuation of §1,500. 

The cheese factory at Fairfield was built by Edward Chesebro, on Section 18. It is a good 
building, but the factory is not now running. 

SCHOOLS. 

There were five whole and seven union school districts. The whole number of scholars 
between the ages of four and twenty years was 4'2'2. of which number 'iH3 attended school. 
There were eight schools, taught by ten teachers, at average monthly wages of §55 for male and 
§19.95 for female teachers. There were eight schoolhouses, valued, including sites, at $4,025. 
The total amount annually expended for schools was $2,921. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

JAMES ASHLEY, Sa., miller; P. 0. Fairfield, Rock Co.; was born in Samtoi;;! Co., N. Y., in 
1812; was married to Julia Ami Morehouse in 18.'^3. Emigrated to \Viseonsin ni the sprinj; of 1844, 
and settled in what is now the town of Ijyons, Walworth Co., where he resided with his family until 1880, 
when he took up his residence in Nebraska, where most of his children reside. James, Jr., is still a resi- 
dent of Darien. He was born in Montgomery Co., N. Y., in 1831!, since his father came here in 1843; 
his wife was Louisa Meachatu, who was born in Raeine Co., Wis., in 1842. Her father came to Wiscon- 
sin from the State of New York in 184(1. They have four children — Louisa, Jeptha, James and Jesse. 

ISAAC W. BABCOCK, farmer, Section 21 ; P. 0. Darien ; son of Hiram Babcock, who was bora 
in Otsego Co., N. Y., Nov. 30, ITSHi, and married Olive Wetmore. He emigrated with his family to Wis- 
consin in 1843, and settled in the town of Walworth, Walworth Co., where he lived two years. He then 
removed to Darien, where he kept hotel for several years ; he then removed to Delavan, where he enjjaged 
in the same business. He then removed to Manchester, Delaware Co., Iowa, where he died Feb. 28, 1875. 
His wife died in February, 1864. The parents of Mr. Babcock had seven children, three sons and four 
daughters; two sons and three daughters are living. Isaac W., was born November, 1825. He went to 
California in 1850, where he resided until 1862 ; he was engaged in mining for two years, and the remain- 
der of the time in merchandising. He bought his present farm of G. I. V^anderhoof; has 160 acres. 
Mrs. Babcock's maiden name was Mary Plummer, born in Yates Co., N. Y., in 1S30. She removed to 
Illinois with her parents in 1844. Mr. and Mrs. Babcock have no children, except — adopted daughter — 
Anna. 

WILLARD B. BABCOCK, farmer. Sec. 14; P. 0. Delavan; was born in Wayne Co., N. Y., in 
1822. His father, Stephen Babcock, died in the State of New York, Wayne Co. In 1837, the rest of 
his family, consisting of his mother and four children, came to Walworth County and settled on the farm 
now owned by W. B. .since 1845. The farm originally consisted of 120 acres ; W. B. has now about 600 
acres. His mother died in 1850; her children were Bet.sy Jane, W. B., S. S. and C. S. W. B. married 
Louisa Burnett, born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. 

WILLIAM BLAKELY, Darien. He is a native of North Ireland, of Scotch and English parent- 
age. He emigrated with his father to Rutland Co., Vt., in 1832. He was brought up to the business of 
wool manufacturing. He sold his manufacturing interest in 1865. Since that time he has been engaged 
in speculating. He came to Darien in 18G0. Is an active, and successful business man, and is at present 
in company with Mes.srs. Clough & Johnson in the firm of William Blakely & Co., engaged in wool buy- 
ing. He makes a specialty of breeding improved American Merino sheep. He is a large land owner; 
has about 600 acres of land in the town of Darieu. His wife was Abigail Eldrcd, born in Washington Co.. 
N. Y. They have four children, Abbie, now Mrs. H. D. Long; William B., Minnie K. and Bvron J. 

MRS. ELLEN S. BLAKELY, Sec 28 ; P. O. Darien ; she is the widow of Robert Blake'y, who 
was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1802, but emigrated to Vermont. When Mr. Robert Blakely and 
his first wife emigrated to America they did not have means to bring their four children with them. After 
reaehini: America, they both went to work, and after two years they sent means to tlicir brother, who 
came with their children to America. Mr. Robert Blakely was a very industrious man; he acquired a 
handsome property. He gave to his children, by his first wife, Mr. William Blakely and his sister, 



744 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

Mrs. Margaret Pepper, now residing at Darien, the only ones now surviving, nearly all the means they 
have, besides leaving his second wife and her son, Robert L. Blakely, in pretty good circumstances. Was 
engaged for twenty years as a woolen manufacturer at Pawlet, Rutland Co., Vt. He lost his first wife in 
Vermont ; married his present wife, then Miss Ellen S. Adams, born in the town of Peru, Bennington 
Co., Vt. They came to Walworth County and settled on the farm now owned by .Mrs. Blakely in 1870, 
which was purchased from Mr. William Carter. Mr. Blakely had five children by his first wife. Mrs. 
Blakely has one son, Robert L., born in Pawlet, February, 1865. She lost a daughter, Mary E., born 
in Pawlet, who died in 1872, at five years of age. 

A. P. BLAKEM AN, farmer. Sec. 21 ; P. 0. Darien ; born in Orleans Co., N. Y., in 1824, where 
he lived till 21 years of age, or till 1845, when became to Walworth Co. His parents were Levi and 
Susan Blakeman. His father came out from the State of New York and made the location where his 
son now lives, in 1844. This f\irm has been in the possession of the family since that time. Mr. Levi 
Blakeman died in February, 18(34. His wife died several years previous to that time. Mr. Blakeman 
was married to Mary Francis Burr, born in Connecticut. They have ten children, four boys and six girls. 
The oldest is 26, and the youngest 6 years of age. Mr. Blakeman's farm contains 160 acres. 

B. F. CARTER, farmer. Sec. 2 ; P. 0. Delavan ; son of John Carter, who was born at Oxford, 
England, about 18ll8. He came to the United States when a young man, and to Walworth Co. in 1847, 
and settled on Sec. 2, where he died in 1S79. His wife was also a native of England, and still lives at 
the homestead. She has ten children, only two of whom are at the homestead. B. F. was born in 
Chenango C), N. Y., in 1845. His wife died in 1871 ; he has one child, .Vorton. B. F. works the home 
farm. Susie also lives at home. The farm contains 104 acres. 

WILLIAM CARTER, farmer, P. 0. Darien; born in Darien, Genesee Co., N. Y., in 1812. His father 
was Orange Carter, who settled in Walworth Co. in 1838, and was one of the earliest settlers of Genesee 
Co., N. Y. Mr. William Carter went to Milwaukee in the fall of 1837, and to Walworth Co. in the early 
part of the following winter. He made a location on Sec. 21. The Carter fiimily, including Mr. Orange 
W. Carter, of Darien, are among not only the earlic'st, but most prominent flvmilies of Walworth Co. Mr. 
William Carter was married to Adaline Seaver, daughter of Warren Seaver ; they have no children. Mr. 
Carter settled i:. the village in 1871. 

DAVID A. CHRISTIE, farmer. Sec. 7; P. 0. Fairfield, Rock Co.; born in Orange Co., N. Y., 
in 1812. His father, Andrew C, was also a native of that county, as is also his grandfather, David C. 
His father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and died in Tompkins Co., N. Y., about 1838. David A. 
came to Walworth County Oct. 5, 1843; he engaged to work for Mr. P. S. Child, but soon after bought a 
piece of land in Richland, which, however, he soon exchanged for another farm. He bought the farm he 
now owns in 18<;2. His wife was Jane Stewart, daughter of Arthur Stewart, born in Ireland. They have 
one son, George. His farm consists of 196 acres. 

DARWIN P. CLOUGH, dealer in stock, etc., Darien. He was born in Madison Co., N. Y., in 1838. 
He was brought up a farmer ; came to Wisconsin in March, 1863, and purchased a farm on Sec. 28, in 
the town of Darien, and engaged in farming till 1875, and opened a meat market in the village. He sold 
his business in the spring of 1881, and is now as a member of the firm of Blakely & Co., engaged in 
buying stock, wool, etc. His wife was Miss Alice Bucknali, daughter of Henry Bucknall, of the town of 
Sharon. They have four children — Josie, Kittie, Edwin and an infant son. 

MRS. SARAH JOHNSON DEAN, physician and surgeon, Darien, formerly Miss Sarah Johnson, 
was born in Harlem, Winnebago Co., III., in 1841. She was married to Mr. Martin Dean in 1857, they 
came to Darien in 1874. She became a student of medicine in 1876, under the instruction of Dr. B. N. 
Huntley, of Rockford, 111., and graduated at the University of Michigan, Department of Medicine and 
Surgery, July 1, 1880. Although .Mrs. Dean has been in the practice of medicine but two years, she has 
already acquired an extensive and lucrative practice. Her thorough knowledge of her profession and energetic 
character, her sympathetic nature, and the love for her chosen profession are fast winning for her an en- 
viable reputation. Her husband is a native of Oneida Co., N. Y., where he was born in 1835. They 
have three children — -Charlie A. Clara M. and Hettie B. 

JOHN DeWOLF, farmer, Sec. 13; P. O. Delavan. Mr. DeWolf isone of the prominent and suc- 
cessful farmers of Walworth Co. He is a native of Herkimer, N. Y., where he was born in 1817. 
When 30 years of age he removed to the county of Oswego, where he lived until 1854, when 
he came to Walworth County, and purchased his present farm of Mrs. Orinda Barlow. Mr. 
De Wolf has a fine and valuable farm, adjoining the village of Delavan. His improvments, 
buildings, etc., are among the best in the county. His farm contains 208 acres. Mrs. DeWolf, formerly 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. *45 

Miss Susan E. Vinton, was born in Herkimer Co. Tbey have three children — Delavan, a Baptist 
clergyman, now of Bristol, Conn.; Libbie K., and Etta, now Mr.s. Charles T. Isham. They lost their oldest 
son, Myron, born 18S9, and died in 187H. Mr. DeWolf has been a Kejiubiican since the organization of 
that party. He represented his district in the Legislature of 1859 and 18(!(). 

.MRS. AURKFjIA ,1. DICKSON, Allen's" Grove, is the widow of Dr. John Dickson, who was 
born near Meadville, Crawford Co., Penn., Sept. 26, 1820. He graduated from Allegheny College at 
Meadville in 184.5, and entered the Cleveland Medical College after his graduation, and received a di- 
ploma from that institution iij 1847. He came to Wi<consin in 1848 and began the practice of his pro- 
fession at Mount Zion, Ro;;k Co. ; but soon after removed to Allen's Grove, where a more inviting Beld 
presented itself. He was a man of marked traits of character, possessing vigor of will, and steadiness of 
purpose, and had a generous and sympathetic nature. He was married September, 1850, to his present widow, 
then Miss Aurelia J. Lee, daughter of Z. T. liCc, of Darien. He was one of the oldest members of the State 
Medical Society, of which he was Vice President in 1872. During the war of the rebellion, he was on duty a 
portion of the time, as examining and enrolling surgeon, in the First Congressional District of the State. 
His untiring devotion to his professional duties proved that there was a limit to human endurance. He 
suffered occasionally from irregular action of the heart, and he was apprehensive of serious results. He 
died instantly on Dec. 15, 1875, just as ho had returned from a visit to a patient a few miles from home. 
-■^Irs. Dickson was born in Pembroke, Genesee Co., N. Y., in 1831. She came to Walworth Co. with her 
parents, who settled in the town of Darien, in 1842. Mrs. Dickson has four children — Kate, wife of Dr. 
Winn, Marcus L., William R. and John. 

CHRISTOPHER L DOCKSTADER, farmer. Sec. 1 1 ; P. 0. Delavan; was born in Montgomery Co., 
N. Y., 1810, where he was brought up. Came to Walworth Co. in 1843, and settled in Richmond, where he 
resided till 1865, when on account of the declining healtli of his wife, he sold his farm and removed to Dela- 
van, where he lived about four years, when he exchanged his property in Delavan for his present farm, on 
which he now resides. His first wife was Eliza Ann Smith, born in Madison Co., N. Y. She died in 
Delavan, in 1870. His present wife was Mrs. Eliza R. Thomp.son; her maiden name was Nelson; she was 
born in Otsego Co.,N. Y. Mr. Dockstader has seven children by first wife, only one of whom is living, 
Thomas Perry, born in the town of Richmond in 1848. 

LEANDER DODGE, deceased brother of Josiah Dodge, was born in April, 1802, in Seneca Co., 
N. Y. He moved to Genesee Co. with his parents; was married in 1827 to Harriet Carter, a sister of 
William and Orange Carter. He came to Walworth Co. in the fall of 1838, and settled on Sec. 28, in 
Darien, where he resided until 1806, when he removed to what is now the town of Lyons, where he died 
Oct. 22, 1880, leaving a widow and ten children-Eugene, Wilson R., Levant, Laura, Le Roy, Amelia L, Clara, 
Bettie, Hattie and William. Mr. Dodge was an upright citizen, and his memory is cherished by all that 
have had the pleasure of knowing him. Several of his children are still residents at Walworth Co., and 
numbered among the most intelligent and respected of her citizens. Wilson, residing on Sec. 7 ; he was 
bjrn in Genesee Co., in 1831 ; married Susan F. Lippit, daughter of Cyrus L'ppit. Tbey have four sons 
— William A., James E., Allen and Bruce. 

JOSIAH DODGE, farmer. Sec. 28; P. 0. Darien; he was born in Seneca Co., N. Y., in 1810. 
His father, Josiah Dodge, wasa native of Massachusetts, born in Hampshire Co., in that State, in 1771. 
Emigrated to Seneca Co., N. Y., and to Genesee Co., in that State, in 1818, where he died in 1851. He 
had eight children. Josiah, Jr., was married in Genesee Co., in 1834, to Julia Long, daughter of Hugh Long, 
and removed to Walworth Co., in 1843, and bought his present fiirm of his father-in-law, Mr. Long. ^Ir. 
Dodge was the first settler on this farm, no improvements having been made when he purchased it. He 
lost his wife in June, 1867 ; bis present wife was Mrs. Susan (Champion) Hastings, widow of Mr. Charles 
Hastings. Mrs. Dodge was born in Alexander, Genesee Co., N. Y., in 1819. Mr. Hastings died in 
1869 : she was married to Mr. Dodge in 1872. Mr. Dodge has six children by first wife — Losette, Mary 
Hugh, Phebe. Julia and Delia ; his farm contains 80 acres. 

MICHAEL FLAHERTY, farmer, resides on Sec. 16 ; P. 0. Darien ; son of Eugene Flaherty, who 
was born in Ireland, and emigrated to this country, and resided in th(' East for some years, and came to 
Walworth Co. in 1840, and .settled in the town of Darien, where he died April 18, 1877. The parents of 
Mr. Flaherty had four sons and three daughters ; the four sons and one of the daughters are living ; the 
mother died several years previous to the death of the fathi'r. Michael was born in Sullivan Co., N. Y., in 
1833 ; married Elizabeth Welch, a daughter of Cary Welch. She was born in Oswego Co., N. Y., in 1.844 ; 
they have three children — Mary, Cary and Arthur ; Mr. Flaherty served two years in the army during the 
rebellion, as a member of the 2d Wis. \'. C. 



746 HISTORY or WALWORTH COUKTY. 

HENRY M. FITSGBRALD, Darien, born in the city of Limerick, Ireland, September, 1841 ; his 
father came to this country from Ireland when Henry was a small child ; his mother, sister and youngest 
brother died of cholera during the prevalence of that disease as an epidemic in Ireland, leaving him alone 
in the world ; his father hearing of the death of his mother, sent for him, and he came to New York in 
September, 1851, when 10 years old; his father provided a home fol" him in a farmer's family, and soon 
after disappeared, and has not since been seen by his son, and that was nearly 30 years ago. The selection of a 
home for his boy, by his father, proved to have been a very unfortunate one, as the people were unkind, 
and were cruel to the boy, but some one came to the rescue, and he found a home with a kind old farmer, 
with whom he remained until he reached manhood ; for this man and his family he has the kindest remem- 
brances ; he enlisted in 18C1 in the 97th N. Y. V. I.; he re-enlisted at the end of his term of service and 
served until the close of the war ; he enlisted as a private, wis regularly promoted to a First Lieutenancy, and 
at the close of the war received a commission as Captain; he participated in many of the most important 
battles of the war, including 2d Bull Run, battle of Chancellorville, Gettysburg, Mine Run, campaign of 
the Wilderness; was at the siege of Petersburg, taking of the Weldon Railroad, etc.; he was a gallant sol- 
dier, and his war record is one of which he may well be proud ; he came to Walworth Co. in 18G5, and 
settled at Darien, which is still his home; he has been engaged in farming, in railroading, and ho'el keep- 
ing successively since he came to Wisconsin ; he married Mary Soper, daughter of C. P. Soper, an early 
settler of the town of Darien ; they have two children — Lottie and Katie. 

HENRY FLEMING, farmer. Sec. 3; P. 0. Delavan ; Mr. Fleming was born at Lockport, Niagara 
Co., N. Y., in 1830 ; he went to Waukesha Co., Wis., in 1849 ; he taught school in Waukesha Co., several 
terms. He came to Walworth Co. in 1855 ; he worked on a farm several seasons and also taught school 
several terms, after coming to Walworth Co. ; he bought the farm which he now owns in 1859 ; he has one 
son, Charles G. 

DAVID FOLTS, merchant at Allen's Grove, was born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., in 1822, where he 
was brought up ; came to Walworth Co. in 1853, and settled on Sec. 30, in the town of Darien. Mr. Folts 
and brother's farm formerly contained 520 acres;apirt of this farm his brother gave to hi-i son^, who 
now occupy it. Mr. Folts has been engaged in agricultural pursuits for the greater part of his life ; failing 
health compelled him to discontinue farming, which was the cause of his engaging in his present pursuit of 
business. His wife was Harriet M. House, born in Herkimer Co., N. Y. They have six children — Mary 
E., Frank C, Jacob J., Minnie E., Lizzie G. and W. A. A. 

JOHN H. FULLER, farmer, Sec. 14; P. 0. Delavan; son of C. M. Fuller, who was born in Ver- 
mont, and came to Walworth Co. about 1859, and settled in the town of Darien; he now lives in the 
town of Delavan. Mr. Fuller's wife was Elizabeth Sperbeck, daughter of Jacob Sperbeck ; they have one 
dausthter — Lena. Mrs. Betsy (Correll) Sperbeck, mother of Mrs. Fuller lives with her son-in-law, Mr. 
Fuller; she was born near Albany, N. Y., Nov. 7, 1795 ; her husband, Jacob Sperbeck, was also born in 
the State of New York. They came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1843 and settled in the town of Darien ; 
Mr. Sperbeck died in March, 1870. Mrs. Sperbeck has had ten children, eight of whom are living. 
Mrs. Fuller was born in Wyoming Co., N. Y., in 1840. 

JOHN GOCHEY, blacksmith, Darien, was born in Lower Canada; his fiither was Francis Gochey, 
also a native of Lower Canada, of French descent. The parents of Mr. Goohey removed to Vermont 
when he was a child; he learned the trade of blacksmith with his father in Vermont. He went to Elgin, 
111., in 1851, where he livetl two year.s, and then to Lake Co., in same State. He came to Darien in Sep- 
tember, 1860; his wife was Sarah J. Sanders, daughter of Jacob G. Sanders, one of the very earliest 
settlers of Walworth Co. He was born near Boston, Mass., but brought up in Franklin Co., Vt.; he was 
married in Franklin Co., Vt., to Hannah White. Mr. Sanders emigrated to Wisconsin and settled in the 
town of Walworth, Walworth Co., in February, 1837. They have six children, three of whom are living 
— Samuel C. resides in Osle Co., III., Sarah J., born in Vermont, in 1832, and Polly, now Mrs. Francis 
Imes The father of Mrs. Gochey died in 1876 ; Mrs. Gochey lived with her son Samuel, Mr. and Mrs. 
Gochey, only one child living — Harvey F. 

M. 0. GRENELL, farmer. Sec. 32; P. 0. Darien; was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., in 1817, 
where he was brought up. He came to Walworth Co. in the ftill of 1853, and settled on his present farm. 
His wile was MissElizi Goddard ; they have three children — Julia K., Sarah and H. B. Farm contains 
120 acres. 

REV. EDWARD L. HARRIS, Sec. 13; P. 0. Delavan; was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., Jan. 
12, 1816. Soon after his birth his parents removed to Vermont, their former place of residence; when 
he was 16 years of age his parents returned to the State of New York. Ho prepared f t college at El- 



HISTOKY OF WALWOKTH COUNTY. 747 

dredge Academy, in Onondaj^a Co., and graduated at Madison University, New York, in 1843. He began 
preaching at " Pike," Allei^hany Co , N. Y., in 1843, wliere he wa.s ordained Aug. 31, 1843, and was mar- 
ried the day of his ordination to Miss Sarah M. Fuller, daughter of Rev. C. M. Fuller. Mrs. Harris was 
born at Grafton, Vt., Aug. 1, 1814; Mr. Harris was pastor of the Ba()li.st Church for two and a half years, and 
five years at Rush ford; then went ^o Beloit, Wis., in 1850, where he was jiastor of a church for three and a half 
years; his health failing he was obliged torelinciuish ministerial labor to a certain extent, and lias devoted much 
of his time to farming since he came to his present loc.ition, in IS'ji ; ho has, however, done much in con- 
nection with the ministry since he came here. Was pastor of the church at Walworth four years, at Burr 
Oak and Lawrence one year, and he organized the Baptist Cliurch at Darien, and was its pastor eleven years. 
During the time of the rebellion he was Chaplain of the 3d Colored Heavy Artillery ; was als9 for a 
time engaged in teaching the Freedman. Mr. Harris' mother, Mrs. Julia Taylor Harris, lives with her 
son ; his father died in 1842. They have two sons — Andrew Fuller and Walter C.irroU. They lost their 
oldest son when he was only 4 years old, they have also an adopted son, Roger Williams, now doing 
bu-iness in Chicago. 

MRS. MARY E. HARWOOD resiides on Sec. 34 ; P. O. Darien ; is the widow of Silas B. Har- 
wood, who was born in Bennington Co., Vt , in August, 1829. Mrs. Harwood's maiden name was Mary 
E. Louis, born in SufSeld, Conn., in 1831. They came to Darien in 1853, and settled on the farm where 
she now resides; her husband died in 1879. Mr. Harwood was an upright, honorable man, and a good 
citizen. Mrs. Harwood has two children — John, born September, 1851), and Helen, born Feb- 
ruary, 1859 

LEMUEL HOLLISTER, fiirraer. Sections 4 and 5 ; P. O. Delavan ; was born in Tompkins Co., 
N. Y., Oct. 12, 1818, where he was brought up; was married to Gertrude A. Latimer, born in Ulster 
Co., N. Y. They came to Walworth Co. from the State of New York in 1843, and settled where they 
now reside. The parents of Mrs. Hollister, Alexander and Nellie Laiimer, came to Walworth Co. 
about 1850, settled in Delavan, where they resided till their death. Mr. and Mrs. Hollister have had 
nine children, seven of whom are living — Adelaide, now Mrs. Elarry Ellis; Mary F., now Mrs. Theodore 
King.sbury; Irene B., now Mrs. William Cheney; Helen I., now Mrs. Clarence R. Conable ; Lorenzo D.; 
jMelburn, Elvalyn J ; Helen I., their fourth child, died at the age of 17 months ; another daughter, a twin of 
Adelaide, died in inliincy. Lorenzo was born at the homestead in 1855, married Lillian North, a daughter 
of Mr. Fred. North ; she Wivs born in Rock Co. in 1857. Mr. Hollister is one of the successful farmers 
of the town of Darien. He has two brothers, Cyrenus and William, who also settled in this town at an 
early day, and are also numbered among the prosperous farmers of Walworth Co, 

H. A. JOHNSON, of Darien, is a representative of a numerous family, which is among the earliest 
settlers of the town. He was born in Steuben Co., N. Y., July 14, 1814; on Sept. 25, 1838, his 
father, with the entire family of married and unmarried children, except one daughter, Mrs. Delilah Smith, 
started westward in wagons. They reached Attica, on the Wabash River, about the middle of November. 
They intended to settle in Jay Co., Tnd., but learning that Walworth offered greater inducement's to set- 
tiers of limited means they continued their journey to Attica, Fountain Co. The grandfather of Mr. 
Johnson, Samuel Smith, being taken ill at Attica, it was decided to remain there during the winter. 
The names of the children of Mr. Asher John.son, who accompanied him West, were Alvah and H. A., 
and their families, Mrs. Joseph Wilkins, John J. Asher, Frank Erastus, and Samuel, also two unmarried 
sisters, Ursula and Emily. In December, Hiram A. and bis father came to Walworth Co. for the pur- 
pose of making a location. In the winter or month ot February, ISiiH, the family continued their 
journey to Walworth Co. The followini; summer, H. A. and family made their home at Delavan. In the 
fall of this year, he built a log house on his land into which he removed bis family. In 1847, he built a 
substantial frame house. .Mr. Johnson is une of the substantial men who have arisen from small begin- 
nings to a competence. He possesses sound business princijiles, is positive in his ideas of rigiit and 
wrong, and fearless in sustaining what lie believes to be just, right and honorable. He was married in 
Steuben Co. to .Miss Aluiira W. Bundy, Sept. 25, 183(), born in (looperstown, Oisego Co , N. Y., in 1815. 
They have had seven children — Napoleon, VVilliani, Mary, Rhoddy, Ursula, Joseph and Cyrus; four of whom 
are living — Mary, now Mrs. Richard Chcsebro ; Rhoda, wife of William Rood; Ursula, wife of Ira Liv- 
ingston, and Joseph Johnson, the only surviving son, who married Miss Amelia Maxson, and lives on the 
old homestead, which H. A. Johnson first entered in 1839. He was married to Miss Almira W. Bundy, 
in Steuben Co., N. Y., Sept. 25, 183G. 

ALVAH JOHNSON, farmer. Section 17; eldest son of Asher John.sdn. He cam(! to Walworth 
Cii. with his fiithcr in 1S38; has been a resident of the county ever since. His first wife be married in 



'^48 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

the State of New York. His present wife was Jane Kerns ; has three children by first wife and five by 
second ; two children dead, one by the first and one by the second wife. 

JOHN J. JOHNSON, Darien ; son of Asher Johnson. Mr. Johnson was born in Steuben Co., N- 
Y., October, 1821. He came to Walworth Co. in March, 1S39. He assisted his fiither in opening a 
farm on Section 20, town of Darien. He was engaged in lumbering on the Wisconsin River till 1849. 
Was married to Eda Howard, daughter of Sylvester Howard. Mrs. Johnson is a native of Maine. She 
came to Wisconsin _ with her parents about 1844. Mr. Johnson settled in the village of Darien in the 
tall of 1863. He is a prominent and successful business man. Has been engaged in buying grain and 
stock for many years. Is an extensive land owner. He also owns the greater part of the original home- 
stead. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have one daughter, Lillie, born in 1859. They lost one daughter, 
Emma. Mr. Johnson's father was born Sept. 22, 1791, and died 1874. His mother was born in New 
Jersey Dec. 25, 1793. Tlie parents of Mrs. Johnson emigrated to Rock Co., Wis, from Maine, in 1844 ; 
her father died in Rock Co. Her mother died at the house of her son-in-law, Mr. Johnson, January, 
1881, aged 87 years. 

TRUMAN H. JONES, former. Section lU; P. 0. Delavan ; son of Loren K. Jones, who was 
born in the State of New York, and came to Walworth Co. and laid claim to a homestead on Section 10. 
Lyman A., brother of L. K. Jones, located a farm the same time, adjoining, which he still owns. Mr. 
Loren Jones died in 1861. He was married in the State of New York, to Miss Laura Greenman ; they 
had ten children ; four sons and six daughters, all of whom are living. Only Truman H. and Orcelia, 
wife of T. Q. Low, who resides at Delavan, are residents of Walworth Co. Truman H. was born in the 
State of New York, September, 1836. He owns a farm adjoining the homestead, and also has charge of 
the latter, where his mother still resides. Mr. Jones has been married twice; his first wife was Sarah 
Nicholas; his present wife was Lottie Rumbles ; he has no children. 

STEPHEN KERNS, farmer, Sec. 8 ; P. (). Darien; was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., in 1835 ; he 
removed with his parents when 2 yearsold to Algonquin, McHenry Co., Ill , where he dwelt until 1873, 
when he came to Walworth Co. and bought his present farm of Jacob Sweet ; he was married to Helen 
Skinner in 1868, daughter of Hiram Skinner; her parents emigrated from the State of New Y^ork to 
Allen Co., Ind., from there to McHenry Co., 111., where they still hve. They have no children. Stephen 
Kerns enlisted in Co. P, 15th 111. V. I., May 24, 1861, at Preeport, 111. Discharged at Springfield, 111., 
June 18, 1864; was'in seven engagements. 

G. P. LATHROP, general merchant, Darien ; is a native of Genesee Co., N. Y.; is a son of L. 
Lathrop, who came to Walworth Co. with his family in 1866 ; his father settled in the town of Sharon 
and engaged in farming; he died in 1871. The parents of Mr. Lathrop had two children — H. L., now 
now a resident of Michigan, and G. P. Mr. Lathrop's mother lives with him. He came to the village of 
Darien and engaged in business with Mr. C. S. Teeple, with whom he continued eight years; Mr. Lathrop has 
been alone in business since March 15, 1880. He keeps a general stock in merchandise, the largest stock 
found in Darien. He is Postmaster at Darien, a position he has held since Oct. 18, 1875. He was mar- 
ried to Delia M. Dodge, daughter of J. Dodge. They have two children — Charles D., born December, 
1872, and Carrie J., born November, 1877. 

FREDERICK LINDEMAN, farmer. Sec. 23 ; P. 0. Darien ; owns a farm on Sec. 34; was born 
in Hanover, Germany, in 1826; came to the United States in 1847; lived in Philadelphia about ten years, 
though he had previously lived in Delaware City for a time. He came to Walworth Co. in 1858; located 
in Darien, and engaged in the butchering business. His wife was also born in Germany. They have had 
eight children, three sons and five daughters. 

JOHNSON MATTESON, farmer. Sec. 20 ; P. 0. Darien ; Mr. Matteson was born in Genesee Co., 
N. C, Nov. 5, 1823. His fother was Price Matteson, born April 17, 1803. Mr. Matteson came to Wal- 
worth Co. in the spring of 1845; he purchased the farm where he now lives the same year. His brother, 
Carlos Matteson, came to Darien several years ago, with Mr. William Carter; Carlos now lives in Nevada. 
Another brother, Cyrus Matteson, came in 1849 ; he was killed by the Mormons or Indians, while on his 
way to California, the same year. Mr. Matteson was married in 1848, to Lucy Barnes; she died Decem- 
ber, 1855. His present wife was Laura Pranklin, born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., in 1838; her parents 
(now deceased) came to Wisconsin. October, 1844. Mr. Matteson had two children by his first mar- 
riage — Orra, now Mrs. H. L. Stone, and Price, who died January, 1830, aged 25 years ; has seven chil- 
dren by present wife — George I., Cyrus A., Prank M., Lizzie A., Johnson G., Clara L. and Marion. 
Mr. Matteson's farm contains 160 acres. 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 749 

ARTHUR W. MAXSON, farmer, Sec. 18; P. 0. Fairfield, Rock Co.; he is a representative of 
one of the pioneers of WaKvortli Co., in fact is himself a pioneer ; was born in the town of Centerville, 
Allej.rany Co., N. ¥., March 10, 1820. His father was Joseph Masson, a native of Rhode Island, 
where he was born in 1787, but removed to Otsego, N. ¥., with his parents when a child, 17 years of age, 
in 1804. The father of the subject of this skeich left his home in Otsego Co. for Allegany Co., for 
the purpose of making him a home at that then Western wilderness ; when he reached his destination, he 
was not in very affluent circumstances ; he wore a substantial suit of clothes, a respectable pair of shoes, 
and had in his pockets 2 co])per cents. These constituted his earthly possessions ; the shoes he exchanged 
for an ax, and with this he cleared away the forest, and made for himself and family a comfortable home; 
this ax, together with the log-chain used by his father in clearing this farm more than three-fourths of a 
century ago, is still in the possession of his son, Arthur W., as is also one of the pennies above mentioned. 
In Slay, 1837, Mr. Arthur W. Maxson, then 17 years of age, came with his father to Walworth Co. for 
the purpose of making a location of a future home ; the location was made ; the land not being in the 
market, Arthur W. remained, and kept possession until February, 1839; when it was purchased, he re- 
turned to New York in June of same year ; the years which he passed alone on his place were lonely 
ones in the extreme ; his nearest neighbor was at Dolavan, a distance of eight miles; his father came again 
in 1841, and in the fall of 1842 brought out his family. His father died in 1864, his mother in 1846. 
He is probably the oldest settler living iu the town of Darien. Three settlers, Elijah Belden, Christopher 
Cheesbro and N. S. Comstock, were here when he came. His parents had seven children, two sons and 
two daughters living, viz. — Arthur W., Orrin T., Caroline Barnes and Ellen Lyon. Mr. Maxson was 
married to Lucy A. Baldwin, born in Ashtabula Co., Ohio ; her parents removed to Rock Co. in 1840. 
They have five children — Amelia, Orrie H., Orrin E., Clara May and Mattie A. For the purpose of 
giving his children better advantages of education, he removed his family temporarily to Janesville, but 
his home is still where it has been for nearly forty-five years, at Maxonville. 

JOHN MOORE, farmer, Sec. 17; P. 0. Darien. Mr. Moore was born in New Jersey, in 1820, 
where he lived till 1854. Married Lorena Hart, also born in New Jersey. They came to Walworth 
County in the f:\ll of 1854. Bought present farm of Charles Fitzer. Mr. Jloore resided in Iowa from 
1872 till 1878, during which time his son took charge of the farm. Mr. and Mrs. Moore have seven 
children— Daniel H., W. H., John T., Charles F., Edwin H., Eva L. and Minnie E. The four oldest 
children were born in the State of New Jersey. Daniel H. is station agent at Rudd, Iowa. William 
H. resides at Trenton, N. J. John T. resides in Oswego, N. Y. Charles F. was born in New Jersey in 
1854; married Ada Rose, born in Illinois ; they have one daughter, Nina Ethel, and reside at home. 
Edwin H., telegraph operator and station agent at Glcndale, on B. C. & Northern R. R, Eva, now 
Mrs. Arthur Robins, at Rockford, Iowa. Minnie, born October 4, 1865, lives at home. 

DAVID NICHOLAS, farmer. Sec. 12; P. 0. Delavan. Mr. Nicholas was born in Herkimer Co., 
N. Y., in 1812. He was married to Sarah Rider. They came to W^alworth County in the spring of 
1846, and settled on the farm which Mr. Nicholas still owns. His wife died in 1861. His present wife 
was Mrs. Polly B. Dunham, formerly Miss Willard. Mr. Nicholas had seven children by his first wife, 
only one of whom, Edward L., is living. His son now occupies the homestead, and Mr. Nicholas resides 
near the village of Delavan. Mrs. Nicholas has two children by her first marriage — Amelia M. and Will- 
iam F. Mrs. Nicholas was born in the town of Stockbridge, Mass., Berk.shire County, in 1815. Her 
parents removed to the State of New York, when she was a child, where she was married to Mr. .J. Dun- 
ham. They came to Wisconsin about 1852, and settled in Jefferson County. Mr. Dunham enlisted in 
August, 1862, and died in October of that year. Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas were married Nov. 3. 1867. 

CYRUS PALMERTON resides at Allen's Grove; born in thetown of Dryden, Herkimer Co., N. Y., 
in 1822. He removed, when a child, with his parents to -Mlegany Co., where he lived till 16 years of age. 
He then went to the town of Covington, Genesee Co., where he lived until 21 years of age. He came to 
Wisconsin in the fall of 1842, and settled on Sec. 24, in the town of Bradford, Rock Co. This farm he 
still owns. He removed to the village of Allen's (irove, in the fall of 187'J, and has been married twice. 
His first wife was Harriet Dykeman, daughter of Cornelius Dykeman. She died Dec. 23, 1876. Ilis 
present wife was Lucy Anderson. He has two children by his first wife — William and George; has an 
adopted daughter, Ellen, now Mrs. Robert More. 

EDWIN E. PARK, farmer; resides on Sec. 20, on the farm of J. J. Johnson ; P. 0. Darien. He 
was born in Chemung Co., in March, 1831. When 20 years of age, he started out to get a knowledge of 
the world. Arming himself with a pair of tin trunks, well supplied with su oh small articles which are 
needed in every family, including pins, needles, thread, etc., he started West, on foot, " to grow up with 



760 HISTORY OF WALWORTH OOIXTY. 

the couutrv." He peddled his way on foot to Portaare. Columbia Co.. being about sis months on the route, 
■following the adage of " go slow and learn to peddle." He returned, however, to New York, and came 
penuanonily to Wisconsin in 1S56. and settled at Black River Falls, where he worked at the business of 
mas Miry. Ho enlisted, in August. lSii2. in the 95th 111. V. L. and sorv.-d till the close of the war. He 
p.artioip;Ued in many important battle* and campaigns of the wi>r. including the siege of Vicksburg, 
B ink's R-hl Rivsr e.^mpuiro : was at thi battle of N.ishville. Spanish Fort. etc. After the war. he re- 
turn:! to Tllinoi*. wltore he was residing wh-^n he enlisted. He came to Walworth Co. in ISGi). His 
wife was Mi.<s M:irv A. Clearwater, born in Chemung Co.. N". Y. Thev have four children — William, M. 
D., F. A. and Mabel A. 

SETH R. PEPPER, blacksmith. Darien. w.^s barn in Pawlet. Rutland Co., Vt.. Dec. 2, 1S23 . 
He resided in Rutland and Bennington Cos. until 1S70. when he wont to Michigan and worked at black- 
smithing for one and a half years: then went to Jackson. Mich., and engaged in the mercantile bu.siness till 
1ST4 : came to Darien. Walworth Co., and established in his present business. Mrs. Pepper, formerly Mar- 
garet Blakely. was born in Ireland. They have five children — Robert L.. now agent on theC, B. ,!c Q. R. R.. 
at Carman. Henderson Co.. 111. : Amelia, now Mrs. S. P. Curtis, lives in Rutland. Vt. : Maggie, wite of J. 
K. Franklin, died Nov. 12, 1,S77 : Mary Bell, now Mrs. R. C. Smith, lives at Pot.Askey. Mich. ; Mattie K.. 
lives at home, aged 15 years. 

.11 DSOX J. PETTY, firm of Stanbro. Petty & Co.. merchants at Darien, w.as born in Northern 
Illinois in 1S55 : he sp.>i»t several ye;ir-; in Californii : then engajoi in business in Sh.aron, in February. 
ISSO. in thefirm name of Stanbro »^ Potty. The firm is now Stanbro. Petty ^t Co. They established 
their store at Darien M.ay 3. ISSO. Mr. Petty has charge of the store .at D,arien. his pirtners con- 
ducting the business at Sharon. Mr. Petty keeps a general store. h,<»s a largo stock of goods, and is 
establishing a fine trade. 

OVID REED, farmer. Sec. 33 ; P. 0. Darien: born in Darien, Gemsee Co.. N. Y.. Nov. 3. 
1S20. His father. Alexander Reed, was also a na'ive of the St.ate of New York. Mr. Rood w.is brought 
up a farmer. In 1S42. he wen: t<i Cleveland, thence to Pittsburgh, and thonco down the river to St> 
Louis, and p.assed the following winter in Pike Co.. 111., where ho taught a term of schtwl. In the 
spring of lS+3. he came to Walworth Co. Ho returned to the State of Now Y'ork the s;ime season, but 
came back to Walworth Co. the following fall, and has been a perm.anont resident of the town of Darien ; 
his father came the following year and settled in the town of Sharon: he died in the fall of lSli9 ; his wife. 
Betsy vCrosby ' Reed, died in 1S04 ; Mr. Reed was married. January. lS4ii. to Jane Seavor. d,aughter of 
Joseph W. Soaver. who came to Wisconsin. October. 1S40. and settled in the town of Darien. The parents 
of Mrs. Reed had seven children, all of whom were born in Genesee Co.. N. Y,: her father died Aug. 1 . 1 S64 ; 
her mother. Mary Long Seavor, died August, 1S50. Mr. and Mrs. Reed have had eleven children, 
nine of whom are living — Lewis S.. Mary E. now Mrs. E. L. Green, lives in Sacramento, C:ll.^. Ann 
E. (in California. Clara J.. D. H. , also in Califoinia'*. Harry D. \\n Omaba^. Haitie M., G corse and 
AleT. Lewis is engaged in business in Omaha ; the names of the children lost wore Ida and DeWitt. 

ANDREW J. RODMAN. M. D.. was born in Schoh.ario Co.. N. Y.. in 1S30 ; he graduated 
at Union College, at Scheuootady. X. 1'., in 1S54. and w.as for several yeais engaged in teaching 
before stcdying medicine : he taught in the New Y'ork Conference Seminary, at Charlotteville, N. Y'.. 
and at^erward in the Academy at Perry, Wyoming Co.. N. 1'. (of which latter institution he was for 
a time Principal '. He began the study of medicine in Perry, and ciintinned it in Delavan and Geneva, 
in Walworth Co. after moving to Wisconsin, in ISoii : he beg-an practice in Woi>dstock. 111., in 1S5S. .and 
thence moved to Huntley, in the same Sute, where he w.as engaged in the practice of medicine six- 
teen years. He graduated at Rush Medical College in ISlin. and was a Sanitary Sun!:eon in the Union 
aruiy during the rebellion : he came to D;irien in October. 1S74. succeeding Dr. SutherLind. In 1S5S, 
he w;is married to Miss Helen A. Streeter. of Geneva. Wis.: they have four children — Carrie. Willis, 
Archer and Helen. 

Daniel RODM an, dealer in lumber, sash, doors, lime, cement, building l^ape^. etc. Darien; 
he w,as born in Schoharie Co., N. Y.. in 1S31. whore he was brought up : ho came to Darien in the 
spring of 1 S57 : he is a carpenter and builder by trade, and was eng^iged in that business for many 
years; he taught school for some time, when a young man : he engaged in the grain business in 1S70; 
has been engaged in the lumber trade since lS7ii; he is doing a large and increasing business; his wife 
was Miss Phebe M. Wharton, bjrn in Schoharie Co. They have three children — Edward, Willard, 
Abina. 



IIISTOUy OF WAJ>VV()UT11 COHNTV. 751 

MARTIN S. ROGKHS, Carnicr, So(^ 20; I'. (), Dnrioii. Mr. Roncw was born in Chemung Co., 
N. Y., in IHHS, wiicro ho lived till IHIIC, when ho icindvcii lo McIIcnry Co., 111., when; he lived till 
IHTf), when ho eiinie to the town ni' Diirieii iind to(]k chiiine of the farm of J. J. .lohtLson, on whieh 
ho now re.siiloH. Ills wife was A«en:ith l*ark,lioi-n in ('hctiiuii;; Co.; lliey have three ehildren — Williw 
M..(JoorKe C. and Ida (i. 

J. K. IU)()I), iM. !>., Parion ; he i.s the win of Krastns Rood, who emi^'rated to Wisconsin from tho 
Htiitc of N<'W York, and . settled in thi! town of l)ari(!n in IHISH. The Doctor waH horn in the town of 
Parien in I.Sfj.S ; he entereil (he ofTiee of Dr. Ueorj^'e K. ('atlin, of (ieneva, as a student of nuMlieine, in 
IHTd; he ■;radua(ed at the Chicago Medical (College in tho spritig oflHHl; ho located at Darien ns a 
jiraetioing physician iti A]iril of that year ; he hc'gaii the study of medicine from a love of th<! seicnce, 
it having hocn his favorite study from a child ; although engaged in prueticc! hut a short time, lio has a large 
and rapidly increasing husincss. 

IIAKVM'^Y SAXTON, Darion, foreman on railroad scetion ; son of J. I. Saxtoii ; he was horn in the 
village of Diiri(^n Nov. liO, 1848; married Kniina Lippitt, daughter of Fionekial liip|iilt, horn in the State 
of New York, in 18K). Mr. Saxton has cieen[)ied hi.s present j)oHition sinei' 1872; they have no children 
of their own, but have one adopted daughter; the lather of Mrs. Saxton came to Walworth Co. in 
1849. 

J. [. SAXTON, farmi'r, See. 22 ; I'. (). Darien. Mr. Saxton was born in (Il.sl.or Co., N. Y.,in 1822, 
where he was brought up ; he was married in 18 I!'. In Melissa Relyea, also born in I lister Co. ; Mr. Saxton 
came to Darien in 181 t, his father-in-law, Ijueas fJiilyea, came at the saUK^ time. Mr. Saxton engaged in 
work at his trade, that, of wagontnaking ; hi' estal)lisln!d the first busine.ss of that kind in tho village of 
Darion ; he setthnl on his farm when; bi^ now lives in 18l)l, but worked more or less at his trade till 1870. 
His father-in law, Mr. IJelyca, died in the spring of 18()2. Mr. and Mrs. Sa.xton have six ehildren — 
Henrietta, Ilarvcy, Isaac, Frank, James and Li/,/,i(! ; tlii'y hav(! lost two children ; Mr. Saxtou's farm con- 
tains 80 acres. 

JTILIUS H. SEAVFR, Darien; bom in Washington Co., N. Y., in 1825; Ik^ rc'mr.ved with his 
parents, Lyman U. and Sally Seavor, to Genesee Co., when ho was but 3 months old ; he eame to Wal 
worth Co. with his father's family, consisting of parents and sovon children, six sons and one daughter, in 
S(!plember, 1831), and settled on Sec. 315, town of Darion ; Julius II. still owns a part ol' the original home- 
stead; his pan'iits resided whore they first settled till 18til, wh(!n they removed to the village of Darien. 
His father died .]\iur 1, 18(;4; his mother died Aug. 28, 1878; his parents had elevc'n children, two of 
whom died in the State (d'New York ; two were born in Wisconsin ; fiv(^ sons and one dangbt,(!r are still living. 
Mr. Seaver has been married twice; his lirst wife was Martha J. Heron, born in Washington (Jo., N. Y. ; 
she died in 1858 ; his present wife was Sarah M. Clerwater ; has two children by lirst wift' Sarah J. and 
J. M. Tho father of ISIr. Seaver was a native of .Vrlington, Vt., born in 17011; lii^ was pnjmini^nt among 
the early si^ttlers of Walworth ('o., and a member of the First Constitutional (Jonventioii of Wisconsin, and 
otherwise |jroniinently iilenti(ied with the early history of tb(! country. 

JA.MFS K. SEAVKR, farmer, Se(;. 31 ; 1'. (). Darion ; son of Lyman II. Seaver (see sketch of Julias 
H. Seavor); was born in Giinosee Co., N. Y., in June. 1837 ; came to Walworth Co., with his |)arents, in 
1830. Mrs. Seaver wa.s formerly I'hebo L. Dodge, daughter of Josiah Dodge ; she was born in tlie town of 
Darien, Genesee ('o., N. Y., in 1841. They have live children — Marcus D., Hcrtba L., William L., 
Clara M. and Josiah 11. Mr. Seaver made his first homo in tli(! town of Sharon, where he lived until 
18(14; settled on present i'arm in that year ; bis farm contains 1 14 acres. 

JAMES SHKRWOOD, retired, Darien; born in Geneseo, Livingston Co., N. Y., in 1810; was 
brought up as a fartner; came to Wisconsin and settled in (he town of Rock in 1844, but returned to Now 
York State, and was married to Daphne S. Patterson in 1847. iMrs. Sherwood was born in the town of 
Coiicsus, Livingston Co., in 1821. Mr. Sherwood resided on his farm in Rock till 1810, when ho came 
to Walworth Co. and settled in the town of IJarion ; he .settled in tho village in the fall of 18(10. They 
have throe children — •''ranklin, born 1852, a farmer at Bradford Center; Clark L., born 18(10, now station 
agent at Clinton ; and Eva, born in 1802. 

WILLIAM L. STOWELL, farmer. Sec. 1 ; P. 0. Dclavan. The subject of this sketch was born in 
the town of Delavan, Walworth Co., Wis., Feb. 13, 1851 ; is the fon of Elijah and Lueinda Stowcll. lie 
was brought up a (armor, ,ind was married March 23, 1881, to Joscphene Stevens, daughter of Daniel A. 
Stevens. Mrs. Stowell was born at Whitney s Point, Rroome Co., N. Y., and came to Wisconsin in her 
childhood with her parents, and resided in Johnstown, Rock Co. Mr, Stowcll's people were among the 
very early settlers of Walworth Co. ; bis father came to Delavan in 1844. 



752 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

HON. C. S. TEEPLE, deceased, whose portrait appears in this work, was for twenty-five years a well 
known citizen and prominent business man of Walworth Co. He was a native of Schoharie Co., N. Y., 
where he was born in 1830. His parents were prudent and substantial farmers, and upon the farm our 
subject passed his earlier years, receiving a good common-school education. Deciding upon a merehantile 
career, he went to New York City and began his business life as clerk in a dry goods house. In 1856, he 
came to Wisconsin, locating at Darien, where he remained identified until his death, Nov. 29, 1881. Mr. 
Teeple began business here as a partner of N. W. Hoag, in the general merchandise line ; subsequently 
continuing business alone until 1872, when G. P. Lathrop becams associated with him, under firm name 
of Teeple & Lathrop. This copartnership was successfully continued until 1880, when Mr. Lathrop re- 
tired, and our subject continued until failing health forced him to close. He was appointed Postmaster at 
Darien in 1805, holding that office until 187(3. Mr. Teeple was prominent in advancing all public meas- 
ures of enterprise and progress, taking a leading interest in educational affairs, and also those of a political 
nature. In 1876, he was elected to represent his district in the State Legislature, and in 1879 was ap- 
pointed Deputy United States Marshal. When the Citizens' National Bank was organized at Delevan he 
was chosen one of its directors, holding that position until his death. He was a consistent member of the 
Baptist Church during his later years, taking special interest in Sunday school work. In business he was 
careful, industrious and honorable ; possessing a genial, sunny nature he made hosts of friends, and in all 
the relations of life was accorded universal esteem and re^pjot. His uiitimjly death, wh^n in the prime of 
life, was a servere blow to the community, where for a quarter of a century he had been ont of the lead- 
ing spirits. Mr. Teeple was united in marriage in October, 1858, to Miss Emily Bnders, also a native of 
Schoharie Co., N. Y. Four children are descendants — Kate E., Matie, Maude and Charles S., Jr. 

LUCIUS C. WAITE, harness-maker in Darien ; son of Isaac N. Waite, who came to the town of 
Darien from the State of New York in May, 1844. Lucius was born in town of Darien in February, 
1846 ; learned the trade of harness-maker of Noah Dudley, who came from Orleans Co., N. Y., to Darien, 
in the fall of 1858. Mr. Dudley died in August, 1879. Mr. Waite was married to Ophelia E. Dudley, 
a daughter of Noah Dudley ; they have four children — Beulah, Hattie, Herman and Alice. Mr. Waite 
worked for Mr. Dudley from June 1869, to August, 1875, when he succeeded his father alone in business. 

CAKY WELCH, farmer. Sec. 16; P. 0. Darien; was born in the town of Windhan, Cona., Jan- 
13, 1799, where he lived till 12 years of age, when he removed with his parents to Cortland Co., N. Y.i 
where he was brought up ; he was married to Eliza Bond May 28, 1826, who was born at Peterboro, Mad- 
ison Co., N. Y., July 6, 1805. They came to Walworth Co. with their family in 1844, though Mr. Welch 
had been here the previous year, and made a location ; he first settled on Sec. 15 ; has lived where he does 
now since 1863. They have five children — William C; Reubaa M., George S., E'izabeth and Melissa; 
farm contains 121 acres. Mr. Welch, though 83 years of age, retains in a remarkable degree his strength 
and activity, and he and his excellent wife are journeying down the hill together, after a long and well- 
spent life. 

JAMES WILKINS, retired farmer; P. 0. Alien's Grove; Mr. Wilkins was born in New Jersey in 
1805, where he was brought up. He was married to Hannah Fergus )n, and removed to Steuben County, 
N. Y., where he lived S3ven years. He came to Walworth County in 1843, and settled in the town 
of Darien. He afterward settled in Rock County, where he still owns a firm. He came to the village of 
Allen's Grove about 1862 ; has nine children, five sons and four daughters, his wife died April, 1878. 

JOSEPH R. WILKINS, farmer, resides at Allen's Grove. O^ns a farm on Sees. 30 and 31, tiwn 
of Darien; P. 0. Allen's Grove. Mr. Wilkins was born in the State of New Jersey in 1817; he 
removed to Steuben County, N. Y., with his parents, John and Susan Wilkins. He married Celestia 
Johnson, daughter of Asher Johnson. He removed with his father-in-law to McHenry County, Hi., in 
1838, and accompanied him the following yexr to Walworth County. He purchased a farm in the town 
of Darien, in 1841. This land constitutes a part of his present farm. He retired from farming and 
removed to the village of Allen's Grove in 1871. They have three children — Albert, Caroline and Alice, 

DAVID WILLIAMS, of Darien, is a settler of 1840 ; was born in Darien, Genesee County. N. Y., 
Jan. 6, 1818; settled in the town of Geneva, Walworth County, in 1840, and engaged in farming until 
1868, when he moved to Darien ; the farm he then purchased is still in his possession. Mr. Williams 
has held various town offices; was elected member of the Legisl.iture in 1857 , has been Justice of the 
Peace twelve years, doing additional business of collector and insurance agent., etc., most of the time 
since he came here; was President of the State Agricultural Society for the years 1864 and 1865, and 
President of the County Agricultural Society for a numSer of years ; he is a prominent member ot the 
Masonic fraternity; he has been Master of the lodge at D.irien for several years; his wife was Miss 



HISTOKY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 753 

Adelia Phelps, a native of Genesee County, N. Y., daughter of Daniel Phelps; they have two children 
— Henry (a resident of the homestead) and Bettie C. They lost one son, before coining to Wisconsin. 
Mr. W. is a gentlemen well informed on the topics of the day; he is an extensive reader, and a man of 
general intelligence. 

WILLTA.M Fl. WILLIAMS, farmer, Sec. 17 ; P.O. Fairfield, Rock County; was born in Gene- 
see County, N. Y., in 1.S2G ; his parents were John and Ann Williams; he was married to Martraret A. 
Vanderhoof ; they have five children — Daniel, Ida, Lillie, Dora and May. Mr. Williams bought his 
present farm of Mr. James Sherwood ; settled in Darien in 18.50; her father died March, 1881 ; her 
mother died iu 1 Still. 

DKLOS WILLIAMS, druggist, Darien; was horn in Genesee County, N. Y., in the year 1824; 
his father was John Williams, an early settler of Darien. Mr. Williams engaged in farming for 
several years. After coming to Walworth County, he went to California in 18.'^)0, and engaged in min- 
ing ; returned in 1855, and resumed the occupation of farming ; settled in the village in 1858, and 
eniraged in the drug business the following year ; his drug store was the first in the village ; was estab- 
lished by Messrs. Phelps & Williams ; the latter was a brother of the present proprietor. Mr. Williams 
was married to Miss Lydia M. Phelps, born in the State of New York. They have one child — Elizabeth, 
born in Darien May 18, 1SG7. The father of Mr. Williams has quite an extensive family. There were 
ten children, six sons and four daughters ; five sons and one daughter are still living. 

ADRI.\N WINNB, wagon-maker, Darien; was born in Albany County, N. Y., in 1818, where he 
was brought up, and learned his trade of James Goold, in Albany, with whom he remained six years. 
Mr. Winne was in the employ of the Government as wagon-maker for twenty-six years. He was employed 
at Watervliet Arsenal, near Albany, for a long time, then to Washington, D. C. ; was also in the State 
of Georgia for a time, while in the service of the Government. He removed from the State of New 
York to Clinton, Rock County, Wis., in 1867 ; he came to Darien in the fall of 1868. His wife was 
Mary Ann Groat, born in x\lbany, in the State of New York. They have two children — Mary A. and 
Maude (now Mrs. Fred Johnson). 

JOHN YALE, M. D., of the town of Darien Section, one mile west from Delavan Village; was 
born in the town of Guilford, Chenango County, N. Y., Dec. 27, 1821 ; is the son of Stephen and Sally R. 
(Ivesl Y'ale. Dr. Yale is a direct descendant from the founder of Y^ale College. He received his medical 
education at the Geneva Medical College of New York, and at the New York City Hospital, from which 
he graduated March 9, 1846. He entered into practice of his profession at Mt. Upton, N. Y., where he 
remained until 1859, when he moved to Corning, Steuben County, and practiced until 186li ; he then 
moved to Bainbridge, Chenango County, and continued the practice of medicine at that place until 
1875, when he came to Walworth County, Wis., and settl ad on a small farm of thirty acres, situated on Sec. 
12, town of Darion, west of Delavan Village. He has virtually retired from practice, but his well known 
skill and experience causes him to be sought in critical cases, and in consultation. He was married at Mt. 
Upton, N. Y., in September, 1846, to Miss Mary J. Chamberlain. They had one son — John C. (now 
residing with his father). Mrs. Yale died in December, 1856 ; the Doctor was married again June 23, 
1857, at Norwich, N. Y., to Miss Emily Hoag, daughter of Philo Hoag. Mrs. Dr. Yale was boru in Nor- 
wich, N. Y. 

S. ZIEBACH, grain-buyer, Darien. He engaged in buying grain for J. Williams, of Freeport, III., 
who does an extensive business at various points on this railroad and elsewhere. Mr. Ziebach came here 
in 1878. He has had large experience in the grain and stock business, and bears an excellent reputation 
as an upright, honorable business man. He is a natives of Pennsylvania, born in 1810. He went to 
Northern Illinois in 1866. Has been engaged in the grain business most of the time since. His wife 
WiUi born in Pennsylvania. They have four children. 



754 HISTORY or WALWORTH COUNTY. 



TOWN OF SHARON. 

ORGANIZATION. 

When the county of Walworth was hrst divided into towns, by act of the Ten-itorial Legis- 
lature, approved January 2. 1838, the territory now constituting the town of Sharon was a 
portion of the town of Delavan; it so remained until the early part of 1839, when Towns No. 
1, in Ranges 1.1 and 17 east, were set off from Delavan, and formed a separate town by the name 
of Walworth. By an act of the Territorial Legislatiu-e. approved March 21, 184:3, Town 1 
north, in Range 15 east, was set off from Walworth, and formed into a separate town and called 
Shai'on. The first town meeting in accordance with this act was held at the house of Josiah 
Topping, on the 4th day of the succeeding month. 

NATURAL FE.iTURES. 

The surface of the town of Sharon is rolling. There are about two thousand acres of 
mai'sh land, principally in the southeastern part, and on Sections 4 and 11, together with a 
number of small marshes in various portions of the tovra. Turtle Prairie extends into the town 
some distance, covering jjrincipally Sections 1 and 2. Burr-oak openings are .scattered promis- 
cuously throughout nearly the whole town. On Section 211 and on Section 22 are the head- 
waters of two small streams, which flow in a northerly direction, and, uniting in the southern 
part of Section 7, form the South Branch of Tiu-tle Creek, which, with many a circuitous bend, 
flows in a general northerly direction, and leaves the town on Section (3, near the village of 
Allen's Grove. Near this branch of Turtle Creek, and on Section 7, are large quarries of lime- 
stone. The Piscasaw Creek rises on Section 24. and flows alnjost straight south, leaving the 
town on Section 36. 

As an agricultural town, Sharon is not equaled by any town in the county, the soil being 
generally excellent in quality, of a heavy clay loam on the higher lands, with rich alluvial de- 
posits in the lower lying bottoms. The timber is similar to that of the stuTounding towns, being 
in the maiu white and Inirr oak, interspersed with hickory, jioplar, ash and other indigenous 
varieties. The streams already mentioned, with their small tributaries, constitute the water 
supply. 

While wheat and the other small grains, such as were mainly raised in early days, are still 
raised to considerable extent, the attention of the farmers during the later years has been more 
devoted to the raising of stock, hay, wheat and com. The inhabitants of Sharon are principally 
Americans, with a generous sprinkling of Germans and Norwegians. The social and religious 
condition of the town is good, and excellent schools are maintained. The population in 1875 
was 1.989: it is now 1,956, 

PIONEER HISTORY. 

To John Reeder is due the credit of having been the first settler in this town. He located 
on Section 27, in what is now Reeder's Grove, as early certainly as in February, 1837. He 
remained here but a short time, and built a small log shanty. Mr. Reeder was an Englishman, 
and had his family with him. Good authority says " that, late one afternoon, Mr, Reeder no- 
ticed two horses following up the old army trail that led across the county from the head of 
Geneva Lake, and about a mile north from where he had located. In a few moments afterward, 
he saw two men following the same trail and in the same direction. This led him to think that 
he probably had some neighbors in that vicinity; so, early the next morning, he started out to 
see if he could find them. He soon roachad the present village of Darien, where he found and 
made the acquaintance of John Bruce and a companion, who were then engaged in erecting a 
small cabin. On the preceding night, their horses had broken loose, and they followed and 
caught them, and were the men that Mr. Reeder had seen." The same authority says that at one 
time, soon after he located here, Mr. Reeder went to Chicago for j)rovisions. He was delayed 



H18T0UY OF WALWOKTII COUNTY. 755 

longer than he expected on account of bad roads, etc., and when he returned his famil}' had 
been for four davs with nothing to eat but a few dry crusts of bread. IVIi-. Reeder did the lirst 
breakino; in the town of Sharon. He afterward removed into the town of Walworth, where he 
resided until a few years ago, when he removed to the village of Delavau, where he died. 
Among the other (>arly settlers who located in the town of Sharon are H. Smith Young, on Sec- 
tion 12; Robert Young, (jn Section 18: Timothy O'Connor, on Section 'I\ (1. Langdon, on Sec- 
tion ('): Josiah To]>ping, cm Section 1; J. H. To]iping, on Section 2; Henry DaiTow, on Section 
C); George Winters, on Section 17; Theodore Wheeler, on Section 17; M. "Winters, on Section 
17; D. J. Best, on Section 17; Joseph Brown, on Section 17; J. McKonkey, on Section 1; J. 
and M. Auchampach, on Section 10; M. B. Goft', on Section 1; j\Ii\ Blake, on Section 28. Mr. 
Billings, on Section 9; J. Van Ostrand, on Section 33; H. and I. Case, on Section 14; D. Wil- 
cox, on Section 14; D. Wilcox, on Section 23; Mr. Condor, on Section 20; J. Bell, on Section 
31; Hem-y Dennis, on Section 31; E. L. Reynolds, on Section 3(j; W'. Van Wormer, on Section 
1; A. Matteson, on Section 13; John Mereness, on Section 3; Mr. Kirby, on Section 33; and 
Derias Masou, on Section 13. Some of these persons are still living where they tirst located, 
while some have died, and others have moved away. The lands in Sharon are excellent, which 
invited emigration, and it is now one of the most respectable and wealthy farming towns in the 
county. A few incidents of the early settlement, which the old settlers yet like to laugh over, 
may be pardonable. It is said that money was scarce among them in an early day, and one of 
the greatest hai'dships they had to endure was paying taxes. Potatoes were nearly as scarce as 
money. The lirst Collector discovered a hole of potatoes belonging to a person who had neg- 
lected to pay his taxes, and advertised a " potato hole " for sale. The tax-payers, before the 
day of sale, took the potatoes out and left the hole as advertised, to the great merriment of all 
but the Collector. 

It is related again that D. J. Best and William P. Allen embarked in the mercantile busi- 
ness at a very early day, and with very little money. They were in need of goods, and accord- 
ingly went to Chicago and made ap])lication to Charles Walker for a stock of goods on time. 
Mr. Walker, after looking the gentlemen over rather closely, and making some inquiries, finally 
said: " Gentlemen, I don"t know you." Mi-. Best, with his usual wit, quickly replied: 
" Neither do we know you, bait we will take om- chances if you will." It is needless to state 
that these gentlemen obtained all the goods they wished. 

In the early settlement of the country, farmers from Darien and Turtle Piairie ])Tit in their 
winters hunting timber from Government land in Sharon, and many of them yet say that they 
worked harder for " Uncle Sam " during the winters than they did for themselves. The settlers 
of Sharon finally became somewhat indignant at these jiroceedings. A new settler finally came 
in and commenced the erection of a house, but could get no lumber for rafters or roof. Some 
of the older settlers said to him one evening: " We can help you some, as there is a big log on 

a sled by the side of the road up by G 's place, that L S , from Turtle Prairie, 

could not draw. Now, we will take oiu- " stags,' and you put your horses on, and we will soon 
have some lumber for you." They accordingly drew the log to Pierce's saw-mill, rolled it over 
all the logs in the log-way, had it sawed, and drew the lumber home. They then drew the sled 

back where they found it; all this being dime before L S came back in the morning. 

L S , a good-natured fellow, when ho arrived, said: "Well, boys, you have played 

smart, hain't you? Now, let me tell you that hereafter you will have to load your logs." 

The tirst mill was built on Section 7, on Turtle Creek, by a Jose])h Pierce, in 1841. It is 
now owned by Pramer & Winters, and has two run of stone. Another small mill was built at 
Allen's Grove, on the same stream, but was run only a short time, as it never paid exjaenses. 

The first church was built by the Lutherans, on Section 34, in 1848. This was moved into 
the village of Sharon in 1860. 

The fu-st school was taught in 1841, on Section 2, on Turtle Prairie. This school was 
taught in the tirst schoolhouse built in the town, during that year. 

Two " neighborhoods " sprang up in the town of Sharon soon after it was tirst settled — 
South Grove and Sharon Corners. At Sharon Corners, the tirst regular store in the town was 
opened by M. Van Winters. Here also the tirst hot(4 was built, by J. Jones, at about the same 
time. The tirst post office in the town was established at this point in 1843, and Isaac Case 



■^56 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

received the appointment as Postmaster. Various persons have held the position since, and in 
1881 the ofSce was discontinued. 

At South Grove, a store was opened by D. J. Best in 1845, and a post office established 
diu-ing the same year, with Jlr. Best as Postmaster. This oifiee has continued under the ad- 
ministration of various persons until a few years ago, when it was also discontinued. Mr. Best 
made the fu'st boots and shoes that were made in the town at this place. 

These places have become almost extinct since the village of Sharon sprang up. 

The first death in the town occiuTed in 1842. and was Michael Kilmartiu. He was buried 
at South Grove. 

The first frame house was built by D. J. Best, in the summer of 1842, and the fu-st brick 
house was built by M. B. Gofl', in 1843 or 1844. 

OFFICIAL. 

The town of Sharon, as before stated, was set off and organized as a town by special act of 
the Territorial Legislatm-e, approved March 21, 1843. The first town meeting and election of 
officers in accordance with this act was held at the house of Josiah Topping, on Section 1, 
April 4, 1843. Amos Wheeler was appointed as Moderator, and Aaron Carr as Clerk of this 
meeting. Among others, the following resolutions were passed: "That lint one Assessor and 
one Constable be elected; that one-half of 1 per cent upon the assessment roll be raised as a 
school fund: that the compensation of the Supervisors be $1 per day for their services, and that 
of the remainder of the officers be the same as is allowed in the State of New York." 

The officers elected at this meeting were as follows, forty-thi-ee votes lieing cast: 

Supervisors, H. Smith Young, Chairman; Deai-born Blake, George Winters; J. V. W. 
Severson, Clerk; Amos Wheeler, Assessor: John Auchampach, Collector; John H. Toi)ping, 
Treasurer; William Van Ostrand, George Winters, Myron Auchampach, Commissioners of 
Highways; William Case, G. E. Taylor, M. B. Goff, Commissioners of Schools. 

The following is a list of the officers since the organization of the town: 

1844 — Supervisors. Edward P. Conrick, Chairman, George Winters, David Wilcox ; David Lar- 
kin, Clerk; John H. Topping, Treasurer ; D. J. Best, xVssessor ; Kdward Topping, Collector ; M. B. 
Goff". Michael Van Winter, George Taylor, Justices of the Peace ; M. B. Gofl', "Benjamin Wheeler, 
William P. Allen, Commissioners of Schools ; Edward Topping, James E. Bell, Hiram Gunn. Con- 
stables. 

1845 — Supervisors, Edward P. Conrick. Chairman, David Wilcox, Christian Pramer ; David 
Larkin, Clerk ; David Wilcox, M. B. Goff", David J. Best, Assessors ; Walter F. Cansburg, Treasurer; 
Edward Topping. Collector ; William P. Allen, Alvah Salisbury, E. L. Tisdel, Commissioners of 
Schools ; Edward Topping, S. W. Smith, E. P. Jones, Constables, 

1846— Supervisors, Pliny Allen, Chairman. E. C. L. Reynolds, Josiah Topping ; Luke 0. Ladd, 
Clerk ; John H. Topping. Treasurer ; Alvah Salisbury, George Sykes, Assessors ; David J. Best, 
Collector ; William P. Allen, A. Matteson. H. Smith Young, Commissioners of Schools ; David Lar- 
kin, Julius A. Treat, M. B. Goff, Justices of the Peace ; Lewis Pramer, Horace Smith, George Dens- 
more, Constables. 

1847— Supervisors, Pliny Allen, Chairman, L, J. Pilkins, Alvah Sahsbury ; William P. Allen, 
Clerk; John H, Topping, Treasurer ; John D. Older, David Wilcox, David W, Baldwin. Assessors; 
George D. Reed, Collector ; M. B. Gotf, George Mansfield, David W. Larkin, Commissioners of 
Schools , Albert L. Mason. George Densmore, Charles E. Case, Constables. 

1848— Supervisors, Pliny Allen. Chairman, L. J. Filkius, David Wilcox : William P. Allen, 
Clerk ; Alonzo McGraw, Treasurer ; John Chapin, Jr., Collector ; Alvah Salisbury, Isaac Searl, Johu 
D. Older, Assessors ; J. A. Treat, Aaron Budlong, David W. Larkin, Justices of the Peace ; George 
Mausfleld. Thomas Ken, William P. Allen, Commissioners of Schools ; John Chapin, Jr., Rolland F. 
Sheldon, William Loucks, Constables. 

1849— Supervisors, David Wilcox, Chairman, L. J. Wilkins, David Hoard ; William P. Allen. 
Clerk ; George Sykes, Assessor ; Alonzo JIcGraw, Treasurer ; M. W. Empie. Superintendent of 
Schools ; J. A. Treat, Isaac Searl, Aaron Budlong, M. B. Goff, Justices of the Peace ; J. G. Callen- 
der, William Loucks, R. F. Sheldon, Constables. 

1850— Supervisors, D. B. Mason, Chairman, John Mereness, M. B. Goff; William P. Allen, 
Clerk ; David E. Hoard, Treasurer ; (jeorge Treat, Assessor ; M. W. Empie, Superintendent of 



HISTORY OF WALAVOUTII rOT'XTY. 757 

l^ehools : T). W. Larkin. Pliny AUon, J. A. Troat, Tsaue Searl, .lu>iticrs oftlio I'oacc ; B. G. Dow, D. 
W. HaUhviii. A. L. Mason, Constables. 

1851 Supervisors. .John Diokson, Cliainnan, Henry Van Horn. John S. Burrows; Willian P. 

Allen, Clerk ; J. A. Treat, Assessor ; I)a\ id C. Hoard, Treasurer ; M. W. Enipie, Superintendent ol 
Schools ; Aaron Budlong. D. W. I.arkin. Justiees of the Peace ; A. L. Mason, Aaron Gardiner, D. 
W. Baldwin. C()nstal)les. 

1852 — Supervisors, S. W. Voorliees, Chairman, George Mansfield, George Winter ; William P. 
Allen. Clerk ; John Ladd, Assessor ; John Mereness, Treasurer ; M. W. Empie, Superintendent of 
Scliools ; George DensuK/re, J. A. Treat, Isaac Searl, Justices of the Peace ; D. W. Baldwin, B. G. 
Dow, Alvin Beardsley, Constables. 

1853 — Supervisors, S. W. Voorhees, Chairman, Henrj- Dennis, David Wilcox : Jay G. Callender, 
Clerk ; John J.,add, Asses.s(n- ; John Mereness, Treasurer ; M. B. Goff, Superintendent of Schools ; 
D. K. Hoard, William P. Allen. Z. T. Lee. Justices of the Peace ; William Loueks, B. G. Dow, Ezra 
Graves, Constables. 

1854 — Supervisors, Hen;-y Dennis. Chairman, F. P. Arnold. D. Y. Milniine; J. G. Callender, 
Clerk; D. W. Baldwin, Assessor ; B, (j. Dow, Treasurer ; John Dickson, Superintendentof Schools ; 
William P. Allen. John Hutchins. Justices of the Peace ; B, G. Dow. Marvin Joiner. William Rafe- 
ty. Constables. 

1855 — Supervisors, Pliny Allen. Chairman, Justin AV right. Jay G. Callender; William P. Allen, 
Clerk ; James W. Snyder, Treasurer ; S. W. Voorhees, John W. Bronson. N, E. Bennett, Assessors; 
N. E. Bennett, Superintendent of Schools ; A. L. iMason. Seth Doolittle. A. Woodward, William ]'. 
Allen. Justices of the Peace ; Marvin James. William Rafety, B. G. Dow, Constables. 

185(] — Supervisors. George Mansfield. Chairman, Walter Stocking, S. W. Voorhees ; William P. 
Allen. Clerk ; P. G. Spencer, Treasurer ; D. V. Milmine, Assessor ; J. B. Hutchins, Superintendent 
of Schools ; J. W. Bronson, A. L. Mason, Justices of the Peace ; William Rafety, B, G. Dow, W. H. 
Voorhees. Constables. 

1857 — Supervisors. Georae Mansfield. Chairman. George Densmore, D. E, Hoard ; William P, 
Alien. Clerk; Michael Knaub. Treasurer ; J. A. Treat, Assessor ; C. A, Hutchins, Superintendent of 
Schools ; A, Woodward. William P. Allen. Justices of the Peace ; B. G, Dow. Sardis I'ixley, Will- 
iam \'oorhees, Constables, 

1858 — Supervisors. David Wilcox, Chairman, (icorge Densmore, Justin Wright ; John Good- 
land. Clerk ; Joseph Stam. Treasurer ; J. A. Treat, Assessor ; J. B. Hutchins, Superintendent of 
Schools ; A. L. Mason, Seth Doolittle, Justices of the Peace ; Samuel C, Sanders, Sardis Pixley, W, 
C. Van Elten, Constables, 

1859 — Supervisors. F. P. Arnold. Chairman, Walter Stocking. Justin AVright ; John Goodland, 
(!lerk : B. I', Levalley, Treasurer ; J. A. Treat, Assessor ; X. E. Bennett, Superintendent of Schools ; 
John Goodland. A, Woodward, Justices of the Peace ; Sardis Pixley, S. C. Sanders, H. W. Randall, 
Constables. 

I860 — The names of the officers for this j"ear, have never been entered in the town book, and 
consequently there is no record to be found. 

1861— Supervisors, F. P. Arnold. Chairman, Nathan Gill, C. B. Miner ; William P. Allen. Clerk ; 
J. C. Sanders, Treasurer ; J. A. Treat, Assessor ; Charles Allen, Superintendent of Schools ; (ieorgo 
Winters, S. G. Arnold, Justic(^s of the Peace ; William H. Babcoek. Sardis T'ixloy, S. C. Sanders, 
Constables. 

1862 — Supervisors, F. P. Arnold, Chairman, Charles Allen, Walter Stocking ; John (ioodland. 
Clerk ; Garrett Mereness, Treasurer ; A. L. Mason, Assessor; John Goodland, A. L. Mason. John 
Dickson. Justices of the Peace ; W. H. Babcoek, Charles Lewis, A. B. Clark. Constables. 

18<i:! — Supervisors. F, I'. Arnold, Chairman, Charles Allen. George Manslield ; William P, .\1- 
len. Clerk : John Goodland. Treasurer ; A. L. Mason, Assessor ; N. E, Bennett, William Pramer, 
.lustices of the Peace; D, W, Baldwin. A. B. Clark, Joseph Conley, Constables. 

1864 — Supervisors. Walter Stocking. Chairman, Justin Wright, (Jeorge Mansfield ; C. A. Hutch- 
ins, Clerk; William J. Arnold. Treasurer; A. L. >lason. Assessor; William P, AUen, A. L. Mason, 
George Pramer, Jr.. Justices of the Peace ; W. V. Clymer, P. M. Ottman, Joseph Conley. Constables. 
1865 and 1866 — The names of the officers for the two years have not l)een entered in the town 
records, and are injt to be found. 

1867 — Supervisors. John Mereness, Chairman. Jeremiah Daniels. Henry Dennis ; William P, 
Allen, Clerk ; William Ilumphrev. Treasurer ; J. A. Treat. Assessor ; A. L. Mason. William P, .M- 

7. 



768 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUKT"i . 

len, 3Iiles Cbafee, Justices of the Peace ; Williiun Humphrey, W. H. Babeock, Martin Conrad, Con- 
stables. 

1868 — Supervisors, Heurj- Dennis, Chairman, M. R. Hoard, Justin Wright ; William P. Allen, 
Clerk ; Levi E. Allen, Assessor ; Jacob Staley, Treasurer ; Miles Cliaiee, A. Matteson, John Dick- 
son, Justices of the Peace ; Jacob Staley, Henry Babeock, George Horn, Constables. 

1869 — Snpervi.sors, F. P. Arnold, Chairman, George Sykes, George Winter; William P. Allen, 
Clerk ; Jacob Staley, Treasurer ; Levi E. Allen, Assessor ; William P. Allen, C. R. Treat, A. L. Ma- 
son, Joseph Brand, Justices of the Peace ; George Horn, W. H. Bal)cock. F. W. Ilutchins, Constables. 

1870— Supervisors, John Mereness, Chairman, S. W. Voorhees, Joseph Conley ; William P. 
Allen, Clerk ; C. A. Brownson, Treasurer ; A. L. Mason, Assessor ; D. G. Morris, N. E. Bennett, F. 
W. Hutchins, Justices of the Peace ; W. H. Babeock. George ;\Iarkle, P. H. Hausbergh, Constables. 

1871 — Supervisors, F. P. Arnold, Chairman, Joseph Conley, S. W. Voorhees ; William P. Allen, 
Clerk ; C. H. Bronson, Treasurer ; William P. Allen, Assessor : William P. Allen, George Treat, 
Justices of the Peace ; P. M. Ottraan, William II. Babeock. S. W. Parks, Constables. 

1872 — Supervisors, J, A. Treat, Chairman, Justin Wright, G. Mereness; William P. Allen, 
Clerk ; George Pramer, Treasurer ; A. L. Mason. Assessor ; John Dickson, D. G, JI orris, N. E. Ben- 
nett, Justices of the Peace ; W. H. Babeock, Peter Flansburgh, L. W. Parks, Constables. 

187H — Supervisors, W. R. Herron, Chairman, George Winters, George Sikes ; William P. Allen, 
Clerk ; H. B. Howell, Treasurer ; A. L. Mason, Assessor ; William P. Allen, S. W. Voorhees, Justices 
of the Peace ; P. M. Ottman, W. H. Babeock, B. M. Cary, Constables. 

1874 — Supervisors, W. R. Herron, Chairman, George Winters, George Sikes ; William P. Allen, 
Clerk ; H. B. Howell, Treasurer ; A. L. Mason, Asses.sor ; W. L. Stocking, John Dickson, William 
Hutchins, Justices of the Peace : P. M. Ottman, W. H. Babeock, W. L. Adams. Constables. 

1875— Supervisors, J. A. Treat, Chairman, George Sikes, J. H. Topping ; William P. Allen, 
Clerk ; C. R. Treat, Treasurer ; A. L. Mason, Assessor ; William P. Allen. Justin Wright, A. C. Le- 
baron. Justices of the Peace ; Henry Trnax, William Hamlin, W. II. Babeock, Constables. 

187C — Supervisors, J. A. Treat, Chairman, George Sikes, Jared Topping ; William P. Allen, 
Clerk ; A. L. JIason, Treasurer ; 0. C. Moon, A. Woodard, Jr., A. Matteson, Justices of the Peace ; 
Henry Truax, Henry Babeock, Elmer Mattesen, Constables. 

1877 — Supervisors, J. A. Treat, Chairman, George Sikes, J. H. Topping ; William P. Allen, 
Clerk ; C. F. Arnold, Treasurer ; A. L. Mason, Assessor ; William P. Allen, A. Woodard, Jr., How- 
land Fish, Adam Peters, Justices of the Peace ; James Welch. William Markle, Alden Field, Con- 
stables. 

1878 — Supervisors, J. A. Treat, Chairman, (ieorge Sikes, George Winters ; William P. Allen, 
Clerk ; C. F. Arnold, Treasurer ; A. L. Mason, Assessor ; Howland Fish, A. P. Wilkins, A. L. Ma- 
son, Justices of the Peace ; W. H. Babeock. Henr^- Truax, Elmer Matteson, Constables. 

1879 — Supervisors, J. A. Treat, Chairman, G. Mereness, J. Daniels ; William P. Allen, Clerk ; 
W. E. Mereness, Treasurer ; J. W. Brownson, Assessor ; William P. Allen, A. Woodard, Jr., A. 
Schellenger, A. Matteson, Justices of the Peace ; J. W. Welch. W. H. Babeock, Elmer Matteson, 
Constables. 

1880 — Supervisors, W. R. Herron, Chairman, Jerry Daniels, Morris Isaacs ; L. P. Ballard, Clerk ; 
William S. Hamlin, Treasurer ; S. G. Bardwell, Assessor ; A. Schellenger, C. F. Arnold, Justices of 
the Peace ; John Stockbridge, George Markle, W. H. Babeock. Constables. 

1881 — Supervisors, W. R. Herron, Chairman, Jerry Daniels. Morris Isaacs ; L. P. Ballard, 
Clerk ; William S. Hamlin, Treasurer ; H. G. Bardwell. Assessor ; A Woodard, Jr., William P. Allen, 
A. L. Mason, Justices of the Peace ; Peter Gosso, D. McDonald. H. Miller, Frank Moon, Constables. 

VILLAGE OF SHAHON. 

The village of Shju'on is located on Section 33 of the town of Sharon, on the Wisconsin 
Division of the Chicago & North-Western Railroad, which enters the town on Section 84, and, 
running in a northwesterly direction, passes out on Section 3(1. The first settlers of the village 
were William Van Ostrand and a Mr. Southard, who located in 1842. 

Pi-evious to the coming of the railroad, there were no other dwellings in the vicinity than 
those of the first settlers. For some time, the location of the dej)ot and grounds was uncertain 
— whether it should be a mile east of where it now is, on the State line, or about the same dis- 
tance west. This uncertainty, however, was dispelled in 1855, when it received its present 



HISTORY OF WAl. WORTH COITNTY. "o9 

location. About this time, Robert Campbell, of Oshkosli, liaviii},' [lurchasod the land on which 
the village is now located, laid out forty acres into village lots. The first lots were piu'chased 
by H. H. Bidwell. The railroad was built through in 1850. and since then the village has had 
rather a rapid and permanent gi'owth. 

H. H. Bidwell was the first station agent. 

The lu-st store was built and opened by George Millmine. in 1856. Sam Sanderson kept 
the first saloon. The first blacksmith was John Gochey. Ho is now living in Darien. 

The first hotel was built by Seymour Kice, in 1S57. 

This building was a small two-story frame, and is now standing and used as a dwelling 
house. Ml'. Rice jtreviously ke])t a "stopping-place" in a log house Imilt by A\'illiam \'an Os- 
trand. 

A ]VIr. Wilson was the first to blister, bleed and dose with calomel, while F. R Arnohl at- 
tended to all legal matters to the entire satisfaction of the one side and the utter disgust of the 
other in every suit at law. 

Leslie Low was ihe first white child born in the village, in 1858. 

A male child of Dr. Wilson's died of the small pox in 1857, and was the first death. 

Sharon's business is at present represented by four stores, carrying a stock of clothing, dry 
goods, hats and ca]>s. boots and shoes, etc : one gi'ocery store, three drug stores, two hardware 
stores, one variety store, two shoe stores, three restaui'ants. two hotels, one flouring-mill. one 
cheese factory, seven physicians, five ministers, and a number of mechanics anil mechanics' 
shops. 

A schoolhouse was built near the site of the present one in the village of Sharon in about 
1848. This was replaced by the present schoolhouse a few years afterwaixl, which has from 
time to time been remodeled and added to. It is situated in the northern part of the village, 
and is a twostorv frame building, representing a valuation of about §3,00(\ 

Through the efibrts of Rev. J. G. Schaeffer. then pastor of the Lutheran Church, a noi-mal 
institute was foi'med in t)etober. 18(i6. A building was erected through the enterprise of ])ub- 
lic-spirited citizens, and the Sharon Academy, as it was then called, commenced its first si'ssion 
in December. 1S67. with ninety six students, under the princij)alship of Mr. Schaetl'er and Prof. 
E. S. Chadwick. of Beloit. The next year, a regular training school was oi'ganized. In June 
of that year, Mr. Schaeft'er resigned on account of ill health and the pressm-e of multitudinous 
duties, to the sincere and publicly expressed regret of all those interested in the growth and 
permanency of the Sharon Academy. To push the enterprise, he also established and edited 
the Mirrm: which made its first ajipearance June 5, ISCiK The school gi-eatly flourished under 
his management, and continued actively in the field of education until 187M. when it was closed. 
The building is a two story frame structure, situated in the southern part of the village, on a 
commanding eminence. In INSO. a free high school was organized, its Principal b(>ing James 
Ellis. 

POST OFFICE. 

In 185N. a petition was presented to the Post Office Department at Washington for the es- 
tablishment of a post office at this point, which petition was acted upon favorably and the; office 
oi)eiied. with John Hodgdon as Postmaster. It was then kept in the corner Imilding, formerly 
owned by Seth Doolittle. and now the i>roperty of William ^'eley. who is about to erect a business 
block in its place. The receipts at this time amounted to from $25 to $80 ])er (puirter. Mr. 
Hodgdon remained in possession of the offic(> luitil 1801, wlien \\. R. Herron was commissioned. 
Mr. Herron removed the office to the corner biiilding. then occuiiied by himself as a dry goods 
store, and now occupied by Lyman Brothers. I'nder his administration, the ijuarterly recei])ts 
were increased to about $70. In 1808, the present Postmaster, William P. Allen, was ap- 
pointed. Mr. Allen has kept the office in various places until. 187H, it was removed to its jires- 
entiocation, in the building owned and occupied by S. P. Ballard. I'nder Mr. Allen's admin- 
istration, the ((uarterly rec(>ipts have been increased to about $100. 



THE PRESS. 



of the 



The first j>aper ].ublished in Sharon was the Jilirror, edited by Rev. J. G. Schaefl'er, Pastor 
ae Lutheran Church and Principal nf the Sharon .\cademy. Its first number was issiu'd 



760 [IISTORY or WALWORTH COUNTV. 

June 5, 1868. In December, 18G9, C. C. Hanford took charge of the Mirror, and continued to 
act as editor and proprietor nntil January 13, 1871. S. B. Ballard then assumed charge, and 
continued its jniblication until September 15 of that year, when the paper was suspended. 
December 1, 1871, George F. Brigham established the Gazette, and remained in its control until 
Se]5tember 12, 1873. During that month, J. C. Keeney, now proprietor of the Weyauwega 
Clironicle, established the Sharon Inquirer. In September, 1876, Clarence Conable purchased 
the establishrrent, and remained its proprietor until August 8, 1876, when he removed to Dela- 
van. His presses and much of his office material were purchased by James H. Phelps and 
George Ziegaus. Starting out with a fresh subscription list of 200 names, they founded the 
Sharon Reporter, as a five-column quarto, the first number appearing August 29, 1878, There 
has been no change in form or proprietorship since, but there is a marked difference in the sub- 
scription list, which now nmnbers 725 names. The office, neat, convenient and airy, is located 
in Daniel's Block. In addition to the jiatronage which the paper has earned by its faithful at- 
tention to local and county matters, the job work turned out,, of every variety, is a som'ce of pros- 
perity. Connected with the establishment is also a store for the sale of music and musical in- 
struments. The Rei)rn-ter is independent in polities, but sensibly confines itself almost entirely 
to home industries and home interests. 

SOCIETIES. 

Sharon Lodge. No. 111). A., F. d~ A. M. — This Masonic body was instituted in 1879, and 
their charter is dated June 15, 1879. The chai-ter was issued by the Grand Lodge, in session at 
Milwaukee, with George R. Milmine, W. M. : E. Wilson, S. W. ; E. Thompson, J. W. The 
charter was signed by Luther Martin Tracy, Grand Master; L. M. Strong, Grand Senior War- 
den; and Algernon Sidney Wood, Grand Junior Warden. The present officers are: W. R. 
Herron, W. M. : A. Schellenger, S. W. ; John Goelzer, J. W.; W. S. Hamlin. Secretary; Joseph 
M. Yates, Treasurer; G. W. Scott, S. D.; A. D. Truax, J. D. ; David McDonald. Tiler. They 
have fitted up a hall at an expense of about 8500, and their meetings are held on the first and 
third Saturdays of each inonth. The present number of members is fifty-four. 

Brown Lodge. No. 354. L O. G. T., was instituted May 16, 1881, by a Mrs. Brown, of Mil- 
waukee. The charter members were: Jlr-s. E. E. Yates, Mrs. R. Wesell. James Ellis, Mrs. S. 
L. Ellis. Mont Gofl". Marius Hanford, Mrs. E. Hutchins,-Miss B. Hutehins, Miss Louise Keyes, 
Charles Milmine, Andy Nicholson,' Dana Sizer, Ida Searles. Herbert Woods, Charles ^A'oods, 
Fred Woods, Miss Effie Warren, Mrs. Bertha Yates. Misses Cora and Hattie Yates, Willie Yates 
and Owen Bird. The first officers were: James Ellis, W. C. T. ; Mrs. Bertha Yates, W. V. T. ; 
Mrs. E. Hutehins, W. C. : Marius Hanford, W. S. : Dana Sizer, W. F. S. ; Miss Louise Keyes, 
W; T. ; Miss Blanche Hutehins, W. M. ; Miss Ida Searles, I. G. ; Andy Nicholson, O. G. The 
present officers are: James Phelps, W. C. T. ; Miss Cora Tm-ner, W. V. T. ; Miss Cora Yates, 
W. C; Jason Sizer, W. S. ; Dana Sizer, W. F. S. ; Miss Emma Bird, W. T.; Owen Bird. W. 
M.; Amelia Bird, I. G. ; Jessie Scheelenger, O. G. ; James Ellis, P. W. C. T. The order has 
at present a membersl)ip of forty-two. Meetings are held in the lectui-e room of the Congi-ega- 
tional Church every Monday evenmg. 

CHURCHES. 

The Lnflieran (.'hnreh was built on Section 34, in 1853. It was built at a cost of $2,000- 
After the village of Sharon sprang up, it was moved there, and was dedicated to the worshi]) of 
God June 7, ISliO, a Rev. Mr. Dox, of New York, delivering the dedicatory sermon. 

The Methodist CInireh society was organized at South Grove in 18-13, with about twelve 
members. They first held prayer meetings in the private dwellings, and subsequently obtained 
the services of a circuit preacher. After the village of Sharon had obtained a start, the place 
of meeting was then removed, and in 185(3 a chm-ch edifice was erected, at a cost of $2,000. 
It is a wooden structiu-e, and is in size 46x56. Its present membership is eighty-five. 

The Congregational Clutrcli society was formed June 10, 186)8. by a council from the Con- 
gregational Church at Beloit. It had at its organization nineteen members. Their church 
edifice was erected the same year. It is of frame, and in size 40x()0, constructed at a cost of 
$4,000, The dedicatory sermon was. preached by Dr. Whiting, of Janesville, in November of 



HISTORY OF WALWOirni COUNTY. "fH 

that yeiu-. Its first piistor was Rev. J. G. Schaeffer. It has at present no resident minister, 
the pul]nt bcincr supplied by Prof. O. U. Whitford. Its present membership is sixty-five. 

The Protcataiit Kpificojial Church. — Work bei:;an in St. Mary's Mission, of this chiu'ch. 
by a few hiy members, as early as the year ISfUi. under the leadership of George F. Brigham. 
tuie of their members. Service's were held for about eight years in the railway station. On 
the 11th day of June, 187(). Mr. Brigham was made Deacon, and. in the winter and spring of 
1879-80, a chapel was built. Its size is 18.\.82, with a wing SxK). and cost SOOO. The mission 
was formally organi/.i>d by Bishop Wells, .\]iril 17, 1S80, with thirteen comnmnieants. The 
mission has at present a total membership of forty persons, with Mr. Brigham as pastor. 

The Free Methodist Church society was organized in 1874, with seven or eight members. 
In 1876, they erected a house of worship, which is of frame, and in size 80x44, at a cost of $1, 
200. Its ])resent membership is twelve. 

HOTELS. 

Central House. — This hotel was built in 18()4, by Mr. Vedder, and was called the Vedder 
House. Its first landlord was a Mr. Colgrove. The hotel has changed hands several times, and 
in 1877 was purchased by its present owner and proprietor, William Veley, and its name changed 
to the Central House. It is in size 40x50, and three stories high, and represents a valuation of 
about §8,000. Mr. Veley has made numerous repairs on the house since he pm-ehased it: it is 
now an elegant and imposing structiu-e. On the first floor is the office, billiard room, dining 
room, kitchen, etc. ; on the second floor is the parlor, sitting room and sleeping rooms. In the 
third story is a hall 30x40 feet, and a numlier of sleeping rooms. The house is situated in the 
main business block near the de])ot. 

Yate.s Block and Hotel. — This large brick structure was commenced in 1874 and finished 
in 187('). It is in size 23x1 3'2, with an ell on south side 20x25. It cost $15,()0f). The building 
fronts Plain street on the north and Baldwin street on the east. On the first floor is the drug 
store of Snowden & Ladd, the hotel office, etc., and bank. The part of the building occupied as 
a store is two storis high, the remainder of the building being three stories in height. In the 
second story, over the store, is Yates' Hall. 23x(j5, and in the hotel part is a parlor, sitting room 
and sleeping rooms. In the third story are slee[)ing rooms. In the basement is the kitchen, 
dining room and billiard room. The building is finished with all the modern improvements, is 
located in the main business block, and is an ornament to the village. The present proprietor 
of the hotel is H. M. Fitzgerald. 

BANK OF SHARON. 

In 1874, J. M. Yates and Howland Fish established a private bank in Sharon, with a cap- 
ital stock of $10,000. J. M. Yates was President, and Howland Fish. Cashier. A short time 
ago, Mr. Fish withdrew, and George C. Mansfield became a pai'tner. and is now Cashier, with 
ill'. Yates still President. They transact a general banking business, and sell exchanges on 
Chicago, New York, and all principal cities of Euro}ie. The bank is in Yates' Block, on Plain 
street. 

CHEESE FACTOEY. 

In 1870, a factory was built in Sharon by Hobert Pearson and H. H. Bent. In the spring 
(if 1S74, William Pearson jnu-chasecl the interest of Mi-. Bent, and the factory is now owned and 
o|)eratod by Pearson Brothers. The factory is of frame, in size 30x<)0. with a south wing 27x3(1. 
The main part is two stories high, with the wing but one story. It represents a total valuation 
of §5.000. When the factory was first started, it consumed the milk of about three hundred 
cows. This number has since been increased, and at present the milk of 1,500 cows is used. 
The Pearson Brothers superintend the manufacture of the cheese themselves, making about forty- 
seven cheeses per day, or about three thousand pounds. This cheese is sold mostly at the fac 
tory to Eastern merchants. Seven hands are employed. The largest amount of milk received 
at th(> factory in any one day was 30,1()0 ])ounds. About the 1st of Se])teraber, they counuenco 
making butter, and continue it until the 1st of May, making, on an average, 150 jxninds per 
day. On account of this, through the winter they manufacture "skimmed milk cheese,"' and 
" full cream cheese" through the summer. This is the largest factory in the State. 



762 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

STEAM FLOURING-MILL. 

This mill was built by the citizens of Sharon in 1875, and the machinery was put in by 
James Ashley as soon as completed. The mill is 30x40, two stoi-ies high, with an engine room 
15x24, a cora-shelling room 12x14, and a coal shed 10x24. The mill has four run of stone, 
and the motive power is a thirty-live horse-power engine. Two run of stone are for flour, and 
the other two for feed and middlings. In 1877 or 1878, Mary A. Slocum purchased a half in- 
terest in the-mill, and in 1879 Mr. Ashley sold the remaining interest to John Ladd. It is now 
owned by these })artie.s, and operated by William Fisk. The mill has a capacity of twenty bar- 
rels of flour per day, and represents an investment of $5,000. 

THE VILL.\GE OF ALLEN's GROVE. 

The village of Allen's Grove is situated on Section 31 of Darien. and Section 6 of Sharon. 
It is on the South-Western Division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway. That pai-t 
of the village in Sharon was laid out by Pliny Allen in 1852, and that in Darien by Sidney 
Allen in 1856. The village is unincorporated. It vras first settled in 1845, Ijy a colony of sixty- 
live persons from New York, the jiro^jrietors of this colony being Pliny. Sidney, Asa Keyes, 
Harvey and Philij)p Allen, Jr. — live brothers. 

The following account is given by Sidney Allen, the sole survivor of this colony and a resi- 
dent of the village: " In 1843, I was residing in the city of Rochester, N. Y. In Ji;ne of that 
year, my wife and myself left home, ostensibly for Buffalo, but came directly to Chicago. My 
wife took the stage there for Belvidere and Roekford, where we had friends, and I went to Mil- 
waukee, and fi'om there to Roekford across the country. After a week's visit there, I returned 
to Chicago, and then home. During that ti'ip. I became possessed of the " Western fever " so 
badly that I never recovered, and the next sjn-ing I purchased and shipped to Chicago a two- 
seated light wagon, together with a harness, spade, ax, rifle, pocket compass, and a good-sized 
provision chest, which was fitted under the back seat of the wagon and served to hold the other 
articles. On the 1st day of July, 1844, my brother Pliny, who resided in Brooklyn, N. Y, , and 
myself, started West. At Ypsilanti, Mich., we were joined by my oldest brother, Asa Keyes 
Allen, and his son. Dr. J, C, Allen. We continued our journey toward Chicago, and the cars 
dropped us at Marshall, the then terminus of the railroad. From there we took the stage, and 
on the 4th day of July, at noon, arrived in Chicago, and stopped at the American, a temperance 
house. Before eating dinner, I purchased the tine bay team that th'ew us to the hotel in the 
omnibus. Immediately after dinner, I had the horses hitched to the wagon which I had shi|)ped, 
while the others, in the meantime, tilled the "chest" with such eatables as they desired, W^e 
then " started West," but had not proceeded more than perhaps a mile befoi'e we were convinced 
that to go farther would be dangerous, as the prairie was covered with water and there was no 
sign of a road. We returned to the hotel, and there luckily found a man who kept a tavern on 
om- route, twelve miles distant. He had just arrived at the hotel, and was intending to remain 
overnight, but we gave him $2 and agreed to stop with him overnight besides if he would 
guide us through safely. He therefore went ahead, and we followed, and. later on, arrived 
safely at his abode. The axletrees of our wagon were under water most of the distance. On 
the next day, we drove to Racine, and on the next to Milwaukee. Before leaving home, we had 
decided to drive between Racine and the Rock River. At Milwaukee, we prcjcured maps showing 
all the vacant lands, and on the following day drove as far as Geneva. We started early the next 
morning, driving to Summerville, one and a half miles west of here, where we took dinner, and 
then to Roekford, where we spent the Sabbath among our friends. From Roekford we went to 
Belvidere, where my brother, Asa IC, and the Doctor, left us. Pliny and myself then went to 
where Allen's Grove now is, where we remained ten days, and purchased some over a thousand 
acres of land. We then went to Kenosha, where we sold our team and took the boat around the 
lakes to Buffalo, and then overland to Rochester. On the 1st of May, 1!S45, mj- brothers, Pliny, 
Harvey, Philipp, Jr., and myself, loaded two canal-boats with fm'nitvu'e. doors, windows, nails, 
hardwai'e. paints, etc., etc., enough for each of us a house, and with om- families, a sister — Mre. 
Scofiold — and oiu' father, then eighty-eight years of age. started for Kenosha. At Buffalo, we 
took passage on a steamboat, and arrived at Kenosha on the 14lh of May. On the ]5tli. we all, 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 763 

eixty-fivo in uiiiuber, went to Darioii. There we rented two hoiises for father, sister and others 
to live ill. My family and some of the others went to Bi^lvidore, while others still went to 
Rockford. On the 16th. my brothers and myself, tof^ether with the foiu' carpenters we had in 
the company with ns. came here t<i what afterward hecaTue Allen's Grove, and, on the same day, 
put u]) a small shanty of two rooms. We then bnilt a cottage for the hired men. and by the let 
of September each had a house n[) and inclosed, but no plastering was done that winter. We 
then, with our families, took our permanent abode in Allen's Grove. When the first house was 
inclosed, being brother Philipp's, the Congregational Church society was organized there on 
the 10th of August. Thereafter, during pleasant weather, a new wagon was ch-awu into the 
grove, and sei-ved as a pulpit, being occupied by Eev. S. H. Thompson. 

" In 1847, a schoolhouse, 25x40, was built. This was used as a chm'ch also until 1852, 
when the society built a chm'ch. 

"On the 2Uth of June, 1845, a Sabbath school was organized, and on the 4th of July, 184(5, 
we had a Sabbath school celebration, when 777 scholars and teachers were present. In July, 
1845. owe honored father died, and was buried in the cemetery where now my four brothers and 
their wives are buried. This was the first death in the village. The first marriage ceremony 
was performed at my house, in 1846. the contracting parties being Preston W. Smith and Miss 
Frances Scofield. The first child born was Preston H. Allen, in 1846, now of Rochester, N. Y. 
In that year, my brother, Asa Keyes Allen, his son, Dr. Joseph C. Allen, and his son-in-law, 
Ezra P. Teale, came with their families from Michigan. The Doctor and Ezra Teale erected a 
store building that year and opened a $6,000 stock of goods, they being om* first merchants, 
under the firm name of Teale & Allen." 

The first blacksmith in the village was Jacob Harp. 

The lii'st la%\Ter was A. Woodard. 

The first pihysician was J. C. Allen. 

The first carpenters were Harvey Allen and a Mr. Yonng, now and for many years a me- 
chanic in Deaf and Dumb Asylum at Delavin. 

The tii'st shoemaker was a Mr. Geer. 

The first resident minister was Rev. Calvin Waterbury. 

The tu'st school was taught in 184(5, over the store building built in that year. The teach- 
er was Miss Mary Wallingford. The schoolhouse was built in 1847. The present school- 
house was built in 1856, as an academy. It was afterward occupied for a number of years 
by Rev. M. Montgomeiy as such. The main building is 20x40, with an ell 20x22. each 
two stories high. It is situated in the western part of the village, in a beautiful grove of five 
acres. A male and female teacher are employed both summer and winter. 

CUNGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 

The society of this church was organized August 10, 1845, at the house of Pliny Allen, 
with but few members. The chvu'ch building was built in 1852. It is in size 35x55, and cost 
about $2,000. At present, they have no resident minister. 

THE METHODIST CHURCH. 

The Methodist Church society was organized Novemlier 26, 1858, with twenty-six members. 
They soon afterward built a church, in size 36x56, at a cost of $1,800 

THE POST OFFICE. 

The post office was established in 1846, and Philipp Allen, .In, was ap]iointed as Post- 
master. The office was held at his house for some time. He has been succeeded by Aaron 
Endlong, John Dixon. E. P. Teale. Mrs. Eliza Wilkins, and the present Postmaster. Edward 
Hall. 

CHEESE FACTORY. 

The cheese factory was bnilt by Simon Noyes in 1865. Since 1871, it has been run by T. 
P. Davis. It consumes th(> milk of about 730 cows, or 1 1,0(10 pounds of milk daily. One hun- 
dred and twenty thousand jiounds of cheese art* made yearly, which is mostly sold at the factory 
to Eastern merchants. The factory rejiri'sents an investment of $1,500. 



764 HlfeTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 



WAR HISTORY. 

The towu of Shai-on, dui-ing the wai-, sent out ]08 men. Their names and the part taken 
by them in the bloody lights will be found in the general war history. The town also raised her 
share of money. 

SHARON AS IT IS. 

The population of Sharon, according to the Federal census of 1881, was 1,956. 

The principal farm products of 1880 were: Wheat, 9,750 bushels; corn, 97,600 bushels; 
oats, 32,700 bushels; barley, 12,820 bushels; rye, 395 bushels; potatoes, 5,900 bushels; apples, 
14,000 bushels; timothy seed, 588 bushels; hay, 2,625 tons; buttei-, 36,225 pounds; cheese, 
159,000 pounds. 

In 1881, there were 5,294 acres of growing grain, 240 acres of apple orchard, 1,820 acres 
of mowing and pastiu-age, an4 1,550 acres of growing timber; the number of milch cows was 
821, valued at $17,175. " 

There were seven whole and seven union school districts. The number of scholars between 
four and twenty years of age was 645, of which number 596 attended school. There were 
twelve schools, one of which was graded. Sixteen teachers were employed, at monthly average 
wages of $40.50 for male and $26.11 for female teachers. There were twelve schoolhouses, 
valued at $9,900, including the sites, 

BIOGRAPHICAL SIvETCIIES. 

WILLIAM P. ALLEN, Postmaster of Sharon ; was born ia Jefferson Co.,N. Y., in 1821, where he lived 
till 21 years of age. He then went to Portageville in his native State, where he engaged in teaching; he 
has been a resident of Sharon since 1845. After coning to Walworth Co., was engaged for some time 
in teaching; has been a resident of the village since 1850 ; was engaged here in merchandisinj; for a num- 
ber of years ; has held several town offices for a long series of years. He has been Town Clerk during the great- 
er part of the time lie has resided here ; has been a Justicj of the Peace the s.ime length of time, and lias 
been Postmaster since 1873. Mr. Allen, during his long residence in Sharon, has acquired and main- 
tained a reputation for uprightness and fair dealing, that has secured for him, in an eminent degree, the 
respect and confidence of his fellow-citizens. Mrs. Allen, formerly Miss Sophrona L. Lyman, was born in 
Jefferson Co. They have no children. 

HERMAN ALLEN, farmer, Sec. I'J ; P. 0. Sharon. He was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., in 18:U ; 
son of John and brother of Wni. P. and L. E. Allen; he came to Sharon in 1845 ; moved to MoHenry Co., 
III., in 1853, and engaged in farming; moved to Sharon again in 1870. He married Martha C. Silsburg, 
born in Schoharie Co., N. Y. ; his present wife was Amelia Welch. He had three children by first wife— 
Burleigh E., Alvah and Julitte; has two children by present wife — Mary M. and Dora. He purcha-ed 
his farm, which contains 100 acres, of Lewis Pramer ; the flirm was originally settled by Benjamin Wheeler. 

SALMON G. ARNOLD, retired farmer; born in Washington Co., N. Y., July 15, 1820, where he 
was brought up ; came to Walworth Co. in June, 1851, and settled at South Grove iu the town of Sharon ; 
was a very successful and prominent former, and well-known through the county ; never sought office, but 
held the oSice of Justice of the Peace with several other offices. Was a member of the M. B. Church. Re- 
sided on the farm at S luth Grove till the fall of 1875 ; he still owns the farm where ho first settled. Mrs. 
Arnold was Miss Ann Eliza Hotchkiss, of Hampton, VVashington Co., N. Y. They have five children — 
Mary, now Mrs. N. J. Davis; Maria, now Mrs. H. Wilson; Alice, wife of J. B. Wise ; Luther S. married 
Minnie Brigham, of Sharon ; and Willard G. 

EDWARD BILYEA, carpenter and farmer, Sec. 34 ; P. O. Sharon ; was born in Otsego Co., N. Y., 
in 1831 ; came to Walworth Co. in spring of 1855, and engaged in work at his trade; he made a location 
at Douglass Corners that year, which was his home till 187 1 , when he settled where he now lives ; his par- 
ents, Nathaniel and Polly B., came to Walworth Co. in 18G5, and settled in the town of Walworth, where 
they resided till their death ; his wife was Esther L. Ostrom, born in Schoharie Co., N. Y., and came to 
Walworth Co. with her parents, Daniel and Sarah Race Ostrom, in 1848, who settled in Sharon. They 
have two children — Cora R. and Floyd E. .Mr. Bilyea's farm contains 60 acres. 

GEORGE F. BRIGHAM, station agent, Sharon ; was born in Chautauqua Co., N. Y., in 1827 ; waa 
a telegraph operator in the early history of telegraphy ; he learned the art of telegraphing in Fredonia, N. 



IIISTOKY OF WALWORTH COrNTY. 7(i5 

Y., more than thirty years ago, when the science was in its infancy. The practice of dispatching trains 
by telegraph was first attempted on the N. Y. <& Erie R. R. and he as operator sent the first dispatch in 
that experiment, thus inaugurating a system of running trains, whicli is wonderful, and almost startling to 
contemplate. In 1803, he went to Chicago, where he was employed in the U. S. telegraph office for sev- 
eral years ; he came to Sharon in 18(1(1, and has had charge of the station here since that time; he has long 
been a student and laborer in the interests of the Protestant K])iscopal Church. Through his labors, a 
society has been organized of that church, in Sharon, and a neat and comfortable chapel was built ; he took 
orders as Deacon, in Milwaukee, in 187(), and since that time has officiated as pastor of the church ; his 
wife was formerly Miss Aurilla A. Dougla.ss, born in Genesee Co., N. Y . They had sis children, four of 
whom are living, viz., Kdniund 1)., Fannie A., George F., Jr., and Henry. 

J. W. BROWNSON, of the firm of Wolf & Brownson, Sharon. Mr. Brownson was born at (laincs- 
ville. Wyoming Co., N.Y., in 18 1"2 ; his father, John W. Brownson, emigrated to Wisconsin and settled in 
the town of Sharon, in the spring of 1852. The parents of Mr. Brownson had three children — Ellen, now 
Mrs. J. A. Treat ; J. W. and Charles A. The latter is the present Counl^y Judge of Racine Co. J. W. 
enlisted in September, 1801, in the 13th W. V. I., and served until December, IKC),'). The firm of Wolf 
& Brownson has existed since 1800. Mr. Brownson was married to Miss B. Allen, daughter of Henry 
Allen. They have one daughter — Laura ; they lost their first child — Allen. 

JOHN S. BURGKT, blacksmith, resides on Sec. 3-i ; P O. Sharon ; he was born in Pulton, Scho- 
harie Co., N. Y., in 1828; his parents were Storm A. and Sally (Banner) Burget; his father was of Dutch 
decent ; his grandfather, Millbury Burget, was born in Holland, and came to the LTnitcd States with several 
brothers; he was Fife Major during the Revolutionary war; was at the battle of Saratoga, when Gen. 
Burgoyne was taken prisoner, and after the war was pensioned as a Revolutionary soldier ; his father was a 
native of Schoharie Co., N. Y., and resided in that State till his death. Mr. Burget came to Walworth 
Co., in May, 1858, and settled where he now lives ; his wife was Mary Welch, born in Schoharie Co. They 
have two children — Addison and Storm Abram. 

ACKLEY CARTER, farmer. Sec. 1 ; P. 0. Darien ; is a brother of William and Orange Carter, of 
Darien, born in the town of Darien, Genesee Co., N. Y., in 18(l8 ; he came to Walworth Co., with his 
brother. Orange, in the spring of 1839 ; he, however, located in Milwaukee, which was his home for many 
years; he was engaged in the grocery trade while in Milwaukee; he settled on Sec. 21, in the town of 
Sharon, in 1849 ; he went to California in 1850, and engaged in mining ; returned in 185(!, and soon after 
removed to Dakota Co.. Minn., where he lived ten years ; he bought his present farm in 1807 ; was married 
to Melissa Hough, born in Genesee Co., N. Y. ; she died December, 1878. Mr. (!arter has two children — 
Edwin B. and Annette. 

CHARLES W. CRANDALL, painter and grainer, Walworth; son of Welcome B. Crandall, who 
was born in Brookfield, Madison Co., N. Y. ; luarried to Emily Dowse, and came to Walworth Co. and 
settled in the town of Walworth in 1.S55. Mr. Welcome B. Crandall had five sons, four of whom are 
living — Rciswell, Charles W., William and Paul, all of whom are residents of the town of Walworth but 
William. John was a member of 13th W. V. I., and died at Columbus, Ky. Charles W. enlisted in 
22d W. V. L, and served about one year, when he was discharged for disability. Paul was a member of 
the 40th W. V. L Charles W. w.as born in 1833 ; has followed the business of painting constantly since 
1805, also for several years previous to the war; he married Frances Dennison, born in the State of New 
York. They have two children — Ilattie and Fannie. 

B. M. Corey, Sharon, born in Saratoga Co., N. Y., in 1810, where he was brought up ; married 
Maria L. Arnold, daughter of Jeremiah Arnold; she died at Glens Falls, N. Y., Sept. 25, 1843; he was 
married Aug. 30, 184(), to Mellissc Arnold, a sister of his first wife. They came to Sharon in June, 
1848. Mr. Corey engaged in farming until the breaking-out of the war, when he enlisted in tlie 13th W. 
V. I. ; he served one year; his oldest son. Charles H. (by his first wife) enlisted at the same time, in the 
same regiment, and died at Leavenworth, Kan., Feb. 21, 1802; Mr. Corey has two sons by present wife 
— George, born July 14, 1848, and Albert L , born Sept. 20, 1852 ; they reside at Marengo, III. 

IRA DAVIS, farmer, Sec. 30 ; P. O. Sharon ; he was born in Vermont in 1808. His parents re- 
moved to what is now the town of Holland, Erie Co , N. Y., when he was less than 1 year old. When 
he was 13 years old he removed to thc^ town of Machias, (Jattarauu'us Co., where he lived till 21 years of 
age; he returned to Erie Co. and was married to Betsy Ann Stevens, who was born in the town of War- 
ren, Otsego Co., N. Y., in February, 1819. In 1843, they removed to Racine Co., Wis., where Mr. 
Davi-i took up a farm, but removed to Sharon in December, 1814, and settled on his present farm, where 
he has since resided. His farm contains 154 acres. They have no children living. They have had two 



766 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

sons, Lendol S., born April, 1844, and died March, 1847 ; Jesse S. was born October, 1846, married 
Emily Judge ; died April 12, 1881. He left a widow and one child, a daughter, Jessie. 

HENRY DENNIS, retired f\irmer, Sharon; born in Union Co., Penn., in 1813. He removed to 
Medina, Ohio, in 1834. His father was Michael Dennis. Mr. Henry Dennis was married to Margaret 
Smith, born in Chester Co., Peno. They came to Walworth Co. in 1842. and settled on Sec. 31, where he 
resided until the spring of 1869. He then retired from farming and settled in the village. Mr. and 
Mrs. Dennis have seven children — Harrison, Morris, Eliza, Francis, Kate, Ellen and Clarence. Mr. D. 
has sold the farm on See. 31, where he resided for so many years. He has a pleasant home in the vil- 
lage, which he built in 1868. 

WILLIAM D0U6ALL, farmer. Sec. 33; P.O. Sharon; born in Schenectady Co., N. Y., in 1807. His 
parents, John and Ellen Miller Dougall, were natives of Scotland and emigrated to the State of New York in 
1800. His parents had five sons and one daughter. William is the only one who came West to reside; 
his brother James, however, came with him to Walworth Co. but soon after returned to the State of New 
York. Mr. D. bought his farm of Mr. Wheeler Hunt; he returned to the State of New York the same year, and 
brought out his family. He married Miss Anna Kelly, born in Montgomery Co., in 1815 ; she died 
December, 1880. Mr. D. has six children — Thomas, Jane H., Hannah, John, George and Senath. He 
lost six children — Nettie, aged 24 years ; Rachel, aged 22 years; William, aged 32 years ; and three chil- 
dren in infancy. His farm consists of 260 acres. 

CHAS. C. HANFORD, grocer, Sharon ; was born in Monroe Co., N. Y., in 1827 ; was reared in 
the same county; was engaged for many years in the mercantile business at Scottsville ; came to Sharon 
in April, 1868. His health having become impaired by the long and constant confinement incident to a 
mercantile life, he came for the purpose of engaging in the culture of hops, which at that time promised 
to be a renumerative business, and which would afford him the out-of-door exercise which he required. 
He was one of the very first to engage in the culture of hops in Walworth Co. He put out his first yard 
in April, 1868, and gathered his first crop in September, 1869. He engaged quite extensively in the 
business for several years. His present business was established in 1870, in the firm name of Hanford & 
Co., his brother engaging in business with him; this brother is now a resident of Iowa. Mrs. Hanford 
was formerly Miss Lois Parmelee, born in Lima, Livingston Co., N. Y. They have one son, Marius P., 
born in Monroe Co., N. Y., in 1863. 

WILSON R. HERRON, Sharon ; son of Jame.s Herron, who was born in Hebron, Washington Co., 
N. Y., and removed to Walworth Co. with his family in 1844, and settled on Sec. 29, town of Sharon, 
where he lived till 1868, when he removed to the village, where he resided till his death, which occurred 
July 20, 1876. He was born October 4, 1792. His wife, Hannah ( Whitney) Herron, was born October, 
1791, in Washington Co., N. Y., and died July 17, 1874. W. R., the youngest of the children, was 
born in Washington Co. in 1S31 ; he came West with his parents, engaged in farming till 1858, when he 
came to the village, erected a store and engaged in general merchandising. This building he occupied 
till 1867, when it was removed and he erected upon its site the store now occupied by Lyman Bros. He 
continued in trade till 1872. In 1874, he re-opened business at the same place, and sold out in 1877. 
Since that time he has been variously engaged ; bought wool for several years, etc. Mr. Herron repre- 
sented the 2nd Assembly District in the Legislature in 1874 and 1877. He is at present Chairman of the 
Board of Sharon, a position he has held for several years. His wife was Miss Adelia Loucks ; born in 
Montgomery Co., N. Y. They have two children — Belle and Fred W. 

MANNING R. HOARD, retired, Sharon; was born in Bristol Co., Mass , in 1818, where he lived 
till 8 or 9 years of age, when he removed with his parents to Allegany Co., N. Y. His parents were 
Manning and Prudenoy Hoard. Mr. H(iard lived in Western New York till 23 years of age, when he 
went to the State of Illinois, and came to Walworth Co. in the fall of 1843; settled on a farm in the town 
of Sharon. His brother, David E. Hourd, came at same time, and settled on the same section. Mr. 
Hoard engaged in farming for a number of years, and then .settled in the village. His wife was Miss 
Lydia A. Burton, daughter of Philip and Nancy (Quackenbush) Burton. Her father was born in New 
Jersey; removed to Montgomery Co., N. Y., and thence to McHenry Co , III. Mrs. Hoard was born in 
Montgomery in 1826. They have two children — Louise, now Mrs. C. B. Wolcot, and Marcus K. 

DAVID E. HOARD was born in Schoharie Co., N. Y., about 1820. He came to Walworth Co. 
and settled in the town of Sharon in 184H, on Sec. 26. In 1859, he engaged in the lumber trade with J. 
A. Treat, buying the lumber interests of Mr. D. Wheeler. He continued in the lumber business until his 
death, which occurred in 1873. His wife was Miss Burton, a daughter of Philip Burton ; she died 
several years previous to the death of her husband ; Mr. Hoard married a second time ; his widow survives 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 767 

him ; he had five children by his first marriage, tvfo of whom are living — W. E. and Andrew J. The 
former was born in the town of Sharon in 1851 ; he succeeded to the lumber business of his father at 
his death in 1873; he was married to Emma, daughter of F. P. Arnold. They have one son — Ralph; 
they lost their first child, a ilaughter. b\ P. Arnold, Esq., father of Mrs. Hoard, was born in the town 
of Gaiiisville, Washington Co., N. Y., in 1826 ; he was educated at the Poultney Academy, Vermont; 
he studied law in his native town, and came to Sharon in IS.'iO, and was admitted to the bar at Elkhorn 
in 1851 ; he rejiresented the Second Assembly District in the Legislature of Wisconsin in 1862, and was 
Chairman of the Town Board of Sharon tor sixteen years. Mr. Arnold was a man who possessed the respect 
and esteem of all ; as a lawyer, he always counseled the settlement of differences without resort to litiga- 
tion, thus disregarding his own interest to produce an amicable settlement between neighbors ; his influence 
is still felt in Sharon, and a lawsuit to adjust a difl^'erence is an uncommon occurrence ; he was an honest 
citizen and a good man. and his memory is held in marked respect by all who knew him ; he died Jan. 
19, 1872; he was married in Washington Co., N, Y., to Jane Willis, born in 1830; he had five children, 
four of whom are living — Ca.ssius, Emma S., wife of Mr. W. E. Hoard; Ella, wife of William Pearson ; 
and Laura. He lost one daughter, Jennie ; his wife is now Mrs. Royal Perkins, of the town of Sharon. 

H. B. HOWELL, proprietor of a livery stable in Sharon, was born in Wyoming Co., N. Y., in 
1827. In the fall of 1855, he went to (ireen Lake Co., Wis., and came to Sharon in the spring of 1856 ; 
he was engaged for a time in farming, then in the ftirm and stock business till 1870, when he purchased 
the livery business of Elias Griflin, and has followed that business since thaf^ time ; his wife was Hannah 
LeFevre, daughter of George LeFevre ; they have two chililren — James and Rae. 

MORRIS ISAACS, farmer, Sec. 2; P. 0. Darien ; born in Wales in 1831. He emigrated to the 
State of New York with his brother Edward in 1853; the latter died the following year. Mr. Isaacs went 
to Delavan, Walworth Co., in 1855 ; he went to Minnesota in the fall of 1856, and returned to Walworth 
Co. in the fall of 1857, and bought his farm of William C. Allen, where he has since resided ; his farm 
contains 120 acres. Mrs. Isaacs was formerly Miss Mary Allen, daughter of Jacob Allen ; she is a native 
of the State of New York. 

JOHN JEFFERS, farmer, Sec. 2 ; P. 0. Darien. He was born in County Antrim, Ireland, in 
1822; but was biought to this country when an infant by his parents, who settled in Oneida Co., N. Y. ; 
he was married to Miss Flora Ann Armstrong; they came to Walworth Co. in 1852, and purchased the 
farm which he now owns ; he went back to the State of New York and returned with his family the fol- 
lowing year ; he has a fine farm of about 200 acres ; he represented the Second Assembly District in the 
Legislature of 1864, and again in 1871 ; he was President of the Walworth Co. Agricultural Society in 
1876. They have had nine children, seven of whom are living — William A., Ann Eliza, now Mrs. Van 
Schaick ; John W., Henry, Susan (now Mrs. M. B. Conant), Flora and Adeline. The names of the chil- 
dren deceased are Thompson and Edward. 

LAVERNO V. KENYON, farmer, Sec. 31; P. O. Sharon; son of James Nelson Kenyon, who 
was born in the State of New York, and was one of the earliest settlers in the town of Sharon ; he came 
to Walworth Co., from Steuben Co., N. Y., and purchased eighty acres of land of the Government, on Sec. 
31, town of Sharon ; he lost his eye-sight by accident when he was 27 years of age, yet notwithstanding 
the fact that he was totally blind, he ctme W^est, settled on a new farm, which he cleared up with his own 
hands, and carried on the business of fariuing successfully. In fliot, he is a wonderful example of what 
may be accomplished by determined will, when deprived of one of the most valuable blessings of life, 
the sense of sight ; he not only cleared up and cultivated his eighty acre!, but eventually numbered 
among the most wealthy farmers of Walworth Co., owning 430 acres of land ; he was married to Mary 
A. Benedick, born in the State of New York ; they have six children — Vestelina, now Mrs. Olender 
Salisbury ; Neumentia, now Mrs. Henry McCorniiek, a Professor in the State Normal School of Illinois ; 
Ferdinand Claudius, Brazillo and Laverno V., the latter owns the original homestead where he was 
born in 1860 ; he was married to Bessy Dullam, daughter of Thomas and Mary I)., natives of England, 
and came to the United States in 1840; Mrs. Kenyon was born in Boone Co., III., in ISSSt. 

JOHN LADD, Sharon ; Mr. Ladd is one of the prominent and well-known early settlers of the 
town of Sharon; in 1844 he, with an older brother, Luke 0. Ladd, came to Walworth Co. and pur- 
chased a farm on Sec. 20 in this town; his brother died Aug. 27, 1845. In 184'J, Mr. Ladd returned to 
the State of New York, ami was married to Miss Sarah Willmarth, born in Oneida Co.; on account of 
f\iiling health Mr. Ladd retired from farming and settled in the village in 1874 ; he is now engaged in 
the drug business, under the firm naiue of Snowdoii & Ladd. Mr. and Mrs. Ladd hav(! six children — -Samuel 
H., Scott M, John, Esther E., Orrin O. and Nathan B. They have lost thBr two oldest children — 
Willmarth, died at the age of l',l years, and Sarah, at the age of 4 years. 



768 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

GE3RGE W. LAMONT, farmer, Sec. 4, Allen's Grove; born in the town of Summit, Schoharie 
Co., N. Y., in 1821. where he was brought up and where he lived, in Charlotteville, until 1850, when he 
came to Walworth Co. and settled in the town of Darien, purehasiui; the farm of Mr. James Sherwood, 
which he sold to Oraniie Carter in 1867 ; he then went to Chicago and engaged in the real estate business ; 
he afterward went to Janesville, Wis., and engaged in the mercantile busine.ss ; thence to Clinton, Rock 
Co.; he returned to Walworth Co. in January, 1881, and purchased his present farm of Mr. E. H. Whit- 
ney. He married Mrs. Harriet Simmons Morrison in September, 1844 ; they have had seven children, 
only two of whom, George H. and Ruth E., are living; the former lives in Nebraska, the latt.r is the 
wife of Mr. J. W. Hartshorn, of Clinton, Rock Co. Mrs. Laraont has one daughter by former marriage, 
now the wife of Archibald Woodward, Jr.; five children of Mr. and Mrs. Lament died between the ages 
of 3 and 24 years. His farm contains 26<i acres. 

ABRAHAM B. LOWELL, farmer, Sec. 30 ; P. 0. Sharon; he was born in the town of Sharon, 
Schoharie Co., N. Y., in January, 1805 ; his father, Abram Lowell, was born in the State of Connecti- 
cut, but was brought up in the State of Vermont; he moved from there to Schoharie Co., N. Y., where 
he resided until his death. Abram B. Lowell was married in December, 1827, to Anna Seeber, who was 
born in Cherry Valley. Ot.sego Co., N. Y., in 1812; they came to Walworth Co. in 1844; Mr. Lowell 
brought with him from the State of New York, his wife and six children; he had no money with which 
to enter Government land, but he preempted eighty acres and beiran a struirgle for a home with nothing 
but a strong arm and a determined will to aid him ; probably very few if any ot the pioneers of Walworth Co., 
who afterward arose to a position of affluence, fought harder for a start in life than he ; he hired a man 
with an ox team to move his family and goods from South Grove to the spot where he decided to make 
his home. A hastily-made tent of rude construction, the sides being of bed quilts, fastened to poles 
which supported the roof, that was of straw, was the only home, the only shelter, he could provide 
for his family, and this afforded but a slight protection against a terrible wind and thunderstorm that 
visited them on the first night after their arrival, during which the family were aroused, and those that 
were able were obliged to help hold the quilts down around the sides of the tent, which the wind 
threatened at every moment tn overturn ; and the mother put the smaller ones on a box to keep them 
out of the water that run over the ground through the tent, and held the umbrella over them to keep 
them from being drowned by the torrents of water that came through the roof; and this was only a sample 
of the hardships that beset tbem during the first years of their life in this county ; he erected a log house the 
first .season. He was a brick-maker, also a pump-maker bv trade, and although the county was sparsely inhab- 
ited yet, an occasional job helped him to procure money wiih which to enter his land ; and even then, he was 
so hard pressed at one time that he was obliged to sell his only cow to raise money for that purpose ; but 
perseverance and hard work finally prevailed, and he veritably became the owner of 500 acres of valuable 
farming land, and is numbered among the wealthiest and most successful farmers of Walworth Co. His 
first wife, Anna Seeber Ijowell, died in 1869 ; his second wife, Mrs. Sarah L. Northrop Owles Lowell, 
to whom he was married in September, 1869, died March, 1876; his present wife was Mrs. Maiy S. 
Lamphear Ilett, to whom he was married November, 1876. Mr. Lowell had ten children by his first 
wife, nine of whom are living, seven of them having settled in Walworth Co. and two in McHenry Co., 
111. He has twenty-five grandchildren; his oldest child, Clarissa M., born May, 1831, married Mr. H. 
Zimbeck, September, 1854; Darius W., horn May, 1833, married Miss A. P. White, November, 1869 ; 
Lorenzo D., born July, 1836, married Mi.ss Sarah Miller, July, 1862 ; Celia E., born S.ptember, 1840, 
married Mr. George Horn, July, 1859 ; Emery E., born March, 1843, married Miss Caroline VVhitlock, 
January, 1865; Abram A., born March, 1845; Alharida J., born February, 1847, married Mr. F. E. 
Kinyon February, 1863; Angevine D., born June, 1849, married Miss J. A. Kinyon, January, 1873; 
Reuben D., born August, 1851, married Mi>s Etta Clement, xMarch, 1877 ; Othello D., born October, 
1855, died April, 1877. 

LYMAN BROTHER-^, general merchants, Sharon ; sons of George B. Lyman, an early settler of 
Rock Co. The Lyman Brothers succeeded W. B. Herron in business in 1877; they do a general mer- 
chandising business, carrying a large stock of dry goods, clothing, boots and shoes, etc.; their sales for 
1880 amounted to $36,000. B. G. Lyman was born in Rock Co. in 1.S51 ; A. A. Lyman was born in 
Roek Co. in 1854 ; was married to Rachael Stevens, daughter of J. H. Stevens. 

GEORGE C. MANSFIELD. Cashier of the Bank of Sharon, son of George Mansfield, who was 
born in Monroe Co., N. Y., in 1818, and came to Wisconsin in 1842 ; was engaged in teaching for a 
time near Milwaukee, l%fire he settled on his farm, on Sec. 26, which was taken up in 1844 ; there he 
resided till his death, which occurred Nov. 22, 1877. Mr. Geors.'e Mansfield was married to Miss Huldah 



HISTORY OF WALWOKTII (X)(1NTY. 76!» 

Mulfi)rd, daughter of Dr. Mulfcird, who was born in Albnny Co., N. Y., in 1804, and earae to Walworth 
Co., in 1845, and settled on Kig Foot Prairie, where he died Nov. 1, IStil ; he was a member of the con- 
vention that framed tlie Constitution of tlie State of Wisconsin ; he owned a lar;;e farm and was also en- 
gaged in the practice of his profession. Mrs. Mansfield had four children, of whom two are living, a son 
and a daughter, (ieorge C. Mansfield was born in the town of Sharon in 1856 ; he has been cashier of 
the Bank of Sharon since February, 1871^1. 

ALBERT L. MASON, farmer, Sec. 13 ; P. 0. Sharon ; son of Darius B. Mason, who was born in 
Berkshire Co., Mass., in 1800 ; he removed to the State of New York with his parents when a boy. Was 
married to Harriet C. Starr, born in Danbury, Conn.; who also moved to the State of New York at an 
early age. Mr. D. B. Mason eame to Walworth Co. in 1836, and made a claim on Sec. 30, town of Wal- 
worth ; he returned the same si^ason to the State of New York for his family ; he did not return until 
September, 1840 ; he of cour.se had forfeited his claim, but he bought at Government price land on Sec. 
24, town of Sharon; also bought land in ibe town of Walworth ; he cleared up a farm and sold it to its 
present owners, Marvin and Harris Wilson. He also owned other land in Walworth Co.; he was a resi- 
dent of the town of Sluinm until 1854, when he removed to Mason City, Iowa, where h(^ now resides. 
The parents of Mr. Mason had eleven children, eight of whom are living, four sons and four daughters. 
Albert L. is the only one living in Walworth Co., he was born in Cooperstown, Otsego, N. Y., in 1824; he 
came to Walworth Co. with his parents, in 1840 ; he has lived within three miles (if his present residence 
since that time. His wife was Miss Sophronia Joiner, a daughter of William Joiner, who eame to Wal- 
worth Co. from the State of New York in 1847. They have two children — Darius B. and Jessie. They 
lo5t a daughter. Mr. Mason received an academic education, has held various town offices, including 
Justice of the Peace and Assessor ; he was also Postmaster of Sharon Post Office lor a number of years ; 
he represented the Second Assembly District in the Legislature of 1879, without opposition, receiving 
950 votes. He settled on his present farm in 1855 ; he has 204 acres ; he built his first house in 1853 ; 
he has owned a number of farms ; he has probably cleared and broke more land than any other man in the 
town of Sharon. 

ALBIN MATTESON, retired farmer. Sec. 13 ; P. O. Sharon ; he was born in Shafisbury, Ben- 
nington Co., Vt., in 1813, where he lived until 21 years of age, when he went, to tieneva, Ontario Co., N. Y., 
where he was employed in clerking. He was married in Vermont, to Philena Stockwell, born in Vermont ; 
she died in Geneva. Mr. .Matteson came to Walworth Co. in the fall of 1842 ; he made his home at Mr. 
Warren Matteson's for several years, in the town of Walworth. ' He was married in 1845 to Sarah, widow 
of Warren Matteson. Mrs. Matteson was born in England, and eame to America when three years of age. 
Mr. and Mrs. Matteson have three children — Elmer J., who resides at the hoine-§tead; Edgar A., in Col- 
orado, and Albin W.; they lost one .son, a twin brother of Albin, who died at the age of 12* years; El- 
mer J. was born Nov. 20, 1846; Edgar \. was born March 26, 1850, and Albin W. wa.9 born May 20, 
1856. The farm of Mr. Matteson contains 08 acres. He settled here in the fall of 1846. 

BENJAMIN P. PATTEN, retired farmer, Sharon, born in the town of Pompey, On ludaga Co.- 
N. Y.. May 9, 1809; his father was born in Rensselaer Co., N. Y., in 1773, but removed to the town of 
Bennington, Vt., with his parents when a child, but afterward removed to the State of New York. Mr. 
Patten resided in the State of New York until 1845, when he removed to the town of Le Roy, Boone 
Co., 111., where he lived until 1869, when he retired from farming and settled in Sharon. His wife was 
Maria Sutherland, born in the town of Pompey, Feb. 9, 1812. They have had four children, two of 
whom are living; their oldest son, James A., enlisted in the war of the rebellion as a member of the 
13th W. V. I., he lost his health in the army and died at home in 1864. Their second son, Duane, enlisted 
in the 7th Midi. V. I., and was killed in the camjiaign of the Wilderness, near Spotsylvania, in 1804. 
Their oldest child. Ellen, resides at hfime. H. Millard is an engineer on the C. W. R. R. Mr. Patten, 
though over 70 years of age, is remarkably well preserved for a man of bis age ; bis memory of events, 
and the dale of their occurrence is certainly remarkable. 

WIIjLIAM PEARSON, of the firm of Pearson Brothers, jiroprietors ol the Sharon Cheese Fac- 
tory. William was born in Scotland, in 1851; emigrated to Jefferson Co., N. Y., with his parents in 1853; 
he ('ame to Sharon in 1874. Married Miss Ella H. Arnold, daughter of P. P. Arnold. Robert Pearson 
was born in Scotland, in 1843 ; he came to Wisconsin in 1870. 

FRANKLIN PEETS, farmer, See. 12; P. 0. Darien. He was born in Washington Co., N. Y., 
but removed to Wyoming Co.; he wa.s married in Washington to Margaret Blake. They came to Wal- 
worth Co. in June, 1852, and settled on present farm. They have three children — T. S ; Maria, now 
Mrs. N. Keeler, and Minnie, now Mrs. John Pa.s.sage. T. S. was born in Washington Co., N. Y., Septem- 



770 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

ber, 1831 ; married Miss Charlotte White, born iii Castile, Wyoming Co., N. Y. They have one sod 
William, who resides on Sec. 1. 

WILLIAM PELLINGTON, farmer, Sec. 35 ; P. O. Sharon ; born near Newark, N. J„ in 1819. 
His parents removed to the city of New York, when he was one year of age. Mr. Pellington was brought 
up in the city of New York, where he learned the trade of a silversmith ; his father also followed that 
business. His parents resided in the city of New York till their death. Mr. Pellington removed to 
McHenry Co., 111., in 1850, and engaged in farming. He lived in Illinois till 1866, when he came to the 
town of Sharon; he bought his farm of Reuben Wessell. The farm was first settled by Wheeler Hunt. 
Mrs Pellington was formerly Miss Helen Church, daughter of James B. Church, who removed to 
McHcnry Co. in 1850. They have one son, William II., born in McHenry Co., in 1857. They lost 
their oldest son, James, a<;ed 17 years. Mr. Pellinsrton's farm contains lOtI acres. 

ROYAL PERKINS, farmer. Sec. 33 ; P. O. Sharon. Mr. Perkins was born in Vermont, in 1824 ; 
he removed to the State of New York, with his parents, when a buy, and thence to McHenry Co., 111., 
where his parents resided till their death. He came to the town of Walworth in .November, 1876. He lost 
his first wife in Illinois. His present wife was Mrs. Jane (Willis) Arnold (See sketch of W. E. Hoard). 
Mr. Perkins had five children by his first wife, four of whom are living — Emma, Mary, Harvey and Jay. 

PHELPS & ZIEGAUS, editors and proprietors of the Sharon Reporter. James H. Phelps was 
born in Whitewater, Walworth Co., Wis., Jan. 4, 1857. His father died when he was 5 years of age. 
He was adopted by Mr. Yeoman Kitely, of the town of Sharon, with whom he lived until he was 21 
years of age. He received an academic education in the village of Sharon ; engaged in teaching fur a 
time, and learned the printing business in the ufiice of the Sharon Inquirer. Geo. Ziegaus was born in 
Bavaria, Germany, in December, 1854. He is the son of Michael Ziegaus, who emigrated to the 
United States, with his family, in July, 18GS, and settled in Jefierson Co., Wis. He began learning the 
printing business at Edgerton, Ruck Co., and completed his apprenticeship in the oSice of the Weekly 
Recorder, of Janesville. In 1877, he came to Sharon, and worked in the office of the Sharon Inquirer 
for about one and a half years. When the Inquirer was discontinued, in August, 1878, Phelpj & Ziegaus 
established their present paper, which now has a circulation of 750 copies per week. 

JOHN PRINDLE, Sharon, was born in Williamston, Mass., in 1815. His father, John Prindle, was a 
native of Connecticut He went from Massachusetts to Lake Co., 111., near Kenosha, where he purchased 
a farm, but soon after .settled in the tuwn of Leroy, where he purchased a farm from the Government 
in 1842; he resided in Boone Co. till he came to Sharon in 1869. He was married in Massachusetts 
to Cornelia Walley, who was born in the town of Bethlehem, Albany Co., N. Y. They have had five 
children, four of whom are living — Franklin, enlisted in the 13th W. V. I., and died in the hospital at 
Leavenworth in 1862. The names of the other children are Steven VV., Juniette, Martha and Lydia. 
Mr. Prindle owns a firm of 380 acres, where he first settled, in Boone Co. He has a cheese fijctory on 
his farm, and manufactures a large amount of cheese annually. 

BENJAMIN ROGERS, farmer; resides in village of Allen's Grove ; was born in Dutchess Co., N. 
Y., March, 1828 ; his father was Wm. Rogers. Mr. Rogers came to Wisconsin from Tompkins Co., and 
settled in the town of Sugar Creek. He came to Allen's Grove in March, 1878. His wife was Catherine 
Tremper ; born in Cayuga Co., N. Y. They have six children — Libbie (now Mrs. Charles Williams), 
Jennie (now Mrs. Sewell Phillips), Lyra (now Mrs. Monroe Mowers), Benjamin, William and Calvin. 

CAPT. ALMON SCHELLENGER; Sharon ; born in Ashtabula Co., Ohio, in 1834. He removed 
with his parents. Hector and Cynthia Schellenger, to Boone Co., III., in 1853. He enlisted Aug. 11, 1862, 
in the 95th 111. V. I. On the organization of the regiment he was elected to a First Lieutenancy. The 
Captain of his company being killed at the siege of Vicksburg, his commission as Captain dates from that 
event. He participated in fourteen general engagements, and was brevetted Major for gallant and meri- 
torious conduct at the battle siege ot Mobile in March, 1865. Among the battles that he participated in 
were Champion Hills, Siege of Vicksburg, Banks' Red River expedition, battle of Guntown, Miss., where 
his regiment lost seven officers out of fourteen, including the Colonel. On the death of the Colonel, Capt. 
Schellenger took command of the regiment. He was a gallant and faithful soldier ; notwithstanding the 
many and severe battles in which he was engaged, escaped without a wound from the enemy, thoug h he 
was once severely wounded by a bayonet accidentally thrust in the hands of one of his own men. He re- 
turned to Boone Co. at the close of the war and engaged in farming. He came to Sharon in November, 
1877. His wife was Rachael Robbins, born in Ohio. They have five children — Jesse, Hattie, Emma, 
Nellie and Lottie. Capt. Schellenger lost his father in 1854. His mother, Cynthia (Parker) Schellenger, 
was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., in 1809, and lives with her son. 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 771 

ISAAC SEARL, retired farmer, of Sharon. He was born in the town of Whitehall, WashingtoD 
Co., N. v., May 2('i, 1814; when he was 9 years of age, his. parents removed to Cattaraugus Co., town 
of Kllieottville, wliere his parents resided until their death. Mr. Searl was married in 1839, to Deliah 
Densinore, daughter of (leorge Densmore. She was born in Warsaw, Wyoming Co., N. Y., in 1816. They 
came to Walworth Co. in the fall of 1845, and settled on Sec. 3, town ofSharon, where they lived until 
l8Gt1, when they removed to McHenry Co., 111., where they lived one year, and then removed to Boone 
Co., where they lived four years, then they settled in Sharon. The father of Mrs. Searl removed to Boone 
Co., 111., from the State of New York, in 184(j, where they resided until their death. They have three 
children — B. F. S., who resides in the city of Roekford, 111.; Melissa (now Mrs. E. Perrin), and Chas. 
Wilson. 

JACOB SHUNK, former, Sec. 1, town of Leroy, Boone Co., 111.; P. 0. Sharon. lie resides on 
the Illinois side of the State line that separates Sharon and Leroy Townships, and a large part of his farm 
lies in the town of Sharon. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1815. He emigrated to Montgomery 
Co., N. Y., in I8H7, and then to Schoharie Co. He came to Walworth Co. in 1843. He was married to 
Miss Betsy Herron, born in Washington Co., N. Y., in 181t). They have five children — John, Mary 
J., James II., Wilson L. and Frank .1. They lost two children, Hannah M., their second child aged 32 
years, and an infant son. He has a fine farm which consists of 234 acres in the town ofSharon, and 140 
acres in town of Leroy ; has also another farm in Boone Co. 111. 

CHABLES A. SIKES, farmer. Sec. 2t! ; P. O. Sharon; son of George Sikes, who was born in Con- 
necticut December, I81(). He removed with his parents to the State of New York, where he was brought 
up. When a young man, he went West and South ; was in Louisiana and Mississippi, and elsewhere 
along the Mississippi River, variously engaged for eleven or twelve years. He came to Walworth Co. 
and purchased a farm of the (government in Sec. 23, just north of the farm of his son, Charles A. This 
farm he still owns. After purchasing his farm he went to Galena, and was engaged in chooping wood. 
In the following spring, he settled on his farm, in 1844 ; was a member of the Wisconsin Legislature in 
1850 ; married Miss Alvira Perkins, daughter of Wesley Perkins, an early setilerof Boone Co., 111. They 
have five children — Charles A., Mary, Martha, Clara and George ; Charles A. was born on the homestead 
in 1849: married Ella Dennis, a daughter of Henry Dennis. They have one child, Albert H., born 
in 1879. Mr. Sikes' farm contains 100 acres ; his father's farm contains 200 acres. 

GKORGE C. SM ITH, farmer ; Sec. 30, P. 0. Sharon; he was born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., in 1827 ; 
his father was Jabes H. Smith ; was a native of Vermont; his mother was Annie R. Smith. He removed 
from New York to the State of Ohio with his parents in 1834, and to Walworth Co. in 1840, and settled 
in Big Foot Prairie, town of Walworth, in December, 1843 ; his father removed to the farm where George 
now lives, and died here in 1862 ; his mother died in 1870. His parents had six children, three of whom 
are now living — Lucius, Horace G. and George C. The names of the deceased children were Sophie, Ma- 
ria and Caroline. George was married to Mrs. Polly Foot, born in Delaware Co., N. Y. Her father was 
William Dennins ; Mr. Smith has no children; his wife has two — Delia and Harry Foot. Mr. Smith's 
farm contains 80 acres. 

REV. DAVID H. SNOWDEN, M. D., PH. D., Sharon ; was born at Fairview Court House, Va., 
in 1841 ; was educated at Jefferson College, in Pennsylvania ; was also a graduate of the Jefferson Medical 
College ; at the breaking-out of the rebellion, he enlisted in the Third Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, 
and participated in the first battle of Bull Run ; at the expiration of his term of service, he re-enlisted 
in the Twelfth West Virginia Regiment; he was appointed Surgeon in the regular army, in 1864, and 
served in that capacity until December, 1865. After the close of the war, he engaged in the practice of 
medicine at Pittsburgh, Penn. In 1869, he entered the ministry of the M. E. Church, where he remained 
seven years. He then entered the ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church ; he resigned the pastorate of 
the First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cleveland, Ohio, in 1878, and came to Sharon and resumed the pas- 
toral charge of the church of his denominaiion of this place. The Doctor entered the lecture field in 1 866, 
and since that time has visited various parts of the Union. During his lecture seasons, he lectured on 
various subjects, scientific and literary, and his pcjpularity as a public speaker and his well-known abilities 
attest his success in the lecture field. His wife in the daughter of Gen. Robert E. Kaulkner, of Pennsyl- 
vania. They have one daughter — Mary Elizabeth. Dr. Snowden is of splendid physique ; stands con - 
siderable over six feet in height, and weighing over two hundred pounds, and is well proportioned. Though 
a Virginian by birth and education, he quickly espoused the cause of the Union, when his native State 
joined in the slaveholders' rebellion. He was a gallant soldier ; was several times severely wounded, and 
was a prisoner in the hands of the enemy, for a year, being confined in Libby Prison and Bell Isle, Va. 



772 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

W. A. STANBRO, of the firm of Stanbro, Petty & Co., general merchants, Sharon. The business 
of this house was established in August, 1878, under the firm name of Stanbro & White. In the follow- 
ing February, the firm became Stanbro & Petty, and afterward became Stanbro, Petty & Co. This firm 
■do an extensive business, their sales amounting to .ib lut $iO,000 a year. They have another store at 
Darien, in charge of Mr. Petty. The business at th ; latter plan > atnouats to about $30,000 per annum. 
Mr. Petty was boru in Erie Co., N. Y., in 1854. He wis well versed ia the dry goods trade before com- 
ing to Sharon, having been six years with J. V. Farwell & Co., Chicago. 

NELSON J. STORY, farmer, Sec. 25 ; P. 0. Sharon ; son of Nelson Story (deceased), who was born 
in Oswego Co., N. Y., in 1811, where he was brought up. He was married to Dillu Camp, born in Oswe- 
go Co., N. Y. ; came to Walworth Co. in the spring of 1842, and lived in the town of Spring Prairie for 
two years. They came to the town of Sharon in April, 1844, and settled on the farm where Nelson J. 
now lives, purchasing of (3overnment. Mr. Nelson Story died Jan. 28, 1881 ; Mrs. Dilla Story has six 
children — Hannah, now Mrs. Wm. Adams; Mary, now Mrs. Henry Wheeler; Sarah, now Mrs. Seth Ad- 
ams; Nelson J., Franklin and William. Nelson J. was born in the town of Spring Prairie in 1844; 
married Emma Searles, born in Bradford Co., Penn. They have one son — Judson. Farm contains 140 
acres. 

RENSELAER L. STORY, retired farmer. Sec. 24 ; P. 0. Sharon ; was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., 
in 1802, where he was married to Rosannah Olmstead, and came to Walworth Co. in July, 1844, and set- 
tled where he now lives. He purchased 40 acres of his farm of the Government; it now contains 120 
acres. His wife died Jan. 23, 1880. They have had nine children, five of whom arc living — Emiline, 
now Mrs. Benjamin Gibson ; Melvin, now Mrs. Ophelia Hardver ; Elliott and Alwilda. The latter was 
born at the homestead, in the town of Sharon, in 1845 ; Maud, now Mrs. Ayers, has two children — Earl 
and Ophelia. The names of the deceased children were John Q., Mitty Bullen, Columbus, Lunnetta and 
Downings. 

L. P. SWART, retired farmer, Sharon, born in the town of Davenport, Delaware Co., N. Y., July, 
1807 ; he came to Delavan in May, 1845, and from there went to Walworth Co. in 1845 ; in August of 
that year he purchased a farm on the State line on the Illinois side in the town of Leroy, Boone Co., 111., 
which he still owns ; his wife was Julia Boys, daughter of Peter Boys, who came to Walworth Co. in 1837, 
and settled in Delavan, where they resided until their death. Mrs. Swart was born in Schoharie Co., N. 
Y., in 1813 ; came to Wisconsin with her parents in 1837, but returned to the State of New York in 183'J, 
and was married to Mr. Swart in 1840. The parents of Mr. Swart had seven children, five of whom are 
living; he has lived in the village of Sharon since 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Swart have two children — Riley, 
who enlisted in the W. V. 1., and served three years ; he now resides in Chicago, and is engaged in the 
bakery business; their second son, Albert, resides on the homestead, in McHenry Co., 111. 

JULIUS A. TREAT, lumber dealer, Sharon ; he was born at Aurora, Erie Co., N. Y., in 1814 ; his 
father was Oren Treat, born near Malone, Franklin Co , N. Y. ; he is still living in Erie Co., at the age of 
95 years ; he learned the business of surveying when a young man, which he followed to a greater or less 
extent for many years ; heeameto Walworth Co. from the State of New York, in November, 1844, and located 
a farmer on Sec. 25, in the town of Sharon; here he resided for several years, and owned the farm until 
within a few years ; he lived on the farm for a few years and then removed to Elton, in this town, and 
engaged in the mercantile business, which he continued two or three years, when he sold out and returned 
to his farm ; he removed to the village of Sharon in 1858 ; in 1859 engaged in the lumber trade with Mr. 
David Hoard ; he has been engaged in same trade since that time,'thoush the partnership with Mr. Hoard 
continued but a few years ; he now owns lumbering interests on the Menominee River, in this State ; is 
President of the J. A. Treat Lumber Company ; he has had an active and successful business life ; he is 
known as a man of some business principles, and is an upright, reliable citizen, and in an eminent degree 
possesses the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens ; he was Chairman of the Town Board five years 
and Chairman of the County Board one year, and Justice of the Peace for many years ; he has been mar- 
ried twice ; his present wife was Miss Ellen Brownson, born in Gainesville, Wyoming Co., N. Y., in 1835 ; 
he has two children — Fayette, born in the town of Sharon in 1846, he is now in charge of a lumber yard 
at Appleton, Wis., and Jennie, now Mrs. D. E. Sedgewick, a physician at York, Neb. 

GEORGE TREAT, farmer. Sec. 30 ; P. 0. Sharon ; he was born in Erie Co., N. Y., in 1818 ; he 
is the son of Oren Treat, and a brother of Julius A. Treat, Esq. ; he went to the State of Ohio in Decem- 
ber, 1839 ; in the spring of 1842 he came to Walworth Co., and has been a resident of same county since 
that time; his wife was Sarah C. Foster, daughter of Thomas Foster, who settled in Walworth Co. in 
1847. They have four children— Flora L., now Mrs. M. W. Pierce; Mattie H., now Mrs. J. C. Miller ; 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 773 

Grace and Mamie. Mr. Treat entered a part of his present farm in 18-1)5 : made first improvements in 
1847; the parents of Mrs. Treat, Thomas and Lueinda Foster, removed from Onondaija Co., N. Y., in 
1837, thence to Illinois, and to Walwortli Co. in 1S47 ; her father died at the house of Mr. Treat in the 
sprint; of 1879 ; her mother die<l many years before in Whiteside Co., 111. 

JARED H. TOPPING resides on See. 2 ; P. (). Darien ; son of Thomas T., who was born in Mont- 
gomery Co., N. Y., where he was brought up ; came to Walworth Co. in 1840, and settled at Delavan the 
following year, where he engaged in the mercantile business, starting the first general store in tiiat village ; 
his family came in 1841 ; in 1842, while on a trip East for the purchase of goods, the father of Mr. Top- 
ping was accidently killed ; this sad event occurred in Montgomery Co., N. Y. Mr. Thomas Topping left 
a widow and five children, of whom Jared was the oldest. The family continued to reside at Delavan for 
five years after thi' death of the head of the family, and then removed to what has since been known as 
Topping's Corners, in the town of Sharon, and settled on the farm which Mr. Topping, Sr., had purchased 
in 1840. The names of the children of Thomas Topping were Jared H.; Mary, who married Mr F. K. 
Phoenix; Sarah, who married Mr. W. Carpenter; Joseph A. and John. The surviving children are 
Jared, Mrs. Phoenix and Mrs. Carpenter; their mother died at Delavan in 1871. Jared H. was born in 
the State of New York in 1828 ; he purchased his present farm in 1852, but after a residence thereof two 
years he removed to Delavan and engaged in business; he returned to his farm in 1865 ; he has 152 a res of 
land. They have eight children, four sons and four daughters. Mr. Josiah Topping, a brother of Thomas (who 
named the town of Sharon fro'n town of same name in Schoharie Co., N. Y. ; he is also the oldest settler 
of the town of Sharon, now living in the town ), settled on Sees. 1 and 12 in this town in 1838 ; he still 
lives where he first located ; he was born in Montgomery Co. in 1798 ; the wife of Mr. Jared Topping was 
Miss Mary Conriek ; her parents settled in the town of Sharon in the year of 1843. 

S. W. VOORHEES, retired, Sharon: he wa.» born in Cherry Valley, Otsego Co., N. Y., in 181G ; he 
learned the business of boot and shoe-making, which he followed for many years; he was for a long time 
located in the village of Sharon, Schoharie Co., N. Y. ; he was married to Maria Loucks, born in Schoharie 
Co.. N. Y. ; he came to Walworth Co. and settled in the town of Sharon in 1849. and engaged in farming. 
Mr. Voorhees removed to Janesville in the fall of 1864, where he lived two and one-half years ; he also 
lived in Darien one year ; he settled in the village in March, 1874, and engaged in the boot and shoe trade, 
which he continued fouryears. They have four children — Albert P., born March, 1840, now residing at 
Napa City, Cal. ; George L., born June, 1843, now of Vallejo, Cal. ; Mary, born in 1847, wife of Walter 
Vankirk ; and Hannah M., born January, 1849. Albert P. enlisted in 2d W. V. C. at the breaking-out 
of the rebellion ; was made a 2d Lieutenant, but soon after resigned and went to California. George was a 
member of the 22d W. V. I., and served till the close of the war. Mr. Voorhees represented the 
Second Assembly District in the Legi.shiture in 1857 ; he visited his children in California in 1867, and 
again in November, 1878, remaining in California uutil the following August. 

HARRIS E. WILSON, farmer, Sec. 24; P. O. Sharon ; son of Marvin Wilson, who was born in 
(Connecticut, March, 1793, and moved to Otsego Co., N. Y., when a young man. He was married to 
Nancy Hubbell. They came to Walworth Co. in June, 1844 and settled on Sec. 24, town of Sharon, 
where the father of Mr. Wilson still lives at an advanced age of 88 years ; his wife died April, 1870. The 
parents of Mr. Wilson had five children when they came to Walworth Co., only two of them, Harris and 
Hannah, now Mrs. Nelson Harvey, are living. Harris E. was born in New York iu 1826 ; he came to Wiscon- 
sin with his parents; married E.sther Ottman, daughter of David and Mary Ottnian. The parents of Mrs. 
Wilson were of German descent, born in Schoharie Co., moved to Wisconsin in 1845. Her father died in 
1859, and her mother in 1877. They have three children — Isabel, now Mrs. Secor ; Ruby, now Mrs. 
Cramer; and Maud, born August, 1870. They lost one son, Clarence, who died Nov. 23, 1862, at the 
age of 9 years. The names of the deceased children of Mr. Marvin Wilson were Elijah, Harriet and 
Nancy, being a twin .sister of Hannah, now Mrs. Nelson Harvey. 

J. B. WISE, merchant, Sharon, son of Jo.seph Wise, who was born in France in 1816, and came to the 
United States when a young man ; he resided in the State of New Jersey for several years, and came to Wal- 
worth Co. in 1 842, and settled on Sec. 29, town of Sharon, purchasing his farm of the Government, where he 
resided until 1870, when he settled in villaije of Sharon, where he now resides. He purchased his flirm 
at Government price in 1842, and sold it in 1870 for .S60 per acre. Mr. J. Wise was horn on Sec. 29, 
in 1848 ; he came to the village in 1869, and was engaged as clerk for Mr. L. Carter for 3 years; he then 
becanje a partner in the business with Mr. Carter and W. R. Herron, and, in 1876, became sole proprietor 
of the business. He has just completed an elegant store, which is part of a fine brick block, and which 
he was instrumental in building. His room is 24x90 feet, and filled witli a complete stock of general mer- 



774 



HISTORY or AVAL WORTH COUNTY. 



chandise, clothing, etc. His wife was Miss Alice Arnold, daughter of S. G. Arnold. The have one 
daughter — Pearl. 

L. WOLF, of the firm of Wolf & Brownson, general merchants, Sharon. He is one of the earliest 
business men of Sharon ; he was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1834 ; he came to the United States in 
1851 ; he came to Walworth Co., and located at Darien, in 1856, where he engaged in business ; he came 
to Sharon in 1857, and opened a general store, consisting of clothing, dry goods, etc. He has been con- 
stantly engaged in business here since that time. Mr. Wolf owns the store in which the firm do business. 
This is a fine double brick store, 46x100 feet. This firm do a large business, and have one of the largest 
stocks of goods to be found in the country. Mr. Wolf has always made a specialty of clothing, and the 
firm is largely engaged in handling ready-made clothing, and in manufacturing, employing a large number 
of hands in their tailoring establishment. He has dealt in real estate con.siderably, and has proved a suc- 
cessful business man. His wife was formerly Miss Maggie Smith, daughter of Benjamin Smith. They 
have two children — Alma and Charles. They lost their oldest boy by death ; his name was Grant. 

JOHN WOODS resides on Sec. 21, on the ftirm of John Ladd ; P. 0. Sharon. Mr. Woods was 
born in Surrey, England, in 1829, where he was brought up. He went to Canada in 1857, and thence to 
Niagara Co.. N. Y., in 1860. He came to Walworth Co. in 1862, and has been a resident of the town 
of Sharon since that time. His wife was Sophia Owen Bromfield, born in England. They have seven 
children — Edward J., Frederick W., Herbert VV., Charles W., Warren W., Lewis R. and Frank P. Mr. 
Woods has charge of the farms of Mr. Ladd, which aggregate 500 acres. He is extensively engaged in 
dairying, keeping a large number of cows, and in sheep raising. He owns one-half the stock. 

JOSEPH M. YATES, banker and capitalist, Sharon; he, though not numbered among the old set- 
tlers of Sharon, has done much toward building up the village ; perhaps no one has contributed more 
freely than he toward making Sharon the active and enterprising village that it is now ; he is a native of 
the State of New York. When a young man he learned the trade of a cabinet-maker ; he engaged for 
several years iu piano making at Albany, for Boardman & Gray ; he was afterward engaged in the foundry 
business at Fultonville for a number of years. In 1862, he engaged in the paper business in the city of 
New York with William N. Hubbs ; owing to poor health, he gave up business there in 1871, and came 
west. Having a brother here, he decided to make Sharon his home for a time ; but he is not fitted — 
either by nature or education — for a life of ease, and he was again soon embarked in business ; he lost 
his first wife in the East, also his only children, a son and a daughter ; his present wife was Mrs. Anna 
Fowler ; she has two children, a son and a daughter. 




HISTORY OF AVAI.WOHTII COUNTY. 775 



TOWN OF RICHMOND. 

ORGANIZATION. 

Whon. by act of the Torritoral Lco^islatni-o. approvod Fehniarv 2. 18)^8, the comity of VV'al- 
worth was first divid(Hl into towns, the territory uow coustitutiug the town of lliehimmd was a 
part of the town of Elkhorn, It so remained until February 18, 1840. when, by an act of the 
Legislature approved on that day, ■A'hat is now the towns of Whitewater and Richmond— being 
Towns 3 and 4 in Range 15 east — were erected into a single town and called Whitewater. By 
an act of the Ten-itorial Legislature, approved January 12, 1841, the south half of the town of 
Whitewater, being Town 3 in Range 15 east, was erected into a new one and called Richmond, 
from a to^vn of the same name in Rhode Island, from which came a few of its earliest settli^rs. 

SITUATION AND NATURAL FEATURES. 

The town is situated in tiw western part of the county, on the western boundary line, from 
which it is separated from the town of Johnstown, in Rock County. The surface in the south- 
western part of the town is a level prairie; in the northwest, it is more rolling, interspersed with 
beautiful oak openings; in the northeast, the surface is quite hilly, there being a range of hills 
extending in a northeasterly and southwesterly direction across Sections 2 and 3; in the south- 
eastern part of the town, there is considerable marsh land, which is of no value as farming land, 
and too wet to be of superior value as meadow land. Rock Prairie, which covers about seven 
sections in the southwest part of the town, is C(_)nsidered the choicest locality in the town. 

There ai'e several small lakes in the town, the principal ones being Lake No. 9, on Section 
9: Lake No. 10. on Section 10; and Turtle Lake, covering portions of Sections 11, 12, 13 and 
14. The outlet of the last-named lake is Turtle Creek, which flows in a general southerly direc- 
tion across Sections 14, 23, 2(). 35 and 36, leaving the tovni in the southeastern corner of the 
last-numbered section. Most of the marsh land of the town spoken of above lies for a consider- 
able distance on either side of this creek. A\'hitewater Creek rises on Section 3 and flows in a 
northerly direction, leaving the town on the same section. On either side of this creek is also 
some marsh land. The soil is a heavy clay loam in the openings and higher ])ortions, while on 
the jirairie and in the lowlands it is mixed with a rich alluvial deposit. The land is generally 
of excellent quality', being easy of cultivation and highly productive. The towai is fairly tim- 
bered with the various varieties indigenous to this part of the State. 

THE FIRST SETTLER. 

The following facts are from the ])en of I'rosper Cravath, of Whitewater: " To Mon-is F. 
Hawes is due the credit of having been the first settler in the town of Richmond. He airived 
on the 1st day of August, 1837, and immediately laid claim to the south half of Section 1. The 
night previous to their arrival, th(>y cam])ed upon Rock Prairie, a few miles distant, and now, 
as soon as they had halted, preparations were made for breakfast. These were quite primitive 
in their character, and soon finished. Their table was formed of a board laid across some jwles; 
chairs were taken from the wagon, and all sat down to their first meal in their new home. 
' Sfjuire Hawes ' had removed from Michigan, and was among the more wealthy of the early 
settlers. His equi])age, when he starti'd from Chicago, consisted of fom- yoke of oxen and three 
wagons. One of these wagons was boarded uji at the sides and back, about four and a half feet 
from the box, and covered at the to]> with a deck roof. This served them not only as a family 
carriage, but also as parlor, bedroom and pantry. His family consisted of a wife and six chil- 
dren — young ladies, lasses and lads. Their daily progress was from twelve to twenty miles. 
They found a track as far as Geneva, but, after leaving that ])lace, their only guide was an In- 
dian trail, which led northward to Fort Atkinson. When they sto])ped for the night, they 
' ])ut up ' at no hotel, and had no landlord, landlady or cook of whom to complain, for all were 
their own hotel -keejjers. When the shade of evening warned them tliat it was time to secure a 



776 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

restiug-place for the coming uight, they selected some place near which flowed a stream or 
spring of clear water, and where wood could be procured. Their tirst business was to collect 
fuel for the building of a fire. This duty devolved upon the men of the party. The women 
then succeeded to the peculiarly feminine task of preparing the meal. This ready, they all sat 
round their rude table in truly gipsy style. Though their fare was simple, yet the feast of an 
epicure could not have been partaken of with a keener relish. In the morning, they pi-oceeded 
upon their way with the rising of the sun. and, after traveling four or live miles, would halt for 
breakfast. This disposed of, and the dishes Ijeing washed and packed away, they would start 
anew, not stopping again until night, their dinner consisting of a lunch taken in the wagon. 
If they chanced to be in the vicinity of a dwelling near dark, they would stop for the night, 
using the fire of the house for cooking purposes, and the strangers were always sure of a hearty 
welcome, for a lack of hospitality could not be charged against the early settlers. Such, in 
brief, was the mode of traveling then, at once wild and fascinating, and yet wearisome and full 
of care. But even when their journey was accomplished and they had reached their destina- 
tion, the prospect Ijefore them must have seemed somewhat dark and dubious. Their surround- 
ings were certainly little calculated to inspire hope. With no roof to shelter their heads, no 
neighbors within miles of them, a trackless prairie upon the one side and a wood as trackless 
upon the other; huge oaks of a centm-y's gi-owth stood thick around, but these were to be felled 
and hewn and joined together liefore they could serve for protection and shelter alike from sun- 
shine and storm. An easily tilled and productive soil lay ready for their hands, but much labor 
was required, and the sun must again complete his annual round before they could hope to reap 
of the fruits of the earth. Yet, nothing daunted, and with hopeful hearts and cheerful faces, 
they went right heartily to work, and soon their cabin was so far completed as to allow of its 
occupation by the family. The logs were rough-hewn on the inside ; the roof was made of 
shakes, which resembled staves, and were about f om- feet long, being riven either from the white 
or yellow oak. They were placed upon poles laid lengthwise of the building, and over them 
were placed larger poles to keep them firm. The Sc^uire had brought glass and sash for his 
windows from Chicago. For frames, he took the boards which, on the road, had formed their 
wagon home. The floor was made of the wagon boxes, and it might seem strange to the unini- 
tiated to know the different uses to which these same l)oxes were put, now being used as a floor, 
and now as wagon boxes in going to mill, the ground meanwhile serving as floor and carpet, for 
in those days there was no superfluous lumber, and a board was a treasure." 

Mr. Hawes. after a number of years, moved from Richmond into the town of "Whitewater, 
and subsequently into the village of Whitewater, where he died January 14, 1868, his wife hav- 
ing preceded him by nine years. 

OTHER EARLY SETTLERS. 

The subsequent settlers of 1837 are as follows: Thomas James, on Section 34; Arthm- and 
Andrew Stewart, on Section 33; Perkins S. Childs, on Section 17. Of these, jVIi'. James came 
frijm Rhode Island: Ai-thm' and Andrew Stewart, from Pennsylvania; and Mr. Childs, from Ver- 
mont. 

Among the settlers of 1838 are the following-named jjersons: Charles Hamilton, who 
located on Section 4; Thomas P. James, on Section 34; George E. James, on Section 33; Ira 
Sanborn, Cyrenmas Wilcox and Joseph Compton, on Section 5; John Teetshorn, on Section 6. 

In 1839 came William Campbell, S. W. Newbury and Joseph Prentice, who located on Sec- 
tion 18; Joseph and James G. Hunqihrey and Anderson Whiting, on Section 7; Stephen and 
Isaac Kelch, on Section ti. 

In 1840 came Asa Cougdon and William Hatton, who settled on Section 35; Robert Moore, 
on Section 29; Daniel Wilkini^ and Morris Ensign, on Section 6; Alden Wilkins, on Section 3: 
Edwin M. Rice, on Section 5; H. E. Hemminway, on Section 8; James Cotter, Jasper Hum- 
phrey and William Patterson, on Section 19: Harrison and Silas Bishop, on Section — ; Gor- 
don Florentine, on Section 17. 

In 1841, Elijah Belding settled on Section 29: A. P. Newbury, on Section 18; Freeman 
Emerson, on Section 19; John Balfour, on Section 20; Andrew Mills, on Section 19. 

In 1842 came H. G. Smith and C. J. Dockstader, who located on Section 28; John A. 
Bowen and John Langley, on Section 20; Solomon Wakeley, Ambrose Moore, James and David 



HISTORY OF WALWOR'l'H COUNTY. 777 

('<imptoi!. on Soetion 5; James Sanfonl, on Soction 1: James iNIatthews, on Section U: Noitnan 
Hinnphrey, on Section 7: J. McCart, on Section 13; Peter Smith, O. H. Smith and Richard 
Bradt, on Section 30; Joseph E. Ii-ish, on Section 25; Warnm Congdon, on Section 26; Henry 
Hess, Charles J. Morgan and Amos Ives, on Sciction 85 ; Samuel Stewart, on Section 32 ; Edward 
Mitchell and Jones Gage, on Section 29; John C. Dockstader, on Section 33; Robert Sherman, 
on Section 27; Emery Gage, on Section 17; Irving Gage, on Section 21; Joseph Hall, on Sec- 
tion 19. ■ 

Among the other early settlers weri' Harvey I'rentice, Nathaniel Smith, Joseph Smith, Rial 
Thomas, Solomon Finch, William Hm'd, Horace B. Kinney, George Osborne, Richard and John 
Pembertou, Charles Claxton, Elisha Hnlce, Lester llulce, Oliver Holinson. John Almy, Oirin 
West. Oliver Perkins, James Cameron. Peter Johnson, Jared Hall. Lucius Conse, Nonnan 
Conse, Vai'num Ai'nold, Joseph Ijangworthy, ^^'illiam Carjienter, Alexander Rowley, Sylvester 
Moore, George W. Paul, A. G. Low. R. H. Cockerell. Joseph Hall, Seth Hill, David Clmstie, 
James McKoy and Isaac Spicer. 

The first marriage in Richmond was Elijah Belding to Mary James, April IS, LS39. He 
was married by Israel Williams, of Geneva. 

The first death was that of Dorcas James, the wife of Thomas James, which oc(uiit(hI Aj)ril 
y. 1842. 

CHURCHES. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church at Utter's Cornersjwas organized in 1S52. The one near 
Richmond Post Office was organized in about 1854, and services were first held in the school- 
house. The society was again organized in the spring of 1872, and the building erected in the 
summer of the same year. The building is 30x44 feet, and cost $2,800. There are about forty 
members. Its first regular pastor was Rev. I. S. Eldridge; its present. Rev. C. A. Wilson. 

OFFICI.'iL. 

The first town meeting and election of officers was held^at the Richmond House, kept by 
Perkins S. Childs. April 5, 1842. John Teetshorn was appointed Moderator, and Asa Congdon, 
Clerk, of this meeting. Among other resolutions, the following were introduced and adopted: 
" That the town raise one-fourth of 1 per cent on the taxable property of the town for the suji- 
port of the common schools for the ensuing year, and that the town officers receive 4 shillings 
per day for their seiwices." 

The officers elected at this meeting were as follows: 

Supervisors, John Teetshorn, Chairman; William Patterson, Joseph Humphrey; Asa Cong- 
don. Clerk; Perkins S. Childs. Treasurer: William Camj)bell. Thomas P. James, Assessors; 
Anderson Whiting, Collector; Jasper Hmnphi'ey, Daniel Wilkins, Elijah Belding, Commission- 
ers of Highways: Hoi-atio N. Teetshorn, Edwin M. Rice, Charles Hamilton, Commissioners of 
Schools; Jasper Hiunphrey, Anderson Whiting, Constables. 

The following is a list of the town officials from the organization of the town to and includ- 
ing the year 1881 : 

1843 — Supervi.sors, Thomas James, Chairman: William Patterson, Joseph Hiunphrey; Asa 
Congdon, Clerk; Perkins S. Childs, Treasm'(>r: Horatio N. Teetshorn, Thomas P. James, Assess- 
ors: Jasi)er Hiimphrey, Collector; James G. Humj)hrey, John A. Bowen, Perkins S. Childs, 
Commissioners of Scho<jls; Jasper Humphrey. Nornjau Humphrey. Constal)les. 

1844 — Supervisors, Thomas James, Chairman: Morris F. Hawes. Joseph Humphrey; Asa 
Congdon. Clerk; James Cotter. Treasurer; Jasper Humplirey, Collector; Thomas James, James 
G. Humphrey, Assessors; Thomas James. Morris F. Hawes, John Langley, Commissioners of 
Highways; Hiram C. Bull, Edwin M. Rice, Hemy G. Smith. Commissioners of Schools. 

1845- Supervisors, James Cotter, Chairman; Arthur Stewart, Horace B. Kinne: John A. 
Bowen, Clerk; Robert Moore, Treasm-er; David A. (31iristie, Collector: L'a Sanbm-n, Thomas P. 
James, Assessors; Andrew Stewart. John A. Bowen. Horatio N. Teetshorn. Commissioners of 
Schools; Jasper Humphrey. John C. Dockstader. John Teetshorn, Justices of the Peace. 

1840 — Sn])ervisors, James ('otter, Ciiairman; Arthm- Stewart, Horatio N. Teetshorn; John 
A. Bowen, Clerk: Robert Moore, Treasm-er; David A. Christie, Collector; Joseph Hall, Robert 



778 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

Moore, Assessors; Varnum Ai-nold. Andrew Stewart, John A. Bowen, Commissioners of Schools; 
John Teetshorn, William Patterson, Alexander Bowley, Jr., Justices of the Peace. 

1847 — Supervisors, John Teetshorn, Chairman; Thomas P. James, Joseph Hall; Jacob M. 
Fish, Clerk ; Simeon W. Newberry, Treasurer; Peter Johnson. Collector; Cyrus Teetshorn, 
Oliver Smith, Assessors; Jacob M. Fish, William Rowley, Andrew Stewart, Commissioners of 
Schools. 

1848 — Supervisors, John A, Bowen, Chairman; James Cotter, Sylvester Moore; Jacob M. 
Fish, Clerk; Curtis Bellows, Treasurer; John Balfoiu-, Collector; Morris F. Hawes, Simeon 
W. Newbery, Robert Moore, Assessors; Jacob M. Fish. Horatio N. Teetshorn, John A. Bowen, 
Co mm issioners of Schools; Curtis Bellows, Morris F. Hawes, John M. Balfour, Justices of the 
Peace. 

1849 — Supervisors, Anderson Whiting, Chairman; John M. Balfoiu-, Elisha Hulce; John 
Langley, Clerk; Edwin M. Rice, Treasm-er; Joseph Hall, Morris F. Hawes, Assessors; Will- 
iam N. Conse, Superintendent of Schools; Joseph Langworthy, William Patterson, Justices of 
the Peace. 

1850 — Supervisors, Anderson' Whiting, Chairman; Joseph E. Irish. Stephen H. Smith; 
William Fish, Clerk; Joseph Campbell. Treasurer; George E. James. Orrin West, Assessors; 
James N. Sherman. Superintendent of Schools; Morris F. Hawes. Joseph Langworthy. George 
W. Paul, Justices of the Peace. 

1851 — Supervisors, Jacob M. Fish, Chairman; Robert Moore, David A. Chi-istie; Stephen 
H. Smith, Clerk; James Cotter, Treasurer; William H. Washburn, Andrew Stewart, John C. 
Docks, Assessors; Varniun Ai-nold. Superintendent of Schools: Morris F. Hawes, Rial Thomas, 
David H. Warner, Justices of the Peace. 

1852 — Supervisors. Jacob M. Fish, Chairman; Albert H. Morse. Christopher J. Dockstader: 
Stephen H. Smith, Clerk; James Cotter. Treasurer; Varnum Ai-nold. Assessor; John il. Evans. 
Superintendent of Schools; David A. Spikerman. Robert Moore, William H. Washburn. Jus- 
tices of the Peace. 

1853 — Siipervisors, Joseph E. Irish, Chairman; Elisha Hulce. Thomas P. James; John 
Langley, CJerk; George E. James, Treasurer; Anderson Whiting, Assessor; A. L. Gibb~, Super- 
intendent of Schools; George W. Paul, Joseph Langworthy, D. H. Warner, Justices of the 
Peace. 

1854 — Supervisors, Joseph Langworthy, Chaimian; Elisha Hulce, Oliver Smith; Erastus 
Porter. Clerk: John M. Clark. Treasiu-er; Vai-num Ai-nold, Alfred Hadley, John M. Evans, 
Assessors; George Brown, Superintendent of Schools; John Clark, Joseph Hall, George Arnold, 
Justices of the Peace. 

1855 —Supervisors, E. M. Rico, Chairman; A. Clark, O. H. Smith: Erastus Porter, Clerk; 
John ]\1. Clark, Treasurer; George Brown, Assessor; A. L. Gibbs, Superintendent of Schools; 
William Hollsrook, Rolierb A. James, Anderson Whiting, Justices of the Peace. 

1856 — Supervisors, Anderson Whiting, Chairman: M. Holbrook, C. Low; B. H. Stark, Clerk; 
O. H. Smith, Treasm-er; A. G. Low, Assessor; Henry Fleming, Superintendent of Schools; 
Jared Hall, Charles Claxton, Elisha Hulce, Justices of the Peace. 

1857 — Supervisors, Anderson Whiting, Chairman; M. Holbrook, G. E. James; Stephen H. 
Smith, Clerk; A. H. Morse, Treasurer; Varnum Arnold, Alfred Hadley, John M. Evans, Assess- 
ors; George Brown, Superintendent of Schools; John Clark. Josei)h Hull. George Arnold. Jus- 
tices of the Peace. 

1,S58 —Supervisors, Anderson Whiting. Chairman; Solomon Finch, Horatio N. LawTence; 
John M. Evans, Clerk; John Pemb(n'ton, Troasuror: William Patterson. Assessor; Benjamin 
H. Starks. Superintendent of Schools: Charles Claxton, Sylvester Paul, John C. Dockstader, 
Justices of the Peace, 

1859 — Supervisors, Anderson Whiting, Chairman; Solomon Finch, Horatio N. Lawi-enee; 
John M. Evans, Clerk; John Pemberton, Treasurer; William Patterson, Assessor; B. H. 
Stark, Superintendent of Schools: Jose{)h Hall, Merit Bishoj}, Justices of the Peace. 

1860 — Supervisors, Elisha Hulce. Chairman: Stephen H. Smith, George Brown: John- 
Langley, Clerk; H. O. Crumb, Treasurer: Varuiim Ai-nold, Assessor: James Coakley, Superin- 
tendent of Schools; Charles Claxton, A, H. Morse, Truman Loomis, Justices of the Peace. 



HISTORY OF AVALWORTH COUNTY. 779 

ISfil — Supervisors, Elislia Hnlco. Chairmcan; S. H. Smith, Varmim Arnold; John Lang- 
ley, Clerk; H. O. Cruiub, Treasurer; John M. Evans, Assessor: George Brown, Superintendent 
of Schools; Joseph Hall, H. (A. Smith, Justices of the Peace. 

18G2 — Supervisors, William Patterson, Chairman; John Pemberton, A. E. Mason; John 
Langley, Clerk; A. H. Morse, Treasurer; Truman Loomis, Assessor; Charles Claxton, George 
Brown, Robert Knilans, Justices of the Peace. 

1803 — Supervisor!?, Elisha Hulce, Chairman; John Pemberton, Solomon Finch; John M. 
Evans, Clerk; Arthui- Bowers, Treasurer; Varnum .^-nold, Assessor; O. L. West, H. F. Sheldon, 
Justices of the Peace. 

1864 — Supervisors, George Brown, Chairman; Varnum Arnold, John Holbrook; John M. 
Evans, Clerk; Joseph Smith, Treasurer; William Hollirook, Treasurer; George Brown, J. L. 
Viles, H. F. Sheldon, Justices of the Peace. 

1865 — Supervisors, George Brown, Chairman; Varnum Arnold, A. H. Morse; A. J. Stew- 
art, Clerk; J. H. Jones. Treasurer; William Patterson, Assessor; O. L. West, Thomas Bing- 
ham. Joseph Hall. Justices of the Peace. 

1866 — Supervisors, John M. Evans, Chairman; J. H. Brown, A. H. Morse; A. J. Stewart, 
Clerk; H. A. Stone, Treasiu-er: H. D. Locke. Assessor; J. Harder, Elisha Hulce, J. H. Jones, 
Justices of the Peace. 

1867 — Supervisors, John M. Evans, Chairman; Varnum Arnold, John Pemberton; B. Clark, 
Clerk; E. E. Sholes, Treasurer; John Clark, Assessor; Elisha Hulce. O. L. West. Justices of 
the Peace. 

1808 — Supervisors. Elisha Hulce. Chairman; H. A. Stone, George Brown; John M. Evans, 
Clerk; S. L. Smith. Treasm-er; Varnum Arnold, Assessor; James Harder. A. H. Morse. E. C. 
Sholes, Justices of the Peace. 

1869 — Supervisors, Elisha Hulce, Chairman; George Brown, William Mack; John M, 
Evans, Clerk ; Benjamin Clark, Treasurer; A. H. Morse, Assessor; S, Paul, O. L. West, H. 
Holbrook, S. H. Smith, Justices of the Peace. 

1870 — Su])ervisors, George Brown, Chairman; S. L. Smith, Benjamin Clark; John M. 
Evans, Clerk; Stephen H. Smith, Assessor; S. Paul, Elisha Hulce, Justices of the Peace. 

1871 — Supervisors, B. B. Freeman, Chairman; Thomas Bingham, Benjamin Clark; John 
M, Evans, Clerk; C. G. Sperry, Treasurer; Charles Claxton, Assessor; S. Paul. Charles Clax- 
ton, O. L. West, Justices of the Peace. 

1872 — Supervisors, B. B. Freeman, Chairman; George Sturtevant, George McFarlaud; 
Frank Mitchell, Clerk; Robert Knilans, Treasm-er; Charles Claxton, Assessor; James Conley, 
M. W. Chapman, L. Teetshorn, Justices of the Peace. 

1873 —Supervisors. W. A. Knilans. Chairman; B. B. Freeman, George McFarlane; Frank 
Mitchell, Clerk; Robert Knilans. Treasurer; Charles Claxton, Assessor; L. Dunbar, Charles 
Claxton, Justices of the Peace. 

1874 — Supervisors, W. A. Knilans, Chairman; J. H. Converse. James Hennesy; Frank 
Mitchell, Clerk; C, G. Sjieny. Treasurer; Charles Claxton, Assessor; W. W. Chapman, James 
Hoveder, O. L. West, Justices of the Peace. 

1875 — Supervisors, John Pemberton, Chairman; Joseph Smith, JuliiTs Steeusou; S. H. 
Smith, Clerk; C. G. S])erry. Treasm'er; Charles Claxton. Assessor; George Cheesebro, S. B. 
Lowe. Oscar Anderson, Justices of the Peace. 

1876 — Sui)orvisors. W. A. Knilans, Chairman; W. R. Taylor, Lewis Saxe; Jose])h Mitch- 
ell, Clerk; George Newbery, Treasm-er; Charh's Claxton, Assessor: O. L. West. Charles Clax- 
ton, Justices of the Peace. 

1877— Sup((rvisors. T. P. James, Chairman; W. R. Taylor, J. G. Kestol: S. H. Smith, Jr., 
Clerk; J. D. S])ickerman. Treasurer: Charles Claxton, Assessor: S. B. Lowe. R. H. (xage, H, 
D. Locke, Justices of the Peace, 

1S7S -Supervisors. AV. A. Knilans, Chairman: Amos Ives, Richard Booker: Robert Kni- 
lans. Clerk; A. R. Langley, Treasurer: Charl(>s Claxton, Assessor; Charles Claxton. H. D. 
Locke. W. D, Sturtevant, Robert Ellis. Justices of the Peace. 

1879— Supervisors, W. A. Knilans, Chairman; ^\. R. Taylor. -1. G. Kestol: S. H. Smith, 



780 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

Clerk; Markliam Calkins. Treasurer; Charles Claston. Assessor; G. W. Hall. W. Dockstader, 
Justices of the Peace. 

1880— Supervisors, W. A. Knilans. Chairman; Lewis Teetshorn, Amos Ives; Robert Kni- 
lans. Clerk; A. R, Lanj^ley, Treasm-er; Charles Claxton. Assessor; Charles Claxton, M. W. 
Chapman. James Connelly. Chester Lyman. Justices of the Peace. 

1881 —Supervisors, \V. A. Knilans. Chairman; O. Oslock, J. P. Davis; Robert Knilans, 
Clerk; O. Peterson. Treasurer; Charles Claston, Assessor; R. H. Gage, Charles Loomer, Jus- 
tices of the Peace. 

CLOSING SD.MMAKY. 

Richmond is exclusively a farming town. The grain crops of 1880 were: Wheat, 26,000 
bushels; corn, 100,00(t bushels: oats, 12,0(.)0 bushels; there were also, raised 8,000 bushels of 
potatoes, ] 1,000 bushels of apples. 550 bushels timothy seetl and 1,000 tons of hay, 56,000 
pounds of butter were produced. 

In 1881, 8,000 acres were sown to grain; there were 107 acres of orchard, having 5,776 
fruit-bearing trees: also 3,633 acres of pasturage and mowing, and 3,885 acres of growing tim- 
ber. 

There are six whole and live union school districts. The whole niimber of scholars enrolled 
between the ages of foiu- and twenty years is 309, of which number 204 attended school. Eight 
teachers were employed, at average monthly wages of $34 for male and $21 for female teachers. 
There are eight schoolhouses. valued at .§2,240. The annual exiienditure for school purposes is 
$1,800. ■ 

Its 23opulation in 1880 was 882. 

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

EDWARD AKIN, deceased, was born in Johnstown, N. Y., April 18, 1803; when 5 years of 
age, moved with his father to Venice, Cayuga Co., where he was married Sept. 24, 1823, to Miss Adeline 
Morgan, daughter of Jacob Morgan. Mrs. Akin was born Dec. 'M, 1805. They had a family of ten 
children — William (died aged 10 years), Lucy A. (is now Mrs. 0. L. West, of Richmond), George S. (ia a 
physicianof Harrisonville, Mo.), Lois M. (was the wife of John Hicks, died March 24, 1861), Eunice P. 
(now Mrs. Ezra Cramer of Kansas), Jacob M, ( of Rock Co., Wis.), Levanjah (now Mrs. A. Wilcock, of Rock 
Co., Wis.), Adeline M. (was the wife of Wilson Martin, died June 19, 1880), William P. (of Rook Co., 
Wis.), Emily W. (lives with her brother Williaml. Mr. Akin died Jan. 16, 1878; his wife survived 
him a year; her death occurred Jan. 13, 1879. 

VARNUM ARNOLD, farmer, Sec. 32 ; P. 0. Richmond ; has 580 acres ; was born in Cayuga 
Co., N. Y., Jan. 18, 1819 ; is the son of Joseph and Susannah Arnold ; was brought up a farmer; was 
married in the city of Auburn, N. Y., Jan 22, 1845, to Julia A. Butts, daughter of DenLson and Lucy 
Butts. Mrs. Arnold was born in Albany, N. Y. In the spring of 1845, Mr. Arnold moved to Wiscon- 
sin, and made his home on his present farm, Sec. 32, Richmond, Walworth Co.; he has never been ambi- 
tious of public ofiQoe, but has served six years as Assessor; also as Superintendent of Schools, and three 
terms as member of the Board of Supervisors ; in politics he is Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold have 
no children of their own, but have brought up four adopted ones — Lovina Moore (now Mrs. ThompsoD 
Cameron, of Richmond), Delbert Taylor (of Nebraska), Abigail and Willard Ultey (now at home). Mr. 
Arnold has by industry and judicious management accumulated a large property, and is one of Richmond's 
most re.spected citizens. 

GEORGE CALKINS, farmer, Sec. 28 ; P. 0. Delavan ; has 200 acres; was born in Lincolnshire, 
England, Aug. 8, 1821 ; is the son of William and Elizabeth Calkins ; was brought up a farmer; was 
married in Lincolnshire, Nov. 28, 1850, to Miss Mary A. Markham, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth 
Markham. Mrs. Calkins is also a native of Lincolnshire; they came to America in June, 1853, and 
located in Brockport, Monroe Co., N. Y.; two and a half years later, moved to Richmond, Walworth Co., 
Wis.; settled on Sec. 16, where they resided till March, 1866, when they removed to their present farm 
on Sec. 28. They have six children— S. Markham, Sarah E., Laura S., Henry W., Mary A. and George 
W. The eldest, S. Maikham, was born in England ; is married to Ida L. Smith, and resides in Richmond; 
Sarah E. is the wife of Emory E. Holbrook, also of Richmond. Mr. Calkins is Republican in politics. 
Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Church. 



mSTOKY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 781 

JAMES CAMERON, deceased, was born in Kinroshirc, parish of Orwell, village of Milwarthort, 
Scotland, Sept. 1,5, 1>SU8; was tlie son of Jaiues and Tsabell Cameron; was brought up a farmer. He 
was married Oct. 9, 182.5, in his native shire, to Miss Catharine, daughter of John Thompson; Mrs 
Cameron was born in the same shire as her husband. Two children were born to them in Scotland — ■ 
William (who died July 23, 1832), John (who is now married and lives in Iowa). Mr. Cameron and 
family emigrated to the United States in 1829 ; made their home in New York City until 1834, when 
they moved to Rockland Co., N. Y., wiiere they resided until October, 1842, when they moved to Wis- 
consin. They spent one season in Johnstown, Rock Co. Mr. Cameron then bought a farm of 2(10 acres 
on Sec. 30, Richmond, Walworth Co., where he continued to reside until the time of his death, which 
occun-ed March 17, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Cameron had five children born to them in America — Isabella 
(was the wife of M. E. Utley, her death happened Sept. 9,1866), James (married Emma Sawyer and 
lives in Iowa), William (died Sept. 17, 1866), Thompson (married Lavina J. Moore, and resides in Ricli- 
mond— see sketch), Charles (died Aug. 31, 1839); Mrs. Cameron died Feb. 11, 1867. Mr. and Mrs. 
Cameron were among the most respected and honored of the citizens of Richmond. 

THOMPSON CAMERON, farmer, Sec. 30 ; P. O. Richmond ; he has 320 acres of land ; he was 
born in Clarkston, Rockland Co., N. Y., Sept. 22, 1835. He is the son of James and Catharine Thomp- 
son Cameron ; came to Wisconsin in 1843 ; was brought up a farmer, making his home on Sec. 30, town 
of Richmond, Walworth Co. He was married, Jan. 25, 1864, in Richmond, to Lovina J. Moore, daugh- 
ter of Benjamin Moore, one of the prominent pioneers of Walworth Co., Wis. Mrs. Cameron was born 
in the town of Darien 0.;t. 5, 1842. They had three children — Julia A., born Dec. 30, 1866 ; May 
Belle, born June 19, 1870, died April IS, 1879 ; Frank V., born Feb. 28, 1872. 

BENAJAH CLARK, farmer. Sec. 18; P. 0. Johnstown; son of John and Martha Clark, was born in 
Sheridan, N. Y., Aug. 25, 1833; he came to Wisconsin with his parents in 1844; lived in Rock Co. till 1856, 
when he removed to his present home; he was married in Whitewater, Wis., Nov. 25, 1862, to Miss 
Sylvia Storms, daughter of Daniel Storms. Mrs. Clark was born in Mohawk, Herkimer Co., N. Y. 
They have three children — William G., Martha B. and John D. Mr. Clark enlisted iu the late war, 
Feb. 14, 1865, in Co. D, 49th W. V. I., and served till the regiment was mustered out in November of 
that year ; he has served one year as Treasurer of Richmond, and two years as Supervisor. 

JOHN CLARK, farmer. Sec. 18 ; P. 0. Johnstown, Rock Co., Wis.; in company with his son, has 
123 acres of land ; was born in Rupert, Bennington Co., Vt., Jan. 10, 1810; is the son of Andrew 
Clark ; when 7 seven years of age he moved to Sheridan, Chautauqua Co., N. Y. ; was married in that 
town April 16, 1832, to Martha Tubbs, daughter of Martin Tubbs. Mrs. Clark was born in Hanover, 
Chautaui(ua Co. Three years after their marriage, they moved to Pennsylvania, where they spent three years 
and returned to Sheridan. In the fall of 1844, they emigrated to Johnstown, Rock Co., Wis. Mr. 
Clark was engaged in farming in that town till 1856, when he moved to his present home, in the town ot 
Richmond. He served as Chairman of Johnstown one year, and held other minor offices ; he has served 
as Justice of the Peace four or five years in the town. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have only one child — Ben- 
ajah, who was born in New York, Aug. 25, 1833. (See sketch.) 

CHARLES CLAXTON, ftrmer, Sec. 9 ; P.O.Richmond; has 100 acres of land, was born in 
Suffolk, England, Dec. 12, 1818 ; is the son of John and Maria (Turner) Claxton ; he learned the baker's 
trade and carried on the business in London eight years; was married in London, April 10, 1837, to 
Miss Mary A. Quinton, daughter of Benjamin and Martha Quinton. Mrs. Claxton was born at Great 
Yarmouth, England, Oct. 31, 1813. Two children were born to them in England — Mary A. is the wife 
of Robert Knilans, of Richmond, Wis.; Martha M. is Mrs. J. Borst, also of Richmond. Mr. Claxton 
and family emigrated to America in 1843, coming direct to Richmond, Wis. Selected his home on the 
bank of a beautiful little lake on Sec. 9, where he has continued to reside to this date. Mr. and Mrs. 
Claxton had two daughters born to them in their new home — Rosella. now the wife of E. StoUer, of 
Richmond, Charlotte, now Mrs. Ambro.se B. Hare, also of Richmond. Mr. Claxton has been Assessor of 
Richmond twelve years, and Justice of the Peace twenty-five years. 

JOHN P. DAVIS, Overseer of the Walworth County Poor Hou.se and Farm, town of Geneva ; 
P. O. Elkhorn ; his farm is situated on Sec. 7, Richmond ; he was born in county of Kent, 
England, July 9, 1834; is the son of Peter and Rebecca Davis; he came to the United States with his 
parents iu 1849. They made their home in Doansville, Oneida Co., N. Y., where they lived till 1S55, 
when they came to Wisconsin and located in Oakland, Jefferson Co. The subject of this sketch was mar- 
ried in Stockbridge, Madison Co., N. Y., Doc. 12, 1855, to Miss Mary, daughter of John Mack. Mrs. 
Davis was born in Madison Co., N. Y. They have three children — Emma L. (now Mrs. Franklin Gage, 



782 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

of Jlock Co.) Edgar M. and Mabel J. Mr. Davis wa.s engaged in farming in Jefferson Co. till March 1, 
187G, when he sold out and bought his present farm and moved to Richmond ; while in Oakland he served 
one term as Town Clerk, two as Assessor, and one as Supervisor. In January, 1882, he was appointed 
Overseer of the Walworth County Poor House and Farm ; his oflBcial term commenced March 1 
1882. 

JOHN W. DELANEY, farmer, Sec. 29; P.O. Delavan ; has 320 acres of land; he was born in 
Queen's Co., Ireland, in 1838; is the sou of James and Julia Delaney. In 1846, he emigrated to Amer- 
ica with his parents ; lived ten years in Dutchess Co., N. Y., and in July, 1856, he came to Walworth Co., 
Wis., with his parents, and made his home on Sec. 30, in 1861 ; was married, Oct. U, 1867, in Delavan, 
to Miss Annie Stewart, daughter of James F. Stewart. Mrs. Delaney was born in Delaware, came to 
^Wisconsin in childhood, and lived in Richmond. They have seven children — James E., Mary A., Will- 
iam J., Lizzie, Julia, Frederick W. and Annie. Mr. Delaney has resided on his present farm since 1867; 
he was a candidate on the Democratic ticket of 1880, for member of Assembly from First District of 
Walworth Co., he ran ahead of his ticket but was defeated, his party being the minority in the 
district. 

JOHN M. EVANS, farmer, Sec. 18 ; P. 0. Richmond ; has 145 acres of land ; he was born in Thet- 
ford, Vt., June 28, 1829 ; is the son of Michael and Cassendana Evans ; spent his boyhood in Vermont 
and New Hampshire. In October, 1849, he came to Wisconsin and made his home in Richmond, Wal- 
worth Co.,_ Sec. 19 ; he was married in Johnstown, Rock Co., Sept. 2, 1854, to Miss Nancy Hill, daughter 
of Seth Hill. Mrs. Evans was born in Danby, N. Y. Immediately after his marriage, Mr. Evans located 
on his present farm ; he has served in various public official positions ; was Town Superintendent of schools 
in 1851, was Assessor two years. Town Clerk eight yeirs, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors two years, 
and one of the Board of County Commi.ssioners two years. 

B. B. FREEMAN (deceased) was born in Chenango Co., N. Y., Sept. 2, 1816 ; is the son of John 
Freeman ; when 21 years of age went to Cortland Co., and in 1840 came to Lima, Rnek Co., Wis., where 
he was engaged in farming. Mr. Freeman was married in Kalamazoo, Mich., June 7, 1842, to Miss 
Marcia Kendall. Two children were born to them — Claris.sa K., died March 16, 1874; Frank married 
Melvina Holbrook, and lived in Iowa. Mr. Freeman's wife died April 23, 1850 ; he was married March 6, 
1851, in Racine, to Eveline O. Hurlbut, daughter of Ira Huribut. Mrs. Freeman was born in Benson, 
Vt. They have three sons and one daughter — Fred, Arthur, Ira J. and Alice. Mr. Freeman moved to 
Richmond in 1867 and purchased the fine farm of 16U acres now occupied by his family ; he was a Dem- 
crat in politics and was once elected Chairman by that party, but was obliged to resign on account of fail- 
ing health ; his death occurred Feb. 9, 1875 ; although he was a resident of Richmond but a few years, he 
had in that short time won the respect and esteem of the citizens generally, who recognized in him a kind 
neighbor and an upright and worthy man. 

JARED HALL (deceased) was born in Massachusetts April 19, 1815 ; while ijuite young, accompa- 
nied his parents to Greenville, Greene Co., N. Y., where he grew to manhood on his lather's farm; he was 
married, Oct. 7, 1844, to Miss Phila Gates, daughter of Elias Gates. Mrs. Hall was born in New Hamp- 
shire, Cheshire Co. Mr. Hall and fiimily emigrated to Wisconsin in October, 1844, and located on the 
northwest quarter of Sec. 30, Richmond, Walworth Co., on the farm now occupied by the widow and son, 
and which has been increased to 280 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Hall were blessed with four children, three 
sons and one daughter — Mary E. is the wife of Marvin B. Keith, of Richmond; William died aged 28 
years ; Jared G. lives with his mother on the old homestead ; George died in childhood. Mr. Hall was 
always known as a worthy and respected citizen, who never troubled himself about public matters, but 
attended strictly to his farming interests until his death, which occurred Sept. 10, 1867. 

JAMES HARDER, farmer, Sec. 20 ; P. 0. Richmond ; he has recently sold his farm of 160 acres, 
reserving 20 acres of timber land ; he was born in Liviug.ston, Columbia Co., N. Y., Aug. 31, 1821 ; is the 
son of Peter and Lana Harder ; when 10 years of age, moved to Madi.son Co. with his parents, and in 1854 
to Wisconsin ; made his home on Sec. 30, Richmond, Walworth Co; he was married in Eaton, Madison 
Co., N. Y., Oct. 27, 1846, to Miss Sarah M. Holbrook, daughter of John Holbrook. They had four chil- 
dren— Francelia, died Jan. 8, 1874 ; Lovancha, died Feb. 4, 1856 ; Anngelett, died Feb. 5, 1856 ; Florence, 
the only living child, is now Mrs. Fred Morse, of Whitewater. Mrs. Harder died Nov. 8, 1869. Mr. 
Harder was married Oct. 1, 1873, in Darien, Wis., to Mrs. Rachel Proctor, and daughter of John Niskivn, 
of Schoharie, N. Y. 

A. B. HARE, farmer, Sec. 20 ; P. 0. Richmond ; has 40 acres of land and works a large tract 
under lease; was born in Canada, Jan. 24, 1844; is the son of C. E. and Mary Hare; he came to Wau- 



HISTOKY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 783 

kcsha, Wis., when fi years of ago ; subsequently lived iu Hebron, Jefferson Co., and moved from 
there to La (jrange, and in 1859 to Riehm md ; settled in the central p.irt of the town; he enlisted in De- 
cember, LSt!2, in Company [, L^th W. V. [., and served two years and one month, or until the close of 
the war ; he was married in Whitewater, Jan. 5, 1867, to Miss Cliarlotte Claxton, daughter of Charles 
Claxton. Mrs. Haro was born in Richmond, Wis. Tlioy have two children — Mary and Henry. 

MORRIS F. HAWErf was born at Warwick, Orange Co., N. Y., Nov. 12, 17;»7,and in early child- 
hood removed with his parents, William and Martha (Wood) Hawes, to Steuben Co., where he remained 
until about 21 years of age, and during which time he served as a volunteer (though but a boy) in the 
war of 1812. His father, also a native of New York, participated in the war of the Revolution, and the 
subject of this sketch was the youngest of a numerous family of boys. Mr. Hawes married. May 17, 1818, 
Miss Sarah, the eldest daughter of Capt. Nathan Lounsbury, of Rutland, Vt., one of Col. Ethan Allen's 
"Green Mountain Boys," of Revolutionary renown, who reached the remarkable age of 101 years and 8 
m inths; dying at Rutland August, 1S57. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Hawes moved to Chautauqua 
Co., N. Y., where he led for some twelve years the i{uiet, happy life of a pros]ierous young farmer, cheered 
and assisted by his loving and ambitious wife, a most loyal young helpmate. Though fitted by birth and educa- 
tion to grace a higher social station, she was ever li.;ht-hearted, brave and content, surrounded by her 
thrifty flock of girls and boys, of whom six were born to them during thsir resiience in that State. About 
the year 1830, Mr, Hawes, hoping to better the prospects of his growing young family, made another push 
to the Westward, this time halting in Hillsdale Co., Mich., where he resumed his occupation of farming, 
and also kept tor a tims a small hotel, about half way between the villages of Jonesville and Coldwater, 
on the great stage route between Detroit and Toledo and Chicago. Here he remain-id until the spring of 
1837, when becoming di.ssjtisficd with his success and prospects, and hearing much from returning ex- 
plorers of the wondrous beauty and fertility of the " Rock River Valley," he resolved to make one more 
advance, and this time to the famed prairies beyond all the great lakes. With Mr. Hawes, to resolve was 
to act, and with his heroic wife and arms full of babies, he set out for the Territory of Wisconsin, reaching 
what is now the town of Richmond in August, 1837. Here he selected a claim and erected a cabin — the 
first home of civilization in the township — and here, on Jan. 5, 18.38, a son was added to his family ; the' 
first born in the township, if not in Walworth Co. After a few months spent in improving his land, he 
sold the claim for $.500, and located another, three miles to the eastward, on the town line between Rich- 
mond and Whitewater. On a corner of this farm was subsequently built, by Mr. Hawes and some three 
or four neighbors, the first schoolhous3 in the town. The first te.icher was piid .$1.25 per week, Mr. 
FLiwes' family constituting a majority of all the pupils. Nevertheless, the handful of settlers were in pos- 
session of a free school. For twenty years, Mr. Hawes continued to till the acres he had reclaimed, much 
respected by the growing community, by whom he was retained in the minor offices of the county for 
nearly the whole time, and by whom be was elected to the first Constitutional Convention, called at Mad- 
ison Oct. 5, 1846. In 1857, his wife having long been an invalid, and his sons not following the chosen 
occupation of their father, Mr. Hawes decided to relinquish the cares of a large farm, and removed to 
Whitewater, where, on July 28, 1850, the gentle partut-r of his busy life folded her weary, loving hands 
in final rest. Of his family, the eldest, Lucretia, the wife of B. P. Plato, of Rock Co., died in 186(;. 
Lucy, the second, died in childhood, in New York. Lucinda M. is the widow of Joel Clapp, late of Mil- 
waukee; Lucena E. is the wife of William De Wolf, of Whitewater; Lucius J. married Miss Eliza 
Hunter, of Ma<(uoketa Iowa, ai d lives at that place ; Lucerne E. married Miss Clara Beemer, of Albion, 
N. Y., and lives at Whitewater; Frances E is the wife of Dr. C. M. Palmer, of Colorado; Francis M. 
married Miss Jennie Housel, of Owen Co., Ky., and resides at Milwaukee ; and D(!an M. is the wife of 
Hiram S. Teall, of the same city, A single incident of Mr. Hawes' career will sufficiently illustrate a 
strung feature of his character. When chosen to serve as a member of the Cons'itutional Convention, on 
arriving at .Madi.sou, and before i|ualif'ying, he was called home by the serious and subse((uently fatal illness 
of his wife. He was detained so long that upon his return to the convention the duties of that body were 
virtually completed. He was then urged by bis fellow-members to qualify, that he might be properly en- 
rolh'd and receive his compensation as a member. This he stubbornly refused to do, claiming that he had 
p(!rformed no public duty for which he was entitled to compensation. He died at Whitewater Jan. 13, 
1S);8, in the 7 1st year of his age. Few words are needed to give to the memory of Morris F. Hawes 
its fit place in the annals of this State. In all the relations of life he was a just man. With scarce an 
exception, he was honored and trusted and loved by all who knew him. He was punctilious and persis- 
tent in the discharge of every moral and business obligaton. He lived an iqien-bandcd life of usefulness. 
He died no man's debtor. His name will be honored as long as they live who understand and value the 
virtue, the heroism, the wisdom and the dignity of the mjn who suaped the destinies of the proud State of 
Wisconsin. 



784 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

HENRY C. HEMENWAY (deceased) was bora in Orwell, Vt., January, 1806; moved to La 
Porte, Ind., in early life ; resided there several years, and in 1836 came to Wisconsin and selected a site 
for a home in what is now Richmond ; shortly afterward, he returned to Indiana and emigrated to Wis- 
consin in 1839. He was married in the spring of 18i6, to Miss Julia Whiting, daughter of Josiah 
Whiting; she was born in Xew M;irlboro, Berkshire Cj., Mass. Mr. Heiuenway had a fine farm of 
410 acres; he devoted his attention to the care of his farm and to the purchase and sale of live stock. 
He was chosen to the Legislature of 1851, and held various minor offices ; his death occurred in April, 
1856. 

HENRY HESS, fiirmer. Sec. 36 ; P. 0. Delavan ; has 160 acres of land lying partly in Sec. 36 and 
partly in Sec. 35 ; Mr. Hess wag born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., June 1, 1817 ; is the son of Garret 
and Catharine (Shumaker) Hess; he was brought up a farmer and emigrated to Wisconsin in 1843, and 
located on his present f.irm. Sec. 36, Richmond. He was married in Richmond, Oct. 30, 1854, to Mary 
Ann Hulburt ; they had no children of their own, but adopted a son (George) whom they brought up ; 
he is a farmer of Richmond ; married Fanny Barber, and has a farm of eighty acres. Mrs. Hess died 
Dec. 11, 1879; Mr. Hess married again Oct. 25, 1880; his present wife was Mrs. Caroline Jensen, 
daughter of Christopher Wrigglesworth ; she was born in Leeds, England, and came to America in 
1869; she had two children by her former marriage — Rosa J. A. and Alice; the elder (Rosa) died io 
infancy. 

JOHN HOLBROOK (deceasedl was born in Madison Co., N. Y., May 14, 1811 ; he was brought 
up a farmer, and in 1837 moved to Indiana, in charge of the goods of Joseph French, with whom he 
made his home, in French Town, Adam^ Co., until he was married in Bluffton, Wells Co., July 31. 1839, by 
Justice Parmalie, eight miles from their home, there being none nearer to perform the ceremony. Then 
he moved on a farm he Vd purchased the year previous, in the town of Hartford, Adams Co., and 
remained there until he moved to Wisconsin ; his wife was Miss Angeline French, daughter of Joseph 
French, who moved to Indiana in September, 1837, and was the first settler in the town, which he named 
French, after himself; eight children were born to them in Indiana — Orlando, who died, aged 14 years ; 
R. Clotilda is Mrs. Byron Dunbar, of Richmond; Amanda M. is Mrs. G. Hartwig, of Richmond ; Adel- 
bert, died in childhood ; Rollin D., Cora A., Oscar J. and Clarence D. Mr. H. and family emigrated 
to Wisconsin in March, 1857, and located in Richmond, Walworth Co.; the following year he pur- 
chased the fine farm on Rock Prairie, Sec. 29, now the home of his widow and family; the farm now 
consists of 140 acres. Three children were born to them in Richmond — Edgar A., George M. and 
James M.; Mr. H. was elected a member of the Board of Supervisors of Richmond, and served two 
terms ; he was devoted to the interests of his family, and pursued the occupation of a farmer till his 
death, which occurred Sept. 9, 1875 ; Mrs. H. survives her husband, and with the help of her sons, 
carries on the farm. 

HARVEY HOLBROOK, farmer. Sec. 4; P.O. Whitewater; has 112 acres; was born in Madi.son 
Co., N. Y., April 3, 1815 ; is the son of John and Sally (Barstow) Holbrook ; was married May 1, 1839, 
in Ontario Co., N. Y., to Miss Angeline Cline, daughter of Mark and Betsy ( Wells) Cline ; Mrs. H. was 
born in Ontario Co., N. Y.; Mr. H. was engaged in farming in Ontario and Madison Cos. till 1850, 
when he came to Wisconsin and located on his present farm, in the town of Richmond. Mr. and Mrs. 
H. have had eight children — Sarah A., wife of H. Snow, of Palo Alto Co., Iowa ; Mary A., wife of A. P. 
Wilking, of Whitewater ; Helen A., died in childhood ; Melvina, wife of F. Freeman, of Emmetsburg, 
Iowa ; Ellen E , died in childhood ; Emery C, of Richmond ; Ida M., wife of Rev. B. White, of Somers, 
Kenosha Co., Wis ; Erwin J., died in infancy ; Emery C. Holbrook, farmer, on Sec. 4 ; P. O. White- 
water, was born in Richmond, Wis., July 31, 1856 ; son of Harvey Holbrook ; was brought up a farmer; 
was married Nov. 28, 1878, in Richmond, to Miss Sarah E. Calkins, daughter of George Calkins. 

ELISHA HULCE, farmer and Superintendent of the Poor of Walworth Co., Wis., Sec. 4 ; P. O. 
Richmond: has 139 acres of land; he was born in Canandaigua, Ontario Co., N. Y., Dec. 17, 1817; 
is the son of Elisha and Hannah Hulce ; was brought up a farmer; was married Jan. 30, 1839, to Hannah 
A., daughter of Joseph Simons ; Mrs. Hulce, was born in Amsterdam, N. )l.; four children were born 
to them ; Alonzo is married to Adelpha Mack ; resides in Richmond, Wis. ; Mary E. is the wife of Mat- 
thew Marshall, of Kansas ; Harvey, of Sugar Creek ; Lester died, aged 26, leaving a widow {nee Ellen 
King). Mr. H. and family moved to Richmond, Wis., in April, 1845, and located in their present home ; 
Mr. Hulce lost his wife April 22, 1854; he was married again April 6, 1856, to Miss Laura Sanburn, 
daughter of Ira Sanburn ; three children were born of this marriage — Albert, Stillman A. and Flora E. 
Mr. H. has been Chairman of Richmond several years ; he was elected Superintendent of the Poor in 
1862, and with the exception of one year, he has held the office ever since, or in all, about twenty years. 



IIISTOUY OF WALWOUTII COl'NTY. 785 

Mrs. Laiiru Hulcc' died July 25, ISGIi. Mr. II. wa.s married in (Oakland. Wis., Nciv. 8, 1864, to Miss 
Alice L. I'arkyii, daufjlilor of Rev. Joseph Parkyii. Mrs. Hulce was born in Arkwri^dit, Ctiautaui(ua Co., 
N. Y.; three children were born of this marriasi;e — Jennie, Charl(^s and Georj^e. Mr. H. has made an 
efficient Superintendent of tlie Poor ; his 'oni^ continuance in office is the result of his f\iithful discharge 
of his duties. 

AMOS IVES, farmer, Sec. 85; P. O. Delavan ; has 270 acres of land, lying partly in different 
towns. He was born in Sheldon, Genesee, now Wyoming Co., N. Y., Dec. 5, 1823; son of Kiley H. 
and Electa (Mann) Ives. He was brought up a farmer ; came to Wisconsin in May, 1843; settled in. 
Darien, Walworth Co., where he lived four years. He then returned to the East ; was married in the 
fall of 1848, in Wyoming Co., to Miss Susan, daughter of John and Nancy Parish. Mrs. Ives was 
born in Java, Wyoming Co. Three ciiiidren were born to them^Leaman J., died aged 3J years; Au- 
gusta L., died aged 10 years; and Clinton, who died in infancy. In 1850, Mr. Ives moved to Darien, 
Wis., where he lost his wife, who died Dec. 6, 1853. He was married again, Oct. 5, 1854, in Trumbull 
Co., Ohio, to Miss Lydia C. H., daughter of Joseph Tift. Mrs. Ives was born in Trumbull Co., Ohio. 
Mr. Ives and wife proceeded to Wisconsin, and the following year, 1855, settled in Kichmond, Sec. 35. 
They had four children — Clinton P.. who married Helen Whaley (resided in Sugar Creek); Leaman J., 
John W. and Riley A. Mrs. Ives died Jan. 25, 1ST5. Mr. Ives has never sought public office, his ex- 
perience consisting in two terms in the Board of Supervisors, of Richmond, and the holding of some minor 
offices. He was married April 1, 187t), in Delavan, to Mrs. ±\.. D. Clark, widow of Arnold B. Clark and 
daughter of Horace Hitchcock, Mrs. Ives is a native of Wirt Center, Allegany Co., N. Y. ; she had four 
children by her former marriage — Mary H, Henry M.; Emma G., died in infancy ; Myra L., died aged 9 
years. 

THOMAS JAMES (deceased) was a native of Richmond, R. I., where he was born June 9, 1782. 
His ancestors on his father's side were of Welsh descent, having settled in Rhode Island at an early date 
of its history. It is not positively known what year the family emigrated from Wales, but probably as early as 
1700. The family were farmers, and the grandfather, father and the subject of this sketch lived on the 
tame farm in the town of Richmond, for nearly or (|uite a century. The early years of Mr. James were 
spent in his native town. He was endowed with good native faculties, but his educati<iual advantages 
were confined to those afforded by the common school of his day and neighborhood. When he reached 
manhood, he devoted himself to agricultural pursuits, and subsequently he devoted some time to mer- 
chandise. He was married May 30, 1805, to Miss Dorcas Perry, daughter of Mr. George and Anna 
Perry, of the town of Richmond. She was a woman of great excellence of character, devoted piety, and 
her influence in her family was of the most salutary kind. Her sous and daughters still bear the marks of 
ber molding and guiding power. She was an esteemed member of the Baptist Church. The fruit of 
this marriage was a family of eleven children — Fanny, the eldest, was the wife of Gardner Kenyon (both 
are deceased); Nancy is the widow of Joseph Barber, of California; Hannah is the widow of Robert 
Sherman, of Delavan; Susan is the widow of Asa Congden, of Delavan; Thomas Perry married Eliza- 
beth McClary, and resides in Richmond ; George E. married, for his first wife, Mi.ss Elizabeth Odell, and 
upon her death, for his second wife. Miss Ellen Delaney, and resides in Beloit, Kan. ; Dorcas is the widow 
of Jonathan Church, of Delavan ; Mary is the wife of Elijah Belding, of Delavan (they were the first 
couple married in the town of Richmond) ; Robert H. married !\Iary R. Paul, and is a merchant of Del- 
avan; Sarah T. is the wife of David Irish, and resides in Beloit, Kan,; Elizabeth, the youngest 
member of the family, is the wife of E, M, Irish, and resides in the town of Darien. Mr. James lived 
long enough to see this large family of sons and daughters grow up into manhood, married and com- 
fortably established in life, and useful and esteemed members of society. Though somewhat scattered 
now, for many years they nearly all resided in the town of Richmond, and no family circle was more widely 
known or more highly esteemed. Having broken up his home in Richmond, R. I., and after a residence for a 
short time in the city of Providence, .Mr. James immigrated with his family to the town of Richmond, Wal- 
worth Co., Wis., February, 1838, havinsr made his claim the year previous. He entered the town with the 
earliest pioneers, and took a |jrominent part in laying the foundations forsociety in this then far West. Hegave 
the town the name of Richmond after his native town in Rhode Island, and took an active part in the forma- 
tion of its early government. He was honored by his neighbors with various local offices, and was a rec- 
ognized leader in local jiolitics. In his native Slate, .Mr. James had held numerous positions of trust and honor, 
ami ng them that of Sheriff of his county, and member of the State Legislature of his district, serving in 
these positions several terms ; and all these trusts he discharged with ability and fidelity, Mr. James hav- 
ing decided to retire from business, sold his farm in Richmond, in 1854, and having purchased a home 



786 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTT. 

in Delavan. moved there, to spend the evening of life in quietude and retirement. In April, 1842, his 
beloved wife, the mother of his children, died. He was married again, June 22, 1847, to Mrs. Sarah 
Stowell, widow of Mr. Bulver Stowell. In this marriage, Mr. James was most fortunate. She was a 
devoted wife, ftiithful and kind in all her relations, and won the sincere rspect and love of Mr. James' sons 
and daughters; and when she died, which event oceured July 30, 1867, she was sincerely mourned by 
them. Mr. James died June 17, 1858, having through his long life served his generation well. He w^is 
a man of unsullied integrity, sound judgement, unselfish in his devotion to his family and friends, and en- 
joyed the confidence and esteem of a large circle of friends nd neighbors. 

THOMAS PKRRY JAMES, farmer. Sec. 34, Richmond; P. 0. Delavao ; has a well-cultivated 
farm of 390 acres; settled in the county February, 1838. The subject of this sketch is a native of 
Rhode Island; is the son of Thomas and Dorcas James, and was born June 15, 1816. In 1838, he em- 
igrated to Wisconsin Territory, arriving in Richmond, Walworth Co., in February of that year ; he lo- 
cated on Government land, See. 34, where he has continued to reside to this date, a period of forty-four 
years; he was married in Richmond, Wis., Nov 25, 1852, to Elizabeth McClary, daughter of Daniel 
McClary. Mrs. James was born in Albany Co., N. Y. They have six children, four daughters and two 
sons — I'orcas P., Thomas, Daniel M., Eliza S., Susan and Fanny L. Mr. James has occupied various 
positions of honor and trust in the town where he resides ; he was one of the first Assessors of Richmond ; 
has been a member of the Board of Supervisors a number of years, and in 1877 served as Chairman. 
In his public as well as private life, he has shown himself a man of superior intelligence, sound judgment, 
and unquestioned integrity ; in his home is where he is known at his best, commanding the love and re- 
spect of an intelligent and appreciative family ; welcoming the stranger to his fireside with the old-time, 
genial hospitality of the frontier. It is such men as Mr. James who, while progressing with the advanced 
civilization of the times, preserved the warm-hearted, generous kindliness of the pioneer. 

MARVIN B. KEITH, farmer. Sec. 30; P.O. Johnstown; has 127 acres; was born in Carlisle, 
Lorain Co., Ohio, Feb. 18, 1844 ; is the son of Martin H. and Rachel Keith ; he was brought up a farm- 
er, and during the late war he enlisted as a member of Co. K, 35th Ohio V. I., for one hundred days, 
and served the term of his enlistment. In 1869, he came to Richmond, Walworth Co., Wis., and was 
married in Richmond, July 11, of that rear, to Miss Mary E. Hall, daughter of Jared Hall. Mrs. Keith 
was born in this town. They have five children — Efllie E., Burton B., William H., Alice C. and George 
G. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Keith made his home on his present farm. 

GEORGE K. KNILANS, farmer, Sec. 5 ; P. 0. Whitewater ; has 131 acres of land ; Mr. Knilans 
was born in Ireland April 1, 1844; came to America with his parents in 1849 ; made his home in Rich- 
mond, Walworth Co.; is the son of Daniel and Sarah Knilans. He enlisted, Aug. 15, 1862, in Co. D, 
22d W. V. I., and served two years and nine months; he was wounded at Murfreesboro, Tenn., receiving 
a gunshot wound through the body, and again at Atlanta, Ga., by a gunshot wound through the hand. 
He was married at Whitewater, Wis., Dec. 22, 1874, to Annie Bingham, daughter of Thomas Bingham. 
Mrs. Knilans was born in Eagle, Waukesha Co., Wis. Mr. Knilans engaged in farming in Richmond, 
subsequently sold out and went to Minnesota; returned to Richmond in 1881, and bought his pres- 
ent farm. 

J. K. KNILANS, farmer. Sec. 33; P. 0. Delavan; has 100 acres, is a native of Ireland ; was 
born March 1, 1839; is the ron of Daniel and Sarah (Allen) Knilans; he came to America with his 
parents in 1849, and has made his home in the town of Richmond, Walworth Co., Wis., ever since. He 
enlisted in the late war, August, 1862, as a member of Co. I, 13th W. V. I., and served three years. He 
bought his present f\irm in 1867 ; was married Nov. 28, 1871, in Richmond, Wis., to Miss Fannie Stur- 
tevant, daughter of George Sturtevant. Mrs. Knilans was born in Oueida Co., N. Y. They have four 
children — Frederick D.. Clarence G., Harrison J. and Eva J. 

WILLIAM A. KNILANS, farmer, Sec. 33; P. 0. Delavan; had 187 acres of land; he is a na- 
tive of Ireland; is the son of Daniel and Sarah Knilans; was born Nov. 22, 1833 ; came to the United 
States with his parents in 1849 and directly to Richmond, Wis. ; was brought up a farmer, and was 
married in Delavan, Feb. 20, 1867, to Miss Eleanor F. Stewart, daughter of Samuel and Margaret Mitch- 
ell Stewart. Mrs. Knilans was born in Richmond, Wis. They have three children. — William A., 
Alice E. and Daniel A. Mr. Knilans enlisted, Nov. 9, 1861, in the late war, as a member of Cc. I, 13th 
W. V. I., and served four years and four months; entering the army as a private soldier, he was promoted 
for meritorious conduct through the regular succession to the rank of Captain. Though a Democrat in 
politics, he has been chosen ten times to serve as Chairman of the Republican town of Richmond ; he has 
served nine years, and is the present incumbent; is also President of the Walworth County Agricultural 
Society. Mr. and Mrs. Knilans are members of the Episcopal Church. 



HISTORY OF WAI.WORTII COUNTY. 787 

GEOROE McFARLANE, farmer, Sec. :!I ; 1'. O. Johnstown, Rock Co.; ha.s 238 acres; he is the 
son of John McFailane, and is a native of Scotland ; he was born in Perthshire July 15, 1827; he was 
broufiht up a farmer, and emigrated to America in the fall of 185fi ; he made his home in Johnstown, 
Rock (-0., Wis. lie was married the same year to Miss Christina J. Jenkins, daughter of John J<mkins. 
Mrs. McFarlane is also a native of I'erth.shire, Scotland, and came to America in 18.56. They have had 
seven sons and one daughter — John, James, Joanna (George who <lied in childhoiid), George W., Peter 
J., Duncan and Wni. D. The eldest son John, was married, in 1881, to Dora E. Williams, and they reside 
in Richmond, 

EDWARD MITCHELL, farmer. Sec. 29 ; P. O. Richmond ; he has 1(1(1 acres of land ; he was 
born iu County Cavin, Ireland, Nov. 23, 1809 ; came to America, and directly to Richmond, Wis., in 
1842, arriving July 7 ; he jmrchased a fine farm on Rock Prairie, See. 29, where he still resides. Mr. 
Mitchell was married in his native land, in 1842, to Harriet Fisher. Four children were born to them 
after coming to America — Ester died aged 21^. years, Mary died aged 21 years, Francis, of Richmond; 
John died in infancy. Mrs. Mitchell died in 1849. Mr. Jlitcbell was married again July 1,1851, to 
Mi.ss Elizabeth Clark, daughter of Joseph Clark. Mrs. Mitchell was born in Perry Co., Penn. Two 
children were born of this marriage — Joseph C. and Maggie E. Joseph was married to Adella M. 
Jones, Sept. 21, 1881. They live at the old homestead. Mr. Mitchell was one of the pioneers of Rich- 
mond, who stuck b}- his first choice, and has now a large and valuable property. They were brought up 
strict Presbyterians. He is recognized as one of the most respected citizens of Richmond. 

ROBERT MOORE, deceased, was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, March 10, 1809 ; was the son of 
James Moore. He emigrated to the United States with his parents in 1826 and made his home in Ohio. 
In 1840, he came to Wisconsin, and spent a few months in Richmond, Walworth Co. He returned to 
Ohio, and in 1842 came back to Richmond ; made a claim on the north side of the town, sold out soon 
after, and made another claim, this time on east one-half of the southeast one-fourth of Sec. 29. He 
afterward added to it until he had a fine farm of 400 acres. He was married July 28, 1843, to Miss 
Nancy Stewart, daughter of Arthur Stewart. Mrs. Moore was born in Cavin Co., Ireland. They had 
six children — Isabell J., Edwin, James, Allen, Margaret and Mary H. Mr. Moore served several years 
as Supervisor of Richmond. His death occurred July 15, 1869. He died honored and respected by all 
who knew him. His widow and children are still residents of the old homestead. 

SIMEON W. NEWBERRY (deceased), was born in Erie Co.,N. Y., Aug. 6, 1816; was brought 
up a farmer; came to Walworth Co., Wis., in 1839, and settled in Richmond; was married Sept. 15, 
1844, to Miss Lucy A. Akin, daughter of Edward Akin ; Mrs. Newberry was born in Seipio, N. Y., 
Aug. 16, 1826; two children were born to them — Julia, now Mrs. E. C. Sholes, of Richmond, and 
George A., who married Alice Brady ; is living at Harrisonville, Mo. Mr. N. was engaged in farming 
till his death, which occurred Oct. 4, 1851. 

WILLIAM PATTERSON, deceased, was born in New Lebanon, Columbia Co., N. Y. ; moved 
from thence to Tompkins Co., and in 1841 to Illinois. In 1842, he moved to Richmond, Walworth Co., 
Wis. He was married in Danby, N. Y., to Adelia E. Hill, daughter of Seth Hill. During the late 
war, they sent four sons to the army, three of whom lost their lives in defense of their country. Joseph, 
Ashbel and William were members of Wisconsin regiments. Ashbel was killed at the storming of Port 
Hudson. The others died of disease. Another son, Martin B., was a member of a Minnesota regiment. 
.Mr. Patterson served as Postmaster, Assessor, and Justice of the Peace several years. His death occurred 
in iMay, 1874. His wife survives him and is living in Kansas. 

IR.\ SANBURN, dece;ised, was one of the very first settlers of Richmond, of-1837 or 1838. He wag 
born in V^ermont, and emigrated to Wisconsin in 1837 or 1838, and located on the southwest fjuarter of 
See. 5, Richmond. He was married and had a large family, seven daughters and two sons ; the only liv- 
ing member of the family in this section at this date is Lorilla (now Mrs. George Rowe of Jolnislowu, 
Wisj. Mr. Sanburn was engaged in farming in Richmcmd till about 1868, when he removed to Hamilton, 
Mo., where his death occurred in 1871. His wife survived him but a year. 

LEWIS SAXE, farmer, Sec. 19; P. 0. Johnstown, Rock Co.; has 50 acres. He was born in Cat- 
skill, Greene Co., N. Y., Oct. 11, 1824; is the son or John and Mariam Saxe ; was brought up a farmer; 
was married Sept. 1, 1848, to Elizabeth A. Greene, daughter of William Greene. Mrs. Saxe was born 
in (Jreene Co., N. Y. Mr. Saxe and family moved to Richmond, Wis., in February, 1854. He enlisted 
in February, 1865, as a member of Company K, 49tii W. V. I., and served till November the same year. 
He has never taken an active part in local politics ; has served one term as a member of the town Board 
of Supervisors. 



788 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

ROBERT SHERMAN, deceased, was born in Rhode Island Oct. 11, 1799; when of suitable age, 
he learned the mason's trade, and for some years was employed in that occupation ; he was married, Jan. 
2.5, 1827, to Miss Hannah James, daughter of Thomas James, also a native of Rhode Island. Three 
children were born to them — James N., Francis and Mary. James N. the eldest, married Miss Sarah 
Smith, and is a farmer of Richmond ; Francis, is the wife of Arthur Bowers, of Delavan ; Mary died at the 
age of 20 years. Mr. Sherman emigrated to Wisconsin in June, 184.3, located on Sec. 27, Richmond, on 
the farm now owned by his son, James N., and pursued the occupation of farmer till the time of his 
death, which occurred July 14, 1867 ; his wife survives him, and is now a resident of Delavan, Wis. 

JAMES N. SHERMAN, farmer, Sec. 27; P. 0. Delavan; has 200 acres of land; he was born in 
Washington Co., Rhode Island, Dec. 18, 1827; is the .son of Robert and Hannah (James) Sherman. In 
June, 1843, he emigrated to Wisconsin with his parents ; he was married Aug. 8, 1853, to Miss Sarah 
Smith, daughter of Stephen H. Smith. Mrs. Sherman was born in Surrey, England, in 1831. Mr. 
Sherman has made his home on his present farm since his marriage, and is a successful farmer. He has 
participated but little in public affairs ; during the early years of his residence in Richmond he served 
two years as Town Superintendent of Schools. 

NATHANIEL C. SMITH (deceased) was born in Clarendon, Rutland Co., Vt., April 13, 1796; 
was the son of John and Dolly Smith ; when 18 years of age, he moved to Madison Co., N. Y., with 
his brother Isaac. He was married in that county about 1819, to Miss Susan Hulbert, daughter of 
James Hulbert. Mrs. Smith was born in Colerain, Mass., March 2, 1797. Immediately after their 
marriage they moved to Verona, Oneida Co., N. Y. Five children were born to them — Luther (now of 
Richmond, Wis.), Joseph (also of Richmond), James (of Whitewater, Wis.); two named Olin died in 
childhood. Mr. Smith moved to Richmond, Wis., in May, 1845, and located on Sec. 3, where he had 
95 acres. He continued to lead the life of a farmer till his deatii, which occurred Dec. 16, 1879, at 
the age of 82 years. Mrs. Smith died Oct. 21, 1877. 

STEPHEN H. SMITH, Sr. (deceased), was born at Hadlow Kent, England, Jan. 2, 1803 ; .served 
a regular apprenticeship at the mercantile business, and subsequently was engasred in business as a general 
merchant ; was united in marriage to Jane Neal. Seven children were born to them — the eldest, Sarah 
J., is the wife of James N.Sherman, of Richmond; Susannah is Mrs. S. H. Patterson, of Kansas; 
Stephen H., Jr., married Mira Morse, and is a farmer, of Richmond ; Sidney L. died in May, 1878 ; Selina 
M., born Sept. 15, died on the Atlantic May 2, 1841. The above mentioned were born in England. In 
1841, Mr. Smith emigrated to the United States and located at Homer, Portland Co., N. Y., where he 
was engaged in farming until June 1, 1848, when he moved to Wisconsin and settled on Sec. 20, Rich- 
mond, Walworth Co., where he was engaged in farming. They had one child born at Homer, N. Y. — 
Selina Esther, now Mrs. Thomas Congdon, of Delavan. Sidney was a soldier of the late war ; he enlisted 
at the fir.st call in the Three-months Regiment ; was promoted to Sargeant, and served three years and 
three months ; was twice wounded ; served as Town Clerk of Richmond several years ; his death occurred 
Jan. 21, 1879 ; his wife survived him but a week, dying Jan. 28, 1879. 

H. Q. SMITH, farmer. Sec. 28 ; P. 0. Richmond ; has a farm of 320 acres situated partly on Sees. 
20, 21 and 28 ; was born in White Creek, Washington Co., N. Y., Sept. 9, 1810 ; is the son of Abraham 
and Annie (Bowen) Smith ; when 12 years of age, moved to Monroe Co., near Rochester, N. Y., where he 
lived until 1839, when he moved to Orleans Co., N. Y., thence to Wisconsin in the year 1842, and settled 
on his present farm in 1869 ; he leased his farm and moved to Janesville, Wis., and after five years' resi- 
dence in that city returned to his farm in Richmond ; he was married in Chili, Monroe Co., N. Y., March 
28, 1838, to Miss Charlotte Paul, daughter of Zebulum and Melinda (Sperry) Paul ; Mrs. Smith was born 
in Chili, N. Y., in 1822. They have six children— Julia M., Byron G., Julius P., Ella A., Frank M., 
and Ida L. The oldest, Julia M., is the wife of Graham Sperry, of California. Byron was a member of 
Company K, 13th W. V. I., and served three years in the late war, from October, 1861 ; is now a mer- 
chant of Nevada. Julius married Sadie Barker, is now in Europe, but makes his home in San Francisco, 
Cal. Ella is now Mrs. Anson Rosancrans, of Richmond, Wis. Frank M. married Mollie Wright and 
resides in Oakland, Cal. Ida is the wife of S. Mark Calkins, of Richmond, Wis. Julius was also a sol- 
dier of the late war; he enlisted in October, 1861, and served three years, in Company E, 22d W. V. I. ; 
was wounded at the battle of Re.saca, was taken prisoner in March, 1862, was an inmate of various prisons 
several months before he was exchanged. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have spent some time in California in the 
year 1880. They are members of the M. E. Church. In politics Mr. Smith is a Republican. 

LUTHER SMITH, farmer, Sec. 5 ; P. 0. Whitewater; has 210 acres of land ; was born in Oneida 
Co., N. Y., Jan. 2, 1820 ; is the son of Nathaniel and Susan Smith ; came to Wisconsin in May, 1845 ; 




'«>'@^ ^'^ 



t 







^n^^rt€t-d U£^^- 




'c:i-'7nC^<^ 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 789 

made his home in Whitewater, Walworth Co., Wis.; he was mariic^d in that town, April 13, 1848, to Miss 
Esther M. Hemsley, daughter of Thomas and Anna Hemsley. jNIrs. Smith was horn in Chatham, Colum- 
bia Co., N. Y. They have had five children— George S., married Mary MeCourt, has lost his wife and 
lives in Richmond ; Annie E. died afied 21 years ; Flora E. is Mrs. Fred Capman, of Milton, Wis. ; Mary 
died aged .4 years ; Mytie i.s the youngest. After his marriage, Mr. iSmith made his home on Sec. 33, 
Whitewater, until March, 1881, when, having bought the fine farm on which ho now lives, he moved to 
Richmond. 

JULTUS D. SPICKERMAN was bom Oct. 16, 1851, in Richmond ; he was brought up a farmer ; 
was married Nov. 4, 1874, in Richmond, to Miss Ettie A., daughter of Henry A. Stone. They had two 
sons and a daughter — Eugene D., Klmer H. and Eliza A. Mr. Spickerman has served two terms as Town 
Treasurer, three terms as Constable and two years as Justice of the Peace ; he has 120 acres en Sec. 19, 
and 20 acres on Sec. 17. 

DAVID W. SPICKERMAN was born in Albany Co., N. Y , Feb. 28, 1807 ; was the son of Philip 
Spickerman ; when two years of age, he went with his parents to Cayuga Co., N. Y., where be learned the 
blacksmith trade. He was married in Cayuga Co., Sept. 9, 1827, to Isabel Van Vleet. Four children 
were born to them — Rachel, Orestus, Amelia and Absalom. The oldest, Rachel, is the wife of James 
Balfour, of Rice Co.. Kan.; Orestus is married, and lives in Monmouth, 111.; Amelia is the wife of Henry 
Smith, of Chillieothe, Mo.; Absalom married, and lives in Keokuk. Iowa. Mrs. Spickerman died Sept. 28, 
1842. Mr. Spickerman was married again, Jan. 7, 1845, in the same town, to Eliza A., daughter of 
Benjamin Higbee. Mrs. Spickerman was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y. Mr. Spickerman and family started 
for Wisconsin in the spring of 1845 ; on their arrival here, three months were spent in Jefferson Co. 
They then came to Richmond, Wis., where Mr. Spickerman opened a blacksmith shop, which he operated 
until 1859, when he purchased the farm now occupied by his son, on Sec. 19. One child was born of the 
latter marriage — Julius D. (see sketch). Mr. Spickerman was appointed Postmaster of Richmond, and 
served several years as Justice of the Peace. His death occurred Sept. 9, 1879. Mrs. Spickerman sur- 
vived her husband but a few months, dying Feb. 8, 1880. 

ARTHUR STFWART, decea.sed, was born in Cavin Co., Ireland, in 1793 ; was married when 24 
years of age to Jane Simpson. He emigrated to America in 1833; made his home in Philadelphia until 
1839. He then moved to Richmond, Walworth Co., Wis,, where he bought a quarter section of (jrovern- 
ment land on Sec. 33, and subsequently purchased 80 acres more. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart had four children 
— Andrew, Nancy, Jane and Margaret. The son died ; Nancy is the widow of Robert Moore, of Rich- 
mond ; Jane is Mrs. David Christie, of Darien, Wis.; Margaret is Mrs. C. L. Douglas, of Walworth. Mr. 
Stewart was one of the earliest pioneers of Richmond. He served as Supervisor of the town shortly after 
its organization : continued the occupation of farmer until his death, which occurred in September, 1862. 

WILLIAM R. TAYLOR, farmer and Superintendent of Schools of Walworth Co., Sec. 7 ; P. 
O. Whitewater; has 280 acres of land. He was born in La Grange, Walworth Co., Wis., Nov. 5, 1843. 
He is the son of Joshua and Betty Taylor ; his parents are of English birth. His father came to America 
in 1839; was married in Sauquoit, Oneida Co., N. Y.. and came to Wisconsin in June, 1843, and made 
their home in La Grange, where they still reside. The son, William R., was brought up on the farm and 
received his primary education in the district schools ; then took a regular course at the Milton Academy 
(since Milton College), from which he graduated in 1864. He enlisted in June, 1864, in Co. C, 4()th 
W. V. I, for 100 days. Re-enlisted in February, 1865 ; was commissioned Second Lieutenant, Co. F, 
49th W. V. I ; was promoted, receiving a Captain's commission in August, 1865 ; was mustered out in 
November of the same year. Previous to joining the army, he had been engaged in teaching and farming. 
Having taught several winters, on returning from the war he resumed his former pursuits. He was married 
in La Grange, Dee. 24, 1865, to Miss Mary T., daughter of George A. Ray. Five children were born to 
them — ^llay W., Homer S., Fanny, Alice and Howard. Mr. Taylor has been chosen to till several posi- 
tions of public trust, and has always made a popular officer. He was elected and served five years as Town 
(Merk of La (Jrange, and has served as a member of the Town Board of Richmond three or four years. 
He lost his wife, who died Dec. 3, 1878. In the fall of 1879, he was elected Superintenilent of Schools of 
Walwortli Co.; served two years, was re-elected, and is now serving his second term. He was married, 
Oct. 24, 1880, in La (irange, to Miss Almira G, Stockdalo, daughter of Wilson Stockdale, Mrs, Taylor 
was born in La Grange, Walworth Co., Wis. Mr. Taylor has proven himself an efficient and competent 
Superintendent of Schools. 

JOHN TEFITSHORN ( deceased), was born in Greene Co., N. Y., July 6, 1792 ; learned the carpenter 
and joiner's trade, and was married Dec. 14. 1817, by the Rev. OslrandiT, to Margaret Saxe ; Mrs 



790 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

Teetshorn was born Oct. 27, 1798; they moved to Erie Co., and from there to the Territory of Wiscon- 
sin, in the fall of 1838; he came at once to Kichmond and bought the claim of Morris Hawes, on 
Sec. 6, for which he paid S500 ; this was perhaps the first sale of real estate in the town, of which Mr. 
Morris Hawes was the first settler. Mr. and Mrs. Teetshorn had a family of ten children — Horatio, of 
Johnstown; Cyrus, of Whitewater ; Lewis and Marcellus, of Riohmoud ; John died when he was 1(5 
years of age; Chauncy, of Iowa; James died, aged 16 years; Orlando, of Johnstown; Julia is the 
wife of W. Preston, of Nebraska; Margaret is Mrs. Henry Cornell, of Racine. Mr. Teetshorn served 
several terms as Justice of the Peace and as Chairman of the Town Board ; he and his sons were noted 
as successful hunters ; their principal game was deer, of which they killed large numbers ; they discov- 
ered that they could approach nearer the deer with a team than when on foot. As the country was all 
open in the early days, they could drive where they pleased, and, as the saying is, they used to bring home 
" dead loads" of deer. Mr. Teetshorn continued a resident of Richmond till his death, which occurred 
Sept, 18, 1855 ; his wife survived him till February, 1880, dying, aged 82 years. 

LEWIS TEETSHORN, former, Sec. 6 ; P. 0. Whitewater; was born in Greene Co., N. Y., 
May 22, 1824; came to Wisconsin with his parents in the fall of 1838, and settled on Sec. 6, Richmond, 
Walworth Co.; he was married in Jefferson Co., Wis., in August, 1855, to Miss Rosetta Royce, daughter 
of Origen Royce ; Mrs. Teetshorn was born in Royalton, Greene Co., N. Y.; they have two children — 
Alice and William L. Mr. Teetshorn has never been an aspirant for public office, but has served several 
terms as a member of the Town Board. 

0. L. WEST, farmer, Sec. 19; P. 0. Riohmoad; was born in Pulaski, Oswego Co., N. Y., May 15, 
1829; he came to Wisaonsin, July 4, 1845; made his home in Richmond, Walworth Co.; was married 
Oct. 11, 1853, to Mrs. Lucy A. Newberry, widow of Simeon W. Newberry, and daughter of Edward 
Akin. Mr. \Vest was engaged in farming; was also engaged with Gormley, Watson & Co., of D^jlavan, 
in the wind-mill business ; this conneotiion lasted about five years ; for the past year he has been in the 
employ of George Esterly & Son, reaper manufacturers, of Whitewater,'Wisconsin ; Mr.W. has served several 
terms as Justice of the Peace of Richmond. Mr. and Mrs. West had three children— Addie L., who 
died in childhood ; Edward W. and Mary M. 




TITSTORY OF WALWOP.TII rOl'NTV. 791 



THE TOMN OF WALAVOliTH. 

\\ jilworlh is known in tlie Government survey as Town 1. Eani^e K'l east. It was formerly, 
under the act of 18SS. a pai-t of the town of Dehivan. In 1S3U, it was set oil', with what is now 
Sliaron, into a separate town and named A\'alworth. Subsecjueutly, by act of the Leffishiture, 
March 21. 1S4H. Sliaruu was erected into a sejiarate town, leaviiiir its <:;eoii;raiihical limits as they 
now are. 

It embraces a single Oongressional township of six miles square. It is bounded north by 
Delavan; east by Linn: south by the State line, and west by the town of Sharon. 

It is largely prairie land. Big Foot Prairie covering the southern half of the town. There 
the land is a I'ic.h. black, alluvial, deposit. The northern part is somewhat broken, was formerly 
ijuite heavily wooded, and not so valuable as farming land as the prairie. There the soil was a 
light, clayey loam. It was not at first considered valuable to settlers, and got the not V(>ry i)re- 
possessiug cognomen of Hard Scrabble. Later, its virtues have come to be better a]>i)rociated, 
and some most excellent farms are cultivated within the old tabooed territory. 

The town, in some regards, is more historic, or pre-historic. than any other part of the 
county. It had located near the head of Geneva Lake, which nearly covers Section 12 and a 
part of Section IL the only considerable Indian village at the time the white settlers began to 
come in in ISHfi. Big Foot, a chief of the Pottawatomies, had his residence and council house 
there, and from there he took his final leave of the "Walworth County hunting-grounds, in the 
latter ])art of that year, when the terms of the treaty whereby his lands were ceded demanded 
his evacuation. There, it is told, that the body of his son. a youth of some fifteen years, was 
left, inclosed in a rude log casket, in a tree overhanging the lake. There has been some dis- 
pute as to whether the I'emains were those of a lad or of an adult ])erson. Some old settlers over 
that it was the body of an old man. and was that of Big Foot's father, instead of his son. There 
seems little doubt that the casket hung in the tree when the first white man came, but what be- 
came of it — whether desecrated or given more Christian sepulture — is not known. 

A fuller account of Big Foot, his village and his final leave-taking, which was witnessed 
by Mrs. James Van Slyke (the first white woman in the town), is given in the early history of 
the county. 

As has been stated. Lake Geneva has its head in the northeastern pait <jf the town, cover- 
ing considerably more than a square mile. 

About the shores of the lake and back on the near borders of Big Fot)t Prairie, the first set- 
tlements were made. 

James Van Slyke made the first settlement, near the Indian village. He built his calnn 
there and moved his family into it from Geneva, late in the fall of IbB*). It is believed that 
Mrs. Van Slyke was the only woman who spent the winter in the town. There were other men 
liesides Van Slyke, but they were unmarried, or did not bring their families in till the following 
s]iring. The Williams families were on the south side of the lake, some two miles away. There 
were no other families nearer than Geneva Village or Delavan. A peculiar case, attended with 
gi'eat hardship and evincing the wonderful nerve and d(>cision of Mi's. Van Slyke, is related as 
occurring that wint(>r. It is related that in Februaiy. 1837, Van Slyke, with Nathan Disbrow. 
driving in a drove of hogs from Illinois were caught in the memorable sudden cold that came 
on. They weri> obliged to leave their drove four miles from the house and make their way to 
the cabin as rapidly as possible to save freezing to death. They arrived at last. Ijut Disbrow's 
feet were so frozen that he lost the toes on one foot, which were amputated by Mrs. Van Slyke 
with the only surgical instrument she had. viz., a pair of scissors and a butcher Icnife. 

The fame of the beautifxil prairie became widely known in the s])ring of 1837, and many 
settlers cajne in to possess themselves cjf the land. The following information concerning the 
comers of 1837 is believed to be from reliable sovirces: 



792 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

Mr. AVilliajii Bell, who came himself in the spriBi; of 1837, wrote concerning the settlers of 
that spring, to Hon. C. M. Baker, in September, ISliU. He wrote: "I came to the town of 
Walworth in the spring of 1837. and found in the town Cyrus Church, Jacob G. Saunders, 
James Van Slyke, Marcus Russell, Roliert Russell, J. C. Church, Thomas Godfrey, John Reader, 
James A. Maxwell. Ira Starr. Israel Williams, Amos Bailey and J. Ward." 

The whereabouts of these in 1869, when Mi-. Bell wi'ote, were partially given by him as 
follows: " Cyrus Church. Thomas Godfrey and Marcus Russell are now in the town of Wal- 
worth: J. C. Church and John Reader, in Delavan; J. G. Saunders, in Illinois: William Bell, 
in Elkhorn." 

As throwing still more light on the very early settlement of the town, the following paper, 
read at the Old Settlers' Re-union of 1880, is given entire: 

EAKLY SETTLEMENT OF BIG FOOT PRAIRIE. 

Ky CYRUS CHURCH. 

"About the 1st of February, 1837, I started from my home in Trumbull County, Ohio, with 
a valise on my back, to find a home in the far A\'est. Passing through Chicago to Crystal Lake, 
where I exjiected to stop and make a claim on Government land for my futm'e home, I found a 
few families from Virginia had settled there the yeai- before, and stop}ied with one John Mc- 
Lure for a few days, I expected to stay longer, but one night a very genteel-looking man called 
to stay overnight, and in conversation told me his home was at the head of Geneva Lake, 
about twenty miles distant, in Wisconsin Territory. He had been to Chicago and sold a part of 
his claim for |4,()0(), getting $'2,500 cash down. He appeared to think it was an almost inex- 
haustible amount of money, it being in bills of small denominations. He had th<^m loose in his 
jaockets, frequently pulling out a handful of bills and making a wonderful display of them, say- 
ing he exi)ected to make a mark in the world yet. He was dressed in a new suit of clothes, 
with a tall stovepipe hat: had a ma^), and with a string could show us the head of Geneva Lake 
was in a direct line between Chicago and the Foiu' Lakes at Madison; also between St. Louis 
and Milwaukee, and so on between any two places that were likely to be of importance most 
anywhere in the West. He said it had been the home of Big Foot, the chief of the Pottawato- 
mie Indians, the largest tribe in the West, the trails centering there from every direction, con- 
sequently it must be a very important i)lace in the ^^'estern country, and urged me very anx- 
iously to come and see Big Foot Prairie, the very Eden of the world, for myself. 

"About the '-iath of Feliruary, it being a clear, cold morning, I started alone for the promised 
hiiid. There had been a thaw a few days jirevious. so as to get the water running in the streams. 
and then it turned cold, making very fair walking on the crust, the snow being about ten inches 
deep. I soon came to a stream of rimning water, with no alternative but wade through, and 
probably find more of the same sort, or go back. Pausing for a few moments, I soon decided to 
o-o ahead, and on I went, the ice holdincf me until I reached near the current, then in I went, 
wading through, the water being about three and a half feet deep for some twenty feet, passing 
on to tiiid several others to go through the same way. Finally, it began to grow dark, and. 
knowing fall well if I didn't tind a house within a few minutes. I was doomed to cold lodging 
for the night -not very ])leasant to think of- -I hm'rieil on. and in a few minutes saw the smoke 
curling up through the trees from Van Slyke's cabin. I need not say to you it was a very pleas- 
ant sensation I found two families living in the cabin, it being about 14x16. and not a sawed 
board about the place. I was very kindly entertained for the night. The beds being all occu- 
pied. I slept on the floor, it being made of split logs laid on the ground, with a small blanket 
over me. with feet to the tire, the tire being at one end of the cabin, and a hole at the top for 
the smoke to escape. 

" I found there, in that rude cabin, kind, warm-hearted friends indeed. After living with 
one of the families for several years afterward. I ever cherish in my memory the kindest regards 
for them. The next morning. I went to look. around and see what sort of a place I was in. the 
little cabin in which I had been so kindly entertained being the only one in the town of AVal- 
worth. Everything around seemed to have a wild, romantic a])pearance — no mark of civiliiia 
tion to be seen but the rude cabin. The beautiful, clear waters of the lake were hidden under 



TIISTOKY OF AVALWOKTII COrNTY. 793 

tlio ico and snow. A little way from tlie house could be st'eii tlie deserted wigwams of the In- 
dians, thev having been removed some thre(> or four months Ijefore. Big Foot's wigwam was 
far superior to the others. A few rods from there, in the top of a tree which is now standing, 
was deposited the body of a boy about fifteen years of age, a son of the chief. His remains 
were in a butternut log, very nicely prepared for that purjjose. His features were all perfect at 
that time, but some ruthless hand had torn it down and rolibed him of his ornaments. After look- 
ing around a little, my first work was to make a three-story bedstead in the corner of the room, 
with one post only. The only tools to do it with were two augers and an ax. The beds were 
niadt- of |>rairie feathers, commonly called marsh hay. 

" In a few days, travelers wanted to be accommodated, and, there being a lack of room, we 
stuck three poles across the room overhead and took a bark ott" from Big Foot's tent and laid it 
across them, and I slejit on it for about five months. 

" Oiu- post office was at Chicago for the first year, and tlie next itwas at William Phienix's. 
a little way from the east end of Delavau Lake: and many a time have I followc^d an Indian 
trail there and paid 25 cents postage on a letter from home. 

" When warm weather came, emigrants came also, and about the 1st of June I helped build 
the first house on Big Foot Prairie, for Mr. Thomas Godfi-ey, and in the course of two years 
there was a goodly number of families in the town of Walworth, but they are not here now. 
They have gone to another country. " 

The i^ersons named by Mr. Bell were the earliest settlers of the town, l.nit were lay no means 
all who came in and took up land that summer. Of those he named as surviving in 18GU, only 
a few are left. Mr. Bell himself died some years ago in Kansas. John Reader. Marcus Rus- 
sell and Thomas Godfrey have since died. 

Among those who came in jirior to 1840, the following are remembereil, and their first loca- 
tion given, from the memory of those still living: Cyrus Church, oldest living settler, February, 
1837, on Section 21 : Jake G. Saunders, on Section 2'2, in 1837, removed to Illinois many years 
ago; P. Van Slyke, on Section 14, made the first claim made in towm in fall of 183fi: moved 
away many years ago; present whereabouts, if living, not known; Mai'cus Russell, in 1837, on 
Secticm 15, died in 1875: Robert Russell, in 1837, on Section 15, now living in Iowa; J. C. 
Chiu'ch, in 1837, on Section 10, died in Delavan; Thomas Godfrey, in 1837, on Section 20, died 
in 1S77 or 1S7S: John Reader, in 1837, on Section IS, died in 1879; James A. Maxwell, in 
1837, on Section 27. moved to Nevada; Israel W. StaiT. in 1837, on Secticm 13; Amos Bailey, 
in 1837, on Section 11; Jonathan Wai'd, in 1837. on Section 13; William Bell, in 1837, on Sec- 
tion 16; moved to Elldiorn, then to Kansas, where be died some yeai's ago; D. C. Porter, fall of 
1837, on Section 24, still living: C. L. Douglass, in 1837, first on Section 26, now living on 
Section 15: Drs. H. Clark and L. N. Wood, in 1837-38^ both settled on Section 23, first physi- 
cians in the town, and among the earliest in the county; both deceased; their widows living; 
Matthias Molu-, in 1837, bought a part of Van Slyke's claim on Section 14; still living in the 
town; .John Cummings and John Cummings, Sr.. in as em-ly as 1N3S; Joseph Bailey, in 1838, 

on Section 21, died in the town many years ago; Bartholomew, in 1838, on Section 14, 

moved to Iowa, where he died; Jonathan Fish, in 1838, on Section 33, died in Walworth in 
18N1 : Jesse Bowman, in 1838 or 1839, on Section 18, deceased; place now owned by G. W. 
Wel)ber; Thomas Waddle, in 1838, section not certain —probably 18; moved to Illinois early; 
David David.s, in 1839, Section 27, now living in Baraboo, Wis.; William Reed, in 1838, on 
Section 14, deceased; son still lives on the old place; Elder P. W. Lake, in 1838 or 1839, on 
Section 34, died some years since: Mrs. Lake still lives on the place, at the advanced age of 
ninety years; Beardsley Lake, their son, lives in Harvard, 111. ; Lucius Smith, in 1840, on Sec- 
tion 28, now lives in Sharon; Newell Crooks came in with the Douglass family in 1838; mar- 
ried one of the daughters; s{>ttled <m Section 15; now living in California; Sylvester Hawver, 
now in California, came in 1838 or 1839; Thadeus Smith, an uiimarri(>d man, came in 1838; 
Henry W. Steven.s, in 1839 or 1840, on Section 28, now in Colorado; William Rumsey, in 1837, 
on Section 30, now in Iowa; "Mills ('hurch, in 1838, on Section 28, now in Missouri. 

The very full biogi-aphical sketcihes of j)rosent residents of the town, many of whom are the 
descendants or early settlers, will supplement any omissions in the above list, which is as full as 
could be obtained. 



794 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 



FIRST OCCURRENCES AND THING R. 

The culbivation of the hmd began in earnest as soon as the frost was out in tlie spring of 
1887. James Van Slylio did tlie tirst plowing. He had broken that season 101) acres. In the 
early summer, Collins W'adhams liroke 500 acres for live settlers on the prairie. 

The fuiTows were tw(j and one -half miles long. 

Clara Anna Bell, daughter of William and Susau Bell, was lioru July 8, 1837. She was 
the first white child born iu the town. The first white boy born was Henry Godfrey, in the 
summer or fall of 1^37. 

The first death was that of a child of Amo-; Bailey, in the summer or fall of 1837. Mrs. 
Joy, from Massachusetts, died in the winter of 183S. Mrs. Cummings, mother of Mrs. Van 
Slyke. died about the same time. There was at the time no minister in the town, and the sad 
but friendly fiinoral services were performed by the neighbors. Mr. William Bell related that 
this was the first burial ho attended in the town. There is a tinge of deeper melancholy than 
usual in his simple recital. He writes: " Mr. Reader and myself were digging her grave, 
about forty rods from the house, when I was informed that they wanted me to officiate a.s min- 
ister. I left Mr. Reader to finish the grave and went to the house, which I found tilled with 
friends. I was furnished with papers containing some sermons, and a hymn book, from which 
I selected a sermon and hymns appropriate to the occasion. The singing was excellent, Mr. 
James Maxwell being the leader. The sermon was also pronounced very appropriate.'" 

The fii-st religious meetings were held at the house of James A. Maxwell, by Elder P. W. 
Lake. 

The lii'st church was organized by Elder Henry Topping, in the spring of 1844. 

The ih-st schoolhouse was built in 1839, and the first school district organized in the fall of 
1840. Dr. L. N. Wood, James A. ^Maxwell and Beardsley Lake were the Trustees. Mrs, 
Moses Williams was the first teacher. The school numbered five scholars. 

The first marriage was that of Robert Russell to Miss Hannah Williams. The ceremony 
was performed by Israel Williams, Esq. 

The first post office was established in 1839, and William Bell appointed Postmaster. The 
mails came in on the south road from Geneva twice each week. Present Postmaster, A. H. 
Hitchcock. 

The first log house was built on Big Foot Prairie, Ijy Thomas Godfrey, in June, 1837. • 

Israel Williams, .Jr., was the first .Justice of the Peace. 

The first frame house was built by .James ilaxwell in 1839. 

Dr. L. N. Wood was the pioneer physician in the county. 

W.\R RECORD. 

The war record of Walworth is insejiarable from and so intei-woven with that of the other 
towns of the county as to render it well-nigh impo.ssible to separate it. For personal accounts 
of her soldiery, the reader is referred to the war history of the county at large. The full quijta 
of the town was eighty-five. She fm'uished ninety — a larger percentage of excess than any 
town in the county except Elkhorn. Of the nimiber f m-nished, seventy-six were volunteers. 

The population of the town, l)y the Federal census of 1880, was 1,278. 

The number of bushels of grain raised in 1880 was: Wheat, 10,794; corn, 114,000; oats, 
o(),000; barley, 10,500; rye, 7,S00; there was also raised 10,000 bushels of potatoes, 11,000 
bushels of apples, 2,500 bushels timothy seed and 2,600 tons of hay; the dairy products were 
()5,000 pounds of butter and 109,000 pounds of cheese. 

In 1881, the number of acres sown to grain was 5,743; there were 259 acres of apple or- 
chard, having 7,350 fruit-bearing trees; 3,410 acres of mowing and pastm-age, and 2,226 acres 
(jf growing timber; the number of milch cows was 859, valued at $19,323. There were, in 1881, 
eight schoolhouses, valued at §4,720. The number of scholars enrolled between the ages of foiu- 
and twenty years was 386, of which number 282 attended school. Eight teachers were em- 
ployed, at average monthly wages of $28.28 for male and $22.25 for female teachers. The an- 
nual amoimt expended for schools is nearly $2,400. 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 795 

There are no villages iu the towu excejtt at tlui post, ofifice at what was formerly known as 
Doufrlass Corners, now known as \\alwortli. Here is the most considerable hamlet in the town. 
A post offic(>, a good schoollioiise, a church, two general stores, a shoe store, a cheese factory, 
two blacksmith shops, together with several neat dwellings, make up the little Tillage. The 
churcli is that of the Seventh-Day 15ai)tists. That denomination is numerically the strongest iu 
the town, and embraces among its memliers many of the reliable, intelligent and exemj)lary 
citizens. 

This church was organized at the house of Dr. Henry Clarke, December, 1845, with seven 
constituent members, viz, : Deacon Alfred Masson, John R. Maxeon, N. L. Bassett, William 
Davids, Charles W. Dowse. Mrs. Han-iet E. Coon. Mrs. Hannah M. Coon. 

The present membership is 170. The congregation that attends worship numbers about 
two hundred and lifty. 

The following persons have served the church as preacher and pastor since its organization: 
Elder Stillman Coon, Elder Daniel Babcock, Elder O. P. Hull, Elder Varumn Hull, Elder 
William M. Jones, Elder Charles M. Lewis. Elder James Bailey. Elder Solomon Carjienter, 
Elder L. M. Cottrell, L. E. Livermore. O. M. Whittord. 

The meetings, both religious and business, were held in the cobble-stone schoolhouse in the 
eastern part of the town of Walworth till April, 1855, when they were held alternately iu said 
schoolhouse and at the schoolhouse in the village of Walworth. 

In 1857, Big Foot Academy was finished, and an academic school opened therein in Decern 
bcr of that year. The meetings were then held in the academy until the completion of the new 
meeting-house. The new church edifice was finished and dedicated in March, 1S74. The build- 
ing is gothic in style, has a tine basement room for the Sabbath school and business meetings, 
and has one of the finest audience rooms above probably to be found in the county. 

The edifice, with its upholstering and fiu-uishings, cost SO. 000, and there is no debt upon it. 

There are seven chm-ehes of like faith iu this State, and three of them have large member- 
ships. 

^\'e do not dift'er from other evangelical chm-ehes in om- tenets, except on the day of the 
Sabbath; the only ditierence between us and the Baptist denomination of oiu- country is upon 
the Sabbath. We keep Saturday, the seventh day of the week; we believe it to be the Bible 
Saljbath; that the Fourth Commambnent is still binding upon all; that it has never been 
changed. 

Their creed is as follows: 

" Wo believe that the New Testament teaches us that Christ and His apostles observed the 
seventh day of the week, and hence we have the authorit}- of the Fom'th Commandment and the 
example of Chi'ist and His apostles for keeping the seventh day. The change from the seventh 
day to Sunday observance was made, as we hold, by the chiu'ch and state, imder the rule of 
Emperor Constantine, A. D. 321, without any divine authority. We give these statements, not 
as an argivment, but as reasons for om- being a separate denomination and called the Seventh- 
Day Baptists. We are called Jews by many, but we are neither Jews in descent nor in religion, 
hut are as evangelical as the most evangelic church in our land." 

The post office is the only one in the town, and was first established in 188'.). A. H. Hitch- 
cock is the i)resent Postmaster. 

There is also a flourishing Baptist Chiu'ch in the town. It was oi-gauized as early as 184-t, 
by Rev. Henrv' Topping. The church edifice is of brick, and is located on Section 18. The 
present pastor is Eev. — Adams. 

Fontana is the name of one of the delightful summer resorts at the head of Lake Geneva, 
now owned l)y Messrs. Montague & Porter. It is being improved by the proprietors from year 
to year, and is destined to be the nucleus of a large summer ])opulatiou at no distant day. The 
name is historic. The gi-ounds on Section 14 embrace the site of the t)ld Indian village, and 
was the first lim<l taken liy white men in the town. It was part of the old Van Slyke claim, and 
was piu'chased as early as 1838. of Van Slyke. by Matthias Mohr, Amos Bailey and Dr. Henry 
Clark, who platted thereon an embryo village, which they named Fontana. It never existi'd 
except in the sanguine imaginatio7is of its jirojectors. It is not unlikely that, after a lapse of 
forty years, it may yet become what it was planned to be when named so long ago. 



79t) HISTOKY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

Big Foot Mills, the ouly mills in the towu, are located on a small creek on Section 15, 
which gives a reliable water-power. They are owned by Mi-. C. L. Douglass. There was first 
built there a saw-mill in 1845, by Richard Mongtague: in 1858, Mr. C. L. Douglass erected a 
grist-mill on the same privilege, which he has owned and run ever since. He has all the mod- 
ern improvements, including rollers and other machinery for doing the be.st merchant work. 
It is run constantly, and the floui- ranks with the l>est spring wheat manufactured. The old 
mill is now used as a feed-mill and Kaw-mill. 

There are here also two stores and one blacksmith shop. 

The trout hatchery and pond of N. K. Fairbanks is near by on the same section. 

COEPOEATE HISTORY. 

The lii-st town meeting held in Walworth after its limits were as now established was held 
at the sehoolhouse near John Bowman's, on Big Foot Prairie. Tuesday. Ajn-il i, 1843. 

Sixty dollars was raised for contingent expenses; $20 for the poor; $100 for schools; and 
a special tax for the relief of poor citizens, named in the records, amounting to S30.75. 

The officers elected were; 

Supervisors, George H. Loun. Chairman; Darius B. Mason. Amos Bailey; Clerk. James M. 
Clai'k; Treasurer, Joseph Bailey; School Commissioners, Christopher Douglass, Amos D. Johns, 
Hemy Clark; Commissioners of Highways, John Reader, Jabez H. Smith, Curtis H. Eaton; 
Assessor, William Bell; Collector, Cyrus Church; Constables, Lucius W. Smith, Cyrus Church, 
Levi Lake; Moderator. Phipjjs W. Lake. 

EOSTEE OF TOWN OFFICEES. 

The roster of town officers from 1844 to 1881. inclusive, is as follows: 

1844 — Supervisors, James A. Maxwell, Chairman; William Ramsey, Amos D. Johns; Clerk, 
James M. Clalk; Treasurer, Elijah Chm-ch. 

1845 — Supervisors. Philip W. Mink, Chairman; Jonathan Fish (a tie vote prevented the 
election of the third member of the board); Clerk. James M Clark; Treasurer. E. Church. 

1846 — Supervisors. James M. Clark, Chairman; Curtis H. Eaton. John Reader; Clerk, 
Robert S. Dunn; Treasurer, E. Chm'ch. 

1847 —Supervisors. Beardsley Lake, Chairman; David Ottman. Cyrus Church; Clerk, Jere- 
miah Pollard; Ti'easiu'er. E. Chm-ch. 

1848 — Supervisors, A.Coleman, Chaii-man; Dorick C.Porter. Chi'istopher Douglass; Clerk, 
A. H. Holly; Treasurer. Elijah Chui-eh. 

1849 —Supervisors, Beardsley Lake. Chairman; Philip W. Mink. ; Clerk, Seth 

Doolittle; Treasiu-er, Cjanis Church. 

1850 — Supervisors, David Coon, Chairman; Amos D. Johns. P. W. Mink; Clerk, S. 
Doolittle; Treasurer, Cyrus Chiu'ch. 

1851 — Supervisors. David Coon. Chairman; C. W. Huff. J. C. Criunb; Clerk. S. Doolittle; 
Treasurer, C. H. Conant. 

1852 — Supervisors, D. C. Porter, Chairman; Moses R. Cheeney, John Reader; Clerk, 
David Coon. Jr. ; Treasurer. C. H. Conant. 

1853 — Supervisors. David Coon, Jr.. Chairman; Benjamin Clark, D. C. Porter; Clerk, S. 
Doolittle; Treasurer. C. H. Conant. 

1854 — Supervisors, David Coon, Jr., Chairman; Benjamin Clark, Riah Bailey: Clerk, H. 
W. Randolphe: Treasiu'er, C. H. Conant. 

1855 — Supervisors, Amos Bailey, Chairman; C. H. Elon, Benjamin Clai-k; Clerk, H. M. 
Coon; Treasurer. William H. Redheld. 

1856— Supervisors. Elijah Eaton. Chairman; E. L. Gilbert. C. L. Douglass; Clerk, H. M. 
Coon; Treasurer, J. N. Lanphre. 

1857 — Supervisors, Elijah Eaton, Chairman; E. L. Gilbert, H. W. Randolph ; Clerk, H. 
M. Coon; Treasiu-er, J. N. Lanplu-e. 

1858 — Supervisors, E. L. Gilbert, Chairman; B. Lake, G. G. Green; Clerk, H. M. Coon; 
Treasurer, Orrin Coon. 



HISTORY OF WALWOKTII COUNTY. 797 

18iVJ —Supervisors. E. L. (lilhort, ClKiinnan; B. Lake. D. C. Porter; Clerk, H. M. Coon; 
Treasurer, Orrin Coon. 

JS(K) -Siii)ervisors, S. H. Moody, Chairman; B. Clark. Joseph Rect,or; Clerk. H. M. Coon; 
Treasurer. Orrin Coon. 

18()1 -Supervisors, David Coon. Chairman; Joseph Hector, C. L. Douglass; Clerk. H. M. 
Coon; Treasurer. Orriu Coon. 

1S()2 -Supervisors, Henrv Hall. Chairman; Barnabas Ball. William B. Maxon; Clerk. H. 
M. Coon; Treasurt'r, Hemy F(»rve. 

1!S()8 -Supervisors, B. Lake, Chairman: F. W. Ma.xon. Stephen Mink; Clerk. H. M. Coon; 
Treasurer. D. P. C. Carney. 

1804 — Supervisors. B. Lake. Chairman; Mark F. Pierce. Stephen Mink; Clerk. William 
B. Maxon; Treasm-er, A. D. Crumb. 

18B5 — Supervisors. C. L. Douglass. Chairman; Mark F. Pierce. Joseph Rector; Clerk. 
Nathan J. Read; Treasm-er, A. D. Crumb. 

lSfi(3— Supervisors. C. L. Doughiss, Chairman; Joseph Rector. M. F. Pierce; Clerk. N. J. 
Read; Treasiu-e^, W. B. Maxon. 

1867 —Supervisors. C. L. Douglass. Chairman; (I W. Clark, Liiia C!otton : Clerk, H. M. 
Coon; Treasm-er, A. H. Hitchcock. 

186S — Supervisors. C L. Douglass. Chairman; Cyrus Church. A. Colbm-n; Clerk, Amos 
H. Hitchcock; Treasurer. Harrison Davis. 

1S61» -Supervisors, C. L. Douglass, Chairman; C. R. Clark, P. W. Scott; Clerk, A. H. 
Hitchcock; Treasm-er, H Davis. 

1870 — Supervisors, C. L. Douglass, Ctairman; E. B. Swinney, S. C. Burdick; Clerk, A. 
H. Hitchcock; Treasm-er, Henry Marriott. 

1871 — Supervisors, C. L. Douglass, Chairman; E. B. Swinney, P. A. Boweu; Clerk, A. H. 
Hitchcock; Treasm-er, C. H. Burdick. 

1872 — Supervisors, C. L. Douglass, Chairman ; E. B. Swinney, J. D. Clark ; Clerk, A. H. 
Hitchcock; Treasui-er, Mark Ay are. 

1873 — Supei-visors, E. B. Swinney, Chairman; A. D. Johns. Mahon Colbm-n; Clerk. A. H. 
Hitchcock; Treasm-er, H. Marriott. 

1874 —Supervisors, C L. Douglass. Chairman; H. M. Coon. P. A. Bowtm: Clerk. A. H. 
Hitchcock; Treasiu-er. A. D. Truax. 

1875 — Supervisors. C. L. Douglass. Chairman; David Coon, L. B. Ripley; Clerk, A. H. 
Hitchcock; Treasm-er, George McKesson. 

1870 -Supervisors, A. H. Hitchcock, Chairman; R. S. Trumbull. G. AV. Webber ; Clerk, 
G. N. Coon; Treasiu-er, E. L. Chm-ch. 

1877 —Supervisors, C. L. Douglass, Chairman; M. F. Pierce. Lina Cotton; Clerk, J. E. 
Van Schaick; Treasurer, Frank Wright. 

1878 —Supervisors, C. L. Douglass, Chairman; H. R. Whiteley, Edwin J. Sherburne; 
Clerk, A. H. Hitchcock; Treasurer, Mahlon Colburne. 

1879 -Sujiervisors, Edgar Maxon, Chairman; Mark F. Pierce. Russell S. Trumbull; Clerk. 
A. H. Hitchcock; Treasurer, M. Collmru. 

1880 — Supervisors, Lina Cotton, Chairman; M. F. Pierce, J. C. McKesson ; Clerk, A. H. 
Hitchcock; Treasurer, J. E. Van Schaick. 

18s 1 -Supervisors, C. L Doughus, Chairman; S. E. Parker, H. Francis; Clerk, A. H. 
Hitchcock; Treasm-er, Delaney Peck. 

p.I()(;k.\piii('al sketches. 

RKV. SPENCER G. ADAMS, piistor of the Baptist Church of Walworth Mr. Adams was born in 
Ohio in 1844; he received his literary education at Deniaon University, Liekiug Co., and took his theolog- 
ical course at the " Baptist Union Thcolo>;ical Seminary," at Morgan Park, Chicago ; he officiated as student 
pastor of the Baptist Church at Thompsonville, Racine Co., for a tiine ; he assumed p:istor;il charge of 
his present church May, 1877. Mr. Adams was married to Nancy Alice Williams, daughter of John 
Williams. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have five children. 



798 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

ELI AYERS, farmer, Sec. 20 and 21 ; P. 0. Walworth. Mr. Ayers was born in Salem Co., 
N. J., in 1822 ; he was brought up in Cumberland Co. ; he was married to Anna Elizabeth Swinney. Mr. 
Ayers and his father-in-law came to the town of Walworth in the spring of 1852, and purchased of Mr. 
A. Brown. Mr. and Mrs. Ayers have two children — Arthur L. (who married Miss L. Russell), and Julia 
(wife of Mr. Truman A. Saunders). Mr. and Mrs. Saunders have one son, Arthur B. 

REV. ALBERT R. BALDWIN, Baptist minister ; Sec. 18 ; P. 0. Walworth ; he is a native of the 
town of Orange, Essex Co., N. J., where he was born in 1814 ; he lived in New Jersey until 2-1 years of 
age ; he went to Ohio in 1838. In 1840, he entered Granville College, in that State, where he graduated 
in 1844 ; he then entered Newton Theological Seminary, in Massachusetts, where he graduated in 1847. 
Alter the completion of his course there, he preached at Calais, Me., for a few months, thence to North 
Wrenthan, where he was pastor of a church for one year, thence to Haddam, Conn., for two years, then to 
Winchendon, Mass., for about four years. Owing to failing health, he gave up preaching in 1857, came 
West, and settled on the farm where he now lives. From the spring of 186.3, to the fall of 1866, he 
wa.s pastor of the Walworth Baptist Church ; since that time he has only preached by supply. In Decem- 
ber, 1873, Elder Baldwin met with an accident, which at a time threatened to deprive him for a time of 
the sense of sight, in fact for a time he lost the sight of both eyes, but the sight of one was finally restored. 
He was married to Sarah H. Rhoades, born in Boston, Mass. ; she has been dead several years. Elder 
Baldwin has but one child — Albert R., born February, 1859; he lost a daughter. Albert was married to 
Carrie Ryer, born in Canada. She removed from Canada to Michigan when she was a child, thence to 
Illinois, and afterward to the town of Sharon, where her parents now live. They have one child — Albert 
R. (born Aug. 16, 1881). 

HIRAM S. BELL, farmer, Sec. 21 ; P. O. Walworth ; son of William and Sarah Bell. His father 
was born in Berne, Albany Co. N. Y., in 1806, and his mother at Rensselaerville, N. Y; the former was 
born in 1810 ; they came to Walworth Co. from the State of New York, in 1837, and settled on Sec. 17. 
The parents of Mr. Bell lived on Sec. 17 till 1865, when they removed to Elkhorn ; ihey afterward 
returned and removed to Lawrence, Kan., where his father died in 1876 ; his mother still lives at Lawrence. 
The parents of Mr. Bell had thirteen children, six of whom are living — Hiram S. is the only member of 
his father's family still residing in Walworth Co. ; three of the children live in Kansas, one in Iowa, and 
one in Michigan. Hiram S. was born in the town of Walworth, within one-half mile of where he now 
lives, in 1841; he has always been a resident of Walworth Co. : he went to Elkhorn, where he resided 
ten years ; settled where he now lives in 1877 ; bought his farm of Joseph Bailey. He was married to 
Luceila C. Bailey, daughter of Joseph Bailey, in 1869 ; she was born on the farm where she now lives in 
1847. They have one son, Cliiford W., born in September, 1873. Mr. Joseph Bailey died on this place 
in 1873. The mother of Mrs. Bell resides at Elton, Walworth Co. 

MR. WILLIAM BELL was born in Berne, in 1806, Albany Co., N. Y. He received a good com- 
mon-school education, and in his early manhood was several years a teacher. In 1828, he moved to Albany, 
where he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked for eight years. In 1829, he married Miss 
Sarah Mosier, and in 1837, they moved to the then Territory of Wisconsin, making their home in Wal- 
worth Co. He took an active part in all the interests of town and State, being the first Justice of the 
Peace (which office he held for sixteen years), the first Postmaster for fourteen years, and the first County 
Assessor. In 1847, he was a member of the convention which formed the State Constitution. He was a man 
of marked character, firm and earnest in his opinions, a zealous lover of liberty, and an independent 
thinker both in regard to religion and politics. During the war he was loyal and patriotic ; two sons fell 
in the Union cause. In 1870, he moved to Lawrence; since he has been htre he has been particularly 
interested in raising fruit. He was a member of the Horticultural Society, in the meetings of which he 
was interested, and often took an active part. Three years ago, he had a severe sickness, from which it 
was not thought he could recover. He was not afraid to die; but earnestly expressed a desire to live his 
three score and ten years, and especially to see the Centennial year. His wish was gratified ; his seventy 
years were completed, the grand national exposition was drawing to its close, when disease laid its fatal 
hand upon him ; from the first he did not think that he should recover, and talked with his family calmly 
and hopeful of the future. After a distressing sickness of a little less than five weeks, he passed away, 
Wednesday morning, Nov. 8. He leaves a wife and seven children to mourn his death. Mr. Bell died in 
Kansas. 

ORSON BILYP]A, farmer, Sec. 25; P.O. Walworth; was born in the town of Burlington, 
Otsego Co., N. Y., in 1837, where he was brought up; he was married to Fannie Litts, born in the 
town of Richland, Oswego Co., N. Y.; he came with his family to Walworth Co. in June, 1865, 
and purchased his farm of Lorenzo Maxon. They have one son — Clarence E., born October, 1864. 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 709 

JOHN BONMAM, f-miicr, See. 32; P. 0. Walton; he was born in New Jersey, in 1835, 
where he w;is brought up; he enlisted during the rebellion in the 12th N. J. V. I; he served in 
the army twelve months, when he was disehargeil for disability. He came to Walworth Co., October, 
18(>7, and has been a resident of the town of Walworth since that time, except three years that he 
ivcd in tiie towTi of Sharon ; his wife was Miss Mary West, l)orn in New Jersey ; he purchased the 
tirm which he now owns of Mr. Phineas Bowen ; his farm contains 80 acres. 

MRS. SARAH A. BONHAM, Sec. 17; P. 0. Walworth; she is the widow of Daniel Bonham, 
her maiden name was Sarah Bowen, daughter of John and Anna Bowen ; she was born in the 
3tate of New Jersey; married to Daniel Bonham in 1844, Mr. Bonham was also born in New Jersey. 
They came to Walworth Co. in KSfjG, and settled where Mrs. Bonham now lives, purchasing the 
farm of Mr. Rouse; it was first settled by Mr. William Bell. Mr. Bonham died in August, 1875. 
Mrs. Bonham has four children — Ellen, William, Franii and Charles ; Ellen was born in New Jersey 
in 1846; William was born in 1851, Frank in 18t)3, and Charles in 1868. Mrs. Bonham's farm 
fjrmerly contained l.'i7 acres, now contains 120 acres. 

DANIEL BROOKS, farmer, Sec. 32; P.O. Walworth; Mr. Brooks was born in New Jersey, 
,n 1828. where he was brought up; he came to Walworth Co. in March, 1869 ; he purchased his 
present farm in 18T5; he has 80 acres. He has been married twice; his present wife was Rebecca 
Chard, born in New Jersey ; he has two children by his first wife, and has had two by present mar- 
riage, one of whom is living — Myrta V. 

CYRUS CHURCH, farmer. Sec. 21; P. 0. Walworth; he was born in the town of Granby 
Hartford, Co., Conn., in 1817 ; when he was 4 years of age, he removed with his parents to Broome Co. 
N. Y., and to Loraine Co., Ohio, when 16 years old, and afterward removed to Trumbull Co. in that 
State, He is numbered with the very earliest settlers of the town of Walworth and of Walworth 
Co,; he came here in February, 1837; at that time there were but two families in the town of 
Walworth — those of Mr. James Van Slyke and Jacob G. Sanders. He bought the claim of his present 
farm of Mr. John Sloan, in the fall of 1838, and it has been his home ever since. He has been 
married twice; his first wife was Miss Enieline Russell, born in Ohio ; she died Jan. 31, 1853 ; his 
present wife was Mary Boorman, born in England ; he had six children by first marriage, five of 
whom are living — Adelia V., Leonard C., Hiram E., Eugene L. and David B. ; he has three cliil- 
dren by present wife — Howard M., Henry S. and Minnie S. He has witnessed the growth of Wal- 
worth Co. from a wild and uninhabited country to its present standing ; he is among the most wealthy 
and progressive in the State of Wisconsin ; he has done his share to this great work ; he owns a 
fiirm of 200 acres of the beautiful prairie land of the town of Walworth ; he is .successful farmer, 
has a pleasant home and a competency. Mr. and Mrs. Church are prominent members of the Bap- 
tist Church of Walworth. 

O. P. CLARKE, farmer, Sec. 16 ; P. O. Walworth; he is the son of Dr. Henry Clarke, who with Dr. 
Wood were the earliest physicians of the town of Walworth ; they were both prominent physicians, and 
educated men, and very successful. They both served as members of the Legislature, practiced medicine 
in company for many years; both reared large families, and both became wealthy. No representative of 
the family of Dr. Wood resides in the county at this time ; several of his sons have risen to distinction. 
Dr. Clarke settled on Sec. 16 in 1839, where he resided until liis death. His wife was Lcrinda Coon ; 
born in the State of New York, 'i'hey have twelve children, eleven of whom are living. 0. P. Clarke 
was born on the homest('ad in 1841 ; ho was a member of the 13th W. V. I. during the reljellion, mar- 
ried Lucinda Hulbert, dauiihter of Silas IL;' they have four children — Helen, Edna, Charles and Milton. 

WILLIAM O. CLARKE, farmer. Sec. 22; P. O. Walworth ;. son of Ephraim and Angeline L. 
Clarke. His father was born in Rhode Island, married in Madison Co., N. Y.. and came to Walworth 
Co. in the spring of 1857, and settled on Sec. 15, town of Walworth ; he went to Pike's Peak in 1869, 
■jiid died at Denver on his return the folKiwing year. Mrs. Clark purchased and .settled on her ])resent 
farm in 1869, and was bought of Henry Ernest; the original owner of the farm was Dr. Wood; has had 
.seven children, six of whom are living — Helen, now Mrs. Elston Dunn; Frank B., Finnette, now Mrs. 
W. Clarke ; Almeron; Jennie, now .Mrs. E. Hyde; and William 0, who was born in Alleghany Co., N. Y., 
and resides at the homestead, 

LEONARD C. CHURCH, farmer, son of Cyrus Church; he was born at the homestead, in the 
t^wn of Walworth, January, 1846; married Mi.ss Adeline, daughter of D, C. Porter, Esq. Mr Church 
resides at the homestead of his father-in-law, on Sec. 24, where Mrs. Church was born in 1848 ; they have 
three children — Wells D., Nannie J. and Grace. Mr. Church was a member of the 3d W. V. C, during 
the war of the rebellion, serving three years. 



800 HISTORY or WALAVOKTH COUNTY. 

DAVID COON, farmer, See. 28; P. 0. Walworth; Mr. Coon was born in Rhode Island in 1810; 
his parents removed to Brookfield, Madison Co., N. Y., when he was a child, where he was brought up ; 
then removed to Jefferson Co., where he lived till 184<j, when he came to AValworth Co. and settled in 
the town of Walworth, where he has since lived. His wife was Miss Hannah M. Clark ; she was born in 
the town of Brookfield, Madison Co., in 1812; his father, David Coon, came to the town of Walworth in 
1852, and died in 1858 ; his mother died in 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Coon have two children — Louisa A., 
vife of William R. Bonham, and Lucy J., now Mrs. Marcus G. Godfrey. 

HARLOW M. COON, farmer, Sec. 22 ; P. 0. Walworth ; he was born in Otsego Co. N. Y., in 
1819, where he was brought up. He came to the town of Walworth in June, 1843, and purchased a farm on 
Sec. 25 ; he lived where he first settled ten or twelve years, when he removed to Douglas Corners and en- 
gaged in the mercantile trade, in the name of Coon & Crumb. They bought the business of Mr. Warren 
Mack ; Messrs. Coon & Crumb were together in business about three years, after which Mr. Coon continued 
ihe business for some time. He built the store now owned by Nathan J. Reed ; he bought the farm which 
he now owns in 1856; it was altogether unimproved when he purchased the farm. His wife was formerly 
Mi.ss Harriet Crumb. They have three children — Phebe S., Eva H., and Irving H. 

JOHN M. CRAMER, farmer, Sec. 32 ; P. 0. Sharon ; btrn in Saratoga Co., N. Y., in 1823, where he 
lived till 9 years of age, when he removed with his parents to Tompkins Co., where he lived till 22 years of age. 
He made a claim of the farm where he now lives in June, 18-15. He returned to the State of New York, but 
returned in the fall of 1846, and settled permanently on his place, which has since been his home. He 
first purchased 640 acres, one-half of Sees. 32 and 33. He now owns over 300 acres. His parents, 
William and Jane Cramer came to the town of Walworth five years later, and located on Sec. 32, where 
they resided till their death. His wife was Emily J. JIulford, daughter of Dr. Ezra Mulford ; she died 
in May, 1880. Mr. Cramer has four children — William, Mulford, John and Freddie. The parents of 
Mr. Cramer had seven children, four of whom are living — John M., George E. (at Delavan), Philip D. 
(in Iowa), and Henry A. (at same place). 

CHARLES W. CRANDALL, painter and grainer, Walworth, son of Welcome B. Crandall, who 
was born in Brookfield, Madison Co., N. Y. Married Emily Dowse, and came to Walworth Co. and set- 
tled in the town of Walworth in 1855. Mr. W. Crandall had five sons, four of whom are living — Ros- 
well, Charles W., William and Paul, all of whom are residents of the town of Walworth, but William ; 
John was a member of the 13th W. V. I., and died at Columbus, Ky.; Charles W. enlisted in the 22d 
W. V. I., and served one year, when he was discharged tor disability ; Paul was a member of the 40th 
W. V. I. ; Charles W. was born in 1833; he has followed the business of painting constantly since 1867; 
also for several years previous to that time. He married Frances Dennison, born in the State of New 
York. They have two children — Hattie and Fannie. 

C. L. DOUGLAS, proprietor of Big Foot Mills, near the head of Geneva Lake, son of Christopher 
Douglas, one of the earliest settlers of the town of Walworth. His father was born in the State of Con- 
necticut, and removed thence to the State of New York, thence to Michigan and Illinois, and came to the 
town of Walworth in 1837. He was engaged in the extensive breaking, in 1837, on Big Foot Prairie. 
He entered the farm now owned by Mr. Merwin on Sec. 28. This farm he afterward sold to Mr. Will- 
iams, and settled on the Joseph Crumb farm. This farm he purchased at the land sale. He removed to 
the present village of Walworth in 1842, where he kept hotel for several years. He settled at the head 
of the lake in 1857, where he died in 1866. The parents of Mr. C. L. Douglas had ten children, four 
sons and six daughters, three sons and four daughters still living. He was born in the State of New York 
inl827 ; came to Wisconsin with his parents ; he built his present mill in 1857. which he repaired very 
fully in 1881, introducing the latest and most approved machinery. He also owns and conducts a farm 
of 360 acres. His wife was Margaret, daughter of Arthur Stewart, an early settler of Rock Co. They 
have three children — Carlos, Horace (J. and Lewis C. An older brother, Oscar H. Douglas, residing 
on Sec. 15, came to the town of Walworth the same year. He was born in Orange Co., Vt., in 1810. 
Married Sarah D. Goff. They have one son — Oscar W. 

CYRUS E. FEROW, farmer, Sec. 5 ; P. 0. Delavan ; was born in the town of Redhook, Dutchess 
Co., N. Y., in 1835 ; his parents were Henry and Leah Ferow. They afterward removed to Onon- 
daga Co. He came to Walworth Co. with his parents in June, 1843. His fiither settled on Sec. 5, on 
farm now owned by David Phelps. He died in this town Aug. 20, 1869. He was born in 1802. The 
mother of Mr. Ferow was born in 1807, and resides with her son, who settled on his present farm in 
March, 1860. His wife was Eliza A., daughter of Elias Clark. She died Dec. 12, 1875. He has two 
children — Emma B. and Jennie M. 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COITNTV. 801 

ELMER C. FRENCH, farmer, Sec. 80 ; P. 0. Walwortli ; ho was born in Steuben Co., N. Y., 
in 1885 ; he went to (Ircen Co., Wis., in 1865; he boui,'bt the farm where he now resides of Mr. O. W. 
Ilorton in February, 1875. His farm contains 1 (iO acres. It is a fine farm, and his improvements are 
anions the best in tlie town of Walworth. The cost of his buiidinf^s alone were about S3, 500 — .SI, 300 
of which he has expended since be purchased the fiirm. His wife was Miss Nancy Cameron. His father 
came with him to Wisconsin, and now lives with his son. 

ROBERT GODFREY, farmer, Sec. U) ; P. O. Walworth; son of Thomas Godfrey, who was born 
in England in ISO'.I. He was married in England. He emigrated fnim Kent Co., England, to New 
York, and lost his wife about the time of his arrival in this country. She died while the vessel in which 
he crossed the ocean lay in (|uarantine in the harbor of New York. He resided in the State of New 
York for a few years, and came to Walworth Co. in June, 1837, and settled on Sec. 19, in the town of 
Walworth. He was married again in the State of New York to Mrs. Elizabeth (West) Highland ; he 
resided on Sec. 19 till his death, which occurred in August, 1878 ; his wife died January, 1881. Mr. 
Thomas Godfrey had eight children, four of whom are living — Henry, Robert and Pjlizabeth (twins), 
and Charles. The homestead farm is divided between Robert and Charles. The former was born c n the 
homestead in 1845 ; he owns the west 80 acres of the homestead; he was married to Miss Anna L. 
Woods, a daughter of John Woods; she was born in England, in 1847; they have two children — Robert 
W. and Caroline E. Charles Godfrey was born in 1849 ; he married Ann Eliza Merenes, daughter 
of Ira Merenes ; they have three children — Clayton, Elsie and Nellie. Elisabeth married Mr. John Law- 
son ; they have four children — Frank, Mary, Caroline and Ruby. 

JAMES HARRINGTON is a native of the State of New York, and was born in 1810. He 
was elected to the Second Constitutional Convention, residing at the time in Elkhorn. Mr. Harrington 
removed to St. Paul. Minn., and died there in 1853. 

AMOS H. HITCHCOCK, Jr., Postmaster of Walworth. Amos H. Hitchcock, Sr., was born in 
Hartford, Conn., and removed to Rochester, N. Y. After he was married, he came to Walworth, Wal- 
worth Co., with his family, in 1851, and settled on Sec. Ifi, and engaged in farming. He was a carpenter 
and builder by trade, and worked at carpentry in connection with farming. He now lives in Iowa. 
Amos H. Hitchcock, Jr., was born in Rochester, N. Y., in 1838. He came to Wisconsin with his par- 
ents. He prepared for teaching at the academy at Walworth, and began teaching before the war. He en- 
listed Aug. 31, 1861, in the 10th W. V. I., Company A, and served until November, 1864. His regi- 
ment belonged to the Central Department ; he participated in several battles, and was severely wounded in 
the hand at the hard-fought battle of Perryville. He then went to the hospital, and during the remainder 
of his term of enlistment acted as Commissary Sergeant. After the war, he again engaged in teaching 
and farming. He has held several township offices; he was A.ssessor in 1806, and Treasurer in 1867; he 
has been Town Clerk since 1868, except two years; was Chairman of the Board in 1876, and has been 
Postmaster since 1868. His wife was Miss Maria Brown, daughter of William Brown, formerly of Scho- 
harie Co., N. Y. Mrs. Hitchcock was born in the town of Walworth. They have four children — 
Jioretta, Lavenia, Amos and Maria. 

JONATHAN B. HOLMES. Sec. 31. P. t). Shiuon. He was horn in Ctrmberlaud Co.. N. 
J., in 1S33; when 13 years of age. he removed to AVilniington. Del., where he attended school 
for a time; he then went to Philadelphia and engaged as clerk in a wholesale diy goods house; 
in lSr)2. he went to Madison. Ind. . where he had charge of a dry goods store; thence to Cincin- 
nati. Ohio, where he was engaged with William E. Lee it Co. On the breaking-out of the war 
of the rebellion, he enlisti^d in the (ith Ohio V. I. for three months, and. after this, re-enlisted; 
he jiarticipated in tlie battle of Rich Mountain, and was pres(>nt at the death of Gen. Gm-net; 
thence to the State of Kentucky: spent the winter of ISlU-O'i at Camp Wicklifi'o under Gen. 
Nelson, then was ordered to th(! su])port of Gen. Gr.mt at Ft. Donelson. iiut arrived too late to 
l)artici])ate in tliat battle; Feb. K). liSCi"). he embarked (in the Diana. Gen. Nelson's flagship, 
for Nashville; the (ith Ohio hiid the honor of raising their colors over the cupitol building of 
that city, in which Mr. Holmes, then an Orderly Sergeant, bore a consjucuous part; he partici- 
pated in many important battles of the war. including Shiloh and Stone River; was taken pris- 
oner at the biittle of Chickamauga. Sept. 10, 18(j3. and was sent to Libby Prison. Ricluuond; 
was ])aroled in tlie following March, and soon afti>rward e.\ehanged; he was then on the detached 
duty for some titne; he was ordered to (Jamj) Chase, where he officiated as Quai'termaster to tlie 
detachment of paroled prison(>rs. which he afterward accom])ani((d i« the front for exchange; he 
w^as mustered out of service June 20. ISfSI; hi' enlisted as a private, and was mustered out of 



802 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

service as First Lieutenant, After his retnm'h'om the army, he engagecl in the fnmishinpj 
business at Cincinnati, with Mitchell & Renmelsborg. until 18G8, when he went to Philadelphia 
and engaged in the manufacturing liusiness. He was married to Mrs. Kate H. Downs, of 
Philadelphia; settled where he now lives in 1S79. 

WENZO HONE, farmer, Sec. 17 ; P. O. Walworth. Mr. Hone was born in the town of Sharon, 
Schoharie Co., ,N. Y., March, 1824 ; his grandfather Hone was one of the early settlers of that county, 
his father, Harmonius Hone, having also been boru there. Mr. Hone came to Walworth Co. with his 
parents when in his 19th year ; his father settled on Sec. 9, town of Walworth, where he died in May, 
1845 ; his mother, Maria Hone, died July 20, 1880. Mr. Menzo Hone made his first settlement in 1845, 
on Sec. 9, the form now owned by J. Maxon, where he lived nine years ; he then removed to Turtle 
Prairie, town of Darien, where he lived one year. In 1854, he removed to the town of Albany, Green 
Co., where he lived fourteen years; he bought his present fi^rm in 18(58, of Mr. B. D. Cramer. Mr 
Hone was married to Margaret, daughter of Jacob Dereraer, who came to Walworth Co. from Montgomery 
Co., N. Y., in 1843 ; Mr. and Mrs. Hone have four children — Ann E., now Mrs. David Hilton ; Alvina, 
wife of Larmer Odell ; Adelbert and Cleora, now Mrs. Heury Davis. Mr. Hone's ferrn contains ninety 
acres; Mr. and Mrs. Hone are members of the Baptist Church at Walworth. 

THOMAS J. LLOYD, farmer. Sec. 3 ; P. 0. Delavan ; son of Thomas and Ann Lloyd, natives of 
England, where they were married in 1832 ; emigrated to Oneida Co., N. Y., in 1842 ; came to Wal- 
worth Co. in 1849, where ho still resides ; his wife died August, 1881 ; Mr. Lloyd, Sr., has five chil- 
dren — Thomas J, was born in Radnorshire, in 1838 ; came to Walworth Co. with parents; married 
Martha C. Boorman, daughter of John and Mary Boorman, from County Kent, England ; he purchased 
his present farm, January, 1880. They have three children — ^ Chester C, Laura L. and Mary L. ; lost 
one daughter. His farm contains 170 acres. 

REBECCA LAKE, Sec. 34; P. 0. Big Foot Prairie, McHenry Co., Hi. Mrs. Lake is the widow 
of Phipps W. Lake ; her maiden name was Rebecca Beardsley ; she was born in the town of Richfield, 
Otsego Co., N. Y., May 6, 1792, and is consequently now (1882) in her 90th year ; she was married Jan. 1, 
1812, to P. W. Lake, who was born in Hoosic, Conn., May 1, 1789. Mr. and Mrs. L. first settled in 
the town of Plainfield, Otsego Co.. N. Y., and afterward removed to the town of Virgil, Cortland Co., 
and thence to Montgomery Co. They came to Walworth Co. in 1839 ; he purchased 640 acres in Sees. 
34 and 35, in the town of Walworth where he resided until his death, which occurred Aug. 17, 1860. 
He was a minister of the Baptist Church, in which connection he preached for thirty-eight years ; his 
memory is held in the highest respect for his many excellent qualities and Christian virtues. Mrs. Lake 
had eight children, six of whom are living — Beardsley and Levi, who reside at Harvard, HI.; Mrs. 
Rebecca Van Wagener, in Chicago ; Waldo owns a part of homestead ; Mary L. Reed, in Janesville, and 
Sarah M., now Mrs. J. E. Smith ; she lost her two children — Polly and Lucretia Armstrong. Mrs. Lake 
is remarkably smart for one who has lived so long; she retains her memory and other mental faculties to 
a remarkable degree ; she resides with her son-in-law, James Vj. Smith, on a part of the homestead. Mr. 
Smith was born in the town of Richfield, Otsego Co., N. Y., Oct. 1, 1817 ; he went to Michigan from 
the State of New York, in 1835 ; thence to Southern Indiana, and returned to the State of New York 
in the spring of 1838; and in the fall of 1842, returned to Leavenworth, Crawford Co., Ind., and 
in the spring of 1843, he came to Walworth Co., but did not settle here permanently until the fall of 
1845; was married in 1847. Mr. and Mrs. S. have three children living — Rebecca L.,wife of Charles H. 
Coon : Oliver L., now at Harvard, HI., and James E., Jr. 

JAMES MAGSON, farmer. Sec. 9; P. O. Walworth; he was born in Halifax, Yorkshire, En- 
gland, May, 1829, where he was brought up ; married Elizabeth Barker, born at the same place March, 
1834. They came to the United States in 1855, and have lived in the town of Walworth since that time. 
Settled on present farm in 1856; he has SO acres of land. 

ASA LEWIS MAXON, farmer. Sec. 27 ; P. 0. Walwortii ; he was born in the town of Peters- 
burg, Rensselaer Co., N. Y., in May, 1S02, where he lived until he was 23 years of age, when he re- 
moved to Madison Co., thence to Jefferson Co.; he came to the town of Walworth in 1853 ; his wife was 
Miss Julia Ann Reed, born in New Labanon, N. Y., in 1804. They have four children living — Ed<;ar 
R , Henry J., Francis W. and Joseph, Mr. Maxon is one of the many early settlers who came to Wal- 
worth Co. possessed of but little property, who by industry, and good management have acquired a 
competence; he has had the pleasure of seeing his sonsall settledabout him, three of them the owners of good 
farms, and numbered among the substantial men of Walworth Co., and the other a prominent and suc- 
cessful physician of Walworth. Mr. Maxon's farm contains 140 acres. 



HISTORY OF WALWOHTII COliNT^ . H03 

CLARK P. MAXON, farmer, See. 27 ; P. O. Walworth ; he was born in Otsefjo Co., N. Y., in 
1818; he eame to VValwortli Co., October, 1844, and settled on Sec. 30, in the town of Linn, where he 
lived until 18(15, when he sold his farm to Mr. Horace E. Green; he boui;ht his present farm of Mr. 
Harlow Coon, in ISdti ; he was married to Mi8s Luey Ann Kinney, horn 1816, in Otsego Co., N. Y. ; she 
died April, ISVll. Mr. Maxon liad one dauf^hter — Olive L. His farm contains 110 acres. 

EDGAR R. MAXON, farmer, Sec. 33; P. O. Walworth; oldest son of Asa L. Maxon; he was 
born in the town of Petersbur<j, Rensselaer Co., N. 1 ., in 1823; he came to Walworth Co. Nov. 2, 1849; 
his father had been here the previous spring and selected a location ; Edgar R. lived on the land located 
by his father for several years; he settled where he now lives about 1852, purchasing the fiinn of E. D. 
Maxon. His wife was Emily W. Rodgers, daughter of Austin Rodgers. They have three children — 
C. A., Mary and Jane E. Lost a daughter, Ella J., who died in 1861. Mr. Maxon's farm contains 120 
acres, he has also 40 acres of timbered land. 

P. W. MAXON, farmer. Sec. 28 ; P. 0. Walworth; son of A,sa L. Maxon; he was born in Jefferson 
Co.jN. Y., in 1835; came to Walworth Co. with his parents in 1853; his first settlement was on Sec. 27, in 1856. 
He was married to Mary E. Colburn, a sister of Lucius Colburn. His present farm contains 225 acres ; Mr. 
Maxon, like many other farmers of Walworth, is engaged quite extensively in dairying; he makes a spec- 
ialty of the Holstein breed of cattle, has several fine specimens of that famous breed of thoroughbred - 
cattle, and a large number of grade cows and heifers; he is a successful farmer and stock-raiser, as his well 
cultivated farm and fine herd of cattle indicate. 

HENRY J. MAXON, farmer, Sec. 27; P. 0. Walworth; son of Asa L. Maxon; he was born in 
Rensselaer Co , N. Y., in 1826 ; became to the town of Walworth in 1852 ; for several years he worked 
on the farm of his father; he purchased his present farm in the fall of 1856, purchasing of Warren 
Wood ; he settled here in 1869, His wife was Miss Phebe Howland, a neice of Mr. Jonathan Fish, an 
early settler of the town of Walworth, Sec. 33. Mr. Fi.sh died Dec. 8, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Maxon 
have eight children, five sons and three daughters. Mr. Maxon's farm contains 104 acres, he also has 80 
acres on Sec. 26. 

J. S. MAXON, M. D., Walworth; son of A. L. Maxon; born in Jeifer.son Co., N. Y., in 1838. 
Came to Walworth Co. witli his parents in 1853; he received an academic education at Albion, Dane Co.; 
studied with Dr. John A. McDonald; graduated at the Hahnemann Medical College, Chicago, in 1875, 
though he had practiced medicine one year with Dr. McDonald previous to his graduation, with whom he 
also remained a year after taking his degree at Chicago, he afterward attended the Homoeopathic Medical 
College, New York City, and also the Homoeopathic College at Chicago ; he has been in practice in Wal- 
worth most of the time since he began his professional career. Bought out Dr. McDonald in 1875, and 
has been alone since that time. Dr. Maxon is a thoroughly educated physician and surgeon ; he is a gen 
ial, sympathetic gentleman, and well adapted by nature as well as education for a physician ; he has an ex- 
tensive practice, and thoutrh comparatively young in his profession, possesses a well-merited reputation. 
Married Anna Goodrich; her father, Anson Goodrich, was an early settler of Rock Co. 

IRA MERENES, farmer. Sec. 17, P. 0. Walworth. Mr. Merenes was born in the town of Sharon, 
Schoharie Co., N. Y., in 1820, where he was brought up. He was a resident of his native town till about 
40 years of age. His wife was Miss Mary Hanes, born in Schoharie Co. in 1829. Mr. Merenes came to 
Walworth Co. in 1859, and purchased his present farm of Mrs. Sally Fairchilds. Mr. and Mrs. Merenes 
liave had ten children, eight ol whom are living — Ann Eliza, Catherine, Ida, Jane, William, Emma, 
Maria and Mary. They lost their oldest child, Helen ; also a son, David. Mr. and Mrs. Merenes are 
members of the Lutheran Church at Sliaron. The ancestral family of Mr. Merenes dates away back to 
early colonial times. His father was David Merenes ; his great-grandfather Merenes was a soldier in the 
war for independence, and was killed during that struggle. Mr. Merenes is a cousin of Mr. John Merenes, 
of Sharon. 

STEl'HEN MINK, farmer, Sec. 4; P. 0. Delavan ; was born in Columbia Co., N. Y., in June, 1819, 
but was brought up in Dutchess Co. ; married to Catherine E. Van Fredenburg, born in Dutchess Co. 
They came to Walwcjrth Co. in 184:'., and settled on their present place, which Mr. Mink purchased of the 
Government. His farm originally (-ontained 85 acres. He now has 223 acres. His parents, Mary and 
Philip Mink, came to Walworth Co. a( the same time. His father died in the State of Illinois. Mrs. 
Mink's parents resided in Dutchess Co until their death. Mr. and Mrs. Mink have seven cliildren — Mary, 
Julia, Marshall, Phillip J., Jane, Lily andSevillah. 

WILLIAM MORGAN, farmer. Sec. 6; P. O. Delavan; was born in Wales in 1829; married to 
Sarah James. He came to the United States in the spring of 1852, and settled in Penn.sylvania, where 



804 HISTORY OF WAI,WORTH COUNTY. 

he lived three years; came to Wisconsin in 1855, and located in the town of Genesee, Waukesha Co. ; 
came to Walworth Co. in April, 1860, and bought 40 acres of his present farm of Mr. Thomas, who was 
the original settler. He now has 220 acres. They have five children — Thomas, Ellen, Elizabeth, David 
and (4riffith. 

DELOS W. MULFORD, farmer. Sec. 33; P. 0. Big Foot, McHenry Co., 111., is a son of Dr. Ezra 
A. Mulford. Dr. Mulford. was one of the first physicians of Walworth Co. He was born in Albany Co., 
N. Y. He studied medicine with Dr. James Wade, and attended medical lectures in the city of Albany. 
He was married to Zilpah Packard, born in June, 1804, in New Hampshire. Dr. Mulford practiced 
medicine in the State of New York for a number of years. He came to Walworth Co. in 1845, and settled 
on Sec. 33. Dr. Mulford was a successful physician, and was engaged in the practice of his profession 
till near the close of his life. He died Nov. 1, 1861. He had six children, five of whom are living — 
Mrs. Huldah Mansfield, Delos W., Ezra A., Mrs. Zilpah Clerk and Mrs. Sally Wilkinson. All are resi- 
dents of Walworth Co. except Mrs. Wilkinson, who is a resident of Illinois. Delos W. was born in 
Montgomery Co., N. Y., in 1832; was married in 1854, to Emeline Finch, daughter of Orren Finch, and 
step-daughter of llodolphus Albinus Hutchison. They have three children — Zilpah, Orren and Lydia. 
He purchased his present farm in 1853. 

EZRA MULFORD, of the town of Walworth, was born in 1804, being a native of the State of 
New York. He was a physician by profession, and served in the second Constitutional Convention. He 
was a man of ability, but modest and retiring. Mr. Mulford died several years ago. 

EZRA A. MULFORD, Sec. 33 ; P. O. Big Foot, McHenry Co., 111. ; son of Dr. Mulford ; was born in 
Montgomery Co., N. Y., in January, 1835 ; he was married to Julia A. Brown, a daughter of Mr. Will- 
iam Brown. They have one daughter — Anna. Mr. Mulford purchased his firm in 1856, and settled on 
it in 1857. 

LIVINGSTON E. PARKER, farmer, Sec. 29; P. 0. Big Foot, McHenry Co., 111. 

ROWLAND T. PP^CK, Walworth ; he was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., in June, 1816, where he was 
brought up; his parents, Eldad and Anna Peck, were residents of that county until their death ; he was 
married to Sarepta S. King, daughter of David and Phebe (Bunco) King. They came to Walworth Co. 
in the fall of 1843, and settled on Sec. 7, town of Walworth, purchasing their farm of Mr. Alvin Matteson. 
They afterward removed to Sec. 17. They located where they now live in the fall of 1879. They have 
four children — Delana B., Fremont and Freeman (twins ), and Henry. Their eldest son, John T., enlisted 
in the 28th W. V. I. and died at Helena, Arkansas, December, 1863. 

DAVID PHELPS, farmer, Sec. 5 ; P. O. Delavan. Mr. Phelps was born in Schoharie Co., N. Y., 
in 1837 ; he came to Walworth Co. with his parents in 1847 ; his father settled on the farm now owned 
by Mr. William Dougall, in the town of Sharon ; he bought his present farm of 83 acres of Mr. Amos 
Saffbrd ; his wife was Miss Mary Aucompaugh. They have four children. 

M. F. PIERCE, farmer, Sec. 3 ; P. 0. Big Foot, McHenry Co., 111. ; was born in Greene Co., N. Y., 
in 1825. When he was 14 years of age, he removed with his parents to Schoharie Co. ; his father had 
made a claim on Sec. 32 in the town of Walworth, to which he removed his family from the State of New 
York, in June, 1844 ; his father died in June, 1847 ; his mother, now Mrs. S. G. Smith, lives in the town 
of Troy. IMr. Smith died in June, 1878; he settled in the town of Troy, in 1836; Maxon Pierce, the 
fither of the subject of this sketch, has three children — George L., who died December, 1846; M. F., and 
Hannah E., who died in 1854. Mr. Pierce has been married twice, his first wife was Harriet Wheeler, 
his present wife was Miss Betsy J. Potter; her father, Ira Potter, removed from Erie Co., N. Y., to 
McHenry Co., 111., in 1848. Mr. Pierce has three children by his first marriage — Lizzie, George W. and 
Mason W.; and two by second wife — Ames and Alma; his farm contains 240 acres. 

D. C. PORTER, See. 24 ; P. O. Geneva ; farmer and senior partner of the firm of Porter & Mon- 
tague, proprietors of Fontana Park ; the park here mentioned is situated at the head of Geneva Lake, and 
comprises 65 acres. The grounds are fitted up in first-class style for pleasure purposes, are supplied with 
suitable dining halls, etc. A good boat livery is included among the advantages of the place, which is a 
favorite camping ground for pleasure parties. The lake and its advantages are more fully treated of else- 
where in this work. The grounds were formerly opened in 1875. Mr. Porter has a fine farm of 160 
acres, exclusive of the park, situated on Sec. 24. He was born in Franklin Co., Mass., Sept. 16. 
1815 ; is the son of Nathan and Elizabeth Porter ; he lived in his native county till 21 years of age, then 
moved to Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, where he resided three years. In September, 1837, he calne to Walworth 
Co., Wi.s., visited Sugar Creek and Geneva Lake, and selected the site of his future home near the shore 
of that beautiful sheet of water. He then returned to Ohio and was married Aus. 14, 1839, at Dover, 




'?v 




r 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COITNTY. 805 

Cuyahofra Co., to Miss Nancy J. Hanchet, daughter of Jonah Hanohet. Mrs. Porter was born in Ver- 
mont. Immediately after their marriage they proceeded to their new home in Wisconsin. Mr. Porter 
estabHshed himself in the town of Walworth on the site selected by himself on his foimer visit. After a 
residence of one year in this place, thinking tliey .could better themselves, they moved to the town of 
Bloomfield ; three years later they returned to their first love on the old site at the head of Geneva Lake, 
where they have continued to reside to this date. They had a family of three daughters and four sons; 
the eldest, Dwight W., died in childhood ; Eliza J. is the wife of Charles Stevenson, of Denmark, Iowa; 
Amelia is now Mrs. Donald Forbes, of Bloomfield ; Adaline is the wife of L. C. Church, of Walworth ; 
Doric N. married Vina Canoe, and lives in Walworth; William P. is living in Colorado ; Lester C. is in 
Dakota, and David W. at home. Blr. Porter has been Supervisor of Walworth four terms and Chairman 
one term. 

THOMAS H. PUGH, farmer. See. 20 ; P. 0. Walworth. Mr. Pugh was born in Herkimer Co., N. 
Y., in 1842 ; he lived in Herkimer Co. till 9 years of age, when he removed to Oneida Co. ; his father, 
Stephen Pugh, was a native of Wales. Mr. Pugh came to Walworth Co. in the fall of 1870. but re- 
turned to the State of New York the following year ; he came back in 1875, and worked the farm which 
he now owns, till the spring of 1880, when he purchased it of Mr. James Sherburne; his wife was Miss 
Mary McCarty, a neice of James Sherburne. They have two children — Mattie and Frank T. Mr. 
Pugh's farm contains about 180 acres. 

CHARLES H. RIPLEY, farmer and mason. Sec. 10 ; P. 0. Walworth ; he was born in Jefferson 
Co., N. Y., in 1829 ; he came to Walworth Co. in June 1851 ; he made his first location on Sec. 22, in 
1856, where he lived until he settled where he now lives, in the fall of 1865. He bought his present 
farm of Mr. Edgar Topping; the farm was first settled by Jonathan Church. Mr. Ripley was married to 
Mary, daughter of William Brown. They have three children, all born in the town of Walworth — Ed- 
ward, born in 1857 ; Charles L., born in 1862, and Henry, born in 1867. Mr. Ripley is a mason by 
trade, as is also his son P]dward ; the latter was educated at the Academy in Walworth, and engaged in 
teaching during the winter season. Mr. Ripley's farm contains 80 acres. 

FRANCIS RODMAN, farmer. Sec. 19; P. O. Walworth; son of Robert L. Rodman, who was 
born in the town of Middlebury, now Fulton, in Schoharie Co., N. Y., in 1806, and came to Walworth 
Co. from the State of Now York in June, 1846. Mr. Robert L. Rodman is probably the largest farmer in 
the town of Walworth. He settled on a ipuirter of Section 20, where he now lives, but his quarter-sec- 
tion has increased to about 500 acres, and as good land as Walworth Co. possesses. He is a natural 
farmer, as everything connected with his farm indicates. His wife was Rebecca Harsel, born in Schoharie 
Co. They have six children, three sons and three daughters — Francis (the oldest of the children was 
born in the county of Schoharie, N. Y., April, 1836. He came to Walworth Co. with his parents. Mar- 
ried Catherine M., daughter of Benjamin Felter, born in Schoharie Co., N. Y.. in 1842. Her parents 
removed to Cook Co., Ill, in May, 1845. They now reside in Lake Co., 111. 

DANIEL H. ROLO, carpenter and millwright, Walworth ; he was born in Otsego, N. Y., Dec. 25, 
1810, where he lived to the fall of 1853, when he came to the town of Walworth ; he first engaged in 
milling for Richard Montague; he learned the trade of a carpenter when a young man, which he has fol- 
lowed the most of his life to a greater or less extent ; he has also had considerable experience as a mill- 
wright ; his wife was Anna Dyer, born in Otsego Co. ; have had three children — Harriet ( now Mrs. S. Ward) ; 
lost two sons; their oldest, Frederic C. ; enlisted in the 1st W. V. C. ; died while in the service Septem- 
ber 27, 1862 ; Edwin, born 1856, died in 1858. 

LEVI SAWYER, farmer, Sec. 7; P. 0. Walworth; born in Massachusetts in 1832; he removed 

with his parents to Pennsylvania in 1849, thiaice to the State of New York, near the city of Elmyra ; he 

went to Waukesha Co., Wis., in 1850; thence to Racine Co., and to the town of Richmond, Walworth 

Co., in 1853. He was married to Thankful L. Viles, daughter of Alfred and Thankful (Norton) Viles, 

who removed from the State of Maine to Richmond, Walworth Co., in 1850, and afterward to the 

town of Walworth. Her mother died in 1868. Her father died at Mr. Sawyer's Aug. 6, 1881, at the 

advanced age of 83 years. The parents of Mr. Sawyer had nine children five sons and four daughters, 

all of wiiom grew to maturity, two sons and three daughters are still living. Mrs. Sawyer was born in 

Maine in 1836. Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer have six children — Benjamin W., born in Walworth Co. in 1854 

— Frances E., George H., Orrin R., Zebulon B. and Thankful N. Mr. Sawyer removed to Rice Co., 

Minn., where he remained three years, when he returned to Walworth Co. 

DAVID R. SERGEANT, farmer. Sec. 35 ; P. O. Big Foot, McHenry Co., HI. Mr. Sergeant was 

born in Orange Co., N. Y., in 1808, where he was brought up. He came West in October, 1843, and 

cc 



806 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

settled in the town of Chemung, McHenry Co., 111. ; he purchased the farm where he now lives in Feb- 
ruary, 1853, where he has since lived. His wife was Miss Mary Ann Tooker, born in the State of New 
York. They were married in 1831. Mr. and Mrs. Sergeant have eight children, five sons and three 
daughters. Mr. Sergeant has 50 acres of land ; his farm was first settled by a Mr. Fuller. 

EPHRAIM B. SWINNEY, farmer. Sec. 20 ; P. O. Walworth. He was born in Cumberland Co., 
N. J., in 1818. His parents were Joseph and Elizabeth Swinney. He was married in New Jersey to 
Mary A. Ayers, daughter of Jonathan Ayers, who removed from New Jersey to Marshall Co., 111., but 
died in New Jersey in 1872. Mr. Swinney vrent to Illinois June, 1852. In September of that year he 
came to Walworth ; his father and brother-in-law (Mr. Ayers) came to the town of Walworth in the 
spring of the same year, they having all left New Jersey at the same time ; they all settled on Sec. 20 ; 
his father died at Douglass Corners in February, 1865. Mr. Swinney purchased his farm of Mr. A. 
Brown ; his farm contains 80 acres ; he also owns 80 acres elsewhere. Mr. and Mrs. Swinney have three 
children — Elizabeth E., now Mrs. E. A. Walters ; Edwin and Joseph ; their oldest son, now in California, 
served for a time in the army, and during the rebellion as a member of the 40th W. V. I. 

S. H. VAN SCHAICK, farmer. Sec. 8 ; P. 0. Walworth ; he was born in the town of Glen, Mont- 
gomery Co., N. Y., in 1816. His father, John S., was born in New Jensey, but removed to the Slate 
of New York when quite young with his parents ; Mr. Van S. went to Illinois in 18-12 ; he came to Wal- 
worth Co. in the summer of that year, and bought the farm which he now owns, of Thomas Featherstone. 
He has 200 acres of land ; his wife was Miss Maria Ottman, born in Schoharie Co., N. Y., in 1824; 
they have three children — John E., William H., and Clara. He is a man who is highly respected in 
the community in which he lives, for his sterling qualities as a man, and for his kindly and generous 
disposition as a friend and neighbor. He is a prominent member and a Deacon of the Walworth Baptist 
Church. 

W. E. VAN SCHAICK, farmer, Sees. 4 and 5 ; P. 0. Delavan ; born in Montgomery Co., N. Y., 
in 1822 ; he first came to Walworth Co. in 1844, but did not make a permanent settlement in Walworth 
Co. till some years later; he went to California via the Isthmus in 1852; was absent six years; he settled 
on his present farm in the spring of 1863, which he purchased of Mr. Cyrus Church and of his brother, 
Henry Van S.; his wife was Miss Harriet Winnie, born in the town of Root, Montgomery Co., N. Y.; 
they have two daughters — Emma and May ; his farm contains 170 acres ; he has a pleasant home, and 
for his residence has one of the most beautiful locations in the town of Walworth, being three miles from 
Lake Geneva, and one mile from Delavan Lake ; Mr. and Mrs. Van S. are genial, hospitable people, and 
at their present home, the stranger as well as acquaintance and friend will be sure to feel the influence 
of the kindly part of human nature. 

W. A. WELSHER, Superintendent of the 'farm and fisheries of Fairbanks and Leiter, at the head 
of Geneva Lake; P. 0. Walworth. His father, Hanison Welshcr, was for many years in the employ of 
Seth Green, of the State of New York, where he had a large experience in fish culture, and was afterward 
Superintendent of the f-tate Fisheries of Wisconsin, which position he resigned July 18, 1881. He 
derived much of his knowledge in propagating fish from his father ; he was born in Monroe Co., N. Y., in 
1858, and came to Madison, Wis., with his parents in l.'^76 ; he was appointed to his present position in 
1879. His wife was Maggie J. Morgan. 

REV. 0. U. WHITFORD, pastor of the Seventh Day Baptist Church, Walworth ; he was born in 
the town of Plainfield, Otsego Co., N. Y., May 12, 1837. His father was Clark W., a native of Otsego 
Co.; he came to Wisconsin in the fiill of 1858, and became a student of Milton Academy, Rock Co., 
where he graduated in the summer of 1861 ; he entered the junior class of Alfred University in the State 
of New York in the fall of that year, graduating in the classical course July, 1863 ; he was married in 
Allegany Co., N. Y., to Miss Euphemia Allen, of the town of Wirt. For six years following his gradua- 
tion, he was Principal of the Shiloh Academy, Cumberland Co., N. J. From 1869 to the fall of 1870, he 
labored as a missionary in Western New York and Northern Pennsylvania. In September, 1870, he 
entered the middle class of Union Theological Seminary of New York City, where he graduated in 1872. 
He settled as pastor of the Seventh Day Baptist Church at Farina, 111.; in July of that year. About five 
years thereafter, he resigned and accepted the pastorate of the church over which he is now settled, coming 
to Walworth in April, 1877. They have two children — Allen C, born December, 1870, and Mary J., 
born November, 1873. 

ROYAL J. WILLIAMS, farmer. Sec. 1 ; P. 0. Geneva; he is numbered among the very earliest 
settlers of the town of Walworth. He was born in Franklin Co., Mass., May 1, 1818 ; his parents were 
Israel and Lavina (Joyj Williams. Mr. Williams lived in Massachusetts till his 19th year, or till August, 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 807 

1836, when he came to Walworth Co. with his younger brother Austin, while two other brothers, Moses 
D. and Israel, had arrived here in July of that year. Moses, on his arrival, made a claim for Royal J., 
comprising the north fractional half of Sec. 13 ; as soon as Royal came he took possession of his claim. 
Moses' wife ( Lucida S.), tau^iit the first school in the town of Walworth during the winter of 1838 and 1S39. 
Probably no living settler of the town of Walworth iiad made a claim at that time. At this time no set- 
tlement had been made on the prairies in the town of Walworth, but a few claims had been made on the 
lake shore. Mr. Williams made his home for a time with his brother Moses, whose claim was across 
the line in the town of Linn ; his other brother also made claims. Royal Williams is the earliest settlcrt 
of the town of Walworth now living, and when he came to Walworth there was but one white man 
(James Van 81yke i living in the town; Indians were living there at this time.* His father came in 
July, 1837, and brought the remainder of the family, including the children's grandmother, Hannah L. 
Joy, who died in 183',). The father died in 1841), mother in 1852, and all died at the old homestead 
where Royal now lives. He purchased the claims of his sons when the land came into market in 1840. 
Royal J. now owns the farm where his father settled and died in 1846. His brothers, Moses and Austin, 
died of typhoid fever in 1844. He has three brothers living — Israel (resides in Minneapolis), Francis 
(a minister of the Congregational Ciiurch in Connecticut), and Fcstus A. (who resides in the town of 
Geneva). Mr. Williams was married to Lucretia S. Warren, born in Franklin Co., Mass, They have 
three children— George B., Edward F. and Harley ; lost one daughter, Ellen. His farm contains 200 
acres; he has held several town offices; he was Assessor first in 1800, and has held that office several 
times since ; was appointed by the Government to enroll the town in 1802 ; ho has been engaged as Sur- 
veyor since 1842 more or less, and Notary Public ior fifteen years. He went to Virginia in 1865 and 
leased a plantation, where he remained two years ; he has also passed a number of years since he became 
a resident of Walworth, in New England, 

LEWIS N, WOOD, M, D, (deceased), was born in Cumberland Co,, N, Y,, Jan, 12, 1799, eleven 
months before Washington died; he was educated at Burlington, N. Y.; was married Oct. 21, 1821, to 
Naomi Davis, and soon after removed to Brookfield, Madison Co., N. Y. ; he removed to Waterville, Onei- 
da Co., N. Y., in 1832, where he became Principal nf the academy in that place, a position which he held 
until he removed to Chicago, which place he reached the 28th of May, 1837; he first visited Big Foot 
Prairie, in Walworth Co., Wis., in the fall of 1837, and located a claim on its eastern border; he moved 
with his family to Big Foot in February, 1839; he had eight children, all of whom reached maturity and 
were married — Robert J. ism w living at Baraboo, Wis.; David L. died on Big Foot in 1852; Joseph W. 
lives at Baraboo ; Naomi D., who is now Mrs. Crawford, lives at Baraboo ; Clarissa M., who married Cal- 
vin B. Lake, M. D., dial in Delavan, in 1853 ; Alvinus B. is now living at Ann Arbor, Mich.; Alvina 
B., who married William Hooker, died at Baraboo, in 1858: Edith E., who married Rev, H, C. Fuller, 
died on Big Foot in 1874. The mother of these children now lives with her daughter, Mrs. Crawford, of 
Baraboo; she is 82 years of age, is in reasonably good health, and in full po!«session of her faculties. Dr. 
Wood graduated in medicine at Geneva, N. Y., in 1837; he was a diligent student all his life — ac- 
curate in his scholarships — a friend to reformers, and a hater of shams; he was deeply interested in science 
in many of its branches; he made a large collection illustrating the mineralogy and geology of Cen- 
tral New York, and then again of the Western States. These studies attached him to the soil and 
he left a lucrative practice in Chicago to take possession of his firm on Big Foot; here again he was com- 
pelled into an extensive practice, the exposures of which, in his tedious rides through the thinly set- 
tled country, undermined his health and he was compelled to quit his medical practice in 1843; he 
organized the common schools of the town of Walworth under the Territorial law, and was for many 
years their Superintendent, by common consent ; he represented his District in the Wisconsin Assem- 
bly, in 1852; he delivered the third annual address before the State Historical Society in that year. 
He removed to Baraboo in 1856, where he died in 1808; he was for many years a member of the 
Baptist Church, and died in the full assurance of the Christian faith. 

B, F, WRIGHT, carpenter. Sec 10; P, O. Walworth; son of David and Phebe Gardiner Wright, 
lie was born in Albany Co., N, Y. ; he came to Walworth Co. in 1855, and located at Delavan, and en- 
gaged in farming and as a carpenter; he went to Madison, Wis., in the fall of 1850, where he lived until 
the spring of 1859, when he came to the town of Walworth. He enlisted in the 28th W. \^ I., and 
served three years; he participated in a number of important battles, including battles of Helena, Spanish 
Fort, Mobile, etc. He was married to Maria A. Huntley, born in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y. They have 
two children — Cora M. and J(jhn D. 



* !n a letter written to us, Royat'e brother Bays: "The Indians told liim that it was Old Itig Foot,' tliat was hurled up in tlie tree at the 
* Head of the Lalce,' and father told me after climbing up and exaniiiilng the corpse,' 'that the teeth were tlioso of an old man. His two 
qu iwd are Imri-i 1 on the farm where [toyal now lives, a.** the ' Imlian Oarilens' were here ; this was their heme and they were bur:ed on a 
srising piece of ground overlo'jking their homes and gardens, and lie at the ' Head of the lake," overlooking his tiebing ground. 



808 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 



TOWN OF LYONS. 

ORGANIZATION AND TOPOGRAPY. 

Lyons, formerly called Huilson, was oi'ganized under its present name by act of Legislature 
January 23, 1844. From the organization of Walworth County in 1838, to that date, this 
township had been known in the Governmental survey as Town 2, Range 18 east, and comprised 
the northeast quarter of the town of Geneva. As now organized, Lyons contains thirty-six 
s(iuare miles, minus five acres in a square form, in the southwest corner of the northwest quarter 
of Section 31, which belongs to the village of Geneva. 

Lyons is more broken and varied in its surface than the other towns of the county, a range 
of hills running through the center from northeast to southwest, which, in some places, break 
into bold and precipitous bluffs. Originally, about one-half the surface consisted of oak open- 
ings, and over a thousand acres was timbered with oak of different varieties. The soil is mostly 
of a claj' texture, with sand and gravel in the hilly portions. Rocks seldom pierce the surface 
of the country, though there is a good limestone ledge on Section 16. 

The principal stream is White River, the outlet of Geneva Lake, which, entering the town 
opposite Section 30, pursues a tortuous course through Sections 29, 20, 16, 1.5, 10, 11 and 2, 
and passes into Spring Prairie from Section 1, running in a general northeasterly direction from 
the southwest to the northeast corner of the town. White River has several tributaries. Ore 
Creek waters the northwest portion of the town, and empties into White River on Section 10, a 
little south of Lyons Village, and a creek forming the outlet of Ryan's Lake runs through nearly 
the entire eastern tier of sections, and joins White River on Section 1. 

Ryan's Lake is on Sections 34 and 35, in the extreme southern portion, and small lakes or 
ponds are formed on Sections 22, 28 and 14. Bass and pickerel abound. Upon Section 30 
are Sheridan Springs, which possess decided medicinal properties. 

OFFICIAL. 

The first meeting of the town board was held at the residence of Dr. John Stacy, on the 
first Tuesday in April, 1844. With the rise of the general level of prosperity, this first official 
gathering place has fallen to the lot of swine ; in vulgar parlance, it has become a hog pen, and 
where embryo statesmen, perhaps, first saw the light, it is known for a certainty that more 
than one pink porker first ignorantly grunted his satisfaction with the ways of this world. Fol- 
lowing is the town roster from 1844 to 1881 inclusive : 

1844 — Supervisors, R. Rockwell, Chairman, .Jesse Hand, Luther Farmin ; Clerk, Lewis 
Ferris; Treasurer, E. Humphrey. 

184.5 — Supervisors, Lewis Brown, Chariman, L. Kinney, Levi Cole; Clerk, Amos Kin- 
ney ; Treasurer, Isaac Lyon. 

1846 — Supervisors, Z. B. Burk, Chairman, E. Humphrey, Joseph Burto; Clerk, S. C. 
Burdock; Treasurer, Isaac Lyon. 

1847 — Supervisors, T. W. Hill, Chairman, John Stacy, E. Humphrey; Clerk, Z. Hough- 
ton ; Treasurer, Therm Humphrey. 

1848 — Supervisors, R. Rockwell, Chairman, H. B. Lock, L. S. Weeks; Clerk, Z. Hough- 
ton ; Treasurer, T. Humphrey. 

1849— Supervisors, T. W. Hill, Chairman, Z. B. Burk, Daniel Pierce; Clerk, William 
P. Lyon; Treasurer, George C. Smith. 

1850— Supervisors, Z. B. Burk, Chairman, C. W. King, H. B. Reed ; Clerk. L. Bullen ; 
Treasurer, Lewis Ferris. 



HISTORY or WALWORTH COUNTY. 809 

1851— Supervisors, C. L. Gillett, Chairman, Z. B. Burk, II. B. Reed: Clerk, L. Bullen ; 
Treasurer, Lewis Ferris. 

1852— Supervisors, II. B. Reed, Chairman, Z. B. Burk, C. L. Gillett; Clerk, L. D. 
Funda ; Treasurer, Lewis Ferris. 

185-3 — Supervisors, II. B. Reed, Chairman, E. B. Fowlston, L. S. Vantine; Clerk, L. D. 
Funda; Treasurer, William Forbes. 

1854 — Supervisors, R. Rockwell, Chairman, William Forbes, H. B. Hand; Clerk, A. C. 
Goodrich ; Treasurer, Isaac Lyon. 

185-5- Supervisors, Z. B." Burk, Chairman, Russell Wait, S. E. -Johnson ; Clerk, T. B. 
Bullen; Treasurer, G. T. Griffin. 

1856— Supervisors, T. W. Hill, Chairman, Russell Wait, P. L. Purdy; Clerk, Z. B. 
Burk ; Treasurer, Isaac Lyon. 

1857 — Supervisors, E. Dayton, Chairman, Russell Wait, R. P..Humphrey; Clerk, Z. B. 
Burke; Treasurer, E. K. Picket. 

1858— Supervisors, H. B. Reed, Chairman, S. E. Johnson, P. L. Purdy ; Clerk, Z. B. 
Burk ; Treasurer, Sumner Chapin. 

1859 — Supervisors, H. B. Reed. Chairman, P. L. Purdy, S. E. Johnson; Clerk; Z. B. 
Burk; Treasurer, Sumner Chapin. 

I860— Supervisors, II. B. Reed, Chairman, P. L. Purdy, S. E. Johnson ; Clerk, Z. B. 
Burk; Treasurer, R. R. Fellows. 

1861 — Supervisors, H. B. Reed, Chairman, Patrick Powers, Philip Prasch ; Clerk. Z. B. 
Burk ; Treasurer, R. R. Fellows. 

186"2 — Supervisor?, E. B. Farnura, Chairman, S. E. Johnson, E. B. Fowlston ; Clerk, 
Z. B. Burk; Treasurer. R. R. Fellows. 

1863 — Supervisors, E. B. Fowlston, Chairman, S. E. Johnson, Russell Wait: Clerk, 
Z. B. Burk; Treasurer, R. R. Fellows. 

1864 —Supervisors, Enos Kinney, Chairman, W. A. Towsley, E. B. Fowlston ; Clerk, Z. 
B. Burk ; Treasurer, R. R. Fellows. 

1865 — Supervisors, Enos Kinney, Chairman, W. A. Towsley, E. B. Fowlston ; Clerk, Z. 
B. Burk ; Treasurer, R. R. Fellows. 

1866 — Supervisors, Enos Kinney, Chairman, C. P. Taylor, John Prasch ; Clerk, Z. B. 
Burk ; Treasurer, R. R. Fellows. 

1867 — Supervisors, R. B. Win.sor. Chairman, C. P. Taylor, A. J. Host; Clerk. Z. B. 
Burk ; Treasurer, R. R. Fellows. 

1868 — Supervisors, C. P. Taylor, Chairman, W. J. Campbell, A. Emerling; Clerk, Z. B. 
Burk ; Treasurer, J. E. Host. 

1869— Supervisors, C. P. Taylor, Chairman, W. J. Campbell, A. Emerling; Clerk, Z. B. 
Burk ; Treasurer, J. E. Host. 

1870 — Supervi-sors, C. P. Taylor, Chairman, W. J. Campbell, A. Emerling; Clerk, Z. B. 
Burk ; Treasurer, J. E. Host. 

1871— Supervisors, C. P. Taylor, Chairman, W. J. Campbell, A. Emerling; Clerk, Z. B. 
Burk ; Treasurer, H. B. Reed. 

1872 — Supervisors, John Brown, Chairman, E. B. Farnum, C. F. Amborn ; Clerk, Z B.. 
Burk ; Treasurer, C. Healy. 

1873 — Supervisors, E. B. Farnum, Chairman, Abner Farnhara; E. Morehouse ; Clerk, Z. 
B. Burk ; Treasurer, J. T. Pendleton. 

1874 — Supervisors, E. B. Farnum, Chairman, Christian Prasch, M. VV. Kenney ; Clerk, 
Z. B. Burk ; Treasurer, A. IJ. Gooilwin. 

1875 — Supervisors, C. P. Taylor, Chairman, J. B. Smith, A. Emerling; Clerk, Z. B. 
Burk ; Treasurer, George S. Holmes. 

1876 — Supervisors, William Meadows, Chairman, George V. Weeks, Joseph Quigley ; 
Clerk, Z. B. Burk ; Treasurer. John Hicks. 



810 HISTORY or WALWORTH COUNTY. 

1877 — Supervisors, William Meadows, Chairman, David Olp, Joseph Quigley ; Clerk, Z. 
B. Burk ; Treasurer, John Hicks. 

1878 — Supervisors. William Meadows, Chairman, David Olp, Joseph Quigley ; Clerk, Z. 
B Burk ; Treasurer, John Hicks. 

1879 — Supervisors, M. W. Kenney, Chairman, Christian Prasch, Richard Powers; Clerk, 
W. J. Campbell ; Treasurer, John Hicks. 

1880 — Supervisors, M. W. Kenney, Chairman, Valentine Brown, Christian Prasch ; Clerk, 
W. J. Campbell; Treasurer, John Hicks. 

1881 — Supervisors, M. W. Kenney, Chairman, Valentine Brown, Christian Prasch; Clerk, 
W. J. Campbell ; Treasurer, J. S. Host. 

WATER-POWERS. " 

The first settler of the tpwn of Lyons was Allen Perkins, a veteran of 1836, whose early experi- 
ence at Delavan and Spring Prairie during the first year of his sojourn in this vicinity is narrated in 
the history of those sections. He left the latter town in 1837, having sold his land to Ellis 
Burtolf, and coming to Lyons settled upon Sections 15 and 10. Mr. Perkins purchased two 
quarter sections, his great ambition being to get possession of a water-power. The Lyon 
brothers — Thomas and Fletcher — came from New York soon after, took up land in the south- 
west quarter of Section 10, and in the northeast quarter of Section 11. They at once com- 
menced to improve the water-power upon the former section. The mudsills were laid in 1838, 
and there, for want of money, the enterprise rested for a time. During the next year, Fletcher 
Lyon's father-in-law died, and left his wife a little money. The two returned to New York, 
and, coming back in 1810, the brothers went to work again, built the dam, and erected a saw- 
mill. By a long dam, used as a part of the highway, and consolidated by such use, and a race- 
way of half a mile, they obtained a fall of twenty feet. Mr. Perkins endeavored to get a 
foothold in the privilege, but was unsuccessful. The saw-mill passed into disuse, and in 1846 
William F. Lyon and M. 0. Pulver erected a grist-mill upon the site of the present Lyons' Flour 
Mills. Twelve years later came the famous freshet, whose destructive effects upon the mill 
property at Lyons are thus spoken of by James Simmons, of Geneva : 

" In June, 1858, occurred another great freshet. The lake was filled to its utmost capacity 
by heavy rains, and the waves, aroused and pushed forward by a strong southwest wind, 
threatened to break all barriers. To relieve it somewhat, and save the race and mill, a shallow 
channel was cut through the bank, in the immediate neighborhood of the fish pond recently 
constructed by C. L. Wilson. The small stream speedily grew larger, until it became an un- 
controllable torrent, cutting a wide and deep channel through the bank, and sweeping away 
roads, bridges, and mill dams in its onward course. The dam at Duck Lake also gave way at 
its western end, and its waters joined and swelled the current rushing from the lake toward 
Lyons. This latter calamity was attended by a loss of life, a man attempting to cross above 
the gap in a small boat, with the mail for Elkhorn, being tlirown out and drowned. The effects 
of this flood were not confined to White River, the stream issuing from our lake alone, but were 
felt far down the Fox. The mill-dam at Lyons, then owned by Thomas B. BuUen, like all 
above and below it, succumbed ; but its owner was not satisfied to charge his loss to the waters 
only. Believing that our mill owners had been negligent instead of provident in keeping so 
large a supply of the fluid on hand, he, in May, 1861, commenced a suit against R. W. Warren, 
laying the whole fault to his charge, and claiming $6,200 damages. In the following winter, 
the testimeny in the case was taken before James Simmons, as referee, occupying eighteen or 
twenty days and evenings. The mass of sworn evidence collected on that occasion shows how 
little reliance can be placed upon tlie human memory. One material point to be determined was 
whether the break here occurred previous to that at Lyons, and numerous eye witnesses of the 
fiicts flatly contradicted each other as to the day of the week on which those events happened." 

The suit above spoken of never came to trial. The subsequent history of the water-power 
will be traced in the sketch of the Lyons Mill. 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 811 

To take up the beginning of the thread of narrative, Mr. Perkins removed to Baraboo with 
liis family. His mill enterprises were there also unsuccessful. He is now living with his 
daughter-in-law in Spring Prairie, at an advanced age. 

There are two other good water powers in the town of Lyons — that on Section 16 having 
a fall of twenty-one feet and being naturally more valuable than the one at Lyonsdale — or the 
" The Dale," as it is called in distinction to Lyons Station. It is situated, however, upon 
school land, which did not come into the market until late. In the subdivision of that section 
for sale under the authority of the State, this water-power was all included in one forty-acre lot, 
but the right of flowage u])on other parts of the section was reserved and sold with that lot. It 
is now the property of the Hands. 

The Spring Valley power is upon a small stream supplied principally by springs. In 
1858, C. Stevens built a grist-mill upon it, it having been occupied by carding works for some 
time previous. Mr. Stevens' mill and one subsequently erected. were burned, and the power is 
at present unused. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

During the same year that the Lyons brothers emigrated from New York, B. B. Davis, formerly 
Register of Deeds, also settled in the town of Lyons upon Section 17. He had married Miss 
Adaline Barker, of Sugar Creek. Three years afterward occurred the unfortunate accident, 
near Madison, which partially disabled the young man for life. Mr. Davis afterward removed to 
Elkhorn, being elected Register of Deeds in 1842. There he remained for many years engaged 
in mercantile pursuits until the time of his death. 

John Jardin and James Canan came during this year, but never became closely identified 
with the town's interests. Daniel (Jampbell, one of the early settlers of Spring Prairie, located 
on Section 4. His son, William J. Campbell, is now Clerk of the town, and has served several 
terms as Supervisor. 

The next year Peter Campbell, the brother of Daniel, Seth Hamlin, and AVilliam F. Lyon, 
all emigrated from New York. The former located upon Section 10, and with Z. B. Burk, 
who came in 1842, purchased land which became the site of Lyonsdale. In the summer of 
1844, the property was surveyed by Mark Morris, who had been laying out roads in that 
vicinity. When the railroad gave " The Dale" " the cold shoulder" and the settlement moved 
down to what is now Lyons, the village was platted by Mr. Burk and Mrs. Campbell, her hus- 
band having died. 

Details of the settlement of the villages of Lyons and Springfield will be given further on, 
in the space devoted to these topics. Following is a list of persons who settled in the town of 
Lyons from 18.S7 to 1848, inclusive : 

18-37 — Thomas Lyon, Sr.,* Fletcher Lyon and Thomas Lyon, Jr., Section 10; Allen 
Perkins, Section 10; John Brown, Section So; James Curran,* Section 27 ; Daniel Campbell,* 
Section 4. 

1838— Peter Campbell,* Section 10; William F. Lyon, Section 10. 

1839 — Thomas Fowlston,* Section 3; John Stacy,* Section 15; M. Farley, Section 8; 
T Matteson, Section 6; Edward Warren,* Section 7; E. Dayton, Section 15; Sidney Wait,* 
Section 17; Daniel Campbell,* Section 4; William Sherman, Section 35. 

1840 — John Pratt, Section (3; H. Hand, Section 10; Hiram Taylor,* Section 6; Samuel 
Cott,* Section fi ; Joseph Host, Section 1 ; Nelson Moon, Section 10; L. Ferris.* Section 17; 
C. F. Cowles, Section 5; J. C. and H. B. Lock, Section 36; Joseph Willcox,* Section 19; 
Thomas Delaney, Section 33; J. G. Miner,* Section 1; Stephan Hefnon,* Section 26; Daniel 
Finn,* Section 27 ; E. W. Miner,* Section 1 ; S. Amend, Section 1 ; N. B. Hand, Section 11; 
N. W. Gott,* Section 6; II. Curran, Section 20; Ru.s.«ell Wait, Section 5; B. Goodwin,* 
Section 9. 

1841 — H. B. Lock, Section 36; Francis Minehart,* Section 11 ; W. Hatch, Section 32; 
Abraham Dayton,* Section 15; C. L. Gillett,* Section 18; James Cowles, Section 8; Bethere 
Stoks, Section 19; N. Starke.* Section 2; Orville Hand* and J. S. Hand,* Section 9. 



812 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

1842 — George Brown, Jr., Section 27; Cyrus Potter. Section 25; Robert Potter, Section 
25 ; James Kelley, Section 28 ; William Balcom. Section 22 ; Samuel Potter, Section 25 ; Natlian 
Cole,* Section 2 ; H. Blorlgett,* Section 36 ; A. S. Northrop,* Section 13 ; Edwin Booth,* Section 
8; G. T.GrifiSn, Section 10; George C. Smith, Section 10; William Marshall, Sr., Section 17; 
Luther Farnum,* Section 36; A. Hall,* Section 24 ; E. Dunn,* Section 34; Reuben Rockwell.* 
Section 19; Richard Fagan, Section 36; William P. Lyon, Section 10; George Brannan,* 
Section 33; Anton Cook,* Section 1; Morris Hickey, Section 27; E. Johnson,* Section 17; 
James Hickey, Section 22; T. Burns,* Section 23; William Marshall, Section 17; Lewis 
Brown,* Section 36: David Lyon,* Section 10; Z. B. Burk, Section 10; P. Carey,* Section 
27; John S. Spoor,* Section I'i ; George Martin,* Section 21 ; W. S. Brown, Section 35. 

1843— Joseph Geese,* Section 23; L. Geese,* Section 23; ; G. Spoor, Section 15 ; R. Gard- 
ner, Section 35 ; James Spoor,* Section 15 ; William B. Rose, Section 7 ; Jesse Balcom,* Section 




Hill,* 

Section 18; Theo Humphrey, Section 9; P. Quigley,* Section 23; D. T. Gardner,* Section 
14; E. Humphrey,* Section 9; L. S. Weeks, Section 4. 

1844— Henry H. Torry, Section 15; Daniel Pierce, Section 28; Tobias Van Sly ke,* 
Section 11 ; Philip Prasch,* Section 1 ; John and Jacob Prasch, Section 12; Robert Holly,* 
Section 18; John S. Scott, Section 6; C. Cummings, Section 36 ; M. 0. Pulver, Section 10; 
George K. Deming, Section 24 ; Z. Houghton, Section 15 ; E. Neil,* Section 7 ; P. L. Purdy, 
Section 16; Chris. Healy, Section 10; L. Lockwood,* Section 30; A. B. Cole,* Section 24 ; 
Andrew Mack, Section 10 ; C. H. Smedley,* Section 18 ; A. C. Goodrich,* Section 15 ; Patrick 
Carlin,* Section 33 ; John Wagner, Section 24 ; C. S. Duncham, Section 10 ; Emos Kinney, 
Section 20 ; L. S. Vantine,* Section 4 ; S. Barnes,* Section 20 ; C. T. Griffin, Section 10 ; 
Luman Kinney* and Amos Kinney, Section 21 ; Jonas Pulver, Section 10. 

1845 — 0. C. Kendall, Section 10 ; A. Gega, Section 1 ; George Nichisel,* Section 13 ; 
Philip Emser,* Section 23 ; S. Spoor, Levi Cole, Section 13 ; John Radly,* Section 8 ; L. W. 
Berbo, Section 34 ; William Turner, Section 8 ; Ellis Hand,* Section 11 ; William Sherman, 
Section 33; Joseph Dykeman, Section 7; L. Taylor,* Section 6; J. Vanness, Section 7; 
Arnold Weeks, Section 7 ; Daniel Whalen,* Section 35 ; Peer Van Slyke, Section 11 ; Curtis 
Goodwin, Section 10 ; C, A. Butter,* Section 6 ; Joseph Helt, Section 23 ; Michael Brady, 
Section 26 ; William Snyder, Section 24 ; John Tracy,* Section 28 ; Enoch Webster, Section 
10 ; J. F. Hand, Section 12 ; Elias Cole, Section 13 ; C. H. Pelton, Section 35; Peter Orrell, 
Section 7 ; John Neil,* Section 7 ; C. P. Taylor, Section 6; A. D. Goodwin, Section 10; 
H. Van Slyke, Section 11; S. C. Burdick, Section 10; A. C. Wilcox, Section 9; James Garter, 
Section 20. 

1846 — William Cleveland, Section 30; J. L. Taylor, Section 12; William Forbes,* Section 
27 ; R. E. Maynard, Section 32 ; Thomas West,* Section 15 ; Jesse Rowley, Section 3 ; George 
W. Ferris,* Section 17 ; Lorenzo Spencer, Section 10 ; Reuben Kipp, Section 20 ; Patrick 
Powers, Section 33 ; John Marshall, Section 10 ; V. Daylor, Section 23 ; Joseph Downes, 
Section 6; J. Whittaker,* Section '21 ; A. A. Whittaker,* Section 21; J. H. Hudson, Section 
10; F. Twentyman, Section 10; E. B. Towlston, Section 3. 

1847 — Frank Leity, Section 13 ; Phillip Pruck, Section 16. 

Thomas Fowlston, born in Yorkshire, England, May 4, 1795, came to Lawrence, Ostego 
County, when ten years old. At the age of twenty-one, he went to the Town of New Lisbon, 
same county, and remained thereuntil 1839. Then he came to Lyons, Wis., and remained there 
until the time of his death, August 2, 1878, aged eighty-three years. 

Those .settlers of 1837, 1838, 1839 and 1840, who still reside in the county, are: Allen 
Perkins, John Brown, M. Farley, F. Matteson, E. Dayton, H.Hand, Joseph Host, C. F. Cowles, 



HISTORY OF WALWOliTH COUNTY. 813 

Thomas Delaney, S. Amend, N. B. Hand, II. Ciirran, Russell Wait, Z. Lockwood, William 
Smith and William Sherman. 

The first settler in the town was Allen Perkins, as stated, who came in 1887. He broke 
the first land, and raised the first crop. 

The first regular religious services were held in Fletcher Lyons log house in 1839, Rev. 
Mr. Worthington conducting them. He was a Methodist. 

Dr. John Stacey, the brother-in-law of E. Dayton, was the first physician. He came 
with Mr. Dayton in 1839, and settled on Section 15. It was iiis intention to give himself 
strictly to agricultural pursuits, but when his neighbors discovered that he was a professional 
man and the nature of his profession, he often was obliged to drop the spade and take up the 
medicine case. 

Wendall Lyon, the son of Fletcher, was the first child born in town — date of birth, 1840. 

The first marriage was that which joined Norman Dyer to Mary Lake, of Lyonsdale, in 
1841. In 1842, L. R. Smitli was married to Melissa Campbell and Amos Brand to Catharine 
Campbell. 

In 1842, Harriet Lyon, the daughter of David and the niece of Fletcher Lyon, taught the 
first school — a private one — in Spring Valley. 

The first blacksmith — a blacksmith clergyman — came from Elkhorn and located in 1843 
upon a piece of land which E. Dayton donated for the purpose. His name was T. S. Barthola- 
mew. Besides following his trade, he preached Universalist doctrine, and it is stated on good 
authority that while he lived in Lyons his time was fully occupied, either at his anvil or in 
pounding away at the orthodox beliefs of Brother Worthington. 

Joshua Applebee opened the first store in the village of Lyonsdale in 1844. 

William P. Lyon, now on the State Supreme bench, was the first lawyer to commence practice 
in town. This was about 1846, and his shingle first saw the light of day in Lyonsdale. While 
he lived here his practice was neither remarkably lucrative nor successful. 

George B. Smith kept the first tavern near the Lyons mill-dam. It was built by Ben- 
jamin Goodwin in 1843, and burned in the spring of 1852. Soon after the railroad passed 
through the town, a Mr. Richardson erected one at Lyons Station, the first one built in that 
village. 

THE VILLAGE OF LYONS. 

The village of Lyonsdale sprung from the improvement of the water-power by the Lyon 
brothers. In the winter of 1839, before the work had much progressed beyond the mud-sills, 
Ebenezer Dayton, with his three children, and Dr. John Stacy (his brother-in-law) arrived at 
the settlement, and were " shown around" by Thomas Lyon. They finally decided to locate 
on Section 15. Mr. Dayton relates that on Christmas Day of that year his log cabin received 
its " warming" in the shape of a fine deer which Mr. Lyon brouglit to him and helped him to 
drag into the house. The completion of the mill during the next year caused quite an influx 
of emigration. By 1843, it had assumed so much the character of a village that a post office 
was established and Thomas Lyon, Jr., appointeil Postmaster. For some reason, Mr. Lyon 
was not very popular, and when the settlers found that he had received the appointment, a peti- 
tion was forwarded for his removal. The first batch of mail which the newly appointed P. M. 
received contained an order for his removal. Dr. .John Stacy was appointed in his stead Before 
the office was removed to Lyons Station, Fletcher Lyon and Lathrop Bullen both served as 
Postmasters. 

When it became evident to the Lyons that the village which they had foundeil would eventu- 
ally be deserted for a point on the railroad further to the north, they departed from the town. 
Thomas started for California, but died on the way. Fletcher Lyon sold out his property to 
John Bullen in exchange for a jtock of goods and removed to Kenosha. He afterward went 
to California, but subsequently returned and is now in Chicago, engaged as an author on 
Spiritualism. As an item of more than common interest in connection with the Lyon family, 
it is stated by one employed in driving the iiorses who were dragging the scraper which was 
cleaning out the grist-mill race, that young Lyon (now on the bench of the Supreme Court) had 



814 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

supreme control of the scraper. He was a wide-awake young man, and a great favorite in the 
town, but was never above work of any kind which was honorable. He taught school, he 
studied law, he was elected Town Clerk and Justice of the Peace, and gradually mounted from 
lower to higher trusts. 

In 1856, the Western Union road was put through the town, and there was a general 
stampede from Lyonsdale to Lyons. As it stands now, it is a pleasant little village of about 
three hundred people, situated in the northern part of the town. It contains one hotel, owned by 
P. Strassen, one grist and feed mill, one cheese factory, one wagon shop, one farm implement depot, 
tliree blacksmith shops, two general stores, two hardware stores, two shoe shops, two harness shops 
and one meat market. It contains three churches. The village possesses no lawyer, and but a 
single doctor. The village being unincorporated, the good district school, whose privileges it 
enjoys, is a portion of the town system. The school is taught by the Misses Melvina Arnold 
and Anna Rooker. 

The regular platting of Lyons took place in February, 1.S68, the proprietors being R. B. 
Winsor, R. Openshaw, Julius Host, Joseph Host, Z. B. Burk, Ann Campbell, Nathan Hazen, 
A. C. Goodrich, Charles Phinney, T. T. Pendleton, Alma Taylor, John Strassen, Peter Stras- 
sen, Thomas K. Hudson, James Morin, J. Robilliard, E. Dayton, J. P. Frazer, Ela Cone, 
Isaac B. Merriam, and Summer Cliapin. 

Since 1856, E. N. White, H. P. Brown, W. J. Campbell and G. G. Reeve, have been 
Postmasters at Lyons Station, the latter having been in office since 1875. The town hall was 
erected in 1877. It is a neat, two-story frame building, costing $2,500. 

M. E. Church. — In 1840 a class was organized, and in 1857 the society built a church on 
Section 9, at a cost of $2,700. This was the first religious organization, and the first church in 
town. Revs. Parks, Calender, Walker, Grant, Smith, Merrill, Mead, Salisbury, Shepard, 
Thomas, Parsons, Bullock and Brooks have served the society at different times. Rev. J. H. 
Brooks, who also has charge of the society in Spring Prairie. He resides at Lyons. The mem- 
bership of his circuit is 117, and the value of the church property, in Lyons, $5,000. 

Catholic Church. — In 1867, the Catholic society was formed, and a church building was 
erected the next year at a cost of $1,700. The society is now in charge of Rev. Francis Pfaller. 
It contains a membership of about eighteen families, and possesses property valued at $2,500. 

German M. E. Church. — A society was formed in 1868, and the schoolhouse transformed 
into a church building the next year. A mission was formed in 1870, and Rev. Charles Becker 
engaged as pastor. Then came in succession Revs. John Walter, Conrad Steiner, F. Grube, 
Cristian Wenz, Sebastian Weckerlin and J. C. Rinder. The latter now has charge of the mis- 
sion, which embraces Lyons and Burlington, with a membership of seventy. The cost of the 
church property in Lyons is $1,000. 

The Temple of Honor and Sons of Temperance are the only civic societies in the place. 
Together they rent a hall, and are quite prosperous. 

Lyons' Mill. — John Bullen was the next owner of the mill property after it passed from 
the hands of Fletcher Lyon. It was afterward purchased by Frank Holborn, Waughan & 
Merrick, W. W. Waughan, and Messrs. M. Schenk and P. Strassen. The latter gentlemen 
formed a partnership in 1880, and now control the water-power and operate the mill. From 
two run of stone, the capacity has increased to four run and one patent roller. Building and 
machinery have been enlarged and improved, so tliat everything is first-class — up with the times. 
The capacity of the mill is 50 barrels of Hour and 250 bushels of feed per day. The brands are 
"Lyon's Mill " and "Liberty Mills," the former being the No. 1 grade. Connected with the- 
mill, as part of its property, are two warehouses and a dwelling house, the entire value of 
which is $15,000. It is the only manufactory of the kind in town. Mr. Strassen is also owner 
of the Lyons Hotel, erected in 1866, but since greatly increased in size, and improved. The 
main building is 23x76 feet, two stories. 

Cheese Factory. — A building for a cheese factory was erected in 1879. It has been idle 
one season, but is now in operation. The property is in the hands of a stock company, the 
factory being operated by H. Erdley. It turns out 300 pounds of cheese per day. 



HISTORY OF WALWOKTH COUNTY. 815 

SPRINGFIELD. 

A few miles west of Lyons on the Western Union line is the little village of Springfield, 
containing about one hundred and twenty-five people. It owes its existence to the building of 
that road, although a number of early settlers located near its site years previous. 

In 1889, Edward Warren came from the East with his family and settled on Section 7, 
about a mile northwest of the village. After living here a number of years he moved away. 
Soon after William B. Rose visited the vicinity of the village site, and employed Charles Gillett to 
break land for him. He did not come to settle himself until 1843. In that year he arrived 
with his wife from New York, and purchased four "eighties" of land — the site of the present 
village. When it became evident that the railroad was to make a village he sold two "eighties" 
and a "forty" to Herrick, Fuller & Company, of Racine, who had the land surveyed and platted. 
This was in October, 1855. He had previously sold one "eighty" and a "forty" to Arnold 
Weeks. The village was surveyed by S. C. Kelsey ; proprietor, Henry T. Fuller. 

Arnold Weeks came to Geneva in 1812, accompanied by his wife and four children. They 
emigrated from New York. In 1845, they came to Springfield, locating upon Section 7, just 
west of the village. Of his sons, Levi, Martin and Theodore are in the town, James H. is in 
Colorado and John is in ^Michigan. 

J. Vanness came also in 1845. 

John Neil and Peter Orell came together during this year. The former was an English- 
man, not long a resident of this country. His daughter was Mrs. Peter Orell. 

During 1845 also, Joseph Dykeman, now a resident of Elkhorn, located on Section 7, with 
his family. 

This completes the list of the most prominent of those who located near the village or upon 
its present site previous to 1847. 

At present Springfield contains a well-conducted district school, an Episcopalian society. 
one hotel, a cheese factory, a wagon shop, general store, hardware store, blacksmith shop and 
shoemaker shop. 

The post office was established in 1856, William Frost being its first Postmaster. E. 
Moorehouse is the present incumbent. 

St John's Mission C/iapel. — The Episcopalians of the village organized a society in about 
18(31, holding services in the old district schoolhousc until the erection of the chapel building 
in 1865. Revs. Shaw, of Racine, and E. K. Miller, of Oak Creek, oflSciated at different times 
before the church building was erected. Rev. R. T. Kerfoot, of Geneva, has charge of the soci- 
ety, which numbers twelve members. Prof R. C. Hindley, of Racine, is the lay reader, ofBciat- 
ing three Sundays in the month. Connected with the mission is a ladies' aid society. 

Cheese Factorij. — In 1878, C. B. McCanna erected a building for a cheese factory, the 
experiment which had been tried the previous year in one of the warehouses, having proved a 
success. In the season, it turns out 500 pounds of cheese per day. During the cooler months, 
both butter and cheese are manufactured. 

LYONS IN THE WAR. 

The town of Lyons came to the front during the war with both money and men, as appears 
from the general war history. At the very first war-meeting held, $2,000 was subscribed. Be- 
fore the conflict was over the sum was increased to $5,400. Of the seventy men furnished, most 
of whom joined Companies C, of the Twenty-second and Thirty-sixth Regiments, thirty died 
either by disease or on the field of battle. E. Dayton, John Spoor, Thomas Hudson, Jesse Bal- 
comb and others were active in raising money and in other important service to uphold the cause. 
They sent boys to the front, and lost them. Mr. Dayton mourns the loss of two sons. Robert 
McMillan, another well-known young man, gave up his life for the Union. If every section of 
the country had been as faithful — both men and women — as Lyons, the rebellion would not iiave 
died so lingering a death. 



816 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COITNTY. 

LYONS IN 1881. 

The population of Lyons, including villages, as enumerated by the census of 1880, was 1,312- 

The principal farm products of 1880 were : Wheat, 14,514 bushels ; corn, 151,240 ; oats, 
43,368 ; barley, 11,222; rye, 1,250 ; potatoes, 9,392 ; apples, 10,750 ; hay, 2.129 tons ; but- 
ter, 47,350 pounds ; cheese, 42,749. 

In 1881, there were 5,541 acres of growing grain ; 255 acres of apple orchard ; 1,864 acres 
of mowing and pasturage, and 3,142 acres of growing timber. The number of milch cows was 
933, valued at $19,283. 

There were six whole and five joint school districts. The number of scholars, enumerated 
between the ages of four and twenty years, was 452, of which number, 303 attended school. 
There were nine schools taught by ten teachers, at monthly average wages of $27.66 for male, 
and $24.55 for female, teachers. There were nine schoolhouses, valued at $10,400, including 
the sites. At the time the town was organized, the valuation of property was $5,300, and the 
population, 470. 

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

ZENAS B. BURK, Lyons. He was born in Somerset Co., Me., Deo. 9, 1814. He lived in the 
State of Maine until 1840, when he went West as for as Michigan, and spent about one year in Indiana and 
Michigan, returning to Maine in 1841 ; he came to Lyons in the fall of 1842, and purchased 100 acres of 
land, a part of which is now the village of Lyons ; his chief occupation has been that of a farmer ; no man 
is better known in the town of Lyons than Mr. Burk ; he was a Justice of the Peace for twenty-eight suc- 
cessive years, viz., from 1852 to 1880, and was Town Clerk of his town for twenty-three years, viz., from 
1856 to 1879, and was Chairman of the Board of Supervisors for several years. The long series of years 
in which the people and the town have insisted on his continuance in the office, in his ability and integrity, 
being a careful observer, and possessing a remarkable memory, he has long been the authority on all mat- 
ters of public or personal intere.st in the history of his town. Mrs. Burk was the daughter of Mr. A. 
Gaboon, who came to Geneva from Ohio January, 1843, settled on Sec. 11 ; he died in i860. Mr. and 
Mrs. Burk have four children — Amos A. (a resident of Kansas), Ruth E. (now Mrs. Silas A. Ingham, 
also of Kansas), Martha E. (now Mrs. F. B. Nedall, now a resident of Nebraska), and Flora M. (now 
Mrs. Charles D. Windsor, now a resident of Lyons). Mr. Burk has a farm of 210 acres in Lyons. 

DANIEL CAMPBELL (deceased), Lyons; he was one of the pioneers of Walworth Co.; he was 
born in Clinton Co., N. Y., and came to the Territorj of Wisconsin in 1836 ; he came to Walworth Co. 
the same year, and made a claim in the town of Spring Prairie. He sold his claim before the land came 
into market, and in 1839 he settled on Sec. 4, in the town of Lyons; he died July 23, 1879; his wife, 
Mary Campbell, died Feb. 27, 1872. Mr. Campbell had five children, all of whom are living — two 
sons, Wesley J. and William R., resides in Lyons; the former was born in Franklin Co., N. Y., in 1835 ; 
married Harriet A. Spoor, daughter of John S. Spoor, one of the early settlers of the town of Troy ; 
his present wife was Marie Moran, born in the town of Lyons. Mr. Campbell has two children by first 
wife — Lewis A. and Harriet A. ; has two by present marriage — ^Mabel and Ethel. Mr. Campbell has 
been a member of the Town Board for several years ; is also Justice of the Peace and Town Clerk, posi- 
tions that he has filled for several years. William R. was born in Franklin Co., N. Y., in 1827 ; he also 
resides in Lyons. 

L. S. GARY, station agent at Springfield. Mr. Gary was born in Addison Co., Vt., in 1809, 
where he was brought up on a farm. Mr. Gary is one of the pioneers of Wisconsin ; he came to Racine 
Go. in September, l837 ; he cama to Springfield to take charge of the station here in 1859, and, except an 
interval of five years, has occupied that position since thit time. His loii^ continuance in this position is 
evidence of his faithfulness, and the confidence placed in him by his employers. 

SUMNER CHAPIN, carpenter and joiner, Lyons. He was born in the town of Darien, Genesee 
Go.jN. Y., in 1823, where he lived until May, 1849, when he came to Walworth Co., and has been a 
resident of this town most of the time since, engaged in work at his trade, that of the carpenter and 
joiner. He was married in Genesee Co. to Miss Harriet Spencer. They have two sons — Spencer A. 
and Eddie A. 

EZRA CLARK, farmer. Sec. 4; P. 0. Lyons. Mr. Clark came to the town of Lyons from Da- 
rien, Genesee Co., N. Y., October, 1848; he was born in Genesee Co., where his father, Ezra Clark, 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH fOUXTY. SH 

resided till his death. Soon after he came to Walworth Co.. he built a store in the villa<:e of Lyons. 
During the following season, he worked for Mr. David Williams, and the next year for Mr. C. K. 
Phelps. He settled on 80 acres of his present farm in 1851, which he bought of Thomas Fowlston, and 
afterward purchased another 80 acres of Mr. Fowlston. His wife was Deiadama Coleman, daughter of 
John Coleman, who settled in the town in 1848, and died in 186G; she was born in Genesee Co. in 
1827. Mr. and .Mrs. Clark have four children — Albert E., Mary J., Helen and Jesse. 

C. F. COWLES, farmer. Sec. 5 ; P. O. Lyons; was born in Columbia Co., N. Y., in 1820, where he 
was brought up ; he came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1840, and has been a resident of the town of Lyons 
since that time. His father, Mos&s Cowles, came the following year, and settled in Geneva, where he 
resided till his death. Mr. Cowlas married Louisa Lytle, a daughter of Samuel Lytle. They have four 
children — Harriet, Augustus, Orsborne and Ullys.ses. Mr. Cowles' farm contains 100 acres. 

KBENEZER DAYTON, retired farmer, Lyons, is one of those pioneers of whom there are but 
comparatively few remaining old settlers who had reached mature life, whose memory now in the decline 
of life goes back vividly to the events of more than twoscore years ago. He was born in what was then 
Genesee, now Livingston Co., N. Y., May 15, 1810. He removed to Allegany Co. with his parents when 
7 years of age, where he lived until the fall of 1839, when he came to the town of Lyons, and set- 
tled on Sec. 15, on a farm which he purchased of the Government; he sold his farm and .settled in the 
village in 1867. Mrs. Dayton, formerly Miss M. West, was born in the town of Victor, Ontario Co., N. 
Y., December, 1813. Mr. and Mrs. Dayton have had seven children, three of whom are living — Henry 
(who lives in Chicago), Laura (wife of R. W. Taylor, lives at Stevens Point, Wis.J, and Emily Isadore 
(wife of Hilary Heck ). Two sons of Mr. Dayton, John S. and William W., lost their lives in the service 
of their country during the rebellion. John W., a member of Company C, 22d W. V. L, was killed 
near Atlanta, Ga. ; William W. was mortally wounded at Gaines' Mills ; he was a member of Com- 
pany C, 36th W. V. I. 

MICHAEL FARLEY, farmer. Sec. 8; P. 0. Springfield. Mr. Farley Ls one of the pioneers of 
the town of Lyons, having settled here in November, 1838. He was born in County Meath, Ireland, near 
Dublin, in 1809; he emigrated to Canada in 1834. The following year he went to Lewis Co., N. Y., 
coming here in the fall of 1838 ; he settled immediately on his present farm, which he purchased of the 
Government. He raised his first crop the following year, sowing about 15 acres, including 10 acres of 
wheat. Mr. Farley has done well his part toward redeeming the wild uncultivated »/]], and Ls now en- 
joying the fruit of hLs industry. His wife was Mary Dolan, born in County Cavin. Ireland, about 1808; 
after a long life well-spent as a help-mate to her husband, she passed to her reward Feb. 7, 1882. Mr. 
Farley has eight children, four sf^ns and four daughters. His farm contains 160 acres. 

JOSEPH T. FLANDERS, painter, Springfield. Mr. Flanders is not an old resident of the county, 
having come to Geneva in April, 1867 ; he was born in Vermont in 1847 ; he was a soldier in the war of 
the rebellion; he enlisted in the 1st Vt. C., in 1863, and was in active service in the field until the close 
of the war. He was in Grant's campaign of the Wilderness ; was with Gen. Sheridan in his Shenandoah 
campaign, participating in all the battles of that memorable campaign: wa-S at the battle of Five Forks, 
and participated in the closing event of the war. On the close of the war he returned to Vermont ; he 
engaged in busine.ss at .Springfield in 1872. with Mr. D. C. Davis. They conducted the business of wagon- 
making and painting ; they were in partnership ahiout one year ; he b now engaged in the business of paint- 
ing. Mrs. Flandei^ was formerly Miss Libbie Gray. 

EZRA B. FOWLSTON, farmer. Sec. 2; P. 0. Lyons. Mr. Fowlston is the son of Thomas 
Fowlston, one of the early settlers of the town of Lyons. Mr. Thomas Fowlston was born in England, 
May 4, 1796; his parents emigrated to the State of New York when he was 10 years of age, where he 
was brought up. HLs wife was Hannah Barton ; they came to Walworth Co. in May, 1839, and settled 
on Sec. 3. The father of Mr. Fowlst^jn died at the homestead, Aug. 2, 1878; he had four children, of 
whom Ezra B. was the eldest — a daughter, Betsey I'is now Mrs. Collins Smith,;, a brother, Delos (lives 
in the State of New York), and another sister i'is now Mrs. Maria E. Sherman;. Ezra B. was born 
in Otsego Co., N. Y., in 1820; he came to Walworth Co. in 1844. ami male his first settlement on Sec. 
3, in the town of Lyons; he bought the farm on which he now resides in 1854. of Mr. Miner Wilcox. 
Mrs. Fowlston was formerly Miss Almira Campbell, daughter of Peter and Anna Campbell; she was born 
in St. Lawrence Co.. N. Y. Mr. Campbell was one of the pioneers of Walworth Co. ; hi settled in the 
town of Lyons in 1839, and died several years later, of cholera, during the prevalence of that disease in 
this county. Mrs. Campbell still resides in Lyons. Mr. and Mrs. Fowlston have three children — Emmet 
E., Romelia E. and Willie G. Mr. Fowlston's farm contains 160 acres. 



818 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

LORENZO HAND, residence on Sec. 19; P. 0. Geneva. Mr. Hand, commonly known as Prof. 
Hand, is a native of New Lebanon, N. Y., where he wa.s born in 1814 ; he graduated at Union College, 
Schenectady, N. Y., in 1842 ; he has made the profession of teachino; a life-work, beginning at the age of 
17 ; after leaving college, he was engaged for a number of years as Principal of academic institutions in 
the State of New York ; he had charge of Nassau Academy for a time, and was Principal of Greenville 
Academy for six years ; he went to Michigan in 1852 and took charge of what was known as Leoni Insti- 
tute, where he remained four years; he came to Elkhorn, Walworth Co., in 1856, where he taught a select 
school for two years ; in 1858, he went to La Porte, Ind., where he was Superintendent of the Public 
Schools for three years ; he then returned to Walworth Co., failing health compelling him to relinquish 
his profession ; he located on a farm in the town of Lyons, but he has found it impossible to give up entire- 
ly his chosen profession, and he is now conducting a private school for boys, who make their home with 
him, and being at all times under his influence, receive the benefit of his large experience and his well- 
stored mind ; he is the son of Jesse Hand, who came to the town of Lyons, with his family, in 1841 ; though 
he lived but a few years after becoming a resident of Walworth Co., yet he left a record as an honorable, 
upright, citizen, and as a man possessed of much more than ordinary intelligence and ability, and he is 
remembered with marked respect and esteem by all who remember him ; he died in January, 1846, leav- 
ing a numerous family, whose names are prominently identified with the history of Walworth Co. 

NATHAN B. HAND, farmer. Sec. 11 ; P. 0. Lyons ; he was born in the town of New Lebanon, 
Columbia Co., N. Y., in 1818 ; his father was Jesse Hand (see sketch of Lorenzo Hand) ; Mr. Hand came 
to the town of Lyons in 1840, and bought of the Government a farm on Sec. 12, which he owned about 
six years; he went by the overland route to California in 1849, consuming six months in making the trip, 
driving a team of cattle the entire distance ; he was absent about two years ; he purchased his present farm 
about 1855, of Mr. Peter Van Slyke, of Geneva; he removed to Geneva in 1872, for the purpose of giv- 
ing his children better school advantages, where he remained about eight years, and then returned to the 
farm. Mr. Hand is a representative of quite a numerous family of the earlier settlers of the town of 
Lyons, among which are numbered some of the most intelligent and substantial men of the county ; he has 
been married three times, his first wife was Miss Marcia K. Cowles, who died in 1848 ; his second wife, 
Miss Caroline Hand, died in November, 1878; his present wife was Miss Mary A. Hand, daughter of 
Nathaniel B. Hand; he has two children by first marriage — Ellen M., wife of John G. Meadows, and 
Emma, wife of George Meadows ; he had six children by second wife — Charles H., Frank, Edwy, 
Rupert, Joe and Hattie. 

THOMAS WARDEN HILL (deceased) ; he was born in the town of Swanton, Franklin Co., Vt., 
Jan. 9, 1817 ; his parents removed to Essex Co. when he was a child; he lost his parents when quite 
young, and resided with Jo.seph Wells until 21 years of age; became to Geneva in October, 1838 ; in 
1839, he purchased a farm on Sec. 18, in the town of Lyons, which he owned until his death, and which 
is now the homestead of his family ; in the spring of 1868, he removed to the village of Geneva, and in 
1870 was elected to take charge of the Walworth Co. Poor Farm, a position he occupied until his death; 
he was Chairman of the Town Board of Lyons for several years ; has twice represented his Assembly Dis- 
trict in the Legislature, viz., the sessions of 1853 and 1863 ; he died suddenly at the homestead. May 26, 
1879. Mrs. Hill, formerly Miss Lydia Ferris, was the daughter of Lewis Ferris, who came to Walworth 
Co. with his family in 1841, and settled in the town of Lyons; he died February, 1856 ; Mrs. Hill 
was born in Steuben Co., N. Y., and was married in February, 1843 ; she has three children — 
Marion E., wife of James E. Brett; Henry L., who now resides in Geneva and was born March 27, 
1849 ; was married to Florence E. Stearns, of Oak Creek, Milwaukee Co., Wis., Nov. 20, 1872 ; she was 
born at the same place ; and Charles Fremont, who resides with his mother at the homestead ; he was 
born in 1856; married Miss Mary E. McBeath, born in Whitewater, Walworth Co. 

PERRY G. HOPKINS, firm of Hopkins & Son, hardware dealers, Springfield. Mr. Hopkins was 
born in the town of Cabbot, Caledonia Co., Vt.. in 1818 ; he lived in New England until 26 years of age, 
coming to Wisconsin in 1844 ; he settled on Honey Creek in the town of Spring Prairie, where he worked 
at the business of carpentering ; he came to the village of Springfield in the spring of 1857. Mr. Hop- 
kins is a carriage-maker by trade, and he established that business in Springfield, which he continued until 
1876, when he sold his business to Mr. John Russell ; he engaged in the hardware business under the firm 
name of P. G. Hopkins & Son, November, 1880 ; his wife was formerly Miss Eunice C. Morrell, born in 
the town of Wainer, Merrimack Co., N. H. Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins have four children — Ellen Jane, wife 
of Otis Vaughn, lives in Nevada ; Charles M., in Dakota ; Ida May, wife of William Dodge ; and Albert 
H., who is engaged with his father in business. 



HISTOKY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 81& 

CHARLES B. McCANNA, proprietor of Springfield Cheese Factory, Spriiigfield. Mr. McCanna is 
a uativeof.Ieflerson Co., N. Y., where he was bom in 1851 ; he was brought up a farmer; came to Fond 
du Lac, Wis., in LS7G, thence to Allen'.s Grove, Walworth Co., where he engaged in the inanuficture of 
cheese with Mr. Davis, owning one-half interest in the factory at that phice ; he and Mr. Davis dissolved 
partnership in March. 18TS; 3lr. McCanna built the cheese factory at Springfield the same year ; jie also> 
with Mr. J. H Harris, built a factory on Spring Prairie, thesame year, in which he has one-half interest. 
The capacity of each factory is about 200, (UK) lias, per year. In 1881, the actual production of both fac- 
tories was 325,000 lbs., Ijosides which they made about 40,000 lbs. of butter. Mrs. McCanna was formerly 
Miss Pauline Chceseman, daughter of Edward Cheeseman, a native of England. 

WILLIAM MEADOWS, farmer and wool buyer, Sec. 2 ; P. 0. Lyons. Mr. Meadows is of En- 
glish birth. His father, George Meadows, emigrated to the State of New York from England, and thence 
to Burlington, Racine Co., in 1849, and located on a farm ; he removed to Walworth Co. in 1855, and 
purchased a tract of 290 acres of land in Sees. 1 and 2 in the town of Lyons. The parents of Mr. 
Meadows had eight children, three sons and five daughters ; the sons and four daughters are still living ; 
William and George now own the tract of land on which their father settled ; their brother John G. 
resides on Sec. 11. Their parents are now residents of Burlington, Racine Co. Mr. William Meadows 
was born in England in 1833, came to the United States with his parents in 1842. As a business man, 
Mr. Meadows is prominently known as a wool dealer, a business in which he has been engaged since 1865 ; 
he is probably the most extensive juirchaser of that commodity in Walworth Co. ; he takes an active part 
in whatever tends to promote the best interests of the county and community in which he lives; he has 
been President of the Walworth County Agricultural Society ; was Chairman of the Town Board for 
the years 1876-77 and '78, and has served one term in the Legislature of the State. Mrs. Meadows was 
formerly Miss Ann Armstrong, born in the State of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Meadows have three chil- 
dren — George, William and Lizzie. Mr. Meadows farm contains 133 acres. 

EDWARD MOORHOUSE, general merchant, Springfield. Mr. Moorhouse is a native of Dutchess 
Co., N. Y., where he was born in 1844. When 14 years of age, he came to Walworth Co. with his 
father, Henry Moorhouse, who settled in the town of Geneva. Edward went to California in 1864, and 
engaged in quartz milling ; he returned in 1868, and bought a farm about 1870 on Sec. 8, town of Lyons, 
of Mr. E. Booth; he engaged herein business in 1875, under the firm name of Moorhouse & Warhurst ; his 
partner died September, 1880. Mr. Moorhouse has been sole proprietor since the death of Mr. War- 
hurst ; he has an extensive trade ; he is also engaged in buying grain, stock, wool and poultry. 

JUDSON NEFF, lumber dealer, Springfield; born in Cortland Co., N. Y., in 1833; he came to 
Walworth Co. with his parents, Abraham and Elisabeth Neft", in 1842. The parents of Mr. Neff settled 
on Spring Prairie. Mr. Abraham Neff was born in the State of New York, in 1797, and died Oct. 27, 
1866. Mrs. Neff lives with her son at Springfield. The parents of Jlr. Nelf had four sons, two of whom 
grew to manhood, Judson and Henry N. The latter was a Union soldier during the rebellion, and was for 
a period of fourteen months a prisoner in the Andersonville Prison ; he died at St. Louis, July 26, 1866. 
Mr. Judson Neft' was engaged for a time at the business of carpentering at Honey Creek ; he was after- 
ward engaged in the mercantile business at Burlington, Racine Co., for about eight years ; was afterward 
engaged in the salesroom of a sash, door and blind factory in Chicago ; has been engaged in his present 
business at Springfield since Feb. 24, 1880. Mr. Neff married Miss Celinda Fowler, daughter of Benja- 
min Fowler, by whom he had two children — none of his family are living. 

JACOB OLP, farmer, Sec. 6; P. O. Springfield. He was born in the State of New Jersey in 
1807. When 23 years of age he removed to the town of Mount Morris, Livingston Co., N. Y., where he 
lived until 1852, when he moved to the town of Livonia in the same county ; he came to Walworth Co. 
in 1854, and purchased the farm, where he has since resided, of Judge Baker, of Geneva; he has been 
married twice, his first wife was Mary Baylor, a native of New Jersey; his present wife was Mrs. Eliza- 
beth Hicks, formerly Miss Salthouse, born in England, and emigrated to the State of Illinois with her 
parents when 14 years of age. Mr. Olp had seven children by his first wife, who grew to maturity, four 
sons and three daughters; three sons and the daughters are still living ; has one daughter by the present 
wife. Mrs. Olp has three sons and one daughter by her former marriage. Mr. Olp's farm contains 125 
acres of land. 

JACOB QUACKENBUSH, farmer. Sec. 17 ; P. 0. Lyons. He was born in Montgomery Co., N. 
Y., in 1809, but removed to Oneida Co. with his parents, and thence with them to Oswego ; he came to 
Buriington, Racine Co., Wis., from Oneida Co.. N. Y., in June, 1840; he settled in the town of Roches- 
ter, Racine Co., the same year, but sold out and settled in the town of Spring Prairie the following year ;. 
has lived in Walworth and Racine Cos. since he first came to the State of Wisconsin ; he bought the 
farm where he now lives, in June, 1855, of Joseph Cahone ; he has been married twice. His first wife 



820 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

died after he came to Sprina; Prairie ; he had five children by liis first wife, four of whom are living ; he 
has one child by his second wife ; his eldest son Edward and his youngest child Anna are at home. 

GILES Gr. KJIEVE, general merchant and Postmaster, Lyons. He is a native of Herkimer Co., N. 
¥., where he was born in 1833 ; he removed to the town of Trenton, Oneida Co., when 17 years of atce ; 
he came to Walworth Co. March 2, ISGG, and settled on a farm on Sec. 27, purchasing what was known 
as the Crane farm, and, being located here in the village for a time, he engaged in the produce business at 
Burlington, Racine Co. ; he came here November, 1875, having exchanged his farm for a stock of goods 
with Farnum & Brown. The bu,siness was established by Sperry Northrup about 1855. Mr. Reeves 
was appointed Postmaster December, 1875 ; he is also express agent at this point. His wife was Sarah, 
daughter of Thomas T. and Elvira Worden. Mrs. Reeves was born in Trenton, N. Y., March G, 1834. 
They have two children — Parker W. and Mary E., both of whom died in infancy. Mr. Reeves is the 
only member of his father's family in this State. 

JOEL B. SMITH, farmer, Sec. 5; P. 0. Lyons; son of Chester Smith, who was born in Ben- 
nington Co., Vt., May 14, 1795, who is still living, and is residing with his son at the homestead, at the 
advanced age of 87 years. His father, Oliver Smith, the grandfather of Joel B. Smith, was a soldier ot 
the Revolutionary war; he marched with Gen. Benedict Arnold across the wilderness to Quebec, and 
participated in the disastrous attack of Gen. Montgomery upon that stronghold. Chester Smith emigrated 
from the State of New York to the then Territory of Michigan, in the fall of 1834. He came to Wal- 
worth Co. in April, 1846, and settled on the farm which he purchased of John Smith. His wife was 
Abigail R. Bostwiek. They have four children, two of whom died in Michigan, and a daughter, Martha 
E., wife of Henry Banker, died in 186(5. Joel B. Smith was born in Clarendon, Orleans Co., N. Y., in 
1834 ; he married Mary E. Fellows, a daughter of Amos Fellows. They have three children — Lura A., 
Halbert E. and Anna L. The homestead farm contains 143 acres of land. 

CYRUS P. TAYLOR, farmer, Sec. 7 ; P. 0. Springfield; son of Linus Taylor, who came to Wal- 
worth from the State of New York in June. 1845, and purchased a farm of Palmer Gardner and Jame.s 
Garfield, on See. 6, in the town of Lyons. He sold his farm in 1855, and, in 1857, removed to Cham- 
paign Co., 111., where he resided until his death. Cyrus P. Taylor was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., in 
1826. He came here with his parents, and has been a resident of the town of Lyons since that time. 
He is one of the substantial and reliable citizens of Walworth Co. ; he has served four years as Sheriff of 
the county, holding that position for the years 1873 and 1874, and for 1877 and 1878 ; has been a mem- 
ber of the Town Board for a dozen years, of which he was Chairman for six years. Mrs. Taylor was 
formerly Miss Lydia Dikeman, who came to Walworth Co., with her parents, from the State of New 
York, in 1845, and settled on Sec. 7, town of Lyons. Her father now lives at Elkhorn. Mr. and Mrs. 
Taylor have two sons — Frank E. and Millard D. Mr. Taylor's farm contains 160 acres. 

HENRY B. TOWSLEE, Esq., resides on Sec. 11; P. 0. Lyons. Mr. Towslee was born in 
Rutland, Vt., in 1811. He is a lawyer by profession ; studied law in his native State, and was admitted 
to the bar in 1832 ; he came to Wisconsin in the spring of 1839, and located at Southport, now Kenosha, 
where he resided till 1855, when he removed to Detroit, Mich., where he practiced law till 1858, and then 
he returned to Kenosha, and engaged in banking; he practiced law in Chicago from 1861 till 1869, when 
his health having failed he came to Walworth Co., and settled on his farm, which he had purchased in 
1851. His farm contains 200 acres. 

A. D. VANTINE, farmer, Sec. 4; P. 0. Lyons; .son of Lester S. Vantine, who was born in the 
eastern part of the State of New York, and came to Walworth Co. in 1844, and located the same year 
on the farm where his son, A. D. Vantine, now lives, where he resided until his death. His wife died 
previous to the death of her husband. They left two children — Darwin D. and Ashley D. The latter was 
born on the homestead in 1854; he married Eliza Hellowell, known as Nettie Whitmore; they have one 
son, Lewis A. Ashley D. resides at the homestead. Darwin D. lives at Danville, 111. ; he was born on 
the homestead, also, and is the elder of the two. The homestead farm contains 96 acres. 

LEWIS S. WEEKS, farmer, Sec. 4 ; P. 0. Lyons. Mr. Weeks was born in Massachusetts, in 
1818 ; when 15 years of age, he removed with his parents to the town of Darien, Genesee Co., N. Y. 
His parents were Spencer and Elvera Weeks; his father was born in Massachusetts in 1797 ; his mother 
was born August, 1798; his father came to Walworth Co., with his flimily, in 1843, and settled on Sec. 
4, town of Lyons, where his son, G. Vernon Weeks, now lives. His father died at the homestead in 1859 ; 
his mother still lives at the homestead, with her .son, G. Vernon Weeks. Lewis S. Weeks came here 
from Genesee Co., N. Y., in the spring of 1844, and purchased his present farm. He was married in the 
State of New York to Elvira F Little, born in Genesee Co. They have two sons — John and Edgar A. 
Their farm contains 218 acres. 



■■^St 




^\M 



\ 



%r 







y^*'\. 






r^ a:^^^^#^^^^ 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 821 



TOWN OF LA GRANGE. 

NATURAL FEATDEES. 

La Grange is one of the uorthern tier of towns, situated east of Whitewater and north of 
Sugar Creek. Speaking generally, the northern and southeastern ]iortions of the town consist of 
rolling or hilly land, the centi'al and simthwestern of prairie land. The central sections of the 
town are (piite flat, with slight elevations and sand-sinks. These latter are more fretjnent than 
in other ]iarts of the county. An excejytion to the general hilly character of the north is the 
northwestern corner, in which is located a marsh containing some live sections. The direction 
of the hills and bhitis is from northeast to southwest. Heart Prairie, in the southwest, contains 
about six sections of land, and Round Prairie, in the center of the town, one. The soil in these 
localities is not sandy and gravelly as in the north, but consists of clay loam and sand, mixed. 
To the east, its character changes to a heavy clay or sand. Originally, most of the town consisted 
of oak openino-s. with small groves of black and white oak. The town is well watered. The 
South Branch of the Scupernong Hows north through Sections 6 and 7 and a portion of 18, into 
Jefferson Coimty. Pleasant Lake, in Section '24, Green. Middle and Mill Lakes, Sections 25, 
20, 35 and 30, are situated in the southwestern corner. The latter three have Honey Creek as 
an outlet, which rxms in an easterly direction. These bodies of water are siu'rouuded generally 
by high bluffs and timbered land. Pickerel, pike, rock and black bass, perch, etc.. find their 
natm-al homes in them. They have been stocked also with Mackinaw trout. The depth of the 
water varies from ten to sixty feet. The town is given up almost entirely to farming, there be- 
ing no villages within its limits. Nearly every variety of small grain is raised, the average 
yield being: Wheat, ten bushels per acre; oats, thirty; and corn, twenty-five. Very few of the 
farms are devoted to dairying, the only butter and cheese factory in town, operated l)y W. D. 
Stow, being bm'ned in 1S79. The raising of swine is carried on (|uite extensively, B. Fowler, 
a resident of Heart Prairie, being particularly successful in bringing his breed of Pohmd-C'hina 
pigs to a high state of perfection. 

In 1881. the following crojis were growing in the town: 0.804 acres of gi-ain; 81 of j)ota- 
toes and root crops; 19(1 of ap[)les (S,()70 trees); 4,027 grazing land and grasses; and 5,347 
growing timber; the 021 milch cows are valued at S19,100. 

Dm'ing 1880, the following crops were grown and products raised: 34,947 bushels of wheat; 
102,700 of com; 49,075 oats; 12,403 barley; 4,002 rye; 8,000 potatoes; 1,045 root crops; 10,- 
105 apples: 30 clover seed; 109 timothy seed; 12,700 pounds of tobacco; 2,134 tons grass; 83,- 
290 pounds of butter. 

VAIAIATION OF PROPERTY (1881). 

Town of La Grange — Niunber of acres farming land, 22,043, valued at $414,105; personal 
property, $139,500; total valuation, $553,725. When first organized, in 1843, the valuation of 
town property was only $45,022. 

SCHOOLS. 

The first school in town was a private one, opened on Round Prairi(> in 1840, and taught 
by Melissa Cornish. Now, the town of La (irange consists of foiu- school districts and six joint 
districts, in which are 301 children of school age. Of this number, the attendance is 211. The 
schools number eight, and the teachers eight; wages of the male teachers, .$32 ])er month, and 
female, $21.75. The schoolhouses ;u-e valued at $3,000; sites, $250; apparatus, $25; total val- 
uation, $3,275. 

ORGANIZATION AND EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

La (irange is known as Town 4 north. Range 10 east, and was organized from Elkhorn, by 
act of the Territorial Legislatm'e, March 21, 1843. The first meeting of the board was held 
April 3 of that year. The naming of the town is said to havt- originated with Cyrus Huton, 

nil 



822 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

Moses Rand and Caleb and Levi Harris, and the all-important cognomen was decided upon at a 
gathering held in Charles P. Ellis' sitting room a short time before the organization. The lat- 
ter was a brother-in-law of the Harrises. Although named La Grange originally after the native 
jjlace of Gen. La Fayette, it did not necessarily imply any intimate connection with that distin- 
guished patriot, but was imported fi-om the East, where the name is common. 

James Holdeu was the first white settler in the town of La Grange; lived there for forty- 
three years, and died loved and moxu-ned. He was born in Middlesex, Vt. . August 5. 1813. 
When twenty years of age, he went to Boston, where his brother lived, to seek employment and 
work in any honest way he could. After being employed at the Fulton Market fom- years, he 
went to Chicago for the pra'pose of seeking a home fm-ther West. Learning of fertile lands in 
the vicinity of Whitewater, he set out on foot, and. after examining the country, made a claim 
on Sugar Creek. Before he had time to improve it, however, further than to erect a hut, busi- 
ness called him back to Chicago. Retm-ning soon after, full of hope and determination to 
found a home in what apjseared to him an unsur]3assable region, imagine his feelings when he 
foimd that his claim had been jumped! But, luckily, he met Maj. John Davis, who told him 
of far more promising spots to the north. Thither he again directed his steps. Employing a 
guide, he reached the beautiful spot which he afterward called home, April 2, 1837. He came 
upon a gem of a prairie fi'om the northwest, and ascended the high elevation which is now called 
" Lone Tree Bluft'." The outlines of the prairie were so clearly cut and so suggestive of a heart 
that it received from him then and there, as he looked over its fair, green surface, the name 
which has since fastened ujion it. Mr. Holden made a claim of one square mile, consisting of 
the timber and prairie land bordering the lake on the south. He built a shanty here, but re- 
moved it to a spot neai' the present residence of his widow, when the highway was opened. 
Edwin De Wolf, the brother of William De W^olf, heljied him in his work and shared his bach- 
elor life with him. But Mr. Holden had other plans thau to live this hermit life. Two years 
passed, and the town, especially the vicinity of Heart Prairie, had quite a number of settlers. 
George and Robert Esterly, Edwin De Wolf, William McDugald, James Bret, the Worthing- 
tons, True Rand and others, were near neighbors; while on Round Prairie were the Cornishes. 
Caleb Mon-is, Marshall Newhall, et al. Sir. Esterly had already secured over one thousand 
acres of land, engaging most extensively in the cultivation of wheat, and already commencing 
to experiment with "harvesting machines." not foreseeing then what it would come to. For 
the past year (so the story runs). Mr. Holdeu had much to say about a certain " Faith" who was 
waiting for him in the blue hills of Vermont. In 1831). he visited his native State and re- 
mained two years, bringing back not " Faith," but "Patience." daughter of Deacon Cyras Bar- 
ber, of Barry. This happy event occurred in October. 1841. and it is related now by his old 
neighbors that the joke hung to him for years after that Brother Holden had long and patiently 
sought Faith, but found faithful Patience at last. Although he disposed of most of his jirop- 
erty, Mr. Holden resided, up to the day of his death, near the old claim, watching with content- 
ment the growth of the towu and county from a wilderness and uncultivated prairie to a rich 
and improved country. Mr. Holden was genial, a good conversationalist, kind and sympathetic; 
and no wonder that, as his days drew to an end, a host of friends drew nearer to him. He died 
at 4 o'clock on Sunday morning. February 22, 18S(*. and left a widow and children to mourn 
his loss. They reside upon a jiortion of his original claim. 

Although Mr. Holden was undoubtedly the lirst actual settler of the town of La Grange, the 
famous Meacham-Bigelow controversy over the claim in the south half of Section 24 occmred 
the year before his an-ival. How that trouble was settled has been fully detailed in the general 
histoiy of the county. 

The next year after James Holden, the Worthingtons, True Rand, the Cornishes, Edwin 
De W'olf, Benjainin Swett, James Burt and others had either made claims or settled in the town 
of La Grange, occurred quite an interesting event, it being no more nor less than the arrival of 
its tirst-torn — a son of James Biirt, the last-named settler. This occurred in 1838, and in 1839 
ilr. Swett took a wife to himself, he being the first who entered into the matrimonial bonds in 
the town of La Grange. 

The land sale of Febrviary, 1836, made sad havoc in the claims of some of the first settlers 
of Heart Prairie. Volney McCracken, in 1837, had claimed Section 30, but was obliged to pass 



HISTORY OF WALWOHTII COUNTY. 823 

ovor 88^ per cent of it to Elijilialot Cramer, a capitalist of Milwaukee, aud, as lie could not pay 
for the remainder, the whole pro])(^rty eventually passed into other hands. Much of Dr. Loouiis' 
claim, on Sugar Creek, came into the possession of William McDoui^ald. who removed to Heart 
Prairie in March of the next year and obtained land in Sections "iU aud 80. Much of this prop- 
erty he has suhsequently di>eded to his sons. He is now the oldest settler upon the prairie. 

The first breaking of land in the town was upon Heart and Round Prairies, at about the 
same time — in the spring of 1837. The honor is believed te be clue to Gabriel Cornish and his 
two sons — or to " Fnele Gabe," as he was more commonly called. This was upon the northwest 
quarter of Section 28 and the southwest quarter of Section 14. 

The following is the account given by Mr. Esterly of his attempts to improve his condition 
while a farmer of Heart Prairie: " In 1887, Mr. Esterly removed to Heart Prairie and secured 
over a thousand acres of laud, engaging extensively in the ciiltivation of wheat - as many as 850 
acres in a year. He soon ascertained that wheat could not be grown protital>ly in the far "West, 
if harvested in the ordinaiw way. and set about in(iuii-ing how far the inventive genius of the 
country had su]ii)lemented and supersedeil labor. Obed Huzzy, of Baltimore, had invented a 
harvesting machine which was talked about, but he ascertained that it required foiu' horses and 
ten men to cvit and bind twenty acres jier day, which was not a satisfactory exhibit as a labor- 
saving contrivance. Similar objections applied to other machines that were annoimced. and 
some of which he jmrcha.sed and tried proved total failures, involving a loss greater than he could 
aftbrd. He was thus induced, by the pressure of necessity, to attempt the invention of something 
better than any of which he had knowledge, and commenced by exjierimenting on a style of 
reaper where the horses were jilaced behind the cutting a])paratus and steered by a tiller, on the 
l)rincij)le of steering vessels. He made many fruitless and costly experiments in his barn, which 
he had converted into a machine shop, bvit succeeded in pnxlucing a machine the first season 
that would cut successfully ten acres of wheat in half a day. This was in 1844, and in the suc- 
ceeding yeai' he went to Milwaukee and employed what were called skilled mechanics to build 
for him five machines of the kind just described, but the result of this was a loss of S!l,200, 
which he was compelled to pay for machines that were only partially finished and of no practical 
value. The next year, he again converted his bam into a machine shop and began the con- 
struction of han'esting machines, which proved so entirely successful that he was induced to 
engage in the business of manufacturing them for sale, and which has resulted in one of the 
largest manufactories of the kind in the West. Mr. Esterly received his first patent in 1S44, 
removing permanently to Whitewater in 1^57." 

Orison G. Ewing. whose land lies in Sections 20, 27 and 22. settled in the town in bS38. 
J. W. Weld, who also ea-ne from Vermont during that year, resides on Section 13; William 
Houghton, who came in the same year, lives on Section 14; James H. Sanford, a " settler " of 
1841, upon Section 32: Stej)hen C. Goft, who settled in 1840, ujjon Section 32; Isaac C. Phelps, 
who located in 1842 upon Section 20; J. Patchin, who came in 1847, upon Section 16; James 
Lauderdale, a resident since 1844, upon Sections 25 and 36; J.imes H. Lawton, an Englishman 
(1847), u])on Section 16. 

Those mentioned above are all who still live in the town of La Grange who settled there 
previous to 1847, or ten years from the time that James Holden made his claim of 640 acre-s upon 
Heart Prairie. Below is a list of other settlers during that period, with the State from which 
they came aud the year of their arrival. Those marked with an * are dead; the others have 
moved away: "Father A\'ort-hington "'* and his two sons, Elijah* and Theodore,* Michigan, 
1837: Trae Baud,* 1837; Moses Rand,* 1841: William Lyon* aud Samuel Bobinson,* 1841; 
Gabriel Cornish* and two sons. Nelson aud Anson, 1837: also Jerod Cornish,* 1837; Marshall 
Newell,* 183S; Benjamin Swett, Vermont, 1887; Edwin De AVolf, New York, 1837: John Nor- 
cross,* Thomas Watennan,* New York, 1888; Charles P. Ellis,* New Y'ork, 1840; Enos J. 
Hazard,* New Y'ork, 1840: Stephen B. Davis, Vennont. 1888; Nathaniel G. Holden.* Vermont, 
bS42; Silas Phelps.* Connecticut. 1842; Volney McCracken,* New Y'ork, 1N37; James Burt,* 
Vermont. 1837 : Geoi-ge Esterly, New York. 1837; Robert Esterly, Michigan, 1889; Amasa 
Bigelow, Nova Scrotia, LS37; James Field, Rhode Island, 1839; Samuel Loomer,* 1S41 ; Robert 
Mon-is,* New York. 1841: Ezekiel Lewis,* New York, 1840; John H. Cooper. Vermont, 184."): 
Horace Adams,* New Y'ork, 184o; Nathan Adams,* New York, 1845; Charles Heth. New Y'ork, 



824 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

1S45; O. P. GiinnisoD, New York, 1840: Hiram Cross, New York, 1843: David S. Eltino-,* 
New York, 1842; John Olds,* New York, 1842. 



8> 



CHURCHES. 

In 1841, the Troy Circuit of the Methodist Episcopal Church included Troy, Eagle, Heart 
Prairie, Round Prairie, Turtle Prairie. Delavan and Elkhorn. Though occasional services were 
held previous to this year, the first religious organizations in town consisted of the formation of 
classes at Heart and Round Prairies. At the latter place, the members consisted of Rev. -James 
Flanders, local preacher, Mr. and Mrs Houghton, Mrs. Norcross, " Father " Cornish. Mr. and 
Mrs. Nelson Cornish and a few others. At Heart Prairie, services were held in Father Worth- 
iugton's log house, where a class was also formed, comprising himself and wife and two sons, 
Elijah and Theodore, and Mrs. Lewis. In 1860, a Methodist Episcopal Church was erected at 
a cost of •13,500, and a society is now in existence. The next year, a union chiu'ch building, for 
the accommodation of all denominations, was erected on Round Prairie. 

There are two general stores in the town — one at La Grange Center and the other at Heart 
Prairie. Amasa Bigelow built a saw-mill in 1888, and, after a few years, a grist-mill was 
erected. The latter was moved, and a larger and lietter mill l)uilt in its place. l)y Daniel Will- 
iams. Its location is just east of Mill Lake, at what is called Williams' Mills Post Office. The 
town has no railroad facilities, but there is a probalnlity that the old Chicago & Northern Pa- 
cific, now the Chicago, Portage & Superior Air Line, may pass through its southwestern part, 
striking Heart Prairie. 

A list of Postmasters who have served the town is as follows: Nelson Cornish, William 
Houghton, Thomas Waterman, George Esterly, John Lewis, William Johnson, Charles Harris. 
Charles P. Ellis, William Taylor. Audi'ew Hanson. 

Justices of the Peace, William Hoiighton, Thomas Waterman, John H. Cooper, Sylvester 
Hanson, James Knight. William Greening. A. W. Dickinson, James H. Sanford and William 
McDougald. 

ROSTER OF TOWN OFFICERS. 

1843 — Sujjervisors, Edwin De W^olf, Mai-shall Newell, Elijah Worthington; Clerk, Thomas 
Waterman; Treasm-er, Benjamin Swett. 

1844 — Su]>ervisors, E. J. Hazard, Moses Rand, O. G. Ewing: Clerk, Thomas Waterman; 
Treasurer, C. P. Ellis. 

1845— Supervisors, Edwin De Wolf, William Houghton, C. P. Ellis; Clerk, E. J. Hazard: 
Treasiu'er, Benjamin Swett. 

1846 — Supervisors, O. G. Ewing, E. Lewis, J. H. Cooper; Clork. Benjamin Swett; Treas- 
lu'er, Benjamin Swett. 

1847 — Supervisor;?, J. Lauderdale, J. Weld, H. Adams; Clerk, Thomas W^aterman: Treas- 
m-er. C. P. Ellis. 

1848 — Supervisors. J. Lauderdale, H. Adams, J. Weld; Clerk, E. J. Hazard; Treasurer, E. 
J. Hazard. 

1840 — Supervisors, James Lauderdale, C. Hath. H. Cross: Clerk. E. J. Hazard; Treasm-er, 
O. P. Gunnison. 

1850 — Supervisors, E. J. Hazard, C. Hath, H. Cross; Clerk. H. Adkius; Treasurer, O. P. 
Gunnison. 

1851 — Su]iervisors. J. Lauderdale, J. H. Sauford, 0. P. Gunnison; Clerk. H. Adkins; 
Treasurer, C. P. Ellis. 

1852— Supervisors. D. S. Elting, J. Tavlor. J. Holden; Clerk. H. Adkins; Treasm-er, C. 
P. Ellis. 

1853 — Supervisors. J. Lauderdale, J. Tavlor, C. Harris; Clerk, H. Adkins; Treasm-er, C. 
P. Ellis. 

1854 — Supervisors. J. Lauderdale, J. Padley, C. Harris; Clerk. H. Adkins; Treasm-er, 
William Bromley. 

1855— Supervisors, R. Fairchild, D. W. C. Barron, C. P. Ellis; Clerk, E. J. Hazard; Treas- 
m-er, C. Harris. 



HISTORY OF WALWOKTH COUNTY. 825 

ISofi— Suporvisors. D. W. C. Barrou, A. Bird, J. Hoklcii: ('l«rk, O. P. Guunison; Ti-eas- 
iirer. ■William Battoll. 

ISM SuiHTvisors, D. W. C. Barron, C. V. Ellis, T. Watcriuan: (!Ierks, William King, J. 
W. Knight; Tri'asm>'r, Thomas Astin. 

1858— Supervisors, S. Hanson, C. P. Ellis, C. Hath: t!lork, J. \V. Kniglit; Treasm-or, J. 
S. Lewis. 

1 860 —Supervisors, S. Hansim. C. Heath, C. P. Ellis; Clerk, John King; Treasm-er. A. 
Martin. 

1801 — Supervisors, C. Heath, J. N. Caso. T. Astin; Clerk, S. HaDson; Treasurer, A. Bird. 

1802 — Supervisors. James Holden. J. N. Case, A. W. Dickenson; Clerk, J. W. Knight; 
Treasiu-er. J. H. Lawton. 

1803 — Supervisors, G. A. Ray. J. King. J. W. Knight; Clerk. J. W. Knight; Treasiu-er. 
J. H. Lawton. 

1804— Supervisors, G. A. Ray, J. G. AVood, CSharles Heath; Clerk, J. W . Knight, J. King; 
Treasui'er, J. H. Lawton. 

1865 — Supervisors, G. A. Ray. J. G. A\'ood. Thomas Astiu; Clerk, J. W. Knight; Treas- 
m-er, C. W. Harris. 

1800— Supervisors, G. A. Rav. John King. J. W. Wood; Clerk, J. H. Lawton; Treasurer, 
C. W. Harris. 

1867 — Supervisors, G. A. Ray, J. G.Wood, John King; Clerk, (4. W. Alc.>vander; Treasurer, 
C. W. HaiTis. 

1808 -Supervisors, G. A. Ray. C. P. Ellis. W. D. Zelie; Clerk, W. R, Tavlor; Treasm-er, 
George Tavlor. Jr. 

1809— Supervisors. J. Lauderdale. J. Taylor. D. ^McNaughten ; Clerk. W. R. Taylor; 
Treasm-er, G. H. Bromlev. 

1870- Supervisors. G. A. Ray, J. W. Weld, D. K. Sauford; Clerk. W. R. Taylor; Treas- 
urer, C. W'. Harris. 

1871 — Supervisors. J. Lauderdale, D. K. Sanford, William Greening; Clerk, W. R. Tay- 
lor; Treasm-er. C. W. Harris. 

1872 — Supervisors, J. Lauderdale, William Greening, W. H. Gilibs; Clerk, J. H. Lawton; 
Treasurer, F. W. Bromiley. 

1873 — Supervisors, J. Lauderdale, William Greening, D. K. Sanford; Clerk, J. H. Law- 
ton; Treasiuer. F. W. Bromiley. 

1874 — Supervisors, William Greening, C. P. Ellis, W. H. Gibhs; Clerk. J. H. Lawton; 
Treasurer, F. W. Bromiley. 

1875— Supervisors, William Greening, C. P. Ellis, G. H. Bromiley; Clerk, J. H. Lawton; 
Ti-casurer, F. W. Bromiley. 

187r) — Supervisors, M. P. Bishop. G. H. Bromiley, E. J. Crane; Clerk, J. H Lawton; 
Treasurer, F. W. Bromiley. 

1877 — Supervisors, M. P. Bishop, G. H. Bromiley, E. J. Crane; Clerk, J. H. Lawton; 
Treasm-er. William Taylor. Jr. 

1878 — Supervisors." M. P. Bishop, I. E. Doolittle, Iver Wickings(m; Clerk, J. H. Lawton; 
Treasurer, William Tavlor, Jr. 

1879— Supervisors, M. P. Bishop. J. Moyse, W. W. Johnson; Clerk. W. T. Taylor; Treas- 
urer, William Taylor. Jr. 

1880 — Sui)ervisors, William Greening. A. W. Dickenson, I. E. Doolittle; Clerk. W. T. Tay- 
lor: Treasm-er. W^illiam Tavlor, Jr. 

1881— Sujiervisors. M."P. Bishop, I. E. Doolittle. S. A. Case; Clerk. W. T. Taylor: Treas- 
urer, William Taylor. Jr. 

\V.VK HISTORY. 

The town was among the most patriotic sections of the county. Most of her good soldiers 
— and she furnished seventy four (two in excess of her quota) — went into Whitewater comjianies. 
La Grange also raised over §17,000 for all purposes. A full roster of those who went fi-om the 
town, and an account of their marclies and conflicts dm-ing the war. will l)e found in the general 
militarv historv. 



826 HISTORY OF WALAVORTH COUNTY. 

Moses Raud dietl February 26, 1881, at the home of his sister, Mrs. Emily E. Worthington, 
near Racine. His remains were brought to Whitewater and bnried in Hillside Cemetery. He 
came from Michigan in 1841, and settled on Heart Prairie with the Worthingtons. 

Charles P. Ellis, a prominent resident of the town of La Grange for many years, was born 
in Ashlield, Franklin Co., N. Y., March 20, 1812. Soon after marrying Sarah," sister of Caleb 
Harris, in 1840, he removed to the town of La Grange and took up laud in Section 21, near La 
Grange Center. Dui'ing his residence there of over forty years, he made many friends, and his 
fellow-townsmen showed their confidence in him by electing him Treasm-er and Supervisor for 
many terms. His death occurred January 22, 1881. 

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

MATTHEW P. BISHOP, farmer, Sec. 14; P. 0. Li Grange; has 160 acres of land. The sub- 
ject of this sketch was born in West Windsor, Vt., Aug. 15, 1822 ; is the son of Ira and Sarah ( Patrick ) 
Bishop; moved with his parents to Rushford, Allegany Co., N. Y., in 183:-5, and from thence to Eagle, 
Waukesha Co., Wis., in 1845. He was married in Bast Troy, Nov. 14, 1848, to Roxana, daughter of 
Joseph and 'Nancy Alvord, of Eagle, Wis.; Mrs. Bishop was born in Frankfort, Herkimer Co., 
N. Y., April 13, 1827, and died at Little Prairie, Walworth Co., Oct. 2, 1865. There were 
eight children in the family — Ira, born Dec. 27, 1849 ; Albert, born May 27, 1851, died, aged 11 years; 
Charles A., born May 22, 1853 ; Frank P., born Nov. 29, 1855. (These four were born in Eagle, Wis.") 
Kittie, born O^t. 7, 1857; Nellie, born Dec. 19, 1859; .Mary, born July 26, 1861, died at Little 
Prairie, Oct. 17, 1862 ; John, born Dec. 31, 1863. The four younger were born in Troy, Wis.; Ira 
married Jennie Berry and lives in Minnesota ; Charles A. married Mary D. Dow, is an attorney at La Porte, 
Iowa, and is the present member of the Legislature from his District ; Frank P. married Nellie Means, 
lives in La Grange; Kittie is the wife of Everett E. Dow, of Waterloo, Wis. Mr. Bishop purchased his 
present farm in 1865, and moved to La Grange ; he was married again June 20, 1873, in Whitewater, 
to Miss Mary E. Alvord, daughter of Joseph and Nancy Alvord ; Mrs. Bishop was born in Sauquoit, 
Oneida Co., N. Y. Mr. Bishop has held various local offices — Superindendent of Schools of Eagle and 
Troy, Justice of the Peace, and Chairman of the Board of Supervisors sis terms, and Chairman of the 
Walworth Co. Board of Supervisors two terras ; politics, Republican. 

FRED. W. BLOMILEY, D. S., dentist and County Treasurer. The subject of this sketch was 
born in La Grange, Walworth Co., Wis., Aug. 3, 1849; is the son of Thomas and Susannah (^Lawton ) 
Blomiley ; he received a common school education, and was brought up on a farm ; was elected Town 
Trea.surer of La Grange, re-elected and held the office si.^t years; he was elected County Treasurer in 1876, 
and re-elected in 1878 and 1880, bein.; the present incumbent; in 1879, he began the study of den- 
tistry ; took a regular course at the Indiana Dental Colle^je of Indianapolis, Ind., and graduated Feb. 
28, 1882; he then bought out Dr. J. M. Barker, of Elkhorn, and entered upon the practice of his pro- 
fession ; he has his dental rooms and the Treasurer's office conneote 1 by telephone, and so manages, with 
the aid of a deputy, to conduct both with satisfaction. He was married in Elkhorn, to Maryette Sher- 
man, daughter of Mrs. Wealthy Sherman ; Mrs. Blomiley was born in the State of New York. Mr. 
Blomiley is Republican in politics; he has resided in Elkhorn since 1876. 

THOMAS BLOMILEY, farmer. Sec. 10; P. 0. La Grange; has 260 acres of land. The subject 
of this sketch was born in Cheshire, England, near Manchester, July 7, 1822 ; is the ,son of Peers and 
Hannah ( Barton) Blomiley ; came to America in 1843 ; made his home at New York Mills, Oneida Co., 
N. Y., till 1848, when he moved to La Grange, Walworth Co., Wis., and located on his present ftirm ; 
he was married in Rome, N. Y., Dec. 25, 1847, to Susannah, daughter of Harry A. Lawton ; Mrs. 
Blomiley was born in Cheshire, England; they h.ive two sons and one daughter ; the eldest, Frederick 
W., is a dentist by profession, and thi3 present Treasurer of Walworth Co. ; he mirri^d Maryette Sherman 
and lives at Elkhorn ; the two younger, Squire and Susannah, are at home ; Mr. Blomiley and younger 
son have devoted considerable attention for the past eight years to the growing of Italian bees and queens, 
for sale. Mr. Blomiley and sons are Republican in politics. 

WILLIAM BROMLEY, farmer, Sec. 15; P. 0. La Grange; has 160 acres of land. Mr. 
Bromley was born in Yorkshire, England, Aug. 8, 1808; is the son of Thomas and Martha (Kil- 
bourn ) Bromley ; was employed in early life in the cotton mills ; was what is known as a bass cotton 
weaver; he came to America in 1839; made his home in New Hartford, Oueida Co., N. Y., where he 
worked at his trade five years ; he then came to Wisconsin May 12, 1844, anl pureh.ised his present farm, 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 827 

•where he has continueil to reside to this date, 18S2; he was married in England in 1836, to Martha, 
slaughter of Joshua anil Sarah Taylor ; Mrs. Bromley was bora in Yorkshire ; they have five children — 
Samuel T., (xeorge H., Sarah, Kdward and Frederick W.; George H., married Maryette Houghton, lives 
in lja(irange; Edward, marrie<l Sarati A. Meadows, and lives in La Grange; Frederick W., married 
Eniuia Houghton, lives at Waukesha, Wis. Mr. Bromley and sons are Republican in polities. 

JAMES N. (!ASE, farmer. Sec. 1!); P.O. Heart Prairie; has 99 acres of land The subject 
of this sketch was born in Newstead, Erie Co., N. Y., Dec. 1, 1821. Is the son of James H. and 
Mary (Powers) Case; he was brought up a farmer; was married May 1, 1845, in Erie Co., N. Y., 
to Mi.ss Mary J. Lancton, daughter [of Lewis and Welthy Lancton. Mrs. Case was born in 
Buffalo, N. Y., Aug. 28, 1826. They had two children born in the East — L. Adelbert and George R., 
both deceased ; Adelbert died aged 23 years ; George R. when 3 years old. Mr. Case and family 
moved to Wisconsin in the fall of 1848, and located in La Grange, Walworth Co., on the farm on 
which he still resides. Four children were born to them in La Grange — Thirsah M., Clara, Walter 
and Minnietta; the eldest, Thirsah M., is the wife of 0. C. Allworth, of Fort Atkinson, Wis.; Clara 
and Walter died in childhood. Mr. Case is Republican in politics. 

SAMUEL N. CASE, farmer, Sec. 29; P. O. Heart Prairie; has 120 acres of land; he was born 
in Newstead, Erie Co., N. Y., April 12, 1833 ; is the son of James H. and Mary (Powers) Case ; came 
to Wisconsin, May 13, 1849, and settled on Sec. 20, La Grange, Walworth Co., and has lived in this 
town continuously since. For the past eighteen years he has resided on his present farm. He has been 
twice elected a member of the Board of Supervisors of La Grange, being a member of present board ; he 
Tvas married in Williamson, Wayne Co., N. Y., Dec. 24, 185t;, to Miss Abigail L. Springer, daughter of 
AVJliam and Ann Springer. Mrs. Case was born in Williamson, Wayne Co., N. Y. They have two chil- 
dren, daughters, — Ella and Clara; Ella, the eldest, is the wife of Edward D. Ellis, of Chicago. 

ALVIN W. COOK, farmer, Sec. 31; P.O. Heart Prairie; has 130 acres of land: was born in 
Antwerp, Jefferson Co., N. Y., Sept. 20, 1825; is the son of Jesse and Nancy Lozier Cook. The sub- 
ject of this sketch was brought up a farmer, moved to St. Lawrence Co. with his parents in 1840, and in 
1845 came to Whitewater, Walworth Co., Wis., arriving in this town July 17, made his home on Sec. 
25, where he was engaged in farming till 1805 ; he then sold out and moved to his present farm on Sec. 
31j La Grange. He was married in Turtle, Rock Co., Oct. 30, 1848, to Miss Lucinda H. Safford, daughter 
of Amos and Tabitha Safford. Mrs. Cook was born in Murray, Orleans Co., N. Y. They have had eight 
children — Henry, who died aged 18 years; Alfred C, married Delia Lewis, and lives in Spink Co., 
D. T.; Arvilla, now Mrs. William Olds, of Whitewater; Charles S. married Miss Mary Ball, lives in La 
Grange; Seymour A., Emery L., Carrie E. and Arthur R. Mr. Cook's people were of New England 
origin ; his grandfather on his father's side was a soldier of the Revolution, and his father was a soldier of 
the war of 1812. Mr. Cook has served thirteen years as Assessor of La Grange, and is now serving his 
fourteenth year. In politics he is Republican. 

LEWIS C. COOK, farmer. Sec. 20 ; P. 0. Heart Prairie ; has 240 acres. The subject of this 
sketch was born in Batavia, Genesee Co., N. Y., June 28, 1828. Is the son of Edward M. and Persis 
(McMurphyj Cook. He was brought up a farmer. In 1846, he came to Wisconsin and made his home 
in La (irange, on Sec. 30, and in 1864 moved to his present farm. He was marrieil in this town in 18fj3, 
to iNliss Lois E. Johnson, daughter of Col. Wm. Johuson. Mrs. Cook was born in Wayne Co., N. Y. 
They have no children of their own, but have one adopted daughter named Ella. 

BENJAMIN F. COX. farmer. Sec 13; P. 0. Adams; has 175 acres of land. The subject of this 
sketch was born in Springfield, Mass., Oct. 31, 1812 ; son of Benjamin and Sarah (Bowman) Cox ; when 
6 years of age, he moved to Leverett, Mass., with his parents and two years later to Hadley ; he was mar- 
ried in Greenfield, Mass., April 9, 1835, to Miss Clarissa C. Clark, daughter of Eli'^ha Clark. Mrs. Cox 
is a native of Hampshire Co., Mass. In 1840, Mr. Cox and family emigrated to Wisconsin, located in 
Troy, Walworth Co.; one year later, they moved to La Grange, where Mr. Cox had purchased a consider- 
able tract of land in company with his brother Samuel. In 1845, he bought out his brother's interest. 
Mr. and Mrs. Cox have no ciiildren of their own, but adopted and brought up a daughter (Susannah) now 
Mrs. Edwin Crain, of La (irange. 

AM/Y S. DOOLITTLE, farmer. Sec. 33; P. 0. Heart Prairie; has 130 acres of land; was born 
in Windham, Greene Co., N. Y., April 4, 1834; is the son of Edward and Sally A. Doolittle ; was brought 
up a farmer, and came to La Grange, Wis,, in the fall of 1855 ; was married in Sugar Creek, July 26, 
1857, to .Miss Ellen A. .'^tuith, daughter of Francis Smith. Mrs. Doolittle was born in Vermont. One 
child was born to them —Ida. Mrs. Doolittle died Oct. 20, 1876. Mr. Doolittle was married again Jan. 



828 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

1, 1879, in Delavan, to Prances E. Near, daughter of Lewis C. Near. Mrs. Doolittle was born in Diitche.ss 
Co., N. Y. Mr. Uoolittle and wife are members of the M. E. Church. In politics, he is Republican, 
having voted with that party since its organization. 

CHARLES P. ELLIS (deceased) was born in Ashfield, Franklin Co., Mass., March 20, 1812 ; he was 
the son of William and Rhoda Ellis. When he was about 6 years of age, his parents moved to Springfield, 
Erie Co., Penn. ; he was brought up on a farm, and in 1839 was married to Miss Sarah Harris, 
daughter of Jeremiah and Priseilla Harris. Mrs. Ellis was born in Henderson, Jefferson Co., N. Y. 
In 1842, they moved to Wisconsin, arriving in La Grange, Walworth Co., in July of that year, and 
purchased a farm on Sec. 21, near the center of the town. Mr. Ellis pursued the occupation of 
farmer at this place till his death, which occurred Jan. 22, 1881, leaving a widow and three chil- 
dren to mourn his loss; his children — Priseilla, now Mrs. John Meozie, of La Grange; James A., 
who married Eva L. Williams, and lives at Harvard, 111.; and Charles E., living at the old home- 
.stead. Mr. Ellis was Republican in politics. Served several terms on the Board of Supervisors of La 
Grange, and held other minor offices. In all the relations of life, he was universally esteemed. 

0. G. EWING, farmer. Sec. 22 : P. 0. La Grange ; has 335 acres of land ; settled in Walworth 
Co., May, 1838; he was born in Townshend, Windham Co., Vt., Sept. 1, 1816; is the son of Luther 
and Hannah Ewing ; was brought up on a farm; on becoming of age, he went to Boston, Mass., remaining 
there a short time, and in the f;ill of 1837 went to Michigan, spent the winter in Flint, and the following 
spring started for Wisconsin, arriving in what is now La Grange in May, 1838 ; made his claim, and re- 
turned to Vermont for the money to enter his land; on his way back to Wisconsin he was six weeks mak- 
ing the trip by water from Butfalo to Racine, and three days afoot from Racine to La Grange, carrying 
his money, which was in specie, in a shot bag ; he said it was about the hardest three days work he ever 
did, wading creeks and marshes; he purchased the land comprising his present farm, where he proceeded 
to prepare a home; he was married, April 3, 1841, in La Grange, to Miss Hannah, daughter of Lotus 
Watson. Mrs. Ewing was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y. Immediately after his marriage, he took posses- 
sion of his new home, which has been his place of residence since. Five children were born to them-Albert 
0., married Annabel Stoner, and lives in Chariton, Iowa; Almanda F. and Alice A. live at Kenosha; Ad- 
dison L. is Professor of Natural Science at Braddoek, Penn., is a graduate of Cornell University; the 
youngest, Arthur A., lives at home. Mr. Ewing has held various local offices; has served two terms as 
Chairman of La Grange ; he and his .sons are Republican in politics. 

WILLIAM H. FAIRCHILD, farmer, Sec. 32; P. 0. Heart Prairie; has 144 acres of land; he 
was born in Hunter, Greene Co., N. Y., June 15, 1827 ; is the son of John and Catharine (Clawson) 
Fairchild ; when 9 years of age he moved with his parents to Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., where he was 
brought up a farmer ; he came to La Grange, Wis., May 2, 1852, and settled on Sec. 32, where he pur- 
chased a fine farm of 144 acres; he was married in Tioga Center, Tioga Co., N. Y., Jan. 2, 1855, to Miss 
Deborah A. Bloodgood, daughter of Rev. Cyrus Bloodgood. Mrs. Fairchild was born in Litchfield, Penn. 
Soon after their marriage Mr. Fairchild and wife came to Wisconsin and occupied their farm in La Grange. 
Mr. Fairchild has always refused public office, preferring to devote his undivided attention to his farm- 
ing interests. In the fall of 1881, he leased his farm and moved to his present residence at Heart 
Prairie. 

BENJAMIN FOWLER (deceased) was born near Harrisburg, Penn., June 20, 1798; was a 
blacksmith and farmer by occupation ; was married in 1818, to Martha Koher ; moved to Ohio, and from 
there to Michigan, and from Michigan to Racine Co., Wis., in 1835, and to La Grange in October. 1844, 
and located on Sec. 30, where he engaged in farming. Mr. and .Mrs. F. were blessed with a family of 
thirteen children — Sally, wife of N. D. Niblack, of Nebraska ; Mary, wife of B. Beardsley, of Trempea- 
leau, Wis.; Ann, wife of James Bigelow, of Sugar Creek ; Martha, wife of Orin Gibbs, of Minnesota ; 
Albina, wife of Joseph Dale, of Trempealeau ; Caroline, wi*e of D. D. Chapel, also of Trempeauleau; 
Hannah, wife of John R. Bell, of Kansas ; Lucinda, wife of W. H. Gibbs, of La Grange. Rebecca 
was the wife of G. Gibbs, died in 1860 ; David was drowned while fishing ; Henry died, aged 3 years ; 
B. T. (see sketch ) ; John, of Nebraska. Mr. Fowler was an industrious, thrifty citizen, and lived to 
accumulate a large property ; his death occurred Dec. 26, 1874 ; his wife survived him two years, dying 
Feb. 20, 1876. 

B. T. FOWLER, farmer and breeder of Poland-China pigs. Sec. 32 ; P. 0. Heart Prairie; has 157 
acres of land. He was born in Cass Co., Mich., July 9, 1835 ; is the son of Benjamin Fowler; the 
following August (1835) he came to Wisconsin with his parents; they made their home in Racine Co., 
three miles west of what is now Racine, but what was then known as the mouth of Root River ; they 



HISTORY OF WAIAVORTH COUNTY. 829 

moved from there to La Granite in October, IS-li, and located ou See. 30. The subject of this .siietch 
grew to manhood on his father's farm ; he was married in Whitewater, Dec. 80, 1858, to Miss Clara 
Wood; siic was born in Cortland Co., N. Y.; they have three children — Harry A., Harley B. and Henry 
E.; Mr. F. moved to his present home in 1805 ; about 1872, he began the breeding of Poland-China 
pigs, his original slock being imported from Butler and Warren Cos., Ohio ; his stock for the season of 
1882 will number atiout 400 ]iigs ; Mr. Fowler's facilities for his business are extensive and perfect ; pigs 
of his growing have taken many premiums at State and lucal fairs ; he exports largely to Western States 
and Territories. 

WILLIAM H. GIBBS, farmer, Sec. 30 ; P. O Heart Prairie; has 270 acres of land; was born in 
Chautau([ua Co., N. Y., Dec. 5, 1811) ; is the .son of Israel and Charlotte (Wright) Gibbs ; in 1843, he 
came to Wisconsin ; spent nearly a year in Racine, where he was married, May 30, 1844, to JILss Lucinda 
Fowler, daughter of Bcnjaniin Fowler; Mrs. Gibbs was born in Pennsylvania; in September, 1844, 
they moved to Whitewater, Walworth Co. ; spent two years on a farm in that town, and then moved to 
See. 32, La Grange, and from there to his present farm in 1854. Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs have a family of 
three children — Cyrus C, Rebecca and Bethana ; the elder daughter (Rebecca) is the wife of S. W. 
Lyman, of Iowa; the younger (Bethana) is Mrs. E. Cornell, of La Grange. .Mr. Gibbs has served 
four terms as a member of the Board of Supervisors of La Grange; in politics, he is Republican. 

CYRUS C. GIBBS, farmer, Sec. 30; P. Q. Whitewater; has SO acres of land. The subject of 
this sketch was born in Caledonia, Racine Co., Wis., Mareli 14, 1845 ; is the son of William H- 
and Lucinda Gibbs; when only 1 year old he accompanied his parents to Walworth Co.; the family 
located on Sec. 3(>, town of Whitewater, and two years later moved to La Grange ; during the latter 
years of the late war. the subject of this sketch served as a member of the 40th W. V. I. for the term 
of the 100 days' enlistment. He was married in Delavan, Feb. 12, 1867, to Miss Mary C. Cook, 
daughter of Edward Cook ; Mrs. Gibbs was born in Batavia, N. Y. Mr. (Jibbs was elected Justice ot 
the Peace at the last town election of La Grange. 

WILLIAM GREENING, farmer, Sec. 14 ; P. 0. Little Prairie; has 157 acres of land. The 
subject of this sketch was born iu Devonshire, England, Dec. 14, 1827 ; is the son of Phillip and 
Frances (Martin) Greening; came to Amerieain 1840; spent two years in Canada, and in 1851, came to 
La Grange, Walworth Co., Wis., and located on his present farm. He was married, in 1853, to Miss 
Harriet Padley, who died in 1858, leaving one son, Frank W. Mr. Greening was married again in 1859, 
to Miss Catharine Cameron, daughter of Agnes Cameron ; Mrs. Greening is a native of Scotland ; seven 
children were born to them, five daughters and two sons — Kate, Hattie, Angus, Nettie, Agnes 
and Eddie; the younger son died, aged four years. Mr. Greening has served in various public posi- 
tions ; he has been Assessor of La Grange two terms ; Supervisor several years ; Chairman six years^ and 
Justice of the Peace from 1865 to 1882, being the present incumbent; he was also a member of the 
Legislature from his Assembly district in 1877. 

EPHRIAM C. HARLOW, farmer, Sec. 1 ; P. 0. Little Prairie ; has 185 acres of land ; date of 
settlement in La Grange, early in June, 1838. The subject of this sketch was born in Sherburne, Rutland 
Co., Vt, Nov. 13, 1806. Is the son of Levi and Betsy (Gary) Harlow. In early youth, he learned the 
comb-maker's tr.ade. He was married at Ludlow. Vt., October, 1836, to Miss Emeline Bigelow, daughter 
of Joseph Hi^elow. Mrs Harlow was bcirn in Reading, Vt. Two years later, they moved to Wisconsin, 
and made their h(jine on See. 1, Town 4 north, Range 16 east, now La Grange. They arrived at their 
destination, and took possession of their land in the first week of June, 1838. Mr. Harlow purchased his 
land of the Government at the next land sale ( February, 1830,), and has contentedly maintained his res- 
idence on the same land to this date, a period of forty-four years. Mr. and Mrs. Harlow have had only 
one child, a daughter — Emily I., now the wife of Royal J. Washburn, of Palmyra, Wis. Mr. Harlow is 
a Democrat in politics, and has never been an aspirant for public office. 

JAMES HOLDEN, deceased. He was the earliest pioneer of La Grange, and though not the first 
white man to discover the beautiful prairie which he had the honor of naming " Heart Prairie," he was 
the first to effect a settlement on its borders, which he did in the early spring of 1837. Mr. Holden was 
born in Middlesex, Vt., Aug. 5, 1813, and was. the .son of Josiah and Betsey ( Leland) Holden. When 
about 20 years of age (his father having died), he went to Boston, Mass., and engaged in Faneuil Hall 
Market, where he remained ai)out four years. In 1836. he left Boston for the West, to seek a home in 
that promising region that was then attracting such universal attention. Chicago was his objective point; 
from there he prospected in Illinois, but not finding that country entirely to his taste, he came north into 
Wisconsin (February, 1837J. On reaching one of the fertile prairies of Sugar Creek, Walworth Co., he 



830 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

made his claim. As he traveled afoot, with no other outfit than his rifle and blanket, it was necessary for 
him to return to the .settled portion of Illinois for a team, tools and supplies, which he did. About a 
month later (or in March), he reached his claim, his outfit consisting of an ox team drawiug a cart, the 
wheels of which were made of two sections of a large log ; holes bored in the center accomodated the rude 
axle, a pole served for a tongue, while a dry goods box did duty for a wagon box. Very much to his dis- 
appointment, he found his claim "jumped " and lost to him. However, other good tracts of land were 
lying ready for the taking. Maj. John Davis, the first white settler of Sugar Creek, ofi'ered to pilot him 
to a beautiful prairie to the northward, which he did, and Mr. Holden traversed the fertile region of Heart 
Prairie, which he found without an inhabitant. Ascending what is now known as Lone Tree BluflF, he 
was struck with the great natural beauty of the prairie. Its peculiar shape suggested the name which he 
then gave it, of " Heart Prairie," a name which it still bears and by which is widely known — one of the 
most fertile regions of Wisconsin. He selected the south half of Sec. 32, of what is now La Grange, and 
the north half of Sec. 5, Sugar Creek, making 640 acres in all. This combined prairie and woodland, and 
extended his possessions to a beautiful little lake on the south. It was near this lake he built his first log 
cabin. He soon after took it to pieces and moved it to Sec. 32, near where he subsequently built his com- 
modious house, which is still occupied by his family. He soon procured a young cow, the first brought to 
the prairie. At the land sale of February, 1839, he bought the two half sections which he had selected, 
and there being now no further danger of claim-jumpers, he began to think of perfecting another impor- 
tant piece of business. So returning to his old homa in the East, he spent a couple of years, and at the 
expiration of that time was married (Oct. 6, 18il ), to Patience, daughter of Cyrus Barber, of Barre, Vt. 
The young couple set out at once for their home in the West. The original log house was only 12x14 
feet in size, but additions were made to it as the increasing wants of a fast-growing family demanded, 
until eventually the old house was superseded by the fine structure that is now the home of the family. 
Seven children were born to them — Carrie B., William J., Jennie N., Helen E., Mary A., Emily C. and 
Jessie F. The eldest (Carrie B.) died, aged 20 years; William J. married Miss Mary C. Owen, and 
lives in La Grange; Helen B. is the wife of Mahlon Bolser, of Ackley, Iowa; Mary A. is Mrs. Alfred 
Fox, of Rockford, 111.; Emily C. is the wife of Chester Lyman, of Richmond. Mr. Holden, though not 
a member of any church, was always active in aiding the cause of religion, and was regular in his atten- 
dance at the Methodist Church on the prairie. Liberal in his views, respecting religion, fearless and out- 
spoken in his opinions, yet he was considerate of the opinions of others, and always held in the highest 
respect what he believed to be the honest convictions of religious people. He was strietlv temperate, 
using neither tobacco or intoxicating liquors; he taught a good code of morals by his example as well as 
precept. In all the relations of life, he proved himself a man worthy the love and veneration of his family, 
and the esteem and confidence of his neighbors. Fair-minded, candid and honest, he seemed to do right 
because he loved the right, and nof. because he expected any reward for it, directly or indirectly. He died 
Sunday morning, Feb. 22, 1880. The memory of his virtues is cherished in the hearts of his family and 
friends. 

WILLIAM J. HOLDEN, farmer. Sec. 31 ; P. 0. Heart Prairie ; has 115 acres of land ; was born 
in La Grange, Wis., Sept. 1, 1844 ; is the son of James and Patience Holden. He was brought up a 
farmer; was married in Troy, Wis., Nov. 7, 1872, to Miss Mary C. Owen, daughter of John Owen. 
Mrs. Holden w;is born in New York ; they have one child, a son, Jamie 0. Mr. Holden was a soldier of 
the late war ; enlisted in one-hundred-day service, and served the term of his enlistment; 100 acres of 
his land lies in Sugar Creek, and only fifteen in La Grange. He has always made his home in the latter 
town. 

JOHN KING, farmer, Sec. 13 ; P. 0. Adams; has 185 acres of land. Mr. King was born in Lan- 
cashire, England, Dec. 8, 180(5 ; is the son of James and Betsey (Briarly) King. He learned the trade of 
cotton spinner at Oldham, at which he worked till 1834. He was married in 1829 to Miss Hannah Hilton, 
daughter of John and Nellie Hilton. In the spring of 1834, they emigrated to America, and settled in 
the State of New York. Mr. King worked at his trade in New Hartford, Rome and New York Mills, 
in all, seven years. In July,, 1841, he moved to Wisconsin, and purchased his present farm in the town of 
La Grange. Mr. and Mrs. King had a family of nine children, of whom seven are living. John died in 
childhood ; William V. married Annette Porter and is Auditor of Jackson Co., Minn. ; Lucy ; James died 
in childhood; Ellen is the wife of James Baird, of Troy, Wis.; Eliza is the wife of M. Barney, of 
Minnesota ; Robert H. married Minnie Bratt, lives in Jackson Co., Minn. ; George H.; Albert D. married 
Lona V. Lewis, lives in Texas. Mr. King was one of the early Road Commissioners of La Grange ; has 
served as Assessor three years, and Side Supervisor four years. He has been an oflicer of his school 
district about twenty years. Three of his sons, William, Robert and Albert, were soldiers of the late 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 831 

war. Robert and Albert were members of Biirstow'.s cavalry ; Robert served two years, and Albert 
three years. William was under Col. Cobb, 28th W. V. I., and served one year, or till the close of the 
war. 

JAMES LAUDP^RDALK, farmer, See, 25; P.O.Lauderdale; has 450 acres of land. The subject 
of this sketch was born in Washinf;;ton County, N. V., Aug. 20, LS13; is the son of Edward and 
Jannet E. (Elliot) Lauderdale; moved to Genesee Co., with his parents when 9 or H) years of aj;e; was 
married in Livingston County, May 11, 1841, to Margaret, daughter of James Stewart. Miss Lauderdale 
was born in Livingston County. In 1842, they moved to La Grange, Wis. ; and settled on their present 
farm. Their family consisted of five children ; the eldest, James E., was born in New York ; he married 
Rebecca Patterson, and live in Sugar Creek. The others were born in La Grange. John H. married 
Maria Tibbetts, and is a farmer of Sugar Creek ; Amanda J. is the wife of D. J. Williams, of Sugar 
Creek ; Mary E. is the wife of Chester B. Williams, of La Grange ; Walter E. married Mary Kinne, 
lives at the old homestead. La Grange ; Mr. Lauderdale has served as Supervisor of La Grange several 
terms, and as Chairman of the Board of Supervisors seventeen years. He was a member of the Wis- 
consin Assembly in 1853 and 185t!. 

JAMES H, LAWTON, farmer, Sec. 22; P. 0. La Grange; has 126 acres of land. He was born 
in Cheshire, England, April 23, 1836; is the son of Henry A. and Betty Lawton ; came to America 
with his parents in 1842 ; resided in Herkimer Co.. N. Y., one year; then removed to New York Mills, 
Oneida Co., N. Y., and in May, 1846, to La Grange, Wis. His father bought a claim on Sees. 9 and 10, 
with a log house on Sec. 9, where the family made their home in the early days of their residence in this 
town. Mr. Lawton was married in Elkhorn, Sept. 11, 1861, to Miss Ellen J. Bronson. Mrs. Lawton 
was born in Pennsylvania. They have a family of five sons— Grant IL, Harvey P., James B., Howard 
C. and Herbert N. Mr. Lawton enlisted in the late war, Aug. 29, 1864, as a member of Company G, 
42d W. V, I.', and served one year. He was elected Register of Deeds of Walworth Co, for the term of 
1867 and 1868, and has held several minor offices in La Grange; was Town Superintendent of Schools 
two terms, Town Treasurer one term, and Town Clerk eight or nine terms. In politics, he is a Repub- 
lican. Mr. Lawton has resided on his present farm thirteen years. 

SAMUEL LAWTON, tanner, Sec. 10 ; P. 0. La Grange ; has 160 acres of land. The subject of 
this sketch was born in Cheshire, England, near Manchester, April 13, 182G. Is the son of Henry and 
Betty Lawton. He came to America in 1842; made his home at New York Mills, Oneida Co., N. Y., 
till 1845, when he came to Walworth Co., Wis. ; spent six months in East Troy, and then came to La 
Grange, and located on his present farm, in 1846. He was married in East Troy, Wis., March 31, 1866, 
to Miss Edna Wood, daughter of Mark Wood. Mrs. Lawton was born in Cheshire, England. They 
ha'Je two children — William H.and Frederick M. Mr. Lawton enlisted in Company G, 42d W. V. I., in 
September, 1864, and served till the close of the war. He is Republican in politics, and a member of the 
Universalist Church. 

JOHN S. LEWIS (deceased). The subject of this sketch was born in Williamson, Wayne Co., 
N. Y., Dec. 2, 1821 ; was the son of P^zekiel and Abigail Lewis. He learned the mason's trade, at which 
he worked till 1843, when he came to Walworth Co., Wis. He returned to the East the following year, 
and was married, Oct. 15, 1844, to Miss Debora Maleomb, and returned to Wisconsin, and made his 
home on Heart Prairie. They had one child born to them, which died in infancy. The mother survived 
but a short time, dying in 1846. Mr. Lewis was married again, Feb. 16, 1848, to Miss Diantha Harrison, 
daughter of John Harrison, of Heart Prairie. Mrs. Lewis was born in Wayne Co., N. Y. Ten children 
were born to them, eight of whom are living. The eldest, Arabell, is now Mrs*. Alfred Cooley, of Hebron, 
Jefferson Co., Wis.; Charles H. married Annie Henderson, and lives in La Grange ; IMary is the wife of 
James Duncombe, of Sugar Creek; Harry, Perry, Estella, Sherman and Blanche. Mr. Lewis had a 
fine farm of 160 acres, on Sec. 21, Li Grange, now in the possession of his widow and children. He was 
well known as an industrious, upright citizen, a kind and affectionate husband and father. Mr. Lewis 
served his town (La Grange) as Treasurer, and held other minor offices. 

WILLIAM LYON (deceased) was born in GofFstown, N. H., Sept. 4, 1777. He was a mechanic 
by ijccupation ; was married to Mi.ss Sally Sanborn, in 1798. Four children were born to them, two 
sons and two daughters. The eldest, Mo.scs S., born in 1799, died some years since; James L., was born 
in 1801, and died Dec. 17, 1878; Levinna, born in 1804, is the widow of Samuel Robinson, of La 
Grange; the youngest, Sarah, was born in 1810; she and her widowed sister live together in La Grange, 
where they have several tracts of land. 



832 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

WILLIAM McDOUGALD, farmer, Sec. 29 ; P. Heart Prairie ; has 175 acres of land ; settled in 
Walworth Co. in the spring of 1837 ; he was born in Masonville, Delaware Co., N. Y., Nov. 20, 1815 ; is 
the son of Lochlin and Belinda (Beals) McDougald ; was brought up a farmer, and came to Wisconsin in 
1837, arriving in Milwaukee March 31 of that year ; he pmceeded to Walworth Co. and made a claim in 
what is now Sugar Creek, at the land sales of February, 1839 ; he bought 240 acres in the town of La 
Grange. The following year he made his home on this laud. Sec. 29, where he has continued to reside until 
this date ; he was married in Muskego, Waukesha Co., Wis., May 10, 1838, to Miss Sarah Tucker, having to 
go to Milwaukee for the marriage license. Mrs. McDougald was born in Tompkins, Delaware Co., N. Y., 
went to Wisconsin with her aunt in August, 1836 ; a family of eight children blessed this union, six of 
whom survive — Justin died aged 7 years ; Persia is the wife of Anson D. Phelps, of Cherokee, Iowa ; 
William H., married Eugene Foster, of Sugar Creek ; Edwin and Edward are twins, of La Grange ; Levi 
died at the age of 18 years ; George, the youngest, married Bertha M. Peterson, and lives at the old home- 
stead. Mr. McDougald has held various local offices ; has been Justice of the Peace twenty years, and 
during that time he has never f^iiled to effect a settlement in all cases brought before him without having 
a trial. There is probably no parallel case in the State where a Justice has held office so many years with 
similar experience. Mr. McDougald and all of his sons are Republicans, casting six votes in all. The 
father was originally a member of the Free-Soil party ; on the formation of the Republican party he took 
an active part in its organization in La Grange, and has since been an earnest advocate of its principles ; 
being impressed with religious convictions in his youth, he became a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and for the past fifty-two years, has been an active supporter of Christian principles in that denomina- 
tion ; coming to this favored locality in so early a day, he wisely secured a large tract of land, and has thus 
been enabled to assist his sons to the possessions of many fine farms. The aggregate acreage of the fami- 
ly equals nearly 800 acres of the finest land in the county. Mr. McDougald lost his worthy helpmeet, 
who had participated in his labors and cares, and shared and enjoyed his successes, April 10, 1881 ; her five 
sons (all grown) were living at home at the time of her death. The daughter, married, and living in 
Iowa, was unable to be present at the funeral. Mrs. McDougald was raised in the Presbyterian Church, 
but in the absence of the privileges of that church, she cast in her lot with the M. E. Church, to which 
her husband belonged ; her failing health during the winter admonished her " that the time of her depart- 
ure was at hand." When, at last, tiie summons came, she passed suddenly but peacefully to the church 
triumphant. She was retiring and not demonstrative in her religious life, faithful in her household duties, 
and in the moral culture of her children. An affectionate husband and loving, dutiful children, will greatly 
miss her, but they mourn not as those without hope. 

EDWARD and EDWIN McDOUGALD ; P. (). Heart Prairie ; twin brothers ; are the sons of Will- 
iam and Sarah McDougald; they were born in La Grange, Oct. 12, 1846; grew to manhood on their 
father's farm, and then started in business together as farmers in their native town ; they now have a fine 
farm of 250 acres of land, all but 10 acres of which lies on Sec. 29 ; Edward was married in La Grange, 
March 15, 1882, to Miss Nettie Griffin, daughter of George P. and Wealthy Griffin. Mrs. McDougald 
was born in Genoa, Vernon Co., Wis. 

JARED PATCHIN, f^irmer. Sec. 28; P. 0. La Grange; has 200 acres of land ; was born in New- 
field, Tompkins Co., N. Y., Sept. 6, 1812; is the son of Jared and. Azubah Patchin ; was married to Miss 
Betsy Nichols Feb. 17, 1832; moved to Eaton, Lorain Co., Ohio. Mrs. Patchin died Oct. 17, 1832 ; he 
subsequently went to New York and was married in 1834 to Mi.ss Emoline Adams; returning to Ohio he 
remained there until 1847, when he emigrated to Wisconsin and located on his present farm in La Grange 
October 2, of that year. Five children were born of this marriage — Nathan A., Jared, Amina, Lucelia 
and Horace. The eldest, Nathan A., married Mary M. Vely, and lives in Rock Co. ; Jared died in 1863, 
aged 23 years ; Amina died at the age of 21 ; Luceiia married Gilbert Niokerson, of Whitewater ; Horace 
was a soldier of the late war, a member of an Illinois Regiment; he is married, and practicing medicine in 
Iowa ; a legal separation occurred between Mr. Patchin and wife June 18, 1866 ; he was married again 
Oct. 21, 1866, to Mrs. Mary I. Long, of Whitewater. One child was born to them — a daughter, named 
Minnie. Mrs. Patchin died Dec. 14, 1870. Mr. Patchin was married to his present wife in 1871 ; her 
maiden name was Sarah R. Hornbeck, she is a native of Ohio. Three children were born of present mar- 
riage — Jay, Ray, and Mary. 

SAMUEL ROBINSON (deceased), was born in Norwich, Vt., in 1804 ; he was by occupation a 
carpenter and millwright; he was married in Westphalia, Vt., May 26, 1833, to Miss Levinne Lyon 
daughter of William Lyon. In 1841, Mr. Robinson and wife, accompanied by his wife's fiitherand family, 
came to La Grange, Wis., and located on Sec. 19, arriving at this place Sept. 10; Mr. Robinson, after 
coming to Wisconsin, worked at his trade and conducted his fiirm until the time of his death, which 



tllSTOKY OF WAIAVORTH COUNTY. 833 

occurred July 8, 1872 ; his t'atnily consisted of wife and two sons — William S. and David S. The ehlest, 
William S., married Miss Maria James, and resides in La Granije. The younijest. David S., married Miss 
Minerva Niblack, and lives in Fillmore, Nebraska ; he was a soldier of the late war and served nearly three 
years in a regiment of Wisconsin Heavy Artillery. Mrs. Samuel Robinson survives her husband and 
resides on the old homestead in La Grange. 

JAMES STEWART, farmer, Sec. 25; P. 0. Lauderdale; has 140 acres of land ; Mr. Stewart was 
born in .Montgomery Co., N. Y., Aug. 15, 1808 ; is the son of Duncan and Clementina Stewart. In 1817, 
he moved with his parents to Genesee Co., N. Y. ; ho was married in that county in November, 1832, to 
Miss Margaret, daughter of James Guthrie. Mrs. Stewart was born in Saratoga Co., N. Y. They have 
seven children — -William, the eldest, is married, and lives in Nebraska; John married Clara Jones, and 
lives in Hopkins, Mo. ; Archibald married Janet Stewart, and lives in Iowa ; Samuel ; Annie is the wife of 
Thomas Wilkinson, of Colorado; Helen is the wife of J. L. Smith, of Troy, Wis.; Mary is Mrs. C. S. 
^lartin, of Hopkins, Mo. In 1841, Mr. Stewart eame to Wisconsin and purchased a farm in La Grange, 
and in 1842 moved his family to their new home; he has continued to reside here to this date, 1882. 

WILSON STOCKDALE, farmer. Sec. 23; P. 0. La Grange; has 21(1 acres of land; was born 
in Yorkshire, England, July 25, 1825 ; is the son of Richard and Ann Stockdale ; was married in En- 
gland in 1847, to Ellen G. Waddingham. Mrs. Stockdale was born in England. In 1849, Mr. Stockdale 
emigrated to America, and located in La Grange, VVis. By industry and economy he has secured a good 
farm of 21 acres, on which he has lived the past twenty years. Mr. and Mrs Stockdale have five children— 
the eldest, Mary A. (is the wife of J. G. Taylor, of Rock Co., Wis.), Myra (is the wife of William R. 
Taylor, of Richmond, the present County Superintendent of Schools ), H, Ellen, Fanny E. and Wallace W., 
are at home. Mr. Stockdale is Republican in politics. 

JOSHUA TAYLOR, farmer. Sec. 28; P. O. La Grange; has 240 acres of land; he was born in 
Yorkshire, England, July 20, 181G ; is the son of Joshua and Sarah Taylor; was brought up a farmer, 
and emigrated to America in 1839, made his home in Oneida Co., N. Y. He was married, Oct. 10, 
1841, to Miss Betty Garlick, daughter of Joseph Garlick. Mrs. Taylor was born in England; one child 
was born to them in New Y'ork — Sarah E., who was the wife of Squire Lawton ; her death occurred in 
18G(i. Mr. Taylor moved to Wisconsin in June, 1843, and made his home on Sec. 15, La Grange, Wal- 
worth Co., where he continued to reside until 1860, when he moved to his present farm on Sec. 28. Nine 
children were born to them in this town — the eldest, William R. ( is the present Superintendent of Schools 
of Walworth Co., and lives in Richmond; see sketch elsewhere), the second, Joseph G. (married Mary 
Ann Stockdale, and lives in Johnstown, Wis.), Martha (is the wife of Edgar C. Hazard, of Iowa), Mary 
C. (is a teacher of Slilwaukee), George B. (died at the age of 22 years), Thomas (lives in Iowa), Betty 
A. (is the wife of Eugene Hadley, of Minnesota), Joshua C. (lives at home), Ada (died in childhood). 
Mr. T. has held various local offices ; has served several years on the Town Board of Supervisors, and one 
term as Assessor ; has been a Republican since the organization of that party. 

JOHN TAYLOR, farmer. Sec. 23; P. 0. La Grange; has 289 acres of land; was born in York- 
shire, England, June 7, 1835 ; is the son of George and Ann(Greeves) Taylor; came to America in July, 
1854, and direct to La Grange, Wis. He was married in this town in May, 18(52, to Miss Eunice, daugh- 
ter of Martin Brooks. Mrs. Taylor was born in the State of New York. They have ten living children — 
Henry A., Emily A., Charles G., Edgar W., Mary C, Martha E., Katie M., Eunice A. and Sarah 0., 
one not named. Mr. Taylor has made his home on his present farm since 1872. 

JOHN W. WELD, farmer, Sec. 13 ; P. 0. La Grange ; has 1(50 acres of land. The subject ot 
this sketch was born in Reading, Windsor Co., Vt., Dec. 24, 1832 ; is the son of John and Weltha Weld. 
In 1839. he moved with his parents to Orleans Co., N. Y. ; came to Wisconsin in 1841, and made his 
home in La (Jrange till 185S ; he then returned to Orleans Co., N. Y ., and spent two years on a farm. He 
enlisted in the late war Oct. 2, 1861, in Battery M, 1st New York Heavy Artillery, as a private; was pro- 
moted to a 2d Lieutenancy Jan. 14, 18(53, and assigned to Battery K, same regiment, September 27, same 
year ; he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant of the same battery, and served till the close of the war. While in 
the service, he participated in the following battles and skirmishes: Cedar ('reek, Va., March 2(5, 1862 ; 
Edinburg, April 1, 1862; Newtown, Va., May 24, 1862; Winchester, May, 25, 1862; Cedar Mountain, 
Aug. 9, 1862; Beverly Ford, Va. , Aug. 23, 1862; Sulphur Springs, Va., Aug. 25, 1862; Antietam, 
Md., Sept. 17, 1862; battle of Kelly's Ford, March 19, 1863; Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 18(53; bat- 
tle of Gettysburg, July 1, 2 and 3, 18(i3; was discharged at Elmira, N. Y., June 20, 1865, and bre- 
vetted Captain March 5, 1867, for meritorious conduct. On his return from the war, Capt. Weld engaged 
in (he insurance business in New York, which he carried on two years, and then returned to La (Jrange, 



83-1 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

Wis., purchased his present farm, and has resided here since, with the exception of two years spent in 
Whitewater. He was married in Orleans Co., N. Y., in October, 1856, to Miss Nancy Weld, daughter of 
Elisha Weld. They had two children— Hattie J. and Irving W. Mrs. Weld died April 27, 1859. Mr. 
Weld was married again Dec. 3, 1867, in Ridgeway, N. ¥., to -Miss Catharine A., daughter of Philo and 
Amittai H. Williams. Mrs. Weld was born in llaynham, Bristol Co., Mass. They have three children- 
Ella R., Katie A. and Alice B. Mr. Weld is Republican in politics. 

JOHN WELD, farmer. Sec. 1 ; P. 0. Little Prairie; has 200 acres of land ; settled in this town 
in the fill of 1841. The subject of this sketch was born in Reading, Windsor Co., Vt., Jan. 27, 1795 ; is 
the son of Thomas and Lurana ( Leavens) Weld. He learned the cooper's trade, but was principally engaged 
in farming. He was married in Reading, March 18, 1830, to Miss Weltha Bigelow, daughter of Elisha 
Bigelow. Mrs. Weld was born in Reading. They have three children — John W., Rhoda M. and Andrew 
E. ; the eldest, (John W.), is a farmer of La Grange, see sketch ; the others live at the old homestead. 
Mr. Weld came to Wisconsin in May, 1838, and made a claim on Section 1, Town -1 north. Range 1 6 east, 
now La Grange, and returned to the East in the fall of that year. In 1839, he started for the West, 
but on reaching Orleans Co., N. Y., he concluded to remain there awhile, which he did, until early in 
October, 1841, when he pursued his journey to La Grange, Wis. ; he established himself on Sec. 1 of 
that town, and has made that his home to this date. Mr. Weld was one of the early pioneers of La 
Grange, and is one of the few of that class that survive to witness the perfected civilization of the wilder- 
ness in which they made their homes so many years ago; he is now in his 88th year. During his resi- 
dence here he has served two terms as a member of the Board of Supervisors, and has held minor offices. 

DANIEL WILLIAMS, merchant, farmer and proprietor of Lake Mills flouring-mill. Sec. 36 ; P. 
0. Lauderdale. The subject of this sketch was born in New York City Sept. 28, 1813 ; is the son of 
Joseph and Elizabeth Williams. When about 4 years of age, he moved with his parents to Catskill, 
Greene Co., N. Y., where he remained till 21 years of age; he then moved to Cayuga Co., where he 
learned the trade of a millwright, serving between four and five years. He then went to Saginaw, Mich, 
(then only a little hamlet), and erected the first steam saw-mill in that place. One year later, he returned 
to Greene Co., N. Y., and in March, 1839, he was married to Miss Julia Judson. Mrs. Williams was 
born in Windham, Greene Co. In 1851, they moved to Walworth Co., Wis., where Mr. Williams had 
bought a tract of 440 acres of land, lying in Sugar Creek. He made his home there for three years. 
and then moved to Richland Co., Wis., and located at Sextonville ; was engaged in real estate business 
at that place about seven years, and then returned to Sugar Creek, to his old farm ; was engaged in farm ■ 
ing. In 1867, he purchased the mill property and firm he now occupies in La Grange. He soon after- 
ward erected a new mill on the site of the old one. The mill is a substantal frame structure, contains 
three runs of stone, and well adapted for custom work. It is situated on Sec. 36, on Honey Creek, an 
outlet of Lauderdale Lakes. The power is abundant and uniform. Mr. Williams operated his mill till 
1880, when he leased it to Mr. Yule, and one year later to Mr. McCarthy. In 1869, Mr. Williams 
moved to his present home near his mill ; in 1871, he opened a general country store at this place, where 
he is still in business, having a good country trade. .Mr. and Mrs. Williams have four children, three 
sons and one daughter — the eldest, Elbert J. (married Myra Weaver, and lives in Cawker City, Kan. ; 
he is a railroad station agent), Laura (is the wife of E. Weaver, a farmer of Sugar Creek), Judson 
( married Amanda Lauderdale, and carries on his father's farm in Sugar Creek, 160 acres), Chester B. 
(married Mary Lauderdale, and is a farmer of Heart Prairie j. 




HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 835 



TOWN OF BLOOMFIELD. 

ORGANIZATION AND TOPOGRAPHY. 

On January 23, 1844, Township 1, Range 18 east, being the southeast quarter of the town 
of Geneva, was, by act of Legislature, set off and incorporated under the name of Bloomfield. 
Bloomfield is the extreme southeastern town in Walworth County, and is bounded north by the 
town of Lyons ; south by the town of Richmond, Illinois ; east by the town of Wheatland, Ken- 
osha County ; and west by the town of Linn. It contains thirty-si.x square miles of varied and 
diversified country, well watered, and admirably adapted to agricultural pursuits. Bloom Prairie, 
in the southwestern portion of the town, being considered the richest land in the county. 

The surface of the country is rolling prairie, interspersed with openings of oak, and broken 
by ranges of hills and sharp hillocks, with swamps covered with a growth of tamarack or larch 
on the lower lands. 

The prairie lands are situated as follows : Bloom Prairie in the west, a part of Nippersink 
Prairie in the south, and a part of Mound Prairie in the east part of the town, comprising Sec- 
tions 19, 20, the larger part of Section 31, and parts of Sections 16, 17, 18, 20, 28, 34, 35, 25. 

The principal range of hills runs east and west across the north part of the east half of Sec- 
tion 31, the north part of Sections 32, 33, 34, and on to Section 35. Sections 7, 8, are also 
somewhat hilly. 

The marshes are distributed pretty evenly throughout the town, there being but two Sec- 
tions (t), 25,) entirely exempt. The largest tamarack swamp is on Sections 8, 9, equaling in 
extent a section and a half; the second in size is on Sections 3, 10, 15, equaling about a section. 

There are about 3,100 acres of growing timber, principally red, white and burr oak, with 
occasional poplar and hickory. There were originally several varieties of timber on Section IG, 
but nearly all the rest were burr oak openings. 

The prairie soil is a black loam, and the soil of the openings, clay, mixed with sand. 

The town is watered by the three branches of the Nippersink, several small brooks, a por- 
tion of Nippersink Lake, a part of Middle Lake, Lower Lake, Pell's Lake, and a small part of 
Ryan's Lake. 

The main stream of the Nippersink, known as the middle, or northwest branch, rises in 
nearly the center of the town of Linn, enters the town of Bloomfield on Section 18, flows 
in a southeast direction and enters the State of Illinois from Section 35. 

The west branch rises in Illinois, enters the town of Bloomfield on Section 31, flows 
in a northeast direction and empties into the main stream on Section 27. 

The northeast branch has its source in the three lakes (Nippersink or Power's, the Middle 
and Lower Lakes,) flows in a southwest direction, and forms a junction with the main stream on 
Section 26. The Nippersink has several small tributary branches, and there are also a number 
of small streams running northward into the town of Lyons. 

A part of the Nippersink (or Power's Lake) is on Section 13, in the Town of Bloomfield. 
It is one of the most beautiful lakes in the county. A part of Middle Lake and the whole of 
Lower Lake are on Section 24, Pell's Lake is on Section 15, and the southern portion of Ryan's 
Lake is on Section 3. 

FIRST SETTLERS. 

The first persons that settled within the present geographical limits of the town of Bloom- 
field, were Mr. Harry Kimball and his son Oramel. Mr. Kimball was a native of the State of 
Connecticut. lie removed to Cooperstown, N. Y., and from that place came to Bloomfield in 
the fall of 1836, and made a claim on the southwest quarter of Section 6. In the spring of 
1837, he was joined by his son, when they built a log house on the claim, and became actual 



836 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

settlers. Mr. Kimball did not remove his wife and family from Cooperstown until two or three 
years later. He died in the winter of 1851, and his wife a year or two after. Oramel Kimball, 
his son, is now living in the town of Delavan. 

The first family that made a home in Bloomfield was tliat of Mr. Harry Tupper, consisting 
of himself and young wife, Mrs. Tupper being the first white woman that settled in the town, and 
the mother of the first child born there. Mr. and Mrs. Tupper came in the fall of 1837, and 
lived during the first winter in the log house of Harry Kimball, built the preceding spring, 
but as yet the only house in town. During the winter, Mr. Tupper made a claim on the north- 
west quarter of Section 19, built a house on his claim, and moved his family into it in the 
spring. In this house, on the 24th day of June, 1838, Silas Wright Tupper was born, the 
first white child born in the Town of Bloomfield. In 1839, Mr. Tupper removed from Section 
19 to Section 20. In 1849, he went to California and never returned. His son, Silas Wright 
Tupper, enlisted into Company K, Eighth Wisconsin Infantry, and died in the service of his 
country in 1865. Mrs. Tupper died at her home in Bloomfield, May 1, 1881. 

Marcus Moody came in 1837, from St. Lawrence County, N. Y. He settled on Section 
29. He married Lucy Barker, a grandchild of Ebeneezer Tupper, who came in 1838 ; sold out 
his claim to Hiram Barker ; moved away many years ago. Both he and his wife are dead. 
Mrs. Moody died in Wisconsin ; he died in Kansas. 

W. J. Miller came with his foster father in 1837, and settled upon the " Alexander Place." 
He afteward went to Kenosha, where he learned the carriage trade ; married Miss Mary Hubbard, 
of that village, returned to Genoa and started a shop, which has grown into his present estab- 
lishment. His three sons and daughter live in the town of Bloomfield. 

Doric C. Porter came to Wisconsin in 1837, from Franklin County, Mass. He made a 
trip to Ohio and married Miss Jane Hanchitt, and on his return settled on Section 4, in 
Bloomfield, where Amos W. Stafford now lives. He subsequently removed to the town of 
Walworth, where he and his wife still live. 

Thomas P. Rutenber came from Cooperstown, N. Y., to Bloomfield, in 1836 or 1837. A 
year or two later, he built a log house on Section 6, and removed his family from New York. 
He afterward removed to Geneva, where he and his wife both died. 

William K. May removed from Ohio to Geneva. Wis. (present town of Linn), in 1837 ; 
thence to Bloomfield, in 1838, where he made his claim, and settled on the southwest quarter of 
Section 18. His son, Darwin R., was born while the family were living in the log house on 
the Manning farm, in Linn, October, 1837. Mr. May was Chairman of the first Board of 
Supervisors elected in and for the town of Bloomfield (1844), and was afterward elected Sheriff" 
of Walworth County. At the expiration of his term of ofiice, the family removed to Racine, 
where he and his wife still live. 

Daniel Rowe came in 1838, from Onondaga County, N. Y., and settled on Section 36. 
He brought his family, consisting of his wife and one child. John H. and Asa were born there, 
and are still residents of the town. Mrs. Rowe died June, 1875, and Mr. Rowe early in 1878. 
The other children born in Bloomfield were George, William, Mary and another daughter, now 
Mrs. Edwin Hart, of Chicago. 

Levi and John Moody came in 1838. John entered the service and died in Memphis. 
Levi still resides in the town. Neither of the brothers ever married. 

William D. Chapin, son of John and Clarrisa Chapin, was born in Heath, Franklin Co., 
Mass., April 28, 1814. He came to Geneva, Wis., in the spring of 1837, and made a claim in 
the present town of Bloomfield, in the summer of the same year. In the spring of 1838, he 
built a shanty on the northeast quarter of Section 6, and broke about one-sixteenth of an acre 
with his spade. In 1839, he built a log house, and fenced twenty-four acres of land, and broke 
seven acres. He was married to Miss Loret Hyde September 29, 1847. Mr. Chapin moved 
onto the farm where he now lives in 1840. 

John Chapin moved to the town of Bloomfield with his family in the fall of 1838, and 
settled on the southeast quarter of Section 6. Mr. Chapin was born in the town of Heath, 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 837 

Franklin Co., Mass., married to Miss Clarrisa Patterson in 1813. moved to New York in 1828, 
and thence to Bloomfield. Mr. and Mrs. John Chapin both died at the residence of their son, 
William D. Chapin — Mr. Chajiin on the '2'.hh of December, 186;'), aged seventy-five years and 
nine months — Mrs. Chapin on the 23d day of April, 1873, in the seventy-ninth year of her 
age. 

The Chapin family consisted of eleven children, nine of whom came to Bloomfield, and the 
youngest, Marictte, was born in the town February, 1841. She is now Mrs. Ezra Gifford, and 
lives in Boone County, Iowa. William D. was the oldest. The other children were Jonathan 
P., John, Jr., Jacob. Clarissa J., Belinda, Diantha, Emily. Lyman, Monroe and Mariette, who 
was born in the town. Of the family none now live in Bloomfield except William D. 

Jonathan Ward, a native of Franklin Co., Mass., came to Wisconsin in 1836, and worked 
for a time at Geneva, with Warren and his associates in the construction of the mill race. In 
the fall of 1837, he returned to Massachusetts and married Miss Electa Kina; returned soon 
after and settled near the head of Geneva Lake, in the town of Walworth, remaining there until 
1840, when he removed to Bloomfield, and settled on Section 5, where he lived until his death 
in April, 1872. 

Timothy H. Fellows, born in Luzerne County, Penn., in 1812, moved to Michigan in the 
fall of 1829, where he married Miss Eliza Ann Duncan in December, 1831. In 1839, he moved 
to Bloomfield and settled on Section 35, where he and Mrs. Fellows still reside. Mrs. Fellows 
was born in Sullivan County, N. H.. in 1814. When Mr. and Mrs. Fellows first moved into 
the town, there were two sons, G. D. and T. A. Seven children have since been born to them 
— Emma J., Anna E., Francis R., Mary H., William T., Louisa I. and Katy L. Emma, 
Francis, Louisa and William have died, and of the others only one lives in the county — Katy 
L., now Mrs. Reynolds, of Bloomfield. Anna E., now Mrs. Duncan, lives in California. Gil- 
more D. lives in Kansas, and Theo. A. in Colorado. Mary H., now Mrs. Avery, is livini^' in 
Illinois. 

Benjamin F. Trow and wife came from Massachusetts to Bloomfield and settled on Section 
24, in the spring of 1838. They lived for a time in the adjoining town of Richmond, 111., and 
about 1870 moved into the village of Genoa Junction, where Mrs. Trow now lives. Mr. Trow 
has been dead several years. 

Sebastian Sherman emigrated from Germany and settled on Section 4, in the town of 
Bloomfield in 1838. Both he and his wife lived on the farm until the time of their death. 

Thomas Buckland settled on Section 33, in 1838. He moved to Howard County, Iowa, about 
1860. Both he and his wife are now dead. 

Andrew and John Kull, brothers, from Germany, came about 1838. Andrew is still 
living in the town. John died in July, 1881. Many of his children still live in the town. 

Ebenezer Tupper settled on Section 17, in 1838. Is now dead. 

Everton Walker came in 1839, and settled on Section 4. Now living in Harvard, 111. 

Cyrus Rugg, of Franklin County, Mass., settled on Section .5, in the fall of 1841. He was 
married in Massachusetts to Miss Lucinda Graham. The family moved to Delavan, Walworth 
County, about 1868, and thence to Iowa, where they now reside. 

Isaac White came in 1839, with a family of sons and daughters, being at that time a wid- 
ower. He settled on Section 20. He remained about ten years, moved then to the western 
part of the State. He is deceased. One daughter, Mrs. William H. Reed, still resides in the 
town. 

Jeremiah Jerrod also came in 1839 or 1840. Both he and Mr. White came from Sanga- 
mon County, 111. They were natives of Connecticut. Mr. Jerrod settled on Section 28, where 
he lived till about 1868. He now lives in Iowa. None of the family remain in the town. 

In 1837 a Swedish family of five sons, named Freeman, were brought by their father from 
the old country. The oldest, John, was not over fifteen years of age ; the youngest, Otto, not 
half as old. Between the two were William, Adolph and Herman. The father, quite a politi- 
cian and man of public afi'airs in Sweden, held a Government office, and had brought up his sons 



838 HISTOEY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

so that theirs was no hard road of toil. Becoming convinced, however, that the New World 
(where they would escape military service and where labor would avail them) was the place for 
his boys he brought them away with him to find a home in the far West. Himself and oldest 
son first came to Burlington where they built the first log hut on Brown's Island, Racine County. 
Here they lived for a number of weeks. Mr. Freeman, however, finally decided to locate his 
family in the town of Wheaton, Kenosha County. Here he built a log house. After remain- 
ing a year and seeing the boys comparatively settled, he returned to Sweden to resume hia 
official duties. He took back Herman, and after educating him returned him to his brothers 
with a chest of clothes and other substantial remembrances. The family had in the meantime 
plodded along and fought their way sturdily, as if they had been inured to hardships from baby- 
hood. Their father died over thirty years ago, but their mother lived to be ninety years of age, 
her death occurring in 1879. She lived to see her sons, planted thus in the wilderness, upright, 
stanch and flourishing members of society. At an early day they became residents of Bloom- 
field, and there resided for many years. Adolph, an e.xcellent business man, died in 1871. 
John, with his family, moved to Kansas, where he died during the same year. William sold 
out his lumber business and has quite recently removed with his family to Los Angelos, Cal. 
Otto, a man of means, is largely engaged in mining, cattle raising and other business in Cali- 
fornia, Nebraska and Missouri. He still is a resident of Bloomfield. Herman lives in 
Kentucky. 

Charles Dorothy came to Ottawa, 111., in 1835, and to Bloomfield in 1839 or 1840. He 
took land on Sections 26 and 27. He married a daughter of Ebenezer Tupper for his first wife. 
His children have all left. He still lives on the old place. 

Abial Fuller and wife and his son Joseph and wife, came in 1841. They took land on 
Section 34. Abial and his wife have long since died. Joseph still owns the old homestead, 
but lives with his wife and son William D., on Section 35. 

Ira A. Pell came in 1842, and settled on Section 15, near the lake which now bears his 
name. He died in 1870. His widow and two sons still live on the claim. 

Samuel Hatch came in 1839 or 1840, from Allegany County, N. Y. Settled on Section 
12. He is now living in Geneva. 

J. U. Searls came to Geneva in 1837. There he married Jane Dalton in the winter of 
1838. They moved into Bloomfield in 1841 or 1842, and settled on Section 21. ' Went into 
the western part of the State where he died some years since. 

Mortimer Duel came in 1841. He settled on Section 21, did not remain long. Both he 
and his wife died some years ago, in Johnstown, Rock County. 

Charles High came in 1841, settled first on Section 30. He has remained a resident of the 
town ever since, and is the largest land holder at present in the town. He married Miss Rolf 
of Milwaukee. They had three daughters, one of whom, Mrs. Whiting, still lives in town. 

Amos Stafford, still living on Section 4, was an early settler. 

James Grier came in about 1842. He settled on Section 30. He and his family, consist- 
ing of three sons and two daughters, are still living on Bloom Prairie, with the exception of the 
oldest daughter Lucy, who lives in Connecticut. They are all sturdy farmers and good citizens. 

John Burns and wife, direct from Ireland, came to the town in the spring of 1842, and 
settled on Section 36. They took up land, built a cabin, raised a family of children, and 
moved to Minnesota about 1870. Charles, one of their sons, served faithfully during the war, 
and is now also living in that State. 

E. H. Olden came to the county as early as 1842. In 1843, he came to Bloomfield and 
located on Section 15. Went East and married Julia Greggs and returned. They have lived 
in the town ever since. Have raised a large family, four boys and two girls, and have pros- 
pered. Two of the sons and one daughter are in Kansas. Two younger sons, Arthur and 
Horace remain at home. One daughter lives in Geneva. 

About this time S. Besteder came from New York with his family, and settled on Section 
25. Edward Bundy was also an early settler of the town. 



HISTORY OF WALAVORTH COUNTY. 839 

E. B. Carter came from Boston, Mass., in 1843. Married Miss Charlotte Vincent of 
Bloomfield. and settled on Section 14. He and his wife moved subsequently on to Section 25. 
They now live in the village. Two sons are deceased. 

S. W. Benson, settled on Section 25, on land formerly owned by W. 0. Sleeper, who took 
up land early butraoveil away. Mr. Benson was born in x\rmenia, Dutchess Co., N. Y., Novem- 
ber 8, 1810. He married Miss Jeanette Hillard, and came to Bloomfield in the sprints of 1845. 
In 1859 they moved to Genoa Junction, where Mrs. Benson died, August 2'.t, 1877. Mr. Benson 
is still living in Dakota. 

W. W. Byington, from Williston, Vt., came in May, 1845, and settled on Section 6. He 
served as Clerk of the town five successive years ; from 1853 to 1858 inclusive. He has now 
retired from active business and resides in the town of Elkhorn. 

Sidney Buell came in 1844 or 1845. He was a young man of some means, and brought 
in the first considerable flock (some two hundred) of merino sheep. He was the first to start 
sheep husbandry in the town. He Settled on Section 29. He married Miss Mary Maynard in 
September, 1847. She died many years ago. They had three sons, none of whom reside in the 
town. His second wife, a most estimable lady, was Miss Antonette Holcomb. They still 
live in the town. He is one of the leading farmers and citizens. 

In 1845, Thomas Wilson and family, from the same State, settled on Section 36. He and 
his wife both died in town, where he has a daughter still living. A son resides in Richmond, 
and another is a Methodist clergyman in Appleton. 

At a later, but comparatively early date, came Solon Reed and family, A. K. Hill, both 
now living in Geneva ; George W. Edwards, now living in the north part of the State ; Silas 
Wright, still living in the town ; Thomas Beeden, now living in Richmond, 111. ; James Irwin 
and wife, deceased ; one of his daughters, Mrs. Joseph Fuller, still living in town; Eli Manor, 
a prominent merchant, hotel proprietor etc., who lives in Genoa Junction. 

EARLY EVENTS. 

The first birth that occurred in the town of Bloomfield (Silas Wright Tapper) has already 
been noted in the mention of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Tapper. 

The first marriage occurred in the month of February, 1841, William Williams, a resident 
of McHenry County, III., and Miss Adeline Buckland of Bloomfield, being the contracting 
parties. They were married by C. M. Baker Es([., at the residence of the bride's father. 

The first marriage (both parties being residents of the town) was that of J. P. Chapin, son 
of Deacon John Chapin, to Miss Sarah Jerrod, at the residence of her father, Jeremiah Jerrod. 
The ceremony was performed on March 18, 1841, by C. M. Baker, Esq., of Geneva, 

The first girl born in the town was Jane Eliza Trow, daughter of Benjamin and Aurelia 
Trow, October 8, 1839. She died a few years ago. 

The first breaking was doae on the southwest quarter of Section 18 (owned by William K. 
May) and the southwest quarter of Section 6 (owned by Harry Kimball) in 1837, the first 
crop consisting of corn, oats, wheat, potatoes, etc., being raised on the same ground in 1838. 

The first school was a private school, taught in the summer of 1840 by Mrs. Electa Ward 
in a house built by W. D. Chapin, on the northwest quarter of Section 6. 

The first church was the Methodist, organized in 1841, at the Center Schoolhouse, on Sec- 
tion 21, with about twelve members. 

THE VILLAGE OF GENOA JUNCTION. 

This village of about three hundred inhabitants is situated in the southeastern part 
of the town, near the northern State line of Illinois, and on the east side of Nippersink 
Creek. The Rockford & Kenosha Railroad passes through the village, and the Chicago 
& Northwestern along its eastern line. It is not incorporated. Genoa contains a post- 
office, one flour mill, a planing mill, lumber yard, two carriage shops, one general black- 



840 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

smith and repairing establishment, a good hotel, three general stores, one drug and 
grocery store, one hardware store, one tailor, one shoemaker, and two saloon-keepers. 

Q-enoa Flour Mills. — The original building was erected in 1851, by James F. Dick- 
erson. It then hnd two (2) run of stone; it now has four, with a capacity of 50 bbls. 
of flour and 350 bu. of feed per day. The main building is three-and-one-half stories, 
60 X 80 ft., with three wings, and the property is valued at $15,000. J. A. Pierce, of 
Sugar Creek, is the owner, but the mill is operated by G. W. Pierce. The particular 
brands manufactured are : " Snow Bank " and " Cook's Delight." The mill is operated 
by water power, there being a fall of 16 ft. at this point. 

W. J. Miller ^ Sons. — These flourishing wagon and carriage works were established 
by Mr. Miller in 1850. Besides manufacturing these articles he does a general repair- 
ing and blacksmithing business. The above partnership was formed in 1872, and addi- 
tions were made to his buildings three years ago. The " Miller Wagon," so called, is 
standard. 

Planing Mill, — Tlie planing mill was built in 1869, and since then has been owned 
and operated by Robert Wegg. The property is valued at about 14,000. Mr. Wegg 
employs from 5 to 8 hands. 

A neat little hotel, the Manor House, was built in 1871, and is the only one in the 
village. It is owned by Eli Manor, and conducted by his son, F. A. 

This little village, which contains so many germs of growth, was first platted by 
James F. Dickerson, May 9 and 10, 1850. Mr. Dickerson died in a few years, and 
Adolph Freeman married his widow. In 1855-6, two additions to the original plat 
were made by Mr. Freeman. 

CHURCHES. 

The Congregational Church was organized in the school house at the center of 
the township on April 15th, 1846, by Rev. M. L. Rodgers, assisted by Rev. 
L. Hall. On February 25, 1852, this church changed its place of worship to 
the Village of Genoa Junction. It was organized with thirteen members. 
Its present membership is forty-two. The total number who have held a mem- 
bership in the church since its organization, is one hundred and twenty-seven. This 
church has had four pastors, viz.. Revs. M. L. Rodgers, J. V. Dowes, C. C. Caldwell and 
F. J. Douglass. The latter has lately moved to Iowa. During apart of the time it has 
been supplied temporarily by students from the Chicago Theological Sem. In 1865, a 
church edifice was erected at a cost of about $3,300, and in 1872 a bell purchased at a 
cost of about i^lSO. 

Church of the Holy Communion., Bloomfield. — On the 20th of August, 1848, the Right 
Reverend Jackson Kemper, Bishop of the Northwest, at that time including Wisconsin, 
Iowa, Missouri and Illinois, held the morning service of the Episcopal Church at the 
house of Mr. William H. Whiting, in the town of Bloomfield, Wisconsin. He then bap- 
tized Esther Elizabeth Whiting, who was the first person baptized in the present parish 
of the Hoi}"- Communion, Bloomfield. He also administered the Holy Communion to 
John Sibley, Mrs. John Sibley, W. H. Whiting, Mary Jane Whiting and Mrs. Catharine 
Whiting. At this time, the Bishop advised that a parish should be organized, and that 
the church services should be kept up by lay readers until such time as the ministrations 
of a clergyman could be procured. On the 8th of October, 1848, the parish was for- 
mally organized under the title of the " Church of the Holy Communion, Bloomfield, 
Wisconsin." The following officers were elected: John Sibley, Wm. H. Whiting, war- 
dens; Samuel Allen, Robert Moore, Chas. Sibley and Royal Sikes, as vestrymen. John 
Sibley and Wm. H. Whiting were appointed ,by the bishop as lay readers. On the 29th 
of September, 1849, the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels, Rev. John McNamara arrived 
as rector of the parish, being sent out by the Church of the Holy Communion, New York 
City, of which the Rev. Dr. Wm. A. Muhlenberg (author of the hymn " I would not live 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 841 

ahvay'") was the rector. The Church of the Holy Communion, Bloomfiehl, was the second 
of that name in the United States. On the 10th of March, 1850, the Rev. Mr. McNamara 
preached liis farewell sermon and went from this parish to found the Church of the Holy 
Communion in Geneva, being' the third church of that name. 

During this time were liajitized : William Van Rensselaer High, Susan Christian, 
Llewellyn Christian, Charles Harris High, Nathaniel Rue High, now the Rev. Mr. High, 
of Toledo, Ohio. Thomas High, George R. Allen, Wm. H. Allen, Henry Donahue, Geo. 
H. Christian and Dr. Clarkson Miller. 

The present church edifice was erected in 1849. It was intended only as a tem- 
porary structure, the vestry expecting aid from the New York parish to build at some 
future day a substantial church of brick. It is of wood, cruciform in shape, with a 
chancel and two transepts and tower. The length, including chancel, is 40 feet, the 
width 20 feet, with recess transepts north and soutii, 10x11 feet, in one of which is placed 
the organ. 

The organ was placed in the church in December, 1849, and I think was the only 
pipe organ in the southern tier of counties, between the Rock River and the lake. 

After the Rev. Mr. McNamara left, the Rev. Wm. S. Ludlam, of New York City 
came and took cliarge, on the iSth of December, 1851. He was succeeded by the Rev. 
Mr. Peters, and then the Rev. Mr. Studley came in 1854. 

After this there was no settled clergyman, but the services were kept up by Mr. 
Samuel Allen and Mr. John Christian as lay readers, until 1862 when arrangements 
were made with the Church of the Holy Communion in Geneva, by wliich the services 
of the clergymen officiating there were secured for the morning of one Sunday in every 
month. This was commenced October 19, 1862, by Rev. Wm. Dafter, the succession 
since he left being as follows : Rev. George N. James, Decemljer 25, 1864 ; Rev. Mr. 
Babcock, November 9, 1866 ; Rev. Wm. A. Armstrong, July 19, 1868 ; Rev. Robert B. 
Wolseley, February 1, 1874 ; Rev. R. T. Kerfoot, January 21, 1877. 

Several members of the first Sunday-School have distinguished themselves as clergy- 
men, mei-chants, and in other vocations to which they applied themselves. Three are 
wealthy and prominent manufacturers, two are clergjnnan, one an officer in the navy, 
and one whose name is mentioned as an incentive to all poor boys. Bernard Donahue, 
the son of a poor widow, by his correct deportment, sobriety, and industry passed suc- 
cessfully through his apprenticeship to a manufacturer, became an expert in mining 
operations, and was recently mentioned favorably in the newspapers of New York as 
having acquired a fortune of two hundred thousand ($200,000) dollars. He is now 
residing with his family at the pleasant village of Yonkers, on the Hudson. 

Another of the class of Sunday-School sciiolars of 1848, has recently been elected to 
represent this district in the State Legislature. 

The church property consists of the church edifice and five acres of land used as a 
cemeter}-. There are no debts. The present number of communicants is about thirty. 

TOWN ROSTER. 

Roster of town officers of Bloomfield from the organization of the town to the year 
1881, inclusive : 

1844: Supervisors — Wm. K. May, cliairman, John Chapiii, Cyrus Rugg; Town 
clerk — Lyman Redington ; Treasurer — John Wood ; Justices of the Peace — Geo. Field, 
Samuel Allen and Dan Rowe. 

1845: Supervisors — Cyrus Rugg, chairman, Amos Stafford, Dan Rowe; Town 
clerk — Jason Fobes ; Treasurer — John Wood ; Justices of the Peace — Cyrus Rugg, Geo. 
Field, Samuel Allen and Dan Rowe. 

1846 : Supervisors — T. H. Fellows, chairman, Amos Stafford, E. B. Carter ; Town 
clerk — Geo. Field; Treasurer — W. D. Chapin : Justices of the Peace — Samuel Allen, H. 
J. Sawver, Geo. Field. 



/■ 



/ 



842 HISTOKY OF WALWOKTH COUNTY. 

1847: Supervisors — Cyrus Rugg, chairman, Tlioinas Beeden, E. B.Carter; Town 
clerk — Geo. Field ; Treasurer — W. D. Chapin ; Justices of the Peace — Samuel Allen, 
H. J. Sawyer, Geo. Field. 

1848: Supervisors — Samuel Allen, chairman, Seth L. Banks, William Irish; Town 
clerk — Robert Moores; Treasurer — W. D. Chapin ; Justices of the Peace — H. J. Sawyer, 
Seth L. Banks, O. B. Phillips. 

1849: Supervisors — Cyrus Rugg, chairman, S. W. Benson, Thomas Beeden; 
Town clerk, Samuel Allen ; Treasurer — W. D. Chapin ; Justices of the Peace — Robert 
Moores, Samuel Allen, T. H. Fellows. 

1850 . Supervisiors — David W. Carey, chairman, H. C. Stewart, H. J. Sawyer; Town 
clerk — Wm. Yonlen ; Treasurer — D. C. Blakeman ; Justices of the Peace — H. J. Sawyer, 
E. B. Carter, T. H. Fellows. 

1851 : Supervisors — H. C. Stewart, chairman, S. W. Benson, E. B. Carter ; Town 
clerk — J. S. Stilson ; Treasurer— W. W. Byington ; Justices of the Peace— C. W. Sil- 
bey, H. C. Stewart, Sidney Buell. 

1852 : Supervisors — S. W. Benson, chairman, E. Jewett, E. B. Carter ; Town clerk 

C. W. Silbey ; Treasurer — W. W. Byington ; Justices of the Peace — H. J. Sawyer, 
Thomas Beeden, Samuel Allen. 

1853 : Supervisors — W. D. Chapin, chairman, D. C. Blakeman, L. Palmetier ; Town 
clerk — W. W. Byington ; Treasurer — Eddy Cole ; Justices of the Peace — John Walsh, 
Dan Rowe, D. C. Blakeman. 

1854: Supervisors — W. D. Chapin, chairman, D. C. Blakeman, Joseph Fuller; 
Town clerk — W. W. Byington ; Treasurer — Eddy Cole ; Justices of the Peace — Cyrus 
Rugg, Dan Rowe, D. C. Blakeman. 

1855: Supervisors — W. D. Chapin, chairman, Ira Williams, Joseph Fuller; Town 
clerk — W. W. Byington ; Treasurer — John Chapin ; Justices of the Peace — Dan Rowe, 

D. C. Blakeman. 

1856: Supervisors — Cyrus Rugg, chairman, E. Walker, T. H. Fellows; Town 
clerk — W. W. Byington ; Treasurer — John Read ; Justices of the Peace — Cyrus Rugg, 
C. R. Foster. 

1857 : Supervisors — Cyrus Rugg, chairman, E. Woodman, T. H. Fellows ; Town 
clerk — W. W. Byington ; Treasurer — Joseph Fuller ; Justices of tlie Peace — W. W. 
Belden, D. C. Blakeman, Dan. Rowe. 

1858: Supervisors — Cyrus Rugg, chairman, E. Woodman, A.Stafford; Town clerk 
— W. W. Belden ; Treasurer — Homer Field; Justices of the Peace — C. R. Foster, Joel 
Wasliburne. 

1859: Supervisors — Amos Stafford, chairman, Wm. Forbes, Solon Reed ; Town 
clerk — G. C. Perry; Treasurer — S. R. Darrow ; Justices of the Peace — Cyrus Rugg, D. 
C. Blakeman. 

1860: Supervisors — W. D. Chapin, chairman, J. C. Meritt, E. B. Carter; Town 
clerk — G. C. Perry; Treasure)' — ^Solon Reed; Justice of the Peace — Joel Wasliburne. 

ISiil: Supervisors — W. D. Chapin, chairman, Robert Cobb, A. Freeman; Town 
clerk — G. C. Perry ; Treasurer — Solon Reed ; Justices of the Peace — G. C. Perry, D. 
C. Blakeman. 

1862: Supervisors — A. Freeman, chairman, Ira Williams, Robert Cobb; Town 
clerk — I. A. Hart ; Treasurer — Solon Reed ; Justices of the Peace — I. A. Hart, Horace. 
Johnson, J. S. Stilson. 

1863: Supervisors — W. D. Cliapin, chairman, A. Freeman, A. H. Abell ; Town 
clerk — C. W. Sibley; Treasurer — Ira Williams; Justices of the Peace — Amos Stafford, 
G. C. Perry. 

1864: Supervisors — W. D. Chapin, chairman, O. Kimball, Amos Stafford ; Town 
clerk — Chas. A. Noyes, Jr.; Treasurer — Solon Reed; Justices of the Peace — D. C. 
Blakeman, C. R. Foster. 



HISTOKY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 843 

1865: Supervisors — Cyrus Rugg, chairman, I. H. Fellows, Robert Gobi) ; Town 
clerk — Charles No3-es, Jr. ; Treasurer — O. Kimball ; Justices of the Peace — Dan Rowe, 
D. C. Blakeman. 

1866: Supervisors — Amos Stafford, chairman, Sidney Buell, Morris Read ; Town 
clerk — J. S. Stilson ; Treasurer — Chas. A. Noyes, Jr.; Justices of the Peace — C. R. 
Foster, Ira Williams. 

1867 : Supervisors — Amos Stafford, chairman, Wm. I. Buell, Enos H. Olden ; Town 
clerk — Frederick Fernald ; Treasurer — Chas. A. Noyes, Jr., Justices of the Peace — Dan 
Kone, Cyrus Rugg, Chas. A. Noyes, Jr. 

1868: Supervisors— T. H. Fellows, chairman, Wm I. Buell, W. J. Miller; Town 
clerk — Frederick Fernald ; Treasurer — Chas. A. Noyes, Jr. ; Justices of the Peace — Na- 
than Harrison, C. R. Foster, Chas. A. Noyes. 

1869: Supervisors — Amos Stafford chairman, Wm. I. Buell, W. J. Miller ; Town 
clerk — Frederick Fernald : Treasurer — Abner Fuller ; Justices of the Peace — C R. Fos- 
ter, Horace Johnson, Homer Field ; (vacanc}'). 

1870: Supervisors — Amos Stafford, chairman, Wm. I. Buell, E. B. Carter; Town 
clerk — A. C. Fowler ; Treasurer — Abner Fuller ; Justices of the Peace — Homer Field, 
Nathan Harrison, (vacancy) Amos Stafford. 

1871 : Supervisors — Amos Stafford, chairman, Wm. I. Buell, E. B. Carter ; Town 
clerk — W. T. Beeden : Treasurer — D. B. Maine ; Justices of the Peace — C. R. Foster, 
W. T. Beeden. 

1872: Supervisors — Amos Stafford, chairman, Wm. I. Buell, Solon Reed ; Town 
clerk — Frederick Fernald ; Treasurer — D. B. Maine ; Justices of the Peace — Nathan 
Harrison, Frederick Fernald. 

1873: Supervisors — T. H. Fellows, chairman, B. S. Benson, W. H. Allen; Town 
clerk — Frederick Fernald ; Treasurer — D. B. Maine ; Justices of the Peace — C. R. Foster, 
John C. Becker. 

1874: Supervisors — S. W. Benson, chairman, Wm. Forbes, A. H. Abell ; Town 
clerk — Frederick Fernald ; Treasurer — D. B. Maine ; Justices of the Peace — Nathan 
Harrison, (vacancy) A. Kull, Jr., Sidney Buell. 

1875: Supervisors — S. W. Benson, chairman, Wm. Fobes, A. H. Abell ; Town 
clerk — Frederick Fernald ; Treasurer — D. B. Maine ; Justices of the Peace — Milton 
Carey, A. W. Foster. 

1876: Supervisors — A. H. Abell, chairman, S. J. Wilson, Sidney Kidder; Town 
clerk — J. M. Carey ; Treasurer — D. B. Maine ; Justices of the Peace — A. Kull, Jr., Sid- 
ney Buell, Nathan Harrison, (vacanc}'). 

1877: Supervisors — A. H. Abell, chaiiman, W. H. Allen, Sidney Kidder ; Town 
clerk — J. M. Carey ; Treasurer — D. B. Maine ; Justices of the Peace — Nathan Harrison, 
D. B. Maine. 

1878 : Supervisois — A. H. Abell, chairman, W. H. Allen, Sidney Kidder ; Town 
clerk — Frederick Fernald; Treasurer — D. B. Maine; Justices of the Peace — Sidney 
Buell, Joseph Arnold. 

1879: Supervisors — A. H. Abell, chairman, W. H. Allen, Sidney Kidder; Town 
clerk — Frederick Fernald ; Treasurer — D. B. Maine ; Justices of the Peace — D. B. Maine, 
Nathan Harrison. 

1880: Supervisors — Andrew Kull, Jr., chairman, O. N. Harrison, W. H. Allen; 
Town clerk — Andrew Foster; Treasurer — D. B. Maine; Juetices of the Peace — C. R. 
Fostei-, Amos W. Stafford. 

1881: Supervisors — W. D. Chapin, chairman, Sidney Buell, Daniel Forbes; Town 
clerk — A. W. Foster; Treasui-er — D. B. Maine; Justices of the Peace — Nathan Harri- 
son, D. B. Maine, John B. Buell. 



844 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

OFFICIAL NOTES. 

At a special town meeting held Nov. 8, 1844, Timothy H. Fellows was elected to fill 
the vacancy caused by the removal of Wm. K. May. Also on June 7, 1844, W. D. Chapin 
was appointed Town clerk to fill vacancy caused by the removal of Lyman Redington 
from town. 

March 29, 1853. Eddy Cole was appointed Town clerk to fill vacancy caused by the 
absence of C. W. Sibley. 

March 6, 1867, Frederick Fernald was appointed Town clerk to fill vacancy caused 
by absence of James S. Stilson. 

June 28, 1852, W. D. Chapin was appointed Chairman of Board of Supervisors to 
fill vacancy caused by death of H. C. Stewart. 

April 24, 1868, Wm. J. Buell was appointed Supervisor to fill vacancy caused by the 
failure of Amos Stafford to qualify. 

April 8, 1871, A. C. Fowler was appointed Town clerk to fill vacancy caused by th& 
failure of W. T. Beeden to qualify. 

The following persons have been members of the Assembly: 1852 and 1853 — T. H. 
Fellows; 1856— W. D. Chapin; 1861— S. W. Benson ; 1872— Amos Stafford; 1877— A. 
H. Abell; 1880— G. R. Allen. 

WAR HISTORY. 

With the other towns in the county Bloomfieid, sent both men and money to the 
front. She furnished sixty-eight men, and #20,000 by tax and subscription. The record 
of this section of the county will be traced in the general war history. 

BLOOMFIELD IN 1881. 

The population of Bloomfieid, as enumerated by the Federal census of 1880, was 
1,097. 

The principal farm products were : Wheat. 7,800 bu.; corn, 75,000 bu.; oats, 54,000 
bu.; barley, 4,000 bu.; rye, 600 bu.; potatoes, 6,800 bu.; apples, 10,800 bu.; timotliy 
seed, 1,467 bu.; flax seed, 28,000 bu.; hay, 2,843 tons; butter, 86,000 lbs.; cheese, 
75,700 lbs. There is one cheese factory in town — situated on Bloom Prairie and oper- 
ated by Chas. High. 

There were, in 1881, 4,391 acres of growing grain, 159 acres of apple orchard, 2,437 
acres of mowing and pasturage, and 2,411 acres of growing timber. The number of 
milch cows was 824, valued at $21,555. 

In 1S81, there were seven whole and five joint school districts. The number of 
scholars between the ages of four and twenty was 358, of which number, 231 attended 
school. There were seven schools, taught by eight teachers, at average monthly wages 
of $43.75 for male and $27.82 for female teachers. There were seven school houses, 
valued, including the sites, at $2,700. The annual expenditure for school purposes was 
$2,348. 

WM. H. WHITING was born in Hudson, Columbia County, N. Y., Aug. 15, 1813. 
In early infancy his mother, who was then a widow, removed to Albany, where he re- 
ceived his education, with the exception of short intervals spent at the academies of 
Hudson and Kingston, N. Y. In 1829 he became a pupil of the engraving firm of Raw- 
don, Clark & Co., Albany, which, with Philadelphia, was at that time the headquarters 
of bank note engraving. New York City has since pretty much monopolized. His 
father was also an engraver ; a pupil of the celebrated Gideon Fairman, of Philadelphia. 
On the 18th of August, 1834, Mr. Whiting was married, in the city of Albany, to Mary 
Jane Christian, a native of that city. Messrs. Rawdon, Clai-k & Co., having taken in 
other partners, resolved to remove their establishment to the city of New York. The 
title of the new firm was Rawdon, Wright, Hatch & Edson, and in the Spring of 1836 
he followed them, and continued with tliis firm until 1847. Several years before this he 



HISTORY OF WALWOTITH COUNTY. 845 

liad been admitted as a partner in the firni. Previous to this, that is in 1842, Dewitt C. 
Hay and Mr. Whiting bought 400 acres of land, part of tiie farm now occupied by liim, 
of Clark W. Spaford, and in 1844 made his first visit to Wisconsin. Previous to this, 
that is in 1843, he erected a small house on said land, or caused it to be erected by John 
Easter, whom he sent out for that and other purposes connected with the farm. In the 
Spring of 1847, he, with his family, moved from the city of New York, on to this land 
and commenced building the brick house in which he now resides. His family at that 
time consisted of his wife, mother and four children. The first child born in the house 
was his daughter, Esther, in 1848, and in 1850 his son Robert. Tiiere they resided until 
August, 1851, when they returned to New York, and Mr. W. became a nieml)er of the 
baidv note engraving house of Wellstood, Hanks, Hay & VVliiting. He continued in 
this connection until the formation of the American Bank Note (Company, which ab- 
sorbed all the old engraving firms. As Secretary of this company, he remained in the 
business until 1861, when he once more came to occupy his present farm. He was 
elected one of the trustees of the American Bank Note Company, and served in that 
capacity for several years. His daughter, Esther, died November 12, 1866, and his wife 
November 28, 1879. 

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

CHARLES ALLEN, farmer, Sec. 29 ; P. 0. Genoa Junction ; son of Samuel Allen, who was 
born in the city of Grloucester, England, and came to the United States with his parents when he was a 
boy. The family resided in New York for a time, and then removed to Albany. The family were 
engaged in keeping hotel for many years. Mr. Samuel Allen kept hotel at Lake George, and also in 
Washington County. He went to Michigan with his family in 1831), where he left his family and came 
to Walworth County and made a loeition on Sec. 20, in the town of Bloomfield. He returned to Michigan 
the same year, and did not settle herewith his family until 1841. Charles was bora in Washington 
County, N. Y., in 1829. He has been married twice. His first wife was Susan Christian, daughter of 
John Christian. She died in the spring of 1863. His present wife was Georgiana, daughter of Albert 
Baker. Mr. Allen has one son by first marriage, Charles Augustus, who resides at Minneapolis ; has 
three by present wife ; Elizabeth, Samuel A. and Susan M. Mr. Allen's farm contains 165 acres. 

SAMUEL ALLEN, deceased, was born in the city of Gloucester, England, on June 30, 1789, and 
moved with his parents to Albany, N. Y., about the year 1800. For thirty years of his life, while 
living in that State, he was engaged in keeping hotel in Albany, Saratoga Springs, Lansingburg, Lake George 
and Hartford, Washington Co., N. Y. In 1822, he was married to Maria High, daughter of Charles and 
Christine High, of Kingsbury, Washington Co., N. Y. In the spring of 1839, Mr. Allen sold his 
hotel property in Hartford, N. Y., and with his family, consisting of his wife and four children, started 
for the West. His destination was Geneva. A short time before making this move, he witnessed that 
historic event, the launching of the Robert Fulton, on the Hudson. He finally embarked, with his family, 
on a canal boat, at Dunham's Basin, near the Upper Hudson River, for Troy, N. Y., from thence to Buffalo 
by the Erie Canal. They went from Buffalo to 'Toledo, on Lake Erie, and from Toledo to South Bend, 
Ind., by wagon-road. In October, 1839, he left his family in Michigan, and, in company with 
Oliver High, came by land to Geneva. When at the hotel, the proprietor and guests had the small-pox, 
but as the country was new and promising, nobody knew of the existence of this disease. While at 
Geneva, Mr. Allen met the Warrens, Col. .John Capron, Surveyor McKaig and other early pioneers, all 
of whom were enthusiastic and delighted with the country. Mr. McKaig told him that nearly all the 
desirable land was taken from the Government; but he knew of a good quarter-section. Mr. Allen there- 
upon purchased land in the southeast ijuarter of Sec. 20, Town 1, Range 18 east. He moved on to his 
purchase April 24, 1841, and soon after built a frame house, a decided curiosity at that tima. Here he 
continued to reside, all enjoying remarkable health for a quarter of a century. In 1868, however, then 
in his 78th year, Mr. Allen passed away, leaving a widow and four sons. Mrs. Allen died in 1879. 
Bloomfield has been the family home for over forty years. 

GEORGE R. ALLEN, farmer, Sjc. 20; P. O. Geno Junction; .son of Samuel and Maria Allen ; 
the former was born in Gloucester, England, in 1789, and emigrated to the city of New York with 
his parents in 1801 ; Mr. Samuel Allen was brought up in the State of New York ; he came West as 



846 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

far as Michigan, with his family, in 1839 ; leaving his family, he came here the same year and bought 
the farm where his son George now lives; he settled here in 1841, this farm becoming his homestead, 
where he resided till his death, which occurred in 1856 ; his wife died in June, 1880. The parents of 
Mr. Allen had five children, four sons and one daughter ; the younjrest son was born in Walworth Co., 
the others in the State of New York ; the sons, all of whom are living, are : Samuel, resides at Roch- 
ester, Minn.; Charles, George R. and William H. ; the daughter, Susanna, afterward Mrs. William H. 
Potork ; she died in the fall of 1879 ; George R., was born in Washington Co., N. Y., in 1838, married 
Mary Grier, daughter of James Grier, a native of Ireland, but came to this country when a boy ; he 
lived in Connecticut and other Eastern States till 1842, when he settled in Bloomfield, where he still 
Jives; Mrs. Allen was born in the town of Bloomfield in 1844; Mr. and Mrs. Allen have three chil- 
dren^John S., James G. and Mary C. Mr. Allen's farm contains 310 acres. 

WILLIAM H. ALLEN, Sec. 33 ; was born in the town of Bloomfield, Aug. 2, 1842 ; married 
Miss Ann Reek, daughter of John Reek, of the town of Linn. They have two children — Lewis H. and 
George J. His farm contains 200 acres; Mr. George R Allen has been Assessor of the town of Bloom- 
field since 1865, except two years. 

H. A. ARNOLD, farmer. Sec. 19 ; P. 0. Geneva ; son of Alanson B. Arnold ; he was born in Indiana in 
1846; came to Walworth Co. with his parents in 1865 ; he is a brother of R. B. Arnold, of Geneva, 
and of Frank L. Arnold, of this town ; he was married to Martha Cranson ; they have two children — 
Nell E. and Jessie C. ; Mr. A. purchased his farm of H. Merriam and Sidney Buel ; he has 175 acres; 
Frank L. resides on Sec. 6 ; he was born in Indiana in 1848 ; he bought his farm of Allen Merriam in 
1877; he married Amelia Beardsley, daughter of Charles Beardsley ; she was born in the town of Linn ; 
they have one son — Warren ; Mr. Arnold's farm contains 75 acres. 

BENJAMIN J. BILL, M. D., Genoa Junction; he was born at Plainfield, Conn., in 1850; he 
received his literary education at Providence Conference Seminary, East Greenwich, R. I. ; studied medi- 
cine in Boston and New York (citiesj, and during the winter of 1871 and 1872, he attended the medical 
department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor ; he located here in the practice of his profes- 
sion in October, 1874; hs graduated at Rush Medical College, Chicago, in 1879. He has been married 
twice; his first wife was Rebecca Coggeshall, daughter of Dr. S. W. Coggeshall ; she died in the fall of 
1875 ; his present wife was .Miss Sarih Stickland, born in Kenosha Co. 'They have two children — Ben- 
jamin J. and Harriet P. 

JOHN B. BUELL, farmer, Sec. 1 ; P. 0. Slade's Corners, Kenosha Co.; Mr. Buell was born in 
Madison Co., N. Y., in 1825, where he lived till 1855, when he went to the State of Illinois; he came 
to Burlington, Racine Co., in 1862; he bought the farm which he now owns of Henry and Jones Locke; 
he has 180 acres ; his wife was Miss Maria Campbell, born in Madison Co., N. Y.; Mrs. Buell died Aug. 
23, 1881. Mr. Buell has five children — Arthur, at Jefferson, Wis.; P]mery, Horace, Charles and Hattie. 
Emery resides at home ; was born in Madison Co., N. Y., in 1852, married Lonise Miller, a daughter of 
W. Miller, of Burlington. 

SIDNEY BUELL, fiirmer, Sec. 30; P.O.Genoa; son of Ira Baell; he was born in Chenango Co. , 
N. Y., in 1819; he was the first of his father's family who came to Wisconsin ; he came to Bloomfield 
in the fall of 1845, and taught school the following winter; in the spring of 1846 he returned to the 
State of New York, and, with John McKibben, of the town of Linn, drove back a flock of 500 sheep; 
the distance traveled was about one thousand miles, and consumed ninety-six days on the route ; he 
bought the farm where he now lives, of Mr. Rue High, in the spring of 1848; he also located a farm for 
his father, who came the following year. Mr. Buell has been married twice; his first wife was Mary L. 
Maynard ; his present wife was Miss Marie Antoinette Holcomb, daughter of Abraham Holcomb, a 
native of Chenango Co., N. Y.; Mrs. Bu ^11 was born in Ashtabula Co., Ohio. Mr. Buell has seven chil- 
dren, six sons and one daughter; Mr. Buell has 400 acres of land; for miny years he made a specialty 
of sheep-raising ; at present he devotes much attention to the raising of stock. 

W. I. BUELL, farmer, Sec. 29 ; P. 0. Genoa Junction; son of Ira Buell, who came to Walworth 
Co. with bis family in the fall of 1849, and settled in the town of Linn in the following year; W. 
I. was born in Chenango Co., N. Y., in 1828; he came to this town in 1848, and has been a resi- 
dent here since that time, except about two years that he lived at his father's jn the town of Linn. 
He bought his farm in 1854, of Riue High, where he has since lived; his wife was Frances M. 
Matthews, daughter of William C. Matthews, who came to Walworth Co. in 1846; he afterward 
settled in Jo Daviess Co., 111., where he resided till his death. Mr. and Mrs. Buell have eight chil- 
dren, seven sons, and one, the youngest, a daughter. Mr. Buell's farm contains 160 acres. 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 847 

J. M. CAREY, merchant and Postmaster, Genoa Junction ; son of David Carey, who was born 
in t}ie town of New Labanon, Columbia Co., N. ¥., and came to Walworth Co. in 1846, and settled in the town 
of 151oomfield, and engaged in farming; he resided about two years in the town of Wheatland, Kenosha 
Co.; ho went to California in 1855, and returned in 1872, went back in 1873, and was absent one 
and one-half years. During the last five years of his life he has lived with his son; he had six 
children, five of whom are living. Julian M. was born in Ira Township, Cayuga Co., N. Y., in 1844; 
came here with his parents when 2 years old; he enlisted August, 1862, in Co. C, 22d W. V. I., 
and served until the close of the war. Went to California in 1870, mined two years and returned 
in 1872. Married Adelia Bywater, Jan. 28, 1874. They have three children — Grace, Myrtle and 
D. William. Mr. Carey went into the mercantile business here in April, 1874, and was appointed 
Postmaster, August, 1879. 

WILLIAM D. CHAPIN, flirmer. Sec. 21 ; P. 0. Genoa Junction; he was born in Franklin Co., 
Mass., April 28, 1814 ; his parents were John an 1 Clarissa (Patterson) Chapin ; when 14 years of age, 
he removed with his parents to Nunda, Livingston Co., N. Y. ; he came to Geneva, Walworth Co., 
June 4, 1837, and made a claim on Sec. 6, in the town of Bloomfield ; he went to New York in September, 
1838; the same season returned with his father's family ; his father bought a claim of Henry Kim- 
ball, on Sec. 6, wliich he made a homestead. The parents of Mr. Chapin had eleven children who grew 
to maturity, only six of whom are living — ^William D., J. Patterson, John, Lyman, Monroe and Mrs. 
Maryette GifFord. Mr. Chapin lost three sisters in 1881, within a space of sis months. Two brothers 
were in the army during the rebellion ; Monroe enlisted in 1862, in the 22d W. V. I., served one and 
one-half years, and was discharged for disability ; Lyman served for a time in an Iowa regiment. Mr. 
Chapin was married to Miss Loret Hyde, daughter of David W. Hyde ; she was born in Bennington Co., 
Vt., in 1824, and camj to Walworth Co. with her parents in 1846; they settled in the town of Linn. 
Mr. Chapin is the only member of his father's fiimily now residing in Walworth Co. ; his father died Dec. 
29, 1865; his mother April 23, 1873. He settled where he now lives in November, 184U. His farm 
contains 298 acres of land. 

OTTO FREEMAN, retired lumber dealer, Genoa Junction ; son of Carl Freeman, who was 
bjrn in Sweden; in 17SS. he was a prominent man in his native country, Sweden, and held, at various 
times. Government offices; he wished his children to live under a Republican form of government; in 
July, 1838, he came to the United States and brought with him six sons, the eldest remaining at home, 
and located on a farm in the town of Wheatland, Kenosha Co.; he left four of his sons on the farm, the 
fifth returning to Sweden with his father, who soon after returned to his native land. Mr. Carl Freeman 
had six sons, Phermongis, the eldest, remaining in Sweden, John, William, Adolphus, Harmon, who re- 
turned with his father and Otto; Harmon returned to America and now lives in Kentucky ; but three of 
the brothers who were brought to this country by their father are living — Harmon, William and Otto. 
Otto went to California in 1853, and engaged in mining and stock-raising; he was quite successful. Adol- 
phus established the lumber business here about 1858, which he conducted alone until about 1863, when 
William joined him ; in 1868, Otto joined the firm. Adolphus died in February, 1871; William and 
Otto then carried on the business until 1870, when they retired. William soon after settled in California. 
Otto's home is here; his wife was Miss Jliria, daughter of Aurelius Clary. She is a native of New York. 
Mr. and Mrs. Freeman have two children — Lingard C. and Lewis W. 

JOSEPH FULLER, farmer, Sec. 35 ; P. 0. Genoa Junction ; was born in the town of Lenox, 
Madison Co., N. Y., in 1814. His father was Abial Fuller. He went to Michigan with his parents in the fall 
of 1835. He came to Walworth Co. in 1837, but returned to Michigan, and came back in the fall of 
1842. He purchased of the Government the farm which he now owns, where he has since lived. His 
parents came with him in 1842, and resided with him till their death. Parents had ten children when they 
came to this county, five of whom are living, but he is the only one of his father's family living in Wiscon- 
sin. His wife was formerly Mary Ann Ervin, born in Broome Co., N. Y. Her father, James Ervin, 
came here in 1845; afterward removed to Iowa, where he resided until his death. Mr. and Mrs. Fuller 
have nine children, four sons and five daughters, all of whom are married. Their oldest son, James E., 
was a member of the 1st W. H. A., during the last year of the rebellion. Mr. Puller owns 250 acres. 

TIMOTHY II. FELLOWS was born in Luzerne Co., Penn., March 14, 1812; moved to the State 
of .Michigan in 1829, where he was married to Eliza Ann Duncan, daughter of William and Ruth 
(Gilmore) Duncan, of Sullivan Co., N. H. Mrs. Duncan died in New Hampshire. William Duncan 
moved, with his family, to Michigan, in 1829, where he died in the year 1852. T. H. Fellows was 
the son of Abiel and Dorcas Fellows. Abiel Fellows was born in Litchfield Co., Conn., Oct. 1, 1764. 



848 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

Dorcas Fellows was born in Luzerne Co., Penn., in 1787. T. H. Fellows and family moved to the county 
of Walworth, Wis., in the year of 1839. They had eleven children born to them ; four were born in the 
State of Michigan, and seven in Walworth Co., Wis., five of whom died in infancy ; and one ( Mrs. Peet) 
died at the age of 22. Their children, now living, are: Gilmore D., who lives in Labette Co., Kan. ; 
Theodore A., who is in Leadville, Colo, (he served four years in the war of the rebellion, and held a Captain's 
commission at its close); Ann Eliza, who resides at Plainville, Cal. ; Mary Avery, who is living at Sals- 
bury, Montana; and Katie L. Reynolds, who lives in this county. T. H. Fellows has held the oflBce of 
Chairman of the Board of Supervisors for several years, and was elected to the Legislature, and served 
two terms, in 1852 and 1853. He owns a very nice farm of 6U0 acres, on which he now resides. Mr. 
Fellows is one of Walworth County's most influential and highly retpected citizens. 

SELVEY KIDDER, M. D., Genoa Junction. Dr. Kidder was born in the town of Braintree, Orange 
Co., Vt., Nov. 16, 1811. When 14 years of age, he removed to the town of Bethel, Windsor Co. When 
20 years of age, he went to Lower Canada, where he engaged in teaching, and where he also began the 
study of medicine. He resided in Canada about thirteen years ; he graduated at the Vermont Medical 
College in 1842, after which he located at Waterville, Vt., where he was engaged in the practice of his 
profession for thirteen years. He came to Wisconsin in 1854, and settled at Salem, Kenosha Co., where 
he practiced thirteen years. He located in the village of Lyons in 1868, where he remained, however, but 
one year, when he purchased a large farm on See. 18, in this town, of Robert Cobb. This farm he sold 
in the spring of 1882, to Charles S. Higiubotham. He was married, Sept. 20, 1840, to Emily Cooper, 
born in the town of Waterville, Lamoille Co., Vt. She died March 17, 1881. He has two sons — Julius 
and Charles. It is a singular fact, that Dr. Kidder has resided for the same number of years at the several 
places at which he has made his home during his professional life ; he lived for thirteen years in Canada, 
thirteen years in Waterville, Vt., and the same number of years in Kenosha, Co., and on his farm in the 
town of Bloomfield, during his residence in Walworth Co. He has had a very extensive practice, and ia 
widely known as a successful and reliable physician. Dr. Kidder is not a man who seeks to attain to em- 
inence by putting himself forward and assuming to know more than others, but, on the contrary, is a man 
of modest pretensions, whose worth as a physician and citizen is founded upon actual merit. After selling 
his farm, he located in the village, and devotes his entire attention to the duties of his profession. 

ANDREW KULL, Jr., farmer, Sec. 4 ; P. 0. Geneva ; adopted son of A. Kull, Sr., who was born 
in Westerburg, Germany, and came to this country in 1833. Mr. John Kull, the father of Andrew, Jr., 
and a brother of his adopted father, came to this country at the same time, and they also came to Wal- 
worth Co. together. Andrew's mother's ancestors came to the United States from Wales in 1680. She 
died when he was 5 month old, and he was adopted by his uncle soon after. The father and uncle settled in 
this town, John M. on Sec. 21 and Andrew on Sec. 4. Andrew, Jr., is now the owner of the homestead 
of his adopted father, who lives with him. He was born in the town of Bloomfield in 1845; married 
Miss Ann Rietbrock, bsrn in the town of Wheatland, Kenosha Co. They have five children — Francis, 
Helen, Adolph, Frederick and Hermann. They lost their oldest son at the age of 4^ years. Mr. Kull is 
a well educated gentleman, and possessed of excellent business qualities ; he has a fine library, and is a 
varied and extensive reader. He has been Chairman of the Town Bo.ird of his town, and a Justice of the 
Peace for several terms, and a school officer for njarly eighteen years. In politics he is a Democrat. He 
has a fine farm of 240 acres, and makes a specialty of Spanish Merino sheep, of which he has a large 
number of fine specimens. 

FRANK A. MANOR, proprietor of the '' Manor House," Genoa Junction, was born in Plattsburg, 
N. Y., in September. 1852. He came to Wisconsin with his father, Eli Manor. The Manor House was 
built by his father, and is owned by him. Prank leased the hotel in April, 1880, which he repaired and 
refitted in good style, and has proved himself a competent landlord, a fact which is attested universally by 
the traveling public. Before engaging in the hotel busine.ss, he was variously employed. He learned the 
trade of a blacksmith, which business he followed for three years. He was engaged as clerk for the St. Dennis 
House, Geneva, " Capt.' Cole, proprietor, for one year ; was for three years engaged on the street railway 
of Chicago, in the capacity of conductor. His wife was Maggie McMahon, a native of Kentucky ; they 
have two children — E. F. and Worthington M. Mr. E!i Manor has been one of the active business men 
of Genoa Junction for a number of years. He has been variously engaged. He built the Manor House, 
which he still owns ; he is also engaged in the mercantile business ; keeps a general store, of which his 
son E. E. is general manager. He has four sons — E. E., Frank A., Charles H. and Fred J. 

WILLIAM MERRIAM, farmer. Sec. 18; P. 0. Geneva; is a son of Allen Merriam, who was 
born in Connecticut Juae 1, 1797, and married Parmelia Hutchins. They came with their family from 



HISTOKY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 849 

Onondaga Co., N. Y., to Walworth Co. in tlie sprinj^ of 1841-5, and settled on Sees. l.S and 14, in the town 
of Linn, purchasing the farm of Ira Turner ; this farm Ijecamc the liomestead of the family, where the 
parents resided until their death. The father of Mr. Merriam died April 15, 1879, and his mother died 
May 19, 1871. They had eight sons and two daughters ; seven sons and one daughter are still living. 
F. B. Merriam now owns and occupies the liomestead. William Merriam was born in the town of Cicero, 
Onondaga Co., N. Y., in 1829; came to Walworth Co. with his parents in 1843 ; married Harriet S. 
Ford, daughter of John C. Ford (see sketch of 8. C. Ford, Geneva). Mr. Merriam went to California 
with his father-in-law, Mr. Ford, in 1853 ; they went the overland route ; Mr. Merriam was absent about 
two years. He settled in this place in 1869, and bought a farm of G. L. Phillips. Mr. and 3Irs. Merriam 
have three children — Revilo, Flora and Ada. Mr. Merriam's farm contains 400 acres of land. 

WELCOME J. MILLER, carriage and wagon manufacturer, Grenoa Junction. Mr. Miller was born 
in Herkimer County, N. Y., in 1828. His mother died when he was a child. He removed with his foster 
parents to Canada, and thence to McHeiiry, and thence went to Kenosha, Wis. He served three years in 
the carriage making business. He came to Grenoa Junction in 1849, and established his present business. 
He is doing (juite an extensive business ; employs from fifteen to twenty men. Two sons, Frank and John 
are engaged with him in business, the firm being W. .J. Miller & Sons. His wife, formerly Miss Mary 
E. Hubbard, was born in Cattaraugus County, N. Y. They have sis children, three sons, and three 
daughters. 

LEVI MOODY, farmer. Sec. 20 ; P. 0. Genoa Junction. Mr. Moody was born in St. Lawrence 
county, N. Y., in 1808, where he was l)rought up. He came to Walworth County, in July 1838, and 
bought the claim of his present farm of his brother-in-law, Harry Tupper. The latter came here with his 
wife in the spring of 1837, and made a claim of this place. It is claimed that Mrs. Tupper was the first 
white woman who settled in this town, and that her son, Silas W. Tupper, was the first white child born 
in the town. He enlisted in 1862, in the 8th W. V. I., and died at Indianapolis, in February, 1865. Mr. 
Tupper went to California in 1849, where he still lives. His wife lived with her brother untill her death , 
which occurred in May, 1871 ; she left three children, one son and two daughters, all of whom are residents 
of this town. It is claimed that Mr. Moody cut the first grain that was harvested in this town ; this 
was in 1838. He has owned his farm since 1838, which has since been his home ; but having a trade, 
that of a furnace-man, he was employed elsewhere in work, at his trade, a portion of the time for a num- 
ber of years. He was never married. His farm contains 80 acres. 

ROBERT MOORE, farmer. Sec. 22 ; P. 0. Genoa Junction. Mr. Moore was born in Upper 
Canada, in 1811, but was brought up in Albany, N. Y. He learned the trade of gun-maker in Albany, 
in which business he was engaged until 1837. He went to New York City, where he engaged in what is 
now the American Bank Note Co., as engraver and transferer. He stayed there about one year, then went 
to New Orleans, in the employ of the same company, who had established a branch house in that city. In 
1845, he came to the town of Bloomfield, in this county, and lived during the following winter on William 
H. Whiting's place. He bought the farm where he lives, of George and James Pease. In 1853, he went 
back to New York City, and engaged in his former occupation. He returned in 1857. In 1863, he 
again engaged as engraver for another company in New York City. He returned to farming again in 
1866. His wife was Susan Wright, born in England. Mr. and Mrs. Moore have had seven children, 
five of whom are living. His farm contains 120 acres. 

JAMES PRIMMER, farmer, Sec. 12 ; P. 0. Geneva. Mr. Primmer was born in Rensselaer County, 
N. Y., in 1816, where ho lived until 25 years of age. He came to Walworth County in 1841, 
and made his present location in the fall of that year, purchasing his farm of the Government ; he has 
lived here since, except about four years, when he lived at East Troy, where he owned, and kept a hotel. 
He was married to Hannah Shaver, born in Rensselaer County in 1821. Her parents came to 
Walworth County in 1843, and settled in this town, where they lived until their death. Mr. and Mrs. 
Primmer have two children Artemas J. and Charles, both born in this town. 

WILLIAM H. REED, farmer. Sec. 28 ; P. O. Genoa Junction. Mr. Reed was born in Chenango Co., 
N. Y., Feb. 29, 1824. He catne to the town of Bloomfield, in 1846, where he has since lived. His wife 
came to the county a number of years previous to the time at which her husband came. Her maiden 
name was Mary Ann, daughter of Isaac White, a native of New Hartford, Conn., and was married 
in the State of New York, to Phebe Ann Lounsbury, from New Jersey. They removed to Ohio, in 1S32, 
thence to Illinois the following year, where she died in 1838. He came to Walworth County, and settled 
in the town of Bloomfield, in 1839. Her fiither removed to Vernon County, in 1854, where he resided 
until his death. Her parents had fifteen children, only five of whom are living. Mrs. Reed was born iu 



850 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

Tioga County, N. Y., in 1823, and has resided in tile town of Bloomfield since lier father came here in 1839. 
Mr. and Mrs. Reed have three children — Phebe R. ( now Mrs. Richard Kimball), Marietta and Willie I. 
Mr. Reed settled on this farm in 1862. He has about 360 acres of land. 

IRA P. RICHMOND, proprietor of livery stable, and dealer in real estate, Genoa Junction ; he 
was born in the town of Wayne, Steuben Co., N. Y., Dec. 5, 1825 ; he removed to the town of Cone- 
sus, Livingston Co., with his parents when a child; he came to Walworth Co., October, 1847, and bought 
a farm on Sec. 33, town of Bloomfield, which he afterward sold, and bought on Sec. 16; this farm, con- 
taining 250 acres, he still owns; has also a farm on Sec. 8, of 160 acres; he retired from farming in the 
spring of 1880, and came to the village and established the livery business. His wife was Miss L. M. 
Clary, a daughter of Aurelius Clary. Mrs. Richmond was born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., and came to 
Hebron, 111., in 1845. Mr. and Mrs. Richmond have two children — Ida P. and Melville M.; they lost 
two sons and one daughter in infancy. The parents of Mr. R., Elijah and Elizabeth Richmond, came 
here in 1855, where they resided until their death. 

A. W. ROBERTS, farmer, Sec. 5 ; P. 0. Geneva; Mr, Roberts was born in Washington Co., N. 
Y., March 14, 1817, where he lived until 18 years of age, when he removed with his parents to St. Law- 
rence Co., where he lived until 33 years of age, when he came to Walworth Co.; he lived in Geneva six 
years. He bought a part of his present farm of Warren Marsh; he was married in St. Lawrence Co., 
to Ammaeila Nimocks, born in Canada. They have two children — William W., a railroad conductor, and 
Henry 0. Mr. Roberts' farm contains 160 acres. 

ASA C. ROWE, farmer. Sec. 34 ; P. 0. Genoa Junction ; son of Dan Rowe, who was born May 
26, 1813, in Oneida Co., N. Y., and married Feb. 22, 1835, in Le Roy, Genesee Co., to Miss Eliza Noyes; 
they came to Michigan in 1837, and to the town of Bloomfield in February, 1838, and settled near what 
is now Genoa Jua<^tion; he died February 3, 1878; his wife died June 23, 1875. A short time pre- 
vious to his death, Mr. Rowe married Mrs. Manning, a widow lady of Chicago ; he had eleven children, 
six of whom, four sons and two daughters, are still living— John H., George A., William C., Asa C, 
Jennie E. and Helen A. Only Asa C. and his sister Jennie, now Mrs. Melvin North, who lives at Elk- 
horn, are residents of Walworth Co. Asa C. was born at the homestead, on Sec. 35, Jan. 12, 1848 ; he 
married Ida Z. Barnes, daughter of Simeon Barnes. Mrs. Rowe was born Jan. 12, 1857, and married 
Jan. 12, 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Rowe have two children — ^Della M. and Nellie E. Mr. Rowe's farm con- 
tains 220 acres. 

AMOS W. STAFFORD, farmer, Sec. 4 ; P. 0. Geneva. Mr. StaflTord was born in Saratoga Co., 
N. Y., in 1810 ; when 14 years of age, he removed with his parents to Ontario Co., where he lived till 
the spring of 1844, when he came to Walworth Co. and located on Sec. 4, on a farm adjoining the one 
which he now owns; he sold out in 1847, and purchased on Sec. 12, which farm he sold to Jacob Dar- 
ling ; he bought the farm where he now lives in June, 1857, of Apollos Hastings. He was married in 
Ontario Co., N. Y., to Miss Ann Sobrina Ellis, born in Ontario Co. Mr. and Mrs. Stafford have four 
children — Eliza (wife of Abner Farnham ), Sarah, Harlow, John Q. and Francis G. Mr. Stafford's farm 
contains 200 acres ; Mr. Stafford was a member of the Town Board of his town for the years 1859, 1866, 
1867, 1869, 1870, 1871 and 1872; he was a member of the Assembly branch of the Legislature for 
1872, receiving 936 votes to his opponent's 399; his ancestors, on his father's side, were from Stafford- 
shire, England, and came to this country about the lime of the old French and Indian war; his grand- 
father, Amos Stafford, was a soldier of the Revolution, and was present at the massacre of Wyoming, and 
escaped narrowly with his life on that occasion ; after the war he settled in Saratoga Co., N. Y. The 
father of the subject of this sketch was Samuel Stafford. 

WILLIAM H. WHITING, Sec. 31 ; P. 0. Geneva. Mr. W. was born in Columbia Co., N. Y., in 
1813; he followed the business of bank note engraving for many years ; he was one of the original cor- 
porators of the American Bank Note Company; also a Trustee and Secretary of said company ; in 1844 
he purchased his present farm of Simeron Spafford, a brother-in-law of E. D. Richardson, of Geneva ; a 
portion, however, of his farm, he bought of the Government; he settled in 1847 and built his house 
that year; Mr. W. is one of the most prominent and best known residents of the town of Bloomfield ; he 
is possessed of abundant means ; he has about 700 acres of land and a home naturally finely located, 
made more beautiful by art ; he is a public spirited gentleman and a liberal contributor of his means 
in the promotion of all good works. The Episcopal Church of this town, known as the " Church of 
the Holy Communion," was built under his auspices ; to the building of this church he contributed 
liberally ; a few friends here, and others in New Y^ork, also contributed to its erection. The church 
was built in 1849 ; the first Rector was the Rev. John McNamara, who afterward went to Geneva. 



IIISTOllY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 



851 



and established the church ;it that place ; the churchyard, containing five acres, was given by Rue 
High, father of the Rev. N. R. High, now of Toledo, Ohio ; also the Rev. William D. Christian, now of 
Louisiana, who were brought up in this parish and members of its Sunday school. Mr. W. married 
.Miss .Mary Jane Ciiristian, of the city of Albany, N. Y.; she was a relative of the Christians, of Min- 
neapolis, celebrated millers; Mr.s. W . died Nov. 28, 1879. The children of Mr. W. are — Mary, wife of 
Rev. E. R. Atwill, of Toledo, Ohio; Katharine, wife of Mr. A. Lawson, of Nottingham, England ; Will- 
iam Henry, a Lieutenant Commander of the United States Navy, now of the navy-yard in Brooklyn, 
N. Y.; he was with Admiral Farragut at the battle of Mobile Bay ; he fired the first gun from the 
Hartford at the rebel ram, Tennessee ; George, in Brooklyn ; Robert, on the farm in Bloomfield ; 
Charlotte M., in England ; Frank B., on the farm in Bloomfield, and Esther, Annie and Beaverly 
(deceased). 




<^- -^t vx. " 

V 




1?1^ 



852 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 



TOWN OF GENEVA. 

The geographical limits of the town of Geneva wore first defined by act of the Territorial 
Legislatm-e, January 2, 1838. It embraced the whole of the southeast quarter of the county, 
and comprised the jireseut townships of Bloomfield, Lyons, Linn, Geneva, and the southeast 
section of the present town of Elkhorn. 

By act of January 23, 1844, the towns of Hudson (now Lyons), Bloomfield and Linn were 
detached and incorporated as separate towns. In 1846, when the present town of Elkhorn was 
formed. Section 6, iu the northwest corner, was detached and made a part of that town. The 
town as at present existing comprises the remaining thirty-five sections of Town 2, Range 17 
«ast, together with five acres detached from Lyons, -January 26, 1844. to bring the boundaries 
of the village jjlat within the limits of the village as incorporated at that time. It is intended 
to confine this sketch to the limits of the present township, except so far as that of the adjoin- 
ing towns is identical. 

The stu-face of the land is undulating, with occasional hills in the eastern and southeastern 
sections of the town. It was. when first settled, heavily wooded, the gi-owth being largely of 
the different varieties of oak. It is well watered by small creeks and rills thi'eadiug the various 
sections. Jackson's Greek, which rises on the northeastern quarter of Section 3. iims south- 
westerly through Section 9, thence westerly thi'ough the southeast quarter of Section 8 and the 
northwest quarter of Section 9, leaving the township on Section 7. It finally empties into Del- 
avan Lake. Another creek has its source on Section 2. runs in a southerly direction through 
Sections 11. 14 and 23, and joins the creek near the outlet of Lake Cumo (Duck Lake). From 
the outlet of Lake Como, Como Creek rans northeasterly tlu'ough Section 24, emjitying into 
White River in the adjoining town of Lyons. The southwestern section, where stands the 
beautiful village of Geneva Lake, is watered by the stream flowing fi'om the outlet of Geneva 
Lake, the soiu'ce of White River. 

Lake Como (formerly known as Duck Lake) lies in the southern part of the town. Its east 
ern extremity and outlet is on Section 26. It extends through Sections 27 and 28, the southeast 
corner of 29 and the northeast quai'ter of Section 32. It is three miles long, and averages half 
a mile in width. Geneva Lake, the most charming of all the lakes of Southern Wisconsin, 
extends all along the southern border of the town, the liay at its outlet lying in Section 36. 

The only swamp land in the town lies at the outlet of Lake Como, skirting its northern 
shore and spreading out into a swamp of some two hundred acres at its head. 

The stream at the outlet of Geneva Lake fiunishes an abundant and reliable water-jiower, 
which, if fully improved, would prove of incalculalile value to the village and county. It has 
within it the futiu-e possibility of a great and thriving manufacturing center. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. [7] 

The first settlement made in Walworth County was made on Section 36. in what is now the 
village of Geneva. The first settler was Chi'istopher Payne, who came in and made what 
pri)ved to be a permanent settlement in April. 1836. He had previously visited the place in 
February of that year, and marked his claim on the northwest quarter of Section 36. A full 
history of the circumstances attending his attempts to establish himself and build his mill dur- 
ing the spring and early sirmmer is given in the early history of the county, to which the reader 
is referred. At the settlement of the contesting claimants, the thread of the historical narrative 
is taken up and continvied. The settlement referred to, whereby Payne and his partners came 
into jjeaceable possession, occtuTed early in July, 1836. As soon thereafter as the sojoui-ners 
and workmen had left, those who remained commenced the wurk of building a mill and other- 
wise improving their suiToundings and establishing themselves permanently in their chosen 
homes. They were the first actual settlers in the town, and the founders of tlie village. So 




/l / Jr' f lh^£^. <i-^t^ V 



HISTORY OF WAl. WORTH COL'XTY. 853 

far as can bo ascertained, they were as follows: Christopher Payne, Eobei-t W. Warren, G. S. 
Wan-en. Andi-ew Ferguson. James Van Slyke. Charles A. Noyes, Reuben T. Ostrander, Jona- 
than Ward. George W. Trimble. P. K. Vanvelzer and Samuel Ross were also engaged as 
workmen on the mill, but did not become j)ermanent settlers of the town. 

The women who sjient the suimner in Geneva were the widow. Anna M'arren. mother of 
the Warren brothers; Mi-s. Robert W. Warren, Mj's. G. S. Warren, Mrs. Nancy and Lucretia 
Warren, and Mrs. James Van Slyke. 

Of the men mentioned above, Chi-istopher Payne. R. W. WaiTen. A. Ferguson and George 
W. Trimble were resident projirietors of the Hodgson & Brink and Payne claims, after the pur- 
chase was made. The remaining jiartners in the piu'chase resided in Chicago. 

A statement of the vai'ious changes of claim proprietorship which resulted in their peace- 
able occu]iancy is given below. 

The Hodgson & Brink party consisted of John Hodgson. John Brink and William Ostran- 
der. They claimed the whole of Section 3fi. embracing the entire water-power and all the land 
covered by the original village plat. 

The Payne ymrty consisted of Chri8toi>her Payne. G. W. Trimble. Daniel Mosher and Uriah 
Payne. They claimed the northwest (juarter of Section 36. which took in the outlet of the lake 
and controlled the water-jiower. 

The contest was therefore on the possession of the quarter-section claimed by the Payne 
party, which was also covered by the larger claim of Hodgson & Brink. In the tinal settlement, 
the latter not only relinquished their claims to Payne's quarter-section, but sold the remainder 
of their claim, their right to which had never been disputed by Payne or his companions. 

The changes and transfers made by the original claimants were as below stated: 

Charles A. Noyes and Orin Coe. his cousin, arrived at Geneva, May, 1S36, and piu'chased 
one-quai'ter interest in the Hodgson & Brink claim. 

James Van Slyke j^iu-chased or acquired an interest in the Payne claim. 

After Payne's defeat. 1st of June. 183(i. Mosher went to Chicago and disposed of his share 
to Lewis B. Goodsell for a coat and pair of pants. 

Van Slyke disposed of whatever claim he might have had to the same party at Chicago, for 
the sum of $30, which he received in pork, codtish and other provisions for his family. He 
made a claim and removed to W'alworth in the fall of 1836. 

Uriah Payne gave his share of the claim (one-third) to Robert W. Warren, in consideration 
of his assisting his father in recovering and maintaining it. 

Christopher Pajiie sold his interest to Col. James Maxwell in the winter of J 836, before the 
completion of the mill. 

G. W. Trimble disposed of his claim and moved to Big Foot Prairie in 1837. 

Dr. Philli]) Maxwell and Col. James Maxwell fmiiished part of the cash paid Hodgson & 
Brink, and acquired an interest in the water-power. 

Andrew Fergiison, George L. Campbell and G. S. Warren became owners iu the claim of 
Hodgson & Brink at the time the negotiation was eflfected. 

Charles A. Noyes sold out his qiiarter-interest in common with Hodgson & Brink, leaving 
the whole of the present site of Geneva in the proprietorship of the following-named gentlemen: 
R. W. and G. S. WaiTen, L. B. Goodsell. George L. Camj)bell, A. Ferguson, Phillip Maxwell 
and Jamea Maxwell. Before the village plat was recorded. Mi'. Ferguson conveyed his share to 
Messrs. Goodsell & Campbell. None of these gentlemen i-emaiuod settlers of the village during 
its earlier years excejit the Wairens and Ferguson, with his family, iu 1837. Mr. Goodsell 
removed to the jilace in 1845. and Dr. Phillip Maxwell in 1856. Mr. Campbell and Col. James 
Maxwell never became residents of the village. 

EAKLY PIONEERS (dECEASEd). 

Of the settlers of Geneva who came in 1836, nearly all are dead. Below are such sketches 
and memorial noti -e of those deceased as hav(> been preserved. Most of them were written by 
personal friends, who knew them long and well, and are here ])rodnc(>d without attempt to en- 
large or revise. The sketches of the Warrens, L. B. Goodsell, I'hillip and James Maxwell and 



854: HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUXTV. 

Charles A. Noyes are from the pen of James Simmons, Esq.. of Geneva. That of Christopher 
Payne is wi'itten from data largely furnished by the same gentleman. 

Christopher Payne, the first settler of Walworth County, was a native of Somerset County, 
Penn.. where he was born in 178r>. At the time of his birth, that country was an unsettled 
wilderness, and on the frontier of civilization, which he followed in its Western retreat through 
his whole life. He spent his youthful days, till fourteen years old. in the region where he was 
born. At that age, he removed with his father's family to Belmont, Ohio, then on the borders 
of civilization, where he led the semi-barbarous life common to frontiersmen. He became an 
expert hunter and fearless woodsman. It is not known that he ever received any school educa- 
tion. At the age of twenty-one years, in 1S07, he set out for himself, removing to Dearborn 
County, in the southeast corner of Indiana. Here he remained for several years, during which 
time he was married. He was, during his residence there, engaged a jiart of the time with a 
party of engineers in the survey of the public lands. He was, in 1812, engaged in Indian war- 
fare. He volunteered in the Indiana Rangers, and served for twelve months on the jirairies of 
Indiana and Illinois. He was a fearless Indian lighter, and served often as a scout, running 
unharmed the desperate chances of that dangerous service. In Ajsril, 1814, he was one of the 
garrison of Fort Harrison, lud,, and, while it was besieged by the Indians; was one of twenty- 
live soldiers who successfully defended it against an army of 300 Indians, well armed, who were 
at length forced to raise the siege. 

At the close of the war. Payne removed to Vincennes, Ind,, here he engaged in farming for 
three years. From there he removed to Madison County, 111., about twenty mik^s east of the 
Mississippi, neai-ly east of St. Louis. There he remained nine years on a farm. To avoid the 
fever and ague prevalent in that country, he again moved, to Sangamon County, near Spring- 
field. He remained there only thi'ee years before again removing, to the lead region near Galena, 
where he had indiflerent success as a miner for two years, and removed from there to Putnam 
County, near Hennepin, and again engaged in farming. LTnsatisfied with the climate, he re- 
moved, at the end of two years, to the Du Page River, near Naperville. He was living near that 
place at the beginning of the Black Hawk war in 1832. His part in that war is given by Mr. 
Simmons, in his biography of Payne, as follows: 

"A report having come to the settlers at that place that an attack had been made upon Hol- 
lenback's settlement, which was some thirty miles distant, Payne vohmteered to go and ascertain 
if that was the case^ Mounted on a good horse, he started off alone, and, about 11 o'clock in 
the forenoon, emerged from a small grove in full view of the settlement. He sat there on his 
horse just at the edge of the prairie and saw the Indians set fh'e to several houses, but, being 
discovered by them, he was obliged to turn and liee for his life, five of the savages following in 
hot pursuit upon horses they had cajstiu'ed at the settlement. They chased him five miles, and, 
coming within about sixty yards of him when entangled in a marsh, fired five or six volleys at 
him, but, fortunately, without killing him or his horse. As soon as he could extricate himself 
from the marsh, he proceeded homeward in safety and made his report. The settlers, alarmed 
by the fate of their neighbors, immediately deserted the place and removed their families to 
Chicago, twenty-eight miles distant. 

"At that time, there were no soldiers in the fort at Chicago; nevertheless, it was a safer 
residence than any place in the interior. They remained three weeks, and then, retiu-niug to 
Naperville, built a fort on the site of the present village. While so engaged in building their 
fort, one man, who was employed in di-awing materials for it, was killed and scalped when about 
a mile and a half distant, and his horses were stolen and driven away. His dead body, when 
found, was taken to the fort and bui'ied. The same night, after assisting at this mommful serv- 
ice, Payne stai-ted on express for Gen. Atkinson's camp, some fifty or sixty miles down the river, 
and reached there in safety. This occurred in the month of April, 1832. The next month, his 
brother, Adam Payne, while on the road from Naperville to Ottawa, was killed by the Indians 
and robbed of his horse, and $2,300 in gold which he had about his person. His body was 
afterward discovered and buried, but his head had been cut oflf and was never found." 

The massacre of his brother aroused within him an intense hatred for the whole Indian 
race, which was the ruling passion thi-ongh the remaining years of his life. He often averred 
that it was as much a crime to let an Indian go alive as to allow a rattlesnake to live unharmed, 



HlSTOT!Y OF WAI.WOUTH COUNTY. SSf. 

and asserted that he had aveiicrcd his brother's (h^alh as often as opportunity offered. He killed 
no Indians after he came to ^^'isconsin, but remained an intense Indian hater till the day of hia 
death. 

At the close of the war, i'ayne removed his family from Chicago, where they had taken 
refuge, to the frontier on the Fox liiver, where ho remained two years, and then removed to 
Squaw Prairie, where ho lived at the time he made his exploring expediticm which resulted in 
the discovery of Geneva Lake and his subse<inent settlement at that plaae. A full and circum- 
stantial naiTative of his trials and exploits in establishing himself at (ieneva is given in the 
etu'ly history of the county at large. 

After the settlement with the contesting claimants. Payne remained but a few months at 
Geneva Village. Before the mill was completed, he sold out his interest, and, in January, 1837, 
took up a new claim at the outlet of Duck Lake (now Lake Como), about two miles from the 
village, where he removed his family. There he built a saw-mill at a cost of some $1,50(1. His 
dam was near the crossing of the Elkhorn and Geneva road. It lasted, with some re])airs. till 
1858, at which time a freshet dilapidated it beyond hope of repair. 

The building of his house and mill on his new claim was not unattended with exciting in- 
cident. Mr. S. A. Dwinnell tells the story as follows: 

"In January, 1837, Christopher Payne sold his claim at the outlet of Geneva Lake for 
$1,500. and made another upon the mill site at the otitlet of Duck Lake, one mile north. He 
commenced the erection of a neat log house, and was finishing the inside, when, upon going to 
work one morning, he found that an attem{)t had been made to burn it during the previous 
night. Some one had piled the ehips which he had made against the two front corners of the 
building, and, putting upon them his building tools — worth some $80 — the most valuable lot, at 
that time, in the county — had set them on tire. The tools were ruined, but the house, though 
badly damaged was not destroyed, as the logs were green and the roof covered with snow. 

" This act highly exasperated Payne and two young men in his employ, whose work was 
delayed until they could send to Chicago — seventy miles — and replace their tools. Suspicion 
at once fell upon one Jotham "\^'. Curtis as the jserpetrator of the deed. He lived a mile down 
the creek, and the young men tracked him through the snow to his honse and took him as a 
prisoner. Locking arms with him, one on each side, they marched him to the scene of the ruin 
he had caused. After making him take a good survey of it, they all set out with him to the 
middle of Duck Lake, about a mile away. On the way, Curtis made a desperate Ijut ineffectual 
effort to escape from them. They cut a large hole through the ice, and, procuring a long pole 
with which to sink his body, gave him ten miniates to prepare for death. 

" Ciu-tis, believing them to be in desperate earnest — although, in fact, they had no serious 
intention upon his life — made a full confession of the act, expressing penitence and promising 
better behavior, was released and returned home. 

" Thirsting for revenge, Curtis forthwith proceeded to the nearest Justice of the Peace, at 
Racine, thirty miles distant, and made complaint that Payne and his men had plunged him into 
the lake three several times, on a cold winter night, and held him under water as long as he 
could live. 

" Upon this, a warrant was issued for their arrest, and in the evening of the second day 
thereafter, the Sheriff of the newly organized county of Racine jm-ived at Payne's house, at 
(Geneva Lake, duly armed for the aiTest of a band of desperadoes — as they were supjiosed to be 
from Curtis' representation. They submitted quietly to an aiTest, and the next morning, Payne, 
harnessing his team to a sleigh — which he had spent the whole night in finishing — started for 
Racine. As the track was poorly broken and the snow eighteen inches deep, they were a day 
and a half in making the journey. 

" Upon examination, the prisoners were held to answer to the District Com't. Fortunately, 
there was present a man who was indebted to Payne for a favor bestowed some time before, and 
he volunteered to become his bail. Payne then went bail for the young men, and, jumping into 
their sleigh, which was ready <it the door, started off at Gil])in speed for Chicago, greatly to the 
chagrin of Curtis, who soon after appeared with a lawyer, to make out pa])er8 for their re-arrest 
upon two other fiilse charges. 

" Before the ease was called for trial, hov/ever, in the District Court, the prosecutor had com- 



856 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

mitted a crime which led him to flee from justice, and the prosecution was abandoned, costing 
Pajme, howevei-, in exjienses and lawyers, the large sum, for that time, of $300. 

" During the winter of 1837-38, J. W. Ciu-tis, having removed to Burlington, Kacine 
County, then a small settlement of four or five families, jumped the claim of Silas Peck, put- 
ting lip a log house body upon it. The case was submitted for decision to the claim league and 
given to Peck. To this decision Cm-tis refused to yield submission, and a large number of citi- 
zens met one evening and tore down his house body, whereupon he loaded his rifle with a ball 
and three shigs and deliberately tired at the comjiany, who were standing, conversing, around a 
tii'e which they had kindled. One of the balls passed throiigh both thighs of one of the com- 
pany. No one else was injured. Ciu-tis at once fled to Illinois, and was never brought to trial 
for his offense " 

Payne, in spite of all drawbacks, completed his mill in the summer of 1837, and ran it pros- 
perously for seven years. At the end of that time, owing to his easy-going disposition, he found 
his profits mostly absorbed by bad debts, and sold out his mill and farm. His mill, with sixty 
acres, he sold to his son-in-law, and the remaining 100 acres to Charles M. Baker. The mill 
passed later into the hands of O. S. Tiffany, and long ago fell into disuse. 

Payne's next move, in 1844, was into the adjoiniag town of La Fayette, where he settled 
on forty acres of Government land, through which ran Sugar Creek. Here he built another 
saw-mill, at a cost of $1,200, which was afterward sold by Uriah Payne, in whose name the land 
was entered, to Mr. Harkness. It was known thereafter as the " Harkness Mill " so long as it 
ran. It has long ago fallen into decay, like its predecessor at Duck Lake. Mr. Payne ran this 
mill but a few years. Some time in 184(3 or 1847, he left the county. His subsequent career is 
nairated by Mr. John Simmons, as follows: 

" After the sale of his land, Pa^nie moved to the town of La Fayette, in this county, and 
settled upon forty acres of Government land, thi'ough which ran Sugar Creek, having a sufficient 
descent on the land to constitute a water-power of some value. Here he built another saw-mill, 
since known as the Harkness Mill, which cost him about 11,200. The land was entered in the 
name of Uriah Payne, and by him sold, together with the mill, to Harkness. Christopher Payne 
then moved to Winnebago County and made a claim on the north side of Fox River, opposite 
Delhi, and about half a mile from the river, and immediately began to improve it. Here he was 
induced to jsurchase the claim of one of his neighbors, whose wife was fast failing in health 
and was anxious to go East to die among her friends. Although this was as beautiful a j^iece 
of land as could be selected in the State,' and was Ixmght by him at a low price, it proved a dear 
bargain. Scarcely had his neighbor started on his Eastern voyage when a man named Crego 
set up an adverse claim to the same land. For two years, he was constantly engaged in lawsuits 
with Crego about their respective rights, and at the expiration of that time, after twenty-seven 
suits, arising directly or indirectly out of the matter, the claim of Payne was confirmed and es- 
tablished by the decision of the officers of the land office. Crego, supported by wealthy rela- 
tives, no doubt expected, by means of these suits, to exhaust the resources of his opponent before 
the land came into market, and then piu'chase it himself, and he woiild have succeeded had not 
Payne found powerful friends. Although the land was now his, and he had very much improved 
it, yet he was in debt and obliged to sell it for but little more than Government price. Four 
years later, it was worth $30 per acre. Thus, having lost a fai'm upon which he had hoped to 
spend the remainder of his days, Payne again took up his household goods, and, after remain- 
ing a short time in Fond du Lao County, returned to this county and lived till the fall of 1864, 
upon a portion of the farm of his son-in-law, Trimble, in the town of Linn, working industriously 
for the support of himself and his aged wife, and enjoying with her a healthy old age. From 
the time he left the lead mines until 1860, he had constantly enjoyed good health, and had 
taken no medicine of any kind. Some time in the fall of 1864, he left Linn and went to live 
with his son George, in Columbia County, Wis. Of his life there we have no account. He died 
at the town of Scott, in that county, on the ISth of February, 1871. being then in his eighty- 
fifth year." 

Mr. Payne was a man of marked character, such as could only be developed by the rough 
frontier life which was his lot from earliest childhood. He had no educational advantages 
whatever. It is stated that his emphatic signature, which he always honored, was a dot through 



IITSTOKV OF WATAVORTIT COT'XTV. 857 

the paper. His energy was ouly excelled by his patience and perseverance under trials and 
difficulties that crush lueu of less stern mold. He was brave, l)old and honest. His temper, 
when fairly roused, was something terrible, but he was slow to anger and forgiving in spirit. 
His strictly frontier life is illustrated by the fact that, when seventy years old, he picked an 
apple from a tree he had himself planted, saying: "I think this ought to belong to me. I 
planted this tree, as I have many more, but I never stayed long enough to see them bear. This 
is the tirst time I ever saw apples growing on a tree." 

Only kindly memories remain ol the sturdy, rough old pioneer who tii'st made Walwoi-th 
County his home. 

Robert Wells '\V.\reex* was born at Ludlow. Windsor Co., Vt. . on the 5th of October, 1798, 
and was therefore in his seventy-eighth year at, the time of his death. He was the oldest son of 
a family of six. only two of whom survive him. His father was a niillwinght by trade, and 
young Robert learned the trade of his father, and followed it for a livelihood until his settlement 
here. He became a good mechanic, his skill, particularly in the laying out of frames, being 
acknowledged and envied by some of the most skillful among us. 

Some time about the year 1814. he removed to Lewis. Essex Co.. N. Y.. in which vicinity 
he remained about fifteen years. On the I'Jth of March, 1820, he was mairied. at Wellsboro, 
in that county, to Mary Knapp. who for nearly fifty-six years shared his fortunes, and who 
survived him nearly fom' years. 

In IS'iy. he removed to Casawago, Crawford Co., Penn. . where he carried on his trade, and. 
while living there, was a leading man in the community. 

On the 1st day of May, 1830. he. his lirother (ireenleaf. the Vanvelzers and some other 
neighbors, with their families, started for the m-eat West, traveling with ox teams and (b'ivinir 
their cows and other stock before them, and on the last day of that month iUTived at Chicago, 
making the trip in what was then considered a remarkably short time. From there he went out 
to the Fox River, some twelve miles from Geneva, 111., where he was found about the 1st of 
Jime by Chi'istopher Payne, who had a short time previously made a claim to the water-power 
and land at the foot of om' lake, and engaged by him to come hert> and build a saw-mill. On 
his way here, a few days afterward, with one hand to assist him, he met Payne retm-ning, very 
much dispirited by his defeat in a contest with other claimants of the same property. Return- 
ing and remaining with him overnight. Wairen, in the morning, purchased Uriah Payne's in- 
terest in the claim, and, accompanied by the elder PajTie, went to Chicago to procure assist- 
ance. Joined there by Andi-ew Ferguson, who also held a share, the two came up, and, after 
taking a general siu'vey of the lake and its viciuity, and satisfying themselves of the value of 
the property, attempted to compromise with the party in possession. Being unsuccessful in 
that, they retm'ned to Chicago and raised forces to assist them in asserting their rights, Payne, 
on his piu't. getting such assistance as he could in his own vicinitj'. Some time in the early 
part of 'Inly. ]iS36, these forces aiTived here, their wives and families accompanying them, as 
a garrison, to take possession and hold the ground. Backed by such an imposing army, a com- 
promise was soon eftected. Mr. WaiTen acting as negotiator, and it fell to his k)t to go to Chicago 
to prociye the funds to pay off the oi>posing claimants. That done, he immediately applied 
himself to the work of building a saw-mill, and that, with its race-way, was completed ready 
for work by the 1st of Januaiy. 1837. but, unfortunately, the water being let into the flume 
upon a large body of snow, froze up solid, and the saw was not set running until the following 
March. Mr. WaiTen moved his family into a log house nearly on the site of the dwelling house 
where he so long resided, and entertained travelers there until the 1st of Jaiuiary, 1S38, when 
he completed and opened as a hotel the main part of the house now known as the St. Denis 
Hotel, Here he remained until 1S43, and, in the spring of 1844, he sold it to A, Hasings. In 
those days. Mr. Warren showed himself a large-heai'ted. public-spirited man. welcoming and Ciur- 
ing for the n(>edy emigi'ant and the zealous missionaiT, and aiding in every public enterprise. 
His hall was freely ojtened for religious services to all denominations, and the first sermons to 
our early settlers were ])reached there. He was a large contributor to the first schoolhouse. and 
to the support of the schools kept there. Trained up by jiious parents, he never lost his respect 

*Mr. WarrtMi died December 31, 187-i. 



858 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

for the relio-ion which they taught him, cand, though never professing to be a Christian, he found 
much comfort in his latter years in reading the Bible. 

In 1838, he was employed a.s a millwright upon the first grist-mill, which was built by C. 
M. Goodsell and sent running in October, 1838. Within four years from that time, he became 
the owner of the mill, and ran it until 1848, when he built the present mill. 

In 1851, he sold that to N. L. Stout, but, a year or two afterward, regained the title, and, 
in 1854-55, he again sold it, to the Case brothers. As one of the original proprietors, he had 
the principal charge of the surveying and platting of the village: and mainly to his liberality 
and foresight are we indebted for the lands dedicated for cemetery, church and school purposes, 
and public square.-;, and for the generous width of our streets, Harl it been possible at that 
early day to auticipatj the present needs of our village, he would no doubt have made ample 
provision for them. In 1845, Mr. Warren was President of the village. In 1849, he engaged 
in the mercantile business, but continued in it only a year or two. After a second grist-mill 
was built, by H. E. Allen, in 1859, he became a half -owner of that, but soon sold out, and has 
since been encjagfed in no regular business.' Po.ssessed origfinallv of a fearless couraofe, a deter- 
mined will and untiring energy, backed up by a good constitution, he was Just the man for a 
pioneer. Through all the years of his active life, these characteristics made his infliience felt 
here. Confident that he knew his own rights, he seldom yielded to an adverse claimant with- 
out a contest; and if. in his later years, he became more tenacious than liefore in matters of 
smaller moment, it was the natural result of his increasing age and failing health. Had he 
lived six months longer, he would have been for forty yeai's a constant resident of our village. 
Oiu' county had very few, if any, settlers when he came here — probably none who now sui'vive. 

In his death we lose the first link in the chain of our history, and soon all those who were 
associated with him as fathers of our village will have passed away. Let us honor him and them 
for all of the good they have accomplished, and judge them charitably in all wherein they 
failed, even as we ourselves would be judged. 

Phillip Maxwell, an original proprietor of the village of Geneva, was born at Guilford, 
Windham Co., Vt. , on the 1st day of April, 1799. His means of education in early life were 
quite limited, but, such as they were, he no doubt improved them well, and was stimulated by 
them to exert himself for higher and more valuable attainments. After teaching school awhile, 
he commenced the study of medicine when quite young, completed his covu'se at (,Jherry Valley, 
N. Y, , and graduated as a physician and surgeon from a medical college in New York City. 
His professional education was gained wholly by his own exertions, his relatives not being able 
to assist him. He first settled at Sackett's Harbor, Jeft'erson Co., N. Y. , entering into comjse- 
tition with two old physicians, who naturally did not favor his success: but, after some patient 
waiting, he succeeded in establishing a good jiractice, and remained there until some time in 
the year 1832 or 1833, when he received a commission as Assistant Siu-geou in the United States 
Ai'my. While there, he was married to an estimable lady residing in a neighboring town, who 
survived him, and made her home in oiu- village until her death, in March, 1875. After spend- 
ing a short time at West Point, he was ordered to Fort Dearborn, at Chicago. He arrived at 
that small frontier post in the year 1833, and remained there about four years. In the winter 
of 1837, he accompanied the troops to Green Bay. but returned and in the spring was ordered 
back. In the fall of 1838, he was ordered to Florida, and took part in the Seminole war. 
Afterward, he was sent to Fort Smith, Ark. , being then Field Surgeon, with the rank of Major, 
and did not return to Chicago until after an absence of some six or eight years. 

Diu-ing his first residence there, he had purchased an interest in the claim at Geneva, as 
before related, and also invested largely in Government land on Big Foot Prairie, and on his 
de}iarture for Florida he left the property in charge of his brother James, who, meantime, had 
joined him. Some time in 1842, a portion of the army being disbanded, the Doctor received 
his dischai-ge. The following winter he spent at the residence of J. H. Moore, on Big Foot 
Prairie, and then returned to Chicago and devoted himself to the practice of his profession in 
the city, which, by that time, had begun to show some indications of that gi'owth and activity 
which, in later years, has astonished the world. Here his ability, not onlj' as a physician, but 
as a business man in both private and public employment, became known, and was acknowl- 
edged and appreciated by the people of the city. 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 859 

In tho year iSuO, he commoneed huildiiig a liu-ge and handsome dwelling here, npon a de- 
lightful spot, which he had long reserved for that j)urpose. and, on its corD])letion, brought his 
family here to reside, intending to retire from active business. His residence among us, how- 
ever, was of short dm-ation, as he died in November, 1851). Kind and unosteutations in his 
manners, a genial companion and friend, and an excellent citizen, he made many warm fi-iends 
wlierever he resided, and his death was regarded as a gi-eat public loss, especially at that junct- 
ure, when our citizens were expecting so much from his intiuence and example in calling the 
attention of the wealthy citizens of Chicago to the beauty and salubrity of our location, and its 
desirableness as a place for summer residenc(\ 

James M.\xwell, a half brother of Phillip ]\[axwell, was also born at Guilford, Vt. , .some- 
where about the year 1789. Of the early education and pursuits we have no particular infor- 
mation. At one time he operated a glass factory in the State of Pennsylvania. Leaving that 
country, he went to Indiana, and spent some time with a brother residing there. Coming to 
Chicago while his brother Phillip was stationed there, he joined with him in the Geneva pur- 
chase, and also in the more extensive purchase of lands in the town of Walworth. Ujion this 
latter pvu'chase he settled with his family, and remained there for many years. His title of 
Colonel was derived from a brief service in command of a regiment of militia, sent from Chi- 
cago on an expedition against the Indians. He was the first member of the TeiTitorial Council 
from this and Rock Counties, elected in 18.38 and holding for a term of fom- years. At what 
time he removed to Baraboo, where his son James had ))reeeded him, it is unable to ascertain, 
but he made that his home for a numlier of years, and died there about the year ISfiU, at the 
age of eighty-foiu' years. Col. jMav.well was a man (.)f more than ordinary native ability, of 
quick penetration and ready wit, more fond of social conversation than deliate, full of good, 
practical common sense, yet not very successful in business; a generous fi'iend, and an honora- 
ble, upright and useful citizen. 

Charles M. Goodsell was born in East Haven, Conn., in 1805. When quite youBg, his 
father removed to Cooperstown, and, a few years later, to Bm'lington Flats, N. Y. He was 
trained to business on his father's farm, and in his store, tlouring-mills and distillery. By 
reason of tii'e and floods, his father failed in business, and his sou Charles took the property, 
and, by good management, paid all the debts. In 18.34. he sold his projierty and removed to 
Cincinnatus, N. Y., where he engaged in farming and kept a small store. He there entered 
upon an active Christian life, and from the first was foremost in ardent efi'orts to promote the 
cause of temperance and every other good work. 

Having acquired a handsome property by indiistry and good management, he left Cincin- 
natus with his family, in a covered wagon, in the fall of 1830, for the great Northwest. He 
stopped in Chicago, and thn-e remained until the spring of 1838, when he was induced, by the 
proprietors of the new village of Geneva Lake, in Wisconsin, to remove there and erect a fioui'- 
ing-mill. This he did dm-ing the following siimmer. He commenced grinding the first wheat 
raised in Walworth County in September, and people brought their grists from twenty, to forty 
miles, in all directions. 

He soon after erected a neat dwelling in the village, and opened a small farm a short dis- 
tance away. The land not proving as jn-oductive as he expected, he was at the expense of send- 
ing a specimen of the soil all the way to Albany, N. Y., for chemical analysis. The chemist 
found it to be composed of ninety-seven parts of sand, finer than superfine fiour. It was so fine 
that the tender fibers of plant roots could not penetrate it, and hence was unproductive. He 
thus learned how to treat the land to render it productive, greatly to the advantage not only of 
himself, but of his neighbors also. They had ])reviously supposed the soil to be clay. 

Mr. (ioodsell found the little settlement at Geneva Lake without religious worship. They 
had noSabljath, Imt he (virried one to them. One Sunday, the boys of Christopher Payne called 
upon him with tish to sell. He told them that he never traded on Sunday, but to come on any 
other day and he would buy of them. The Ijoys seemed to lie sur))rised. They had always 
lived on tho far frontiers, in advance of Christian civilization and Sabbath observance. They 
ever after called him " the Sunday man," and never troubled him with calls of business on that 
day. 

His hoiLse was at once opened for religious worship and the entertainment of ministers of 



860 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

the Gospel. One of the first to visit him and to preach in his house was a young man, whose 
circuit extended 600 miles, and who made his rounds on foot once in sis weeks. In the spring 
of 1S39, a church was organized in Geneva, of which he and his wife liecame members, and he 
was elected an officer. About the same time, a union Sunday school was commenced, of which 
he was chosen Superintendent. His religious efforts were not limited to the village he had 
chosen for his home. He went abroad whenever his help was needed, attending meetings to 
promote temperance. Sunday schools and religious institutions generally. 

The following account of Mr. Goodsell was wi-itten many years ago. by the late 
Hon. C. M. Baker: " The anti-Slavery party was organized in Geneva at an early day, 
and, though its numbers were few. they were outspoken and decided. C. M. Goodsell and Dr. 
J. McNish were the leaders, and where they led there was no lack of energy or efficiency. A. 
temperance society, with a teetotal pledge, was also formed there, of which he was the leader. 
He never allowed his property to be used to promote in any way the manufacture or sale of in- 
toxicating drinks." 

" About the year 1842, Newton and John S. Gapron came to Geneva and built a whisky dis- 
tillery, air. Goodsell was then running his grist-mill a few rods distant from it. By law, 
each man who brought grain to mill to be ground was to be served in turn. The Caprons 
brought corn to be ground for the use of their distillery. Mi-. Goodsell refused to grind it. 
This at once raised a great excitement. There was at that time no cash market for corn in the 
Territoiy. The non-temperance farmers were looking to the distillery for the sale of it. They 
were enraged at their disappointment. Great opposition was aroused against Mr. Goodsell. and 
various means used to induce him to change his purpose; but without effect. The temperance 
people stood by him." 

" Finally, N. & J. S. Capron brought suit after suit against him. upon which I, acting as his 
attorney, obtained non-suits. They finally obtained a judgment against him before a Justice of 
the Peace, which he appealed to the District Court. It was finally dismissed and the fine never 
paid. Mr. Goodsell rode to Madison, the Territorial Legislature being in session, and got the 
law altered so as to exempt millers from grinding for distillers. If I am not mistaken on the 
subject, the statute so stands to this day, and C. M. Goodsell was the father of it." 

A year or so previous to his death, Mr. Goodsell gave Mr. Simmons a full account of that 
confiict in which some facts are noticed not mentioned by Judge Baker. He says: "I cave 
early notice to the Messrs. Capron that they must not expect me to gi-iud for their" use. They 
prepared a mill of their own, to be propelled by steam, but failed to obtain an engine of suffi- 
cient power for the purpose. Having exhausted their funds — some $10,000 in all — they were 
obliged to report to other means of supplying their distillery. After vainly attempting to ne- 
gotiate with me to grind for them, they sought to compel me under the provisions of the statute 
requiring millers to grind for customers in due tm-n as brought." 

" This conflict continued for more than a year. I suffered much opposition. Many farm- 
ers wished the distillery to succeed so as to open a market for their surplus grain, for which 
there was very little sale at that early day. They blamed me for refusing to grind, liut I had 
resolved in early manhood neither to use my capital myself, nor to permit it to be used hy 
othei-s, in the manufactm-e and sale of intoxicating drinks — a purpose conscientiously formed, 
and from which I could not swerve to secure favor and patronage, or to avoid fi-owns and per- 
secution." 

The Caprons failed in business in a few years, the distillery was torn down, and for many 
years there has been nothing to mark the spot on which it stood. 

In 1850, Ml-. Goodsell removed to Greenwood, 111., and was engaged some ten years in 
mercantile business there. About 1860, he took up his residence in Northfield, Minn. Having, 
while residing at Geneva, been prominently engaged in founding Beloit College — the projectors 
meeting several times at his house for consultation before it was located — upon finding himself 
in another new State, his mind natui-ally turned to founding a literary institution of a high 
grade in that infant commonwealth. He finally effected the establishment of Carlton College, 
under the auspices of the Congregational denomination, which is now a permanent, well-en- 
dowed institution, of which Rev. Dr. J. W. Strong is President. 

Toward the founding and endowment of the college he gave $5,000 and a part of the land 



HISTORY OF WAT.WORTH COUNTY. 861 

upon which the buildinj^s arc locatod. His intense labors and anxieties in canying it through 
the sti'uggles of its early life brought on disease which terminated in his death. May 3. ISfi'J, 
aged sixty-foiu' years. His works follow him. The college will live tlu'ough coming ages, a 
monument of his liberality and zeal, to dift'use the ble.ssings of Christian learning widely over 
the land and world. He was twice man'ied. first to Alibie F. Jennings, who died in (xeneva in 
18-12. and then to her sister Elizalieth. who survives him. He left seven adult childi'en. all 
living in Northfi(<ld at the time of his death. 

Lewis B. (_toodsf.ll, a cousin of Charles M. Goodsell, was a native of Fairfield, Conn., his 
birth dating somewhere in the year 1800. While he was quite young, his father, who was a 
carpenter by trade, removed to Cooperstown, N. Y., then on the frontiers of civilization. Here 
he grew- up, and in due time entered a store as a clerk, and, applying himself to the business for 
which he was adapted by natm'e, became a thoroughly posted and skillful merchant. For some six 
or eight years, he can-ied on a very successful mercantile business at Cooperstown, having, for a 
portion of the time, George L. Campbell, another of the original proprietors of om- village, as a 
j)artner. Catching the Western fever, in 183(5, he removed to Chicago and o[)ened a store there. 
His jiai'tner soon followed, and they remained together until the death of the latter. Daring this 
time, as before related, they became interested in the property here. In the spring or summer 
of 184r), Mr. Goodsell, having previously met with some reverses, came here to reside, and 
opened a store in an old battlemented oak building, which stood near the present residence of 
William H. Seymour, on the west side of Center street. He soon afterward built and moved 
into a one-story wooden building, on the north side of Main street, now occujned as a bakery. 
Here he carried on a successful and constantly increasing business until his death, which oc- 
cuiTed in 185'2. A severe exposure in 1848 affected his lungs and lirought on consumption, 
but, by the force of an indomitable will and by prudent care of his health, he was enabled to 
keep about, and give to his business that attention which it demanded. When at Chicago, on 
his return from making his piu'chases at New York, in the spring of 1852, he overexerted his 
strength in his haste to reach the steamboat for Southport, and sank and died upon the wharf. In 
his death, Geneva lost a most valuable citizen, and a business man in whose integrity and abil- 
ity she had learned to place the highest confidence. 

George L. Campbell, before mentioned as one of the original proprietors of oiu' village, 
was a son of Robert Campbell, Esip, a lawyer and banker of Cooperstown, N. Y. Soon after his 
graduation from college, his father, not wishing him to study a profession, established him in 
trade with L. B. Goodsell at Cooperstown. After their removal to Chicago, Mr. Campbell be- 
came quite interested in land speculations, but with none of his investments was he so much 
pleased as with this at Geneva. He would gladly have purchased his pai'tner's share to it, but 
the latter declined to sell. A few years after this, Mr. Campliell died at Chicago, of consump- 
tion. Being unmanned, his father, Robert Campbell, inlierited his property here, and that 
fact accounts for the appearance of his name as grantor in subsequent conveyances of that 
property. 

(iREENLE.tF S. Warren was bom in Ludlow, Vt., in the year 1802. When aliout twelve 
yeiu^ of age, he removed with his brother Robert to Essex County, N. Y., where they remained 
some nine or ten years, and then removed to Pennsylvania. Some six years afterward, Green- 
leaf, being of an adventurous tiu'n of mind, started for the West, and, arriving at Dubupue, 
engaged in lead mining for some years, when, having fortunately stnick a good lode, he sold it 
for some S2,()0() and returned to Pennsylvania. Here he was soon after married to a sister of 
A. D. Colton, whose name has already appeared in these sketches. On the 1st day of May, 1836, 
the two l)rother8. with their families, and the Van Velzers and some other neighbors, started 
for the great West, journeying with ox teams and di'iving their cows and other stock before 
them, and aiTived at Chicago on the last day of the same month, making the trip in the short; 
time of thirty days. After remaining there awhile, he accomjianied his brother to this place, 
and ever afterward made it his home. In 1837, he built a ])orti(m of the present Lake House, 
or at least a dwelling on its site, and afterward enacted the main building, which has since been 
much enlarged and imiu'oved, and is now known by that title. Here he for several years kept 
a hotel, comj)(>ting with his brother on the other corner for the custom of teamsters and travelers, 
which in those days was much l)etter in proportion to the population of the country than it is 



862 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

now. This hotel afterward passed into the hands of Thomas D. Warren, who was succeeded by 
A. D. Colton, lonof known as the model hotel-keeper of oiu' village. 

After retiring fi-om the hotel, Mr. Warren lived in a small house nearly opposite, on the 
west side of Broad street. In 1849, he commenced building the store now owned and occupied 
by T. C. Smith, and had it well under way in the spring of 1850, when he started overland for 
California. Remaining there about two years, he returned by way of New York, was taken 
sick on his road from there to Philadelphia, and, after a short illness, died there among stran- 

In connection with the foregoing, it is deemed proper to here insert the obituary of Mr. 
Charles A. Noyes, who, though not a copartner of those mentioned above, was a former pro- 
prietor and became a permanent resident of the village, who, sui'viving all the rest, died in his 
early home at a recent date. 

Charles A. Notes, Sr., died at Geneva on the 25th of November, 1881, at the age of sixty- 
nine years. In his death is broken another link which bound Geneva's present to its past his- 
tory. He was one of the last survivors of the white men who lirst trod its streets, then unsur- 
veyed and unnamed, and selected the site where our now bright and tlom-ishing village is lo- 
cated, foreseeing something of its future in the beautiful lake, the tine water-power and the 
central position it occupied with relation to the rich country surrounding it. His life has been 
characterized by many changes and vicissitudes, comparatively few of which can be noticed in 
this brief sketch. He was born in Otsego County, N, Y., in the year 1812. His early life dis- 
played the same spirit of self-saeritice which characterized his maturer years. Very fond of 
study, and desirous of a thorough education, he yet declined it when within his reach, that he 
might care for his widowed mother. He did not. however, let slip unimproved the few advan- 
tages he had without improvement, but stored his mind with all the information which the 
duties of a constantly active life permitted, through reading and observation. At the age of 
eighteen, he took a position as shipping clerk with the then well-known firm of Pratt, Taylor & 
Co.. of Buifalo, where he remained three years. At the end of that time, forsaking a good 
position and a liberal salary, he sought a home in the far West, and arrived at Chicago May 
10, 1830. Thence he proceeded, partly by sloop and partly on foot, to Milwaukee, where he 
fir.st heard from Solomon Juneau, of Big Foot Lake. Returning to Chicago, he found a cousin, 
Orrin Coe, and together they started to tind a home in the vast wilds of Wisconsin, a water- 
power and location for the industries and the population which would naturally cluster around 
it. They tiu-ned their steps toward oiu- lake, then known as Big Foot's Lake, and, after various 
wanderings and adventui'es common to travelers in unknown regions, they reached here about 
the 21st of May, 183G, in time to assist in raising a log hou.se for John Powers, just south of 
om- village. There were then three log houses within our present bounds. The possession and 
right to the water-power created by Geneva Lake was then in dispute between Christopher Payne 
and the party of the Government surveyors headed liy Hodgson & Brink. Noyes and Coe 
bought from the latter party an undivided one-fourth interest in their claim. Through their 
intluence. it was decided to carry the water to the site of the mills by a race located as at pres- 
ent, rather than build a dam across the low trround near the mill. Durino- most of the active 
warfare between the claimants of the water-jiower, Mr. Noyes was absent at Milwaukee, pui-- 
chasing supplies for the party here and prociu'ing mechanics for the construction of a mill. 
Being eminently a man of peace, Mi\ Noyes disapproved of the violent measures adopted by 
some of his party to drive away Payne, yet participated in some of their struggles to prevent 
Payne from acquiring a firmer foothold here. His interest was afterward sold out with that of 
his company to the invading force of Warren and others. He, however, remained for awhile, and, 
becoming acquainted with Miss Nancy AVarren, sister of R. W. Warren, was married to her ia 
the course of that year, Inxt was obliged to go to Milwaukee to find an official or minister au- 
thorized to tie the nuptial knot. Not finding suflicient scope for his ambition here, Mr. Noyes, 
with some associates, went, in the fall of 1837, to McHenry County, 111., and made a claim of 
the water-power at Richmond, naming it Montelona. Selling out the Richmond claim to Mi'. 
Pm'dy, he nest settled at Tryon's Corners, in Hebron, and, while there, procm'ed a mail route 
to be established from Chicago to Madison In- way of the Corners and Big Foot, and was ap- 
pointed Postmaster. This was in 1839, Ijefore there was any route or office at Geneva. In 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 863 

1850. he again became a resident of Geneva, and, in A])ril of this year, he started, with G. S. 
Warren and others, for California. He returned in INo^ and bought an interest in the water- 
power at Genoa. In ISoS. he again tiu-ned his steps toward the Golden West, and until 1S72 
his home was on the Pacitie Coast. Since 1872, he has resided with his children in this vicin- 
ity, and for the past two years, with his son, in this village. Mr. Noyes was a man of excellent 
habits, of pui-e and upright moral character, and eminently a lover of his fellow-man, ready at 
all times to sacrifice himself to help others. Taking no thought for himself, he seemed to labor 
for the good of others. He was extremely gentle and kind to all with whom he as.sociated, and 
at the same time utterly fearless, both physically and morally. His death creates a void in the 
circle of old pioneers, as well as in that of his family, which can never be filled. 

Andrew Ferguson, the only surviving original proprietor, was born in Laurens, Otsego Co., 
N. Y., September '27, 1803. He was bred a farmer, and educated in the common schools. In 
1822, he removed to Cooperstowu, N. Y., and engaged in the shoe and leather business until 
1835. During that period, he ran quite an extensive shoe manufactory and tannery. 

In 1835, he came to Chicago and engaged in general merchandising with George L. Camp- 
bell and L. B. Goodsell, the latter being a brother-in-law. Their store was on the east aide of 
Dearborn street, north of the Tremont House, toward the river. Here he remained about one 
year, at which time his attention and interest di-ew him to Geneva Lake, as has been elsewhere 
recounted. He took up his permanent residence there with his family in May. 1837. where he 
has continued to live to the present time (1!S82). 

He became a public-spirited citizen, and did his full ])art in the early development of the 
town. He built the tii-st frame building in the village of Geneva, in which he opened the first 
store. He was the first Postmaster, appointed in 1838, and held the office twelve years. He 
has served on the Board of Supervisors and in other positions of trust, as elsewhere shown in 
this history. He remained in trade for some twenty years, and then sold out io L. D. Hale, 
and, till 1860, confined his business to the cultivation of a tract of some forty acres of land, 
lying within the present limits of the village. At that time, he sold out and bought a farm in 
the adjoining town of Linn, to which he removed, and where he resided till 1866, at whicli 
time he returned to Geneva, where he still resides, enjoying a sturdy old age and the earned 
respect of his fellow-citizens. 

Mr. Ferguson was married, April 24, 1.S24, in Cooperstown, N. Y., to Miss Lucretia Good- 
sell. They had five chikli'en — Mary, an infant, died in Cooperstown; Mary, Mrs. Daniel Austin 
White, of Whitewater, Wis., died September, 1880; Henry, lately in trade in Geneva; Ann, 
diinl in Geneva in 1804; Charles, now a resident of Geneva. 

The first wife of Mr. Ferguson died in Linn, April 3, 186'J. He was married to Miss Mary 
L. !May, September 2. 1873. 

George W. Trimble married the oldest daughter of Christopher Payne in 1832-33. He 
came with him on his voyages of discovery, and was with him during the spring of 1830 at Ge- 
neva. He sold out his claim and moved to Walworth in 1837. He was a resident of the vicin 
ity for many years. In 1804, he had a farm in Linn, and bought Payne's mill in La Fayette 
when he left the State. He moved to ^Minnesota many years ago. where he now lives. 

Hon. Chaki.es M. Baker, deceased ; was boru in the city of New York Oct. 18, 1804. His 
parents removed in 1805 to Bridport, Vt., and there he spent hi.s early years io work upon a farm, in 
study and in teaching. At the age of 18 he entered Middlobury College, but was .soon compelled by the 
failure of his health to resign his plans for a liberal education; he did not however abandon the pursuit of 
kn(]wledge, but was through life a diligent and thorough student. After three years' study of the law in 
the office of Judge S. G. Huntington, at Troy, N. Y., he was admitted to the bar, and commenced prac- 
tice there as a partner of Henry W. Strong, brother of the late Marshall M. Strong, of Itaeine. Remov- 
ing to Seneca Falls, he continued a very successful practice for four years, when he was obliged to yield 
to his old enemy and abandon the profession. In 1838, he emigrated to Wisconsin, bringing his excellent 
wife, Martha W. Larabee, his three children and his few worldly goods in a light covered wagon, in true 
pioneer style, intending to devote himself to farming. After some prospecting, he .selected a farm on the 
south shore of Geneva Lake, and in December, 18:^8 he settled his family at the then infant village of Geneva, in 
a rough log house, o]ien to wind and storm. His health improving, and the people demanding his services, 
he again resumed his profession. He was the first lawyer who settled in Walworth Co. In the fall of 



864 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

1839 he was, unexpectedly to himself, appointed as District Attorney. For thirty-three years, with some short 
intermissions, his home was at Geneva, where, by his ability, his integrity, and his untiring industry, he 
acquired a powerful influence, which he ever exerted for the promotion of religion, education, temperance 
and morality. He held many places of public trust and responsibility in town, county. Territory and 
State , and in all proved himself faithful and equal to the demands upon him ; he was a member of the 
Territorial Council from 1842 to 1846 ; a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1846, and chairman 
of its Judiciary Committee; and was one of the Commissioners to revise the statutes in 1848, and the one 
to whom was intrusted the revision of the most important laws, and the supervision of the publication of 
the completed work. In 1856, he very acceptably filled a vacancy in the office of Circuit Judge, but ab- 
solutely declined to be a candidate for that office at the ensuing election ; had he been more ambitious, or 
possessed less modesty and more self-appreciation, he might have grasped and filled any office in the gift 
of the people. During the war of the rebellion, he was a Commissioner in the office of the Provost Mar- 
shal of his district. His first wife died at Geneva, in June, 1843, leaving to him the care of four young 
children. The following year he was happily married to Miss Eliza Holt, of Madison, who still survives 
to mourn his loss. Judge Baker pgssessed talents of a very high order ; a clear and logical mind strength- 
ened and liberalized by extensive reading and observation, and a judgment characterized by great caution 
and discretion. His integrity and faithfulness to duty were above and beyond reproach or suspicion. 
In the profession of the law, he ever sought to promote justice and right; loved peace rather than litiga- 
tion ; was a peace-maker and a trusted adviser, and preferred at all times the quiet walks of professional 
life rather than those which are more public and ostentatious — a field requiring no less of learning and 
ability, and offering equal, if not superior opportunities for usefulness to his fellow-men. His private life 
was one well worthy of imitation ; he was a religious man, early in life a member of the Baptist Church, and 
later a member and an Elder of the Presbyterian Church, a leader in all its benevolent and reformatory work, 
and the right hand man of his pastor. His heart was full of kindness, love and sympathy for his fellow- 
men, and his life pure and abounding in noble and generous actions. He died of apoplexy, at his resi- 
dence in Geneva, on the 5th day of February, 1872, in the 68th year of his age. Thus passed away, 
after a life of great usefulness and honor, one of the purest and best of Christian pioneers. 

Thomas W. Hill (deceased) was one of the earliest settlers of the town of Lyons. The fol- 
lowing is a sketch of his life which has appeared before in print : 

Thomas Warden Hill was born in the town of Swanton, Franklin Co., Vt., on the 9th day of Jan- 
uary, 1817 ; his parents removed from that place to the town of Lewis, Essex Co., N. Y., when he was 
but 5 years old ; here he mot with the great misfortune of losing both his parents, while he was yet (juite 
young, but fortunately he had an uncle, Joseph Wells, of the same town, who offered him a home and 
with whom he remained until he was 21 yeaas of age. Having now become his own master, Mr. Hill, in 
the fall of 1838, started for the far West, traveling the greater part of the way on foot, and arriving in 
Geneva on the 15th of October of that year. Taking no time for rest or recreation, but manifesting the 
same diligent and earnest spirit which characterized his whole after life, he on the very next day after his 
arrival, commenced working for R. W. Warren, continuing with him for some time ; he also, during the 
first years of his residence in Geneva, worked for A Ferguson on his farm and in his store and for C. M. 
Goodsell in the original grist-mill. Always temperate, prudent and economical in his habits, he soon 
found himself able to buy a farm, and in March, 1839, he purchased land in the present town of Lyons, 
two and one-half miles from Geneva Village, which afterward became his homestead, and was retained by 
him until his death. At the first town election in the spring of 1840, he was elected to his first pablic 
office, that of Constable and Collector. This was but a stepping-stone to numerous and more important 
positions to which his fellow-citizens subsequently called him. 

In the spring of 1842, he united with the Presbyterian Church at Geneva, having become hopefully 
pious during a series of revival meetings held the preceding winter. On the 12th of February, 1843, he 
was united in marriage to Miss Lydia Ferris, and one year from that day they removed to the farm above 
mentioned, and remained there, with the exception of one year spent in Geneva, until 1868, industriously 
engaged in improving the farm and bringing it to ideal perfection, in friendly competition with his neigh- 
bor Reuben Rockwell, who preceded him by only a few months to the grave. Providence smiled upon 
these twenty-three years of industry ; his lands became largely enhanced in value, their bounds were en- 
larged, and his resources generally increased. In the spring of 1868, he again removed to Geneva Village 
and lived there until the spring of 1870, when he was selected to take charge of the County Poor Farm, 
and in that position he was retained until his death. 

While living in the town of Lyons, he held numerous town offices, the most important being that of 
Chairman of Supervisors, which gave him a seat in the County Board of Supervisors. In that, as in all 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 866 

other public positions, he \v;is reci)t;nizcil as a man of singular prudence and f^ood sense, and his opinion 
was entitled to great weifiht in respect to all quesiions coming before the board. He was twice 
elected to rejiresent this a.ssembly district in the State Legislature, namely, at the sessions of LS5.'} and 
1863, and filled that p()>ition with honor to himself and his district. 

For many years, he was one of the County Superintendents of the Poor, and for more than eight 
years, as before stated, he had personal charge of the poor farm and of all the deranged and unfortunate 
recipients of public charity. In this most difficult place, he manifested uncommon patience and singular 
ability and fidelity to his trust. 

Though he had received but a liuiiled education in his youth, he had well improved his opportunities 
in later years, and was well informed in all matters of general importance. 

His integrity in all his business relations was wholly un(iuestionod, and no man had any occasion to 
be his enemy. 

During all his life after he united with the Church, .Mr. Hill displayed the Christian graces in an 
unusual degree. Always firm in his adherence to the truth, and in his advocacy of that which was in his 
view right and pure, he yet had large charity fiir those who ditt'ered from him, and was eminently a peace- 
maker. Active, faithful and conscientious in the discharge of all his religious duties, he filled to universal 
acceptance of the offices of Superintendent of the Sabbath school and Deacon and Ruling Elder of the Church. 

On the 26th of May, LS7;t, while engaged in superintending some improvements at his old home- 
stead, he was stricken down by heart disea.se, and apparently expired in an instant and without a 
struggle. 

FIRST THINGS AND OCCURRENCES. 

The first things in Geneva were among the first in the county, and oxceptioiially early, if 
not the first. 

Geneva Van Slyke was the first child horn in the county. She was born between July 2 and 
4, at Geneva. She was the daughter of ^irs. James Van Slyk(\ who lived in a log house in 
Cieneva at the time that Brinks' men drove Payne away and burned or destroyed his house. They 
took good care of ilrs. Van Slyke, and did not molest her. Her husband, as usual, seemed to 
be away from home when most wanted, and Geneva was born unattended by her father or a 
physician. Jason Payne, then a lad of fourteen years, was the only person recorded as assisting 
ilrs. Van Slyke in her sickness. Van Slyke put in an apjiearance the nest day, but he seems 
to have been an unimportant element, except so far as being the parent of the child. Jason 
Payne remained the mu-se. Mrs. Dr. Hemeuway and her husband came over from S])ring Prai- 
rie and saw the woman two days after the birth, and she was well looked after by the neighbors 
as soon as they arrived. The child grew well, and, when something over a year old, had a new 
christening, being named Geneva. l)y R. A\'. Wan-en, and presented by her godfather a village 
lot. She lived to be some thirty years old, and died unmairied. It is a matter of fact that 
Van Slyke was never around when he should be. At this birth he was absent. He was away 
when the Indians had their powwow near his camp in l.S;:i(j, as is related elsewhere, and in the 
summaiw of his life, desired for this histoi-y, Van Slyke is still fiway. Nothing is known of 
wliat became of him. H(> seems to have been unlucky from the beginning — always in debt, 
always away when he ought to be present, and always present when he ought to be away. He 
was not of the family of Van Slykes now living in the county. 

The first man-iage was that of (!harles A. Noyes to Nancy Warren. It occiured in Decem- 
ber, ISSfi. They were maiTiod outside the county limits, but wore the first resident coujile mar- 
ried. 

The first frame building was erected by Andrew Ferguson, at the corner of Main and Cen- 
ter streets, in 1837. In it he 0])ened the first store. He lived for a short time over the store. 
It was burned in December, IS-t i, and rebuilt liy him diu'ing 1815-40. 

The first schoolhouse was built in 1839, by ]irivate sulwcription, near the [)resent engine 
house. It was the fii'st frame schoi>lhouse in the cotinty. jMiss Auger taught the first school. 
A daughter of Mr. Deodat Brewster taught the second school in the new schoolhouse. Dr. 
John Stacy was the fu'st male teacher. He taught in the winter of 1840—11. 

The first saw-mill in Geneva was the first in the county. It was started in May, 1837. 

In OctobiM", 1838, the first gristmill was started. It was liuilt by Charl<>s AI. Goodst>ll, 
an<l was the first built in the countv. When first fiuishinl, it drew grists from as far north as 



866 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

Milwaukee, from Kenosha (Southport), and from as far west as the Kock River. There was 
no- other grist-mill within the area bounded by the points named. This first mill was nearly 
on the site of the present Red Mill. It ran until 1846—1:7, at which time it was rebuilt by R. 
W. WaiTen, who was the master builder, under Goodsell's employ, of the old mill. 

The lirst post office was established in 1838. Aiich-ew Fergusen was the first Postmaster. 
He held the office till 184!.). His successor was James J. Dewey. 

William Alexander was the first cooper — in 1839. 

The first death was that of an old man who came to Geneva without friends or character, 
known as Cruiser. He was buried on a knoll east of the village, in the winter of 1837-38. 

The first fatal casualty which occiu-red resulted in the death of William Casiwrus, who fell 
from the scafiblding while erecting the Mrs. Farniun house on Main street in 1838. 

The first blacksmith was Jotham Curtis, in 1836, when he came temporarily to work on the 

mill. He was followed soon after by To^vnsend and Whittley. Cornwall Esmond 

opened the first regular blacksmith shop about 1840. 

D. W. Cook opened the first wagon shop in the town in 1838. 

T. J. Hanna opened the first cabinet shop in 1845. Anson Tiu-nei-, a cabinet-maker, worked 
at his trade as early as 183 i, but had no store. 

The first resident phvsiciau was Dr. O. S. Tiffany, in 1S38. Dr. McNish came soon after, 
in 1839. 

Lewis Curtis was the fii-st ch-uggist. He opened a lU'ug store in 1839-40. 

It does not appear that any permanent settlements were made in the town of Geneva dur- 
ing the year 1836 except at the outlet of the lake, where the village now is. 

The settlers put up several log houses in addition to what Payne and Brink & Hodgson's 
men had built in the spring, and had completed the saw-mill at the close of the year. It was 
ready to start January 1, 1837. The winter of 1836-37 was severe, and one of the extremely 
cold'snaps coming on after a heavy snow-storm had filled the canal and flume with snow, fi-oze 
the water solid from flume to outlet. It did not thaw out so as to enable the mill to start till 
late in March, 1837. It was then, however, the first saw-mill built and set running in the 
county. 

EARLY TAVEKNS. 

Diu-ing 1836 and 1837, there were, strictly speaking, no taverns in the village. Everybody 
kept open house for strangers. That most widely known for its hospitality was the house of R. 
W. Wan-en. The first house built and opened for the pm-pose was the Geneva House (now the 
St. Denis), built l\y G. W. Warren. It was finished and opened by a grand ball, January 8, 
1838. For fifteen' months, while it was building, the log house of Warren, which stood near 
the present site of the St. Denis, was the leading hotel of the place. It was not, however, able 
to accommodate half the travelers that came in in great numbers during 1837 and 1838. An- 
drew Ferguson opened his dwelling as a iniblic house in 1837, and, during the same year, 
Greenleaf S. WaiTen built and opened a tavern on the present site of the Lake Hoiise. 

Mr. S. A. Dwinnell gives an entertaining description of Wan-en's house, and the general 
state of affairs in Geneva, in the fall of 1836, when he made his first visit. It is as follows: 

"On the morning of the 15th day of November, 1836, I set my face toward the north, from 
Belvidere, 111., with a view of exploring Wisconsin. At 4 P. M., I entered Wisconsin at Big 
Foot Prairie, of 16,000 acres, where not a furrow had been tm-ned, soon after which I left the 
Indian trail for the white man's dim track thi-ough the grass, and proceeded east on the sou h 
side of Big Foot Lake, which was fi-om time to time in view. As night set in, snow fell plenti- 
fully. At length, a welcome light from a distant window appeared, and I soon crossed a stream 
and a newly made mill-race, upon the north bank of which was a human dwelling. 

" I had reached the ' Outlet of Big Foot," as Geneva Lake, in what is now Walworth County, 
was then called — having traveled, in solitude, thirty five miles without seeing a human dwell- 
ing. I knocked at the rude door of an equally rude log cabin, and heard the backwoodsman's 
welcome ' Come in.' As I entered, there seemed to be a poor chance for my entertainment. 
About a dozen men sat upon a backless bench before a hot fire of huge logs piled in the north 
end of the cabin. There was no chimney, and the smoke and sparks made their way thi-ough an 
opening left in the roof for that piu-pose. The floor of the cabin was the natural earth, and therft 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 867 

was no chambor. The roof was made of shakes hold in place by small loi^s laid upon the ends 
of them. Not a nail was in any part of the struetm-e, I think. There were two chairs near the 
northeast corner of the room, in which two females were plyin<if their needles. After an apology 
for the riido fare I should get, which I supposed was intended as a kind of bar against grum- 
bling, I was permitted to remain. The meals were plain, Imt bountiful and good. 

"During the ev(>ning, I wondered where they would lodge all their family and guests, as 
there was but ime bed in the cabin, and no other room ai)parent. My fears were removed at 
bedtime, however, liy finding that there was a small room adjoining, over the door to which was 
hung a blanket, which I had uot distinguished from the clothing which hung in profusion 
iu'ound the room. In each corner of this slee])ing room was a bedstead, which illustrated the 
truth of the proverb that necessity is the mother of invention: for it had but one leg, the rails 
at the other ends Ix'ing inserted in the logs which composed the walls of the building. The 
bed was made of th-ied gi-ass. called 'prairie feathers,' and laid u] on shakes instead of cords. 
A bedstead thus constructed was known by the name of ' catamount.' A slight covering for it, 
to which the clothes of the sleepers were added, fm'nished a more desirable resting-]ilace than 
the wet gi'ound on a cold, stormy night, of which I then had a recent experience. A comforter 
was spread ujion us before morning in the shape of a mantle of snow, sifted through the shakes 
of the roof over our heads. 

" I have been thus particular in de.scribiug this cabin because it was really a hotel, not 
much inferior to the best at that time in the Temtory, between the little villages on the shore 
of Lake Michigan and those of the mineral region, of which Dodgeville and Mineral Point were 
the nearest — a distance of more than one hundi-ed miles. It was kept by R. W. WaiTen, after- 
ward the proprietor of a much more commodious hotel, in what is now an important village, and 
rapidly becoming a noted watering-place. 

" I found foiu' other families in that little hamlet, which had all come in a few months be- 
fore, and were living in similar circumstances to the one just described. All were waiting for 
a saw-mill, which they were building, to commence o])erations before they finished their cabins. 
Some of the other i)ioneers scattered over the Territory I found in dwellings equally rude and 
primitive — a specimen of frontier life at that time in the far West." 

In 1837, Payne had moved over to Duck (Como) Lake and started his mill. The lake, as 
has been stated, lies across the town from east to west, and makes a quite marked division. In 
early times, the region north of the lake was known as North Geneva, and the inhabitants there- 
of owed no allegiance to any village, although they were stanch and reliable citizens of the town. 

The early settlers who came in prior to 1842 were as below stated: 

John Dunlap, a man of means and character, who bought large tracts north of the lake on 
Sections 10 and 11 : he came as early as 183y. Deodat Brewster came in 1839 and took land 
on Section 2. Deacon Hen-ick settled on Section 16: his son, Jason, still lives on the old place. 
Oliver P. and Simeon Standish settled on Section 10; Simeon died many years since: Oliver is. 
still alive. John A. Famham, William Stork and Harrison Auger were in as early as 1840. 
Milo E. Bradley took land and moved his family onto Section 2 in 1838. 

Thomas McKaig came in 1830; he is still living in the town: he was a sm-veyor; platted 
the village of Geneva; was one of the first Justices of the Peace, aud. after a residence of over 
forty-two years, commands the unqualified respect of the community in which he has spent the 
best years of his life. 

Osbom Hand came in 1841; he bought his land on Sections 'I and 3, and built his first 
house on Section 3; he had been a school-teacher in the East, aud from the beginning took an 
active part in the affairs of the neighborhood. A full biographical sketch appears elsewhere. 

^Ir. Hand wrote a short historical sketch of North Geneva, which was published in the 
Western Star November 4, 1846. Prom his article the following facts concerning that region 
at the date of publication are deemed relial)le: 

The lake (Como) makes a natural division of the town, nearly two thirds of the area lying 
north of the lake. The inhabitants are all farmers — not a professional man or mechanic resid- 
ing there. In 1846, there were seventy-five families and five schools; in 1842, there were twenty 
families and no school. In 1846, there was raised north of Lake Como, in the town of Geneva, 
30,000 bushels of wheat. The crops were generally abundant, and the settlers enjoyed good 
times. 



868 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

The town grew as the other towns of the county in Dumber of population and in wealth. 

In 1847, the population, by the local census of that year, numl^ered 1,238, includingr the vil- 
lages, and might be considered fully settled, as all the land had been bought fi-om the Govern- 
ment, and only subdivisions could increase the number of freeholders of land. 

Mr. Eliphalet Cramer, of Milwaukee, bought large tracts in North Geneva, not pre empted, 
■which he subsequently sold to the settlers coming in in 184t> to 1842. Many of the deeds of 
present owners trace their abstract to a warrantee deed from E. Cramer. 

The farming portion of the town lies north oE the lake, and is one of the finest farming 
sections of the county. On Section 4 is located the county poor farm, considered the model 
farm of the State. A full description of it appears in the county history. 

CORPORATE TOWN HISTORT. 

1842. — The tii-st town meeting of which the records have been preserved was held at the 
house of R. W. "Warren, in the town of Geneva, April 5, 1842. At that time, the town organi- 
zation embraced the fom- present towns of Lyons, Bloomfield, Linn, Geneva, and a section of 
Elkhorn. 

The largest number of votes recorded at the meeting was 162. This was nearly the whole 
voting strength of the southeast comer of the covmty at that time. 

The otficers elected, witli the votes received, were as follows: 

Supervisors — John M. Capron, Chairman, 85 votes; Jesse Hand, 85 votes; William K. May, 
82 votes. Town Clerk — Lyman Redington, 84 votes. Assessor — John Stacy, 158 votes; Israel 
Williams, 155 votes; Mollis Latham, 86 votes. Treasurer— Charles M. Baker, 81 votes; Will- 
iam Potts, 81 votes. The fm-ther records do not show which of the above popular citizens served 
as Treasurer. Collector — Thomas W. Hill, 94 votes. Commissioners of Highways — Deodat 
Brewster, 86 votes; Laugdon J. Filkins, 134 votes; John Farnham, 87 votes. School Commis- 
sioners — Leonard Rogers, 87 votes; John W. Capron, 105 votes; James B. Tower, 80 votes. 
Constables — Thomas W. Hill, 93 votes; Simeon Standish, 85 votes; Simeon Tupper, 78 votes. 
Overseers of the Highway— Harvey Hand, 157 votes; Allen McBride, 158 votes; Robert W'. 
WaiTen, 84 votes; William D. Chapin, 133 votes. 

The meeting voted to raise one-foiu-th of 1 per cent on the property valuation for the sup- 
port of schools, and a like amount for the building and repair of roads; $50 was voted to be 
raised for contingent expenses and for the support of the poor. 

1843. — The town meeting was held April 4. 1843, at the house of R. W. Wan-en; $50 
was raised for the poor; .^5368 for schools. The officers elected were: Siipervisors — Thomas 
Hovey, Chairman; John A. Fai-nham, Ebenezer DaHon. Clerk — Lewis Curtis. Treasm-er — 
Charles M. Baker. The highest number of votes cast at this election was 241. 

The first Geneva town meeting after the present limits were established by law was held at 
the house of Abiel Manning, April 2, 1844; Clerk, E. D. Richardson; Assistant Clerk, James 
Simmons. The officers elected were: Supervisors — John A. Faruum. Chairman; James Has- 
kins. Jacob Herrick. Clerk — James Simmons. Treasurer — Foster Y. Howe. Collector — 
James B. Tower. Highway Commissioners — Milo E. Bradley, James A. Flack, George W. 
Edwards. School Commissioners — Lemuel Hall. James B. Tower, Osborn Hand. Justices of 
the Peace— Hollis Latham, Robert Holley, John Diinlap. 

At this, the first meeting of the town of Geneva as now established, the highest number of 
votes cast was 97. 

The roster of town officers from 1844 to 1881, inclusive, is as follows: 

1844 — Supervisors, John A. Farnam, Chairman; James Haskins, Jacob Herrick; Clerk, 
James Simmons; Treasiu-er, Foster Y. Howe. 

1845 — Supervisors, John A. Fai-nam, Chairman; Alvah Chandler, Amos Cahoon; Clerk, E. 
D. Richai-dson: Treasiu-er, Foster Y. Howe. 

1846 — Supervisors. John A. Farnam, Chainnan; Alvah Chandler, Amos Cahoon; Clerk, E. 
D. Richardson; Treasurer, Foster Y. Howe. 

1847 — Supervisor. John A. Farnham, Chainnan; Alvah Chandler, Amos Cahoon; Clerk, 
Simeon W. Spaford; Treasm-er, Lewis Cm-tis. 





^^l-^i-ClZ^ 




HISTORY OF WALWORTH COl'XTY. 871 

184S — Supervisors. Simeon W. Spafortl. Chairman : Alvah Chandler. Amos Cahoon: Clerk, 
Williiun R. Wild: Treasurer. Andrew Ferirusen. 

1849 — Supervisors. Charles M. Goodsell. Chairman: Jacob Hen-ick. Edward Stevens: Clerk. 
Thomas McKaifj: Treasurer. John ^larsh. 

1S50 — Sujiervisors. Simeon W. S]iaford. Chairman: James G. Williams, James Haskins: 
Clerk. E. D. Kit-hardscin: Treasurer. Jt)hK ^Marsh. 

ISol— Su])ervisors. David Williams. Chainnan: Richard Flack. John Haskins: Clerk. C. 
Miller: Treasurer. Joseph Gates. 

1852 — Siipervisors. David Williams. Chairman: James Gray. Ii'a Bro\vu: Clerk. C. Miller: 
Treasurer. S. A. Spaford. 

1853 — Supervisoi-s. John A. FiU'nam. Chairman: Sylvester E. Sanford. John Haskins: Clerk. 
Benjamin B. Humjihrey: Treasurer. S. A. Spaford. 

1854 — Sujjervisors. Joseph Gates. Chairman: Levi Jackson. Amos Cahoon: Clerk. Benja- 
min B. Humphrey: Treasurer. Linus Emerick. 

1855 — Su])ervisors. Charles W. Smith. Chairman: Charles Wales. Joseph Grifliu: Clerk, 
Simeon Gai'dner: Treasm-er. E. Aucb'ews. 

1856 — Sui)ervisors. Chai-les W. Smith. Chairman: Andrew Ferj^usen. Alonzo Potter: Clerk, 
J. T. Abell: Treasm-er. T. B. Gray. 

185 ( — Sui>ei-visOTS. Alonzo Potter. Chairman: Andrew Fergusen. E. B. Farnam: Clerk, J. 
T. Abell: Treasurer. E. Andrus. 

1858 — Siipei-visors. Chai'les W. Smith. Chairman: Charles Wales, Appollos Hastings: Clerk. 
J. T. Abell: Treasm-er. William L. Valentine. 

1859 — Su])en-isors. Ales S. Palmer. Chairman: Ch;u-les Wales. Jared Hand: Clerk, J. T. 
Abell: Treasui-er. W. L. "\'alentine. 

1860 — Supervisors. A. S. Palmer. Chairman: E. B. Fai-nham, Jared Hand: Clerk. J. T. 
Abell: TreasTU-er. W. L. Valentine. 

1861— Sui^ei-visors. A. S. Palmer. Chairman: S. H.Stafford. G. E. S. Fellows: Clerk, J. T. 
Abell: Treasm-er. George Barber. 

1862 — Supervisoi-s, Osboi-n Hand, Chairman: A. D. Colton. O. P. Standish: Clerk. J. T. 
Abell: Ti-easurer. G. M. Barber. 

1863 — Siii)ervisors, S. H. Stafford. Chairman: Charles Dunlaj>. H. E. Allen: Clerk. J. T. 
Abell: Treasurer. G. M. Barber. 

1864 — Supei-visors. S. O. Raymond. Chairman: Charles Dunlap. C. L. Oatman: Clerk. .J, 
T. Abell: Treasiuer. R. T. Mo^dy. 

1865 — Su]iervisors. C. L' Oatman. Chairman: Charles Dunlap. Edward Quiglev: Clerk. 
J. T. Abell: Treasiu-er. William H. Lee. 

1866 — Su])ei-visors. C. L. Oatman, Chairman: Chai-les Dunlap. J. J. Dewing: Clerk. J. T. 
Abell: Treasm-er, S. S. Hanna. 

1867 -Super\Msors. Chai-les Dunlap, Chairman: W. W. Byingtou. A. E. Smith: Clerk, 
John A. Smith: Treasurer, S. C. Sanford. 

1868 — Supei-visors, Charles Dunlap. Chairman: J. Barber. A. E. Smith: Clerk, J. A. 
Smith: Treasurer, W. Alexander. 

1869 — Su()ervisors, C. Dunlap, Chairman: H. Rich, L. Jackson: Clerk. C. E. Buell: Treas- 
urer, W. H. Lee. 

187*1 — Supen'isors, C. L. Oatman, Chairman: C. M Baker. Len -Jackson : Clerk. C^ E. 
Buell: Treasiu-er, S. C. Sanford. 

1871 — Supervisors. James Simmons. Chairman: Levi Jackson. Chai-les Dunlap: Clerk. C. 
E. Buell; Treasurer. S. C. Sanford. 

1872 — Supervisors. Chai-les Dunlap, Chairman: H. S. Stafford, W. W. Byington: Clerk. 
W. 'EL. Hammersley: Treasiu-er, John Burton. 

1873 — Supervisors, Charles Dunlap, Chairman: M. D. Cowdery, W. W. Byington: Clerk, 
W.W. Hammersley: Treasurer, John I5urton. 

1874 — Su])ervis<n-s. Charles Dimlap. Chairman: W. W. Byington, M. D. Cowdei-y: Clerk, 
John B. Simmons: Treasurer. T. B. Gray. 

GG 



872 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

1875 — Supervisors, Charles Drnilap, Chairman: W. H. Hammersley, M. D. Cowdery; Clerk, 
John B. Simmons: Treasurer, T. B. Gray. 

187r)—SuiiervisorR, Charles Duulap, Chairman: W. H. Hammersley, M. D. Cowdery; Clerk, 
John B. Simmons: Treasurer, T. B. dray. 

1877 — Sui>ervisorR, S. H. Staflbrd, Chairman; Charles Dunlaj), W. H. Hammersley; Clerk, 
John B. Simmons: Treasurer, T. B.Gray. 

1878 — Supervisors, Charles Palmetier, Chairman: W. H. Hammersley, Charles Dunlap; 
Clerk, John B. Simmons; Treasurer. T. B. Gray. 

1879 — Supervisors, William H. Haimmersley, Chairman: Edward Pentland, Samuel H. 
Staflbrd: Clerk, John B. Simmons: Treasurer, T. B. Gray. 

1880 — Supervisors. William H. Hammersley, Chairman: Edward Pentland, Jason A. Her- 
rick; Clerk. John B. Simmons; Treasurer, T. B. Gray. 

1881 — Supervisors. W. H. Hammersley. Chairman: Daniel Fairehild, Michael Rouse; 
Clerk, John B. Simmons: Treasurer, T. B. Gray. 

The town shows the following standing at the close of 1881: 

The population, as given by the Federal census of 1880, was: Town. 930: village, 1,969; 
total, 2,899. 

The principal agricultural products of 1880 were: Wheat, 0,500 bushels; corn, 128,000 
bushels; oats, 01,000 bushels: barley, 5.000 bushels; rye, 400 bushels; potatoes, 5,000 bushels; 
apples, 50,000 bushels: timothy seed, 642 bushels; hay. 1,500 tons; butter, 150.000 pounds. 

In 1881, there were 3.500 acres sown to grain; 170 acres of orchard, with 4,300 fruit-bear- 
ing trees; 1,800 acres of mowing and pasturage: and 800 acres of gi'owing timber; there were 
al.so 700 milch cows, valued at !?17,5O0. 

There wei'e four whole and six union school districts. The number of scholars enumerated 
between the ages of four and twenty years was 1,023, of which number 025 attended school. 
There were eight schools, one of which (in the village) is gi-aded. Twelve teachers were em- 
ployed, at average monthly wages of $37.25 for male and $21.36 for female teachers. There 
were eight schoolhouses, valued, with sites included, at $24,230. The annual amount expended 
for school purposes was $0,900. 

THE VILLAGE OF GENEVA GENEVA LAKE. 

The early history of the village has already been related to the reader. It was first platted 
by Thomas McKaig some time in 1837. The plat was filed, in accordance with the law. May 
23, 1840. Under the survey, the village lots contained not far from a quarter-acre each. Two 
blocks were reserved for public squares, and other lots for churches, schools and a cemetery. 
The first plat covered the whole of Section 36. The subsequent additions to the village plat, as 
given by Mr. Simmons in his history of the village, were as follows: 

A certain portion of the land on the borders of the lake and extending from it to a point 
some distance below the mills, being mostly interval land, was reserved by the jirojirictors and 
miU'ked on the plat as " Reservation. " This is said to have originally contained some forty 
acres. In 1844, five acres in a square form in the southwest corner of the northwest quarter of 
Section 31, in the town of Lyons (then Hudson), were added to the village by the act of the 
Legislature incorjiorating it. In 1850, the village bounds were fm-ther extended by a new 
charter, but reduced by amending acts in 1858 and 1860, and again extended by an^lct of 1867. 
They now embrace all of Section 30, the south half of Section 25, the southeast quarter of Sec- 
tion 26, and the east half of Section 35, in the town of Geneva, the five acres above mentioned 
from the town of Lyons, and sixty-seven acres of land from Section 1 in the town of Linn. 
None of these additions have been platted into small lots except a portion included in Mai'sh's 
Addition, and a part of Section 25, platted in 1855 and called Rich's and Ferguson's additions. 
In 1857, E. D. Phillii)S divided a part of Sublots 10, 11, 12 and 13, in Large Lot 3. and named 
it Phillips' Subdivision. Several sti-eets have been discontinued and other changes made, which, 
so far as important, will be noticed hereafter. The proprietors of the village when first sur- 
veyed were R. W. and G. S. Warren, A. Ferguson, L. B. Goodsell, George L. Campbell, and 
Phillip and James Maxwell, each owning one-seventh part, but before the plat was recorded, 
Mr. Ferguson had conveyed his shai-e to Goodsell & Campbell. Afterward, the proprietors 



IIIS'I'OHY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 873 

partition oil the lots and blocks among themselves by deeds. r(>taininw undivided interests in the 
" Keservation." 

The village grew (juite ra])idly from ISS8 to 1S44. Among th(> early setthu-s now well re- 
membered who came in during thai ]ieriod were the following: 

Benjamin E. (tHI, in 1S:!7: C. L. Oatman. in 1S3S; W. D. Chapin, in lS;i7: S. \V. Spaf- 
ford, in 1842; E. D. Richardson, in 1.S42; Dr. Oliver S. Tifltauy. in 1N:!,S: Dr. McNish, a little 
later in 1838: Ru.ssell H. Mallary, in 1838; Joseph Gritiin, in the summer of 1837: ^Yilliam 
Casporus, in 1837: Charles M. Baker, in 1838; Lewis Curtis, in 183U: William Alexander, in 

1839: John M Capron, Wheeler and Whipple, in 1839; D. W. Cook, in 1837; John 

A. Earuham, in 1840; Joso])h E. Howe, in 1843; Abiel Manning and A. A. Thompson, in 1843; 
Jamos Simmons, in July, 1843; Experience Estabrook, in 1839; Dr. Stephen Ingham, in 1841 
(then of advanced age; he lived to be over ninety-five years old, and died in Elkhorn not many 
years since): E. S. and H. K. Elkins, 1843; L. D. Hale, 1843; John Beamsley. in 1843; B. T. 
Payne, 1843; Daniel Locke. 1843: Harvey Chiu-ch, 1843: A. D. Colton, in 1840 or 1841. 

The histoiy of the village and its vicinity has been fully written by James Simmons, up to 
the date of its publication, in 1875. Nothing new can be found to add thereto except to bring 
the history down to date. Nearly all the historical matter concerning the village is compiled 
fi-om that book, thi'ough the kind consent of its author, for which due acknowledgments are 
given here and elsewhere. 

The village led an uneventful and unexcited existence for many years. Its growth was 
healthy, but not rapid It shared the trade and traffic of the newly settled country with the 
neighboring village of Delavan, and increased with about the same rapidity. There was more 
travel, and consequently more life, in Geneva in its early days, as the Soiathport (Kenosha) 
road ran through it to Beloit. The grist-mill also brought considerable trade, which would 
otherwise have gone to other points, till competing mills were built elsewhere. The first com- 
peting mill was built by the Phoenixes, at Delavan, in 1840. 

The village is entitled to the credit of having organized the first temporance society in the 
county in 1839, It is also entitled to the distinction of having the first distillery, which was 
started a few months later in 1840, by Capron, Wheeler & Whipple. The two opposing ele- 
ments, reju'esented in a temperance society and a distillery, were not naturally conducive to 
harmony in the village, although it kept alivo an enthusiasm ami vigor in the society that might 
not have been otherwise possible. The contest between the distillery pi'oprietors and Goodsell, 
the miller, a stanch leader in the temperance movement, who refused to grind for distilling piu-- 
poses, has been fully detailed in the county history. The final result was a victory for the tem- 
perance element, and gives to Geneva the credit of the law still iu force exempting millers from 
gi'inding for distilling purposes. The distillery ran but a few years thereafter. The temper- 
ance society was one of the most etficient in the county till its work was superseded by the more 
modern work of the Sons of Temperance and Good Templars. 

THE WAR RECORD. 

The part taken by Geneva in the civil war was patriotic, energetic and creditable. Full 
accounts of the companies raised in Geneva will be found in the war history of the county at 
large. To avoid any omission, if possible, the accoiants given by Mr. Simmons, an old resident, 
in his history of Geneva, are given entire, as s\ipj)lemental to what apjiears elsewhere: 

" On the 17th or 18th day of April, 1801, being the day after news was received of the fir- 
ing Tipon Fort Sumter by the rebels, from one-half to two-thirds of the Geneva Independents, 
with all their principal officers, volunteered for three months, under the first call of the Presi- 
dent. In three days, sixty had enlisted, and the number was filled up to 100 in less than a 
week. The greater share of this number, three- fourths of whom were from Geneva and Linn, 
enlisted for three years, under the second call, which came before they were fully organized, 
and drilled here until the middle of June, and then went into camj> at Racine. There they re- 
mained until the 14th of Ju'y, when they started for Baltimore with their regiment, the Fourth 
Wisconsin Infantry, under the command of Col. llalbert E. Paine, of Racine. After some serv- 
ice in the vicinities of Baltimore and Washington and on the eastern shore of Virginia, they 
were sent to the Gulf, under Gen. Butler, and participated in the taking of New Orleans, and 



874 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

in suljsequent operations a^vainst Port Hudson and other places on the river. "While there, the 
regiment was mounted, and became the Fourth Cavalry. !!Many of our brave boys died from 
wounds received in their many battles, others perished by disease, and but few, compai'atively, 
of those who went at tii-st, or of subsequent recruits, retm-ned to their homes among us. 

" The citizens of oiu- town took early action upon the subject of aiding the families of vol- 
unteers. $1,000 being raised upon notes of individuals, who trusted in tlae patriotism of their 
townsmen to reimburse them. On the 23d of August, a special town meeting was held, and the sTim 
of §8.000 was voted to be raised by tax for the benelit of such families and to pay such notes. 
In the early part of the summer, another comiiany of volunteers was raised in this and the thi-ee 
adjoining towns, which became Company C. of the Twenty-second Wisconsin Infantry. Of this 
company, Charles W. Smith was Captain: Darwin R. May, First Lieutenant: and C. E. Buell. 
Orderly Sergeant, all of whom received promotion in the service. Their regiment was in camp 
at Racine from Augiist 25 to Septemljer 16. when they were ordered to Kentucky. At an en- 
gagement in the following Feltruary. neai- Thompson's Station, many of them were captm-ed, 
and were held prisoners until May. These afterward rejoined their regiment and jiarticipated 
in Sherman's famous campaign and march to the sea. 

" On the 13th of August, 1804, a special town meeting was held, and a tax voted of $10,000, 
or sufficient to pay a bountvof $200 to each volunteer needed to till om' quota on the President's 
call for 500,000 more. 

" On the 0th of January. 1805. another special town meeting was held, and an additional 
tax voted for soldiers' bounties, and for aid to the families of those in the field: Vmt. there be- 
ing some illegality aljont the proceedings, another meeting was held on the 13th of February, 
and the sum of $6,000 voted to be raised for bounties, and $500 for aid to soldiers" families. 
Thus Geneva proved her patriotism hj fiu-nishing men and money without stint to keep full the 
ranks of the army of freedom, and to cherish the families of their brave boys at home. We have 
pai'ticularly mentioned but two companies which were enlisted from this town and vicinity, but 
we had noble representatives in other companies and organizations in all branches of the serv- 
ice, many of whom gave their lives, and gave them cheerfully, for their country." 

Geneva furnished, diu'ing the war. 138 men. from 215 liable to military duty, as by the 
eni'ollment of 1862. Not all were citizens who were credited, although it is believed that at 
least one hundred men of the town did jiersoual service. Geneva raised for war purposes $20,- 
100. 

SCHOOLS. 

The first schoolhouse was built, as has been stated, in 1840. In 1848, a larger and more 
commodious building was built, and the school divided into two depai'tments. H. B. Coe and 
Charles B. Smith were the teachers fu-st employed in the new house. In 1854. this house was 
enlarged by building a wing on the west side. In 18(i7. it again proved inadequate in its pro- 
portions, and gave place to the present school building, which was completed in December, 1867. 

The present sihool district of which the village is a part is known as Union District, No. 
1, and embraces neai'ly all of Geneva south of Lake Como. so much of Linn as lies north of Ge- 
neva Lake, and pai't of a section of Lyons. The total niunber of scholars by the last enumera- 
tion was 961. disfaributed as follows: Geneva. 395 males. 454 females — 849: Linn, 52 males, 
42 females — 94; Lyons, 10 males, 8 females — IS. 

The principal school is in Geneva Tillage. It is graded into five departments, with a high 
.school. The Principal is Edwai-d O. Fiske. of Beloit. Wis. 

There is. in addition to the village school, a school in Linn known as the " Wood School." 
for the accommodation of scholars in the remote parts of the district. 

The annual tax for school purposes in the joint district is $3,000. and the whole niunber of 
teachers is eight. 

The rooms are now crowded with scholars, and a new house within a vear or two is inevi- 
table. 

NEWSPAPERS. 

The Geneva Gazette, a weekly, was started by David M. Keeler in 1848. It continued for 
something over a year, and went out of sight. It was the first attem]")t at jom'nalism in the 
town. 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 875 

The (u'lii'va f'J.vpn'ss, tho second papor in Goneva, was sLartad in 1854. by Frank LelanJ 
and G. !S. Utter. It was subsequently removed to Elkliorn and merged into the Elkhorn Indc 
pendent. 

The Genera)!, the third pajier in the town, was started in ISHS, l)y H. L. Devereux, after- 
wiu-d of the Burlington Staiiddrd. It suspended in 1859, after a fitful life of about eighteen 
months. 

The Lake (lenera .Mirror was tlie iVmrtli paper to start — Feln-uary 1, INfiO. It was lirst 
issued by G. S. Utter as pulilisher, and J. T. ANentworth as editor. It continued till some time 
in 1861. It then went to the rear, while its patriotic publisher went to the front, in th(> Fortieth 
Wisconsin Infantry, to do battle for his country. 

The (lenera L(tke Herald was the fifth jiaper started in the town, antl the lirst established. 
George S. Utter was the enterprising publisher. I. E. Burton was its first editor, assisted by 
Revs. J. D. Pulis and E. G. Miner. It was established in April, 1872. In August, 1878, Mr. 
Burton became the sole proprietor and editor. In January, 1876, he sold a half interest to A. 
D. Waterbury, of Polo, 111., and on A])ril 20 of the same year, the other half to J. E. Heg, of 
Beloit. The tirm remained Heg cV Waterbury from that date to November 8, 1877, when J. E. 
H eg purchased the interest of Mr. A\'aterbury. and since that date has been sole proprietor and 
editor. ]Mi'. Heg is also profirietor and editor of the Lake (lenera (.^ixen. a weekh' paper, piib- 
lished every Saturday evening from June 1 to the middle of Se|>teml)er of each year. The 
paper, which is tastefully made up. is devoted wholly to the interests of the lake as a summer 
resort and watering-place. ]Mr. Heg is a ready writer and good manager, which accounts for 
the success which has followed him in both of his journalistic undertakings. 

The Weekly News was established by the News Printing Company in July, 1S7U. A daily 
was started under the same managemtmt, one month earlier, and from its success the proprietors 
were induced to establish the weekly, which has been continued ever since, and is at present 
permanently estal)lislied, and ranks as one of the leading Indejiendent jiapersof the county. It 
was pm'chased, in September, 187U, by J. S. Badger, the present editor and proprietor. Under 
his careful management and able editorship, it has attained to its present gi'ade of excellence. 

The Daily News is issvied daily through the summer months, when not only Geneva, but 
all the countiy round about, is thronged with tourists and pleasure-seekers. It gives the latest 
news, arrivals, and has a large and profitable circulation diu'ing the visiting season. It is the 
tirst daily newspaper ever published in the county. It is owned and edited by J. S. Badger, of 
the Weekly News, both jiapers being luider the same proprietorshiji and management. 

THE B.\NK OF GENEVA. 

This bank is in reality the private banking house of E. D. Richardson, Es(j., who estab" 
lished it in 1848, and has conducted it successfully ever since. He is now the oldest interior 
banker in the State. He has kept his account with the Wisconsin Fire and Marine Insm-ance 
Conipany Bank (Mitchell's), in Milwaukee, for thirty-foiu' years continuously, and is, with one 
exception, the oldest depositor of that institution. 

In November, 1S71. during the w(H>k succeeding the gi-eat Chicago fire, Mr. Richardson's 
bank was robbed of its entire means by burglars. The funds abstracted amounted to $8<X0()0. 
of which Sinn !?17. 0(1(1 was the private property of Mi'. Richardson, the balance being distributed 
among special depositors. To add to the weight of the blow, what funds were in Chicago were 
inaccessible, as they were still in a safe beneath a smoldering heap of ruins in Chicago. The 
Chicago safe came ovit all right. The home plunder was never reeoverinl. though the robbers 
were traced to penitentiaries where they were serving long terms for other crimes and confessed 
the robbery. 

No better record or guaraut(^e of the ability and probity of Mr. Richardson, or the un(pies- 
tioned standing of his bank, than is found in the fact that he has withstood the dangers and 
disasters of robbery, lire and panic for thirty-four years, and always met the calls of his deposi- 
tors on demand. His l)ank has the highest rank of credit, both at home and abroad. 



876 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

CHURCHES. 

The Baptixt Church was organized in 1840. The first meeting was held at the house of C. 
M. Baker. Elder P. W. Lake was the organizing minister. The first house of worship was 
erected in 1S4(), at a cost of $1,500. It was remodeled at a cost of $1,700 in 1868, and re-ded- 
icated November 18 of that year. 

Its first pastor was Rev. P. W. Lake, who labored hero until -January, 1844, and was then 
succeeded by Rev. P. Conrad, who remained only until November, 1844, when Mi-. Lake again 
supplied the pulpit for one year. In December. 1845, Rev. Joel W. Fish, a man of deep and 
sincere piety and an earnest and eloipient preacher, now widely known as an evangelist, became 
its pastor, and continued here until March 27, 1852. Rev. Caleb Blood su]iplied the pulpit 
from May, 1852, to June, 1853; Rev. P. W. Lake, from Decembor, 1854, to June, 1855; Rev. 
P. H. Parks, from October, 1855, to September, 1856; Rev. Noah Barrell, from October 12, 
1856, to January 27, 1858; Rev. Samuel Jones, from July 3, 1858, to January 8, 1859; Rev. 
Thomas Bright, from September, 1859, to January, 1863; Rev. Noah Barrell again, fi-om April 
15, 1863, to March 4, 1865; Rev. E. M. Ney. from June, 1865, to May, 1866; Rev. T. Bright 
again, from June to October, 1866; Rev. R. Gilbert, from April, 1867, to April, 1869; Rev. 
E. P. Dye. from November, 1869. to October, 1871; Rev. J. D. Pulis, from January 1, 1872, 
to May, 1874; Rev. J. Buchanan, from 1874 to . 

Rev. J. E. Ambrose, the jiresent pastor, took charge October 17, 1880. 

The present membership numbers seventy-five. 

The Sabbath school numbers seventy-five. 

The Methodist Church. — Of this church the following appears in Simmons' History of Ge- 
neva: 

"The Methodist Church building, commenced in 1865, was completed this year ( 1 875), at a cost 
of about $2,000. The IMethodist Ejaiseopal Church was established here at a very early day, a 
class of six or seven members being formed in 1837. Futil the erection of this building, relig- 
ious services were held in the old schoolhouse near the present railroad turn-table. Its preach- 
ei-s in charge have been Revs. Halstead, in 1837; Pillsbury, in 1838; McKane, in 1839^0; D. 
Worthington, 1S41 : Jewett and Decker, in 1842; J. M. Snow, in 1843-44; J. Crummer and 
Loyesay, in 1845; Parks, in 1846; J. M. Walker and R. Biackbm-u, in 1847-49; R. Dudgeon 
and Harvey, in 1850; A. Calleuder and Comfort, in 1851-52: Aaron Griswold, in 1853-54; 
Joseph Anderson, in 1855-56; Hiram Hersey, in 1857; David Hall, in 1858; L. Salisbury, in 
1859: D. W. Couch, in 1860-01; W. Averill, in 1862; Stephen Smith, in 1862-64; R. C. Pai-- 
sons, in 1864-()7; N. J. Aplin, in 1867-69; H. Colman, in 1869-72; S. R. Willing, in 
1872-73; Rev. J. D. Cole, in 1874. Rev. J. L. Hewitt commenced his labors here in October, 
1874. and continued till October, 1876. The first j^arsonage was built in 1844, the present one 
in 1858. 

Since 1S76. the pastors have been: A. A. Hoskins, 1876-77; Thomas Clithro, 1878-79; 
C. E. Goldthorp, 1880, is the present pastor. 

A new church was l)uilt in 1877 and 1878, at a cost of $6,0()0: not vet finished; when done, 
will co.st $10,000. 

The present membership numbers 125. 

The Sabbath school niunbers 100 scholars. 

The Presb//terin)i Church was first organized at the house of Joseph Griffin, by Rev. Lem- 
uel Hall, in the spring of 1839. The society was organized under the statute in 1851, and 
completed a newchiu-cli in 1853. 

Mr. Simmons, in his history of Geneva, gives the following account up to the date of pub- 
lication — 1875: 

"In January, 1851. a Pre.sbyterian society was legally organized under the statute, and 
immediately commenced preparations for a new chui'ch bu.ilding, but did not complete it until 
1853, the slips being let in September of that year. This building, which shows the skillful 
and faithful workmanship of 0. W. Maynard and H. B. Conant, cost the society the sum of 
$2,500. Previous to this, the chui'ch had worshiped in a small building on the same ground, 
Xionstructed of oak and standing on blocks, with ample space underneath for air, and shelter for 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 877 

hogs and sheep. This was built by subscription in 1841, and cost $500. The church, when 
organized, in April, 1839, cousistedof thirteen members, part of them Congregationalists and 
part Presbyterians. It now has about one hunched and forty resident members. 

"The pastors of this church have been the following, viz. : Rev. Lemuel Hall, from its organiza- 
tion until September, IS+O; lU>v. LeonardRogers,fromJune, 1841, to June, 1843; Rev. G. R.French, 
from October, 1S43, to October, 1844; Rev. Homer H. Benson, from October, 1844, to December, 
1854; Rev. Mr. Stoddard, for three months; Rev. E. G. Miner, from May, 1855, to May, 1857; 
Rev. Charles Morgan, from August, 1857, to January, 18()(); Rev. William S. Mather, from 
Januarv, ISOO, to October, 18()1, when he accepted a ])osition as Chajjlain in the army; and 
Rev. P" S. Van Nest, from October, 1861, to July, 1860. In June, 1807, Rev. E. G. Miner 
was induced to return, and continued his labors here until March, 1875. 

Since 1875, the pastors have been: Rev. Richard B. Bull, from August 1, 1875, to May, 
1877; Rev. David L. Holbrook, present pastor, installed July 19, 1877. 

The ])resont numl)er of communicants is 216. 

The Sabl)ath school has 171 scholars. 

The EpiscdjHil Clairch. — The first services, according to the Book of Common Prayer, held 
in this place, were by the Rev. Dr. Buck and the Rev. Dr. Hobart, then Professors at the Theo- 
logical School at Nashotah. But a regular parish organization was not effected until January 
20, 1850. when the Rev. John l\IcNamara had taken charge of the field and become its first resi- 
dent minister. He remained here, doing most zealous work, until 1854. It was in token of his 
having come to them from the Church of the Holy Communion, New York City, that this parish 
was so named. During the next two years, several clergymen had charge, in turn, as follows: 
The Revs. William Ludlum, Studley and Peters. In 1856, the Rev. John McNamara retiu-ned, 
and at once a new life was infused into the congregation. The old building was abandoned, 
and the two desirable lots on the corner of Broad and Geneva streets, still occupied, 
were pm-chased, and a far better chm-oh structure was erected. The building and grounds cost 
about 13,000, and this was a goodly sum for the congregation of those days; Init by the indom- 
itable zeal and the generous efforts of Rector and people, it was all aceoni]ilished, and a happy, 
memorable day it was when at last they could gather under the roof of their pleasant church 
home and consecrate it to its high and holy vise. According to the express terms of the ])ur- 
chase of the church property, it is to be " devoted forever to the maintenance of a chiu-eh whose 
seats shall be free to all orderly worshipers." The Rev. Mr. McNamara'resigned his second 
rectorship of the parish in 1858. and since then the following clergymen have served, viz. : The 
Rev. John Gossman. in 1859; the Rev. William Dasha. from 1S()1 to 1864; the Rev. George 
N. James, in 1864; the Rev. John H. Babcock, in 1866; the Rev. W. C. .Armstrong, from 1867 
to 1873; the Eev. Robert B. Wolseley, 1873 to 1875; the Rev. Richard T. Kerfoot. the present 
Rector, took charge in December. 1875. 

It was during the Rev. Mr. Wolseley"s rectorship that the beautiful rectory was built. It 
is a gothic structure, of two stories, and of frame, but exceedingly tasteful. It is said to be 
the best in the State, and the parish is certainly to be congratulated in possessing it. Its cost 
was about $3,000. It was at about this time that Geneva began to attract the attention of Chi- 
■cagoans in search of pleasant summer homes. The splendid lake here, with its well wooded 
and sloping, grassy shores, ottered just the resort they wanted; and among the earliest comers 
were many families in the coinnumion of the Episcopal Chiu-ch. These at once cordially 
united with thi; parish folk of the village in their place of worship, aiding and co-working with 
them in all church matters. Thus the rectory was secm'ed. and in this way the present noble 
church of gi-anite was built. As the summer visitors multiplied, the need became felt more 
and more of a more connnodious edifice. To want this and to have the i)ledges made were 
coincident, and the Festival of Saint Simon and the fall of 1880 saw the laying of the corner- 
stone of the new house of God. The design was furnished by the architects. Messrs. Treat & 
Voltz. of Chicago, and the work was done by Mr. Austin Moody, of Geneva. The building is 
jjurely gothic. The walls are of granite, from the granite bowlders which are found in inex- 
liaustible «|uantiti(>s throughout tliis r(?gion. These are not liaumKU'ed. but split and laid up 
irregularly, but so as to pn^sent a clear front, and. this being of every variety of color and hue. 
produces a most pleasing eft'ect. The tinished look is greatly admired. Thi" windows and roof 



878 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

copings are of dressed sandstone The interior is open to the roof edge, and is forty-three feet 
in height. It presents an attractive appearance, both inside and out. The windows are quaint, 
being all of cathedral glass and arranged in broken quarrias. But the chancel windows are 
worthy of special mention. The altar window is a triplet, and a memorial of the Rev. Dr. 
James DeKoven, of Racine College. It is certainly a most artistic piece of work, and is scarcely 
equaled in the Northwest. Many of the windows are in loving memory of dej^arted ones, and 
they are all of them gems of art. The font is a rare bit of work of carved stone — a memorial, 
too, and all the chancel furniture, each piece a work of art and a token of loving remembrance of 
those gone hence. We could say a great deal more of this charming lakeside chiu'ch, and yet 
not say half that should be said, for it stands a challenge to any other village ehiirch, far or 
near, to rival it in its beauty and its completeness. Its cost, as it now is, is fully $13,000. 
This make up for the Episcopalians of Geneva a most valuable church property indeed. The- 
chm-ch, chapel and rectory, with grounds, are valued at not less than |20,()00. 

The fu-st officers elected upon the organization of the chmeh in 1850 were: E. D. Rich- 
ardson, Abiel Manning, Wardens: Anch-ew Ferguson, Allen Gardner, Seymom- X. Hatch, Lewia 
R. Goodsell, Simeon W. Spafford, A. Hastings and Ansil D. Merritt. All of these pioneers of 
the church, except Messrs. Richardson. Ferguson and Hatch, are dead. 

St. Francis Catholic Cinircli is beautifully located on Main street in the eastern pai't of Ge- 
neva, on an elevation overlooking the U>^yn and a greater part of the lake. 

Rev. Martin Kundig, a pioneer priest of Wisconsin, selected the present location previous 
to the year 1847, it being the center of four adjoining townships, thus giving the Catholics of 
this vicinity, who were but few in number, an opportunity to comply with the precej^ts of their 
chiu-ch. Rev. Kundig, residing then at Milwaukee, attended from there at intervals this con- 
gregation, holding service at first in private dwellings. Some of the old Catholic settlers recol- 
lect well that he came all the way from Milwaukee on sick calls. Under his superintendence, 
the first parsonage was built. For want of means, the second story of this small house, and at 
that not completed, had to be used for a place of worship j^ro tern. Rev. Kundig named the 
chm-ch after the gi'eat St. Francis of Sales Bishop of Geneva in Switzerland. In those days, 
Catholics came all the way from Biu-lingtou, on foot, to attend divine service, not having then 
a place for divine worship of their own. 

In the year 1847, Rev. Kundig gave the charge of the newly organized congregation to Rev. 
P. McKernan. who was the first pastor residing here, 1847—49. The following have been his 
successors, taken from the church records: 

Rev. P. J. Fander, 1849-50. Revs. McKernan and Fander attended from here Beloit and 
Delavan. 

Rev. F. Fusseder (1850-51), assistant to Rev. Wissbauer, of Burlington, now pastor of 
Beaver Dam. attended from Burlington. 

Rev. F. Penderga.st. December, 1851-53. Under his charge, the present church building 
was erected; he died at Beloit. on a collecting tour for the chm-ch. 

Rev. M. P. Kenny. November, 1855, November, 1856. 

Rev. P. J. Mallor, 1854-55. 

Rev. G. H. Brennan, June, 1856-57. 

Rev. James Stehli, March, 1857, September, 1861. 

Rev. H. J. Roch, November, 1861-62. 

Rev. James Stehli, April, 1862, September, 1863. 

Rev. E. O'Connor, 1863, May, 1866. 

Rev. O'Farral, died here after six months. 

Rev. A. J. David, 18(57, March. 1867. 

Rev. James Kinsella, June, 1867, Septemlier, 1868. 

Rev. B. Smeddink, 1868-70. 

Rev. McGinnity, 1872. Under his charge, an addition was built to the church. 

Rev. John Kinsella, 1873. 

Rev. L. Blum attended Geneva for six months from Lyons. 

Rev. N. M. Zimmer, the present pastor, took charge of the congregation on the 28th day of 
May, 1874. Various improvements have been made since, both in the clmrch and on the chiu'ch 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 879 

premises; the most conspicuous are the steeple, with a bell weighing 1,200 pounds; its sound 
can bo heaivl, in favorable weather, at a distance of ten miles: liesides a new dwelling house for 
the pastor. 

As at the time of organization, people, though few in number, came a great distance, so do 
they even now, for the St. Francis congregation comprises the Catholic poimlation of th 3 town- 
ships of G'lneva, Linu. Bloouitield. a greater part<if Lyons and the northeast corner of Walworth, 
numbering in all UiO families. 

On account of the great distance at which a majority of the members live, the project of 
building a ]iarochial schoolhonse could not as yet be agitated in full earnest; whence the childi-en 
of Catholic parents, numbering about ninety pupils, attend Christian instruction on Sundays 
after divine service at noon, and in the afternoon before vespers, instructions are conducted by 
the pastor, who is assisted by three teachers. 

St. Kilian's Church, a Germau out-mission, four miles east of Geneva, is attended every 
other Sunday from here. 

From amongst the reverend pastors who have resided here, besides those already mentioned, 
the following hav(> ])assed fi-om this world: 

Very Rev. Kundig died at Milwaukee. 

Rev. McKernan died at Kenosha. 

Rev. E. O'Connor died at Franklin. 

Rev. John Kinsella died at Franklin. 

Rev. B. Smeddink, at Paris, Kenosha County. 

John Brown. James Currau, Thomas Delany, Daniel and Denis Leahey, James Grier, 
widow Pat Powers (she is dead now) and widow Hen Curran are the oldest Catholic settlers 
now living in this vicinity. 

L.\KE GENEVA SEMINARY. 

No locality in the Northwest seems to have been so favored by natm-e for the purposes <if a 
seminary as the banks of Geneva Lake. Quiet and retired, yet near a brisk center of p(jpula- 
tion, the seminary is favored by outside influences as an institution where education can pro- 
gress without youthful spirits being depressed. 

In 1864, a corporation was organized by the citizens of the village, called the Geneva Sem- 
inary. Messrs. J. C. Walter, C. L. Oatman, George Allen. J. H. Foi'd, W. W. Byington, D. 
Locke, T. W. Hill, J. W. Boyd. E. Kinney and others were at the head of the movement. The 
pul;)lic s<juare on the east side of the river was leased for its use. and Miss Anna Moody was en- 
gaged to take charge of the school. It was opened in December, 1864, continuing under her 
management for thi-ee years, when she resigned her position on account of ill health. Misses 
Allen and Lilly were Principals of the seminary for a year after Miss Moody's departure. The 
seminary was organized under its present excellent management June 2, 1869. At that time, 
there was no boarding-house connected with the establishment, and the Geneva Hotel was rented 
and occupied for that use for two years. The school accommodates at present about one hun- 
(b'l'd [)upils of both sexes. Its grounds contain six acres of land, tastefully im[)roved. The 
pro])i'rty is owned by the Warner family, the faculty being composed as follows: Mrs. Julia 
.\. \\'arner. Principal. Mental and ^Moral Philosophy: Mrs. Ella N. Adams. English Language, 
Literatm-e and History; AVilliam Jay Warner, B. S. (First Semester), Natural Sciences and 
Mathematics: Mary A. White, B. A., Ancient and Modern Languages; Harriet B. Sloate, 
Academic Department; Ella B. Vedder. Assistant Pupil; W. K. Higley. Ph. C. (Second Semes- 
ter), Natural Sciences; J. A. Badger, M. A. (Second Semester), Mathematics; Irmin Soellger, 
Instramental and Vocal Music: Harriet E. Warner, De])artmeut of Ai-t: Elizabeth C. ^Nliner, 
Assistant in Drawing. 

The Board of Trustees are: Hon. John W. Boyd, President; Mrs. Julia A. Warner, Vice 
President; E. S. Warner. Secretary and Treasurer: William Jay Warner, Sar.ah T. Warner. 
Harriet E. Warnrr and Marrietta I. Warner. 

The following e.'itract from the Chicago TriliiDic comjdetes the history of (his educational 
institution, which is an honor to the village, the county and the State: 

" This institution for the education of young ladies is located at the delightful summer re- 
sort known as Lake Geneva, Wis., on the Chicago & North- Western Railwav, within two and a 



880 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 



half hours' ride from Chicago. The seminary buiklings stand at the foot of the lake, on a 
slight elevation running down to the water's edge. It is a quiet, retired spot, conveniently 
neai' the post office, the churches, and the business portion of the village. The grounds are 
pleasantly laid out in walks and drives, and are abundantly shaded by native oaks and orna- 
mental trees. The buildings are Seminary Hall, in which the sessions of the school are held, 
and Oakwood. the family home and boarding-house. 

"In 18(59, Mr. and Mrs. E. S. Warner pm-chased from the stock company of the Geneva 
Seminary the building known as Seminary Hall, with its accompanying park, and established 
Lake Geneva Seminary as a boarding and day school for young ladies, Mr. Warner acting as 
Secretary and Treasurer, and Mrs. Warner as Principal. Seminary Hall was completed and 
enlarged until it contains a hall for public exercises, school room, laboratory, museum, gymna- 
sium, recitation rooms, music rooms, an art studio, etc. For the first five years, the boarding 
pupils were accommodated in whatever buildings could be secured for the jjurpose, but in 1874, 
the present elegant brick structure was comjileted for their nse. Some features of this building 
are worthy of mention, as it is peculiarly well adapted to the uses of a young ladies' school. 




LaKL (_. LM.\.V ::M..Mi.NALK 



" But two fiooi's are occujiied by the pupils', and teachers, thus avoiding, to a large extent, 
the very objectionable necessity of stair-climbing. The rooms and halls are large and high, 
thoroughly ventilated, heated with steam and lighted with gas. Each sleeping room is intended 
for two occupants, and has connected with it a wardrobe closet, and also a di'essing closet, with 
outside light and gas, a fixed wash-bowl and waste-pipe. Hot and cold rain and well water 
are su|)plied to each floor. The purpose of the school being to furnish the parents of the 
Northwest a cultured Christian home where the daughters of the West may receive a thorough 
education in literature and science, music and art, together with a symmetrical and genuine 
development of character, the family has been limited to thirty boarding pupils, and the com- 
forts and conveniences of a thoroughly furnished home have been supplied. The Principal 
insists that this plan avoids many of the evils attending large boarding schools. 

j " The boarding home is designed for the exclusive use of lady pupils and the teachers. To 
the day school both sexes are admitted, thus securing in the class work the advantages of a 
mixed school, while avoiding all the disadvantages of a mixed boarding school. The course of 
study is designed to meet the demands of pupils who do not intend to take a full collegiate 
coiu-se. but is modified, when desired, to prepare pupils for college. While Christian in its 
character, the school is undenominational, and is a private enterprise, supported entirely by its 
current income from pupils. Dm-ing the past year, the faculty mrmbered eight teachers and 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 



881 



the pupils ninety-thi-ee. The classes ai-e sufficiently small to permit each pupil to receive daily 
individual attention. 

"The home and educational advantages oS'ered hero combine to make this one of the most 
desirable home institutions of the Northwest." 








^VHITI^^. liOUhE 



HOTELS. 

There are at pi-esent (1882) four hokds in the village, which are entirely inadequate for the 
annually increasing crowds of pleasure-seekers and sojom-ners who seek a siunmer retreat by the 
beautiful lake. 

The Whiting House was built in 187:5, by David T. 
Whiting, as a summer hotel. It is sittiated at the foot of 
Broad street, on the shore of Lake Geneva. It is a three- 
story wooden structure, with mansard roof, double veran- 
dah on two sides, and cost nearly $30,000. It has sixty 
rooms, besides billiard room, barber shop, dining room, 
parlors and all appm-tenances of a tirst-class modern hotel. 
It has a ca[)acity for '200 guests. It was run under the 
management of D. T. Whiting till April LS, 187U, at which 
time it was leased to W. W. Watson, of Chicago, for livo 
vears. Prior to Mr. ^^'atson's proprietorship, it was run 
strictly as a summer hotel, being closed except during the 
siunmer months. Mr. Watson novr keeps it open constant- 
ly. It is under the persoaal management of Hon. Thomas 
Tolman. 

The hotel is lighted with gas. Enlargements are pro- 
jected, which, if carried out, would increase its capacity 
three-fold, and render it the tinest apjiointed and largest summer hotel in Wisconsin. 

The Lake House was built in 1837, by Crreenleaf S. Warren. Thomas D. Warren subse- 
quently kept it. He was followed by A. D. Colton in 1845, who owned and kept the house till 
1846. when his wife died and he rented to Harrison Rich for two years. In 1848, Colton again 
liecame the landlord, and remained such for fourteen years, keeping, during the whole period. 
one of the best couutrv hot(>ls ever kept anywhere. In 180'2, Colton sold the house to John S. 
Griffin: he to S. H. Stafford, who has owned it ever since. Stafford, in company with his 
brother-in-law, J. S. Griffin, kept it several years. In 1867, Edwin Woodman became the 
landlord. Subsequently, William Barrett, Peter Van Slyke and George W. Rausford were the 
landlords. In the .spring of 1873, it was leased by the present landlord, Mr. Orville L. Blakes- 
lee, who has from the beginning run it as a lii'st-class home for travelers should be run. His 
long experience as hotel-keeper and steward of the lake boats at an early day have given him a 
well-earned reputation as an efficient landlord and a host who knows how to keep a hotel. Few 
houses have sustained so excellent a reputation for over forty years as the Lake House, and to- 
day it has no superior as a well kept hotel in the State. It has been remodeled and repaired from 
time to time, and shows little resemblance to the Lake House of even twenty years ago. It is 
three stories high, contains rooms and accommodations for sixty guests, and is always full and 
overflowing diu'ing the summer season. 

The St. Denis Hotel is the oldest hotel in the village. It was built by K. W. "SVarren in 
1837-38. It was at first knovsTi as the Geneva Hou.se. When it was named St. Denis is not 
known — probably not till a very recent date. It was certainly known as the Geneva Hotel as 
late as l874. Abiel Manning and A. A. Thompson became the landlords. In 1843 or 1844, 
Appollos Hastings bought if, and was its landlord till 1848. That year, it was rented to Har- 
rison l{ich. The succession of landlords since is too long to find space here. It is now owned 
by Hale ct Oatman, and run l)y (T<'orge W. Rausford, wcU known as a genial and accommodat- 
ing landlord. The house is historic, being the first built in the town or county. It accommo- 
dates some fifty guests, an.l is popular with its ]>atrons, who return from year to year to remain 
through the sunnner. 

Union House, established by Benjamin Fish in 1870, kejit by John Kohn since 1881. It 
is at the foot of Bnjad street, near the dejiot; sixteen r<x)ms: can ;iccc)nimodate thirty guests. 



882 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 



kaye's park 
is situated about six tailes up the lake from the village, on a tract of land commanding one of 
the finest views of the lake to be had. The park has an area of 200 acres, and a lake shore of 
over one mile, mostly natural forest, furnishing picnic and tenting grounds for thousands, also 
a number of cottages in connection with the house, furnishing a large number of extra rooms. 
The grounds are beautifully arranged and laid out into walks and drives, with fountains fed by 
springs, fish ponds, rustic seats and arbors. The park is reached by steamers from the village 
at least nine times a day, the boats connecting with every train to the village. There is also a 
telephonic connection with the Western Union Telegraph lines at Harvard. Nearly central on 
the park shore are two fine piers extending into the lake from the exn^uisitely decorated lawn» 
which gently rises to 




F \ I tlUPlII INtumPARh 



kaye's park house, 
some 150 feet from the shortj. a tasty, inviting, well-proportioned and arranged structure, facing 
the lake, and replete with broad, shady verandas and balconies, from which are unobstructed 
views of miles in extent of the lake and its distant opposite shore. 

In addition to the ordinary features of pleasure and pastime, such as is afforded by a fine, 
half-mile race-course, and elegant billianl and ten-pin hall, and in croquet, base-ball, boating, 
etc., is the well known Wyant's Museum. His museum is not a mere collection of oddities 
and monstrosities, but one of great value from a historic and scientific point of view. The 
museum is especially rich in its collection of relics of the aborigines and the succeeding 
Indians, and large numbers of interesting articles from the South Sea Islands. 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 



883 



PISIICOTAQUA PARK HOUSE, 

about five miles up the lake, is owned and managed by Mr. C. F. Hall. The park has an area 
of.'si.icteen aere.s, and a lake shore of 100 rods. It has been tastily and handsomely laid out into 
walks and drives, with plenty of shade in the lieavy growth of oaks and maples, where the great- 
est of comfort may be found. The hotel was built a year ago, and called from an old Indian 
name of the lake, " Pish-co-ta-qua," signifying " sparkling water." This hotel is the largest on 
the lake shore, the largest of its kind in the Northwest, and was built upon plans intended to 
procure the greatest comfort and coolness during the heat of summer. It extends along the lake 
shore 174 feet long, and is ninety feet deep in the wing, and four stories high, making a build- 





.^ySVACQ TAQUA PARK 




— .^jaai 



ing that is at once pleasant and lioujelike in appearance. Every room in the house connects, 
making them all breezy, comfortable and well ventilated. 

The great attraction of Pishcotaijua Park House is the system of verandas by which the 
whole house is surrounded from every story, and whicii gives a grand total of over two thousand 
feet of veranda, twelve feet wide, whereon guests may find at all times of the day a cool and 
shady spot. A play ground especially for children, is one of the features of the park, and one 
that will be appreciated by parents. A fine bowling alley, a shooting gallery, and billiard hall 
offer amusement to all who may desire, while a large fleet of row boats can always be obtained. 
Plenty of camping grounds of great beauty and convenience can be obtained at the park, and 
campers are made heartily welcome at all times. A few rods from the hotel are healthful min- 
eral springs, whose waters have been shown by chemical analysis to be as highly impregnated 
with life-giving properties as are any of the celebrated springs of either the East or West. 



884 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 



PARKS AND CAMPS. 

The lover of rustic life may long for more rural scenes than is presented by a modern hotel 
teeming with life, fashion and beauty. To such, the fullest enjoyment of a summer vacation 
comes from camping out, or in a semi-rustic life in lake-side cottages. There are many camps 
and camping grounds about the lake that ofter to the visitor every facility for the free enjoy- 
ment ot life, untrammeled by the requirements of society. Among such camps or parks at the 
command of the public, in addition to those mentioned above, may be mentioned Fontana, or 
Porter & Montague's Park, Camp Collie, Russell's Park and " Warwick," and private parks — 
Lakeside, Harvard, Belvidere, Oak Park, Englewood, etc. 




biMMKK i;K.sr:»iiN(.K (IK It. L. IIamlin. of Chicago, in EniiN Paks, 

Al' J.AKK (lENKVA. WiS. 



MARENGO PARK HOUSE. 

This hotel is admirably located near the head of the lake in a beautiful grove of oaks. It 
commands one of the finest views of the lake it is possible to obtain from any point. It is man- 
aged by Misses Bissell & Reed, who came here in 1880, from Toledo, Ohio. The park is situ- 
ated directly opposite Fontana, and in addition to the hotel contains a number of cottages owned 
by people of Marengo, 111., which has given the park its name. The hotel is a large two-story 
mansion with broad piazzas like a Southern planter's home, and the cottages-, bathing houses, 
boat houses, laundry, ofiSce, and other substantial buildings which surround it add to that resem- 
blance. A broad, beautiful lawn of many acres slopes from its front to the water's edge. Swings. 
cro(iuet grounds, a dancing platform, and numerous rustic benches and decorative flower beds ar« 
distributed about it. 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 



885 



CAMP COLLIE. 

Exactly opposite Kaye's lies Camp Collie, on a high bluff overlooking Williams' Bay. 
This camp or park was begun in August, of 1868, at the head of Lake Geneva. It was started 
by a few members of one of the churches of Delavan, Wis., together with their pastor, for their 
own recreation. In its second year, by a vote of its members, it formally received the name 
which it still bears. In tlic summer of 1874, it was, by force of circumstances, transferred to its 
present locality, and its name followed it. Its principles are these : That vital Christianity 
sweetens and adorns all right relations among men, and is everywhere the crowning joy and 
glory of life, of recreation as well as of work and worship. That the simplest pleasures are the 
best, and that neither pleasure seeking nor dissipation are recreation. That there are places of 




recreation needed, not only to a retreat from business, but also from the formalities of society. 
The camp is owned by Rev. J. Collie, of Delavan, Wis., and is open for guests on the 15th of 
June. He advertises that the camp has " cottages, furnished rooms and boats to rent. Board 
by the day or week — single meals. Milk furnished — ice and excellent water. A laundry 
department, with reasonable charges. Stabling for horses. Cook stoves, and wood fitted to 
them, for those who do their own cooking. Fishing tackle, etc." 



THE CISCO. 

Lake Geneva is also the natural home of the cisco, a beautiful silver-scaled fish about eight 
inches long, and which resemble greatly a herring. These fish are caught for a few days only 
in each year, generally in the full of the moon in June. At that time a peculiar fly is seen 
hovering in the air and over the water in immense swarms. The fish run in schools, and 
immense quantities are taken. Captain Newberry took 614 in one day, and his catch during 
the run of a week was about 3,000. 



886 niSTOJlY OF WALWOKTH COUNTY. 

SOCIETIES. 

Union Chapter, No. 28, R. A. M. — Dispensafiou gi-anted September 24, 1865; charter 
granted February 7, 180(j. 

First officers: John T. Wentworth. H. P.; C. B. Camngton. King; S. E. Johnson, 
Scribe. 

Present officers: F. A. Buckbee, H. B. : C. P. Tavlur. King: D. H. Moody, Scribe; F. 
Brownell. Treasiu-er; W. H. Hammerslev. Secretary: C. G. Bead, C. of H. ; E. L. Gilbert, P. 
S.; Thomas H. Price, E. A. C. ; W. H. "Lawrence, 'M. M V.; Ole Eaglesou, M. 2d V. : H. C. 
Wood, M. 1st v.; S. C. Sanford, Guard. 

Number of meml)ers. tifty-two. 

Meetings, Mondays, on or before the full moon in each month. 

Gen"va Lodge, No. 4i, A.. F. ct- A. M. — Dispensation granted August 10, 1852: charter 
gi-anted June 16, 1853. 

First officers: John W. Ames, W. M.; Thomas Beeden, S. W. ; Lafayette Chesley, J. W. 

Present officers: Thomas H. Price, W. M.; W. H. Lawrence, S. W.;"P. L, Kelly", J. W. ; 
E. L. Gilbert. Treasurer; B. B. Scott. Secretary; C. G. Read. S. D. ; F. Brownell. J. D. : S. 
C Sanford. Tiler. 

Number of members, seventy-seven. 

Second and fourth Tuesdays each month. 

VILLAGE DIKECTORY 1S82. 

Public Hall — Ford's Oi)era House, erected by Miss C. L. Ford in 1876; 120 feet long, two 
stories and basement, the upjier part being the Masonic Lodge room. 

Hotels — Lake House, Orville L. Blakeslee, lessee: "\Vhitiog House, W. W. "Watson, 
lessee; St. Denis Hotel, George Ransford, lessee: I'nion House, John Kohn. proprietor. 

Bank of Geneva — E. D. Richardson, President: C. E. Buell, Cashier. 

Flour-Mills— Gilbert ct Earlier, jiroprieters. 

Agricultural Implements -The John Haskins Manufacturing Company; William Brown, 
dealer in agricultural implements. 

Furniture — S. C. Burdick, manu.facturer: T. J. Hanna & Son, dealers. 

Carriage Manufactory — C. L. Clark, M. S. Gould & Son. 

Blacksmith and General Eepairiiig Sho[is — J. D. jNIai-lott, D. Locke, W. Sawyer. 

Contractors and Builders — Austin Moody, O. T. La Salle & Son. 

Boat Builders'-'F. C. Viele, Kaye & Najiper. Eankin & Manson. 

Coal Dealer -H. Durkee. 

Lumber Dealer — C. Palmetier. 

Ice Dealers — Gross & Brooks. Washington Ice Company of Chicago. 

Hardware Dealers — T. C. Smith & Co., Ingham & Moore. 

Agents — Express company, O. Seymom-; railroad, F. L. Mui'ray. 

Postmaster — C. A. Noyes. 

Lawyers — James Simmons, J. B. Simmons, C. S. French. Daniel Shennan. H. T. Sharp. 

Surveyor — Warren Beckwith. 

Physicians — B. O. Eeynolds. J. C. Reynolds. George E. Catlin. John A. Macdonald. 

Dentists — O. S. Carman, J. M. Barker. 

Veterinary Surgeon— A. Streeter. 

Liveries -J. W. & W. W. Sherman. William Overton, E. McGraw, E. D. Short. 

Boatmen — Sanford & Moore. 

Barbers — F. E. Libbey. Carlton & Fhdier. 

Billiard Hall —Hemy "Moore. 

Cigar Manufacturers — John Lichtey. Blakeslee Bros. 

Harnes.s-Makers — J. M. Hicks, Briegel & Biums. 

Shoemakers —B. T. Paine, G. S. Nethercut, William Dobbs, 

Tailors— F. Buhre, A. Donaldson. A. J. Weatherwax. 

Dry Goods Dealers — C. B. Holmes cV Co. , E. C. Brown, Wachter & Ford, C. S. Rosenberg. 



--^SSfe 











^ e rc^ 



IITSTOKY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 



889a 



Ro!idy-M.ide Clothiiij,', Boots, Shoes, Etc. V. H. Moore. 

Milliners Miss A. Wheeler, Mr.s. J. D. Nish, Misses Elmontlorf & Tui-ner, 

Notions, Etc. ]\I. A. Pendleton, Miss Mary Speaker. 

Jeweler- Charles E. Bnhro. 

Photo<i;riiphic Gallery and Artist — John Bullock. 

Stationers and Druggists- -W. H. Hammerslev, R. B. Arnold. 

Groceries Williams & Gilbert, Ira Williams, D. D. McKay, L. Curtis, W. H. Seymour. 

Bakeries, Confectioneries and Restaurants Addin Kave (Kaye's Bazaar), H, C. Cornue. 

General Stores -A. ANalker. F. Baack. 

Meat Markets - W. H. Si'vmonr, B. A. Walker, W. C. Davis. 




Summer Re.'^idknce of .iit.Tw 
Lake tJE.NEVA. \Vi^. 



In the summer of 1872, Julian S. Rumsey, of Chicago, erected a spacious and handsome 
residence on the eastern shore of the bay. It is located about half a mile from the village 
center, but in the village limits. A road formerly ran between the lake and where the house 
now stands, but Mr. Rumsey persuaded the Town Board to locate the road further back where 
it now is located. The house stands in the midst of a fine grove of large oaks, and is a charm- 
ing place for the busy Chicagoan to take his otiu7n cum dignitate during the summer days. 



FI.su CULTURE. 

Through the untiring efforts and generosity of Hon. N. K, Fairbank, of Chicago, a large 
hatching hou.se has been established in the village at the outlet of the lake, with breeding 



890b 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH CUU:N^TY. 



ponds at the head of the lake, from which the lake is being annually supplied with some of the 
choicest fish known. Over fifteen million young fish have been imported from California and 
other parts of the Union, and through the personal attention of Mr. Seth Green, Thomas 
Welsher, Albert Lytle, B. B. Scott, Frank and William Welsher, the lake is becoming known 
to sportmen as one of the finest fishing grounds in the country. Fishing is free, and in the 
proper season is enjoyed by all, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, citizens and visitors. 

GENEVA LAKE. 

Enoncrh has alreadv been written of the lake to give the reader a definite idea of its loca- 
tion and extent. The natural beauty of the lake itself, as well as of its suiToundings, were 
known and appreciated from the earliest settlement. 




SL Miltl H Mb V Lj V-i hr^ (_FHU\\11 

Lake Genk\a, Wi:.. 

It is suiTounded by a fairly marked l.)ut not alirupt shore, heavily wooded. It is a spring- 
fed lake, deep, clear, cold, and abounding in all the game fish common to Western waters; pick- 
eral, pike, bass and jierch have always been plenty. Its peculiar lisb, for which it is celebrated, 
is the " Cisco," a species of herring not found elsewhere in the inland lakes. It inhabits deep 
water and only comes up onci! a year, generally in June, to feast on the June fly that swarms in 
vast numbers at that time. They come in immense schools, and bite ravenously for a few days, 
then disappear, being seen quite infrerjuently and in small numbers during the remaining 
months of the year. The cisco season is an event on the lake. As soon as they appear, the 
fact is telegi-aphed to Chicago, Milwaukee. St. Louis, and all points within a radius of 1,000 
miles. For two weeks, the lake is literally covered _,\vith fishing craft. Probably 20,000 per- 
sons enjoy the sport each year. 

Since the completion of the railroad to Geneva in 1S73, the lake has become the great 
summer resort for the affluent citizens of Chicago. The lands are mostly owned by non-resi- 
dents, who make their temporary summer residences along the shore. 



CO 




892c 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 






^ 




The summer residence of L. Z. Leiter, of 
Chicago, was built in the summer of 1879. 
It is pleasantly located on the west side of 
Geneva Bay, between the residences of 
Messrs. Shelton Sturges and George Sturges, 
and within half a mile from the post office. 
It is built of brick, and is more substantial 
than the generality of summer residences. 
Tiie grounds contain thirty-seven acres, hand- 
somely laid out into walks and drives. A 
large Dutch wind-mill, and a small, but com- 
plete astronomical observatory are features of 
interest. The house is finished off in hard 
woods, and is said to be the finest in the State 
in artistic design and effect. 



Sl'mmer liE^^uiENfE t)F 1-. Z. Leiter. 
Lake tiE.VEvA, Wis. 



^^^^..^W>\y.^ .^^C, '.^ 



N. K. Fairbank began the erection of his 
residence in September, 1874. Though situ- 
ated on rather low grounds, a fine view in all 
directions is obtained from this point which 
has been improved so that now there is no 
more beautiful place on the lake shore. The 
building first erected was burned in the winter 
of 1875 through a defective flue, but work was 
at once begun on a new residence which, in 
every detail, is exactly like the one destroyed. 
Austin Moody, of Geneva, was the builder of 
both houses. It is one of the handsomest 
places on the lake, the grounds having been 
improved and ornamented by time as well as 
by money. Mr. Fairbank is one of the most 
popular of the summer residents, and the citi- 
zens have long since shown their liking for 
him by calling him " Commodore." 




SlMMEK KeMIiENCE OF K. K. 

AT Lake Gks 



. Fairbank. of i 
EVA, Wis. 



HISTOin' OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 



893d 



In 1870, Sliclton Sturges, of Chicago, pur- 
chased ninety acres of land, beautifully lot-ated 
on the western shore of the bay, of Mr. (Jur- 
don Montague, and, in the following year, he 
built a handsome residence which he still 
owns. It was one of the first of the many 
beautiful summer horn 
lake, and, bei 

looking the village and bay, it was and still 
is a handsome and conspicuous landmark. It 
is the first summer residence on the shore, on 
leaving the village. 



bo yjtix^ \jk L1J,J uiaL v/L Lii^ mail y e 

imer homes that now border the f , 
iu'^ situated on a high hill over- |i 





Sl MllER IiF>ll)EXrE (IF ti. 1.. DUNLAP 

Lake yE.NEVA. Wis 



The residence of G. L. Dunlap was built 
about the same time as that of Mr. Rumsey, 
and the parks surrounding each join without 
a dividing line. It was buHt as was that of 
Rumsey, by Austin Moody. 









C'l- -■' 1 i;i' liuME OF SlIKI.niN STlK4iKS, UK CllItAti- 

Lakk Oknev.v, Wis. 



894e HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

The metropolitan cliar.acter of the resort is shown in the following: Thei-e are dm-ing the 
Slimmer plying daily on Lake Geneva fom- steamboats for public convenience, and nine steam- 
ers owned "by iirivate citizens. The fleet of LS81 was: Public steamers— Commodore, G. W. 
Van Slyke; Lucins Newberry and Lady of the Lake, Fred Wilson; Lady Anna. Sanford & Moore. 
Private steamboats—Dora, "T. J. Schneider, Chicago; Cisco, N. K. Fairbank; Passaic, E. T. 
Crane; Daisy, L. Z. Leiter; Arrow, George Stm-ges; Whitecap. B. F. Norris; Piseator. Dr. 
Hunter, Chicago; Dot, Dr. Hunter. Elgin; Gertie, George L. Dmilap. Chicago. There are 
now (winter of 1882) building one public and three private boats, which will be added to the 
fleet of 1882. 

In addition, there are not less than two humlred sail-boats for hire, and perhaps as many 
more' owned by private parties. 

The lake on its shores is now a sncce.ssion of public parks, hotels, private residences and 
camps. There are not less than thirty piers or landings in coasting up the lake on the north 
shore and returning on the south shore. 

Starting from the dock in front of the Whiting House, going along the north shore, the 
landings are as follows: 

(1) Dock for private boats; (2) George Sturges; (H) L. Z. Leiter; (4) N. K. Fairbank; 
(5) J. T. Lester; (6) Henry Strong: (7) H. L. Gav; (8)E. Burk: (U) T. J. Schneider: (10) Judge 
Withrow; (11) O. W. Potter ; (12) Elgin, 111., Club House: (1:^) new Elgin. Ill, club: (U) R. T. 
Crane; (15) Pishcotaqua Hotel, C. F. Hall, proprietor: (Kl) Camp Collie, a resort for ministers and 
their families, on the point west of Williams Bay: thence returning around the head of the lake 
and down the south shore is (17) Russell's Park, pxiblic; (18), Belvidere Park, owned mostly by 
residents of Belvidere, III: (IVt) Fontana, pul^lic. Porter & Montague; (20) N. K. Fairbank, 
tish pond; on the south shore (21) Marengo Hotel; (22) A. Sperry's Landing: (23) Harvard 
Park, owned by citizens of Harvard, 111. :'(24) Prof. Nightingale's Landing; (25) Bon Ami 
Club, Chicago;" (2(\) Englewood Camp, Chicago Club; (27) Kaye's Park, public, with hotel; 
(28) Warwick Park; (21irJ. S. Rumsey, private, CM)) Geo. L. Du'nlap; (31) J. C. Walter. The 
last-named landing is immediately south of the Whiting House dock. 

Thus it will be seen that the whole lake, with Geneva Village as its metropolis, has be- 
come a pojiuloua living-place for the denizens of Chicago. 

THE W.-iTEE-POWER. 

The water-power at Geneva is utilized at two points. For the upper privilege, now owned 
by Gilbert & Barber, the water is drawn from the outlet of the lake Ijy an open canal to the grist- 
niill, where there is a head and fall of fifteen feet. This is the old original power, first discov- 
ered by Payne and improved by Goodsell & Warren. 

The lower power, some half a mile below, has a head and fall of eight feet, as now used. 
The early history of it, as given by Mr. Simmons in 1875. was as follows: 

"Tlie lower power within the village limits was originally claimed, as we are credibly in- 
formed, by P. O. Sprague. Whether Van Slyke, whose name we have before mentioned in con- 
nection with it ever made any claim there seems to be quite doubtful; at all events, it at some 
time came into the possession of .Sidney Sage, from whom its recent owners purchased it in 
1842. In 1843, they built a saw-mill, which was for many years in constant use, but of late it 
has suspended operations, either through the growing unpo]mlarity of oak lumber, or the 'want 
of logs on which to exercise its sharp teeth, and it now works only intermittingly, when occa- 
.sion requires. They subsecjuently added carding and clot;h-dressing woi-ks. which And good 
employment in their season: also an oil-mill. There is here a fall of twelve feet, secured liy 
building a dam some twenty-live rods in length, and there is at all times a sufiBcient supjily of 
water to isropel a large amount of machinery. The McKaig power was originally claimed by 
Thomas McKaig, S. W. Spafard and others, and is now owned by Dr. Tolmau Wheeler, of Chi- 
cago. At this point, there is a fall of eleven feet, requiring an artificial dam of only about 
thirty feet, nature having furnished a substantial barrier for the remaining distance. Possibly, 
in the ante-historic ages, this barrier extended across the whole river bottom, and was the 
northern boundary of the lake. Here, some years since, a large building was erected by a man 
named Murray, to be used as a paper-mill, but the owner, having left this part of the country 



IIISTOUY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 895f 

before its eomplotioii, nover returned, aiul. the |)n)pi'rty liaviu^ b(!ini sold under a mortgage, the 
project never was carried out. The l)uildiiig lias since been removed. The i)eculiar advantages 
of tliis location rendering it comparatively easy to control and a]iply the power, and the ex- 
treme piu'ity of the water flowing to it from the lake, make it very desirable, and ought to in- 
sure its improvement for that jnirpaso, as there is here everything recjuisite for the manufacture 
of the finest qualify of wrifing jnijier. " 

Jaiuiary 80, ISTT), a corporation was foniunl under the name of the Crawford Manufacturing 
Company, and the j>reseut works for the manufacture and repair of agricultural ini])lements 
were started on the j)Ower above described. The corporators were John Haskin, A. C. Hoga- 
boom, James Haskin, John T. ]Miith(>ws, Amos Fellows, E. C. Salisbury. J. Sinnnons, Ct. Mon- 
tague and J. a. Sherman. 

R.\ILROADS. 

The village has had the rare experience of having railroad connection with Chicago for 
several years, and then being d(>i)riv(>d of the same — so she ought to l)e, if she is not, better qual- 
ified to judge of the local advantages and disadvantages arising therefrom than most to\^'ns who 
have never had it but once. 

The only section of the old Wisconsin Central Railroad ever built reached Geneva in 1856. 
It was only by the aid of individual effort and subserijitions that it was brought into the village, 
as the road failed in the crash, with the rails laid within sight of but not into the village. For 
four years, trains aiTived and departed from Geneva to Chicago daily. In IS(Jf), the rails were 
worn out and trains ceased running, and for an interim of thirteen years thereafter, the village 
relaj)sed into its former state as a eoimtry town. In 1873, raikoad comiection with Chicago 
was re-established essentially over the old line, abandoned so many years before. Full infor- 
mation as to the railroad apjiears in the railroad history of the county. 

Since the re-establishment in 1873. and dating from that time. Geneva has come to be the 
great summer resort and h(.)me of the j)rosperous and wealthy citizens of Chicago. 

The lake on either shore has been studded with elegant rural homes, hotels, jiarks. camp- 
ing-gi'ounds. and all else to render it the most delightful summer resort in the West. This has 
given to the village a metropolitan air and character it had not before. It has now its opera 
house (Ford's) and its daily pa]ier. All through the suxainer, steamers jtly the lake in such 
numbers as to rob it of all solitude, and the hum and bustle of city life is transferred there 
from Chicago through all the summer months. 

THE JOHN HASKINS »r.\NUFACTUEING COMPANY. 

The John Haskins Maufacfuring Company is the successor of the Crawford Manufacturing 
Company, and still conducts essentially the business first started in 1870. They manufacture 
mowers, reapers, corn cultivaturs, hay rakes; also a variety of woodwork, and castings. The 
annual products of the establishment aggregate $40,000. 

GENEVA LAKE MILLS. 

The Geneva Lake Mills are situated on the site of the first grist-mill built in the town. 
The present mill w as built by 11. W. Warren in 184-7. He sold it to one N. L. Stout in 1857, but 
subsequently came again into possession and ran it till 1850, when Josejjh Case and S. O. Ray- 
mond became proprietors. This copartnershiji lasted till 1801. when Elisha D. Cogswell bought 
Mr. Case's interest, and for awhile Raymond & Cogswell were pro])rietors, S. O. Raymond being 
the resident partner and active business jtroprietor. While under this |)roprieforshi[). the mill 
was run by various parties, who furnished the wheat and paid for grinding. Among the man- 
ufacturers were Samuel Farrar, Daniel K. Sherman and others. In 1803, E. L. Gilbert bought 
an interest from S. O. Raymond, and in 1804 Raymond & Gilbert bought the entire interest of 
Elisha D. Cogswell, and became the ])roprietors of the mill. The firm of Gilbert & Raymond 
conducted the business till 1870, at which tim(> Joel Barber bought the interest of S. O. Ray- 
mond. Since then, the firm of Gilbert & Barber have been the sole proprietors of the mill. 

The mill has been always fitted up wifh the most modern apjiliances. It has at present 
five run of stone and'cjne set of rollers, and all the latest im])i-ovenients for the manufacture of 
llour by fh(> patent process (so calh'd). Its capacity is. for merchant work. 15,000 barrels pe 



896g 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 



year. The mill bas an envialjle reimtatiou on its merchant brand, " Geneva Lake," and does a 
large local business. 

Gilbert & Barber also own the mill below, formerly the woolen-mill, which is utilized for 
grinding oat-meal and coarse feed. The oat-meal (" Badger State" ) is sold throughout the 
country, and has become a standard brand. 

CORPORATE HISTORY OF OENEVA VILLAGE. 

The village was incorporated in the winter of 1844. There are no records now in the pos- 
session of the Villige Clerk coucerning the early corporate history of the village. 
From Simmon;' History of Geneva, the following information is gleaned: 




SlMMEK EESTriENCE dF .INO. E. DTUIDN, 

Laue Geneva. Wis, 



" In the winter of 1S44, the Legislatiu-e granted a charter, incorporating as the "Village of 
Geneva " the whole of fra'--tional Section 8(j, of Geneva, with the altove-mentioued five acres 
from Lyons. At the first election under this charter. Charles M. Goodsell was elected President 
of the village, and a majority of the Trustees were, like him, sterling temperance men. James 
Simmons was also elected to the office of Village Clerk, which proved very lucrative to him, 
his salary — embodied in a Boston rooking chair— having proved sufficient to support him ever 
since that time, and still remaining in his posse.ssion to sustain his declining years. 

" This charter invested the Village Board with full control over the sale of intoxicating 
liquors, and they proceeded to exercise that poNv;>r by passing an ordinance entirely prohibiting 
the sale or giving away of anything which could intoxicate, within the limits of oiu- village, and 
prescribing a heavy penalty for a violation of its provisions. This ordinance, if we mistake not, 
considerably antedated the famous Maine law. It was published so as to take eflect a day or 
two before the 4th of July, 184"). Thomas D. Warren, then keeper of the Lake House, having 



IIISTOKV OF WALWOKTII COUNTY. 8971l 

continued to sell as iisucal on that day, was iuimodiately prosecuted tlierefor. The trial came on 
just at niirhtfall, liefore Loren Stacy, Esq., at his log house in Hudson, on the farm now owned 
by S. H. Stallbrd. After a session continuing all night, attended by the usual difficulty of in- 
ducing witnesses to acknowleilge that they knew whisky by its smell, taste, or eft'ects, the jury 
found hill) guilty, and he was duly fined. He immediately tiok an a])peal to the District Court, 
and the case lingi>red there until a change of village administration took i>lace, and then died a 
natural death. This was, we believe, the only ]irosecutiou under that ordinance. 

" In 1^47). the village charter was amended and the control of licenses taken away from the 
^'illage Board and restored tt) the Town Siipervisors; those who knew what was good for them- 
selves, and understood the fiU'-reaching beneticeuce of free whisky, being suspicious that fanat- 
icism might at some time again break out at the polls. The right to levy taxes was also taken 
from the board and given to the voters at the annual elections. For about eleven years, a 
masterly inactivity characterized the policy of the village authorities, during which the village 
records were either lost or destroyed. R. W. Warren, Benjamin E. (HU, John M. Nelson and 
Anthony Dt>bbs are the only Presidents now remembered as having served during that jieriod. " 

A new charter was granted by act of the Legislature, March 'IS, ISSfi, which was in many 
particuliu-s amended in lS(j7 and that charter, so amended remained in force until April 2. 1N79. 
On that day, a sjiecial village election was held, pursuant to a notice dulj' given b\' the Trustees, 
to determine whether the villag(> should retain its old charter, or become re-incorporated under 
the general statute for the incoi-jioratiou of villages (Chap. 40, R. S. 1878), and a majority of 
electors having voted in favor of re-incoi-poration, the special charter became supei-seded by the 
general law, which is now the fundamental law of the village; and the first election was held 
under that law on the first Tuesday in May, bS79. This change in the law by which it is gov- 
erned did not aft'ect its name, which is the Vill.VtE or Geneva, nor its iKjuinhiries, which are 
described in the amended charter of bS(17. 

The first village meeting wirs held at the Lake House, May Ti, IST)!). 

The old corporation seems to have been in existence at the time, as the record reads: 

" The following Board of Trustees, as it existed before the passage of the above act (of in- 
corporation) were present, to wit: A. D. Colton, Daniel Merritt and John Beamsley, Trustees; 
and J. T. Abell, Village Clerk —who, having severally qualified, acted as Inspectors of said elec- 
tion." 

The following officers were elected: Trustees. E. D. Richardson, President: B. E. Gill, 
Daniel Locke, C. Miller, C. L. Oatman: Clerk, John T. Abell: Justice of the Peace, J. T. Abell; 
Assessor, S. H. Stattbrd: Treasurer, E. Andrus; Constables, D. AV. Sherman. William Jewitt. 

E. D. Richardson resigned in August, and Harrison Rich was elected President to fill the 
vacancy, August 20. LS^fi. 

Below are the names of those who have served as President, ("lerk and Treasm-er from Isr^T- 
to 1881: 

1857 - President, A. S. Palmer; Clerk, J. T. Abell; Treasm-er, William Jewitt. 

1858- President, A. S. Palmer: (Jlerk. J. T. Abell; Treasm-er. William L. Valentine. 

1859 - President, J, J. Dewey: Clerk, J. T. Abell; Treasm-er, William L. Valentine. 

1860— President, S. O. Raymond: Clerk, J. T. Abell; Treasuri-r, William L. Valentine. 

1861- -President, S. O. Raymond: Clerk, J. T. Abell; Treasurer, William L. Valentine. 

1862 President, Moses Seymour; Clerk, J. T. Aliell; Treasurer, George M. Barlier. 

1868 - President, Joel BarbVr; Clerk, J. T. Abell: Treasurer, George M. Barber. 

1864— President. J. H. Ford: (;ierk, J. T. Abell; Treasurer, S. S. Hanna. 

1865 President, Edward guigley: Clerk, J. T. Abell: Treasurer, William H. Lee. 

1866- President, Ethan L. Gilbert; Clerk, J. T. Abell; Treasurer. S. S. Hanna. 

186* President. J. C. Walter: Clerk. J. A. Smith; Treasurer. S. C. Sanford. 

1868 President. J. Barber; Clerk. J. A. Smith; Treasurer. W. Alexander 

1869 -President. T. C. Smith: Clerk, E. D. Richard.son: Treasurer, W. H. Lee. 

1870 -President, E. D. Richardstm; Clerk, L. B. Van Buskirk; Treasurer. G. ^\■. Sturges. 
1871- President. E. D. RichardsoTi: Clerk. C. E. Buell; Treasm-in-. S. C. Sanford. 

1872 —President. S. H. Stattbrd: Clerk. Heman -illen; Treasurer. John Burton. 
1873 President. G. Montague: Clerk. J. E. Burton: Treasurer: John Burton. 



898i HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

1874 — President, B. 0. Reynolds; Clerk, Maui'ice Miner; Treasurer, G. W. Stiu-ges. 
1875 — President, B. O. Reynolds; Clerk, T. H. Ferguson; Treasurer, G. W. Sturge.s. 
1876— President, B. O. Reynolds; Clerk, M. A. Miner; Treasurer, G- W. Sturges. 
1877 —President, E. D. Richardson; Clerk, T. H. Ferguson; Treasurer, G. W. Sturge 
1878— President, G. E. Catlin; Clerk. M. A. Miner; Treasm-er, G. W. Stiu-ges. 
1879— President. H. H. Stafford; Clerk, M. A. Miner: Treasiu-er. W. H. Hammersley. 
1 88(1— President, B. O. Reynolds-. Clerk, C. S. Fn-ncli; Treasurer, C. E. Buell. 
1881— President, B. O. Reynolds; Clerk, C. H. French; Treasm-er, C. E. Buell. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

proprietor of the oldest drug house in the 
eo'in y of W.ilworth. It was e.stabiished by Mr. Lewis Curtis iu 1840, and continued in the possession 
of Mr. Curtis, or of his son H. H. Curtis, till 1878, when it was purchased by the present proprietor. 
Mr. A. was born in Klkhart Co., lud., in 18.53 ; he caoii to Geneva with his father, A. B. Arnold, in the 
fall of 1865. He was engaged in the drug store as clerk, of which he is now proprietor. He graduated 
at the Chicago college pharmacy in 1877, and succeeded Mr. C. in busine.ss the following year. He was 
married to Hattie Winegar, .Jan. 1, 183(J, daughter of S. E. Winegar, who settled in Kenosha Co. in 
1844; he was born in Fort Ann, X. Y., Sept. 8, 1813, and died November 16, 1877. Mr. and Mrs. A. 
have one daughter, JIdith Winnefred. 

JOEL BARBPiR, of the firm of Gilbert & Barber, proprietors of Geneva Lake Mills, Geneva. Mr. 
Barber is a native of the town of Louisville, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., where he was born in 1828. His 
parents were Solon and Hannah Birber; his fii'her was a native of Vermont, his mother was born in 
Canada ; Mr. Barber came to Geneva in June, 1848, and engaged in work at his trade, that of a carpen- 
ter and joiner ; in 1866, he engaged in the manufacture of staves for flour barrels ; h : bought one-hal t 
interest in the water-power, now owned by himself and Mr. (iilbert ; in 1870 (au account of the business 
of this firm will be found elsewhere), Mr. Barber married for his first wife, Julia L Marsh'. His present 
wife was Miss Carrie M. Marsh, a cousin of formjr wife. They have two adopted daughters. 

EPHRAIM P. BLSHOP, c intractor and builder, Geneva; born in Sullivan Co., N. Y., in 1826. 
He removed with his parents to Pennsylvania when 12 years of age. His father was a millwright by trade, 
to which .Mr. B. served an apprenticeship, and followed the business for about twelve years. He was also 
engaged in the lumber business in Pennsylvinia for some time. He came to Chicago in 1869, where he 
lived one year, and then went to Woodstock, Vlellenry Co., III. He came to Geneva in 1872, and has 
been engaged in the business of carpentry here since that time. His wife, formerly Miss Mary M. Hardy 
school teacher, was born in Binghamton, N. Y. They have three sons; Ernest H., Purley and Burley. 

ORVILLE L. BLAKESLEB, proprietor of Lake House, Geneva. Mr. Blakeslee was born in the 
State of New York, but removed with his parents, at a very early age, to Ashtabula Co., Ohio; for a 
period of seventeen years, Mr. Blakeslee was employed on the lakes, in the capacity of steward, which 
afforded him an experience of great value as a hotel proprietor, a position he has for many years occupied. 
After leaving the lakes he engaged in hotel keeping, first, at Coneaut, Ohio ; thence to Coneautville, 
Penn.; thence to Peoria, III., where he kept the Metropslitan, anl was also engaged in brewing for a 
time; thence to Evanston, III., where he engaged in the grocery trade, and also in hotel keeping. He 
came to Geneva in the spring of 1873, and has conducted the Lake House since that time. .Mr. Blakeslee 
is ajjjpular and sucejssful landbrd; his wife was Susan L. Bjrry, born in Albany, N. Y. 

LAURA PALMER BREWSTER, widow of G. F. Brewster, a son of Deodat Brewster, one of the 
early settlers of the town of Geneva ; he emigrated from Vermont with his family in 1838, and settled on 
Sec. 1 in this town, where he resided until his death, which occurred Oct. 28, 1881, in his 931 year; his 
wife, Lois Brewster, died in Au.cust, 1372, in her 84th year. G. F. Brewster was born in Vermont Feb. 
27, 1820; he came here with his father in 1833, and resided at the homestead until his death, which 
occurred June 16, 1872 ; he was married to Laura Palmer, daughter of J. G. Palmer, who settled in the 
town of Geneva from Columbia Co., N. Y., in 1853. Mrs. B. came to Geneva in 1850 ; she, with her 
family, occupy the homestead, where Mr. Deodat Brewster settled in 1838; she has five children — Eliza, 
Frank, Lula M., Grace W. and Fred ; she lost her two eldest children. The homsstead contains 280 
acres. 



HISTORY OF WALWOKTII COUNTY. 899j 

F. A.BUCKBKE, Justii'e of tho IVice and PoUee Justice of Geneva; he was born in the town of 
Cliili, Monroe Co., N. Y., in 1828, where lie lived until seventeen years of age, when he went to Rock- 
ford, 111. He was engaged in farming until 24 years of age, when he engaged in the mercantile 
and produce business; he came to Walworth Co. in 1863. and settled in the town of Lyons, and 
engaged in farming; in tho fall of 1874 he went to California, and returned in July of the following 
year, and located in Geneva; he has served two years in the Ligislative Assembly, having been elected 
in 1801), and a'^'ain in 187:5; ho has been Justice of the Peace since the spring of 1877, and has served 
as Police Justice since May, ISTi). Mrs. B. was formerly Miss A. J. Hubbard Palmer, adopted daughter 
of Dr. A. S. Palmer, an early physician of Geneva. 

CHARI.KS EDWIN HUKLL, cashier of tlie Bank of Geneva; son of Ira Buell; was born at Plymouth, 
N. ¥., in lS3t; ; he removed with his i)arents to the town of Lynn, Walworth Co., in 184(5 ; his father, 
Ira Buell, was a native of New Hampshire, born Jan. 10, 1791, and died in the town of Lynn, Aug. l(i, 
1864; his mother, Chloe Holcomb Buell, born Aug. 2, 1793, still lives at the hoiuestead. Mr. C. E. 
Buell resided at home until he entered the army, August 18G2 ; he enlisted in Co. C, 22d W. 
\'. I. On the organ'zation of the company, he was made Orderly Serjeant; he was promoted to a Sec- 
ond Lieutenancy Feb 28, 1863, and bscame Fir-t Lieutenant April 18, 1864. Mr. Buell was a gallant 
and faithful soldier, never absent from his ompany; he participated in all the battles and marches in 
which his regiment was engaged, until the army left Savannah ; in Sherman's march to the sea, when he 
obtained a leave of absence for thirty days, re-joining his regiment at Kaleigb. On the close of the war, 3Ir. 
Buell returned to the homestead; he was married in 1867 to Miss Elizabeth Richardson. He came to 
Geneva the year of his marriage, and has been cashier of the bank since that time. He was also Post- 
master at Geneva from 1870 to 1878. Mr. and Mrs. Buell have two daughters — Helen M. and Kittie 
May. 

JOHN BULLOCK, artist and portrait painter, Geneva ; he is a native of England, where he was 
born in 1827 ; he came to the United States and settled in Philadelphia in 1858, and engaged in portrait 
painting; he has been a painter from his childhood, and had excellent instruction in the art before coming 
to this country ; he did not continue long in portrait painting in Philadelphia, as the invention of the 
solar camera robbed the artist of his work ; he soon engaged in landscape painting, and while thus occu- 
pied, visited, and took sketches of mueh of the beautiful scenery of New York and Pennsylvania ; he 
then went to Chicago and opened a studio in Crosby's Opera House Block, but was burned out at the 
time of the great fire in that city ; he came hero the following summer to make sketches of the beautiful 
scenery in this vicinity, and decided to locate here ])ermanently ; he has fitted up his studio and operating 
rooms in the finest style ; he has a solar camera of the improved pattern, and in every way prepared to 
do excellent work. His wife is a native of Encland; they have six children. 

JOHN E. BURTON, Geneva ; he was born in the town of New Hartford, Oneida Co., N. Y.,Oct. 
19, 1847 ; he was educated at Whitestown, N. Y., where he took a four years' course of study, and also 
attended the Oneida Conference Seminary at Cazenovia one year ; after leaving school, he was engaged 
in teaching at Cazenovia for one year ; he then went to Richmond, 111., where he engaged in teaching for 
two years; he came to Geneva and took charge of the public schools at this place in 1870, and remained 
as Principal until 1873; while under his charge the schools of Geneva attained a high standard of excel- 
lence ; ho was the first editor of the Geneva Ilcnild, selected for that position at the birtli of that paper 
in 1872, and bacame its proprietor in 1873, and remained as such until 1876 ; resigning the principalship 
of the school in 1873, he was chiefly instrumental in forming the Crawford Mower and Reaper Co. of 
Geneva, of which he was Secretary and bookkeeper for several years, and was also for a time Director 
and Vice President of this company, in which he was an extensive stockholder. During the time that 
he was connected wi'.h this company and afterward, he dealt extensively in real estate, both in Geneva 
and Chicago; at one time was the owner of the Cornell Block in that city, which he exchanged for a 
large tract of land in Texas. From September, 1879, till May, 1881, he was located in the city of New 
York, as agent for the sale of the Tilden Silver Mines of Colorado, in which he was very successful, 
making sale to Wall street parties at S250,00O. He is now engaged as General Agent for the Equitable 
Life A.S3urance S<iciety of New York ; he is a gentleman of indomitable energy and determination, 
which, combined with good judgment, makes him a successful business man. He is an excellent scholar, 
a Republican in politics, and a fluent and able public speaker; he has filled a considerable line of appoint- 
ments in public speeches in variou.s parts of the State in the (iarfield campaign, and made a special 
canvass under appointments of the Republican State Central Committee, through the Sixth Congressional 
District, aiding in tho defeat of Gabe Bouck for Congress ; he has filled list of ap[iointmcnts in every cam- 
paign since 1868. Mr. Burton is the owner of one of the largest and rarest libraries in Southern Wiscon- 



900k HISTORY OF WALAVORTH COUNTY. 

sin, containing over 1,(100 volumes, in which are thirteen different Bibles, Hogarth's Works, the com- 
plete Ante-Nicene Library, Dore's Works, " Knight's Worship of Priapus," and others which have not a 
duplicate in the whole State. In 1876, he built his present home, the finest in the corporation except the 
houses built by Chicago parties. His wife was Miss Lucretia D. Johnson, born:in Cortland Co., N. Y.; they 
have four children — Howard E , Warren E , Kenneth E., and an infant daughter, Bonnie L. Burton. 

0. S. CARMAN, dentist, Geneva, having located here in the spring of 1R81, succeeding Dr. A. E. 
Oviatt; he is a young man thoroughly educated in the profession, and is rapidly building up a reputation 
for the excellence of his work ; he was born in Rochester, Racine Co., in 1856 ; he took a course of 
instruction at the Dental College, Indianapolis, Ind. Married, Nov. 9, 1881, to Miss Lydia Hall, of 
Indianapolis. Dr. Carman's, preceptor was Dr. James Parsons, of Whitewater. 

CtEORGE E. CATLIN, M. D., Geneva ; he is a native of Tiogo Co., Penn., where he was born, 
March, 1840 ; his early education was such as to lay the foundation for the profession of a physician, 
which he afterward adopted ; arriving to the years of manhood at about the time of the breaking-out of 
our civil war, he enlisted in the struggle, in which he served till the close of the contest. In April, 1861, 
he enlisted in the 6th Penn. V. I., a regiment of three months men; in the fall of that year he re-en- 
listed in the 101st Penn. V. I.; he participated in McClellan's Pennsylvania campaign, taking part in the 
most of the battles of that campaign, and was the bearer of the regimental colors on many a bloody bat- 
tle-field ; in September, 1862, he was discharged for disability, and returned to his native State and re- 
sumed his studies ; but, regaining his health, he again enlisted, becoming a member of Battery E, in the 
regular service, 5th Light Artillery, and served as gunner of that battery through the campaign of the Wil- 
derness, and up to the close of the war, when he was made Sergeant and was discharged at Key West, 
February, 1866. He came to Wisconsin in March, 1866, and engag.^d in the study of medicine with Dr. 
W. H. Borden, of .Milton; in the winter of 1S66 67 he attended Milton College, and also attended to his 
medical studies. In the fall of 1867 he entered Beloit College, where he remained two years; he then 
entered the Medical College of the Michigan University, where he remained during that college year, 
and then enterel the Djtroit .Medicil Cjlleg;, where he gridiatel .is .M. D., July, 1870. He came to 
Geneva in August of that year. He is a well-educated and intelligent gentleman, thoroughly devoted to 
his profession, and is having a large and i;rowing practice. His wi^e was f jrmerly Miss Lucretia Van- 
campea, daughter of Benjamin Vancampen, a brother of Maj. Moses Vancampen, of Rcvoluiionai'y 
fame. What Western New York boy has not read, in his boyh >oJ diys. the thrilling narrative of battles, 
capture, and escipe of .Maj. Vancampen ? whose family were the victims of the Wyoming massacre in 
Pennsylvania; he himself beiuL' taken prisoner, and escaped after slaughtering his captors; but dire vengeance 
was executed by Gen. Sullivan upon the savage allies of the British, in the campaign through Western 
New York. At the time of the Wyoming massacre, the father of Mrs. Catlin was but 2 years of age, and 
escaped the fate of his father and other members of the family. Mr. B. Vaneampen was an ofiicer in 
the war of 1812. 

JOHN CHASh], proprietor of North Geneva Cheese Factory; P.O. Elkhorn ; Mr. Chase w.is 
born in Olsego Co., N. Y., in 1811, where he was brought up ; he removed to the town of Darien, Gen- 
esee Co., N. Y., when a young man ; he went to the State of Ohio in the fall of 1840, and engaged in 
farming; he came to the town of Geneva in 1866, and bought the farm of G. S. Powers; he built his 
present factory, known as the " North Geneva Cheese Factory," in company wiih John W. Newton ; he 
is now sole proprietor of the factory. His first wife was born in Genesee Co., N. Y'.; his present wife was 
born in Ohio. He has one son — 0. C. Chase. 

ALVIN D. CLAPP, farmer, Sec. 9 ; P. 0. Elkhorn ; born at Taunton, .Mass., in 1814; removed 
to the State of Connecticut, and thence to Maine, returned t> Massachusetts, and cama to Walworth Co. 
and settled on his present farm in March, 1847; he married Martha D. Viles, born in Anson, .Me., in 
1819; her parents, Joseph and Eleanor Vilos, ctme to Geneva in 1816. Mr. and Mrs. Clapp have two 
daughters — Orilla, now Mrs. Samuel Decatur, and Mareda ; lost one son, Eli, who enlisted in the 28th 
Regiment, and died at Helena, Ark., in 1863. 

GEORGE B. CONANT, inventor, and associated with A. E. Lytle, dealer in patent rights; he is the 
son of Henry B. Conant, and was burn in the town of Bloomfield, Walworth Co., in 1851. He has a 
natural fondness for the construction of machinery, and has exhibited an inventor's mind from a child ; 
his principal invention*, for which he has secured patents, are Conant's Improved Pitman Bar, Perfection 
Car Mover and Burglar Alarm Bell. He married, in 1870, Mi.ss Emma .Stanford, daughter of John R. 
Stanford, an earlv settler of Geneva. 



HISTORY OF WAI>WORTH COUNTY. 9011 

JOHN A. COWLES, farmer, Sec. :) ; P. 0. Elkhorn ; son of Seth ami Harriet Cowle.s, who settled on 
the (arm now owned by John A. Cowles, in June, 1842. The parents of Mr. Cowles were born in Con- 
necticut, but came to Walworth Co. from the State of New York. They resided in this place until their 
death. Mr. S. Cowles was born in July, 1794. and died in February, 18G7 ; his wife was born in 1795, 
and died May 12, 1879. The parent.s of Mr. Cowles had three children — David S., who resided at Den- 
ver, Colo., Julius W., in Jackson Co., Kan., John A., was born in Columbia Co., N. Y., in 1832; he 
ha.-: always lived on tlie homestead. lie married Lucy Hathway, daughter of James and Martha Hathway, 
who came to Geneva from Massachusetts, in 1843; they now live in Kan.sas. Mr. and Mrs. Cowles have 
five children —Elmer, Fred, Minnie, Carl and George. Farm contains 240 acres. 

LEWIS CURTIS, merchant, Geneva; he is one of the successful business men of Geneva; is also 
one of the early settlers, locating here in the spring of 1840 ; was born in the town of Plymouth, Che- 
nango Co., N. Y., in 1813. He removed to New York City with his parents, and thence to Syracuse ; he 
has been engaged in business since 18 years of age ; he came to iVeneva, in 1840, from Toledo, Ohio, 
where he had lived for several years. He opened the first drug store in Geneva, in 1840 ; has been en- 
gaged in merchandising for several years. His wife was Mary E. Humphrey, born in Ohio, and died in 
18t)8, at Geneva. Mr. and Mrs. C. have had nine children, five now living — Hiram H.; Frances C, now 
Mrs. A. A.Sawyer; Walter, Hattie and Annie Bell; Hiram H. was born in Geneva, Dec. G, 1844 ; 
married Mary A. Allen, daughter of George Allen, of the town of Linn. 

W. R, D.WIS, Geneva ; was born in the town of Pompey, Onondaga Co., N. Y., in 1S24 ; lived on 
a farm until 19 years of age; since that time has been almost constantly connected with the mercantile 
business; came to Geneva in June, 1849, and engaged as clerk for Stafford & Dewey; in 1855, he engaged 
in business with Mr. Stafford, which partnership continued about two years ; was aftervvard in company 
with J. J. Dewey f jr about three years, when he bought the interest of his partner, and conducted the bus- 
iness alone. During the time that he was in business, he built the .store now occupied by Wachter & Ford. 
The father of IMr. D., with his family, came to Geneva in 1844, and died about 1880 ; he had five chil- 
dren, and all but two are living. Mrs. D. was formerly M. Louise Butler, daughter of Henry and Emily B. 

J. J. DEWEY, retired, Geneva. Mr. Dewey was born in the town of De Kalb, St. Lawrence 
Co., N. Y., in 1814 ; he removed to Cooperst )wn, in that State, with his parents, Chester and Mary John- 
son Dewey, in 1827. Mr. Dewey worked in a cotton factory several years, but afterward learned the trade 
of a hatter, till 1S44; became to Walworth Co. in May of that year. Previous to this time, he had 
purchased, or rather exchanged property, in the East for a firm in the town of Geneva, where he settled 
and lived one year; he then engaged in merchandising; Mr. Feriruson was with him for s;veral years. 
He continued in the merehantile business until ISoli. He was Postmaster during the administration of 
President Taylor and Fillmore. .Mr. Dewey was actively engage 1 in business till 1872 ; his first wife was 
Eliza Bates, born in Duteht.ss Co., N. Y.; his second wife, Salina Meriam, she died in January, 1870. 
Mr. Dewey had two children by first wife, Sarah being born in Cooperstown and May in Geneva. The 
latter died at the age of 4 years and t) months. The former i-i now Mrs. Delavan Ford. Mr. and Mrs. 
Ford have two children — jlary and Nellie. 

WILLIAM E. DUNBAR, farmer. Sec. 7 ; P. 0. Elkhorn ; son of Samuel D., who emigrated from 
near Belfast, Ireland, to the State of New York, in 1833, and settled in Ren^selaer Co. ; came to Geneva 
with hi.s family in 1839, and soon after settled on the farm which his son William E. n )W owns. He re- 
sided here until his death, which occurred April 20, 1872; his wife died in 1852. Tlie parents of Mr. 
I), had five children — James, William E, S trah A., now thj wife of Jim « R Saiitli; RobirtT. and 
Windsor S. William E. was born in Rensselaer Co., N. Y., July 21, 183G ; he has spent many years in the 
far West, living for fourteen years at Silver City, Nevada. He returned in 1873 and purcha.sed the home- 
stead farm the same year. His wife was Elizabeth Bulloch. Mr. and Mrs. D. have six children — Lizzie, 
William E., Samuel J., Maud H., Walter L. and Harry D. They lost a daughter. Mr. Dunbar's farm 
contains IGO acres. 

CHARLES DUNLAP, Geneva; P. O. Elkhorn; was born in Pultney, Steuben Co., N. Y., March 
10, 1834; was the son of John and Cynthia Dunlap ; came to Wisconsin with his father in 1839, his 
mother having died in the East. He was married, Dec. 21, 1853, to Miss Bethaina Crandall, daughter of 
Richard Crandall. Mrs. Dunlap was born in Tompkins County, N. Y., but came to Wisconsin from Cort- 
land, N. Y.; in 1853 Mr. Dulap commenced farming on Sec. 9, town of Geneva, where he still owns a 
farm of 240 acres. They have six cbildren living ; have lost one. The oldest, George B., is a farmer in 
Geneva. Horatio S. is a law student in the office of Joseph Lyons, of Elkhorn. Alice M. died when 4 
years of age ; the others are Mark C., Dora H., William P. and Charles K. Mr. Dunlap served several 



902m HISTORY OF AVAL WORTH COUNTY. 

years as Chairmin of his town ; was elected to the Wisconsin Legishiture in 1875; is at present the 
Superintendent of the Poor and Overseer of the County Poor Farm and Poor House, Geneva. Was 
elected to his present position in December, 1879, to fill vacancy ; was re-elected in 1880 for three years. 
He makes an efficient officer, and the Poor House of Walworth Co., which is said to be the finest in the 
State, is under his administrBtion a cheerful and comfortable home, for the unfortunate under his care. 

HARRIS DURKEE, dealer in coal, cement, etc., Geneva. Mr. Durkee was born in Windsor 
Co., Vt., in 1825. He removed to St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., in 1848, where he kept hotel for a time, and 
also engaged in farming. He came to Elkhorn, Walworth Co., Sept 20, 18.55, and settled in Geneva 
the following December. Mr. Durkee was married in Vermont to Elizabeth Rodgers. They have 
three children — George A., Frank M. and Nellie E., all of whom are married ; the two sons reside in 
Geneva; their daughter (now Clyde R. Harrison), resides at Wall Lake, Iowa. Mr. Durkee succeeded 
J. P. Forbes in his present business. 

EXPERIENCE ESTABROOK was born in Lebanon, Grafton Co , N. H., April 30, 1813. He 
received a good education, studied law, was admitted to the bar, and settled at Geneva in 1839. Mr. 
f]stabrook became at once prominent in public affairs, being a man of talent and thorough legal attain- 
ments. He served as District Attorney and School Commissioner before the State Constitution was 
adopted; was elected to the Second Constitutional Convention, and afterward served as member of As- 
sembly and Attorney General of the new State. Mr. Estabrook was ever alive to the importance of the 
greatest possible extension of eduoationil privileges, and to his judgment is Wisconsin largely indebted for 
the formation of her present system ; as earnest was he also in pressing the necessity of a like broad 
extension of political privileges — " without regard to race, color or previous condition of servitude." 
Although of a conservative disposition on these topics, he was in advance of all but a few leaders of public 
opinion, who were considered radical. .Mr. Estabrook remained in (jcneva until 1855, when he was 
appointed Attorney General of the Territory of Nebraska, and removed to Omaha, where he still resides. 
He was subsequently elected a delegate to Congress, and sinje the Territory became a State has held 
many positions of public trust, none of which were ever slighted. In his departure from Geneva, the 
county and the State lost one of her able men. 

DAVID L. FLACK, f;irmer and dairyman. Sec. 10; P.O. Elkhorn. He is one of the prominent 
and progressive farmers of Walworth Co. He was born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., in 1830. He is 
the son of James A. Flaek ; was born in Washington Cj., N. Y., in 1804, and came to Walworth Co. 
from St. Lawrence Co. in 1843, and settled in the town of Geneva, where he still lives. His first wife 
was .Mary Lytle, who died in 1830. His present wife was Murtha Armstrong, born in Washington Co., 
in 1810. David L. came to Geneva from New York in 1846. He settled on the farm where he now lives, 
in 1852. He has a fine farm of 200 acres, and his improvements are among the best in the town of 
Geneva. He devotes considerable attention to dairying, in which he uses the most approved methods. 
He has been married three times; his first wife was Philinda Crandall, born in Cortland Co., N. Y., 
died in 1872. His second wife was Mrs. Adelaide Cady Baldwin, born in Kenosha Co., Wis.; died in 
1880. His present wife was Anna W. Moody. Mrs. F. has been known for a long time as one of the 
most prominent educators of the State. She was born in South Hadley, Mass.; graduated at Mt. Holyoke 
Seminary, and came to Geneva with her mother's family in 1858, where she taught for eight years, 
and established the Lake GLmeva S'Mniuary. She taught one and a half years in the State University at 
Madison, Wis.; was for one year in the State Normal School at Whitewater ; then for ten years in the State 
Noruul School at Oshkosh, which she left Jan. 20, 18S2. Mr. Flack has thre3 children — Hiram C, 
Mary A. and John A. 

NELSON FAIRCHILD, farmer. Sec. 17 ; P. 0. Elkhorn ; born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., April, 
1822. Ho came to Walworth Co in 1843, and purchased his present farm, where he has since lived. 
He was married to Laura Kinney, born in St. Lawrence Co. Mr. Kinney is numbered with the more 
successful and prosperous farmers of the town of Geneva. Mr. and Mrs. Fairchild have six children — 
George, Daniel D., Albert, Allison, Mina and Samuel. Daniel D , who owns a farm near that of his 
father, was born on the homestead in 1851 ; married Edna Vincent, daughter of Jarvis Vincent. They 
have two children — Jessie and Jennie. The children of Mr. Nelson Fairchild were all born at the home- 
stead. 

JASPER M. FISH, farmer. Sec. 12 ; P. 0. Springfield. The father of Mr. F. was an early set- 
tler of Sauk Co., Wis., where he settled in 1855. Mr. F. was born in Greene Co., N. Y., in 1836. His 
father, Silas Fish, with his family, emigrated from the State of New York to Sauk Co., where he still lives, 
J. M. resided in Sauk Co. until 1867, when he came to the town of Geneva, and purhased the farm 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH f'OUNTY. 903n 

on which he now lives, of Mr. James Steadman, in ISGG. In the spring of 1874, he bought another farm 
of Mr. John Smith, both of which he now owns. The former contains 161, and the latter 160 acres. He 
was married to Tempeianie Hand, daughter of Jared Hand, Oct. 29, 1859. They have six children — 
Lorenzo J., Mary K., William H., Silas B., Elizabeth, Charles R. 

S. C. FORD, merchant, Ueneva, son of J. C. Ford, one of the earliest settlcr.s of the town of Linn. 
Mr. J. C. Ford was born in Middlelield, Otsego Co.. N. Y., June 1 1, 18((6. In early life he was appren- 
ticed to the trade of a silversmith, but having a hard master he deserted that calling, and learned the trade 
of shoe-maker, which business he followed jirevious to his removal to Wisconsin, and also for several 
years after coming to this State. When Mr. Ford was a young man. State militia were regarded of great 
importance, and general training day was as important as the Fourth (if July. His .son has now in his 
pos.session the commission of his father as Captain of New York volunteers, of the date Jan. 7, 1837, and 
bearing the signature of W. L. Marcy, Governor of the State of New York. Mr. Ford was mairied to 
Miss Catlierine L. Brewer, Jan. Ill, 1833; they settled in Springfield, Otsego Co., N. Y., and came to 
Walworth Co. and settled in the town of Linn in 1838; settled on Sec. 23. In 1853, Mr. Ford with his 
son-in-law, Mr. Merriani, went to California. They crossed the plains to that land of gold, when months 
were reijuired to make the journey, which is now made in as many days. Mr. Ford returned in 1859, 
and resumed the occupation of farming. He finally settled in Geneva a number of years previous to his 
death ; he died March 2, 1878. His wife died Dec. 7, 1881, while visiting relatives at Wilbraham, Mass., 
the place of her birth, aged 7(» years and 2 months. There are three surviving children of the family 
— Harriet S. (wife of William !\Ierriam ), Marian E, (wife of 6. L. Phillips), and Samuel C. ; the latter 
was born in the town of Linn Nov. 13, 1849 ; married Alice G. Phillips, daughter of E. D. Phillips, 
June 8, 1880. He engaged in the dry goods business in the fall of 1876. The firm now occupy 
a double store and have in connection with the gomral dry good-* busines<, a department of dress-mak- 
ing, and also a department of tailoring. Mr. and Mrs. Ford have one child — an infant son. 

CHARLES S. FRENCH, attorney, Geneva. Mr. French was born in Burlington, Vt., in 1856- 
His father, William H. French, died in Vermont. In 18G7, Mr. French, accompanied by his mother, 
went to Chicago, and came to Geneva the following year. He studied law with John A. Smith, Esq., 
and was admitted to the bar in March, 1879. He became associated with Mr. Smith, which ])artnership 
continued till the death of the latter, Aug. 8, 1881. Mr. French is a young lawyer of much promise. 
His wife was Jliss Ida Newberry, daughter of Capt. Oscar Newberry. 

T. F. tiATES, farmer. Sec. 19; P. 0. Elkhorn. Mr. Gates was born in the town of Liecester, 
Livingston Co., N. Y.. in May, 1828, where he was brought up. He came to Geneva in the fall of 1848; 
he purchased his present farm of Hiram Spencer. His parents, Daniel and Betsey Gates, came to Wal- 
worth Co. from Livingston Co., N. Y., where they resided till their death. Mrs. Gates was formerly Miss 
Charlotte Spencer, daughter of Hiram and Lois Spencer. Mr. and Mrs. (jlatos have four children — 
Hiram, Lottie S., Monroe C. and Bettie L. Mr. Gate's farm contains 116 acres. 

ETHAN L. GILBERT, of the firm of Gilbert & Barber, proprietors of Lake Geneva Mills, 
Geneva. He was born in the town of Hamilton, Madison Co., N. Y., Sept. 15, 1818. His father 
was Andrew Gilbert. Mr. Gilbert removed, with his father's family, to Nunda, Livingston Co., N. Y., in 
1832. He was apprenticed to the trade of a miller, with Mr. R. J. Baity, in the town of Nunda. Mr. 
Gilbert first came to Walworth in 1851, where his father had settled several years previous to the time. 
He cleared up a timber farm in that town, where he was engaged in farming until he came to Geneva, 
in 1862; his wife was Miss Betsy C. Curtis, born in Madison Co., N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert have 
one daughter, Ida E. 

CHARLES T. GRIFFIN, farmer and carpenter, Sec. 14; P. 0. Springfield; born in Dutchess 
Co., N. Y., in 1822, and removed with his parents to Genesee Co. when a child. His father, Charles GrifEu, 
resided in Genesee Co. till his death. Mr. Griffin came to AValworth Co. September, 1843, and settled in 
the old village of Lyons, and engaged in work at the business of carpentry. lie lived in Lyons seven 
years, and then returned to Genesee Co., where he remained thirteen years, when he returned to the 
town of Lyons and settled on Sec. 8. He came to the town of Geneva in 1868, and purchased his 
present farm of Kthan Farnam. Mrs. Griffin was Clara Traver, daughter of Wm. B. Traver. She died 
in 1875. Mr. (Jriifin's farm contains 120 acres. 

DANIFL GROSS, Geneva; was born in Chautauque Co., N. Y., but his parents moved to Warren 
Co., Penn., when he was an infant, and where he lived until 25 years of age. He came to the town of 
Geneva in 1854, and has been a resident of this town since that time. He settled in the village in 
April, 1856. He was a soldier in the war of rebellion; he enlisted in the spring of 1864 in the 'Mh. 



904o HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

III. V. C, and served until the close of the war. He is a mason by trade, and has been connected with 
the construction of mo.st of the principal buildin<;s in this vicinity. He had charge of the mason work in 
the buildings of Wm. R. Davis, VValker's Block, George Sturges' dwelling houses, the Metropulitan Block ; 
has done much of the work of N. K. Fairbank, etc. He has been engaged in the ice business for the 
last seven years. His wife was Mary Ann Flack, whose father was an early settler of the town of 
Geneva. Mr. and Mrs. Gross have one daughter — Mrs. Mary B. Brooks. 

L. D. HALE, retired merchant, Geneva, Wis.; was born in Owego, Tioga Co., N. ¥., Dec. 18, 
1818. His parents were Samuel and Sally Abell Hale; his father was a native of Massachusetts; his 
mother of Connecticut ; he was brought up in Yates and Steuben Cos., N. Y., to the business of merchan- 
dising ; came to Geneva, Wis., Oct. 6, ISlo, and was engaged in the mercantile business until about 1865 ; 
siace that time has not been in any a;tive business ; he owns a farm in MoHenry Co., 111., and a resi- 
dence in Geneva. Wis.; has been married twice ; his first wife was Rebecca Ellis, who was born in Yates 
Co., N. Y., Oct. 23, 1823, and died in Geneva, Wis., Nov. 21, 1.84G ; had three .sons by first wife, all 
residents of Kansas. His pr^•sent wife was Janj E. Allen, born in Oneida Co., N. Y., June 29, 1831, 
by whom he has four daughters; also a son who died in infancy ; the eldest daughter, Emma J., is the 
wife of W. H. Downer; Mary A. married C. Fred. Keyes, wlio was killed while in the employ of 
C, B. & Q. R.; she is now wife of B. B. Scott; Nellie M.. wife of Josia'.i Barfield, and Genevieve E., 
aged 13. 

W. H. HAMMERSLEY, druggist, Geneva; he is numbered with the older business men of 
Geneva; he engaged in business herein 1865, succeeding George W. Ferris in the drug business, in 
which he has since been engaged. He was born in England in 1832, and emigrated to New York 
with his father in 1844 ; except one year's residence in Michigan, he resided in New York until 1863, 
when he came to Walworth Co., .settled in the village in 1864, and engaged in business the following 
year he was elected Town Clerk in 1872, and served two years ; in 1875, elected Town Supervisor, 
serving as such till 187!>, when he was chosen Chairman of Town Board, which oflice he still holds. 
His wife was Miss Elizabeth Smith, daughter of H. Smith. They have three children — Grace, wife of 
Clarence D. Gilbert ; Charles H. and William H. 

JARED HAND, farmer. Sec. 3; P. O. Elkhorn. He was born in the town of New Lebanon, 
Columbia Co., N. Y., in 1809 ; he removed to Greene Co., where he was married to IMary Jane Raymond, 
born in Athens, Greene Co., N. Y. They came to Walworth Co. in 1845 ; Mr. H. purchased the same 
year his present farm of Simeon Standish, where he has since lived. Mr. and Mrs. H. have four chil- 
dren — Temperance, nciw Mrs. J. M. Fish; Raymond J., Helen M., and Milton Jay; the oldest was 
born in the State of New York and the others in the town of Geneva. Mr. Hand's farm contains 100 
acres. 

EDMOND S. HARVEY, farmer. Sec. 18 ; P. 0. Elkhorn ; born in the town of Wellington, Tol- 
land Co., Conn.; his parents died when he was a child ; he came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1840, and 
purcha.sed of the Government his present farm, where he has since lived. Mrs. H. was formerly Electa 
A. Pierce, daughter of Jonathan and Electa Pierce; she was born in Homer, Cortland Co., N. Y., in 
1827 ; she came to Kenosha Co. with her parents, in June, 1836 ; her parents lived in Kenosha Co. till 
their death ; they had thirteen children ; Mr. and Mrs. H. have had five children, three of whom are 
living — Ella, Allie T. and Carrie ; two daughters died in childhood. Mr. H. had two children by a 
former marriage — Mary Jane Dunbar and a son, Charles J., who was killed by falling down a mining 
shaft in Nevada. Mr. H. made a trip to California in 1852, and returned in 1859; Mrs. H.'s 
father came to what is now Kenosha Co. in 1835, made a location and brought on his family the following 
year. 

JOHN HASKINS, proprietor of John Haskins .^lanufacturing Company, Geneva. He was born 
in the town of Washington, Berkshire Co., Mass., in 1811, where he was brought up ; he removed to 
Ontario Co., N. Y., in 1837, where he lived five years. In the spring of 1842, he, with his brother, 
James Haskins, came to Geneva and together purchased this water-power ; his brother remained here 
until 1876, when he removed to St. Charles, III.; they began improving the water-power immediately 
Jifter purchasing it ; they built a saw-mill in the summer of 1843, which they began operating about the 
1st of January; the mill is still standing, and was operated until 1875. The brothers also built a linseed 
oil factory which they operated several years. Mr. J. Haskins is sole proprietor; an account of present 
business will be found elsewhere. He lost his wife October, 1876 ; he has two children — Mary 0. and 
Herbert E.; lost two children. 

JAMES EDMUND HEG was born Sept. 22, 1852, in the town of Norway, Racine Co., Wis. 
His father, Hans C. Heg, immigrated from Norway, Europe, at an early day, being one of the first settlers 



HISTORY OF WAIAVORTH COUNTY. 905p 

of Racine County. In 1849, he wont (o California, where ho remained two years, when ho returned t» 
Wisconsin, locating on the old homestead. In 1859, he was elected State's Prison Comnii.'sioner, and he 
was re-elected in 18G1, but resiuned to accejit the j)osition of Colonel of the 15fh W. V. I., which is 
noted as being the only Scandinavian regiment in the war. He was promoted General by brevet, and 
was in charge of a brigade at Cliickamauga, under Thomas, where he was killed Sept. 19, 18G3. His 
body was recovered, and buried in the family grounds on the homestead. James E. Hog was gradu- 
ated at Beloit in 1874, and is now the editor and proprietor of the Lake Geneva Ihrald and the Lake 
Geneva Gisco. He has done much to advance tlie interests of Geneva as a resort, being very confident 
of its future. He was appointed, by Secretary of State, Warner, to compile the Wi.soonsin Blue Book 
for 1881, and again appointed for the same work in 1882, the latter book being the most perfect of its 
kind ever issued by the State. 

JASOX A. HERRICK, farmer, Sec. 12; P.O.Geneva; s.m of Jacob Herrick, who was born 
in Chenango Co., N. Y., in 1790, and afterward removed to Yates Co.; married Roxy Bradley, born in 
Chenango Co., in 1797 ; the latter died in the State of New York. Mr. Herrick, Sr., came to Walworth 
Co. in 1841 ; he afterward married Mrs. Sarah (Corwin) Rouse; ho died in 18.59. The parents of Mr. 
Herrick had eleven children, nine of whom grew to maturity, four sons and five daughters; two sons and 
and four daughters are still living. Jason A. Herrick was born in Yates Co., in 1820 ; married Evaline 
Stevens; they have three children — Eda, Ernest and Eugene. Mr. Herrick resides on the homestead 
where his father settled in 1841 ; a part of which the latter bought of the (jovernment. 

S. B. HOWE, farmer, Sec. 19 ; P. O. Elkhorn ; he was born in Livingston Co.. N. Y.; removed 
to Perry, Wyoming Co., where he lived until his 18th year ; he came to Delavan, Walworth Co., on Nov. 
16, 1843 ; he was a resident of the town of Delavan till about 185.5. when ho purcha.sed his present farm 
of John Hutton ; the farm was first entered and first owned by Stephen Barnes; he has 125 acres. The 
parents, J. C. Howe and Phebe, came to Walworth Co. in 1844, and settled on a farm in the town of 
Delavan, where they resided until their death. The parents of Mr. Howe had six children, five of whom 
are living ; Samuel B. is the only member of his father's family living in Walworth Co. He was married to 
Eveline .Spencer, a daughter of Hiram Spencer. They have two children — Alice and William. 

REV. RICHARD KERFOOT, pastor of the Church of the Holy Communioa (Episcopal), 
Geneva. Mr. Kerfoot was born in Dayton, Ohio, in 1838; graduated at St. James' (College, near Hagers- 
town, Md., where he alsj received his theological education ; he was engaged as tutor in the college 
for several years afier his graduation; he was ordained in 18(50. In 1801, he was appointed Chaplain of 
the 3d N. Y. V. I., stationed at Fort McHenry, and Fortress Monroe ; after the war, he was pastor of a 
church in Cincinnati about five years, and went thence to Evansville, Ind.. for about the same length ot 
time ; he has been pastor in Geneva since 1876. Mrs. Kerfoot is a native of Indiana. They have two 
daughters, born at Evansville. A history of the church and a sketch of the beautiful church edifice, over 
which Mr. Kerfoot presides, will be found elsewhere in this history. 

DANIEL LOCKE, gunsmith, Geneva; ho was born in Cheshire Co., N. H., September, 1820; 
his parents were James and Lydia Locke, with whom ho moved to Tioga Co., Penn.; his father died in 
1875; his mother still lives in Tioga Co., in her 89th year. The parents of Mr. Locke had twelve chil- 
dren, six sons and six daughters, two sons and five daughters are still living, all of whom are residents of 
Pennsylvania, except Daniel. Jlr. Locke learned the trade of gunsmith of his father; he came to Gen- 
eva June 11, 1843 ; he has worked at gunsmithing since he first came here, and is the only one that has 
pursued that occupation in Geneva. Ho was married in Otsego Co., N. Y., to Clarissa Wright, a native 
of that county ; she died in the town of Lyons in this ^county, where Mr. Locke lived for three years. 
His present wife was Miss Elizabeth Booth, born in Yorkshire, England; her parents emigrated to the 
State of Rhode Island when she was a child. Mr. Locke had six children by his first wile, three of whom 
are living ; Mrs. Julia ^L Brady resides in San Francisco; Clara W. and Florence J. Eva L. died at 
home, Oct. 11, 1881, in her lOtli year. Mr. Locke lost two sons, both of whom died quite young. 

A. E. LYTLE, dealer in patent rights, and associated with George P. Conant, inventor, firm Lytle 
& Conant, Geneva ; Mr. Lytle was born in St. Lawrence Co , N. Y., in 1842 ; he enlisted October, 1861, 
in the 60th N. Y. V. I., and served till June, 1865; came to Elkhorn the following July, and to Geneva 
in 1868 ; he was in the employment of N. K. Fairbanks for some time, in the fish business, and has more 
recently been connected witli the patent rights business; he also has charge of Ford's O[iora Hall. 

JOHN A. MACDONALD, homn;opathic physician and surgeon, Geneva. Dr. Macdonald was born in 
Argyleshire, Scotland, in 18 J6; ho graduated at the Medical College at Edinburgh, and came to the 
United States in 1862. His fath r died when he was about 10 years of age ; his mother, with her family. 



&06ci HISTORY OF AVALWORTII COUNTY. 

came to this country at the time her son came, and is now living in Canada. Soon after his arrival in this 
country, the Doctor entered the Medical Department of the University of Michigan ; on the completion of 
his course at that institution, he entered the army as Assistant Surgeon ; in this capacity he served for a 
time, and was then appointed Paymaster in the service, and was stationed at San Antonio, Tes. In 1808, 
he located as physician at Douglass Corners, Walworth Co., where he was engaged in practice about seven 
years. Dr. J. S. Maxon was a student of Dr. Macdonald's while at that place. In 1876, he went to 
^Cleveland, and took a course in the Homoeopathic College of that city ; he also practiced two and a half 
years in the Huron Street Hospital College of Cleveland. The return of a disease contracted while in the 
army, induced him to return to Walworth Co., and locate in the healthful village of Geneva. The Doctor 
is a thoroughly educated physician, and is having an excellent practice. His wife was Miss Ella Mac- 
donald, also of Scotch descent, but a native of this country. 

H. S. MANNING, farmer, Sec. 2 ; P. 0. Springfield ; son of Charles W. Manning, who was born 
in Connecticut July 2(5, 1796; he removed to Clieuango Co., N. Y., with his parents; he married Abiah 
Sutton, and came to Wisconsin with his family, except his two oldest children, who moved to the State of 
Massachusetts, in June, 1847, and settled on the farm where his son now resides, and wbc re be lived until his 
death, which occurred Jan. 31, 1878 ; his wife now lives with a daughter in Massachusetts. The parents 
of Mr. JIanning had eight children, six sons and two daughters; two sons and one daughter are living. 
The brother of Mr. Manning (John H.), resided in Massachusetts, also his sister Mrs. Emma Manning, 
wife of A. K. Abbott. Three brothers of Mr. Manning were in the Union Army in the rebellion, viz. : 
Charles B. was a member of the 8th W. V. I., and died at Sulphur Springs, Mo., during the war; Fr^nk 
belonged to the 10th W. V. I., and was killed at the battle of Perryville, Ky. ; another brother was con- 
nected with an Arkansas regiment ; he died at his home at Lake Mills of diseases contracted in the army ; 
another son died at home, December, 1849, also a daughter in the same month and year. H. S. Manning 
was born in the State of New York, July, 1839 ; he now owns the homestead ; he was married to Har- 
riet, daughter of Joseph G. Palmer. They have two children — Emma and Willa. The homestead contains 
285 acres. 

AUSTIN MOODY, contractor and builder, Geneva. Mr. Moody was born in South Hadley, Mass-i 
in 1S37; he first came to Geneva in 1857. In the following ytar he engaged in the drug business, the 
firm being Moody & Smith. After about one years' partnership, Sir. Moody purchased the interest of his 
partner, and conducted the business alone until October, 1861, when he sold out to Mr. George Ferris ; he 
then returned to Massachusetts, and began the business of contracting and building with his father-in-law. 
In 1864, he enlisted in the 61st Mass. V. I., and served until the close of the war in the capacity of 
Hospital Steward. After the clo.se of the war, he went to Indianapolis, Ind., and engaged in the business 
of life insurance; he returned to Geneva in 1867. Since his return, he has been engaged in contracting 
and building. Of the many beautiful and costly dwellings at Geneva, and along the shores of Geneva 
Lake, Mr. Moody has had the contract for, and superintended the construction of the greater part, 
including the buildings of J. S. Runisey, George Dunlap, N. K. Fairbanks, Edmund Burke, etc. ; he 
also built the Episcopal Church of Geneva, a beautiful edifice, built of round or cobble stone, a Gothic 
structure of rare beauty and design. Mrs. Moody was formerly Miss Ellen C. Sherman, a native of 
Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Moody have three children — Irene M., Jennie S. and Henry Spencer. 

GURDON MONTAGUE, Geneva; Mr. Montague is a native of Weathersfield, Conn., where he 
was born in 1819 ; he removed when 11 years of age to the town of Trenton, Oneida Co., N. Y. ; he 
began to learn the trade of millwright when 16 years of age, which has been his principal business through 
life ; he came to Milwaukee in 1845, landing in this city on June 30 of that year ; he came to Walworth 
Co. in the fail of that year ; he soon after, with his brother Richard, built a saw-mil! at the head of 
Geneva Lake, where the saw and feed mill of C. L. Douglass now stands ; he also built a saw-mill in the 
town of Richmond for Isaac Ferris; he came to Geneva in the fall of 1846, and has resided here since, 
except a year's residence in Delavan ; he built the grist-mill of R. W. Warren, and has done much of 
the millwrighting in this and surrounding counties. Mrs. Montague was formerly Miss Maria Post, who 
came to \Visconsin from St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., in 1847. They have two daughters — Eva M., wife of 
O. B. Myers, of Cailon City, Colo., and Louisa 0., wife of S. M. Butler, of Englewood, 111. 

JAMES B. NETHERCUT, book-keeper for John Haskius Manufacturing Company ; he was born 
in Geneva in 1856. His father is George S. Nethercut, one of the earliest settlers of Geneva. He 
received a commercial education at the Spencerian Commerial College, Milwaukee ; he has occupied his 
present position since 1878. 



HISTOIJY OF WAJ.WORTH COUNTY. 907r 

CHARLES A. NOYES, Postmaster, Geneva; son of Charles A. Noyes, Sr., who was born in West- 
ern New York, Sept. 12, 1812 ; when about IS years of age, Mr. Noyes, Sr., went to Buffalo, and en- 
gaged in clerkin;;- for Pratt, Taylor \' Co., .shipping merchants of that city. He went to Chicago early in 
the spring of 1 8:!() ; then to .Milwaukee, where he met and formed the aci|uaintance of Mr. .Juno, the 
pioneer settler of that city, lie iiad been in .Milwaukee but a short time, when hearing of Geneva Lake, 
and the advantages offered by the water privilege here, he resolved to come hither, which he did the 
same spring. .Mr. Noyes became identified with the very earliest history of Geneva, an account of which 
will be found elsewhere. In ISoT, he went to Richmond, 111., and made a claim which included the 
water privilege of that town. He remained there about one year, when he sold his claim ; he then removed 
to Hebron, where he lived one year. Was also connected with the early settlement of Salem, Genoa and 
other points. He crossed the plains to California, in 18.50; returned, via the Isthmus, in 18.53, and lo- 
cated at Genoa, where he purchased an interest in the mills of that place. He went to Minnesota in 1857, 
and returned to the Pacific Coast in 1858 ; came back in 1872. He died Nov. 2(5, 1881. His wife died 
at Genoa in 1856. The parents of Mr. Noyes, Jr., had five children, three of whom are living, viz., Mary E. 
Rowe , Charles A. and Martha I. Fuller. Charles C. was born in Randall, Kenosha Co., in 1841 ; he 
enlisted at Genoa, in 1861, in the Sth W. V. I., Co. K. He participated in all the battles in 
which his regiaaent was engaged, up to the advance on Corinth, Miss., where he was severely wounded 
in the knee, which incapacitated him for further service; he has been a great sufferer from the effect of 
this wound, and only an iron constitution and a determined will have been suflReient to support him. Mr. 
Noyes has much improved during the past few years. After he had sufficiently recovered from his 
wound he was appointed Postmaster at Genoa , a position he held for several years, and also held 
some local offices in that village. He was afterward elected Register of Deeds, serving from 1869 till 
1875, a period of six years; he afterward located on a farm for a time. In 1877, he accepted an appoint- 
ment to a clerkship at Washington ; but resigned his clerkship to accept the office of Postmaster at Gen- 
eva in 1878. Mr. Noyes married Jennie Lind Umphrey, a daughter of B. B. Umphrey ; Mrs. Noye» 
died Jan. 19, 1882. Mr. Noyes has one daughter — Gertie. 

CY'RIL L, OATMAN, Geneva ; he was born in Ru'land Co., Vt., in 1815, where he lived until 20 
years of age. In the fall of 1835. he went to St. Louis, Mo., thence to Illinois. In the spring of 
1S37, he purchased a farm in Putnam, near Henry Co., on the Illinois River ; in that State he wa^ vari- 
ously engaged till the fall of 1838, when he came to Walworth Co. In the following February he invest- 
ed in real estate, purchasing several hundred acres of land from the Government. He returned to Ver- 
mont in 1839, but his home has been in Walworth Co. since 1838. He engaged in the mercantile 
business in 1843 ; sold goods in East Troy forfive orsisyears ; he has been Justice of the Peace for twenty-five 
years, and was Under Sheriff for a number of years. He is a Democrat in politics, and a single man. 

CHARLES FALMERTIER, lumber dealer ; is one of the prominent business men of Geneva, and 
is the present State Senator from this district. He was born in Greene Co., N. Y., in 1834 ; his parents, 
Lawrence and Mary Palmetier, were natives of Dutchess Co., N. Y. ; thef^imily came to Walworth Co. in 
1847, and settled in the town of Bloomfield on a f^irm originally settled by George Edwards, and known 
as the Edwards farm. The parents of Mr. Palmertire moved to Lake Co., 111., in 1864, and thence to 
Winthrop, Iowa, where they now reside. Mr. Palmertire served during the war of the rebellion, in the 8th 
Wisconsin, the famous Eagle Regiment. He enlisted as a private in 1861 ; was promoted to 4th Ser- 
geant of Co. K; was promoted to Second Lieutenant, Oct. 10, 1862, and First Lieutenant, May 5, 1865. 
He was at the front for the first three years of his service, participating in all the campaigns and battles in 
which the famous 8th was engaged. His war record is one of which he may justly be proud ; during the 
last year of the war, he was on detached duty ; he was a part of this time in command of Camp Utlcy, at 
Racine, and was for a time Acting Quartermaster, at Camp Washburn, Milwaukee. After the war, he 
settled at Geneva Lake, and engaged in the business of carpentering with S. C. Sanford ; was for a time in> 
the furniture business, and afterward for a time engaged in the mercantile trade ; in July, 1871, he en- 
gaged in the lumber business as .successor to Gilbert & Barber. Politically, Mr. Palmertire has been iden- 
tified with the Rci)ublican party since its organization ; and he was a delegate to the Republican National 
Convention, that nominated James A. Garfield for the Presidency ; and was elected to tlie State Senate in 
1881. 

EDWARD PENTLAND, farmer. Sec. 18 ; P. O. Elkhorn. Mr. Pentland is a native of the "Emerald 
Isle." He was burn in County Down, near Belfast, Sept. 20, LSI8, where he lived till the Spring of 
1 843, when, with his father's family, he emigrated to the United States; they arrived in the town of 
Geneva in July of that year; his father settled near where his son now lives, and died in 1845 ; his 
wife died in 1849. The parents of Mr. Pentland bad four children ; three sons and one daughter ; Edward is 



•9088 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

the only one living in Walworth Co. For several years after comino; to Walworth Co., Mr. Edward 
■Pentland was engaged in various pursuits. He worked for some time in the lead mines at Galena ; he 
was also, for several years, engaged in lumbering on the Wisconsin and Chippewa Rivers ; he also made 
two trips, overland, to California ; the first time in 1849, returning in 1852 ; he again made the trip in 
1853, and was absent about two years. He was married in 1852, after his first return from California, to 
Mary S. Brewster, daughter of Deodat and Lois Brewster (see sketch of Laura Palmer Brewster). They 
have three children— Franklin, who lives in Nevada; Henry, in Kansas, and Charles at home. The parents of 
Mrs. Brewster came to Geneva, in 1838 ; she was among the earliest teachers of Walworth Co.; she taught 
the first school taught by a female in the village of Geneva. Mr. Pentland has seen much of the world, and 
has improved his opportunities for obtaining information, and is numbered among the most intelligent citizens 
of the town in which he lives. In religion, he is a Protestant, and in politics, a Republican. 

CYRUS K. PHELPS, farmer and stock-raiser, See. 1 ; P. 0. Springfield ; he is one of the promi- 
nent farmers and stock-raisers of Walworth Co. ; he resides in the northeast part of Geneva, on Sec. 1, 
where he has a fine location, a beautiful farm of 200 acres. He was born in the town of Darien. Genesee 
"Co., N. Y., in 1818, but was brousht up in the town of Alexander, in that county. His parents were 
Daniel and Betsy King Phelps ; his father died, April 26, 1868; his mother died Jan. 3, 1864. They 
came to the town of Geneva in 1842, and settled on Sec. 1 ; they died on the homestead of their son, 
Cyrus K. The parents of Mr. Phelps had five children, of whom Cyrus K. was the only son; the daugh- 
ters are Parmelia, wife of Samuel P. Jenks ; Sally, wife of Eli Webber ; Lavina, wife of George Wickwire, 
and Adelia, wife of David Williams. Mr. Phelps is the youngest but one, of his father's family ; he came 
to Geneva in the spring of 1840, and entered his present farm ; he was married to Adeline Williams, born 
in the town of Darien, Genesee Co. She died in the fall of 1879. Mr. Phelps has four children, three 
sons and one daughter, all of whom were born on the homestead ; Asa W., Jennie J., Jerome D. and 
Arthur H. Mr. Phelps makes a specialty of merino sheep ; he has a flock of 300, as fine as are to be 
found in the county, he also has several fine specimens of the Durham breed of cattle. 

ERASMUS D. PHILLIPS, retired, Geneva ; born in the town of Savoy, Berkshire Co., Mass., May 
31. 1809; when 3 years of age, his father moved to Adams, where he was brought up ; married Catha- 
rine Browning of the same county. Mr. Phillips was a student of Williams College during the freshman 
years ; he studied law in the oflice of George N. Briggs, Esq., of Berkshire Co. ; afterward removed to 
Bufialo, N. Y., and was for a time a law student in the ofiice of Erastus Root in that city ; he came to 
Milwaukee in the spring of 1836, and was soon after admitted to the bar ; while in Milwaukee he engaged 
in speculating, buying and selling of land claims; in 1856, he came to Geneva and purchased 21 acres of 
land within the corporation of the village, on which he has since lived. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips have two 
children — Darwin E., born near Milwaukee in 1850 ; he is now engaged in manufiieturing at Blue Rapids, 
Kan. ; and Alice G., wife of S. C. Ford. Mr. Phillips was one of the Board of Supervisors of the town of 
Oak Creek, near Milwaukee, and was Postmaster there twenty-one years, beginning with the administration 
of President Van Buren. 

THOMAS H. PRICE, florist, Geneva. Mr. Price was born in Wales in 1835 ; he came to the United 
-States in 1857 ; resided in Cleveland, Ohio, one year, where he was engaged in the business of a florist ; 
he then went to Rock Island, 111., where he was in the employment of Gen. N. B. Buford for about 
two years. On the breaking-out of the war, he enlisted at Omaha for three years in the 1st Neb. V. I ; at 
the battle (if Fort Donelson he was severely wounded in the forehead; he also participated in the battle 
of Shiloh, and was severely wounded in the right leg at the battle of Girardeau. After several months' con- 
finement in the hospital, he went before a Military E.xamining Board and passed a successful examination; 
was made a First Lieutenant and transferred to the 4th Neb. U. S. C. T.; his regiment was placed in Gen. 
Butler's command and participated in many important engagements ; he took part in the capture of Fort 
Fisher, where for gallant and effective service he was made Captain ; after the close of the war, he was 
assigned to duty in the defense north of the Potomac, and was placed in command of Fort Lincoln ; he 
left the service in May. 1866. Mr. Price was a gallant and meritorious soldier, and served faithfully and 
well his adopted country in her time of peril. Since the war he has been a great sufi'ererfrom his wounded 
leg, and has been obliged to submit to a painful operation, which has partially restored the use of his limb. 
After the close of the war, Mr. Price returned to Wales, and was married to Miss Jane Evans ; he is a fine 
florist and has devoted the greater part of his life to the culture of plants and flowers. His green house 
gives evidence of his taste and skill in that direction. 

GEORGP] W. RANSFORD, proprietor of the St. Denis House, Geneva; he is a native of the town 
-•of Chatham, Columbia Co., N. Y., where he was bom in 1828; after leaving school, he was engaged as 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 909t 

clerk in a dry goods store for a timo, and was afterward engaged in the drug business for several years ; he 
came to Geneva in the fall of lS(i',), has been engaged in the hotel business since that time ; he was pro- 
prietor of the Lake House for about three years, and leased the St. Denis Hotel in 1874; his wife was 
Miss Lydia Head, bora in the town of Kinderhook, Columbia Co., N. Y. 

B. O. REYNOLDS, M. D., Geneva; he was born in Cayuga Co., N. ¥., in 1824. When 13 years of 
age he moved to Marion, Co., Ohio, then to Marseilles, Wyandot Co., in the same State. The Doctor's 
early advantages were not of a superior character, and his success, and the position which he has attained 
in life, are due to his indomitable energy ; he began the study of medicine at the age of 17 ; he graduated 
at the Rush Medical College, Chicago, in 1851, and about ten years later at the Opthalmic College of 
New York City ; he began the practice of medicine at Huntsville, Ohio, and came to Racine Co., Wis., in 
1848 ; in 1854, located at Elkhorn, Walworth Co. ; in December, 1861, he was commissioned Surgeon of 
the Hd W. V. C., and served with distinction in that capacity until February, 1805. The estimate placed 
upon his ability as a Surgeon while in the army, may be illustrated by the following quotation from the 
order of Brig. Gen. J. R. West, Chief of Cavalry Division, and signed by Joseph B. Lynch, Surgeon in 
Chief of Cavalry Division: "The Operating Staff will consist of Surgeon B. O. Reynolds, 3d W. V. C. ; 
Surgeon W. W. Bailey of 1st Mo. V. C.,and no operation shall be performed without their sanction and direc- 
tion, and in all doubtful cases the Board of Operating Surgeons, and Surgeons in Charge, will consult 
together and a majority shall decide upon the expediency and character of the operation." Dr. Reynolds 
settled in Geneva in 186(3, where he soon acquired an extensive and lucrative practice ; he has always 
taken a prominent part in all public enterprises, whose tendency was to promote the best interests of 
Geneva; has been Mayor of the village since 1874. Politically, the Doctorhas been a Republican since 
the establishment of that party, which he helped to organize ; he represented the Second Assembly Dis- 
trict one term, being elected in 1875, and in 1877 was elected to the State Senate; his wife was Miss 
Mary Smith, born in Trumbull Co., Ohio. They have two sons, both of whom have received medical edu- 
cations ; J C, the oldest, is a graduate of Rush Medical College, Chicago; he also took a medical course at 
Bellevue Medical College, New Y^ork City, and is engaged in practice with his father. Their younger son, 
Willis S., graduated at the Chicago Medical College ; is located at Mitchell, D. T. 

E. D. RICHARDSON, the oldest bankerin Walworth Co., and one of the oldest in the interior of the 
State; was born in Burlington, Otsego Co., N. Y., Nov. 26, 1810; he was bred a farmer, and had the 
common school advantages of the time and place where he was born ; he acquired a thorough primary ed- 
ucation early, and taught successfully in his native county several years before attaining to the age of 21 
years. At that time he accepted an urgent invitation from the citizens of Cooperstown, N. Y., to take 
charge of the school in the village. With a single assistant. Miss Betsy Williams Spafard, who after- 
ward became his wife, he conducted the school for three years, when his health failed, and he was obliged 
to give up the arduous responsibilities of the position. For a time he traveled in the then new Western 
country to recuperate his health, and then returned to Cooperstown, where he followed the occupation 
of book-keeper for several years. In 1842, having lost his wife, became West, and first settled on a farm 
of IGO acres, on Section 31, in what is now the town of Lyons. It was adjacent to the village of Geneva, 
and in 1844, five acres, on which was his homestead, was annexed by special act of the Legislature to the 
village of Geneva. Thus, though identified with the village since his settlement in 1842, he did not 
become a resident of the town until 1844. He kept possession of his farm for many years — perhaps until 
1854. He soon after his settlement became a clerk in Spafard's store, and was elected a Justice of the 
Peace. He held this office for thirteen years, and became thereby the fiduciary agent of many of the resi- 
dents and non resident property holders of the county. In 1848, he began banking in Geneva, establish- 
ing the bank of treneva. It was the first interior bank established in Southern Wisconsin. Ho has been 
its sole proprietor for thirty-four years, and through all the vicissitudes of the time has never failed to meet 
every obligation on demand. His career as a banker is found in the sketch of his bank elsewhere in this 
history. He hasbeen honored by nearly every office of trust within the gift of his town.'-men. He was Town 
Clerk in 1845-46-50; Presidentof Village Board of Trustees in 1856, 1870, 1877, and held many other offi- 
ces of trust. He was Chairman of the County Board of Supervisors in 1870. Mention is made of these offices 
only to show the general confidence reposed in him through the long lapse of years during which he has 
been a citizen of Geneva. Mr. Riehard.son married Miss Betsy W. Spafard, in Cooperstown, N. Y., Oct. 
23, 1834; they had one child — Elizabeth, wife of Mr. C. E. Buell, now cashier of the Bank of Geneva. 
Mrs. Richardson- died Aug. 30, 1841, at Cooperstown. Feb. 1(J, 1843, Mr. Richardson married Miss 
Alma O. Spafard. 



910u HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

WILLIAM ROSS, farmer, Sec. 22 ; P. 0. Geneva; was born in Rahway, N. J., in 1812; his father 
was Morris Ross, born in New Jersey, but removed to Yates Co., N. Y., with his family in 1823, and to 
Walworth Co. in November, 1838, settled on See. 15, in the town of Genjva, purchasing his farm of the 
Government; he resided on Sec. 15 a number of years, and then removed to the village of Geneva, and 
thence to Columbia Co., where he died. He had nine children, of whom three sons and three daughters 
are still living. William Ross was married in the State of New York, to P.illy M., daughter of Jacob 
Herrick ; he came to Geneva at the time his father came, in 1838, and settled on the farm where he now 
lives. Mr. and Mrs. Ross have had seven children, three sons and four daughters ; tiro sons and one 
daughter are living; Moses, who resides in Minnesota; Washington, in the town of Geneva, and Eliza, 
living at home. The deceased children are Adeline, who died at the age of 22 years ; Martin F., a 
member of the 22d W. V. I., died at Danville Ky.; Marinda, died in 1863 ; Ella, wife of A. 
L. Gilbert, died in 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Ross are msmbers of the Baptist Church of Geneva; they are 
the only constituent members of that church now remaining. 

GEORGE ROSS, farmer. Sec. 10 ; P.O. Springfield; Mr. Rossis thj son of Morris Ross (see 
sketch of William Ross). He was born in the town of Jerusalem, Yates Co., N. Y., in 1825 ; he came 
to Walworth Co. with his parents in 1838 ; he has lived in the town of Geneva since he firs', came to the 
county, and until 1877, at the homestead. In that year hs purchased his present farm of Mr. 0. P. 
Standish. Mrs. Ross was formerly Miss Clarinda Gray, daughter of Elihu Gray. Mr. and Mrs. Ross 
have four children — Libbie, Cora, Bion and Maud. Mr. Ross has 192 acres of land. 

MICHAEL ROUSE, farmer. Sec. 14; P. 0. Springfield; he was the son of Nehemiah and Maria 
Rouse ; his father was a native of New York ; his mother of Pennsylvania ; they came to Walworth Co. 
with their family, in November, 1840, and settled on Sec. 14, on the farm on which their son William now 
lives. Mr. Rouse purchased his farm of Mr. B. Stork ; he died at the homestead in June, 1874 ; his 
wife died Jan. 5, 1875. The parents of Michael Rouse had nine children, who grew to maturity — -five 
sons and four daughters — all of whom are living but one daughter. The names of the surviving children 
are as follows: Michael, Anthony, Hannah M. (now Mrs. E. B. Farnuml, George, Lydia A., William, 
Amanda (now Mrs. William Wamsley), and J. Dewey. Michael was born in the town of Jerusalem, 
Yates Co. N. Y., June 6, 1827, married Pamelia S. Wright, daughter of Daniel Wright, who was born in 
Otsego Co., N. Y. They have one son, John W., born February, 1860. Mr. Rou.se bought his farm of 
Henry Jackson ; it was originally settled by William Slork. 

WILLIAM H. SEYMOUR, of the firm of Seymour Brothers, proprietors of City Meat Market, 
Geneva ; son of Robert and Harriet (Jaques) Seymour. The parents of Mr. Seymour were born in 
Rhinebeck, Dutchess Co., N. Y. They came to Walworth Co. in the spring of 1854, and settled 
on the farm originally settled by Sherman S. Rockwood. Mr. Robert Seymour was born July 14, 
1814, and died'"Feb. 20,1879; his wife was born Oct. 29, 1812, and died Oct. 19, 1878. They 
have six children, three sons and three daughters, all of whom are living. William H. was born in Dutch- 
ess Co., N. Y., in 1838 ; became to Walworth Co. with his parents ; he came to Geneva Lake and engaged 
in his present business in 1867 ; he married Miss Helen Garfield, daughter of William Garfield. Mrs. 
Seymour was born in Elkhorn, in July, 1845; they have two children, Frank and Julia. A. T. Sey- 
mour is associated with his brother in business; was born in Dutchess Co. in 1836 ; he enlisted in 1862 in 
the 28th W. V. I., was a Lieutenant of Co. I of that regiment ; during a part of his term of service, was 
Aid-de-Camp to Gen. Slack ; he served till the close of the war, after which he located at Pine Bluff, 
Arkansas ; he ran a plantation for a time ; he also held the offices of Postmaster and express agent for 
several years. Previous to the war, Mr. Seymour had spent some time in California; he has recently re- 
turned from Arkansas. His wife was Miss Margaret Wornaok, born in Tennessee. 

JAMES SIMMONS is the son of John Simmons, a lawyer, a graduate of Rhode Island College in 
1797. His father emigrated from Connecticut to Vermont in 1799. The subject of this sketch was 
born at Middlebury, Vt., June 11, 1821. He graduated with honor, from Middlebury College, in July, 
1841, and commenced the study of law in the ofiice of Hon. Horatio Seymour, of Middlebury, Vt., an 
uncle of ex-Gov. Sevmour, of New York. In 1843, he came West, and first settled in Geneva. There 
he completed his legal studies in the office of the late C. M. Baker, and was admitted to practice at the 
Walworth Co. bar, in October, 1843 ; he opened an office at Geneva, and practiced his profession for 
two years, at which time failing health obliged him to temporarily change his avocation ; he accordingly 
entered a store. In the burning of the building (Ferguson's), in December, 1845, he barely escaped 
with his life. The following summer, with health still frail, he returned to Vermont, and was employed 
in the office of a Railroad Engineer, on the survey of the Rutland & Burlington R. R., for something 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 911v 

over a year. In the fall of 1848, with his health somewhat recuperated, he returned to Wisconsin, 
spending the winter of that year in Madison, as clerk in the office of '' The Revisers of the Statutes." 
In 1849, he returned to Geneva, and for something more than a year again practiced his profession. In 
June, 1850, he, in company with C. iM. (loodsell, removed to Greenwood, McHenry Co., III., and engaged 
in merchandising for .six years ; in 1856, he returned to Geneva, with the intention of embarking in the 
grain business, but delays in the preliminaries resulted in reviving his interest while at leisure, and in his 
decision to again take up the profession of law, which he adopted permanently that year. He was, for 
several years subsequent, the partner of Hon. John Wentworth, the pre.seat Circuit Judge of the First 
Judicial District. In 18GU, he was elected Clerk of the Circuit Court, and, by re-elections, held the 
office for ten years. He has also been honored by election to many other offices of trust and honor by 
his fellow-citizens, among whom his unostentatious but conscientious life-work has been done. To the 
public he is best known by his literary work, which has for many years absorbed his time and efforts. In 
18<)8, he published his first Wisconsin Digest; subsequently, he published two volumes Wisconsin 
Digest ; also two volumes New York Digest, in continuation of Wait's New i'ork Digest ; also a Digest 
of English Reports ; one volume Wisconsin Reports, and various contributions to Wait's " Actions and 
Defenses." Still another voluu.e of the New York Digest is now (1882) nearly ready for the press. 
He has also, in the leisure snatched from his arduous professional work, published the local chronicles of 
the region where he lives, in a style rarely excelled by those whose energies and thoughts are undisturbed 
by more pressing and weighty work. His history of Geneva is known and appreciated by all who have 
a local interest in the story he has so sim]ily told, and admired by others lor the purity of its narrative. 
To his neighbors he is known as an upright citizen, and the true friend; to the American public, as a 
careful and learned member of the legal profession. Mr. Simmons married Miss Catherine McCotter, of 
Lyons (then Hudson), Wis., November 12, 1848. They have three children living — John B., a lawyer 
in Geneva, Wis.; James, a student in Beloit College, and Mary E., his youngest, who resides at home. 
Mr. Simmons now resides at Geneva, Wis., which has been his permanent home since 18'7L 

TIMOTHY C. SMITH, hardware merchant, firm of T. C. Smith & Co., Geneva. Mr. Smith 
was born in Cortland Co., N. Y., in December, 1817, where he was brought up. He came to Milwaukee 
from Orleans Co., in 1842, and engaged as clerk in the dry goods house of N. S. Donaldson ; this business 
was conducted in the first brick store erected in Milwaukee ; he came to Geneva Oct. 4, 1844, and 
engaged in general merchandising under the firm name of Donaldson & Smith ; after sevt n years' partner- 
ship, Mr. Smith conducted the business alone. In 1805, he engaged in the hardware business ; in 1881, 
the present partnership was formed. Mrs. Smith, formerly Miss Helen Bowen, was born iu the State of 
New York. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have one daughter, Mary S. B. 

WM. H. SPENCER, farmer, Sec. 19 ; P. 0. Elkhorn. Son of Hiram S., who was born in Ver- 
mont, 1800, and removed to St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., when a young man ; married Miss Lois Mosely, 
and came to Walworth Co. in the spring of 1845, and purchased the farm of i\Ir. B. Powers, now owned 
by son ; he died at the homestead. Sept. 1, 1878 ; his widow still survives and lives with her son, William 
H.; the parents of Mr. 8. have eight children — three sons and five daughters, all of whom are living, 
viz.: Caroline Mason, Betsey M., Harriman, Wm. H. ; 3Irs. Howe and Mrs. Gates live in the town of 
Geneva; John S. in Chicago; Charles E. in Sacramento, Cal.; the two Mrs. Harriman in Denver, Colo., 
and Mrs. Mason in Davenport, Iowa. The children were all born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. William 
H., who owns and occupies the homestead, was born in 1836 ; married Sarah M., daughter of Isaac 
Harris, born in Livingston Co., N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. S. have four children — Minnie I., Mary, John C. 
and Etta L.; Mr. S.'s farm contains 200 acres. 

SAMUEL H. STAFFORD, Geneva. Mr. Stafford was born at Saratoga Springs, N. Y., in 1811 ; 
he was brought up to the mercantile business, and was located at Eddytown, Yates Co., N. Y., for a 
number of years. He came to Kenosha, Wis., and engaged in mercantile trade in September, 1843 ; he 
came to Geneva, Sept. 26, 1848; and has been numbered among the prominent business men of the village 
since that time. He was engaged in mercantile business for many years; in 1865, he purdiased the Lake 
House, which he still owns; he has always been actively engaged iii business, and has acquired a compe- 
tence ; he has been for many years engaged in the real estate business ; is the owner of much valuable prop- 
erty in the village, and of several fine farms in different towns in the county ; he is Treasurer of " The Farm- 
ers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company." Mr. Stafford was Deputy United States Marshal of the State of 
Wisconsin for four years, or during the administration of Presidents Taylor and Fillmore ; he has been 
President of the corporation of Geneva ; also Chairman of the Board of Sujiervisors. Mrs. Stafford, 
formerly Miss Eliza E. Gay, is a native of Saratoga Co., N. Y. The parents of Mr. Stafford, Henry and 



912w HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

Polly (Gay) Stafford, resided in i'ates Co. till their death ; his father was born in 1780, and died in ISG-i ; 
his mother was born in 1785 and died in 187G ; the parents of his wife lived in Geneva at the time 
of their death. Jlr. and Mrs. Stafford have two children — Samuel H., born in Kenoslia in 1844, and 
Mary L., wife of G. W. Van Slyck. 

EDWARD STEVENS, Geneva. Mr. Stevens was born in Steuben Co., N. Y., March 1, 1808. He 
removed to Orleans Co. with his parents when a child. He is one of the early settler.s of the town of 
Geneva. He came here in the spring of 1839; he came all the way from Steuben Co., N. Y., with 
team, coming as far as Ohio with sleigh, intending to, make the entire journey by that mode of convey- 
ance, but the snow failing when they reached Ohio, they came the remainder of the journey by wagon. 
The entire journey consumed five weeks ; now the journey would be made in thirty-six hours. Mr. Stevens 
settled on a farm in the town of Geneva, where he lived until 1856, when he removed to the village. Mrs. 
Stevens, formerly Adeline Stevens, was born in the town of Saiigjrfield, Oneida Co., N. Y., in 1808. Mr. 
and Mrs. Stevens have had three children, two of whom are now living — Martin E., born in the town of 
Geneva, in 1839, and Emma, wife of R. W. King ; both children are residents of the town of Boone, 
Boone Co., Neb. Mr. and Mrs. King have three children. 

JARVIS VINCENT, farmer, Sec. 31 ; P. 0. East Delavan ; born in Dutchess Co., N. Y., in 1810 ; 
moved with his parents to Onondaga Co. when he was a child, where he was brought up. He was married 
to Sally A. Waterbury, born in Rensselaer Co., November, 181G. Jlr. Vincent came to Walworth Co., Aug. 
9, 1845, and settled where he now lives; he purchas-d his farm of the Government ; he formerly had 200 
acres of land ; has now 160. Mr. and Mrs. Vincent have five children, one son and four daughters, viz.: 
Eliz^ibeth (now Mrs. Hiram Cornwell), Oscar F., Phebe A. (now Mrs. Alviu B. Calkins), Edna S. (now 
Mrs. Daniel D. Fairchild), and Jennie E. They lost two children, Ida C. Utter, wife of John W. Utter; 
died Jan. 18, 1879, and Marvin E. 

CHARLES J. WALTERS, capitalist, Geneva Mr. Walters is the son of Joel C. Walters, who 
was born in the town of Goshen, Litchfield Co., Conn., in 1810. Mr. Joel C. Walters is now a resident 
of Chicago. Charles J. was born in that city in 1848. He came to Geneva in 1856 with his uncle. Dr. 
Phillip Maxwell, oneof the proprietors of Geneva, in its early history, as will be seen elsewhere. Mr. 
Walters married Miss Elmina Maynard, a daughter of Mr. Norman Maynard. They have one daughter, 
Mary D. 

SETH K. WARREN, artist, Geneva; he is a representative of one of the pioneers of Geneva. 
His father, R. W. Warren, was born in Windsor Co., Vt., Oct. 5, 1798; his father was Thomas Warren. 
R. W. Warren went to Essex Co., N. Y., when a young man, and afterward to Crawford Co., Penn. He 
came to Geneva in the summer of 1836, and was prominently identified with the early history of the town, 
as will appear elsewhere. His wife was Mary Knapp, a native of Cherry Valley, N. Y. They had five 
children, four of whom are living — Seth K., Julia R. (wife of S. Gardner), Robert W. and Mary A. (now 
Mrs. George P. Christensen). The last two mentioned were born in Geneva; Seth K. was born in Essex Co., 
N. Y., in 1823, he being about 13 years of age when he came to Geneva with his fiither, and has a vivid 
recollection of the early days in Geneva. His wife was Elizabeth L. Church, born in Ticonderoga, N. Y., 
in 1829. They have one son — Louis B. Mrs. W.'s mother died in the State of New Y'^ork. Her father 
married again, and came to Walworth Co. with his family in 1844, Mr. S. K. W. is an artist by occu- 
pation ; he began the business of the photographer in the early days of that science. He is now engaged 
principally in portrait painting. 

ANDREW J. WEATHERWAX, merchant tailor, Geneva ; he is the oldest merchant tailor of 
Geneva, having established his business here in 1849. He was born in Orleans Co., N. Y., in 1817, 
where he was brought up, and served an apprenticeship to the tailor trade. He came to Walworth Co. 
and settled at Darien in the spring of 1845, where he resided four years; his wife was Miss Irene Pres- 
ton. They have three children — Marian, Charles and Eda. 

JONATHAN WHEELER, Geneva. Mr. Wheeler is engaged in farming and dairying, having a 
farm of 60 acres, lying within and adjoining the corporation. He was born in Otsego Co., N. Y., in 1811, 
where he lived till he reached manhood. He afterward lived in Yates and Steuben Cos. for many years. 
Mr. Wheeler learned the trade of a carpenter, when a young man, and followed the business of carpentry, 
for many years. He came to Geneva in 1855, where he has since resided. His wife was formerly Eme- 
line Brown. Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler have six children — Martha, Adelia, Harriet, Sarah, Charles and 
Horace. 

REV. CHAS. A. WILLIAMS, Geneva. He was born in the town of Salem, Washington Co., 
N. Y., in 1814. He received a preparatory course at the Salem Academy, of which his father was Prin- 



HISTORY OF WAI.WOiri'H COl'XTY. 9VSx 

cipal, and graduated at VVilliains CoUefje in 1835. He entered the ministry as home missionary, and was 
connected with home missions for a number of years. In 18(52, he was appointed, by President Lincohi, 
Chaplain of tiie U. S. (Jeneral Hospital at Keokuk, Iowa, which position he oecupied until 1865. After 
the war, he settled as pastor of the Westminster Church .-it Rockford, 111. In 1869, he came to Geneva, 
and established the Geneva Home School for Boys, which he conducted for five and one-half years; but 
failing health compelled him to reluctantly relinquish this enterprise. During the last few years, he hiis 
devoted himself, as closely as his still delicate health would jiermit, to literary pursuits. He is the author 
of " The Age Temptation of American Christians, " and is now engaged on another religious work. 
Mrs. Williams was formerly Mi.ss Susan F. Hawkes, daughter of the Rev. Rosvvell Hawkes. She was 
born in Massachusetts, and is a graduate of Mt. Holyoke Seminary. Her father, a clergyman, aided in 
the organization of that in.stitution, and in raising the funds necessary for its construction. 

IRA WILLIAMS, grocer, Geneva. Mr. Williams is one of the older prominent business men of 
Geneva. He was brought up in the State of Vermont, where he was born in 1817. His father was a 
farmer, to which business Mr. Williams was brought up. He received an academical education, and en- 
gaged in teaching during the winter, for several years. He came to Geneva in the spring of 1852, and 
settled on a farm in the town of IMoomtield. He sold his farm in 186S, and came to Geneva. Has been 
in business since 1870. His wife, formerly Alice Claxton, is a native of the North of Ireland. Mr. 
Williams has three children — Ivan I., Martha Jane, Flack and Frankie ; his two oldest children were 
born in Vermont, the youngest in town of Bloomfield. His scm is of the firm of Williams & Gilbert. 
Mr. Williams was Assessor of Bloomfield ten years, and has been A.ssessor of Geneva every year but one 
since he came here. 

E. WOODMAN, mail and express contractor, (Jeueva. Mr. Woodman was born in Addison, Addi- 
son Co., Vt., Oct. 8, 1812, but was brought up in the town of Jay, Essex Co., N. Y. He went to Kala- 
mazoo, Mich., in May, 1836. In October, 1837, he went to Michigan City, where he was married in 
October, 183'J. He kept hotel near Michigan City, and elsewhere, for many years. Mr. Woodman has had 
the contract for carrying the mail and express between Geneva and Springfield since July, 1855; his contract 
will expireJuly, 188.1, and will then haveincludeda period of twenty-eight years. Few men, in his position in 
life, have so extensive an aciiuaintance as he. Of an active, energetic and accommodating spirit, he is ex- 
tensively and favorably known. His wife, formerly Miss Almira Warner, was a native of Weston, N. Y. ; 
she died Nov. 6, 1880. Mr. Wheeler has no children living, having lost his entire family of five chil- 
dren by those terrible scourges, dyphtheria and scarlet fever. 

REV. N. .M. Zf M.MHjR, pastor of St. Francis Catholic Church, Geneva. Father Zimmer is a native 
of Wisconsin ; was born in the town of Menominee Falls, Waukesha Co., Jan. 10, 1848. He is the 
son of John and Catherine Zimmer, natives of Prussia. He was educated at St. Francis Seminary, near 
Milwaukee, and ordained, in 1870, by Archbishop Henni. His first charge was at Paris, Kenosha Co., 
second at Grafton, Ozaukee Co., third at New Munster, Kenosha Co. He assumed his present charge 
May 28, 1874. He has been pastor of this church a longer time than any other clergyman, since its or- 
ganization. He is not only a priest, acceptable and beloved by his congregation, but is also a genial and 
kind-hearted gentleman, one whom it is a pleasure to meet. 




^ 



t 



IIISTORV OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 889 

SPRING PRAIRIE. 

ORGANIZATION. 

The town of Spring Prairie was defined as .such hy act of the Territorial Legislature, 
January 2, I808. It was one of tlie five original towns of the county, and embraced, 
at tiiat time, two townships, described in the governmental survey, as Towns tiiree in 
ranges seventeen and eigliteen, east, — being tiie present towns of La Fayette and Spring 
Prairie. It was then but little more than the defined boundary of a voting precinct — 
one of five in the county. The place of holding the first election- was designated in the 
organizing act, " to be held at the house of Dr. Hemenway, in Spring Prairie.'' The 
first meeting of which there is any record, where town officers were chosen was held in 
April, 184:^. Town Tiiree, range seventeen east, was set off and incorporated as a sepa- 
rate town, Marcii 21, 1848, under the name of La Fayette, thereby reducing the town 
of Spring Prairie to its present geographical limits. This sketch is mainly restricted to 
the town as existing within its present boundaries. 

Spring Prairie was originally christened b}' Mrs. Dr. Hemenway, on hearing a descrip- 
tion of tiie beautiful and abundant springs, which gushing out from the prairie, unite 
and form a large stream, which received the name of Spring Brook. At the organiza- 
tion of the town in 1838, the name was retained as significant and appropriate. 

TOPOGRAPHY. 

The surface of the country is varied. Rich and level prairies — gently undulating 
openings, and wooded hills are so interspersed as to form a beautiful and diversified 
panorama. The growth of timber is heavier in the northern, than in tlie southern por- 
tions of the town, and consists principally of the various varieties of oak, with a few 
maples, and occasionally a cherry or basswood. 

The principal ranges of hills run easterly with Sugar Creek, and from near the 
center of the town to its southern line. 

Given statistically, about seven thousand acres are level ; 10,000 roUino- ; 6,000 
hilly; and four or five hundred marshy. 

Originally, there were 12,000 acres or more of openings within the limits of the 
town ; about 6,000 acres timbered, principally in the northern part ; the heaviest timber 
being found on Sees. 3, 4, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18. 

There were about 4,000 acres of prairie, located as follows : Spring Prairie in the 
southwestern part, comprising a part of .sections 28, 29, 30, 31 and 32, and a small por- 
tion of section 21, — a total of about 1,600 acras ; Gardner's prairie, in the soutiieastern 
part, comprising section 25, and part of sections 22, 23, 24, 26, 35 and 36, about 2,000 
acres ; also 400 acres in the northeastern corner of the town. 

The soil is rich in all the elements necessary to render it eminently suited to agri- 
cultural pursuits, being a deep vegetable mould, sligiitly mixed with sand on the south- 
ern prairies, and burr oak openings, and a whiter soil mixed with clay, well adajjted to 
the raising of wheat and fruits, in the northern white oak o^jcnings. 

Tlie town is watered by Honey Greek, which enters near the northwest corner, 
runs south through sections 1, 12 and 13, at the southeast corner of the latter section 
forming a junction with Sugar Creek, and passing into Racine County; — by Sugar Creek, 
which runs nearly tlirough the centre of the town from west to east ; — by White River 
(^the outlet of Geneva Lake) in the southeast corner; — by Spring Brook, formed from 
seiveral large springs near the center of the western boundary of the town, and runnino- 
easterly until it empties into Sugar Creek on Sec. 13; — by a stream called Indian Run 
which has its source in springs and a small marsh on sections 21, and 22, and runs south 
into the town of Lyons ; and finally by Marsh Creek, which rises on sections 9 and 10, 
runs in an easterly direction, and empties into Honey Creek on Sectiou 12. 

HH 



Sgo HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

There are several limestone ledges. The one most extensively quarried is, on Sec- 
tion 36, in the southeastern part of the town. Large quantities of this stone are used as 
building material for heavy abutments, sluice ways, cellars, etc., and in the neighboring 
villaoe of Burlington, Racine Co., for dwellings and manufactories. A less extensive 
quarry — or one less extensively worked, — is on Section 16, on the farm of Absalom 
Williams. 

There are numerous peat beds in the town — one on Section 27, of 20 or 30 acres. 

A few mineral springs are found, but of no very considerable importance. 

Quite an extensive moraine lies in Section 34, running southeasterly and disappear- 
insr near the south line of the town. 

SPRING PRAIKIE IN 1836. 

Tlie adjoined sketch from the pen of S. A. Dwinnell, gives a vivid idea of the con- 
trast between Spring Prairie as it is in 1881, with scarcely an acre of its 36 square miles, 
" waste land ; " — with its farms like gardens ; — its fine dwellings, its barns and granaries 
bursting with their fragrant loads ; — with its churches, schools and various industries ; 
and Spring Prairie as it was forty-five yeai-s ago, even then beautiful with the native 
loveliness stamped upon it by the hand of God. 

" I found the place to be unsurpassed for beauty and fertility. It was one mile in 
width bv four in length, with a gently undulating surface, surrounded on all sides by 
beautiful groves of timber. Upon one side were several hundred acres of heavy timber, 
consisting of oak, ash, basswood, butternut and maple, in which was a large sugar-bush, 
which had been the annual resort of the Indians for making sugar. Their wigwams, 
sap-trough and boiling kettles had been left — evidently for future use — a pleasure 
which they were never again to enjoy. In the groves surrounding the prairie, were 
springs of the purest water, from which flowed streams in all directions — one of which 
was sufficiently large to turn the machinery of a flouring mill, afterwards erected a short 
distance from its source. * * * * The settlement was composed of six 
families, the first three of whom had arrived there on the first day of June previous. 
Others had come only a few days before. Their wives, children and stock being poorly 
sheltered, suffered much from the severity of the cold during the ensuing winter. Two 

fields one of ten, and the other of twelve acres, had been broken and fenced that season. 

Two other fields — one of ten, and the other of forty acres, constituted the entii'e area 
under cultivation, in what is now Walworth County." 

Mr. Dwinnell first entered Spring Prairie in November 1836, and the three families 
of the little settlement whom he mentions as having " arrived there on the first day of 
June previous" must have been those of David Pratt, — consisting of himself, wife and 
five children; Solomon Harvey, wife and three children; and Dr. Hemenway (who 
however did not arrive until June 6th), wife and one child. These three families all set- 
tled on Section thirty (30). 

Before the arrival of these three families in June, the "virgin soil " of Spring Prairie 
had been broken. Palmer Gardner who arrived on the fifteenth day of April, 1836, had 
already sown the seed of the first harvest. On the second of May, the smiling prairie 
received its first lesson in the wholesome process of cultivation. On the twenty-fifth, 
twenty -five acres were already sown to oats, and a garden planted with corn and potatoes ; 
the first garden planted, and the first grain sown in Spring Prairie. There were also 
in the place Fred. T. Hunt, living with Mr. Gardner ; Isaac Chase, Wm. J. Bentley and 
Joel Smith, who all came May 20, and settled on sections 28 and 29, and Daniel Salis- 
bury, who arrived May 25, and settled on section 29. 

James Nelson, with his wife and two children, who lived with Mr. Gardner for a 
month, from April 30, 1836, to May 30, 1836, had removed to Racine county, and Lemuel 
R. Smitli, who came May 20, and made a claim on section ■J.b, did not live in the town 
until 1841. 



HISTORY OK WALWORTH COUNTY. 891 

Gilmaii H. Hoj't, of Vennont, arrived in July, 18o(), and took up a claim on sectiiui 
1. He spent most of the summer in Ilocliester, and returned to live upon his land in 
October. Reuben Clark came from Michigan, and the two started out together. When 
they arrived at tlie claim they took off the box to their wagon, and slept under it until 
they could erect a hut. This only occupied a few days. The two, being single, kept 
" bachelors' hall," during the winter. Mr. Hoyt returned to Vermont in I808, and mar- 
ried Miss Elizabeth Heath of that State. After living there twelve years he removed to 
Columbia county. 

On September 11, I80T, Mr. Hoyt (the father) and his family, consisting of a wife, 
two daughters and a son (Avery A.), left their pleasant home at the head-waters of the 
Union River, Vermont, bound foi- Spring Prairie, Walworth county. When about five 
days' journey from home, the family was thrown into a fever of excitement and anguisii 
by discovering what appeared to be the loss of the parental pocket-book, containing 
about $oOO, their then combined earthly possessions. Tiie lost was found in a forgotten 
garmc'Jt, and the colony finally reached Buffalo and took passage by boat. When a few 
hours out, the wood-work around tiie old-fashioned boiler took fire ; the beams and 
covering above had to be chopped through ; in tlie meantime the flames spread, and it 
was only by the most strenuous exertions tiuit a probably fatal catastrophe was pre- 
vented. Their journey by ox-team to their destination in Spring Prairie was attended 
by great hardships, a severe snow-storm raging on October :2o, and being particularly 
severe on young Avery, who did much of the driving. Ujjon one occasion l)eiug 
spoken to in regard to his careless driving, the boy did not rei)ly, and the father found 
that he was so nearly frozen that he could not sjieak. The family finally started house- 
keeping with $35 in money, but with a determination to make tlieir new move win. The 
first winter the privations wiiich were suffered were those which few endui'e with such 
spirit, but they came out of the conflict with nature, bravely and successfully. 

A REMINISCENCE. 

The following from Avery A. Hoyt, narrating the experiences of his family, for the 
first few years, gives a verj' good idea of the general hardships endured by the first 
pioneers of this town and other regions : " The next day, October 26, was warm and 
pleasant, with the snow melting fast. About sun-down the family arrived at Honey 
Creek on the west bank of which my oldest brother, Gilman Hoyt, had built a comfort- 
able house without a foot of sawed lumber in it or about it. This house was located on sec- 
tion one (1), in tlie extreme northeast corner of what was afterward the township of Spring 
Prairie. Our arrival at Honey Creek was on the twenty-sixth day of October, 1837. 
My father was greatly delighted with the country, but what the family were to subsist on 
for the next nine months was a question of grave importance. Three barrels of flour and 
about a bushel anil a half of beans, raised by brother Gilman, was about all the visible 
means of support for a family of seven. But little money and very little provisions in 
the country, the prospect was not without some anxiety. After picking over the beans 
several times. Mother Hoyt asked brother Gilman if he did not think the beans that were 
left would not grow. He replied that he ' would not disgrace the prairie by planting 
them in it.' But before beans grew again they were thoroughly washed, and somebody 
had to eat them or go hungry. 

" The spring of 1838 was very early, at least the Vermonters thought so, who had 
been accustomed to late springs. By tiie first of April there was abundant grass in the 
openings, and plenty of cowslips which were of great use to tiie family. Some early 
vegetaliles were planted which grew finely, and among them were some early pumpkins. 
The first one that showed any sign of blushing was utilized by Mrs. Hoyt by preparintT 
them for pies. But here a serious difficulty arose ; the larder, always quite bare, did not 
furnish a drop of grease of any kind to grease the tins. In this emergency she went to 
Reuben Clark's and asked liis wife for some. Maria, always generous, made diligent 



892 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

search, and found a bacon rind, cut so thin that in drying it had rolled up. This she 
unrolled and divided, so the family had some New England pumpkin pies. 

"In the winter of 1838 and '39, some thought we might have a small school at Honey 
Creek. After looking around a short time found a young man by the name of Spencer 
Pitman, who agreed to teach the school for his board. When all the boys and girls of 
suitable age were collected for three miles around they numbered eight, so it was con- 
cluded to go on witli the school. Selah Whitman donated the use of a small room in his 
house and boarded the teacher. The school prospered well for eight days, then the 
teaclier's appetite failed and tlie school closed. The next winter on counting up the 
scholars within a circle of four miles, seventeen scholars were found, a school district 
organized, a school house was stolen, a qualified teacher hired, by the name of Coudry, 
who had a good appetite, and he taught a good school for three months." 

In the summer of 1839 Mr. A. A. Hoyt, then a lad of about fifteen years, worked 
for John Hopkins driving his team to break. Before Mr. Hoyt was seventeen years old 
he had earned enough to enter forty acres of land, which he did in the year 1840, wJiich 
laid the foundation for his fine home, which he now enjoys together with his amiable 
wife. The farm now contains four hundred and fourteen acres, under a fine state of cul- 
tivation, with a fine set of buildings for the comfort of liimself and family. The prop- 
erty is named " Sunnyside Farm " and it is an appropriate appellation. 

In the fall of 1836 Rufus Billings removed from Oneida county, N. Y. to Spring 
Prairie, and with his family settled on Section 23. Here for thirty-one years he carried 
on a farm, and removed to Burlington, Racine County, in 1867. 

In September, 1836, Daniel Campbell and his family, consisting of a wife and five 
children, came from New York and settled upon Section 28. In 1838 they moved to 
Lyons, upon Section 4. Mr. Campbell died in IH'i 9. His son, Wm. J. is now clerk of 
that town. 

During the fall and winter of 1836-7, the Spring Prairie settlement increased and 
flourished amazingly ; and in the early summer of 1837, it numbered over seventy souls, 
men, women and children. Biographical sketches of the earlier settlers of 1836 will be 
given at the close of this article, and especial mention of all who settled during that 
year, in the General County History. 

THE INDIANS. 

At the time of the first white settlement in Spring Prairie, the Indians had all left 
for lands farther west, save one small company of Po'ttawottomies averaging about 
thirt}', occasionally increased by a brief visit from a fe"W Menomonees. Their encamp- 
ment was on the bank of a little stream on Section 27, called from the circumstance 
"Indian Run." The place where the rude wigwams then stood, and where the squaws 
kept the few acres of corn and beans " well hoed " and "very clean from weeds," as one 
who visited the spot, writes, is now the farm of A. T. Allen, about forty rods north of 
the Spring Prairie and Burlington road. One quite pathetic incident occurred during 
their last visit to the beautiful prairie. One of their number sickened, and all through 
the long summer days continued to decline. Consumption does not spare even the poor 
Indian. He was tenderly and anxiously cared for by the rest — every fair day riding out 
in the warm sunshine, even after he Ijecame so weak that he could not mount his pony 
without the aid of some strong arm. The pure air and sunshine were powerless in his 
case, as in that of many a " tender white blossom," and the leaves of autumn covered 
the grave of the last red man buried on the Prairie, tiiat once had been the free hunting 
and dwelling place of his I'ace. His grave was carefully marked by the Indians with a 
low fence of poles according to their custom, and so left among a " new and strange 
people." Besides this encampment a small number visited the maple woods of Sugar 
Creek for a brief period during "sugar-making" time. They were a little west of the 
west line of the township of Spring Prairie. They remained only a few weeks during 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. S93 

the early spring of 1836, and in November of the same year were conveyed to tlieir new 
lands west of tlie Mississip])i. This was their last visit, save an occasional winter expe- 
dition of a few days or weeks for hunting purposes. Tliey were on friendly terms with 
the settlers during their brief stay, and perhaps considered the few pieces of property 
which tlieyappropriatedwitliout leave, as only an equivalent for the trouble of "moving." 

SETTLERS OF 1837. 

The settlers of this year, so far as record can be obtained are as follows ; 

Roderick Merrick and family, from Michigan, came Marcii 16. Purchased Horace 
Coleman's claim on Sections "JO and 30. Mrs. Merrick living. 

Isaiah Dike and famil}', I'rom Michigan. Came in March. All living. 

John E. Hopkins, from Vermont. Mr. Hopkins first located on Section 26, but soon 
sold and re-located on Section 1, where lie lived until his death in 1866. He married 
Miss Ann Hoyt. One son, J. C. Hopkins, is living on the old place. 

James McNay. Located on Section 12, and lived tliere until he sold in 1856. 

Samuel C. Vaughn and family, Micliigan. Came in March, and located on Section 
20. Died Nov. 26, 1868. Otis, his son, still lives on tlie old farm, and the widowed 
mother, 84 years of age, resides with him. 

William D. Crain and family, N. Y., came in March. Located on Section 28. Mr. 
Crain not living. 

William H. Dunning, N. Y., came in March, and located on Section 34. Sold, the 
following year, and re-located on Section 24. 

Jabesli T. Clement and family, N. Y. Came in February. Carpenter, joiner and 
millwright. Now living in California. 

Perrin Smith, Vermont, purchased the claim of Isaac Chase, on Sections 33 and 28. 
Lived in Spring Prairie over thirty years. Tlie last heard of him he lived in Tennessee. 

Ansel Salisl)ury, Cortland Co., N. Y. Came in May. Purcliased William H. Dun- 
ning's claim on Section 34. He was married to Miss Olive Dame in 1842, and in 1846 
sold his farm and removed to Whitewater, where he now resides. 

Cliester Baker and family. Mr. Baker and his wife are both dead. 

John Bell, Micliigan. Nurseryman. 

George Bell, Michigan. Located on Section 23 and remained tliere about thirty- 
nine years — until his death. 

A. H. Bunnell. Lived in Spring Prairie one year, removed, and afterwards bought 
property and lived there two years. He now lives in tlie town of La Fayette. 

Mr. Benjamin Hoyt came during the year. 

William B. Wade located on Section 12, and lived there about five years. 

Edwin and Purlee Baker came with their father, Chester Baker, in 1837. In 1841 
purchased a farm on Section 5. Edwin moved to Oshkosh, and Purlee sold the farm in 
1868 and joined his brother. Both now reside in Oshkosh. 

Francis Baker located on Section 10, where he now resides. 

SETTLERS OF 1838. 

Of the settlers of 1838 there is the following record : 

Richard Clienery from Massachusetts. Located on Section 26. In 1889, Mr. Chenery 
built the first good frame house in the town, at a cost of .fl, 000. He went east and was 
married soon after his arrival at Spring Prairie, returned and lived in the town about 
seven years. He has since lived in California. 

John Martin, formerly a Judge in Connecticut, located on section 24. He owned 
the water power at Vienna, on Sugar Creek, and built a saw-mill at that place, which 
was put in operation in 1846. His principal occupation was farming. His wife died in 
1842, and he in 1873 or '74. 



894 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

Corbin Clark, from Ohio. Married after his arrival and settled on section 8, living 
there until his death, about ten years after. 

Harr}^ Ambler. Located on section 4. Lived there about ten years. Now lives 
in East Troy. 

Louis Smither from Germany. Located on section 4. Was quite a prominent man 
amon? his countrymen, and was several times one of the town Supervisors. He died 
in 1880. 

Thomas Miller from Michigan. Lived in Spring Prairie about tliirty years. 

Abel Neff from New York. Located on section 25, sold and bought on section 34, 
and again sold in 1849 and removed to Oshkosh. He is still living. 

Josiah B. Gleason from Massachusetts. Settled on section 34 and soon after mar- 
ried Miss Sarab Bacon. He died in 1848. His son Jacob now lives on the old place. 

Jeremiah Walker and family. Located on section 17, and lived there eleven years. 

Josiah P. Langmaid and family from Boston. Located on section 12, lived there 
twelve years, and moved into the town of Rocliester, where lie died in 1871. 

Erastus O. Vaughn and family from Vermont. Located on section 10. Lived there 
until Mr. Vaughn's death in 1880. 

Josiah O. Puffer from Massachusetts. Located on section 27. He was a shoemaker. 
Still a resident of the town. 

De Dwight Whitmore and wife from Massachusetts. Located on section 27, and 
lived there about seven years, wlien he returned to Massachusetts. A carpenter. 

Samuel T. Jenks and family, New York. Located on section 31, and with his wife 
still lives on the old place. 

George H. Palmer came here from Litchfield, Conn., in July, 1838, and settled on 
Section 12. Had a wife and three cJiildren — two sons and a daughter. The oldest son, 
George Augustus, and his mother, yet live on the old homestead, and Edwin and his 
sister live in Michigan. 

Mr. George H. Palmer, in the fall of 1838, cut his knee with a draw shave or draw- 
ing knife, and soon afterward strained it so that it made it much worse and he was con- 
fined to the house a long time, was laid up from work until the next Spring, and was 
always lame after it. 

Mr. Palmer possessed great perseverance and energy of character. After residing 
here nineteen years he moved back to Connecticut, and lived there eleven years, 
returned here in 1868 and died October 3, 1872, aged sixty-eight years. Wben he first 
came here his family stopped in Rochester, Racine County, while he built a log house 
on his claim. 

Daniel Whitmore, Racine County. First bought on section 19, and afterwards on 
section 17. Soon after the land sale, he married Miss Nobles, and he and his family 
still live on the farm. 

Israel Williams and family, from New York, John M. Cowles, from New York, Mr. 
Kent and wife, and Mr. Booth, were among the settlers of 1838. 

John Bacon and family from Pennsylvania. Came March 14, 1838. ^See biography.) 

1839. — Hon. James Baker, from Buffalo, N. Y. He purchased a farm on Section 5, 
remained one year, returned to Buffalo and was married, came again to Spring Prairie, 
lived on his farm until 1859, when he removed to Milwaukee, where he died a few years 
ago. 

Alexander Porter (Scotch). Purchased on Section 5, and lived there until his death 
— about six years ago. 

George W. Arms and wife, from Massachusetts. Purchased on Section 26. Was 
one of the County Commissioners under the territorial law. Moses Arms, his brother, 
with his wife came at the same time and had a joint interest in the farm. The family 
lived there until 1846. 

Selah Whitman and family. Located at Honey Creek in the northwestern part of 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 895 

the town, and remained there until Mr. Whitman's death, seven or eight years after- 
wai-ds. 

1839. — Capt. Kimball Easterbrook. (Sea captain.) Purchased on Section 22, and 
lived there about six years. 

Thomas Hill and family. Purchased on Section ol, and lived there a number of 
years. 

Samuel Neff and family. Purchased on Section 35, sold and moved away in 1846. 

John Mathers. Purchased on Section 5. Was married soon after his arrival. Sold 
in 1854, and removed to La Crosse. 

Silas Salisbury, Courtland, N. Y. Located on Section 34, with his family of seven 
sons and four daughters. His wife died Marcli ord, 1845, aged 59 years. He re-married 
— remained in Spring Prairie about ten years, and moved into the town of Walworth, 
where he died. 

Marcus K. Britton, Michigan. Purchased on Section 15. Returned to Michigan — 
remained there two years — was married, and came back to his farm on Spring Prairie, 
where he still lives. 

Samuel Britton. Purchased on Section 11. Married Miss Eliza Hoyt, and has lived 
on his farm until the present time. 

George Hatter. Located on Section 4. Served as a soldier under Napoleon tlie 
First, — went with him to Moscow, — and was one of the few survivors of the terrible 
march. He died about ten years ago. 

Dr. Daniel Allen, Erie Co. N. Y. Located on Section 6, and lived there until his 
death, which occurred in 1850, at the age of 78 years. 

1840. — Rev. Orra Martin and family, Connecticut. Purchased a farm on Section 23. 
Mr. Martin lias preached on Sundays, and attended to his farm during the week. His 
wife, and two sons have died, and he is feeble physically, but still retains liis memory 
and his mental faculties in good measure. He is now 92 years of age. 

James Mathers and family. Located on Section 3. Remained about four years. 

Louis Kearns and family. Located on Section 18, and lived there until tiie death 
of Mr. Kearns — about 24 years ago. 

John Densmore and family. Located on Section 18, and resided there until Mr. 
Densmore died, on May 13th, 1869, at the age of eighty-nine years and eight months. 

Jonathan Leach and family, N. Y. Located on Section 31, and remained twenty-six 
years. In addition to farming, Mr. Leach dealt in stock, and was a licensed auctioneer. 

Zebulon Bugbee an<l family. Lived at Spring Prairie about six years. 

1841. — Charles Bowman. Located on Section 6, and still resides there. 

Benjamin L. Reed and wife. Located on Section 22. Lived there five years. 

Franklin J. Patton and family. Located on Section 22, and remained about four 
years. 

Lansing D. Lewis. Purchased on Section 15, and lived tliere about seven years. 

Judge Wm. Berry, from Cortland Co., N. Y. Came in 1842, and purchased a farm, 
in company with liis son Mellen on Section 12. He was born in Salem, Mass., of Puritan 
ancestry, received a common school education, and on arriving at manliood, became a 
manufacturer and farmer. The latter occupation he still pursued after settling in Wis- 
consin. He was married April 3, 1798, to ISancy Mellen, of Pelhani, Mass., and died 
at his residence in Spring Prairie in 1848. Of his family only a daugliter remains. His 
son, Mellen, died in 1859. 

Judge Berry was elected to the First Constitutional Convention, from Walworth 
County. 

The " Memorial Record of the Fathers of Wisconsin," says of him, " Having been 
detained from some cause, he did not take his seat in the Convention until ten days after 
its session began, for whicii reason liis name is not recorded upon any of tlie standing 
committees; but his votes upon all propositions and articles submitted, evince intelligent 



896 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

inquiry, and a thoroughly honest purpose to follow his convictions of duty and right. 
He was in every sense a good man and a public-spirited citizen of sound, practical knowl- 
edge and excellent sense. Judge Berry was sixty-five at this time — the oldest man in 
the convention." 

Of the early settlers of Spring Prairie, the following are still living in the town and 
county. In the town : Austin L. Merrick, Mrs. Reuben Clark, Mrs. Roderick Merrick, 
Mr. George Gillispie. Mr. Isaiah Dike and wife, Mrs. Samuel C. Vaughn. Mr.s. William 
D. Crain,"Mr. John Bell and wife, Mrs. George Bell, Mr. Francis Baker, Mr. A. A. Hoyt, 
Mrs. John E. Ho[)kins, Mr. Samuel Britton, and wife, Mr. Josiah O. Puffer, Mr. Samuel 
P. Jenks and wife, Mrs. Josiah B. Gleason (now Mrs. Wilcox), Mr. Charles Martin, 
Rev. Orra Martin, Mr. Charles Bowman, Mr. Marcus R. Britton and wife. In the 
county : Mr. Daniel Salisbury and Mr. Ansel Salislnn-y, 

Following are the names of those deceased, with the dates of their death so far as 
known : Mrs. Daniel Salisbury. Died Aug. 16th, 1843, aged twenty-eight. Mrs. Silas 
Salisbury. Died March 3, 1845, ased fifty-nine. Mrs. Austin L. Merrick. Died May 
5, 1855. Mrs. J. O. Puffer. Died Feb. 11," 1862, aged forty-one. Dea. John Bacon,. jr. 
died Dec. 17, 1865, aged eighty. Dea. John Bncon, jr., died Jan. 31, 1866, aged forty- 
five. Mrs. Samuel C. Vaughn, died Nov. 26. 1868, aged sixty-six. Mr. John Dens- 
more, died May 13, 1860, aged eighty-nine. Mr. Roderick Merrick, died May 8, 1870, 
aged seventy-five. Mr. Kilborn "S. Owen, died May 22, 1872, aged sixty-seven. Mr. 
Silas Salisbury, Mrs. John Bacon, sen., Mrs. John Densmore, Mrs. Kilborn S. Owen, 
Mr. Reuben Clark, Mr. William D. Grain, Mr. George Bell, Mr. John E. Hopkins, Mr. 
Josiah B. Gleason, Mr. Lemuel R. Smith, Col. Perez Merrick, Mrs. Perez Merrick, 
Capt. Charles Dyer, Mrs. Charles Dyer, Mr. George H. Palmer, Mr. J. P. Langmaid, 
Mr. Benjamin Hoyt, sen., Mr. Benjamin Hoyt, jr., Mr. John Martin, Mrs. John Martin, 
Mr. Alexander Porter, Mr. David Pratt, Hon. Samuel Pratt, Mrs. Samuel Pratt, Mr. 
Horace Coleman, Mrs. A. A. Hemenway, Mr. Robert Campbell, Mrs. Robert Campbell, 
Mr. Daniel Campbell, Mrs. Daniel Campbell, Mr. David Patten, Mrs. David Patten, Mr. 
Benjamin C. Perce, Rev. Benjamin Perce, Mrs. Benjamin Perce, Mrs. Sylvester G. 
Smith, Mrs. S3dvester G. Smith. Mr. Chester Baker. Mrs. Chester Baker, Mr. Corbin 
Clark, Mr. Harry Ambler, Mr. Louis Smither, Mr. Thomas Miller, Mrs. Thomas Miller, 
Mrs. Abel Neff, J\Ir. Erastus O. Vaughn, Hon. James Baker, Mrs. George W. Arms, 
Mrs. Moses Arms, Mr. Selah Whitman'', Mr. George Hatter, Dr. Daniel Allen, Mrs. Rev. 
Orra Martin, Mrs. Franklin J. Patten, Louis Kearns, Z. Bugbee. 

EARLf TIMES AND EVENTS. 

The first breaking was done by Palmer Gardner, on section twenty-five. He com- 
menced on the 2d day of May, 1836, and plowed eighteen acres, which was all sowed 
to wheat, barley and oats, or planted to corn or potatoes in May and June, 1836. 
Messrs. David Pratt and Solomon Harvey each plowed on section thirty in June of the 
same year, and raised potatoes and buckwheat. 

The first marriage ceremony was that of Oliver VanValin, living in the town of 
Spring Prairie, to Miss Jane Resigue, of an adjoining county, July 16, 1837. The mar- 
riage ceremony was performed at the home of the bride. The first marriage ceremony 
in the town was performed at the house of Oliver VanValin, Sept. 3, 1837. Reuben 
Clark and Maria VanValin were married by Benjamin C. Perce, J. P. 

The second was the marriage of William J. Bently and Jane Campbell, Nov. 1837, 
at the residence of Robert Campbell, father of the bride, by Perez Merrick, J. P. 

The first birth was that of Sarah M. Smith, daughter of Sylvester G. Smith, on 
Sept. 14, 1837. 

The first male child born in Spring Prairie was Henry VanValin, son of Oliver and 
Jane VanValin, on June 1, 1838. Henry was wounded, and died in the army, during 
the war of the rebellion. 



HISTORY OK WAIAVORTH COUNTY. 897 

The second birth in the town was that of Maliala Harvey, daughter of Solomon 
Harvey, in Nov. 18H7. She was the hite Mrs. Henry Banker, who died recently at 
Lyons. 

The first death was that of Mary E. Smith, dausrhter of Sylvester G. Smith. She 
died July 3, 18-57. aged ten months and two days. Tlie funeral services were conduct- 
ed by S. A. Dwinnell. 

The first cliureh was the Baptist, oroanized in the Fall of 1837, and composed of 
members from several of the adjoining towns. It was called "Tlie Baptist Churcli of 
Rochester." 

Rev. William R. Manning was the first settled pastor in Spring Prairie. 

The first regularly established prayer meeting was held Maj-, 1837, at the cabin of 
D. Campbell, in Spring Prairie, on the spot where Deacon Bacon and his son John have 
since lived. Some of those who attended walked from Burlington, and others from the 
northwest part of Spring Prairie — an extreme of ten miles, and made an assembly of 
about a dozen. 

The first sermon preaclied in the town was at the house of A. A. Hemenway, July 
10, 1836. The meeting was appointed by S. F. Phoenix, and fourteen persons were 
present. Mr. Piioenix preached from Gal., 6:7 — "Be not mocked: for wliatsoever a man 
soweth, tliat shall he also reap." A prayer was offei'ed bv Mr. Daniel Salisbury, and 
the meeting was closed by singing the old familiar hymn : "Wlien I can read mj^ title 
clear," &c. Another meeting was held the next Sunday, July 17, at the same place. 
Attiie opening of the service there were present, liesides tlie family, Daniel Salisbury, 
Palmer Gardner, and David Pratt and daughter. Before the service closed, seven more 
of the neighbors came in, making the number present fifteen. These meetings are gen- 
erally admitted to be the first of the kind held in the county. 

Tlie first framed house in tlie town, and probably the first in the county, was built by 
Benjamin 0. Perce, in the east part of the town, near White river, in 183(1. It was 
sliingled in December, and Mr. Perce, with his father (Rev. Benjamin Perce), his mother 
and sister, moved into it the same month. Tlie shingles and clapljoards for this house 
were riven from oak logs, and were all shaved with a common draw shave. Clapboards 
about four feet long. 

Tlie first drove of swine driven into Spring Prairie, and probably the first into the 
county, was in July of 1837, when Ephraim Perkins, of Burlington, Racine County, 
drove 200 from Illinois into Sugar Creek woods, and left them there to grow fat for the 
coming winter. 

The first nursery was established by .lohn Bell, who removed from Ypsilanti, Mich- 
igan, for the purpose. He leased ten acres of land of Palmer Gardner in 1837, and 
immediately commenced transporting his trees from Ypsilanti to Detroit, and thence to 
Milwaukee by water. He commenced with 400 trees, and increased his business until 
1858, when his nursery numbered 2.50,000 trees. At that time he gave up his nursery 
in consequence of the injury his trees received from insects, and bought an adjoining 
farm, where he still lives. When he started his project there was no nursery in Wis- 
consin, and none nearer tlian Ypsilanti. 

The first post-office established in the town, and also in the county, was at Spring 
Prairie Corners, in 1838. The office was then called "Franklin." Dr. A. A. Hemen- 
way was the first postmaster, and was succeeded in 1845 by E. D. Smith. 

The second office was established at Vienna (then called Martinsburg) in 1845, 
with Samuel A. Martin as postmaster. During the year Mr. W. P. Storms opened a 
hotel at the place, and was soon after appointed postmaster, and the name of the office 
and locality changed to Vienna. 

The first school was taught l)y Miss Juliette Merrick in the Summer of 1837. The 
schools of the Summers of 18:57-8 were lioth taught by the same ladj' in Dr. A. A. Hem- 
enway 's log house at the " Corners." 



898 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

The first framed school-house was built in 1839, just east of Spring Prairie Corners, 
where the cheese factor}^ now stands. 

The second was built in 1840, in the southwest corner of Section 26, on the road 
leading from Spring Prairie to Burlington. It was called " District No. 5," and the first 
winter school in town was taught there by Mr. Daniel Salisbury, during the Winter of 
1840 and 41. The school numbered thirty scholars. 

Mr. A. H. Witherel made the first wagons for the Spring Prairie settlers; locating 
there in 1840. and remaining seven years. 

Mr. Josiah 0. Puffer was the first shoemaker, — starting his bench in 1839 at his 
house on Section 27, and building liis sliop at Spring Prairie Corners in 1847. 

The first blacksmith shop, with the upper part finished for a dwelling, was built in 
1840, by Mr. Henry Elliot. Ft was at the "Corners." Mr. Elliot run the shop only a 
few months, when he removed from the country, and the property passed into the hands 
of Mr. Hamnet, who was succeeded in Sept., 1843, by Nathaniel H. Carswell. Mr. Cars- 
well moved into the building, and after running the shop a year, was in turn succeeded 
by Mr. Harrison Armstrong, who, after two years, formed a co-partnership with Mr. 
Israel Williams, for the manufacture of steel plows, which was carried on successfully 
for two years ; — the business in the short space of eight years passing through more than 
the usual number of business changes. 

The first store was opened in the bar-room of Dr. Hemenway's log tavern, during 
the Summer of 1837. Mr. Crawford was the store-keeper. Mr. Israel Williams also 
commenced keeping woolen cloths for sale during the same year, which, in the absence 
of regular stores, was a great convenience to the settlers. 1844 saw tlie first building- 
erected to serve the special purpose of a store. It was built by Samuel Pratt and Eras- 
mus D. Smith, and a good stock of goods put in by those gentlemen, under the firm name 
of "Pratt & Smith." 

Tlie first " tailors' clothes " of home manufacture, worn in Spring Prairie, were 
made by -lackson Kohler, who commenced working at that business in 1843. Otis 
Preston, from Michigan, opened a shop in 1846, and continued in the business two 
years, when he was elected sheriif and moved to Elkhorn. 

In 1836, when Spring Prairie was first settled, the nearest postofiSce was at Racine, 
— the nearest saw-mill at the rapids of Root River, three miles beyond Racine, and the 
nearest grist-mill at Ottawa, 111. 

Mr. Daniel Salisbury, in relating some of the experiences of the pioneers, during 
the long first Winter, says: " The winters, to one who had been accustomed to society 
and social life, were dull and dreary beyond description. The most that could be done 
to advantage was to cut logs and draw them to their place of destination, for building a 
fence or a house." He says it was impossiljle to realize the severity of the cold until 
one had braved it for some little time, and that often one would venture out, deceived 
by the clearness of tlie atmosphere, and before the load of logs was ready, find that the 
frost had already bitten his feet or nose. He relates a little incident of the winter thus: 
" In the latter part of Dec, 1836. I was cutting house logs near the outlet of Delavan 
Lake, and I thought I heard a voice in the distance. I stopped awhile — listened — and 
hearing nothing, went to chopping again, that the sound of my ax might draw the 
attention of any one who might be lost. After a while I heard the hallooing again, 
and, at the top of his voice, the stranger cried : ' It is worth five dollars to see a live 
man. Whereabouts in the world are we?' If you have ever been lost in a large 
wilderness, you may appreciate his joy in approaching me." In regard to the expense 
and difiiculty of obtaining wholesome and nutritious food during the first year of pioneer 
life at Spring Prairie, he says that " when there was any provision for sale at Racine or 
Milwaukee, flour was fl4.0'0 or $15.00 per barrel, and pork $20.00 or $2.5.00 per barrel, 
and it seemed that if dealers at the East had any provision that was not merchantable, 
they would send it here. I well remember that in the spring of 1837, Mr. Isaiah Hamb- 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 899 

liii, livini; on Spring Prairie, a man of small means, and witli a large family of children, 
purchased a barrel of flonr in Racine for $18.00, and on using it, found that it had 
been previously opened. The top six inches deep, was good, but the rest very hard and 
musty, and when they succeeded in cutting it up, and pounding, sifting, and cooking it, 
it made them sick. 

OFFICIAL HISTORY. 

From January 2, 1838, to March 21,1843, as already stated. Spring Prairie em- 
braced within its boundaries the present town of LaFayette, and the first town meeting 
of wliicli record there is any record, was lield April 5, 1842, at the house of Dr. A. A. 
Hemenway, of Spring Prairie. This was also the last town meeting of the united town, 
the separation taking place the following spring. There were ninety-two votes polled, 
and the following officers elected : Supervisors — Jesse C Mills, Chairman, Stephen G. 
West, Reuben Clark : Town Clerl- — Daniel Salisbury; Assessors — Nathaniel Bell, Solo- 
mon Harvev, Joliu E. Hopkins; Treasurer — Austin L. Merrick; Collector — Richard 
Chenery ; Constahles — Daniel D. Whitmore, Elias Hicks; School ComDiissioners — Oria 
Martin, Theodore B. Northrop, Ansel A. Hemenway; Fence Vietvers — R. Merrick, 
Daniel Hartwell, Elias Hicks, Isaiah Dike, Daniel Whitmore ; Highway Commissioners — 
N. Bell, R. Chenery, H. H. Sterling. 

Tiie following is a complete roster of the town officers of Spring Prairie, from the 
time of its organization as a separate town : 

1843: Supervisors — Benjamin L. Perce, Chairman, William B. Wade (at a special 
meeting held in September, Ansel Salisbury was elected in place of Mr. Wade"), Roderick 
Merrick ; Toirn Clerk — Kimball Easterbrook (resigned and J. O. Puffer appointed in 
his place) ; Assessor — Sol. Harvey ; Treasurer — Rufus Billings : Collector — L. R. Smith ; 
Constahles — D. D. Whitmore, S. A. Daniels ; Justices of the Peace — Wm. Tallcot, D. 
Salisbury, Roderick Merrick ; School Commissioners — M. C. Whitman, Rufus Billings, 
Jolin Bacon ; Fence Viewers — Reuben Clark, Moses Arms, Isaac Raymond ; Highivay 
Commissioners — Abel Neff, David Pratt, M. C. Whitman. 

1844: Supervisors — A. L. Merrick, Chairman, John E. Hopkins (no others 
elected); Tnvn Clerk — J. O. Puffer; Assessors — J. Dike, J. P. Langraaid ; Treasurer — 
Perez Merrick : Collector^CuYt]s H. Moor ; Constahles — Simeon Hoyt. Ebenezer Mar- 
tin ; Justices of the Peace — D. Salisbury, Wm. Berry, L. D. Lewis ; Sehool Commission- 
ers — 0. Martin, L. D. Lewis, Benj. L. Reed ; Fence Viewers — S. C. Vaughn, N. C. Dver, 
John M. Cole ; Highway Commissioners — Gilman Hoyt, Charles Dyer. John Bacon. 

1845: Supervisors — Lansing D. Lewis, Chairman, A. Salisbury, Israel Williams; 
Town Clerk — E. D. Smith; Assessors — T. M. Hobbs, A. A. Hemenway; Treasurer — 
Orrin Elmer; Collector — S. A. Martin; Constables — Thos. Clark, S. A. Martin ; School 
Comnnssioners — E. D. Smith, A. A. Hemenway, Thos. Clark ; Fence Viewers — D. Pat- 
ten. John Bacon, W. J. Bently; Highway Commissioners — P. Gardner, S. Harvey, John 
E. Hopkins. 

1846: Supervisors — Roderick Merrick, Chairman, J. P. Langmaid, Wm. D. Grain; 
Town Clerk — E. D. Smith ; Assessors — S. Pratt, S. Harvev ; Treasurer — O. Elmer ; Col- 
lector — S. A. Martin ; Constables — C. J. F. White, Wm. Utter, James Dame; Justices of 
the Peace — D. Salisbury, Wm. Berry, D. L. Strickland ; School Commissioners — R. D. 
Turner, O. Martin, L. Eastman ; Fence Vietvers — D. Patten, J. Bacon, jr., Wm. J. 
Bentley ; Highivay Commissioners — P. Gardner, G. H. Palmer, Jonathan Leach. 

1847: Supervisors — Austin L. Merrick, Chairman, D. P. Carpenter, L. l\. Smitli: 
Totvn Clerk — Palmer Gardner ; Assessors — James McNay, Jonatiian Leach ; Treasurer — 
Charles Martin ; Collector — O.Elmer; Constables — Charles Martin, Wm. Utter, Alonzo 
Merrick, C. J. F. White ; Justice of the Peace — James Baker; School Commissioners — A. 
A. Hemenway, W. D. Crane, James Baker; Feyice Viewers — John Bacon, W. J. Bent- 
ley, John Dame ; Highway Commissioners — P. Gardner, Edwin Baker, Abel Neff. 



900 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

1848: Supervisors — Ephraim Foote, Chairman, Jonathan Leach, J. P. Langmaid ; 
Town Clerk — E. D. Smitli ; Assessors — John E. Hopkins, S. C. Vaughn ; Trensrtrer — 
Perez Merrick : Collector — S. A. Martin ; Constables — T. M. Hobbs, Edwin Baker, Jona- 
than Leach; 'Justices of the Peace — James Baker, L. O. Whitman; School Commissioners 
— D. P. Wilcox, Edson Merrill, E. D. Smith ; Highway Commissioners — M. Berry, L. D. 
Lewis, vStephen Jones. 

1849: Supervisors — Roderick Merrick, Chairman, L. R. Smith, R. J. Roys ; Town 
Clerk — E. D. Smith ; Assessor — Wm. Child ; Treasurer — W. P. Storms ; Constables — T. 
M. H l)hs, Wm. Utler, E. W. Dwieht; Justices of the Peace— 3. H. Cooper, D. P. Wil- 
cox, J. O. Puffer, James Baker ; School Superintendent — Roswell Cheney. 

IS.'JO: Supervisors — Epliraim Foote, Chairman, George Walworth, Lonis Schmid- 
ter ; Town Clerk — Stephen Bull : Assessors — Jonathan Leabh, A. A. Hovt : Treasurer — 
Stephen Jones : Constables — D. E. Chase, P. C. Seeley, Miner Wilcox ; Justices of the 
Peace — D. P. Wilcox, James Baker, William Child, J. O. Puffer; School Superintend- 
ent — J. H. Cooper. 

18.'il: Supervisors — Tliomas Gage, Chairman, Perez Merrick, Sims Edgerton ; 
Tozvn Clerk — E. D. Smith ; Assessors — ^Thomas Miller, Jesse Gage (lesigned); Treasurer 
— James Utler : Constables — D. E. Chase, Carter Fuller, James McNay ; Justices of the 
Peace — Wm. Aldrich, Mellen Berry ; School Superintendents — J. H. Cooper, Roswell 
Cheney, E. D. Smith. 

1852: Supervisors — A. L.Merrick, Chairman, E. W. Dwight, S. C. Vaughn ; Town 
Clerk — T. M. Hobbs ; Assessor — K. S. Owen ; Treasurer — W. D. Crain ; Constables — J. 
E. Bartholf, Jndson Neff, Corbin Clark ; Justices of the Peace — Daniel Salisbury, Purlee 
Baker; School Superintendent — S. H. Montgomery. 

1853: Supervisors — Thomas Gage, Chairman, Charles N. Kingman, Mellen Berr}^ 
Town Clerk — Wellington Hendrix ; Assessor — James McNay ; Treasurei — Geo. Healy ; 
Constables — .T. E. Bartholf. German More, Wm. R. Brewer ; Justices of the Peace — Wm. 
Aldrich. Mellen Berry; School Superintendent — Wm. C. Bartlett, 

1854 : Supervisors — Thomas Gage, Chairman (continued), Nathaniel Bell (elected), 
William Aldrich, James McNay; Toirn Clerk — Wm. Hendrix (G. C. Sawyer elected, 
but did not qualify); Assessors — W. D. Crain (declined), L. O. Whitman, appointed ; 
Treasurer — Nathan Smith, jr. ; Constables — Judson Neff, E. M. Utler. N. B. Hendrix ; 
Justices of the Peace — Tliomas Gage, L. O. Whitman, G. C. Sawyer (vacancy); School 
Superintendent — James Child. 

1855: Supervisors — Thomas Gage, Chairman, J. C. Gaylord, A. L. Merrick (did 
not qualify), W. Aldrich (continued); Toum Clerk — S. Bull ; Treasurer — James McNay; 
Assessor — James McNay; Constables — J. H. Stanley. C. S. French, N. H. Neff; Justices 
of the Peace — Wm. Aldrich, J. E. Bartholf; School Superintendent — James Child. 

1856: Supervisors — James McNay, Chairman, Jonathan Leach, Alfred Hubbard 
Tmvn Clerk — S. Bull ; Assessors — John Raleigh (declined), Chas. Martin (appointed) 
Treasurer — Chas. Martin ; Constables — Jndson Neff, Henry Hubbard, J. E. Bartholf 
Justices of the Peace — L. 0. Whitman, Thomas Gage; School Superintendent — James 
Baker. 

1857 : Supervisors — Jonathan Leach, Chairman, Alfred Hubbard, Henry Vander- 
pool ; Town Clerk — S. Bull (removed to Racine), J. O. Puffer (appointed August 15); 
Assessor — Chas. Martin : Treasurer — W. P. Storms ; Constables — J. E. Bartholf, S. 
Jones, M. R. Brittain ; Justices of the Peace — Wm. Aldrich, J. 0. Puffer, B. Hoyt, jr. 
(to fill vacancy.) 

1858: Supervisors — Daniel Salisbury, Chairman, W. P. Storms, S. Jones; Town 
Clerk — J. O. Puffer ; Assessor — Ephraim Perkins ; Treasurer — H. W. Boyce ; School 
Superintendent — James Baker ; Justices of the Peace — J. O. Puffer, B. Hoyt, jr. ; Con- 
stables — Judson Neff, A. C. Norton, J. E. Bartholf. 

1859 : Supervisors — Daniel Salisbury, Chairman, Fred Perkins, William D. Crain ; 



HISTORY OF WAr,VVORTH COUNTY. 901 

Totvn Qlerk — W. P. Storms ; Assessor — Cliarles Martin ; Treasurer — Benjamin Hoyt, jr.; 
School Superintendent — James Baker ; Justices of the Peace — Wm. Aldrich, Azael Barry 
(vacancy), L. Allen ; Constables — J. E. Bartholf, J. Neli", Stephen Jones. 

1860: Supervisors — Wm. It. Berry, Chairman, A. A. Hoyt, Fred Perkins; Town 
Clerk — W. P. Storms ; Assessor — Charles Martin ; Treasurer — VV. Potter ; School 
Superintendent — F. T. Hall; Justices of the Peace — Azeal Barry, J. O. Pulier, A. Cham- 
berlin (vacancy); Constables — J. E. Bartholf, Judson Neti', S. Jones. 

1861 : Supervisors — W. P. Storms, Chairman, Fred. Perkins, Lucius Allen ; Toirn 
Clerk — B. F. Vaughn ; Assessor — Chas. Martin ; Treasurer — Chas. Martin ; School 
Superintendent — G. W. Heath ; Justices of the Peace — L. Allen, A. Chamberlain ; Con- 
stables — J. E. Bartholf, J. Neff (declined), Nick Howell, Alexander Collins. 

1862 : Supervisors — W. P. Storms, Chairman, Lucius Allen, Daniel Salisbury ; Town 
Clerk — B. F. Vaughn ; Assessors — Thos. Gage (declined), E. Perkins (appointed July 
17) ; Treasurer — W. Potter ; Justices of the Peace — Azael Barry, J. O. Puffer ; Constables 
— J. E. Bartholf, A. Collins, Gordon Merrick (deceased), N. B. Howell (appointed). 

1863 : Supervisors — Lucius Allen, Chairman, Woodruff Potter, Abner Chamberlain ; 
Town Clerk — B.F. Vaughn ; Assessors — R. Billings (declined), W. P. Storms (appointed 
May 2), John Bacon, Jr.; Justices of the Peace — A. Chamberlin, L. Allen ; Constables — 
A. Collins, N. B. Howell, J. E. Bartholf. 

1864: Supervisors — Abner Chamberlin, Chairman, Purlee Baker, M. H. Foote 
(declined), O. T. Hubbard (appointed) ; Town Clerk — B. F. Vaughn ; Assessor — R. 
Billings; Treasurer — B. Hoyt, Jr.; Justices of the Peace — J. O. Puffer, A. Barry, P. 
Baker ; Constables — ^N. B. Howell, J. E. Bartholf, David Haight. 

1865: Supervisors — A. Chamberlin, Chairman, A. A. Hoyi, O. T. Hubbard ; Towti 
Blerk — Guy C. Weed (declined), B. F. Vaughn (appointed) ; Assessor — R. Billings ; 
Treasurer — M. V. Pratt : Justices of the Peace — J. E. Bartholf, W. P. Storms ; Constables 
Cyril Bowker, Simeon Avery, Daniel Haight. 

1866 : Supervisors — A. Chamberlain, Chairman, A. A. Hoyt, Purlee Baker ; Town 
Clerk — B. F. Vaughn; Assessor — R. Billings; \Treasurer — M. V. Pratt; Justices of the 
Peace — W. Potter, B. F. Vaughn, J. (). Puffer; Constables — C. Bowker, S. Avery, 
Lyman Cook. 

1867 : Supervisors — A. Chamberlin, Chairman, Purlee Baker, Orris Pratt ; Town 
Clerk — B. F. Vaughn ; Treasurer — Ephraim Perkins ; Assessor — Charles Martin ; Justices 
of the Peace — B. F. Vaughn, A. A. Hoyt; Constables— P. Noblet, David Dike (declined), 
C. Bowker (appointed), J. Avery. 

1868: Supervisors — Lucius Allen, Chairman, Orris Pratt, Louis Schmidtei- ; Town 
Clerk — B. F. Vaughn ; Treasurer — M. V. Pratt ; Assessor — C. R. Aldrich ; Jiistice of the 
Peace— P. O. Puffer; Constables — C. Bowker, N. B. Howell, Edward Zahn (declined). 

1869: Supervisors — M. H. Foote, Chairman, Wm. Aldrich, Louis Schmidter ; Town 
Clerk — B. F. Vaughn ; Treasurer — O. B. Houghton ; Assessor — Charles Martin ; Justices 
of the Peace — J. E. Bartholf, B. F. Vaughn, A. A. Hoyt (vacancy) ; Constables — Alonzo 
Bartholf, Cyril Bowker, Peter Nolilet. 

1870: Supervisors — Wm. Albrich, Chairman, A. A. Hoyt, Absalom Williams; 
Town Clerk — B. F. Vaughn ; Treasurer — G. H. Kinne ; Assessor — Charles Martin ; Jus- 
tice of the Peace — O. Sheffield, A. A. Hoyt; Constables — C. Ho[)kins, A. Bartholf, L. G. 
Dame. 

1871 : Supervisors — Af. V. Pratt, chairman, Louis Schmidter, A. M. Aldrich ; Clerk 
— B.F.Vaughn; Treasurer — G. G. Reeves; Assessor — O. Stetson; Constables — Cyril 
Bowker, A. Bartholf, L. G. Dame. 

1872: Supervisors— A. M. Aldrich, H. D.Barnes, A. A. Hoyt; Clerk — B. F.^ 
Vaughn; Treasurer — G. G. Reeve; Assessor — O. Stetson; Justices — A. A. Hoyt, O. ' 
Sheffield ; Constables — C. Bowker, A. Bartholf, Lewis Dame, Cassius Hopkins. 

1873: Supervisors — A. M. Aldrich, H. D. Barnes, A. A. Hoyt; Clerk — B. F. 



902 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COITNTY. 

Vauglin ; Treasurer — C. A. Pratt; Assessor — J. E. Bartholf ; Constables — C. Bowker, 
L. G. Daine, Cassius Hopkius, Alonzo Bartholf. 

187-i : Supervisors — A. M. Aldrich, Chairman, H. D. Barnes, Absalom Williams; 
Clerk — B. F. Vauglin ; Treasurer — C. A. Pratt ; Assessor — J. E. Bartholf; Justices — J. 
O. Puffer, A. A. Hoyt; Constables — Cyril Bowker, L. G. Daine, Alonzo Bartholf. 

1875 : Supervisors — A. M. Aldrich, Chairman, Charles P. Green, Woodruff Potter; 
Clerk — B. F. Vaughn ; Treasurer — C. A. Pratt ; Justices — B. F. Vauglui, J. E. Bart- 
holf ; Constables — C. Bowker, L. G. Dame, A. Bartiiolf, J, C. Hopkins. 

1876: Supervisors — A. M. Aldrich, Chairman, Woodruff Potter, Charles P. Green; 
Clerk — B. F. Vauglin ; Treasurer — W. P. Storms ; Assessor — J. E. Bartholf ; Justices — 
J. 0. Puffer, A. A. Hoyt; Constables — C. Bowker, A. Bartholf, L. G. Dame. 

1877 : Supervisors — A. M. Aldrich, Chairman, A. Williams, Louis Schmidter ; 
Clerk — B. F. Vaughn ; Assessor — J. E. Bartholf; Treasurer — George Puffer; Justices — 
J. E. Bartholf, B. F. Vaughn; Constables — C. Bowker, Alonzo Bartholf, L. G. Dame. 

1878 : Supervisors — E. D. Page, Chairman, Wm. Hubbard, D. F. Thompson ; 
Clerk— J a,me>i Nipe ; Treasurer — Leroy W. Merrick ; Assessor — H. D. Barnes ; Justices 
— J. O. Puffer, A. A. Hoyt ; Constables — C. Bowker, A. Bartholf, Charles Blake. 

1879 : Supervisors — E. D. Page, Chairman, Wm. Hubbard, D. F. Thompson ; Clerk — 
James Nipe ; Treasurer — Leroy W. Merrick ; Assessor — H. D. Barnes ; Justices — J. E. 
Bartholf, Absalom Williams ; Constables — C. Bowker, A. Bartholf. 

1880: Supervisors — E. D. Page, Chairman, Wm. Hubbard, Geo. Boyer ; Clerk — 
James Nipe ; Treasurer — James Mcintosh; Assessor — H. D. Barnes; Justices — A. A. 
Hoyt, J. O. Puffer ; Constables — A. Bartholf, S. Vaughn, Cyril Bowker. 

1881 : Supervisors — O. Pratt, Chairman, Charles Hubbard, S. G. Dame ; Clerk — 
L. W. Merrick ; Treasurer — Vernon Raleigli ; Assessor — C. R. Aldrich ; Justices — Ellis 
Bartholf, Ezra Miller; Constables — Cyril Bowker, Sumner Vaughn, Alonzo Bartholf. 

THE MORMON GHUKCH IN SPRING PRAIRIE. 

In 1844, about a year before the shooting of Joseph Smith and his brother, Hiram, 
by the mob at Carthage, 111., a man of somewhat unprepossessing, not to say sinister, 
look and manner, made his appearance in the quiet and order-loving town of Spring 
Prairie. His name was James J. Strang, and he professed to be a lawyer. His brother- 
in-law, Benjamin C. Perce, resided on Section o6, near White River, and Mr. Strang 
remained for a time an inmate of his house, withoutany apparent occupation or business. 
Upon the death of tlie "Prophet of Nauvoo," Strang claimed to have received an 
appointment from him as his successor, and as a prophet of God, to lead the Mormon 
Church, t^uite a company of followers from Nauvoo, who were scattered by the death 
of Joseph Smith, soon gathered around him, and were joined by others of the same faith 
from various parts of the country. Some of the latter were soon aware that they had 
been deceived, and leaving the company, returned to their homes, " wiser if not sadder 
men," to slightly paraphrase the sentence. Otiiers, too ignorant and too credulous to 
be convinced of their own folly, or see the shallowness of Strang's pretensions, remained 
his faithful disciples ; and still another class, consisting of those who, while repudiating 
the pretensions, still honestly retained their faith in the tenets of the Mormon Church, 
remained in Spring Prairie, universally respected, holding various public offices of trust, 
and ranking among its most honest and worthy citizens. The quasi Prophet bought 200 
acres of land, platted his village and named it Voree, and appointed his High Council, 
Patriarchs, High Priests, Twelve Apostles, and likewise the Seventy. The village, in 
the height of its prosperity, contained only three or four hundred inhabitants, but Strang 
affirmed that his audiences sometimes numbered fifteen hundred. 

On the 13th of Sept., 1845, the paraphernalia being all prepared, and its machinery 
in prime working order, Mr. Strang directed Aaron Smith, the High Priest, and Disciples 
Jirah B. Wheeler, J. M. Van Ostraud and Edward Whitcomb to an oak tree, a foot in 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 903 

diameter, staudinu; on the east line of the town of Spring Prairie, and soutli of White 
River bridge, wiiere tliey would find three golden plates buried in three feet of earth. 
These precious plates would be enclosed in a case of slightly baked clay, and covered 
with a flat stone. Upon them would be found written a full account of an ancient peo- 
ple called Mormons. These men testified that they found LJie plates as directed by 
Strang, and imbedded in earth which had the appearance of having lain undisturbed for 
ages. The mysterious inscription was translated by Prophet Strang, and its most impor- 
tant clause seemed to be that Joseph Smith had appointed him to be his true and worthy 
successor. He also asserted that he liad a letter from the same great head of their church, 
containing words of like import. After a time, finding that it was necessary to supple- 
ment the power of the church with the power of the press, he published a weekly paper 
called the Voree Heruld, changed to Zion's Reveille, and finally to 2'Ae Gospel Herald. 
Neither the inspiring notes of his Reveille, nor the proclamations of his Herald, seemed 
to arouse the people to any sucii feeling of enthusiasm in his favor as he desired ; in fact 
his conduct and conversation had grown so overbearing and insolent, and his practices 
so grossly deceptive and iniquitous, as to cause Mr. Scott, a determined unbeliever in 
the great ai)Ostle of the Mormons, to start an opposition paper, chiefly devoted to the 
exposure of his various frauds and impostures, one of which was his famous "illu- 
mination." 

Strang had affirmed that he had received a revelation of a great illumination wiiich 
was soon to take place, and which would cause the heads of such of the faithful as he 
should anoint, to shine with a wonderful light ; indeed, the whole room would be filled 
with the glory of it. The miracle, however, must be performed in the evening, and in 
a dark room. The time was twice fixed for the great event that was to confound and 
convince the unbelieving Gentiles, but the leader finally decided that it would l)e useless 
to attempt to so glorify tlie " saints," unless they first performed their plain and obvious 
duty by completing the dwelling which they had in process of erection for him. The 
weather was getting cold and Mr. Sti'ang thought they were altogether too slow. 
Finally tlie house was finished, the time appointed, and a great company gathered to see 
the illumination. The room was darkened, and the heads of the chosen were duly 
anointed. Strang commenced rubbing in the wonderful ointment, with perhaps, too 
much power and vehemence, and the illumination came accompanied by a jjliosphorescent 
odor, that was not suggestive of its connection with any good spnrits. It is related, by 
scoffers, that one aged disciple had even thinner locks after the miracle was performed 
than before, in fact that the anointing and friction together, caused not oidy a glow, but 
an actual bona fide fire to surround his iiead. 

Strang's followers being a good deal divided among themselves by internal dissen- 
tions, he received a " revelation " in 1847, that he must remove his church to Beaver 
Island in Lake Michigan. The revelation was obeyed and the colony departed, not 
witiiout committing various crimes and misdemeanors, which caused much and expensive 
litigation. 

A few years after his removal to Beaver Island, Strang was shot and mortally 
wounded by two men who had previously been his followers. One of these men he had 
I)ublicly whipped, and the other he had repeatedly insulted by foul epitiiets. Strang 
was senseless when he was taken up after being shot, and never spoke again. He was 
brought to Voree, accompanied by two of his so-called " wives," and followed soon after 
by two more — all of whom remained with him until his death, which occurred about ten 
days after. The parents of .James J. Strang resided for many years in the town of 
Spring Prairie, were most worthy and exemplary people, and accounted among its best 
citizens, and their misguided son, before becoming demoralized by the Mormon delusion 
or deception, was said to be a youth of great promise. 



904 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

'CHUKCHES. 

The Baptist Church of Spring Prairie adopted its " Articles of Faith, and Church 
Covenant " May 16, 1841, at a meeting held at the house of J. O. Puffer, in Spring 
Prairie, Rev. Orra Martin serving as Moderator, and Kimball Easter'orook as Clerk. 
These were presented on the twentj'-seventh of the same month to a council composed 
of delegates from the various ciiurches of like faith in the vicinity, Rev. Henry Topping 
serving as Moderator and N. Norris as Clerk, and, being approved, the church was orga- 
nized in full fellowship with other churches of the Baptist denomination, and was called 
at that time " The Baptist Church of Spring Prairie and Burlington." Tiie following 
were the delegates to the Council : Ministerial — Revs. P. VV. Lake, A. B. Winchell and 
H. Topping; Lay — L. Ellis, N. Rouse, VVm. A. Bartlett and E. Norris. The following 
gentlemen, by request, participated in the proceedings of the Council : — Revs. R. GrifEn, 
E. Matthews, B. Perce and William R. Manning ; Lay — S. Whitman and M. C. Whitman. 
A sermon was preached on the occasion by Rev. T. W. Lake, and the right hand of 
fellowship given by Rev. H. Topping. The following persons were admitted by letter, 
as constituent members : Rev. Orra Martin, Polly S. Martin, Deacon John Bacon, Sally 
Bacon, Deacon J. O. Puffer, Hannah M. Puffer, Kimball Easterbrook, Emily Easterbrook, 
Dr. Edward G. Dyer, Ann E. Dyer, D. D. Whitmore, Prudence K. Whitmore, Geo. G. 
Colton, Nancy Colton, Enoch Miner, David Salisbury, Harvey Bacon, Wm. Dyer, Mary 
Dyer, Clarissa Hamblin, Tamar Campbell, Elizabeth Acken, Ellen Hodge, Sarah Gleason, 
Lydia Bently, Lemuel Rugg. 

Rev. Wm. R. Manning was the first pastor, commencing his pastorate July, 1841, 
and closing April 1844, 

February 18, 1843, thirteen of the members left to foim a new organization at Bur- 
lington, and the old church then assumed its present name — " The Baptist Church of 
Spring Prairie." In the spring of 1846, the church, having out-grown the school-house 
in which it had hitherto worshipped, erected a commodious church edifice at Spring 
Prairie Corners, which was dedicated to the worship of God the following December. 
The building is 36x48 feet, with a basement, and has been at various times improved and 
repaired. A bell has been hung — a good parsonage purchased, and the church property 
is now valued at f 3,000. 

A Sabbath-school was commenced in April, 1844, under the superintendence of Mr. 
Wm. Dyer, who retained the position until his death in 1848. Among his successors 
may be mentioned Mr. Chai-les Martin, who was superintendent nineteen years. The 
school has been in operation every summer since its organization, and winters since 1860. 
The whole number of members connected with the church since its organization, is about 
330. Present number, sixty. The Sabbath-school has now about ninety scholars on its 
list. 

Since the removal of Rev. W. R. Manning in 1844, the following clergymen have 
served as settled or temporary pastors : Revs. Roswell Cheney, Spencer Carr, R. R. 
Whitiier, Cantine Garrison, Jacob Bailey, A. F. Randal, Thomas Bright, E. L. Harris, 
A. Latham, J. F. Dudley, Levi Parmly, J. C. Jackson, J. H. Estey, C. W. Palmer, J. F. 
Merriam, F. Kidder, G. W. Daniels (ordained at Spring Prairie), A. Freeman and J. S. 
Forward, the present pastor. 

The following have served as Deacons : John Bacon, Sr., J. O. Puffer, Almon 
Jewel, Isaac Raymond, Russell Waite and John Bacon, Jr. Among those who have 
served as clerks may be mentioned Mr. Daniel Salisbury, who was elected six months 
from the time of the organization of the church, and served twenty-five years. 

Tlic Congregationalist Church at Spring Prairie was organized in 1840, at a meeting 
held in school-house District five then, nine now. There were present, Solomon Dwin- 
nell (deceased), Rufus Billings, Richard Chenery, Geo. and Moses Arms, David Patten 
and wife, Josiah B. Gleason and wife, with perhaps others whose names are not remem- 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUXTY. 905 

bered. The first pastor was Rev. Cyrus Nichols. This church took in settlers in Bur- 
lington, Spring Prairie Corners, and Gardner's Prairie; as the town increased in popula- 
tion, and the society proportionally in members, the parent church was divided early in 
1844, and the Spring Prairie members held services at that place. 

The present church was organized February 8, 185:^, by Reids I). Clarg and Samuel 
E. Miner, in the school-house at Spring Prairie Corners. The following were the con- 
stituent members : Stiliman S.Osgood and wife, David Patten and wife, Calvin H. 
Wylie and wife, Ephraim Foote, James C. Colwell, Augustus Colwell, Charles Colwell, 
Charles VV. Bell, Mrs. Sarah Vaughn, Mrs. Ann R. Hubbard, Mrs. Frances Mellen, Mrs. 
Martha Owen, and Miss Sarah E. Owen. The church has had the following pastors: 
Rev. Christopher C. Cadwell, Rev. J. D. Stevens, Rev. A. Sedgwick, Rev. P. C. Petti- 
bone, Rev. E. D. Keevil, Rev. S. K. Barteau, and Rev. Charles Morgan. 

A union church edifice (Congregational and Methodist) was erected at Spring 
Prairie Corners in 1860. The main building is 32x50 feet, with a class and conference 
room in the rear 20x24. Its seating capacity is 300. 

Methodist. As earl}' as the spring of 1837, a class was formed at Spring Pi-airie, by 
Rev. Samuel Pillsburv, the meetings being held at the log iiouse of Daniel Campbell, 
once in two weeks. In the summer of 1840 another class was formed by Rev. David 
Worthington, which met at Puffer's school-house, and included in its membership Mr. 
and Mrs. John M. Cowhan, Lansing Lewis, and Mrs. Lewis, his mother. Mr. Cowhan 
was the leader. The Methodists built a churcli edifice in conjunction with the Congre- 
gationalists in 1860, which is mentioned in the sketch of the Congregational Church. 

The German Methodist Church is in the north part of the town, - the northeast 
corner of Section 9. 

CEMETERIES. 

Hickory Grove Cemetery, on tlie west line of the town, was laid out in 1842 by 
Maj. Nathaniel Bell. The first burial was that of David Lutlier Trowbridge, who died 
February 17, 1844, aged twenty-three years. Up to the present time there have been 
about 250 interments. The cemeteiy is beautified with flowers and trees, and contains 
many handsome monuments. Being on the line which divides the towns of Spring 
Prairie and LaFayette, it is used by both. 

The Billings' Cemetery is on Gardner's Prairie. 

PIONEERS OF SPRING PRAIRIE. 

Mr. Palmer Gardner, the pioneer settler of Spring Prairie, was born in the 
town of Hancock, Berkshire County, Mass., Feb. 23d, 1803. His parents, Sylvester 
Gardner and Sarah Cogswell Gardner, moved to the town of Manlius, Onondaga Co., N. 
Y. in 1810. Until his seventeenth year young Palmer attended the district schools of 
the country, and during vacations assisted his father on tlie farm. He then had the 
advantage of receiving instruction one year at the academy at Manlius village, and one 
year at Geneva college. Ho was educated an Episcopalian, but felt himself bound by no 
creed, save the universal creed of good will to all tlie world. At tlie completion of his 
school education he became a practical surveyor and engineer, which profession he prac- 
ticed about ten years, surveying various canals in New York and Canada, and spendinc' 
one year in Maryland, on the Potomac canal. 

In the year 1835, then at the age of thirty-two years — uniting the strength and 
judgment of manliood with tlie energy and vigor of youth — he decided to make a tour 
of exploration and observation tlirough the almost unknown West, and should it prove 
to be " a land of promise," to make it his permanent home. Leaving Manlius on the 
first day of September, 1835, he proceeded to Detroit, and traveled over nearly every 
organized county in Michigan, luit not being satisfied with the result of his observations 
in that State, leaving on the 20th of October, he continued his course through the nor th- 

II 



9o6 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

ern parts of Indiana and Illinois to Chicago, and thence north to Milwaukee and 
Prairieville (now Waukesha), in Wisconsin. Returning, lie revisited Root River (now 
Racine) and Chicago, and arrived at his home in Manlius, convinced that of all the 
places he had visited, Wisconsin was the most desirable for a location. In journeying 
over so large a tract of wild and unsettled country, he had decided what articles were 
indispensable to a pioneer, and in starting for his future home, no money was wasted in 
useless luxuries. He left Manlius on the first day of March, 1836, and on arriving at 
Ohio, hired Irad T. Hunt to work for him one year. He also purchased grain for seed, 
and provisions to be shipjsed around the lakes at tlie opening of navigation. These arti- 
cles cost him $715.00. At Niles, Michigan, he purchased three yoke of oxen, a wagon, 
and provisions for immediate use. At Chicago he bought a breaking plow, some farm- 
ing tools, cooking utensils, a tent, and indispensable materials to be used in finishing a 
log house. On the -Srd of April he left Chicago, following the U. S. road north, until 
about three miles west of Pike Creek (now Kenosha) where he was overtaken by a 
severe rain storm which lasted three days. He managed to pi'otect the contents of his 
wagon by covering them with liis tent, and when the storm abated continued on his 
way west to Fox River, arriving there (at the present site of Burlington), April loth. 
Tlie river was swollen with the spring rains, but slight difficulties are only incentives to 
invention. Making a raft of cedar poles for his wagon, and attaching to it a rope which 
he had stored among his " indispeusables." he crossed the river in an Indian canoe which 
he fortunately found, and making the oxen swim, he drew the raft, with its precious 
cargo, across by the rope. On arriving at this point in his undertaking, Mr. Gardner 
decided that in the near vicinity was the place to "pitch his tent." or more accurately 
speaking, to build his log house. Accordingh^ he commenced taking observations of 
the surrounding countiy, and before the day closed had selected the site on which he 
afterwards lived so many busy years, on the beautiful prairie which bears his name. He 
found a town line stake recently set by the surveyors, and with his own chain and com- 
pass run a line from the Southeast corner of the town to find the section line, and made 
his claim accordingly. In about two weeks the land was divided into sections by the U. 
S. surveyors, and Mr. Gardner's lines proving to be correct, he found himself possessed 
of a very valuable claim. He purchased at the land sale 480 acres on Sections 25 
and 26. 

On the morning of tlie 17th of April, 1836, the first house in Spring Prairie was 
commenced. 

The privations and inconveniences of pioneer life do not end by any means wlien 
a shelter is secured, even tliough it be as comfortable as that of Mr. Gardner. It would 
be considered no slight hardship to persons accustomed to the every-day comforts and 
luxuries of modern Western life — to those who feel that the wheels of business are com- 
pletely blocked, if a snow storm disarranges the telegraph wires for twenty-four hours, 
or to the farmer with his magnificent appliances of steam machinery, that seem almost 
alive with intelligence — to submit to the provoking delays, and annoyances, that attend 
such a life, even under the most favorable circumstances. 

When Palmer Gardner built his log-house on the Wisconsin prairie, he knew of no 
settler nearer than twenty miles — he was utterly alone save the laborer he had hired to 
assist him, and he was thirty miles from any post-office or any source of supply what- 
ever. His house was well built and well answered its purpose, and in the early days 
when tired and hungry travelers liad only the hospitality of the pioneer settlers to 
depend upon, many a one had reason to bless the bachelor proprietor of the first house 
in Spring Prairie. 

Of the inconveniences and more serious hardships which he experienced, during the 
early years of his residence in Spring Prairie only a few will be mentioned, — the former 
were incessant, and the latter he bore with clieerful philosophy. Oue very provoking 
and yet almost ludicrous incident was that of having to travel miles to procure matches. 



HISTOR\' OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 907 

Another rather more serious annoyance, and veiT provoking delay, occurred in the mid. t 
of his plowing in June. His plow needed sharjjening, and the nearest place to have tlie 
work done was Pike Creek (now Kenosha). He accordingly started on Monday morn- 
ing with his team ot" horses, which he had purchased, had his plow made nice and shaip, 
and returned Wednesday evening. Thursday morning the breaking team was started, 
but before it had gone once around, the plow hit a stone, and the work of three days 
was undone — the plow was broken. Mr. Gardner, with his usual cheerfulness, remarked 
that " the horses were already hitched to tiie wagon," and loading the plow onto it he 
immediately started again for Kenosha — had it repaired, and returned Saturday night — 
a week with a wagon and two horses to get a plow in working order. His experience 
with the plow convinced him of the necessity of having a grind-stone of his own, and 
soon after being in Milwaukee, he resolved to procure one. The only grind-stone to be 
found in the metropolis of Wisconsin was at" Breed's Grocery." No one could tell who 
owned it. Mr. Gardner determined, at all events, to have that grind-stone. Unfor- 
tunately, he had left his pony to graze when about half way to Milwaukee, and walked 
the remaining distance. Tliere was no way, tlierefore, but to carry the grind-stone till he 
could reach his ponj' and divide the load. Leaving three dollars with Mr. Breed as pay- 
ment, and promising to pay more if the owner appeared and demanded it, our resolute 
pioneer took his grind-stone — l)ought a piece of cotton cloth and made a sack to put it in, 
threw it over his shoulder and sturdily walked homeward. When he reached his pony 
he mounted, and lastening the sack around his neck, let the load rest on the saddle, and 
in this way made his way to Spriiig Prairie. The record does not state whether the 
owner of the grind-stone ever made his appearance in Milwaukee. 

Mr. Gardner has held various town offices — Town Clerk, Road Commissioner, etc., 
and was elected a member of tiie Assembly of January 4, 1847. He married on February 
14, 1844, at Manlius, Miss Margaret S. Williams, daughter of Samuel Williams of that 
place. Tliey had one child, a lovely and accomplished daughter, on wliose education no 
effort or expense had been spared. In the glow of lier youtii, soon after her graduation 
at tiie Rockford Female Seminary, she was prostrated with sickness and died in 18G5, at 
tlie age of twenty years. A few years later Mrs. Gardner's liealth failed, and she, too, after 
a long illness, died May 10, IsTl. Wisliing to be free from the cares of farm life, and 
in consideration of the declining liealtli of his wife, Mr. Gardner, during her illness, 
built a dwelling house at Burlington, Racine Co., but at its completion she was unable 
to be moved. Afler her deatii, Mr. (iardner removed to the new liome, and has since 
married Mrs. Leontine E. Dezatelle. He still resides at Burlington, but owns the farm, 
and rides out to it nearly every pleasant day, although now seventy-eight years of age. 

Daniel Salisbury, now the oldest living settler in Walworth County, was born in 
the Town of Hcmier (now Cortlandville), Cortland County, N. Y., on tlie twenty-fifth of 
January, 1814. During his boyhood, Daniel attended the district school in the neigh- 
borhood, and in his vacations assisted liis fatlier, who was a farmer. He afterwards had 
the advantage of attending, a select school in Cortland Village for a term, and the Aca- 
demy in the village of Homer about six months. How well he improved these privi- 
leges, may be inferred from tlie fact that while a mere youtli — only in his eighteenth 
year — he commenced teaching. How well he succeeded in his new career may be in- 
ferred from tlie fact that he continued to teach for six winters in his native State, and 
afterwards taught the first winter school in Spring Prairie for two seasons. 

In April, 1836, young Salisbury decided to seek out for himself a new home in the 
West. Michigan, — at that time almost the boundary of the known West, — was his ob- 
jective point. He started in company with two otlier young men, who purchased land 
in Michigan, about forty miles from Detroit. Not liking the place where his companions 
located, Mr. Salisbury returned to Detroit, and taking a fresh start, visited Laporte, Ind. 
He spent several days at, and south of this place, but judging from the ill health of the 
inhabitants that tiie locality was an unhealthy one, again turned liis face toward the 



9o8 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

North, and visited Michigan City and Chicago — the latter place being described by a 
writer of the day as "a low muddy town of cheap, wooden houses." From Chicago, 
young Salisbury started, alone and on foot, on his journey of exploration and observa- 
tion. He had no compass ; — nothing but his steady head, his brave heart, and strong 
arm, the trail of the Indian, and the " lights of Heaven," to guide or help him through 
the unbroken wilderness. After traveling about three days in a northwesterly direction, 
Mr. Salisbury was misdirected, and found himself in one of the forests of northern Illi- 
nois, where there was no mark to show that it had ever known the presence of a white 
man before. After wandering about for two days, with only one meal — the last of his 
food — and lying two nights on the ground, he found that in order to live, he must soon 
find help and sustenance. It being a clear day, he believed, with the aid of the sun and 
his watch, he might keep his course due east, until he struck the Chicago & Milwaukee 
U. S. Road, — the only one in the country. Wlien he reached the Fox River, to his dis- 
appointment he found it too deep to ford; but following the course of the river, after 
several futile attempts, he finally succeeded in fording it, when another serious trouble 
was experienced ; — clouds had gathered, and he could no longer see the sun, or take any 
certain direction. Believing that the river ran south, he took a course at right 
angles with it, and plodded on through the rain, as best he might, all the afternoon, until 
nearly evening. At that time he came to an Indian camp of four or five wigwams. He 
had not sufiicient confidence in their friendliness to ask for food, but got one of their 
number to paddle him in a canoe over a deep stream, which lay before him, and pursued 
his way, feeling that he would be only too thankful if they would leave him unmo- 
lested. He now had a trail to follow, and soon after dark coming to a small lake, with 
a comparatively dry margin of sand between it and the grass, he laid there all night. 
In the morning he found his boots so hard, wet, and stiff from the soaking of the day 
before, that it was with difficulty he could walk. After a time he succeeded in drawing 
them off, and walked until noon in his stockings, when he arrived at the house of Mr. 
Gage, and remained there a day and a half. One can imagine what a luxury the coarse 
food and shelter of the pioneer settler must have seemed, after such a long and toil- 
some journey. Mr. Salisbur3''s difficulties were now comparatively over. After leaving 
Mr. Gage's he pursued an easterly direction to the Milwaukee Road, followed that road 
to Pike Creek (now Kenosha), and the next day followed Mr. Palmer Gardner's 
wagon track west to Fox River. Wlien he came to the river he hallooed a few times, 
and a " dusky maiden " afjpeared, paddling " her light canoe down the rai3id river." Our 
Western pioneer was speedily set across, and on the twenty-fifth day of May, 1836, ar- 
rived at Mr. Gardner's hospitable home. He immediately set his claim on Section 29, 
and at the land sale purchased 320 acres. 

Some incidents of the suffering and hardship which Mr. Salisbury personally ex- 
perienced during the first hard winter, are given, and they present a truthful picture of 
the ordinary life of a pioneer settler. 

About the first of December, 1836, he started with an ox-team from Delavan, to go 
to Driskill's Grove, 111., for provisions. The weather was so severely cold, that to keep 
still, was to freeze, and Mr. Salisbury traveled all day, and untill 11 o'clock in the night 
without seeing a person or a house. At about that hour he found in his path a large 
pool of ice, about ten rods wide, and so slippery that the cautious oxen would not venture 
upon it. After spending a long time that cold September night in vain attempts to find 
some available spot where he could cross, he finally was obliged to leave his oxen, take 
the trail, and go two or three miles to the Piscasaw River, which he found frozen on 
either side, but a space in the middle partially open. He had no alternative — he must 
get across — so, letting the ice bear where itwould, and break where it must, he gained 
the opposite shore, and without daring to stop to pour the water from his boots, and with 
his clothes frozen stiff, hurried on until he reached a house about one and a half miles 
from the river, on Squaw Prairie, near the present site of Belvidere. He arrived just as 



HISTORY OF W.MAVORTH COUNTY. 909 

daylight was dawning in tlie East. Waiting only to waini himself, and get breakfast, he 
took a wagon and yoke of oxen whieh had been shod, went back and drew his team 
across the ice and tiie river, and reached DriskilFs Grove on the third day. 

He bought five hogs and waited for them to be butcliered the next day, went four 
miles to buy his flour and meal, and started for home. His misfortunes on his return 
were almost equal to his former ones. After two days' tedious traveling he broke through 
tiie ice in a slough ten miles from any house, and, worst of all, broke his axle-tree in his 
attempt to extricate tlie team. The nearest house was Mr. Van Slyck's, at the head of 
Geneva Lake.' He accordingly went tliere and stayed until morning, and then taking a 
wagon, went back and changed his load, and returned to Phojuix's, being gone nine days 
to get a small load of provisions. 

During the same winter, twenty-fourth of December, Mr. Salisbury again started 
with an ox-team for lumber for Mr. Pliojnix. The lumber was to be procured at the 
nearest saw-mill wliicli was at the rapids of Root River. The next morning (Christmas) 
rose clear and still, but intensely cold. The snow was several inches deep, there was no 
track, the oxen were slow, and it was seventeen miles to the nearest house. When he 
arrived there his feet were so badlj' frozen that he was not able to wear his boots again 
for two months, and he never entirely recovei'ed from the effects of the exposure. 

Mr. Salisbury has been twice married ; on April 1. 1841, to Miss Harriet Wheeler, 
who died August IGth, 1843, and on June 1, 1848, to Miss Lucinda Bryant, of Wyoming 
Co., N. Y., who died May 14th, 1878. He has had six children, four of whom are living. 
The oldest, Wayland, died the loth of December, 186G, aged eighteen years. Hattie, 
wife of Frank J. Palmer, died July 9th, 1880. The second son, Rollin, a graduate of 
Beloit College, is at present in the employ of the State Geologist. One daughter is 
keeping house for her father, and the others are engaged in teaching. Mr. Salisbury has 
held various town offices in Spring Prairie : Chairman of Supervisors, Town Clerk and 
Justice of the Peace. He was a delegate from Walworth County to the first political 
convention ever held in Milwaukee County. The convention was held at Rochester, in 
183(j, for the purpose of nominating Territorial officers (two councilmen and three repre- 
sentatives. 

In 1879, having reached an age where ease and rest was more congenial than active 
labor, he left his farm in Spring Prairie and removed to the village of Elkhorn, where he 
now resides — a man beloved and respected all over the county which he entered so early, 
and where he has lived for so manv years a pure, upright, and conscientious Christian 
life. 

Dk. a. a. Hemenway. — This early settler and pioneer, the first physician, ho- 
tel keeper, and postmaster of Spring Prairie, first opened his eyes upon this busy world 
about the year 1800, and somewhere near Erie, Penn. His father being accidentally 
killed during his infancy, he was early left to care for himself, and to depend upon his 
own resources. Upon entering manhood he studied medicine, and commenced his prac- 
tice as a physician in the town of La Porte, Ind. Although he never pursued his studies 
sufficiently to receive a diploma, his cool head, quiet nerves and good judgment went far 
towards assuring success in the sick-room. Dr. Hemenway left La Porte in 1836, and 
arrived in Spring Prairie in the early days of June. He secured a valuable claim on 
Section 30, and in the spring of 1837 erected at " tlie corners, " a large, two-story 
log tavern, one of tlie most commodious built during the early days, and one which was 
to serve for many years, numerous and ver}- different purposes. Its oaken walls were 
to listen to the voice of prayer, and to the " merry tap of dancing feet ;" to the games 
of children, and to the discussion of grave questions of political interest; to the impa- 
tient demands of the tired and hungry traveler, and to the stories of " old times in the 
old home," told by the lonesome, homesick settler; to the welcome voice which brought 
tidings from the outside world, and to the sometimes sad story of suffering and want 
within the limits of the little colony settled on the Wisconsin prairie. 



910 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

In 1845, when the old "los: tavern" had served its purpose, and the wants of the 
people had outgrown its dimensions. Dr. Henienwav erected a large brick hotel, with 
ample accommodations of all kinds for the wants of travelers. He was appointed tlie 
first postmaster of Spring Prairie (tlie office then called Fianklin\ in 1838, and retained 
the situation until 1845. After remaining in the hotel nearly twent}' years, he sold out 
and removed to Towa, and thence to Oregon, where he now resides. 

Dr. Hemenway was what in these latter days is termed a Free-Thinker ; having no 
faith in the value of religious forms or church associations, if. indeed, his belief did not 
go farther and deeper. That he had no desire to prevent others fiom practicing these 
forms, cr enjoying those associations is evinced by the fact of his opening his house for 
ths first public religious assembly held in the town, and if on that hot July da}-, with 
the winds of the prairie murmuring outside, and the soothing voice of the preacher 
within, "sleep did overcome his eyes, and slumber his eyelids," even the most conscien- 
tious will not have to stretch the mantle of charity very wide in order to cover his 
failing. 

Hon. Samcel Pratt. — Samuel Pratt was born in the town of Enfield, Hamp- 
shire Co., Mass., October 6, 1807. When he was seven years of age, his parents 
removed to Geauca County, Ohio, at which place he lived until 1829. At that date he 
moved to White Pigeon, Michigan — at that time a wild and unsettled region — no saw or 
srristmill being nearer than 100 miles, and no newspaper published within 180 miles. 
Once a week the mail was carried from Detroit to Chicago on horseback, and that link 
seemed the only one that connected the settlers at White Pigeon with the world outside, 
save the passing travelers, on their way still farther towards the settling sun. Mr. Pratt 
came to S[)ring Prairie in the fall of 1837, and purchased a claim, which he subsequently 
improved, but did not move his family until 1845. He set himself to the task of im- 
proving and cultivating his farm with the same enerey and fidelity which he afterwards 
displayed in important offices of trust and responsibility, faithfulness, — fidelity, seeming 
to be the key-nrte of his character. In 1849, he was elected a member of the Assembly, 
and re-elected in 1855 and 1863. In 1869 he was elected to the Senate, and re-elected 
in 1871. 

Mr. Pratt was emphatically a self-made man. Receiving but a limited education 
from books — his youth being passed in frontier districts destitute of schools, and his 
earlv manhood in fighting the battle of his life in a new and rude country, he instinct- 
ively and intuitively seemed to draw mental nutriment from the men and scenes that 
surrounded him. The passing traveler who tarried at his hotel, the new-coming settlers, 
the chance visitor, all could give him something which he could digest and assimilate, 
and make a part of himself — the way self-made men are alwaifS made. Tlie influence of 
Mr. Pratt was always excited in favor of temperance in every phase. He was a con- 
scientious member of the Congregationalist Church — one of its constituent members. 
His death was sudden. On his way to Milwaukee on the 2"2d day of Maich, 1877, he 
left the cars at Racine to walk a short distance, fell suddenly, and immediately expired 
of disease of the heart. Tiie following summary of his character, by one who knew 
him intimately for over forty years, is just aiul true : " Blessed with a conscientiousness 
which led him to approve the right as it appeared to him, he never shrank from a frank 
avowal of his convictions. Possessing strong reasoning powers, and living a life of the 
strictest prol)ity he made an enduring impress upon his fellow-citizens. ***** 
Generous to a large degree, his hand was ever open to the needy and worthy poor. 
Though he had acquired a large property, it was obtained by prudent forecast — not a 
dollar of it bore the taint of avarice or fraud, and we think there is no record of any 
court which shows his name as plaintiff or defendant." 

He was btn-ied at Spring Prairie, Monday. March 23, 1879, mourned not only by liis 
friends and neighbors, but by the entire county, which he entered so early, and for which 
he labored so faithfully. 



HISTORY OF \V.\1, WORTH COl'KTY. 911 

David Pratt was born in Massachusetts, but when quite young removed with 
his parents to Ohio. On arriving at years of manhood he settled in Indiana, and in 1836, 
in company witli his brotlier-in-law, Solomon Harvey, removed to Spring Prairie, arriving 
there on the second of June. Mr. Pratt was accompanied to his new home by his wife 
and five children. Claims were secured by the new comers on Section 30, and a house 
built on that of Mr. Pi'att, into which the whole family moved one week after their 
arrival. 

An incident in Mr. Pratt's experience, illustrates the fertility of the prairie at that 
early da}'. Early in the summer of 1837, he had ploughed eighteen acres in Section 30, 
in September sowed it to wheat, and in 1838 harvested a good crop. He designed 
plowing and sowing the ground again that fall, but failed to do so. 

A press of work and other causes prevented him from doing anything to the land the 
following spring, but he found that new wheat had sprung up and seemed to be growing 
quite well. In the fall of 1839, he harvested fourteen bushels to the acre on an average, 
from wheat that had scattered the previous fall, without plowing, sowing oj- harrowing. 

Mr. Pratt was an exceptionally honest, upright man in all his dealings, and com- 
manded universal respect. In May, 18.57, he sold his farm at Spring Prairie and moved 
to Minnesota. Mr. Pratt died August 3, 1877, at Clayton, in that State, aged seventy- 
four 3'ears. 

Mr. Solomon Harvky, the brother-in-law of Mr. David Pratt, came at the 
same time (June 3, 1836), settled on the same Section (30), and lived for a time with 
his family in the same house. Mr. Harvey had a wife and three cliildren, so that the 
united families must have numbered twelve. The two gentlemen brought a large amount 
of stock — cows, oxen, horses and fowl. To his occupation as a farmer, Mr. Harvey joined 
that of carpenter. He also carried the mail once a week on horseback from Spring Prairie 
to Geneva in the year 1838, when the mail route was established from Racine to Mineral 
Point. Mr. Harvey's salary was the amount of postage on the matter he carried. In 
September, 1838, Mr. Harvey, in addition to his mail, carried a bag of wheat to be ground 
at Geneva Mill, said to be the first ground there. 

Deacon John Bacon was a native of Kinderhook, N. Y. He was born in 
1785. When a youth of fifteen, he lost a devoted Christian mother, and from the in- 
fluence of that event, soon became himself a member of the Baptist Church. He married 
Miss Sarah Perry, of Wardsborough, Vt., and a few years after his marriage moved to 
Angelica, Allegany Co., N. Y., when that country was a wilderness. He again removed 
to Springfield, Erie Co., Penna., and resided there man}' years. He was the father of 
fourteen children, five of whom died before he came to Wisconsin. His wife and the 
remaining nine came with him. He brought all he had — wife, children and household 
goods in four large covered wagons. His cows also were brought, making quite a caravan, 
which arrived on the fourteenth of March, 1838. 

His first claim was bought on Gardner's Prairie, but afterward sold, and the one 
owned by Daniel Campbell, on Section 27, purchased instead. Deacon Bacon was a 
man of strong mind, and resolute will, not easily discouraged by disappointment or 
daunted by danger. He was a firm and conscientious Baptist, but his interest in the 
welfare of others, was not confined to any churcli, but extended to all humanity, for he 
sincerely felt that "all are brothers." He died at his residence in Spring Prairie, Dec. 
] 6th, 1865, aged eighty years. Three of his children are livincf : Mrs. Rev. Hiram 
Hutchings, of Brooklyn, N. Y.; Mrs. Wilcox, of Spring Prairie, and Daniel, who lives in 
Idaho. He has a grandson, Charles S. Bacon, who is a teacher in Milwaukee. 

WAR HISTORY. 

The town of Spring Prairie stootl its share of suffering in making the sacrifice to 
the terrible demands of the war. She furnished her full quota of 106 men without a 



912 HISTORY OF WAIAVORTH (^OUNTY. 

murmur, and raised $23,644. Further details are furnished in the general war history, 
which tells her story and that of the other sister towns. 

SPRING PRAIRIE IN 1881. 

The population of Sprint Prairie in 1880, according to the Federal census, was 
1,107. 

The principal farm products for 1880 were : Wheat, 15,075 bu.; corn, 87,900 hu., 
oats, 56,290 bu.; barley, 8,040 bu.; rve, 1,850 bu.; potatoes, 7,310 bu.; apples, 16,200 
bu.; hay, 3,705 tons : butter, 58,500 lbs.; cheese, 150,488 lbs. 

In 1881 there were 5,162 acres of growing grain, 341 acres of apple orchard, 3,391 
acres of mowing and pasture land, and 3,231 acres of growing timber. There were 706 
milch cows, valued at §20,700. 

' There were eight whole, and one joint school districts. The number of scholars 
between the ages of four and twenty years, was 307, of which number 252 attended 
school. There were nine schools, taught by nine teachers, at average monthly wages of 
$30 for male, and $24.30 for female teachers. There were nine school houses, valued, 
including the site, at $6,610. 

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

C. R. ALDRICH, farmer, Sec. 30; P. O. Spring Prairie; ivas born in Cheshire Co.,N. H., in 
1819. He went to Davenport, Iowa, in 1855, and engaged in painting the new railroad bridge just 
completed across the Mississippi River at that place. This was the first railroad bridge built 
across the Mississipjii River. He came to Spring Prairie in the Fallot 1S56. He purchased his 
present farm in the following February, of Mr. David Pratt. Mrs. A. was formerly Miss Julia 
A. Carpenter, born in New Hampshire. They have two daughters, Fanny P., wife of Edgar 
Weeks, and Maria E. Mr. .\.'s farm contains 205 acres ; beside his general farming, he engaged 
in the poultry business. The amount of business he has done in this line during the past four- 
teen years aggregates i^ioo^ooo. 

WILLIAM ALDRICH, settled in Spring Prairie, on Section 35, in March 1847, having 
purchased of Samuel Neff, land that he and his brother bought of Government in 1839. Mr. A. 
was born in Lisbon, N. H., Dec. 3, 1807. Married Hannah K. Montgomery, of Whitefield, N. 
H., March 7, 1833. Emigrated to Ohio in 1836, to Missouri in 1837, to Illinois in 1838, and to 
Keokuk, Iowa, in 1840, where he lived till he moved to Sjjring Prairie. He held the office of 
Justice of the Peace, and Supervisor several temrs. and was Chairman of Town Board in 1870. He 
moved to Burlington. Racine Co., in 1865, but returned to .Spring Prairie on purchasing a farm, 
southwest (|uarter of Section 26, in 1S6S, on which he lived till his death, Dec. 27, 1876. He 
had si.x children, three of whom died in infancy. His wife, two sons and one daughter survive 
him : Alma M., Martha J., wife of William H. Hubbard, born in Keokuk, Iowa, 1845, who also 
resides on Section 26; William H., born in Spring Prairie, 1853, farmer, lives on Section 26. 

ALM.A M. ALDRICH, farmer; was born in Kirtland, Ohio, May 6, 1837, and lives on the 
old homestead on Section 35 ; P. O. Burlington. He was elected member of the Board of Super- 
visors in 1871, and Chairman of the Board the six succeeding years, and in 1S77 was elected to 
the State Legislature, as Assemblyman. He was married to S. Elizabeth, daughter of Lyman 
Hewitt, of Rochester, in, 1865. They have two children, Charles F., born 1S66, George H., 
born i868. 

WILLIAM H. .\LDRICH, farmer. Section 26 ; P. O. Burlington, Racine County, son of 
William Aldrich, was born at the homestead. April 20, 1853. Married Jennie E. Benson, born 
in Kenosha County. Thev have four children — Harry E., Grace, Mabel, and Percy. 

WILLIAM H. HUBBARD, who also resides on Section 26, married Martha J. Aldrich, 
daughter of William Aldrich. He was born in the town of Mt. Morris, Livingston Co., N. Y., 
in 1843 ; his father was Halsey Hubbard, wlio cime to the town of Sjiring Prairie 
from Mt. Morris in 1853; Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard have two ciiildren, Angelia and Ira. Mr. 
Hubbard's farm contains 200 acres. 

FR.A-NCIS B.AKER, farmer, Section 10; P. O. Honey Creek. He is numbered with the 
early settlers of Spring Prairie. He was born in the Town of Pawlet, Rutland Co., Vt., Dec. 23, 



HISTORY OF WATWORTH COUNTY. 913 

1814. When ten years of age, he removed with his parents to Bennington County, where he was 
brought up. He came to the territory of Wisconsin when about twenty-three years of age; his 
father came with his family about the same time, and the family located on Section 7, in the 
town of Spring Prairie. His father had four sons and one daughter. I'rancis is the only mem- 
ber of his father's family living in Walworth County. His father lived with his children, for 
several years previous to his death he staid at the residence of his daughter in the town of La Fay- 
ette, June 24, 1850. His mother died Oct. 26, 1857, at the age of sixty-eight. Mr, B. has been 
married twice; his first wife was Olive Kinnev, born in Vermont, where they were married, she 
was born July 11. 1821, and died Sept. 12, 1876. His present wife was Mrs. Anna Britchard. 
He had three children by first wife, only one of whom is living. Has two children by present 
wife. His farm contains 280 acres of land. 

JOSEPH BARNES, farmer. Section 30 ; P. O. Spring Prairie; he was born in Washington 
Co., N. Y., Dec. 19, 1795, where he was brought up. When twenty-two years of age he went to 
New York city, where he lived eight years. He lost his first wife in the State of New York, and 
was married to Lovina Yaw, born in the State of Vermont. They came to the town of Spring 
Prairie from the State of New York in May, 1848, and purchased a farm of Horace Coleman, 
which became their homestead, and is now owned and occupied by their son, Henry D. Mr. 
and Mrs. Barnes resided at the homestead until their death. Henry B. Barnes was born in Chen- 
ango Co., N. Y., in 1842. He served three years in the war of the Rebellion, as a member of the 
28th Reg. W. V. I.. He was married April 30, 1871, to Mary L. Hay, daughter of Horace N. 
Hay, an early settler of the town of T^aFayette ; he died at sea on his way to California in 1853. 
Mr. and Mrs. Barnes have two children, Herbert T. and T^ovinia. Mrs. Barnes was born at 
Elkhorn in 1846. 

J. E. BARTHOI.F, farmer; P. O. Burlington ; Section 22, Township 3, Range 18 east; 
son of John I,. Bartholf, who was born in Orange Co,, N. Y., Sept. 2, 17S6, Settled in Batavia, 
Genesee Co., N. Y., in an early day. Removed to Illinois in 1844, and came to Walworth 
County with his fatnily in the Spring of 1847, and settled on the farm where his son, J. E. Bart- 
holf, now lives ; purchasing said farm of G. W. Amies. The parents of J. E. resided here until 
their death. His father died in 1867, and his mother, whose maiden name was Cornelia^hower- 
man, died in 1869; has two brothers and two sisters — Alfred, Alonzo, Jane and Elizabeth. J. 
E. .was born in Batavia, Genesse Co, N. Y., March 21, 1826; married Mary J. Van Alstine, 
whose father was an early settler of Racine County, March 16, 1855. They have three children 
living — Willie, born Feb. 29, 1868; Charlie, Feb. 14, 1870, and Ella, Aug. 2, 1872. 

ALONZO BARTHOLF, farmer. Section 26 ; P. O. Burlington, Racine County; son of 
John L. Bartholf. He was born in Batavia, Genesee Co., N. Y., in 1828. Came 'to Walworth 
('ounty with his parents in 1847, and has been a resident of the town of Spring Prairie since that 
time. His wife was Miss Zelia M. Moe, daughter of Mr. E. Moe, who settled in Racine in 
1S44. Mr. and Mrs. Bartholf have two children, Albert A. and Mabel H. Mr. Bartholf's farm 
contains 121; acres. 

WILLIAM BERRY, (deceased) of Sprins; Prairie, a member of the first constitutional con- 
vention, was born in Salem. Mass., Dec. 20, 1780, of good Puritan stock. Removing to Madison 
and Courtland Counties, N. Y., in .'\pril, 1798 ; he married Miss Nancy Mellen, of Pelham, 
Mass. He came to Honey Creek in 1843, engaged in farming, and showed himself a man of 
such superior ability, that three years thereafter, he took his seat in the Constitutional Conven- 
tion, as the oldest member from Walworth County, in the State While in Courtland County, 
Mr. Berry served as Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, and was Justice of the Peace for sev- 
eral years during his residence in Walworth County. In the death of Mr. Berry, the town lost 
an honored citizen. 

A.'VRON BLAKEMAN. retired farmer and carpenter ; Spring Prairie. Born in Albany 
Co., N. Y., March 2, 1800. He learned the trade of carpenter; was married Oct. 20, 1822, to 
Lydia Ivarl, born in Bethlehem, .Albany County, May 30, 1806. Mr. Blakeman has worked at 
mechanical business for the greater part of his life. He came to Spring Prairie, Nov. 1,1854, 
and purchased a farm on Section 31, of Israel Williams. He sold his farm to the present owner, 
(leorge (Jreen, and came to the Village of Spring Prairie in the Fall of 1865. lie worked here 
at the business of carpentry and repairing for several years, but has now, practically, retired 
from business. Mr. and Mrs. Blakeman have four children — William E., at Jessup, Iowa; Mrs. 
Julia Livingston, in Elkhorn ; Levi H., in the marble business, at Spring Prairie; and Edward 



914 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

in Iowa. They lost five children, four of whom died in childhood. Jane A, wife of Stephen B. 
Curtis, died March 29, 1872. The children were all born in the State of New York. Mr. and 
Mrs. Blakeman having been married October, 1822, have passed nearly sixty years of married 
life together. 

RUFUS M. BILLINGS, farmer; Section 28 ; P. O. Spring Prairie; son of Rufus Billings, 
who was born in the town of Somers, Tolland Co., Conn., in 1803. He resided for some years 
at Utica, and Trenton Falls, N. Y. He was one of the pioneers of Walworth County. He came 
here in the Fall of 1836, and settled on Section 23, Town of Spring Prairie, on the farm now 
owned by T. W. Buell ; he resided there until 1866, when he rented his farm, and removed to 
Burlington, Racine County, but sold his farm two years later; he still resides at Burlington. He 
had four children, two of whom are living, Rufus M. and Levi J. The later now lives at Green 
Bay. Rufus M. was born at Trenton Falls, N, Y., in 1833; has been a resident of Spring Prairie 
since he came with his father's family, except two years, which he passed at Boston, Mass., and 
about the same length of time in Racine, Wis. He married Julia Bacon, in 1865, a resident of 
Trenton Falls, N. Y. Mr. B. makes a speciality of dairying. 

SAMUEL BRITTAIN, farmer. Sec. 11, P. O. Honey Creek. Mr. Brittain was born in 
Lincolnshire, England, in 1810. He came to the United States in May, 1834. He lived in the 
State of New York for about one year; thence to Michigan, where he stayed about the same 
length of time; thence to Chicago and Milwaukee. In the latter city — or more properly, ham- 
let, as it was then — he engaged to drive team for Messrs. Pettibone & Foster; but not satisfied 
with his position, he remained there but a few days, and then set out for Walworth County. Soon 
after his arrival, he made a claim on Sec. 34, in the town of Geneva, and also in the same town 
at the head of Geneva Lake; the latter is a part of what is now the farm of Royal Williams. 
The first claim he was obliged to relinquish, when the land came into market, for the want of 
means to purchase; but the other he kept for about five years, and then exchanged his Geneva 
land for eighty acres adjoining his present farm, on which he settled, and where he lived for about 
four years. He sold that farm, and bought his present farm. His wife was Elizabeth Hoyt, 
daughter of Benjamin Hoyt. She was born in Vermont, in 1814. Mr. and Mrs. Brittain have 
had fivj children, three of whom are living — Susan (now Mrs. John Midbury), in Missouri; 
Julia, at home, and Clara (now Mrs. Horace Baker). Mr. Brittain's farm contains eighty acres. 

MARCUS R. BRITTEN, farmer. Sec. 15, Town 3, Range 18 east; P. O. Vienna. He was 
born in the town of Amsterdam, Montgomery County, N. Y., Sept. 18, 1815. His parents, 
Joseph and Phebe Camfield Britten, were natives of New Jersey. Mr. B. went to Michigan in 
the Fall of 1836. He resided in the town of Centerville, St. Joseph County, in that State, for 
about two years. He then returned to the State of Nevv York in the Spring of 1S39. He came 
to Walworth County the same year, and purchased of the Government 440 acres of land, of 
which his present farm of 200 acres forms a part. He was married in the State of New York, 
Jan. 3, 1841, at Little Falls, to Caroline Klock, born in the town of Little Falls, Herkimer 
County, in May, 1815; returned here in May of that year, and has resided on the farm since 
that time. Mr. and Mrs. Britten have four children — Mrs. Ellen Britten ; Almy (now Mrs. A. 
H. Onderdonk) ; Riley T., and Agnes M. (now Mrs. J. (^. Hopkins). Mr. B., his wife and 
daughter Ellen, who lives at home, are members of the Baptist Church. The Church with 
which he is identified is at Rochester, Racine County, which is probably the oldest Church 
organization, of that denomination, in the State of Wisconsin. The organization dates from 
Sept. 10, 1837. He united with this Church in August, 1841, and has been prominently identi- 
fied with the Church since that time. Mr. Britten is a man with strong convictions and positive 
ideas, earnest and unrelenting in condemning what he believes to be wrong, and equally earnest 
in sustaining what lie believes to be right. Politically, he was a Democrat until 1843; was 
thereafter an Abolitionist, and is now identified with the American or Anti-Secret Society 
party. 

THOMAS W. BUELL, Sec. 23, P. O. Burlington, Wis., is a native of Lebanon, Madison 
County, N. Y., where he was born in 1829, and lived on a farm until 20 years of age, when he 
engaged as clerk for one year in the mercantile business, and then entered into business for 
himself. In the spring of 1855, he came to Burlington, Racine Co., Wis., and clerked for Orson 
Sheldon, Esq., for one year, when he engaged in the railroad business, having charge of the 
freight and passenger business for about four years at Burlington, when he was placed in charge 
of the same company's business at Beloit, Wis., where he remained three years, after which he 



HISTORY OF WATWORTH COUNTY. 915 

returned to Burlington, and eiigaged in the mercantile business for a brief period, and, in 1S64. 
engaged with the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company of Milwaukee, with which 
comiianv he was connected for a period of nearly eighteen years, having resigned in June, 1881, 
but at tlie earnest solicitation of the management continued with 'them until January. 1882. 
Mr. Buell made the'business of insurance'a thorough study, and understands in detail every de- 
partment of the company. Commencing as a solicitor, and for twelve vears having charge of 
the company's agency department as Assistant Superintendent of Agencies, he retired from the 
comjiany to whom he has given eighteen years of the best part of his life, upon his own volition, 
and purposes giving the most of his time hereafter in caring for his large stock farm in Wal- 
worth County, in connection with his son, Fred. J. Buell. Mr. Buell retired from the insurance 
business greatly at the regret of his co-workers, as was evident by the flattering testimonials 
which were adopted in the form of resolutions at the meeting of the Agents' Association held in 
Milwaukee, Jan. 26, 1882, and ordered engrossed and presented to him. Mr. Buell's first wife 
was Miss Clara I<. Thurston, born in Madison County, N. Y. She died in Burlinston, in 1868, 
leaving three children, only one of whom, Fred. J., is living; he was born in Beloit in i860. 
His present wife was Miss Marv F,. Bliss, to whom he was married in 1870, and by whom he 
has two children, Florence E. and Dudlev B. Mr. Buell has nearly 400 acres of land, and one 
of the finest farms in Southern Wisconsin, all under a high state of cultivation. It was origi- 
nally settled by Rufus Billings, Esq., from whom he purchased it in 1S68. Mr. Buell also owns 
fine resident property in the city of Milwaukee. 

.VNDREW J. DIKE, farmer. Sec. 19: P. O. Spring Prairie; son of Isaiah Dike. He was 
born in ^^ermont in 1828. He came to Walworth County, with his parents, in 1837, and has 
been a resident of this town since that time, except about nine years residence in Lima. He 
married Rebecca Freman, daughter of James Freman, born in England. His father settled in 
Rock Countv, in Sentember, 1846. Mr. D. settled where he now lives, in March, 1869. He 
bought his farm of .Anthony Grass, who was the original settler of the land. Mr. and Mrs. Dike 
have four children — Samuel, Fred., Clara and Luella. Mr. Dike's farm contains eighty acres 
of land. 

n.'XVID W. DIKE, farmer. Sec. 27 ; P. O. Spring Prairie; son of Isaiah Dike, a pioneer 
of Walworth County. Mr. Dike, Sr., was born in Vermont in 1802, where he resided until man- 
hood. He emigrated to Ohio, and thence to Michigan, and came to Walworth County with his 
family in March, 1837, and settled on the farm now owned by Loring O. Webber the following 
year. He re^iHed there about ten years, when he settled and moved to Rock County, near 
Whitewater. There he lived for nine years, when he bought a farm in the town of Sprinc 
Prairie, nnw owned bv .Mvah Whitmore, which he owned until March, iSSi. He died at the 
home of his son. David W., Jan. 27, 18S2. His wife was Mary Vaughn, born in Woodstock, Vt . 
who survived her husband. The parents of Mr. D. had two children, .\ndrew and David A\'. 
The latter wa"; born in Ohio in 1833; married Nellie Lawrence, daughter of Georee and Hannah 
I,awrence. Mrs. Dike was born in Ticonderoga, N. V. She came to Walworth Countv with her 
parents in 1852, and settled at Vienna. Her parents are now living in Minnesota. She is the 
Only one of her father's family in Walworth County. Mr. and Mrs. Dike have one son, Charles 
E., born in 1871. Mr. Dike's farm contains 116 acres. 

FRANCIS H. EAMES. farmer. Sec. 31; P. O. Springfield. He was born in the town 
of Verona, Oneida Co , N. Y., in 1821, where he was brought up. His father, Havilla E., was 
a native of Massachusetts, and an early settler of Oneida County, where he resided until his 
death. Mr. E. came to Spring Prairie in June, 1843, and purchased his present farm of Israel 
Williams. Mr. E. is numbered among the most successful farmers and stock-raisers of the 
town of Spring Prairie. His short-horn cattle, and finely bred merino sheep, are perhaps not 
excelled in the county. Mrs. E., formerly Miss Jennette Smith, was born in the town of Roches- 
ter, N. Y., in .\pril, 1831, and came to this county with her father's family, in April, 1843, Mr. 
and Mrs. Eanies have two children, Alfred, who resides at Los .'\ngeles, and Francis H. Mr. 
Fames' farm contains i^S acres of land. 

AVERY A. HOYT, farmer. Sec. i ; P. O. Honey Creek. He belonged to one of the 
pioneer families of Walworth County; his family has been identified with the county since 1836. 
His parents were Benjamin and Susan Ilovt, natives of Dearfield, N. H., where his father wps 
born in 1782, and his motherabout 1786. Thev were married in New Hamjishire, and afterward re- 
moved to Caledonia Co., Vt., where they resided until they came to Walworth County, in Sep- 



9i6 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

tember, 1837. In the [jreceding year, July, 1S36, their uldtsi son, Oilman Hoyt, came to the 
town of Spring Prairie, and made a claim of the whole of Section i,but like most of the pioneers, 
he was not possessed of a large amount of money, and when the land came into market, was able 
to purchase but a quarter of the section, that one fourth section now comprising a part of the farm 
of his brother, A. A. Hoyt. The parents of Mr. H. had seven children when they came to 
Wisconsin, four sons and three daughters, all of whom came with their parents, except one, the 
youngest daughter, who came in 1839. Two sons. Oilman, who came in 1836, and A. A., and two 
daugiiters, Ann, wife of John E. Hopkins, and Eliza, wife of Samuel Brittain, are living, all are 
residents of this town. The father of Mr. H., also settled on Sec. i ; he died in 1861. His 
mother died in 1863. Avery A. Hoyt was born in Vermont in 1824. His wife was Caroline, 
daughter of Tristan C. Hoyt, an early settler of the town of Rochester, Racine County. Mr. 
and Mrs. H. have eight children, viz: Ruth C, Henry W., A. Eugene, Florence L., T. Fremont, 
Mary S., Benjamin J., and Olive E. Henry W. is a graduate of the Wisconsin State University; 
married a daughter of S. D. Hastings, of Madison. He is now one of the editors, and proprietors 
of the Madison Democrat. Mr. H. has a fine farm of 414 acres, and is numbered with the most 
successful farmers of the County; he has a beautiful home, whose surroundings for beauty are 
seldom equalled, a feature of the premises is a large number of sugar maijles. He has one thou- 
sand of these trees, all of which he set out between the years 1845 and i860. 

WILLIAM LINCOLN, farmer, Sec. 28; P. O. Spring Prairie; born in Ohio, in 1S22. His 
father was Oilman L. Lincoln, born in New Hampshire, but emigrated to Ohio, and afterward 
removed east to the State of New York. Mr. William Lincoln removed from the State of New 
York, to Racine in 1S46, thongh he had been to Wisconsin two years, previous to 
that time. He lived in the town of Rochester about two years, and then came to the town 
of Spring Prairie, Sec. 34, settled where he now lives about 1867. He married Miss Amanda 
Mahew, born in the State of New York. Has had four children, two of whom are living, Ida, 
now Mrs. Willie Dike, lives in Kansas — Ida lost one child in infancy. William, the oldest, was 
born in the town of Rochester, Racine County, June, 1849. Married Emma Gary, daughter of 
Samuel and Lucy Cary. He died Aug. 27, 1874, leaving his wife and one daughter Winnie. Mr. 
Lincoln's farm contains 170 acres. 

JOHN MARTIN, farmer. Sec. 24; P. O. Burlington; son of John, or better known as 
Judge M.irtin, a well known early settler of Spring Prairie, who was born in the town of Mans- 
field, Windham Co., Conn,, in 1793. In the Spring of 1838, he left his native state, and went to 
the State of Virginia, but remained there but a short time, coming to Wisconsin, reaching Spring 
Prairie in June of that year; he bought a number of claims at that time, but did not bring his 
family to VVisconsin till' August 1842, he then settled on Sec. 24, where he lived nine years, he 
continued a resident of this town till his death, which occurred in June 1872. Judge Martin was 
a man of more than ordinary ability. Before coming to Wisconsin, he was Probate Judge of his 
native county, and at one time served in the Legislature of Connecticut. His wife died in 1844, 
two years after coming to Wisconsin. A brother of his, Orra Martin, better known as Elder 
Martin, came to this town from Connecticut in 1S40, and settled on Sec. 23, where he still lives, 
at the ripe old age of ninety-one years, having been born January 25, 1791. He is a Baptist 
minister by profession, and his preaching in the service of the Baptist denomination, extended 
over a period of seventy years. He is still remarkably sound, mentally and physically, for a 
man of more than ninety years. John Martin, jr., was born in the town in which his father and 
grandfather were born, in 1831. Came here with his family in 1842; married Mary C. Monroe, 
daughter of Col. Monroe. 

AUSTIN L. MERRICK, retired farmer. Sec. 21 ; P. O, Spring Prairie; he is one of the 
pioneers of Walworth County. He was born in the town of Franklin, Delaware Co., N. Y., in 
1807. Injune, 1836, he came to Spring Prairie, accompanied by his brother. Col. P. Merrick, 
and made a claim of the farm now owned by Mr. Orris Pratt ; he sold the claim to Mr. Samuel 
Pratt, the father of Orris, and purchased the claim of the farm which has since been his home- 
stead. His brother. Col, P, Merrick, made a claim of a farm on Sec. 28, now owned by O. T. 
Hubbard, and removed to Mt. Pleasant, where he died in 1854, He is also a brother of Roder- 
ick Merrick, who settled on Spring Prairie in 1837, and died in 1870, Austin M, is numbered 
among the most prominent pioneeri of Walworth County, He is a man of culture, possessed of 
an excellent memory, and few are more conversant with the early history of Walworth County than 
he. He has also been successful as a business man, as his beautiful home and broad acres 



HISTORY OF >VAI, WORTH COUNl'Y. 917 

testify. He has been married twice, his first wife was Celestia Cook, born in [Massachusetts. 
His present wife was Gratia P. Crane, daughter of Josiah Crane. Mr. M. was born in Herkimer 
County, N. Y., in 1815, and came to VVaUvortli County from Lockport, N. Y., in 1856. Mr. M. 
had seven children by first marriage, six of whom are living, viz: LeRoy W., Gerome C, Louisa, 
now Mrs. John Norton. Esther Augusta, now Mrs. B. Raleigh, and Agnes, now Mrs. Frank 
Jones; lost a daughter Irene, at the age of twenty-two years. Mr. Merrick's farm contains 285 
acres. 

G. \V. MERRICK, farmer. Sec. 29; P. O. Spring Prairie; son of Roderick and Rebecca 
Merrick, who were among the earliest settlers of the town of Spring Prairie. Roderick Merrick 
was born at W^est Springtield, Mass., Aug. 5, 1794, but was brought up in the State of New York. 
He married Miss Rebecca Ciates. Mr. ^Merrick came to Walworth County with his family from 
.Michigan, March 14, 1837 and settled in the town of Spring Prairie, on Sec. 29, which was afterward 
Ills home until his death. He purchased the claim of Horace Coleman ; he died May 18, 1870, 
in his sixty-fourth year, having been born July 16, 1806. His widow still resides at the home- 
stead with her you.igest son. Mrs. Merrick has seven children — Flavia, now Mrs. A. Daniels ; 
Hannah R., now Mrs. G. Moore; Gordon W., Oscar D., Adelaide, now Mrs. A. Potter; EUnora 
and Albert H. The last two are unmarried, and live at the homestead. Gordon W. was born 
in Michigan in 1836; he owns a part of the homestead. He was married to Celestie Sheffield, 
born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., and came to Walworth County with her parents in 1S60. Mr. and 
Mrs. Merrick have four children — Mary, Edith, George and Eugene. Mr. Merrick graduated at 
Racine College in 1854, and took a course of instruction at Bell's commercial school soon after. 
His farm contains 160 acres. 

JAMES NIPE, farmer. Sec. 21; P. O. Spring Prairie. He was born in Wiltshire, Eng- 
land, in the year 1850, and came to the United States with his parents the same year. They 
settled in Herkimer County, N. Y., where they lived six years, when they came to Wisconsin, and 
settled at Allen's Grove, Walworth Co. They removed to the town of La Fayette in the fall of 
that year, 1856. In the fall of 1857 they moved to the town of Spring Prairie, where they have 
since resided. James, the only child of his parents, was born in Wiltshire, England, in 1850. 
Was married in 1878 to Ada Herrick, daughter of M. S. and Julia A. Herrick. They have two 
children, Effie and Elsie. Mr. Nipe and his father are owners of a saw-mill on Spring Brook, 
which they operate during the winter season. They are also owners of two farms, one of 120 
and the other of 100 acres. Mr. J. Nipe was Town Clerk for the years 1878, 1879 and 1880. 

GEORGE A. PALMER, farmer. Sec. 13; P. O. Vienna. Mr. Palmer is a representative 
of one of the pioneer families of Walworth County. His father, George H. Palmer, was born 
in Connecticut, Oct. 5, 1804. He came to Rochester, Racine Co., in July, 1836. He soon after 
])urchased the claim of the farm now owned and occupied by his son, George A., which became 
his homestead. In 1857 he returned to the State of New York, where he resided till 1868, when 
he returned to the homestead, where he died in October, 1873. His wife, Sally (Langmaid) 
Palmer, survives her husband. The parents of Mr. Cieorge A. Palmer had three children — 
George A.; Edward, who resides at Battle Creek, Mich., and Martha, now Mrs. Lewis, lives in 
Michigan. George A. Palmer was born in Connecticut in 1829. He has been a resident of 
the town of Spring Prairie since he came here with his parents in 1837. He was married to 
Philancy Keys. They have one son, Charles W., born here in 1857. Mr. Palmer has living 
with him three octogenarians, viz., his mother, who was born July 16, 1802, and the parents of 
his wife. Her father was born Jan. 21, 1801, and her mother was born in December, 1797. 

SIL.'VS PATTEN, farmer Sec. 22; P. O. Spring Prairie. He was born in Oneida Co., 
N. Y., in 180S, where he was brought up. He came to Walworth County, in May, 1844. He 
settled on the farm where he now lives the following year, purchasing of Mr. Jabish S. Clement. 
He married Miss Charlotte Sweet, born in Ontario Co., N. Y., in 1824. Mr. P. came to Wal- 
worth County in 1844. Mr. and Mrs. P. have four children — Lila B., Edgerton, Adell, Frank 
H. and Charles C. They lost three children. The oldest died in infancy ; Bert S., second, died 
Aug. 29, 1879; George W., their fifth child, died Nov. 4, 1881, at the age of twenty years. Mr. 
P.'s farm contains 120 acres of land. 

OLIVER H. PHELPS, farmer. Sec. 33; P. O. Spring Prairie; son of Oliver L. Phelps, 
who was born in Connecticut. In 1800, married Emily Goodwin, of Connecticut, removed to 
Monroe Co., N. Y., and then to Oneida County. He came to Walworth County in October, 
1858, and settled on the farm where his son now lives, purchasing of Mr. Pierce, where he 



9i8 "~ HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

resided until his death in 1875. He left four children — Mrs. Emily Spencer; Ester, now Mrs. 
C. D. Allen: Ellen, now Mrs. James H. Norris, and Oliver H. The latter was born in Oneida 
Co., N. Y., in 1840, came here with his parents, and owns the homestead. Married Medora 
Watkins. Mr. P.'s farm contains eighty acres. 

GEORGE D. PUFFER, firm of Hubbard & Puffer, general merchants of Spring Prairie; 
son of Josiah O. Puffer. He was born at Spring Prairie in 1853. He has been engaged in 
business as clerk and proprietor for many years. He began business as clerk for Mr. Cit. Pratt, 
afterward for Mr. Flowers. He engaged in business in 1875 in the firm name of Norton & 
Puffer, succeeding Mr. D. S. Flowers. In 1879. ^"^f- H. bought the interest of Mr. N., and the 
present firm name was established. Mess. Hubbard & Puffer are doing a good business, and 
have one of the best country stores in the county. Mr. P. was married to Miss Emma Hem- 
stead, daughter of J. V. Hemstead. They have one daughter, Edith. 

ORRIS PRATT, Spring Prairie. Mr. Pratt is the son of Samuel Pratt, a sketch of whom 
will be found elsewhere. He was born in St. Joseph County, Mich., in September, 1837. He 
came to Walworth County with his father's family in 1845, where he has since resided. He 
owns the homestead where his father resided till his death. His wife was formerly Miss Mary 
L. Crane, a daughter of William D. and Louisa Crane. Mrs. Pratt was born in the town of 
Spring Prairie. Mr. Pratt is the present (18S2) Chairman of the Town Board of Spring Prairie. 
He IS engaged somewhat extensively in dairying, and also in the manufacture of cider vinegar, a 
business which he has followed for many years. 

JOSIAH O. PUFFER, boot and shoe dealer in Spring Prairie. He is a native of the town 
of Sunderland, Franklin Co., Mass., where he was born Oct. 22, 1814, and where he was brought 
up. He married Hannah M. W'hitemore, also born in Franklin County. Mr. P. began learning 
his trade at the age of 14 years; continued to 21 ; afterward for several years was employed as 
traveling salesman. In this capacity he traveled through several States of the Union, including 
the New England States, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Yermont and South Carolina, 
and thus obtained much valuable knowledge of the world. He came from Massachusetts to 
Spring Prairie in May, 1839, and purchased a farm on Sec. 27, and for five years was engaged in 
farming. Since that time he has been cairying on the business of boot and shoe making. His 
wife died in February, 1862. His present wife was Mrs. Mary W. Hatch, a sister of his former 
wife. Mr. Puffer has five children living — Chenery, at Joliet, 111.; D wight Eugene, at Janes- 
ville, Wis.; George D., Spring Prairie; Lewis Arthur and Herbert M., at Yalley, Douglas Co., 
Neb., in mercantile business. He lost three children ; two died quite young. Samuel Jesse, 
the second child, died at Chillicothe, 111., in November, 1881. Chenery and Samuel were Union 
soldiers during the Rebellion. Mr. P. was Town Clerk of this town several years, and has been 
Justice of the Peace most of the time since 1849, and is at the present time; also Notary 
Public. 

JOHN RALEIGH, farmer. Sec. 27 ; P. O. Burlington, Racine Co. ; born in Oneida County, 
N. Y., Nov. 1, 1814 ; married Clarissa Bushnell, born in the same county. Mr. Raleigh removed 
here from the State of New York in the Spring of 1844. He purchased his farm of Mr. Alex- 
ander Bushnell. Mr. and Mrs. Raleigh have three children — Helen E. (now Mrs. H. Hicks), 
Vernon H. and Stephen B. The children were all born at the homestead. Mr. and Mrs. 
Raleigh are the only representatives of their respective families living in Wisconsin. Mr. 
Raleigh's farm contains 140 acres. 

LEMUEL R. SMITH died Nov. 29, 1874, at his residence in Spring Prairie, Walworth 
Co. Mr. Smith, at the meeting of old settlers of W'alworth County, was decided to be the first 
claimant in that county. He died on the farm which was a portion of his claim made in 1835. 
He was born in Hamilton Village, N. Y., April 14, 1812 ; moved to Ohio in 1819; came to Wis- 
consin in 1835; to Burlington in December, 1835, and made the claim on which he died. The 
land was not surveyed at that time, but Messrs. Smith and Benjamin C. Perce crossed White 
River together, where the bridge now stands, and made the ascent on to the prairie. Mr. Smith 
spoke and said, " I will take the right half," and Mr. Perce then made answer, " Then I will take 
the left half." It so happened that when the survey came to be made the two stood on the line 
between Sees. 36 and 25 : Mr. Smith proved to be on 25, and Mr. Perce on 36. This was sup- 
posed to be the first claim made in Walworth County; it was in December, 1835. In Decem- 
ber, 1835, Mr. Smith and brother came to what is now Burlington, and claimed the water-power, 
which, in 1838, they sold to Messrs. Ephraim and Pliny M. Perkins. Mr. Smith was always 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 919 

respected by all who knew him, and has held many offices in his town and county. He always 
gave entire satisfaction to the i)ublic. In the social circle he has always been connected with 
the people of Burlington, and was respected and beloved by his entire large circle of acquaint- 
ances. 

WINSLOW P. STORMS, farmer, Vienna. Mr. Storms is a native of Cayuga County, N. 
Y., where he was born in 1820. When 16 years of age, or in 1836, he went to Summit County, 
Ohio, from Wayne County, N. Y. He remained in Ohio about three years, when he came to the 
Territory of Wisconsin. He lived in Milwaukee County from December, 1839. till May, 1845, 
when he came to Walworth County, and located at what is now Vienna. He was the first resi- 
dent at this point, except a Mr. Whitney, who had charge of the saw-mill, which had already 
been built here. Mr. Storms put up a building that season, which he used as a hotel till 1847, 
when he erected a larger building, and continued in the hotel business till i860. In 1856, he 
erected a building which was used as a union store, Mr. Storms conducting the business for 
about two years, when he bought the stock of goods, and continued in the mercantile business 
till 1862. Since that time Mr. Storms has been variously engaged. He owns a farm adjoining 
the village. Mrs. Storms was formerly Miss Melissa Meacham, daughter of Isaac Meacham, 
who came to Milwaukee County in 1840. He came here witli Mr. Storms, and died several 
years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Storms have four children — Charles L., Samuel, Elmira and Carrie. 
Charles was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, serving three years in Co. I, 2Sth Wis. V. I. 

M. A. STORMS, farmer, on Sec. 13, is a brother of the above. He was born in Washing- 
ton County, N. Y., in 1816, but was brought up in Cayuga County. He came to Milwaukee 
County with his brother in 1839, and came here in 1847. He returned to the State of New York 
in 1852, but came back in 1859, and bought the farm, which he now owns, of Henry Vandeipool. 
His wife was Nancy Dickson, born in Cayuga County, N. Y. They have one daughter, Mary, 
now Mrs. Charles Hubbard. 

RUSSEL WAIT, farmer. Sec. 34 ; P. O. Lyons. He was born in the town of Darien, 
Genesee Co., N. Y., in March, 1817, where he was brought up. He came to Walworth County 
in November, 1838, and made a claim in the town of Lyons, Sec. 5, where he resided for thirty- 
five years. Two brothers, Sidney and Sandford Wait, came to the county in 1839. Mrs. Wait 
was formerly Miss Adeline, daughter of Jacob Herrick. Mrs. Wait was born in Yates County, 
N. Y., in 1823; came to Wisconsin in 1842. Mr. Wait sold his farm in the town of Lyons, and 
purchased his present farm in April, 1874. He bought of Mr. J. L. Taylor. The farm was 
first fettled by Mr. Turner. Mr. and Mrs. Wait have had eight children, seven of whom are 
living — Elliott N., now at St. Croix County, Wis. ; Elon J., now of River Side, Cal. ; Mattie R., 
wife of E. S. Foot, now of Brittsville, Kan. ; Everett R., now of Minneapolis, Minn. ; E. B., 
now of St. Croix County, Wis. ; Minnie B., now at home, and Fred C. ; Eugene B. is in St. 
Croix County. They lost one son, their second child. Mr. Wait has 100 acres of land. 

LORING O. WEBBER, farmer. Sec. 27 ; P. O. Spring Prairie. Mr. Webber is the son of 
Loring Webber, an early settler of the town of Raymond, Racine Co., who was born in Massa- 
chusetts, and emigrated from his native State to Racine County in 1838. He obtained a farm 
of Government land in the town of Raymond, Racine Co., where he lived for many years. He 
came to Walworth County in 1S67, and made his home for a time with his son, but now again 
makes his home in Raymond. The ])arents of Mr. Webber had ten children, of whom L. O. 
was the youngest ; seven of the children grew to maturity, five of whom are living, viz. — Mrs. 
Lucy Watson, in Minnesota; George W., in town of Walworth; Samuel, in Raymond, Racine 
Co. ; Mrs. Diantha Mills, in Racine, and Loring P. Sarah married a son of Elder Dye, of 
Walworth, and died July 30, 1864; Avilla D. Howard died April 13, 1S62. Loring O. was born 
in Massachusetts, Oct. 20, 1836; married Mary Etta Fairbanks, daughter of John B. Fairbanks, 
a native of Massachusetts, but removed to the State of New York when he was twenty years of 
age, and to Racine County, Wis., about 1844. Mr. Webber bought his farm of David Williams ; 
it was originally settled by Israel Dike. He has 120 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Webber have one 
daughter, Effie Genevieve. 

ALVA VVHITMORE, farmer. Sec. 19: P.O. Spring Prairie. He was born in Gorham, 
Maine, March 12, 1787, and died in the town of Spring Prairie Dec. 25, 1865. His wife, Hannah 
Whitmore, was born at Dresden, Maine, April 6, 1793, and died Jan. 8, i847- They had twelve 
children, eight sons and four daughters; six sons and three daughters are living, only five of 
the children, Daniel, Joseph, Alva, Hannah and Harriet are residents of Walworth County. 



920 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

Alva was born in St. Joseph County, Mich., May 12. 1832. His wife was formerly Miss Hattie 
McKinstry, daughter of Joseph McKinstry. Mr. Whitmore has three children, two of whom 
are by a former marriage — Jesse, Ruel and Hannah. Mr. Whitmore's farm contains 160 acres. 
Ruel Whitmore, another son of Joseph Whitmore, Sr., was born at La Pone, Ind., July 16, 1S34 ; 
a very promising young man, and possessed of much natural ability; enlisted in the war of the 
rebellion in the 3d Wisconsin Cavalry. He enlisted as a private, and had been promoted to a 
captaincy at the time of his death, which occurred at Fayetteville, Ark., Feb. 14, 1863. 

DANIEL WHITMORE, fanner, Sec. 17 ; P. O. Spring Prairie. He was one of the earliest 
of the pioneers of Spring Prairie, and of Walworth County. He was born in Esse.x County, N. 
Y., Sept. 17, 1817. He went to Ohio in 1830, and to Michigan in 1832 ; thence to Laporte, Ind. 
He came to Racine County, in this State, m May, 1835. ^'^ passed through Spring Prairie in 
tiie same season, and made a claim on Sec. 18, Town of Spring Prairie, in 1836. This claim he 
made for his father, Joseph Whitmore, who settled on it the following year. He made other 
claims, and finally settled where he now lives in 1842, purchasing eighty acres of his farm of 
Josiah Rodgers. His wife was Mary S. Noble, born in the State of New York. Mr. and Mrs. 
Whitmore have three children — Mrs. Susan A. Vaughn, Mrs. Mary Jane Bliss and A. D. Mr. 
Whitmore is one of the prominent and substantial citizens of the Town of Spring Prairie; is a 
successful farmer; has a fine farm of 480 acres. Politically he was a Republican, and is now a 
strong advocate of the Anti-Secret-Society party. 

JOSEPH WHITMORE, farmer. Sec. iS; P. O. Spring Prairie, He was born in Gorham, 
Ontario Co., N. Y., in 1821. He came to Walworth County with his parents, Joseph and Han- 
nah Whitmore, in 1837. His wife was Sarah Edgerton, daughter of Sims and Maria Edgerton. 
Mrs. Whitmore was born in Rome, Oneida Co., N. Y., July 22, 1835, and was married to Joseph 
Whitmore, Jr., Dec. 29, 1852. Her parents settled in the town of Spring Prairie, from Oneida 
County, N. Y., m October, 1845. They removed to the town of Lafayette a short time previous 
to their death. Her father died April 18, 1873, at the age of 81 ; her mother died Jan. 30, 1877, 
at the age of 74. Mr. and Mrs. Whitmore have four children — Le Roy, Selden, Elmer and J. 
S. Mr. Whitmore's farm contains 260 acres of land. 

ABSALOM WILLIAMS, farmer, Sec. 16; P. O. Spring Prairie. Mn Williams was born 
in Lewis County, N. Y., in 1818, where he was brought up, and married Melissa Tiffany, who 
was born in the town of Adams, Jefferson Co., N. Y., in 1820. They came to Walworth County 
in July, 1844, and settled in the town of Lafayette. Mr. Williams removed to the town of Spring 
Prairie in April, 1853, purchasing his farm of Johnson Gates. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have four 
children — Collins, Frank, George and Arnold. They lost three children, two sons and one 
daughter, all of whom grew to maturity. Mr. Williams' farm contains 235 acres. 

HENRY C. VAUGHN, farmer. Sec. 18; P. O. Spring Prairie; son of David T. Vaughn, 
a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere. Mr. Vaughn was born in Pittsfield, Rutland Co., 
Vt., in October, 1836. He married Susan A. Whitmore, daughter of Daniel Whitmore. Mrs. 
Vaughn was born in the town of Spring Prairie in 1840. Mr. and Mrs. \'aughn have two chil- 
dren, Charles and Mary Inez. Mr. Vaughn purchased his farm of Nathaniel Bell. It contains 
160 acres. 

OTIS V.\UGHN, farmer, Sec. 20; P. O. Spring Prairie; son of Samuel C. Vaughn, who 
was born in Bridgewater in 1802; was married in Vermont to Sarah Vose, who was born in Ver- 
mont in 1797. They removed to Michigan from Massachusetts about 1830, and to Walworth 
County in March, 1837, coming the entire distance from Michigan with an ox team. Mr. Samuel 
Vaughn made a claim on the farm where his son Otis now lives, the same Spring, which became 
the homestead of the family, and where he died in November, 1868. His wife still survives 
him, and still lives at the homestead with her son Oiis. Mrs. Vaughn has four children — Ben- 
jamin F., in Oregon ; Cordelia (now Mrs. L. G. Latham) ; Phebe (now Mrs. R. D. Harriman), 
and Otis. The latter was born at the homestead in 1841 ; married Miss Fannie, daughter of 
William and Elizabeth Brittain, who came to Walworth County from England in 1855. Mr. 
Brittain died in 1865. His wife lives with her daughter. Mrs. Otis Vaughn was born in Lin- 
colnshire, England, in 1847. Mr. and Mrs. Vaughn have two children, Hattie and Edna. The 
homestead farm contains 200 acres of land. 

WILLIAM W. VAUGHN, farmer, Sec. 27; P. O. Spring Prairie ; son of David T. Vaughn, 
one of the early settlers of the town of LaFayette (see Town of LaFayette). In March, 1867, 
he married Mary Clark, daughter of William Clark. Mr. and Mrs. Vaughn have three children 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH C:OUNTV. 921 

— Gertie O., Herbert C. and Fred. D. Mr. Vaughn settled where he now lives in March, 1S76. 
The farm was first settled by William Crane, and is known as the Crane farm. It contains 130 
acres. 

EDWARD ZAHN, proprietor of Vienna Mills, Vienna. He was born in the City of 
Worms, Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, in 1818. He came to the United Slates in 1843. He lived 
five years in Cincinnati, in the ca[)acity of head miller in a mill in the city. He came to Racine 
in 1850. He came to Vienna, and purcliased the mill here, in 1853, of James Cotton. The 
mill was burned in 1872, but lie immediately rcliuih on a much larger scale. This was a severe 
loss to Mr. Zahn, as liis jiroperty was not insured, and his loss was heavy ; but with character- 
istic energy he rebuilt a superior mill, and being an excellent miller, his reputation for excellent 
work is not excelled. He is a man of much general information, and as a business man, pos- 
sesses the confidence of all with whom he has business relations. His wife is a native of Ger- 
many, but brought up in Cincinnati. Mr. and Mrs. Zahn have seven children, five sons and 
two daughters, — Julius, engaged in milling in Milwaukee; Emil, druggist in Chicago ; Bertha, 
married, and lives in Racine; Cornelius, Victor, Edward and Nettie. 



TOWN OF LA FAYETTE. 

ORGANIZATION. 

At the organization of Walworth County in 1838, tiie present town of La Fayette, 
constituted tiie western half of the Town of Spring Prairie, being known in the govern- 
mental survey as Town 3, Range 17 East, It was set off from Spring Prairie, under tiie 
name of La Fayette by Act of Legislature, iVIarch 21, 1813, the territory of tlie town 
at that time covering 36 square miles. Subsequently, — Feb. 2, 1816, — one square mile 
forming the extreme southwestern corner of the town was detached to form the north- 
eastern quarter of tiie Town of Elkhorn, leaving La Fayette reduced to its present geo- 
graphical limits — tliirty-five square miles. The boundaries of the town are as follows : 
north by East Troy ; east by Spring Prairie ; south by Geneva and Elkhorn, and west 
by Sugar Creek and Elkhorn. 

NATCKAL FEATDRES. 

The surface of the country is (jiiite varied, the northern portion being gently undu- 
lating, breaking into hills on either side of Sugar Creek, and tiie southern part quite 
level, Spring Prairie covering Sections twentj^-four and twenty-five, and the eastern part 
of Section twenty-three. 

When the town was first settled, a variety of forest trees were found on some of 
the land lying south of the Creek. Sections eleven and twelve having a growth of elm, 
maple, bass-wood and butternut. The beautiful groves of oak dotted the country on 
every side, and the pioneer while seeking his claim, often startled the timid deer, and 
sometimes siuiddered to hear tiie howl of the wolf and the bear. 

The burr-oak openings, and the prairie lands, in the soutliern [lortion of La Fayette, 
have a soil of rich loam, and the v/hite oak openings of light clay. The hilly region 
north of Sugar Creek, and the openings of burr-oak are similar in soil to the more 
southern portions of the town. 

La Fayette is watered by Sugar Creek, which, rising in the town of Sugar Creek, 
enters La Fayette on Section seven, and runs easterly a little north of the center of the 
town through Sections seventeen, sixteen, fifteen, a part of fourteen and eleven, and 
enters the Town of Spring Prairie from section twelve. There are no lakes, of any 
considerable size, and no living stream save Sugar Creek. 

FIRST SETTLERS. 

Isaiah Hamblin the first settler in the town, was a native of the State of Ohio. He 
came to La Fayette with his wife in the month of June 1836, and settled on the south- 



922 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

east quarter of Section twenty-five. July 18tli, the logs for his house being ready, the 
settlers from the neighboring towns turned out to assist him in " raising " the first 
house in the town of La Fayette. 

During the year Sylvanus Langdon located on Section 14, and Alpheus Johnson on 
Section 23. 

S. A. Dwinnell, from Massachusetts, secured claims for himself and brothers, to 
640 acres of land in the western part of the town in November, 1836. 

In comi^any with Mr. Dwinnell was Charles Perrin, — Elias Hicks, who settled upon 
Section "22, and Isaac Vant also arrived daring the year, so that La Fayette commenced 
to loom up as quite a settled region. 

In 1837, the settlers appeared in such numbers as to earn the trite expression — "a 
tide of immigration." 

In November, Daniel Hartwell settled upon section 18. 

Alexander H. Bunnell came in from Milwaukee in June 1837, to Palmer Gard- 
ner's, thence to the western part of Spring Prairie to the place where Solomon 
Dwinnel then lived, and from there to the log house then owned and occupied by Al- 
pheus Johnson, in the present town of LaFayette. Mr. Bunnell hired Mr. Johnson to 
go with him to hunt a claim, for wliich service he was to receive $1.50 per day and 
board. Taking a section line, the prospectors went through to Sugar Creek, arriving 
about noon at the house of Asa Blood, a little log cabin on the bank of Silver lake, 
built in 1836, by a man named Davis, and at tlie time of the visit of Mr. Bunnell and 
his companion, still the only house on Sugar Creek prairie. In those early times every 
man's house was not exactly his " castle," but might more appropriately be called his 
tavern, so the travelers "ordered dinner." The bill of fare was l)oiled beans — simple 
beans ; not "baked beans," the delicious dish which tlie New Englauder longs for, 
"wlierever he may roam," but beans guiltless of pork, or even salt. Mr. Bunnell was 
not discouraged however, but on his return the same day, he made his claims on Section 
21. He afterwards relinquished it, settling during the same year on Section 20, where 
he still resides. 

Riley Harrington, with his wife and family, came from New York in June, 
and took up one half a Section on Section 30 in LaFayette, and another half in the ad- 
joining Section (25) in Sugar Creek. 

Phipps Hartwell came in November of this year. He lived in the house of 
Alpheus Johnson, where his wife died. 

H. H. Sterling settled in La Fayette, also in November, upon Section 21. He 
came witii Mr. Hartwell. Mr. Sterling died a few years ago in Iowa. 

Wm. West settled on Section 6, during this year, having made his claim in the 
Fall of 1836. 

Charles Heath was a settler of 1837. He moved to the town of La Grange, 
where he was a leading citizen for many years. He is now a resident of East Troy. 

Samuel, Daniel and McDonald Harkness, Nathaniel Bell, Joseph Whitmore, Sen. 
Morris Cain and Henry Johnson located in the town at about this period. 

In 1838 came George W. Dwinnell, Emery Singletary, S. G. West, Sen., J. Pike 
West, John Wadsworth, David Vaughn, Thomas Emerson, Mason Hicks, David S. 
Eltin and S. G. Smith. 

RECOLLECTIONS OF 1836 AND 1837. 

The first settlers of Walworth County probably experienced as long and severe a 
Winter in 1836-7 as has ever been known in Wisconsin. It was cold even as early as 
the middle of November, and on the 20th of December, the cold became intense, and 
continued through tlie season — the buds on the oaks not turning green until June. Mr. 
S. A. Dwinnell, one of the first pioneers of LaFayette, describes his first entrance into 
the county thus : 



HISTORY ()|- WALWORTH COL'NTV. 92;, 

" On the nioruing of the 15th of November, 1836, I took the trail of Black Hawk, 
at Belvidere, at the point where, four years before, he sunk his canoes in the mouth of 
the Piskasaw, and, with his army, took the land. His encampments were still visible 
every six or eight miles, as I proceeded northward to Big Foot I'rairie, where I entered 
Wisconsin, at 4 o'clock P. M. The day was cloudy, cold, and cheerless ; the tempera- 
ture at the freezing point ; the streams swollen by recent rains, and unbridged. Sever- 
al times 1 was obliged to wade from four to six rods. As night set in, snow fell plenti- 
fully. Big Foot Lake was in view at my left. At seven o'clock, evening, I reached the 
" Outlet of Big Foot," near Geneva, having traveled thirty-five miles without seeing a 
huuuin dwelling. The settlement consisted of five families, living in rude log cabins, 
without floors, chimneys or chambers, the roofs covered with sliakes, and hardly a nail 
used in the construction of their dwellings. There were then twenty-seven families in 
what is now the county of Walworth, and all but four in the eastern half of it ; all living 
in log cabins. All of them had come in since Spring, and had put under cultivation 
about eighty acres. I settled on Spring Prairie, in what is now the town of LaFay- 
ette." 

At the time Mr. Dwinnell settled in the county, not an acre had been broken in the 
present town of LaFayette ; but twenty-two acres in the old town of Spring Prairie, 
and eighty-two acres constituted the entire area under cultivation in the whole of what 
is now one of tJie richest and most flourishing agricultural counties in the State. The 
trouble and difficulty of reaching and selecting a claim was so great, that settlers were 
often obliged to bring in their families before any shelter was provided for them, either 
camping in tiieir wagons, or remaining at the house of some •' neighl>or," tinee or four 
miles away perhaps, while the logs were prejiared for the little cabin, where one room 
should serve for kitchen, living room, and sleeping room for the family. When the ex- 
treme cold weatiier of the winter of 1836 came on, the settlers in the new country were 
illy prepared for it. The cabins were often without floors, sometimes with only a hole 
in the roof for a chimney, so that if the cold was shut out, the smoke was likely to be 
shut in. The few scattered families were so far apart that, excejot at a few points, any 
social intercourse was out of the question. In speaking of the extreme loneliness of 
the women, one of the early settlers says : 

" For two months, during the first winter we were in Wisconsin, my wife did not 
see the face of a woman. During the next season a young lady moved into a cabin three 
miles west of us, witii her motiier and lirother. Tliey were from one of the villages of 
the State of New York. She was so lonely and became so anxious for society as to ren- 
der her sick, altiiough she did not know the cause of it. Her brother set out one day, 
with his ox team, to go with her to consult a physician, seven miles distant. They 
called at our house on the way. After conversing a while with my wife, she felt so 
much better that she concluded to go no further. Slie spent the day with her and re- 
turned at night greatly- revived and nearl}- restored to health." 

Mr. Dwinnell was entirely alone in his cabin during the four terriljl}- cold days of 
the last of December, aiul had hard work to keep iiimself alive. He says : " It soon 
became unendurable in our cabin, and building a large fire and iianging up blankets 
before it, I sat down in front of them to keep from freezing." Notwithstanding the cold, 
and the deep snow, Mr. Dwintiell got so thoroughly lonesome that on the twentieth day 
of January lie started on a journey of forty-five miles to have a visit with some friends 
at Belvidere, 111., then a little hamlet of six families. Wlu^n lie returned from his visit 
he was accompanied by a young man, Joiiu Wadsworth, who was in search of a claim. 
Mr. Dwinnell assisted him to select one and he settled upon it, making it his home, and 
the following season the two friends did their breaking together. 

The house in which Mr. Dwinnell and his companion lived through his first Winter 
in LaFayette, was rather an aristocratic one for the day. On the east the nearest family 
was two and a half miles away, and in all other directions from six to fifty miles distant. 



924 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

The cabin had received, notwithstanding its pretensions to some extra gentility, the sig- 
nificant cognomen of " Bachelor's Misery." As this bachelor's hall, or bachelor's 
" misery " was one of the earliest institutions of the town of LaFayette a full descrip- 
tion is given from the pen of one of its occupants ; 

" It consisted of one room, eighteen by twenty feet in size, made of unhewed logs, 
with no chamber. It was covered with ' shakes,' a kind of clapboard about four feet 
long, rived from the bodies of large thrifty oaks and laid two or three thicknesses in 
depth, upon legs which were prepared for their reception, the ends of which rested upon 
the logs composing the gable-ends of the building. Each course of these shakes lapped 
upon the one below, and were kept in place by small logs placed upon their ends. Such 
a roof afforded a good protection from rain as also from snow, after it was once well cov- 
ered. The first storms of Winter, however, drifted through quite freel}*. 

" The floor was of puncheons, a kind of plank, six feet in length by two in width, 
and four inches in thickness, split from the bodies of white ash trees, hewed upon the 
upper side and laid upon sleepers resting upon the earth. Tlie chimney was made of flat 
sticks two inches in width, rived also from the trees, and laid upon each otiier cob-house 
fashion and daubed with mud. Its foundation rested upon two small timbers, six feet 
apart, running from the logs in the north end, three feet from the ground to a joint across 
the building, four feet south and seven feet from the floor. This cliimney, four feet by 
six, was made smaller as it passed upwards. A fire back was made by sawing out the 
logs and inserting in their place a wall of stones and mud. The door was composed of 
shaved shakes pinned to upright timbers at the sides, hung with wooden hinges, ;ind 
fastened with a wooden latch, which was raised by means of a buckskin string passed 
from it through the door to the outside. The string hung out in token of hospitality, 
and was drawn in to shut out intruders. A few weeks after my arrival, the owner of 
the hall sent to Chicago, eighty miles distant, for a pine board of wliich, without plan- 
ing, he made a new door. He hung it, liowever, in the same manner as the old one had 
been, and regarded it as quite ' aristocratic' A window of six panes of glass afforded 
us light. 

" Our food consisted of bread and milk, pork and potatoes. Tea was offered me, 
but refused and water substituted. The flour from which our bread was made, had evi- 
dently been shipwrecked. Much of it was hard as chalk and was crushed with a roller, 
before kneading into dough. Our bed was of prairie hay, laid upon the floor before a 
log fire, wliicli burned through the entire niglit. Our covering was a few coarse blankets. 
For such faie, I paid $3 per week. 

" Before commencing to work on my claim, I was obliged to send to Chicago, eighty 
miles distant, to purchase an ax, the one which I had in Indiana, was left in my trunk, at 
South Bend, and not obtained until the following Spring. 

" I have thus particularly described this cabin, because it was as commodious and 
convenient as many others which were occupied for montlis and sometimes for years, by 
the families of graduates of Eastern Colleges and others who afterward took prominent 
positions among us in business and professional life. As a result of their toils and suf- 
ferings, many of tlieir children, scattered over this Western country as tillers of its soil 
and in its various trades and professions, are permitted to reside in well furnished 
mansions." 

Settlers of 1839 : H. M. Curtis, Duer Y. Smith, Wm. Bohal, Daniel Stearns, J. C. 
Mills, Anthony Noblet, Peter Noblet and John Wood. 

Of the settlers of 1836 only two are living : Elias Hicks, at Elkhorn, and Charles 
Perrin, in the State of Iowa. 

Of those who came in 1837, the following only are living : Daniel Hartwell, A. H. 
Bunnell, Riley Harrington, and James Harkiiess, still residing in La Fayette ; Daniel 
Whitmore, in Spring Prairie, Wis.; and Samuel Harkness in Oregon. 

George W. Dvvinnell, Emery Siugletary and David Vaughn still reside in the town 



HIS'I'ORY OF WAIAVORTH COUNTY. 925 

in which they settled in 18:!8. John Wadsworth, who settled tliere in the same year, 
now lives in Iowa. 

PIONEER EVENTS. 

The first school kept in La Fayette was in 1840. It was a public school taught in 
the chamber of a private log-house on the southwest quarter of Section 20, by Miss Ruth 
A. Bunnell (sister of Alexander Bunnell). 

J. O. Eaton opened the first store in a dwelling-house on the southeast quarter of 
Section 25. 

The first breaking in La Fayette was done on Section 2H, in the year 1837, by Al- 
pheus Johnson, and the result was a crop of 1500 bushels of turnips. During this same 
year also, Daniel Hartwell and Riley Harrington broke land. In 1888, Mr. Hartwell 
harvested five acres of Winter wheat ; five of Spring wheat ; eleven of corn ; five of oats; 
two of beans and two and a half of potatoes. James Harkness, Nathaniel Bell, A. H. 
Bunnell, Joseph Whitmore, Sr., and Charles Perrin each raised crops during the same 
year. 

The first child born in La Fayette was Harriet Whitmore, daughter of Joseph, born 
October 1837 (afterward the wife of Dr. Daniel Harkness). 

The first marriage was that of Henry Johnson, son of Alpheus Johnson, to Miss 
Hamblin, in 1837. Col. Perez Merrick of Spring Prairie, solemnized tiie marriage. 

The second marriage was the somewhat notable one of Mr. Alex. H. Bunnell, Nov. 
19th, 1839, an account of whicli is given elsewliere in this work. 

The first saw-mill was built in 1843, by Peter Hinman on Section 12. William 
Densmore built a grist-mill on the same section in 1856, both mills being now owned by 
A. M. Foster, and in running order. These are the only mills in operation in town. In 
1844, Christoplier Payne built a saw-mill on Section 15, whicli cost him about !ftl,200. It 
was afterward known as the " Harkness Mills." It has now fallen into decay. 

The first bridge was built across Sugar Creek, Dec. 12, 1837, on Section 12. 

WAR HISTORY. 

La Fayette did its duty bravely during the war, sending seventy-one of its own 
citizens into the field, twenty-two of whom sacrificed their lives in the service. The town 
also raised ill, 000 for bounties and .'1300 for the families of soldiers. The following- 
are the name* of the soldiers who enlisted from La Fayette, being actual residents of the 
town : Sanford Doane, Irwin Harris, Ebenezer Colton, Robert Clieuey, George Sewell, 
James Short, HoUey Peck, Plimpton Babcook, Ira Babcock, F. J. Harrington, Henry 
Wiswell, Eugene Ellsworth, Smith Hartwell, Alexander Seymour, Samuel Bell, Wni. 
O'Brine, Charles Hide, Nelson Johnson, Martin Shaver, Alonzo Vaughn, Henry v aughn, 
Anthony Noblet, Alva Hubbard, Fayette Rainiey, Charles Stuicht, Henry Wood, Stephen 
Concklin, Charles Concklin, George Farrar, William Bowman, Duni^an Wright, Thomas 
Pollock, James Coulthard, James Rockwell, Ralph Burr, Leland Doane, John Hodges, 
John Mountain, John G. Matlieson, Daniel Matheson, Albert Daniels, Michael O'Brine, 
Harvey Shubert, George Holland, John Shubert, Geo. W. Wylie, Jay Randall, Frank 
Sterling, John Carl, Dwight Stevens, Rual Whitmore, Alvin Gould, Burnliam Gleason, 
H. P. Frank, George Short, James Wilson, Patsey O'Brine, J. Toniit, Samuel Bentley, 
Asa Cole, Isaac Waters, Henry Concklin, Moses Ranney, Ciiarles Wiswell, Deh)s Smith, 
Charles Bunnell, George Coborn, James Sterling, David Mountain, John Whitton, Edwin 
Parmalee. 

TOWN ROSTER. 

1843: Supervisors — J. C. Mills, chairman, Alex. Wilson, Sherman M. Rockwood ; 
Town clerk — R. B. Burroughs ; Treasurer, S. A. Dwinnell. 

1844 : Supervisors — Nathatiiel Bell, chairman ; Alex. Wilson, Peter Hinman ; 
Town clerk — Charles Seeley ; Treasurer, Joseph Whitmore, Sen. 



926 HISTORY OF WAT,WORTH COUNTY. 

1845: Supervisors — Nathaniel Bell, chairman, Peter Hinman, Hiram Humphrey ; 
Town clerk — Charles Seeley : Treasurer, S. G. Smitli. 

1846: Supervisors — Nathaniel Bell, chairman, Ralph Patrick, H. M. Curtis ; Town 
clerk, Charles Seeley ; Treasurer, S. G. Smith. 

1847: Supert'isors — C. Wiswell, chairman, Peter Hinman, H. M. Curtis; Town 
clerk — A. H. Thompson ; Treasurer, S.G.Smith. 

1848: Supervisors — H. M. Curtis, chairman, Ralph Patrick, Peter Hinman ; Town 
elerk — A. H. Thompson, Treasurer, S. G. Smith. 

1849: Supervisors — -Ralph Patrick, chairman, Hiram Humphrey, C. H. Wylie ; 
Toivn clerk — Geo. W. Sewell; Treasurer, A. H. Bunnell. 

1850; Supervisors — Nathaniel Bell, ch;iirman, H. M. Curtis, John Wadsworth ; 
Totim clerk — George W. Sewell ; Treasurer, C. Wiswell. 

1851: Supervisors — Nathaniel Bell, chairman, A. D. Harris, S. G. West; Town 
clerk— U. M. Curtis ; Treasurer, J. W. Peck. 

1852: Supervisors — John Bell, chairman, S. G. West, Wm. H. Conger; Town 
clerk, H. M. Curtis ; Treasurer, Peter Hinman. 

1853: Supervisors— 5 ohn Bell, chairman, Wm. H. Conger, Absolora Williams; 
Town clerk, W. Hendrix ; Treasurer, N. H. Briggs. 

1854 ; Supervisors — James Harkness, cliairman, S. G. West, J. V. Hemstead ; Toivn 
clerk, Geo. W. Wylie ; Treasurer, Jacob Wright. 

■ 1855: Supervisors — James Harkness, chairman, Lester Allen, Nelson West ; Town 
clerk, Geo. W. Wylie; Treasurer, Wm. M. Whitney. 

1856 : Supervisors — R. T. Seymour, cliairman, C. Wiswell, Porter Green ; Town 
clerk, Geo. W. Wylie ; Treasurer, Wm. M. Whitney. 

1857: Supervisors — R. T. Seymour, chairman, E. B. Smith, C. H. Wylie ; Tou'7i 
clerk, Geo. W. Wylie ; Treasurer, R. B. Burroughs. 

1858: Supervisors — R. B. Burroughs, chairman, C. H. Wylie, C. Wiswell ; Town 
clerk, George W. Wylie ; Treasurer, Wm. P. Ellsworth. 

1859 : Supervisors — R. B. Burroughs, chairman, Joseph Potter, James Child ; 
Town clerk, Geo. W. Wylie ; Treasurer, R. S. Hendrex. 

1860: Supervisors — C. Wiswell, chairman, Julius Derthick, S. C. Sanford ; Town 
clerk, Geo. W. Wylie ; Treasurer, Stephen Williams. 

1861 : Supervisors — C. Wiswell, chairman, E. B. Smith, Town clerk, C. H. Wylie ; 
Treasurer, George Wright. 

1862 : Superviso)-s — C. Wiswell, chairman, E. B. Smith, H. H. Sterling ; Town 
elerk, S. R. Edgerton ; Treasurer George Wright. 

1863: Supervisors — C. Wiswell, chairman, Riley Harrington, W. Hendrix ; Town 
clerk — S. R. Edgerton ; Treasurer — George Wright. 

1864: Supervisors — E.B.Smith, chiiirman ; Town clerk — S. R. Edgerton ; 2Veas- 
urer — Geo. Wright. 

1865: Supervisors — E. B. Smitli, chairman. Nelson West, J. W. Peck ; Toum clerk 
— C. H. Wylie ; Treasurer — George Wright. 

1866: Supervisors — R. T. Seymour, chairman, B. B. Drake, W. G. Derthick; Town 
elerk — C. H. Wylie ; Treasurer — Charles W. Concklin. 

1867 : Supervisors — R. T. Seymour, chairman, W. G. Derthick, H. A. Hubbard ; 
Town clerk— W. W. Hartwell ; Treasiirer-'N. E. Oviat. 

1868: Supervisors — R. T. Seymour, chairman, W. Hendrix, H. A.Hubbard; Toivn 
clei-k—W. W. Hartwell ; Treasurer — N. A. Hendrix. 

1869: Supervisors — S. R. Edgerton, chairman, W. P. Ellsworth, A. C.Norton; 
Town clerk— W. W. Hartwell; Treasurer— R. B. Webb. 

1870: Supervisors — J. W. Peck, chairman, Alonzo Potter, N. W. IMower; Town 
clerk — C. H. Wvlie ; Treasurer — Sanford Doane. 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 927 

1871: Supervisors — C. H. Wylie, cliairman, Jaiiios Childs, J. C. Keyes ; Totm 
clerk — N. A. Heiidrix ; Treasurer — Sanford Doane. 

1872: jSupervisors — C. H. Wylie, chairman, James Cliild ; J. C. Keyes; Town 
clerk — N. A. Heiidrix ; Treasurer — Sanford Doane. 

1873 : iSupert'isors — S. R. Edgerton, chairman, R. T. Seymour, John Derthick ; 
Toivn clerk — N. A. Hendrix ; T)-easurer — Sanford Doane. 

1874 : Supervisors — H. M. Curtis, chairman, R. D. Harriman ; Totvn clerk — M. B. 
Ranney ; Treasurer — George Wright. 

1875: Supervisors — A. C. Norton, chairman, Joseph Potter, B. B. Drake ; Ihwn 
clerk — M. B. Ranney ; Treasurer — George Wright. 

1876: Supervisors — Joseph Potter, chairman, S. H. Foster; Toum clerk — M. B. 
Ranney; Treasurer — George Wright. 

1877: Supervisors — J. P. Wylie, chairman, Joseph Potter, Fred Winter ; Town 
clerk — M. B. Ranney ; Treasurer — Theodoras Northrop. 

1878 : Supervisors — C. H. Wylie, chairman, Fred Winter, B. B. Drake ; Treasurer 
— Theodoras Northrop ; Town clerk — M. B. Ranney. 

1879: Supervisors — Virgil Gobi), chairman, George Bentley, A. Noble; Treasurer 
— Theodoras Northrop ; Toirn clerk — M. B. Ranney. 

1880 : Superviso)-s — Virgil Cobb, chairman, Geo. Bentley, H. A. Hubbard ; Clerk 
— M. B. Ranney ; Treasurer — Theodoras Northrop. 

1881 : Supervisors — Theodoras Northroj), chairman, H. M. Carter, Augustus Voss ; 
Clerk — M. B. Ranney ; Treasurer — E. B. Smith. 

The principal Justices of the town have been S. A. Dwinnell, Alex. Wilson, James 
Child, E. B. Smith, W. Hendrix, R. B. Flack, and S.-R. Edgerton. The principal As- 
sessors : H. M. Curtis, Geo. W. Wylie, and C. M. Wylie. 

CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, ETC. 

The only church edifice in the town is " Bishop's Ciiurch," erected by the Congre- 
gationalists, in 1856, on Section 10, at a cost of f800. There are now eight school- 
houses in the various districts, none of the schools being as yet graded. At Fayette Sta- 
tion, on the Eagle branch of the Western Union Railroad, there is a store in operation 
which carries a general assortment of all the varieties of goods usually found in country 
stores. This is the only establishment of the kind in the town. There is but one 
blacksmith, and he is also located at Fayette Station. One clergyman ministers to the 
spiritual wants of the people, and one shoemaker, and three carpenters pursue their sev- 
eral avocations within the limits of the town. 

LA FAYETTE AS IT IS. 

The population of LaFayette, according to the Federal census of 1880, was 1,028. 

The principal farm products for 1879 were : Wheat, 23,800 bu.; corn, 84,170 bu.; 
oats, 51,239 bu.; barley, 15,722 bu.; rye, 534 bu.; potatoes, 7,180 bu.; apples, 5,789 bu.; 
clover seed, 1,010 bu.;' hay, 4,381 tons ; butter, 49,770 lbs.; cheese. 27,200 lbs. No re- 
port was made for 1880. The products were larger during that year than in 1879. 

The town has one manufactory which has a reputation throughout the country — 
viz.: — the sorghum mills, situated on Section 7, and owned and operated by Wm. Hodges. 
It was built about five years ago, and turns out first-class product. The building is one 
and a half stories, and is considered one of the institutions of this portion of the 
county. 

The annual acreage of grain exceeds 6,000 acres. There are 241 acres of apple or- 
chard, 2,840 acres of mowing and pasturage, and 3,819 acres of growing timber. The 
number of milch cows reported in 1880 (the last report made) was 705, valued at 
113,225. 

LaFayette is almost exclusively devoted to farming — not more than one out of 



928 HISTORY OF WATWORTH POUNTY. 

every hundred being engaged in any other avocation. The average price of farming 
land is stated by residents to be f30 per acre. The farms are principally devoted to 
general husbandry, but the special interest of dairying is becoming quite an important 
factor in the prosperity of the town. There were in 1881, four whole and six joint 
school districts. The number of scholars between the ages of four and twenty years 
was 261, of which number 196 attended school. Tliere were eight schools, taught by 
eight teachers at monthly average wages of $32.37 for male, and $20.87 for female teach- 
ers. There were eight school houses, valued at i3,300, including the sites. The 
amount expended for schools during the year was $2,053. 

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

J. C. ACKER, farmer. Sec. 20 ; P. O. Elkliorn ; is a native of Livingston Co., N. Y., born in 
1819 ; brought up on a farm ; received but a meagre education, and in 1842 started west to seek 
his fortune. He came by raib-oad to Buffalo, N. Y., then by the lakes to Detroit, Nov. 7, 1842, 
from which place he came on foot to Burbngton, Racine County, where he arrived in December, 
after a weary walk of five weeks duration. Here he slopped two months, when he went to Chicago, 
and drove team for Seth Payne, who was the president of the Chicago, and the Ottawa Canal, and 
purchased 160 acres, on Sec. 29, LaFayette, and commenced improving the same ; he also did 
work for other parties, and in 1843, ojjened what is now known as the Vore Stone Quarry, Spring 
Prairie, and burned 200 barrels of water lime. In June, 1S45, he was married to Miss Rachel 
Mosher, then of LaFayette, Schoharie County, N.Y. In 1847, he sold his farm, and purchased 
160 acres of his jiresent farm, but he now owns 240 acres, valued at $12,000. The children are : 
Delia Jane, now Mrs Frank Whitmore. of Crawford County ; George W., a farmer of LaFayette ; 
Eva lives at home; Bennett, a farmer of Delaware; WiUiam R., a farmer of Sugar Creek; 
Mary, Newton and Walter living at home. The first religious service was held in the log house 
on his present farm, and the town of LaFavette was organized in the same place. 

GEORGE F. BABCOCK, farmer. Sec. 28; P. O.' Elkhorn ; was one of the earliest settlers 
as well as one of the most nrominent farmers of Walworth County. Is the oldest often children, 
five girls and five boys, nf I iseph and Charlotte (Fosdirk) Babcock, who were native of New York 
and in that State; the subjert of this sketch was born, March 13, 1825. In 1828, the family removed 
to Geauga Co., Ohio, here George F. received what was then termed a common school educa- 
tion, and at the age of seventeen, he bought his time of his father, as in those days most boys were 
obliged to help their parents until twenty-one years of age. In the following Spring of 1843, 
came to Wisconsin, purchased eighty acres of land, on Sec. 29, LaFayette, and in the Fall went 
back to Ohio, but onlv remained a short time, when he returned to Walworth. In the Fall of 
1844, he again went to Ohio, and in February, 1845, was married to Julia Barker, when he again 
returned to Walworth, settled on his farm, and has since followed farming with remarkable suc- 
cess, being a good financier, and buving more land from time to time, he now owns 746 acres of 
real estate in Walworth County, which is well improved, having good buildings, and is worth $50 
per acre; he also owns 240 acres in Buffalo Countv, worth $10 jier acre. In the Spring of 1880, 
he removed to his present place of residence, and is now arranging matters so as to pass his re- 
maining years in a more quiet way. He is a Republican, but as he has always had plenty of 
business, he has taken no interest in politics, no more than to perform his duties as a citizen. The 
children are : Henry E., a farmer of LaFayette; Mary Jane, now Mrs. .Alfred Churchill, of Elk- 
horn; Frank A., a farmer of LaFayette; Fred A., who is single, and roaming about in different 
localities ; Walter and Bryon living at home. 

TRUMAN EARTLETT, farmer, Sec. 6 ; P O. Fayetteville ; one of the earliest settlers of 
Walworth County, is a native Vermont, born in .\ddison County, Aug. 3, 1815; was a resident of 
that State until twenty-one years of age. He then went to Essex Co., N. Y., where he followed 
lumbering, and in 1838 was married to Serena Strong. He lived two years in Vermont, when he 
returned to the Empire State, and in October, 1S44. came to Wisconsin, first settled in Spring 
Prairie, where he was engaged in the manufacture of lumber, running a saw-mill for twelve years. 
During those years he furnished lumber for the fence which formerly surrounded the jjublic square 
at Elkhorn. In 1856, he purchased his present farm, on which he has since resided, and made 
farming a business. He now owns 180 acres of land, 100 of which are well improved, and valued 



HISTORY OF WAT, WORTH COUNTY. 929 

at $50 per acre, the remainder is located in the town of Troy, and is valued at $12 per acre. The 
children are: Mary Jane, now Mrs. James Flint, of LaFayette; Phoebe Elizabeth, now Mrs. R. 
Moore, of Oconomowoc ; and Coris Ann, now Mrs. C. A. Hare; politics. Republican ; religion, 
Methodist. Mr. Bartlett is a man who has been the architect of his own fortune, as he came to 
Walworth a poor man ; afamily of three children, and but fifteen dollars of money. 

WH.l.TAM F.AUMIS (deceased), was a native of .Schoharie Co., N. Y., in 1803. He was 
reared on a farm ; was married ; his wife died, leaving three children, only one of whom is living. 
He was married again in 1842, came with his family to Wisconsin, and settled on Spring 
Prairie, when his second wife died, leaving five children, since deceased. In 1S58 he was 
married to Mrs. Lvdia (Beach) Thomas, a native of Warren Co., N. Y. Mr. Raumis died in 
TS72, at the age of three score and nine years. 

WILT.IAM W. BEACH, farmer, Sec. 3:^: P. O. Elkhorn ; was born in Warren County, N. 
Y., in 1821 ; received a common school education, and at the age of 19 commenced work at the 
carpenter's trade; the next year at the millwright. Not liking the business very well, he returned 
to carpenter and joiner work. He came West, to Spring Prairie, Wis., in 1845, with limited means ; 
commenced work at once at his trade. There are many buildings in the towns of Spring Prairie. 
LaFayette and North Geneva that stand as monuments of his labor. He was married to Clar- 
rissa Harriman, Dec. 23, 1849, daughter of Noah and Lucinda Harriman. He moved immedi- 
ately to Marcellon, Columbia Co., remaining there three vears working at the carpenter trade ; 
then returned to La Fayette, Walworth Co., and purchased the farm he still owns for Si'375) with 
very little improvements, and a rude log house ; employed a man to take charge of his farm, and 
he continued working at his trade; but for the past twentv years he has devoted the most of his 
time on the farm, which is now in a good state of cultivation, with good buildings; valued at 
$55 per acre. Religion, Methodist, holding different offices in the Church acceptably. Politi- 
cally, a Democrat. The children are : .'Mice L (now Mrs. W. A. Dawson), and William L., of 
Stratford, Hamilton Co., Iowa; Lucinda I., Mary A., Benjamin H. and Isaac D., living at home. 
He was a man well adapted to pioneer work, ever ready to turn his hand to any kind of work to 
help the needv. manv times leaving his, work to make a coffin for a neighbor, when the country 
could not furnish ihem, without charges, and many other deeds of charity. 

GEORGE BENTLY, farmer, Sec. 5, LaFayette; P. O. Favettevilje; son of Robert and 
Maria Burse Rentlv, both natives of Connecticut, and it was in Litchfield County, of said State, 
that the subject of this sketch was born May 13, 1834; received a common school education, 
and in June, 1847, the familv came to Wisconsin, and settled on Sec. 5, LaFayette. Here young 
Bently helped till the soil, with the exception of three years, which he spent in different locali- 
ties, and in October, 1854, was married to Miss Nancy Welch, daughter of Josiah and Louisa 
Grant Welch, and as his father died in 1854, and willed the homestead to him, he continued to 
live on the same, and has since erected good buildings, and has made other improvements. He 
now owns 204 acres, valued at $40 i)er acres. He is a Republican in politics, and has held 
local offices. The children are: Frances. Adam and Varmon. 

A. H. BUNNELL, farmer. Sec. 20, LaFayette; P. O. Elkhoin; one of the earliest settlers 
of Walworth; is a son of Salmon and Lois Leete Bunnell, who were natives of Connecticut; 
residents of Broome County, N. Y., in which country the subject of this sketch was born Jan. 12, 
1813. When he was but 3 vears old his father died, and his mother, with her family of five chil- 
dren, removed into Dutchess County, where her parents resided. Here the family resided until 
1832, then to Otsego County two years, when they removed to Onondago. In 1837, came to 
Wisconsin, and at once took up a claim of 320 acres on Sec. 20, LaFavette. Of said land, he 
purchased eighty acres for himself, and 160 acres for his mother, at the first land sale, which 
took place in Februarv, 1839. In the Fall of 1839, he was married to Miss Mary Dyer, daugh- 
ter of Charles and Mary Galusha Dyer, who were natives of Vermont, and settled in Spring 
Prairie in 1837, although Mr. Dyer came to Wisconsin and claimed his land in 1836. After mar- 
riage, Mr. Bunnell kept improving his land; but he soon sold the same, and purchased property 
in Spring Prairie, where he resided about three years, when he y)urchased his mother's farm of 
160 acres. He has always taken considerable interest in education ; is a Republican in politics, 
and has held local offices. His wife died Feb. 25, 1847, leaving two children, Myron, now mai- 
ried and living at Newport, Washington Co., Minn., and Charles D., deceased, having died in 
1862 while in the United States' service, .'\pril 14, 184S, he was married to Harriet Dyer, a 
sister of his first wife. They have two children, Lottie and Julia. 



930 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

V. CASTLE, farmer, Sec. 12; P. O. Spring Prairie; native of England; came to Wiscon- 
sin in the Fall of 1855. 

S. V. CURTIS, deceased. This well-known farmer met his sad and tragical death Oct. 2, 
1877, on which day he directed his hired man to drive the cattle from the field where the fence 
was down. After getting the cattle out, Mr. Curtis remained to fix the fence, when just as he 
had the fence repaired, and turned to go from the place, he saw the bull coming toward him. 
He raised his hands to frighten back the animal, when it rushed upon him, striking him to the 
earth, and gored him so terribly in both sides as to break all the ribs, besides cutting the lungs. 
He ex]jired on the spot an hour later. The unfortunate man lived just long enough to say a few 
parting words to his family, who hurried to the spot when they heard of the shocking tragedy. 
Mr. Curtis was a native of Saratoga County, N. Y.,born Nov. 2, 1819; lived in Monroe County, 
where, on the 8th of March, 1843, he was married to Miss Jane Blakeman. In 1857, he came 
to Wisconsin, settled in LaFayette, and engaged in farming. In March, 187 1, his wife died, 
leaving three children — Mary E. (now Mrs. A. M. Owen), L. Ugenia (now Mrs. William Atkin- 
son), and Orville H., a traveling salesman of the Goodyear Rubber Company. In 1874, he 
married Mrs. J. Canfield, who. with Orville H., now own and have charge of the estate, which 
contains 120 acres, valued at $60 per acre. 

H. M. CURTIS, farmer. Sec. 14; P. O. Spring Prairie. He is found among the prominent 
pioneers of Walworth County, having settled in the county in 1840. He is a native of Oneida 
Co., N. Y., born Oct. 17, 1818; received an academic education, and lived with his mother, his 
father having died in 1820, until fifteen years of age, he then went to Onondago County, and re- 
sided with his uncle, Thomas Clark, who was a farmer, until the Spring of 1840, at which time he 
came to Wisconsin, and in August of the same year, purchased his present farm of 240 acres, at 
$5 per acre. He then went to Milwaukee, and clerked in a mercantile business until 1S44, when 
he returned to this farm, and commenced improving the same, and as he was unmarried, he 
boarded with a neighbor, until 1876, at which date his sister came west, and kept house for him 
until 1848, when she was married to John Wilcox, he then returned to his old boarding place. 
In the Spring of 1849, he rented his farm for a year, but remained on the same, built a barn and 
made other minor improvements. In the Spring of 1850, lie was married to Miss Calcina Smith, 
then of LaFayette, but of Jefferson Co., N. Y. He then commenced keeping house, and continued 
farming until 1852, at which date his wife died, leaving one child, Harvey. He then rented his 
farm again for one year, and in the Spring of 1854. he was married to Miss Eliza Smith, a sister 
of his first wife. He again resumed farming, and has since continued the same, meeting with 
marked success. He now owns 285 acres of land, which is valued at $50 per acre. He is a 
Democrat, and although he has no political aspirations, he has been on different occasions, been 
chosen to fill important local offices, and as his party is in the minority, this goes to show that he 
is highly respected by his fellow citizens. Of the four children born unto his second wife, but 
one is living, George O., who lives at home. 

W. G. DERTHICK, farmer. Sec. 25; P. O. Spring Prairie; he was born in Ohio, Decem- 
ber, 1838. His parents, Julius and Esther Monroe Derthick, were natives of Connecticut, and 
settled in Walworth County in 1854. In 1868, he was married to Mary Bell, and his father died 
in 1863. He, in partnership with his brother, purchased the estate which contains 310 acres, 
valued at $45 per acre ; he now has charge of the same, his brother living at Spring Prairie. He 
is a Republican. Has held local offices, and is at present (1881) candidate for the Assembly. The 
children are Malinda, Julius, Bell and John. 

G. W. DWIlSfN (lLL, farmer. Sec. 23 ; P. O- Spring Prairie. Is one of the early pioneers 
who settled in Walworth County in 1838. He is a native of Worcester Co., Mass., born Oct. 6, 
1818, brought up on a farm; he received a common school education and in 1838, with his broth- 
er Soleman, came to Wisconsin, and at once made a claim of 320 acres, on Sees. 23 and 14, 
LaFayette, and as the first land sale took place in the Fall of that year, he purchased the same at 
$1.25 per acre, commenced improving the same, and as he was still living a single life, he boarded 
with his brother, who had settled on land adjoining his. In the Fall of 1843, he was married to 
Miss A. C. Wilson, daughter of Alexander and Abagail (Bishoj)) Wilson, the former a native of 
New York, and the latter of Vermont, who settled in Walworth County in 1841. In 1861, he 
purchased his present farm of i6o acres, but he now owns 215 acres, valued at $50 per acre. He 
is a Democrat, but takes little interest in politics, no more than to perfQxwv his duty as a citizen. 



HISTORY OV WA I .WORTH COUNTY. 931 

The children living are: Emma, now Mrs. S. A. Hartwell; and Mary, now Mrs. F. L. Bennett, 
both living in Nebraska. 

S. R. EDGERTON, farmer, Sec. 13; P. O. Spring Prairie ; is the oldest of the two chil- 
dren of Sims and Harriet Bennedict Edgerton. He was born at Rome, Oneida Co., N. Y., in 
October, 1833. His father married Maria Crego in 1845, who had two children, Hiram and 
Melissa, the family then came to Wisconsin, and settled at Spring Prairie, Walworth County, where 
the father died in 1873, at the advanced age of eighty-one years. The subject of this sketch was 
married to Miss Olive Vaughn, daughter of David and Rebecca Vaughn. He then purchased 190 
acres of his present farm, for which he gave Ss.ooo ; he traded wild land valued at that price, 
hut he now owns 330 acres of real estate, which is valued at $50 per acre. He is a Republican 
in politics. In 1S70, represented his District in the Assembly. Thechildren are: D. S., Bertie, 
and Evelyn. Mrs. Edgerton died Sept. 22, 1877, and he was married again, to Miss Lila 
B. Patten, of Spring Prairie. 

J. M. ELLSWORTH, farmer, Sec. 20; P. O. Elkhorn ; eldest son of John and Sophronia 
(Pride) Ellsworth, who were natives of New York, and settled in Walworth County in 1840. He 
was born m Sugar Creek, Sept. 15, 1845 ; received a common-school education. In the Spring 
of 1855 the family removed to Iowa, where the father died in 1858, and the mother broke up 
housekeeping. J. M. returned to Wisconsin, and lived at Greenfield, Milwaukee Co., with his 
uncle, C. F. Ellsworth, until 1864. He then worked by the month in Walworth County until 
Dec. 4, 1867, at which date he was married to Harriet Baumis, daughter of William and Lydia 
Baumis; then rented land and followed farming, also ran a threshing machine, and since 1S75 
has resided on and had charge of the estate of William Baumis. He also owns a "Poplar 
Fencing Saw," with which he does a great deal of vvork in different parts of the county. The 
children are Josephine, Willie and Herbert. Politics, Republican. 

S. D. ELLSWORTH, farmer, Sec 19 ; P. O. Elkhorn ; is the oldest son of S. S, and Nancy 
(Fields) Ellsworth, natives of Otsego County, N. Y., in which county the subject of this sketch 
was born Jan. 10, 1835. In 1847 the family came to Wisconsin, and settled on Sec. 19, La 
Fayette, where they purchased 240 acres of land. Here S. D. helped till the soil until the 
Winter of 1859, duiing which time, in 1858, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Ranney, a native 
of Vermont. He then purchased no acres on Sec. 16, La Fayette, where he resided until 1868, 
when he sold out, and purchased t6o acres of his present farm, which was then owned by his 
brother, but which is the original homestead of his parents. He now owns 200 acres, valued at 
$60 per acre. The children living are — Frank R., Fred L., Gella, E. Louie and E. Harry. In 
politics, Re))ul>lican. Mr. Ellsworth has three brothers — William, Henry and Eugene. 

NOAH HARRIMAN, farmer, Sec. 33; P. O. Elkhorn; was born at Bradford, Vt., in 
1805. In 1809 the family removed to Canada, and settled near Montreal, where, in 1826, Noah 
was married to I-ucinda Davis. He then engaged in grocery business, and continued the same 
eight years, when he removed to Stockholm, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., where he purchased land 
and commenced farming, but in a few years it was discovered that a man had a life lease on his 
Canada property, and therefore Mr. Harriman lost the same, which left him financially embar- 
rassed. He was therefore compelled to sell out, and as his friends of Bradford urged him to 
come to the place of his birth, but finding it a rough, broken country, and he having seen better 
land, he could not live content. He, therefore, in 1845, came to Wisconsin, arriving in Wal- 
worth County a very poor man, having a family of five children and but $5 in money; and as 
his wife was brought up among the hills of Vermont she was very much dissatisfied to live in 
the country, abounding in ague and Indians ; but he at once set to work and soon rented a farm 
on Sec. 4, Geneva, on which he resided three years, during which time, in 1847, he purchased 
his present farm, settled on the same in the Spring of 1849, and he has so improved it as to be 
valued at §50 ]ier acre. The children with him are — Julia, now Mrs. E. P. Eaton, of Elgin. 
111. ; Guy, living at home; Claris«e, now Mrs. VV. W. Beach, of La Fayette, and Betsy, now 
Mrs. M. G. Heath, of Sparta, Wis. Politics, Republican; religion, Methodist. Was in 1850 
licensed as local preacher, elected trustee, class leader and steward in the Methodist Church in 
Elkhorn, which offices he has filled with credit to himself and to the perfect satisfaction of the 
community up to the present time, 1882. 

DUD'LE^' HARRIMAN, farmer, Sec. ^^■, P. O. Elkhorn; is a native of Canada, born in 
Montreal, in 1815 ; received a common-school education, and followed lumbering until twenty- 
two years of age. He then came to the United States and worked on the Wabash Canal, which 



932 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

was then under process of construction. He purchased a piece of land, and in 1839 was mar- 
ried to Mary Corbett, a native of Ireland. In 1842 he came to Wisconsin and lived in Mil- 
waukee, and lived until 1846, when he came to Walworth County, where he has since dealt in 
cattle, sheep, etc. ; has also dealt in real estate, owning at one time over a section of land. He 
now owns thirty acres, valued at $1,500. The children are — R. D., of Elkhorn ; Louisa, now Mrs. 
Phil. Wissell, of Sugar Creek, and Frances, now Mrs. A. L. Vanderpool, of La Fayette. Mr. 
Harriman is a man who is strictly honest, but has little to do with politics or religion. 

A. D. HARRIS, farmer, Sec. 36; P. O. Springfield ; is a native of Windsor, Conn., born 
June 16, 1820. When he was but three years old his father died; his mother married Justice 
Graves, in 1834. The family removed to Medina County, Ohio. Here A. D. learned cabinet- 
making, which trade he followed till 1845, at which time he came to Wisconsin, purchased eighty 
acres of his present farm, for which he paid $400. and in June of said year was married to 
Maria Bell, daughter of William and Harriet Owen Bell, of Medina County, Ohio. He has 
since made farming his business. He now owns 120 acres, valued at $60 per acre. The chil- 
dren are — Edwin W., Estelle and Herman S. 

H. A. HUBBARD, farmer, Sec. 17; P. O. Elkhorn ; is a son of Alfred and Anna Steele 
Hubbard, who were natives of Connecticut, settled in Livingston Co., N. Y., where H. A. Hub- 
bard vvas born, Nov. 13, 1882. He received a common school education, with one year at an 
academy, and in 1854, came to Wisconsin, and settled in Spring Prairie. In 1858, in partner- 
ship with William Barlow, engaged in hardware business at Elkhorn, which they continued under 
firm name of Barlow & Hubbard, when they dissolved partnership. Mr. Hubbard went to Gen- 
eva, where he became a member of the hardware firm of Hubbard & Meigs one year, when they 
sold out the business, and Mr. Hubbard purchased a farm in Spring Prairie, but only resided on 
the same one year, when be sold out, and purchased his present farm of i8o acres, at $29 per 
acre, which he improved, so that it is now worth $55 per acre. He also owns 20 acres of timber- 
land, valued at $25 per acre. He was married in 1856, to Miss Jennie Carver, a native of Liv- 
ingston Co., N. Y. They have four children — Fred, Ralph, Marion and Georgia. In politics a 
Republican, and has held local offices. 

R. M.\CKENZIE, farmer, Sec. 10; P. O. Fayetteville ; one of Walworth County's early 
pioneers, is a native of Scotland, born in 1825. At the age of fourteen he was left an orphan, 
and in 1842, with his two brothers and one sister, his older sister having previously started, they 
came to the United States, and at once came to Wisconsin, where he arrived without money, be- 
sides being somewhat in debt for his passage to America, but being an energetic young man, he 
at once went to work by the month, and soon saved some money, and in 1S46, purchased eighty 
acres of land, on Sec. 9, LaFayette, for which he gave $300. This he at once commenced im- 
proving, and in the following year, he harvested twenty-five acres of wheat, which yielded about 
900 bushels, a part of which he hauled to Milwaukee, and sold for a $1.05 per bushel, which was 
the first wheat sold from LaFayette, sold at $1 per bushel. He then sold the land to his brothers, 
and bought several pieces of land since, and is now living on a farm of 170 acres, well improved, 
and valued at $40 per acre. In 1850, he was married to Miss Susan, daughter of Thomas and 
Susan Manderson Pollock, natives of Scotland, emigrated to America in 1831, and settled in 
Troy, Walworth County, in 1840. They have had four children, one of whom died in 1856, and 
the other three died in 1858 ; the last three in seven months. They were then without children, 
until Feb. 2, 1878, at which time they adopted an infant, which they named Susie R., a bright 
little girl, and the pet of the family. 

P. H. MERRICK, farmer. Sec. 22; P. O. Spring Prairie; is a son of Col. Perez and 
Jerusha Hutchison Merrick, natives of Delaware Co. N.Y. In 1836, Col. Merrick came to Wisconsin, 
and claimed 320 acres, which consisted of the north half of Sec. 28 He then returned to New York, 
and the following year brought his family to the wilds of Wisconsin, and settled on the claim he 
had made the year previous. The subject of this sketch was born in Delaware Co., N. Y. Re- 
sided with his parents until nineteen years of age, he then went to Galena, 111., where he remained 
three years, when he returned to Walworth County, and lived with his parents until the Fall of 
1851, at which time he was married to Miss M. A. Briggs. He then removed to Jefferson County, 
and followed milling until 1859, then for nine years following, he was farming at Mount Pleasant, 
Racine County. Then in partnership with W. W. Vaughn, purchased the Lyons mill, in the 
town of Lyons, Walworth County, and ran the same three years, then sold his interest to his 
partner, purchased his present farm of 150 acres, valued at $6,000. He has one child, Orlando B. 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 933 

Democrat in politics. Col Perez Merrick, died Aug. 25, 1855, at the age of sixty-two years. Mrs. 
P. .Merrick died in .August, 1870, aged seventy-four years and nine months. 

O. D. MERRICK., farmer. Sec. 20; P.O. Elkhorn; is the fourth oldest of the seven chil- 
dren, of Roderick and Rebecca (Gates) Merrick, natives of New York, who settled in Walworth 
County in 1S37, and in Spring Prairie of said county. The subject of this sketch was born Dec. 
19, 183S, received a common school education, and lived with his parents on the farm until 
1867, by which time he became a little uneasy, and so concluded to see some of the western 
country, he therefore started for the Rocky Mountains, but after spending si.\ years in Wyoming, 
Utah, Idaho, Washington territories and the States of Oregon, California and Nevada, he returned 
to Walworth County, and in 1874 was married to Miss Emily liell, daughter of Nathaniel and 
Sarah (Cook) Bell, and at once settled on his farm, which he had previously purchased, and has 
since made farming a business. He owns 180 acres of land, valued at $45 per acre. Politics, 
Republican. 

J. H. NORTON, farmer, Sec. 23 ; P. O. Spring Prairie ; son of Winthrop and Hannah 
(Cranston) Norton, the former a native of New York, and the latter of Rhode Island, residents 
of Ohio, in which State, February, 1841, the subject of this sketch was born. In 1842, the family 
removed to Wisconsin, purchased land on Sec. 25, LaFayette, where they resided until i860, 
when they removed to Elkhorn, but the following year they went to California, where in 1863, the 
father (Winthrop Norton) died. John H., with his mother, then returned to Walworth, and set- 
tled in LaFayette. In 1866, in partnership with his brother Abram (who returned from Cali- 
fornia in 1865), he purchased their present farm of 160 acres, valued at $45 per acre. From 1875 
to i88o, they were also engaged in mercantile business at Spring Prairie Corners, of which 
Abram C. had charge. Mr. Norton was married Feb. 8, 1871, to Miss Louisa Merrick. They 
have two children, Irene and Clarence. 

THEODORE NORTHROP, merchant; P. O. Fayetteville ; is a son of Theodore and 
Amy (Jackson) Northrop ; the latter is a distant relative of Andrew Jackson, ex-President of the 
United States; were natives of the State of New York, and it was in Dutchess County, of the 
old Empire State, on the 25th of November, 1841, the subject of this sketch was born. In 1841, 
the father came to Wisconsin, and the following year the mother with her children followed, and 
the family soon settled on Sec. 27, Town of LaFayette. Here they resided about seven years, 
then two years in Delevan, subsequent to which they removed to Columbia County, and it is 
there they experienced the hardships of pioneer life, as they at hrst lived in a sod house, after- 
ward in a log shanty, with no neighbors in a radius of three miles, except wolves and Indians. 
Here they undertook to raise sheep, they having brought the first flock to Columbia County ; but 
the wolves soon took charge of the entire flock. In 1862, Theodore, Jr., enlisted in Co. C, 23d 
Wis. V. I., where he served three years, and returned home and assumed farming one year. He 
then went to the copper regions of Lake Superior. He taught school and kept books for two 
years, after which he returned to Walworth County, and remained with his sister on her farm one 
year. During the following three years he was engaged in mercantile business at Elkhorn ; then 
acted as traveling salesman for a Chicago mercantile firm one year, at the end of which time, in 
May, 1877, he came to Fayetteville, rented property, and has since been engaged in general mer- 
cantile business. He also deals in live stock and grain. He has been station agent, express agent, 
and Post-master, which latter position he now holds. He is a Republican in politics ; has been 
Town Treasurer three years, and is now Chairman of the Town Hoard. On the seventh day of 
November, 1871, he was united in matrimony to Miss Josephine Lumsden, then of Elkhorn, 
but a native of North Adams, Mass. They have six children — Frank, .A-my M., Laertes, Rena 
Belie, 'Theodora, and an infant. 

CHARLES I. PECK, farmer. Sec. 8; P. O. Fayetteville; oldest son of J. W. and Adaline 
E. (Randall) Peck; was born in LaFayette, Aug. 14, 1848; received a common school educa- 
tion, and in 1873 was married to Miss Fannie E. Sewell, daughter of Jirah and Elizabeth (God- 
dard) Sewell, and has since continued farming on a part of his father's estate. He now owns 
486 acres in LaFayette, worth $30 to $40 per acre; 440 acres in Trempeleau County, valued at 
$20 per acre. The children are Jeddiah, Myron and H. M. Politics, Democrat. 

A. POTTER, farmer, Sec. 20; P. O. Elkhorn; is a native of New York, born in 1826. In 
1843, he came with his parents to Wisconsin, and lived with them in LaFayette until 1848, dur- 
ing which time, in 1847, he was married to Laura L. Pitkins, then of LaFayette, but a native of 
Ohio. He then removed to Dodge County, where he resided until 1S50, when he returned to 



934 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

Walworth County, and in 1852 purchased a farm in Geneva, where he resided, with the excep- 
tion of two years that he lived in Elkhorn, until 1868, in the Spring of which year his wife died, 
leaving five children — Delia (now Mrs. O. C. Chasa, of Furgus Falls, Minn.); Adelbert, also 
living at that place; Florence (now Mrs. Allison Beach, of Onalaska, La Crosse Co.); Mary, 
living at Furgus Falls, and H. Orlando, living at home. He then sold his farm, removed to 
Elkhorn, and in December, 1868, was married to Adalaide Merrick, of Spring Prairie. In 
March, 1869, he purchased his present farm of 200 acres, which is now valued at $60 per acre. 
He is a Liberal Republican in politics, and has held local offices. 

JOSEPH POTTER, farmer, Sec. 19 ; P. O. Elkhorn; was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., 
July 25, 1S23; was brought up on a farm, and received a common school education. In 1S43, 
he came with his parents to Wisconsin, landing at Milwaukee, June 9. The family at once pro- 
ceeded to Walworth County, and here his father, Robert K. Potter, purchased 200 acres of land 
on Sees. 19 and 18, LaFayette. In 185 i, Joseph was married to Miss Rosina Ellsworth; then 
rented his father's farm for five years, after which, in 1856, he purchased the same at $35 per 
acre, on which he has built a fine brick house, valued at ;|3,ooo, and made other improvements, 
so that the farm is now worth $60 per acre. His wife died May 19, i86g, leaving six children — Gil- 
bert, now a resident of Nebraska; Laura A. (now Mrs. George Young, of Elkhorn); George, 
Julia, Mary and Josie. In March, 1872, he married Caroline Randall. They have two children, 
Lurena and Maud. Mr. Potter is a Republican in politics, and has held local office. 

J. P. POTTER, farmer, Sec. 34; P. O. Elkhorn; settled where he now resides in 1846; is 
a native of Rutland County, Vt., born Feb. 28, 1812. When he was thirteen years of age his mother 
died, and as his father broke up house-keeping the family became separated, and the subject of 
this sketch was left to take care of himself. He worked at farming by the month; also attended 
school for a few terms. In 1839, he, becoming tired of shifting about in single life, was married 
to Sylvia Goodspeed ; continued farming by renting land and cultivating the same until 1842, 
at which date he removed to Sandy Hill, Washington Co., N. Y. Here he worked in a saw-mill 
during the Summer until 1846. He spent the Winter seasons logging in Essex County. He 
then came to Wisconsin, purchased forty acres of his present farm, for which he gave $100, to 
which he added from time to time, so that his real estate now amounts to 184 acres, valued at 
$8,500. The children are: Sylvia (now Mrs. E. \V. Gray, of Geneva); Erwin E., a farmer in 
Kansas; Lola M. (now Mrs. M. Wright, of Darien) ; Hiram H. and Elmer E. Politically he is 
a Democrat. 

E. S. SHEPARD, farmer. Sec. 29; P. O. Elkhorn; is a son of W. S. and Caroline (Beach) 
Shepard, the former a native of Hartford, Conn., and the latter of New York, and where, in 
Ontario County, of the latter named State, on the sixth day of July, 1832, the subject of this 
sketch was born. In 1844, the family removed to Little Fort (now Waukegan), 111., near which 
place they purchased a farm. Here E. S. helped till the soil, and, in 1854, was married to Aba- 
gail Chandler, then of Waukegan, but a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1831. He still followed 
farming until 1865, in which year his parents purchased 140 acres of land in Walworth County, 
Wis,, and as they were moving from Illinois to their new liome his wife was thrown from the 
wagon, thereby receiving a fractured arm and fractured hip, which made her a cripple for life. 
E. S. therefore removed to Walworth County, and took charge of the farm until 1873, ^.t which 
date he purchased the homestead. His parents then removed to Elkhorn, where they resided 
until 1880, in which year they went to Beloit, Kansas, where the mother still lives, but the father 
died Dec. 26, 1880. E. S. resides on the homestead, which is valued at $50 per acre. He has 
one daughter, Ellen A. (now Mrs. Edgar Wales, of LaFayette). 

ZEPHANIAH SHORT, farmer. Sec. 27; P.O. Elkhorn; one of Walworth's earliest set- 
tlers; is a native of Otsego County, N. Y., born in 1815 ; brought up on a farm. He received a 
common school education, and, in 1835, was married to Sally Cockett. In 1842, he came to Wis- 
consin, and purchased the soutliwest one-fourth of Sec. 27, LaFayette, but returned to the Em- 
pire State, where he remained until 1846. He then removed to his new home, and resided on 
the land he purchased in 1S42, until 1854, when he purchased the east one-half of the northwest 
one-fourth of Sec. 27, LaFayette, where he has since resided. He now owns 240 acres of land, 
valued at $50 per acre. The children are : Sally M. (now Mrs. J. V. Hicks, of LaFayette) ; 
James, a resident of Glendon, Minn.; George W. (deceased), having enlisted in 1862, in Co. I, 
2Sth Wis., and died at Helena, Ark., in the Spring of 1863; Esther L. (now Mrs. George W. 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 935 

Farrar, of East Delevan) ; Benjamin F., the only one of the children born in Wisconsin, died in 
1856, at the age of 6 years and 4 days. 

A. L. VANDERPOOL, farmer, Sec. 32; P. O. Elkhorn; was born in Albany County, N. 
Y., in 1843. In 1853, the family came to Wisconsin, and settled in Spring Prairie, where they 
resided until i860, when they removed to the town of Delevan. In 1862, the subject of this 
sketcli enlisted in Co. I, 28th Wis., and served three years. He then returned to Walworth, and, 
in 1867, was married to Miss Frances Harriman, daughter of Dudley and Mary (Corbett) Harri- 
man. He then followed butchering for one year, at Delevan. They then removed to Clarence, 
Cedar Co., Iowa, where he continued in the same business for one year. Then he returned to 
Walworth, and served as a traveling agent for one year. In the Fall of 1 871, he again went to 
Clarence, Iowa, and was engaged dealing in agricultural implements about one year, and since 
he has been engaged in farming where he now resides. The children living are Harry and 
Georgia. Politics, Republican. 

JOHN VOSS, farmer. Sec. 34; P. O. Elkhorn; is a native of Germany, born in 1835; emi- 
grated to the United States in 1858, and first settled in (Jnondago County, N. Y., where, in 1861, 
he was married to Sarah Ann Pridmore, a native of England. In 1864, he came to Wisconsin, 
and, in 1873, purchased his present property. He now owns no acres of land, valued at $40 
per acre. He has one son, John F. Politics, Liberal. 

DAVID T. VAUGHN, farmer. Sec. 13; P. O. Spring Prairie; one of the old land-marks 
of Walworth; is a native of Bridgewater, Vt., born Feb. 28, 1810. When he was but eighteen 
months old his father died, and his mother died in 1820. He was, therefore, at the tender age of 
ten years left to the mercy of the world to take care of himself. At the age of sevefiteen he 
went to Carver, Mass., where he learned the joiner's trade with his brother Samuel, but as his 
health did not permit him to continue the same, he returned to Bridgewater, and soon after went 
to Pittsfield, and here, on the 20th day of January, 1S33, he was joined in the holy bonds of 
matrimony with Miss Rebecca Dinsmore. In the Spring of 1834 he left his wife with her folks 
and went to Michigan, and as he was well pleased with that State, he returned to Pittsfield to 
get his wife ; but as she was an only daughter her parents did not wish to have her go West. 
So Mr. Vaughan remained in the East, digging away among the stumps and stones for three 
years, which was very discouraging, as he knew there was much better farming land in the 
West. He, therefore, sold what property he could spare for $50, and on June 10, 1837, started 
with his family for Michigan, where they lived one year, then they came to Wisconsin and 
settled in Walworth County, Aug. 31, 1838. And now came the trials which only the pioneers 
of a new country can comprehend. When they arrived in Walworth County the family was all 
sick with the ague. They lived with Mr. Vaughn's brother Dike until November, who cared for 
them as well as he could. Mr. Vaughn then rented a house, worked at his trade somewhat 
during the Winter, and the next Summer worked at Perkin's grist-mill at $1 per day, leaving his 
wife and two children to take care of themselves. She did sewing for .\nsil Salisbury, and 
bought one bushel of beans and two bushels of buckwheat flour. In the Fall of 1839 the house 
they then occupied was destroyed, which left them almost destitute, as they simply saved the 
clothes they wore, a brass kettle, and a few minor articles. But they did not despair, and Mr. 
Vaughn at once went to liurlington, Racine Co., where he ran a saw-mill on shares, and in this 
way ])rocured lumber to build a house. In the Spring of 1S40 he purchased forty acres of his 
present farm, and to pay for it he borrowed money of Ansil Salisbury at twenty per cent, interest. 
The first eighty acres of land he purchased by selling a yoke of cattle for $72, to which he added 
his cash, but still lacked $10, for which amount he gave his note of offering twelve per cent, 
interest, payable in gold. In the Spring of 1840 he purchased a threshing machine, which he 
ran one year with success, lived in the most economical way, and has now succeeded in accumu- 
lating a goodly share of this world's goods, as he now owns 570 acres of land, valued at $40 
per acre. His wife died June 14, 1876, at the age of sixty-three years and twenty-one days, 
leaving six children, five of whom are now living — George, Henry, .-Monzo, William and Joseph. 

JOSEPH V.^UGHN, youngest son of David T. and Rebecca (Dinsmore) Vaughn, was 
born in the town of La Fayette, Walworth Co., in 1850; received an academic education, and 
in 1875 was married to Miss ."Mice Sheffield. He is a farmer, lives with his father, and at pre- 
sent has charge of the homestead, which contains 240 acres. 

S. T. WEBB, farmer, Sec. 24; P. O. Spring Prairie. He is a native of (Columbia Co., 
N. Y. Born in 1824; received a common-school education, and in 1844 was married to Miss 



936 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

Ann Eliza Harrington ; foUowed^farming in his native country until 1S48. He then went to Berk- 
shire County, Mass. ; continued farming, but the following year returned to the Empire State, and 
soon afterward came to Wisconsin, arriving at Elkhorn in September. In December he 
removed to Columbia County, where his parents resided, but the following year returned to 
Walworth, and served as a common laborer for three years ; then rented some land in Geneva, 
but at the end of one year, on account of his wife's poor health, again served as a laborer. In 
June, 1855, his wife died, leaving three small children — Robert B., William A., and Silas O. In 
1S56 he married Mrs. Elizabeth (Clark) Humpstead, who had two children — Mary, now Mrs. 
Robert P. Cole, and Nellie C, deceased. Mr. Webb then resumed farming, having previously 
purchased eighty acres of land on Sec. 35, La Fayette, in connection with which he cultivated 
eighty acres belonging to his wife. In 1866 he purchased his present farm, which contains 160 
acres, and valued at $S,ooo. The children are Mark T. and Ava J. Republican. 

NELSON WEST, farmer. Sec. 6; P. O. Fayetteville ; son of S. G. and Rebeeca (Pike) 
West, was born at Norwich, Chenango Co., N. Y., June 23, 1829. His mother died when he was 
but five years old, and in 1839 he came to Wisconsin. His father having previously settled in 
La Fayette. Here the subject of this sketch was brought up on a farm. He was married in 
1855 to l^^iss Hannah Maria Hodges, daughter of William and Mary Ann May Hodges. He 
has since followed farming, and now owns 2S0 acres of well-improved land, worth $50 per acre. 
The children are — Henry P., Addie M., Nellie M., Mark H. and Mary Grace. Mr. West is a 
Democrat in politics, and has held local offices. 

S. E. WHITMORE, farmer. Sec. 24; P. O. Spring Prairie; son of Joseph and Sarah 
(Edgerton) Whitmore, was born in Spring Prairie in 1855, received a common school education, 
and lived with his parents on a farm until 1878, when he was married to Clara, d.iughter of An- 
drew and Rebecca (Freeman) Dike, of Spring Prairie, since which time he has had charge of one 
of his father's farms, containing 140 acres, valued at $50 per acre. They have one child, 
Fred. 

W. J. WYLIE, farmer, Sec. 25 ; P. O. Spring Prairie; son of Robert and Susan (Hump- 
stead) Wylie, the former a native ot Rutland, Vt., and the latter of Oneida Co., N. Y., was uorn in 
the latter county March 11, 1824, received an academic education, and in 1842, with his parents, 
came to Wisconsin. Upon arrival, his father purchased a threshing machine from Ohio, which 
machine was one of the first in the county. This he run for five years, and as machines were 
scarce, it furnished him employment nearly the entire time. In those times, the principal thresh- 
ing was done during the months of May and June. After giving up threshing business, he com- 
menced to deal in cattle, sheep and hogs. In 1849, went into partnership with J. W. Peck, he 
purchased 2,000 sheep in Ohio, which they drove all the way to Wisconsin, they were the first 
fine wool sheep brought into the State. Mr. Wylie was also the first to bring Durham stock into 
the State. He and Mr. Peck were also engaged in hotel business for three years, at what is 
known as Grove Corners. He also dealt in wild lands in Jackson and Calumet Counties. He 
still deals in stock, but not so extensively as informer years. In 1867, he took charge of his father's 
farm, and as he died in 1875, Mr. Wylie purchased the estate, which consisted of 200 acres, 
valued at $10,000 dollars. He was married in 1855, to Miss Abby Hempstead, daughter of 
Calvin and Amanda (Wilcox) Hempstead. They have two children, Edith, now Mrs. William 
Webb, and Nina K. Politics, Democrat. 

H. C. WYLIE, farmer, Sec. 35 ; P. O. Spring Prairie ; is a son of John T. and Polly 
(Hempstead) Wylie, tlie former a native of Connecticut, and the latter of New York, and it was 
in Oneida County, of the latter State, that on Feb. 1, i83i,the subject of this sketch was born. 
In 1833, the family removed to Chautauqua County, here H. C. received a common school edu- 
cation, and helped to till the soil until twenty-one years of age, he then concluded to seek his 
fortune in the west, and he therefore came to Wisconsin, and first stopped in LaGrange, Wal- 
worth County, where he followed farming two years, during which time his parents came to Wal- 
worth, and purchased 160 acres of land, on Sec. 35, LaFayette, he therefore came to LaFayette, 
and lived with his parents. In 1857, he was married to Harriet E. Houghton, daughter of 
William and Almina (Cornish) Houghton, the former still living in LaGrange, where he settled in 
1838. Mr. Wylie then purchased his father's farm, to which he added sixty acres, making a 
total of 220 acres of real estate, valued at $40 per acre. He is a Republican, but takes no in- 
terest in politics, more than to perform his right asacitizen. Their children are : Lora, Chester, 
W. H. and Charley. 



History of walworth c:ounty. 937 

TOWN OF SUGAR CREEK. 

ORGANIZATION. 

Sugar Creek was originally the south eastern towuship of the original town of Elk- 
liorn, and was known by that name till February 2, 1846, at which time it was, by act 
of the Territorial Legislature, incorporated into a separate town under its present name. 
It is described in the government survey as town 8 range 16 east. It is bounded on the 
north b}' tlie town of LaGrange ; east by fjaFayette and Elkhorn ; south by Elkiiorn 
and Delavan, and west by the town of Richmond. Its area embraces a full Congress- 
ional township of six miles square, less one section (No. 86) in the southeast corner, 
which was set off at the time it was incorporated, as a part of the present town of Elk- 
horn. 

TOPOGRAPHY. 

The surface is varied from level prairie to rolling, which in tiie northwestern part of 
the town rises into a low range of hills, running east and west. Nearly nine-tenths of 
the surface is level or nearly so. When first settled the prairies covered not far from 
ten square miles. Delavan Prairie, on Sections '61 and 82, covered the two sections 
nearly except a tamarack swamp in the nortliern part of Section 81. Sugar Creek 
Prairie four and one-half miles long and one and one-half miles wide, was in the north 
half of the town. About a quarter of the surface was open prairie, half oak openings 
free from undergrowth, the remaining quarter being more heavily wooded, or marsh land 
lying along the course of Sugar Creek, a small stream running nearly east througii the 
center of the town. This creek is the only considerable stream in the township, and 
witii several small streams flowing into it, furnishes drainage for the sections lying south 
of it. It flows through the towns of La Fayette and Spring Prairie, and empties into 
White River. It was first discovered and explored l)y the early settlers of Spring 
Prairie in May 1.S86. Mr. Daniel Salisbury writes that on May 28, 1886, he, in com- 
[lany with Rowland Cook and Mr. Smith, wandered up tlie stream till they came to 
heavy timber, interspersed thickly with sugar maple, ancl came upon a camp of Indians 
a little west of what is now the west line of Spring Prairie. They had been making 
sugar at that point, and the name of tlie creek, as well as that of the town, doubtless 
came from the discovery of the sugar maple and the sugar camp on the banks of the 
stream. 

In the northern and more undulating part of the town are several lakes and small 
ponds. The largest is Holden's Lake, on Sections 5 and 6, one and one-half miles lono-, 
and half a mile wide in the widest place. It extends east and west through all of Sec- 
tion ."), and to the west iialf of Section 6. At the western extremity and along the north 
shore the banks are heavily wooded, as is a long narrow island lying near the north 
shore in Section o. 

Otter Lake lies mostly in the southern iialf of Section '2, and is one mile long and 
one-third of a mile wide. The l)anks are wooded on all sides. 

Silver Lake is a lieautiful clear body of water, lying in the northern part of Section 
14. It is oval shaped and (juite symmetrical in form. It is one half mile long and one 
third mile wide. 

These lakes abound in fish common to the inland lakes of southern Wisconsin 

pickerel, bass and perch are the most numerous. 

In addition to these are numerous small ponds which abundantly water the adjoin- 
ing farms. There are a dozen in different parts of the town of sufficient size to be noted 
in the town survey. 

The soil is a strong clay loam, well adapted for the raising of all cereals common to 
this latitude. The marsh lands along the Sugar Creek furnish large crops of meadow 
hay. There are no ledges of rock in tlie town, and the first settlers found no Indian 

LL 



938 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

mounds, graves or other evidences that it had ever been the home of man before their 
arrival. It lay in all its beauty, prepared for them by all-wise Providence, and waiting 
only the magic touch of their hands to bud and blossom as the rose, to bring forth 
fruit and grain, and to become the home of a prosperous and happy people. 

Game, especially deer, were abundant. To the early prospectors, the sight of them 
was nearly as common as the cattle that now feed in their former pastures or rest in their 
deserted shades. The lakes abounded in fish, and water fowls covered their surfaces. 
Smaller game, squirrels and rabbits were plenty ; also about the creeks and streams were 
to be found the musk-rat, mink, beaver, and occasionally an otter. Prairie chickens were 
also too common to be considered a luxury. Wolves were suiBciently numerous to be a 
pest to the early settlers, but were not dangerous. 

THE SETTLEMENT. 

The first settlers came into the town in 1836. The first to make a claim, build 
a cabin and occupy it, was John Davis. He made his claim on Sections 13 and 14, near 
Silver Lake. Then he built a cabin, and lived alone, being unmarried. Little is known 
of him. He came from Indiana. He remained only one year, sold out and moved away, 
none of the old settlers now living knew whither he went, his present whereabouts, or 
whether he is still living or not. 

Mr. S. A. Dwinnell, who settled in the adjoining town of LaFayette, in 1836, speaks 
of Davis and his early surroundings, in an account of one of his exploring trips made in 
November of that year : 

" As we were passing out on this trip, we saw, at a distance of two or three miles to 
the north of us, a beautiful prairie, apparently without an inhabitant. This excited our 
curiosity to know more of it and a few days thereafter we searched it out. It was situ- 
ated on the north side of Sugar Creek, from which it and the town have since been 
named. It was four miles in length from east to west, having several beautiful lakes 
and fine groves of timber upon its borders. Near the eastern verge was a lake of some 
160 acres, surrounded by high prairie, since known as Silver lake, near the east bank of 
which was a cabin, with the door locked and a yoke of oxen near. We afterwards 
learned that one Davis spent the Winter there, six miles from any other human being. 
His was the only cabin in the northwest quarter of the county, now consisting of the 
towns of LaGrange, Whitewater, Richmond and Sugar Creek. 

"Soon after leaving Davis' caliin, night and a severe northeast snow storm, set in upon 
us, and we had to make our way to our lone cabin, six miles, guided by the wind, a feat 
attended with a good deal of peril to those who had no means of starting a fire in case 
we should become bewildered and lost. The snow which fell that night remained with 
us until the following year." 

It is believed that Davis — Major Davis he was called — was the only man who spent 
the entire Winter of 1836-37 in what is now the town of Sugar Creek. 

During 1837 and 1838 many settlers came in. It is impossible to fix the exact date 
at which they all arrived. Many are dead, some have moved away, and the memories 
of the survivors, and other accessible sources of information are defective. 

Daniel Bigelow was one of the earliest comers of 1837. He took up his claim, where 
he still lives, on Section 17, where the first plowing in the town was done, and the first 
crop of Winter wheat was harvested. 

William McDonald — March, 1837, still living in LaGrange. 

James Holden — 1837, cabin on Section 5; deceased. 

Caleb Miller — 1837, settled on Sections 11 and 12, shanty on Section 11 ; deceased. 

John Rand — 1837, settled on Section 8 ; still living in town on Section 18. 

Henry McCart — 1837, settled on Section 8 ; deceased. 

Freeborn Welch — 1836, took up claim on Sections 10 and 3; went East, and returned 
with family in Fall of 1837. 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 939 

William Bowman — lo.ST, settled on Section 9; family dead, he is in Missouri, if 
alive. 

Milton Charles — 1837, settled on Section 4; moved away many years ago. 

P. G. Harrington — settled on Section 15. A leading citizen so long as he lived. See 
biography. 

Joseph Welch — 1830. Did not remain at that time, l)ut subsequently returned. 
Now lives in the town. 

Asa Blood — settled on Section 11. Came from East Troy in 1836. Shantied with 
Davis, and took up a claim on the adjoining section — Number 14. Moved in his family 
in 1837. Deceased. 

Jeduthan Spooner — 1837 or '38, settled on Section 14 ; deceased. 

Jonathan Loonier — 1837, settled on Section 7 ; deceased. 

Stephem Loomer — 1837, settled on Section 17 ; deceased. 

Samuel N. Loomer — 1837, settled on Section 17 ; still living in town. 

Leonard Loomer — 1837, son of Stephen, lives with his father. Still alive in the 
town. 

Samuel Salisbury — 1837, settled on Section 15 ; moved away. 

Julius Edwards — 1838, settled on Section 10 ; faniily came in 1839, deceased. 

James Bigelow — 1837, still living in town. 

Nelson Crosby — 1837, settled on Section 31. Now lives at Delavan. 

John Byrd — 1837, settled on Section 8. Went to Oregon ; died there. 

J. Fox — 1837, settled on Section 9. Not known whether he is alive ; left prior to 
1840. 

Capt. George W.Kendall — 1837, settled on Section 10. Returned to Vermont; 
deceased. 

John Rosenkrans — 1837. In Iowa, if alive. 

Jose{)h Nichols — 1837. Nothing is remembered of liim but the fact of his coming. 

Charles Rand — 1838, was a blacksmith. In 1840 he built a shop east of Silver 
Lake ; went to California many years ago. 

Julius Edwards came in 1838 from Massachusetts, and, with his sons, Theodore B., 
Julius L., and S. R. Edwards, settled upon Section 10. 

Joseph Barker, and his sons, Russell, Francis, Joseph L., James B., and T. P. Bar- 
ker, came i-i 1838. They settled on Section 9. One of the younger sons, James B., 
still lives on the old homestead. Russell and Joseph L. live in Iowa. Timothy P. and 
Francis are deceased; also, tlieir parents. 

H. C. Kinne — 1838, settled on Section 7 ; died in Sugar Creek in 1862. 

James Martin and Alanson Martin — 1838, settled on Section 9. John still lives in 
town. 

Jonathan Parks, with his family, came later, 1841 or '42, and settled on Section 23 ; 
deceased. 

Lewis Crosby — 1838, settled on Section 31 ; left many years ago. 

John S. Boyd moved on to the Davis claim in 1838. Had a few groceries in his 
house, and sold enough to be ranked as tlie first grocer in town. He died in Milwaukee 
a few years ago. 

James W. Field came in 1839, settled on Section 8, and married a sister of Mrs. At- 
kins. She died, and he returned East to marry another sister. He still lives in the 
countv with his family. 

William Kendall came in 1839, and settled on a part of tlie claim of his brother 
George. He returned to his home in northern Vermont for his family in the Winter of 
1839—40. He made the entire journey to Chicago, across Michigan and Canada, a dis- 
tance of one thousand miles, on foot. He returned with his family in the Spring of 
1840. He was not destined long to enjoy the home he had labored so hard to secure. 



940 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

He was mortally stricken by sunstroke while at work cutting hay on the marsh near his 
farm, during the Summer of 1841. 

Caleb Kendall, with his family, were in Sugar Creek as early as 1840. Now de- 
ceased. 

Henry Atkins and family in 1840 settled on Section 11, where they lived about a 
year. They afterward removed to Heart Prairie, and lived in the town of LaGrange 
until Mr. Atkins was elected Register of Deeds in 1854. He then removed to Elkhorn, 
and is now Assistant Cashier in the bank. 

Benjamin Rand, father of John Rand, came in 1840, and settled on Section 18. De- 
ceased many years ago. 

Of other early settlers, the following are remembered : 

1840: Dr. Harmon Gray (Section S), S. H. Tibbits, Nelson Weaver, Wm. H. Hy- 
att, Russell Thurber, and John Fish. 

In 1841 Wyman Spooner settled upon Section 14, his brother Jeduthan having ar- 
rived a few years previous. 

1842: J. R. Kinne, Horace B. Kinne, Herman Jenkins, James and John Strong 
(Section 23). 

1843 : Hiram Taylor, Salmon Thomas, John A. Pierce, Timothy Barker. 

1844 — Francis Rublee, wife and sons ; F. Manville, Martindale and Alonzo ; Varmin 
Holden and family (Section 14). 

In 1845, H. O. Gibbs and family moved into the town. After residing here four or 
five years they returned to Vermont. Jeremiah Wilcox, Daniel Nyce and Hulsey Welch 
also settled during this year. Other early settlers previous to 1846, were Joseph Baker, 
George Ketchpaw and S. D. Hastings. 

Of the early settlers the following are still alive, and living in the town : Daniel 
Bigelow, John Rand, Freeborn Welch, Joseph Welch, Leonard Loomer, Samuel Loomer, 
James Bigelow, James Strong, James B. Barker, Dr. Harmon Gray, J. R. Kinne, Hiram 
Taylor, S. R. Edwards, John A. Pierce, Wm. Parish and John Martin. 

Daniel Bigelow and John Byrd did the first breaking on Sections 8 and 17, in the 
Summer of 1837. They plowed nearly fifty acres which was sown to winter wheat, and 
was, when harvested in 1837, the first crop of wheat raised in the town. They did their 
plowing with two yoke of oxen. After it was finished, Mr. Bigelow went with the team 
to Ottawa, lUiuoj^s, a distance of over one hundred miles for the seed wheat required. 
It cost him in Ottawa $2.00 per bushel. So scarce was seed wheat in the newly- 
settled country that on his return he was offered $5.00 per bushel. Nothing short of the 
price of his whole expected crop could have bought it. These pioneer farmers lived on 
the plainest possible fare while starting this first field, and it required fortitude, patience, 
and perseverance to inaugurate farming, even on the fertile fields of Sugar Creek, forty- 
five years ago. 

Freeborn Welch and Samuel Salisbury are believed to have split the first rails, and 
to have done the first fencing in the town. Their claims were on Section 15, and during 
the Winter of 1836-37 they split rails enough to enclose on their claims nearly eighty 
acres each. This was certainly a fair Winter's work, considering the fact that the young 
men subsisted, as they aver, on water gruel during tlie entire Winter. 

There are no instances of extreme hardship or suffering recorded or remembered 
by tlie early settlers further than those unavoidal)le to those first coming into a new 
country. 

The first marriage was that of J. Crawford to Martha McCart, a sister of Henry 
McCart, in 1837. 

The first child born was Helen Rosenkraus, daughter of John Rosenkrans. She was 
born in 1838. 

The first frame house was that of Capt. George Kendall, erected in 1839 on Sec- 
tion 10. 



HISTORY OF WAI.WORTH COUNTY. 941 

Tlie first Church oigaiiized in the town was the Ci)iiL;ieyatioiial in 1839. It was in 
the east part of the town. Tlie merahership at tlie beginning nnnibered six. 

The first school was a public school kept in 1840 by Miss Adaline McCracken wlio 
was afterward the wife of T. B. Edwards. She died some years ago. 

The first physician was Dr. Harmon Gray, wlio settled in 1810. He is still a resi- 
dent of the town, and is known not only there but all over the count}' as one of the early 
reliable, and skillful practitioners of the old school. 

Julius Edwards opened and kept the first general store in 1840. He was a model 
business man, an excellent citizen, and an unostentatious giver to the needy. 

The first lawyer was C. D. Pulver who came in 1839. His practice was mostly in 
in justices' courts. He never attained any great distinction in his profession. 

Captain George W. Kendall kept the first tavern on the site of the old Gravel tav- 
ern where Freeborn Welch now lives, in 1839. 

Early i-eligious services were held at Mr. Kendall's house, by tlie Congregationalists 
and Methodists in the Summer of 1840. For some time the well-spring of their relig- 
ious instruction consisted of a volume of sermons furnished by Julius Edwards. A few 
months afterwards Rev. Cyrus Nichols came to reside with him, and services were held 
under more regular spiritual guidance, sometimes at Mr. Edwards' house, at other times 
at Jeduthan Spooner's or at the school house. On July 20, 1841, a little band assembled 
at Mr. Spooner's house, the services of Rev. Stephan Peet having been obtained to 
organize a Presbyterian society. Hiram Humprey and wife, John Rosenkrans, 
Mrs. Sarah C. Thompson, Mrs. B. R. Spooner and Miss Pauline Spooner joined 
themselves together as the First Presbyterian Church, of Elkhorn, and Messrs. 
Rosenkrans and Humphrey were chosen elders. 

In August, 1841, Rev. Amon Gaston succeded Mr. Nichols, and in January, 1848, 
Rev. Cyrus Rosenkrans, brother of John, succeeded to the pastorate. In October, 1844, 
Rev. D. Pinkerton was engaged, services having been held in the district school house 
which had been set aside for that purpose and for holding town meetings, before the 
building wa; erected in 1840-41. Mr. Pinkerton married Charles Tiiompson's sister, 
and remained in Sugar Creek until the society adopted a Congregational form of gov- 
ernment. On April 3, 1847, the name of the church was changed from the " First 
Presbyterian Church of Walworth " to the " First Congregational Ciiurch of Sugar 
Creek," Rev. S. E. Miner, the pastor in charge of the already existing Congregational 
society, taking both flocks under his spiritual wing. 

The last heard of Mr. Nichols he was living in Racine County. 

The first burial was that of a child of William Bohall, an'ed six years, who died in 
March, 1838. 

The first casualty was the accidental drowning of Mr. Kingsley while bathing in 
Silver Lake in the Spring of 1839. His family were on their way to join him when he 
met his death. They arrived a few days after, viewed his grave, and bowed with grief 
returned East. 

The first road was the mail route from Milwaukee to Janesville, via Troy, opened 
in 1838. In 1839, tlie territorial road from Racine was opened through the town. 

The first postoffice was established in 1840. Capt. Kendall was the first post-master. 
He held the office till 1842. He was succeeded by S. H. Tibbitts who was the incum- 
bent till 1852. 

The first mails came over the Janesville road from Milwaukee via Troy. 

The fii'st white male child was Woodbury Harrington, son of P. G. Harrington, 
born in 1837. 

The Gravel tavern was begun by Martindale Rubles, and finished by John D. 
Cowles, who was its first landlord. There and at Mr. Tibbitts the stages stopped, and 
it was for many years a famous inn. Near by Mr. Tibbitts kept another excellent 
tavern. 



942 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

CORPORATE HISTORY. 

The first town meeting- was held (while known as Elkhorn) April 5, 1842, at the 
house of Luther Childs. The followintf officers were elected: 

Supervisors — Chairman, Harman Gray; Clerk, John Fish; Treasurer, John Tlosen- 
krans. For the succeedins; three years the following were town officers: 

1S43 — Chairman of Board of Supervisors — A. C. Kinne ; Clerk, John S. Boyd ; 
Treasurer, T. B. Edwards. 

1844 — Chairman — Levi Lee; Clerk, H. S. Winsor, appointed; Treasurer, Olney 
Harrington. 

1845 — Chairman, P. G. Harrington ; Clerk, Levi Lee ; Treasurer, O. Harrington. 

The town as has been stated was incorporated as Sugar Creek, and its boundaries 
designated as they now are, in February 1846. 

THE FIRST TOWN MEETING 

Was held in Sugar Creek at the house of S. H. Tif^bitts, April 7, 1846. It was called 
to order by Perry G. Harrington. William H. Hyatt was chosen clerk of the meeting. 
One hundred dollars was raised for contingent expenses, and seventy-five dollars for 
schools. 

The salary of Town clerk was established at twenty dollars. 

The election resulted in the choice of town officers as shown in the following roster: 

ROSTER OF TOWN OFFICERS. 

1846: Supervisors — P.G.Harrington, chairman ; Jesse R. Kinne, Nelson Crosby; 
Clerk, William H. Hyatt; Treasurer, O. Harrington. 

1847: Supervisors —F. G. Harrington, chairman, William Flitecroft, Jonathan 
Loomer ; Clerk, S. C. Higbee ; Treasurer, 0. Harrington. 

1848: Supervisors — P. G. Harrington, chairman, William Flitecroft, Jonathan 
Loomer; CTc?"A-, William Bowman; Treasurer. WUVium Hosfan. 

1849: Supe7-visors — P. G. Harrington, chairman, William Flitecroft, Jeduthan 
Spooner; Clerk, Wil\ia,m Bowman; Treasurer, William Hogan. 

1850: Supervisors, P. G. Harrington, chairman, Jesse R. Kinne, Edward Hogan 
Clerk, B. B. Humphrey ; Treasurer, Henry O. Gibl)s. 

1851 : Supervisors — P. G. Harrinaton, chairman, John Sanders, Jonathan Loomer 
Clerk, F. F. Collier; Treasurer, Rufiis Eldred. 

1852: Supervisors — P. G. Harrington, chairman, Thomas Havens, Edward Hogan 
Clerk, I. A. Pierce ; Treasurer, L T. Isham. 

1853: Supervisors — Jesse R. Kinne, chairman, James D. Ward, Cliarles N. Moore 
Clerk, John A. Pierce; Treasurer, William Tremper. 

1854: Supervisors — Eli K. Frost, chairman, Joseph Loomer, Horace B. Kinne 
Clerk, Stephen Frost; Treasurer, Alonzo Rublee. 

1855: Supervisors — E. K. Frost, chairman, Freeborn Welch, Edmund Kingman 
Clerk, S. G. Frost; Treasurer, James Sexton. 

1856: Supervisors — P. G. Harrington, chairman, Silas Russell, Nathan Rand; Clerk, 
Allen Loomer ; Treasurer, John Rand. 

1857: Supervisors — P. G. Harrington, chairman, William Bartrum, Lemuel Web- 
ster; Clerk, Allen Webster; Treasurer, George Cameron. 

1858 : Supervisors — S. G. Frost, chairman, I. T. Isham, J. B. Loomer; Clerk, Allen 
Loomer; Treasurer, George Cameron. 

1859: Supervisors — S. G. Frost, chairman, J. B. Loomer, Charles HoUenshead ; 
Clerk. J. C. McManus ; Treasurer, Charles Loomer. 

1860: Supervisors — Thomas Davis, chairman, J. H. Lauderdale, Francis Smith; 
Clerk, J. W, Field ; Treasurer, Isaac Flitecraft. 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 943 

1861: Supervisors — Thomas Davis, chairman, I. T. Isham, Leonard Loonier; Clerk, 
J. W. Field ; Treasurer, Stephen L. RusselL 

1862: Supervisors — Leonard Loonier, chairman, William H. Bartram, Jason Foster; 
Clerk, J. W. Field ; Treasurer, Charles Loonier. 

1863: Supervisors — Leonard Loonier, chairman, John A. Norris, Asa Foster; 
Clerk — Jeduthan Spooiier ; Treasurer — Thomas Davis. 

1864: Supervisors — Levi Lee, chairman; J. B. Doolittle, H. Taylor ; Clerk — J. 
W. Field ; Treasurer— T. P. Barker. 

1865 : Supervisors — Levi Lee, chairman ; George N3'ce, Hiram Taj'lor ; Clerk — 
Thomas Davis ; Treasurer — Jason Foster. 

1866: Supervisors — Tiiomas Davis, chairman, Leonard Loonier, Jacob Ketchpaw ; 
Clerk — Wyman Spooner; Treasurer — George W. Nyce, 

1867: Supervisors — Thomas Davis, chairman, J. B. Doolittle, Leonard Loomer ; 
Clerk — N. H. Kingman; Treasurer— J nmes W. Davis. 

1868: Supervisors — Thomas Davis, chairman ; Hiram Taylor, L T. Isham ; Clerk 
— Mansfield Stearns ; Treasurer — Ole Jacobson. 

1869 : Supervisors — Thomas Davis, chairman, George W. Nyce, Thomas Wilcox ; 
Clerk — Ole Jacobson ; Treasurer — John Cameron. 

1870: Supervisors — P. G. Harrington, chairman, Tliomas Wilcox, J. B. Doolittle; 
Clerk — Ole Jacobson ; Treasurer — John Cameron. 

1871: Siipervisors — I. T. Isham, chairman, Asa Foster, Donald Steward; Clerk — 
F. C. Weaver ; Treasurer — O. S. Davis. 

1872 : Supervisors — Thomas Davis, chaiman, Donald Stewart, Hiram Taylor ; Clerk 
— F. C. Weaver ; Treasurer — Joseph Parker. 

1873: Supervisors — Thomas Davis, chairman, Donald Stewart, Ole Jacobson; 
Clerk — F. C. Weaver ; Treasurer — J. B. Cook. 

1874: Supervisors — Ole Jacobson, chairman, S. D. Russel, N. R.Hand; Clerk — 
F. C. Weaver; Treasurer — J. B. Cook. 

187o: Supervisors — S. R. Edward, chairman, G. W. Wilcox. T. R. Barker; Clerk 
— F. C. Weaver ; Treasurer — John (^ameron. 

1876: Supervisors — Donald Stewart, chairman. Rial Thomas, John Cameron; Clerk 
— F. C. Weaver; Treasurer — John Oslock. 

1877 : Supervisors — S. R. Edwards, chairman, I. T. Isham, M. L. Ladd ; t'le^-k — 
F. C. Weaver ; Treasurer — John Oslock. 

1878: Supervisors — S. R. Edwards, chairman, Hiram Taylor, I. T. Isham ; Clerk 
— F. C. Weaver ; Treasurer — John Oslock. 

1879: Supervisors — S.R.Edwards, chairman, I. T. Isham, II. A. Briggs ; Clerk 
— F. C. Weaver ; Treasurer — J. Matheson. 

1880: Supervisors — Donald Stewart, chairman, H. A. Loomer, N. P. Hand ; Clerk 
— D. D. Finch ; Treasurer— Wm. B. Ells. 

1881: Sxipevisors — Donald Stewart, chairman, Steve Russell, H. A. Loomis ; 
Clerk— T>. D. Finch ; ZV«?.SMrt;r— William Ells. 

Among the early settlers of the town who were prominent citizens were : Asa Blood, 
Jeduthan Spooner, Harmon Gray, John S. Boyd, Jesse II. Kinne, S. H. Tibbitts, P. G. 
Harrington, Wyman Spooner, Freeborn Welch, Joseph Baker. Julius Edwards and 
others of whom more extended mention is made in the biographical department of this 
work. 

The growth of the town was rapid, the land being nearly all taken up during the 
first ten years after its settlement commenced. It has been strictly a farming town from 
the first, and life has flowed on without the thrilling episodes or exciting events that 
characterize more mixed communities in village and city. The population is largely of 
American birth, and the character of the people is such as to mark their eastern origin. 
Many of the earlier settlers came from the State of New York and New England. 



944 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

"WAK HISTORY. 

During the war, Sugar Creek did willingly its loyal part, furnishing seventy-three 
men in all, of whom but four were drafted. The amount of money raised for war pur- 
poses was upwards of seventeen thousand dollars. 

For special mention of individuals living in the town who served, see the general 
war history in the county at large. 

SUGAR CREEK IN 1881. 

The town contained, according to the Federal census of 1880, 980 inhabitants, nine- 
tenths of whom are farmers or constitute their families. There is in the town one post- 
office — " Millard," formerly " Barker's Corners." There is no mill in the town. There 
is one cheese factory, owned by a stock company, on Section 1 ; one store at Millard post- 
office, kept by E. A. Hastings, who is tlie j)ost-master. 

There is one ])liysician in the town — Dr. Harmon Gray. There are also three car- 
penters ami joiners, six blacksmiths, and a few other artisans whose work is required by 
the farming community. Tiiere are no resident clergyman or lawyers in the town. 

THE CHURCHES. 

Are as follows : Baptist — at Millard P. O ; Pastor, Rev. Mr. Sweet, of Elkhorn ; 
Union Methodist — on Section 10 ; no pastor ; Methodist Episcopal — on Section 12 ; Rev. 
Mr. Sedgwick, pastor, Elkhorn ; Lutheran — on Section 28 ; visiting pastor, none settled ; 
Wesleyan Methodist — on Section 29 ; supplied by itinerants. 

THE SCHOOLS. 

There are in the town five whole and four joint school districts. The whole num- 
ber of scholai-s enrolled is 367, of which number 185 attend school. There are five 
schools, taught by five teacliers, at average monthly wages of $26.00 for male and $24.31 
for female teachers. There are five school Iiouses, valued at $3,190, including the sites. 
The annual amount expended for educational purposes is $2,500. 

AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS. 

The grain crops of 1880 were: Wheat, 26,000 bu.; corn, 125,000 bu.; oats, 56,000 
bu.; barley, 15,000 bu.; rye, 850 bu. There was also raised 9,800 bu. potatoes, 17,000 
bu. apples, 12,400 lbs. flax, and 2,500 tons of hay. The dairy [iroducts were 50,000 lbs. 
butter, and 121,000 lbs. of cheese. Tlie estimated value of the above farm and dairy 
products was $165,000 — nearly $1,000 for eacli liead of a family, and $165 for every mau, 
woman and child in the town. 

In 1881, the total number of acres sown to grain was 6,465, and planted to potatoes 
and root crops, 106 acres. There were 275 acres of apple orchard, liaving 8,656 fruit- 
bearing trees. Tliere were 3,339 acres of grazing and mowing land, and 3,309 acres of 
growing timber. About one-fourth of the farms are dairy farms. The number of milch 
cows reported was 738, valued at $14,000. The farm buildings are excellent. The 
average value of farming lands in the town is $30.00 per acre. The total tax valuation 
of farms in the town in 1844 was $50,039. In 1881, it was $459,195, to which was added 
personal property valued at $111,204. Total, $570,399. 

Thus, from the small cabin of the hermit Davis, in 1836, and the first field of Daniel 
Bigelow, in 1837, have grown the broad acres of well-tilled farms, dotted with farm- 
houses, and barns and granaries ; the homes of as thrifty and independent a people as 
dwells in all the land. Nowliere but in America iiave such marvelous changes been 
wrought within the span of a single life and the memory of men still living. 



HISTORY OF WAT.WORTH COUNTY. 945 

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

DANIEL BIGELOW, farmer, Sec. 17: P. O. Millard. He has 140 acres of land; is the 
son of Daniel and Emma Bigelow . was born near Halifax, Nova Scotia, July 24, 1815. He 
came to Milwaukee with his parents in 1834. They made their home in the woods, on the Mil- 
waukee River, four miles above Juneau's trading post, which was about all there was of Milwau- 
kee at that time. There his father built a saw-mill, and the family resided at that place until 
-April, 1S37, when he came to Sugar Creek, Walworth Co. ; located on the land which he now 
occupies until 1841, where he also kept bachelor's hall. Then he went to .-Xshland, Ohio, and 
was married, the 21st of that month, to Miss Amy McCart, daughter of John McCart. Mrs. 
Bigelow was born in Richland County, Ohio. They at once proceeded to take possession of the 
log cabin at Sugar Creek. In the course of time they were blessed with four children, three 
daughters and a son, — Marv, Dora, A. D. and FJla. The oldest daughter married is the wife of 
Charles Kinne. of S^iear Creek Dora is Mrs. Robert B. Hall, of Vivian, Waseca Co., Minn. 
A. D. married Miss Melissa Welch, and resides in Sugar Creek. Ella is now Mrs. Osmer Robb, 
of Sugar Creek. Mr. Bigelow has served two terms as Assessor of Sugar Creek. During the 
year of 1874. he made a tour of California and Oregon. Fine buildings and a well cultivated 
farm now greet the eyes in place of the log cabin and woods of 1S37, on the site of the old 
claim. 

J.A.MES B. DOOLITTLE, farmer. Sec. 2; P. O. Del.ivan ; has 230 acres of land. He was 
born in Windham, Green Co., N. Y, Jan. 23, 1831; is the son of Edward and Sallie (Tomp- 
kins) Doolittle. He was brought up a farmer. When seventeen years of age he was engaged in 
teaching school, and pursued that vocation six Winters. .Xpril 20, 1853,116 was married in Wind- 
ham to Miss Caroline Bell, daughter of Joseph Bell. Mrs. Doolittle was born in Green County, N. 
Y., in October. 1854. Thev moved to Wisconsin, and located in LaGrange, Walworth Co., 
where thev continued to reside till 1862, when thev removed to their present home. Mr. Doo- 
little was Town Superintendent of Schools of LaGrange in 1S56, and was engaged two Winters 
in teaching school. Since residing in Sugar Creek he has served two terms as a member of the 
Town Board. 

S. R. EDWARDS, farmer. Sec. to; P. O. Elkhorn ; has 220 acres of land in Sugar Creek. 
He is the son of Julius and Theodosia (Lvman) Edwards; was born in Northampton, Hamp- 
shire Co., Mass., Nov. 29. 1823. He was brought up a farmer. In May, 1839, he came with 
his father and brother to Wisconsin, and located on Sec. 10, Sugar Creek, Walworth Co. S. R. 
returned to his old home in Massach\isetts for the purpose of comj)leting his education. He 
attended the Williston Seminary at East Hampton. In the Fall of 1848, he associated with 
several others in a companv bound for California, with the intention of engaging in mining. 
Jan 27, 1849, they set sail from Boston for San Francisco, via Cape Horn. They made the voy- 
age successfullv, and landed at their destination Aug. 8 of that vear. The companv at once 
broke up, and Mr. Edwards with some companions proceeded to the mountains fully equipped 
for mining. They had onlv just selected their claims when Mr. Edwards was stricken with a 
severe illness, which lasted two months. The rainy season had then set in, and his onlv hope 
of recovery was by getting out of the mountains, where he could have suitable care. After a 
horseback ride of s^ventv miles, he was so weak that he had to be helped on and off his horse, 
they brought him to .Stockton. From there he took passage in a small sloop to San Francisco. 
From there he sailed to the Sandwich Islands for his health. After spending three months in 
Honolula, he returned to San Francisco in May, 1850, with health recovered. He was engaged 
in mining and other business until September, 1S53, when he returned to the States, viz., North- 
ampton. In that year, November, 1853, he returned to Sugar Creek with the intention of mak- 
ing only a short stay, and then returning to California ; but fate ordered it otherwise, for on 
making the acquaintance of Miss Sarah A. Smith, daughter of Augustus Smith, of Troy, Wal- 
worth Co., Wis., he changed his plans, and was married to that lady -April 12, 1854, and has since 
made his home in Sugar Creek. Thev have two children, Jidius A. and Helen V. The former 
was married Oct. 5, i8St, to Miss Lillian E. Thomas, daughter of Harrison Thomas. Mr. 
Edwards was elected Justice of the Peace of Sugar Creek in 1855; was re elected, and served 
eleven years. He has be^n Chairman of the Town four vears, and the past two years has been 
President of the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company of the town of .Sugar Creek. 

.\SA FOSTER, farmer, Sec. ir; P.O. Elkhorn. He has 500 acres ; is the son of Nathaniel 



946 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

and Sally Foster, and was born in North Fairfield, Franklin Co., Vt., May 23, 1830. He was 
brought up a farmer. In September, 1854, he moved to Sugar Creek, Wis. His means being 
limited, his first investment was the purchase of forty acres of marsh land. By hard work 
and economy he soon was enabled to secure a title to some dry land, and has gradually increased 
his possessions until he is now the owner of several fine farms, aggregating 500 acres. He was 
married Sept. 23, 1858, in Sugar Creek, to Miss Clarissa Tibbitts, eldest daughter of Samuel 
Tibbitts. They have had five children, two daughters and three sons. The eldest son died in 
infancy; L. Emma, William T., Jennie T. and Samuel T. The second son, William T., died in 
childhood. Mr. Foster purchased the farm on Sec. 11, in 1866, where he has since resided. 
He has served several years as a Supervisor of Sugar Creek, and one term as President of the 
Agricultural Society. 

DR. IIARMAN GRAY, Sec. 8; P. O. Millard; has 270 acres, settled in the town June 
10, 1840, on the tract he now occupies. He was born in Arlington, Bennington Co., Vt., June 
29, i3o6, is the son of Dominicus and Elizabeth (Webb) Gray. While quite young he moved to 
Georgetown, District of Columbia, and took a course of lectures at the Columbia Medical Col- 
lege, and subsequently taught an Academy at Georgetown four years. He then removed to 
Norwich, Chenango Co., N.Y., there he studied medicine with Dr. Henry G. Mitchell, and re- 
ceived his diploma at the hands of the examining board of Chenango County, September, 1830. 
He then practiced medicine in Unadilla, Otsego County, and at New Berlin eight years. He was 
married at Unadilla, Otsego County, June 2,"i832, to Miss Maria T. Finch, daughter of David 
Finch. Mrs. Dr. Gray was born in New Haven Co., Conn.; two children were born to them in 
the East, Helen and Jane, the latter was the wife of George W. Kirchhoeffer, and died April 11, 
1876, leaving three children, who are now inmates of the doctor's family. In June,_ 1840, Dr. 
Gray and family moved to Walworth Co., Wis., and located on the farm which they still occupy, 
on Sec. 8, Sugar Creek. Two children were born to them in Sugar Creek, Marcus and Mary, 
Marcus married Helena Jacobs, and died May 16, 1873. Mary is now Mrs. H. L. Mallory, of 
Sugar Creek. Dr. Gray was the pioneer physician of Sugar Creek, and several of the neighbor- 
ing towns. He pursued his profession successfully from 1840 till 1870, when he retired from 
active practice. He was the first Chairman of Sugar Creek, and held other minor offices. This 
sketch co\ild not be appropriate without paying a just tribute to Dr. Gray as a skillful phy- 
sician, sympathetic, and conscientious in the practice of his profession, as a host genial, and 
hospitable to that extent, that a stranger entering under his roof, is made to feel within the first 
hour of his stay, as though he were an old friend of the family. 

PERRY G. HARRINGTON, was born in Otsego Co., N. Y., Town of Lawrence, July 9, 
1812. Moved to Michigan in an early day, where he was engaged in the hardware business. He 
was married to Miss Maryette Eldred, and in 1836 removed to Wisconsin, spent one year in 
Greenfield, Milwaukee Co., Wis., and in the Spring of 1837, moved to Sugar Creek, Sec. 15. He 
bought his land directly from the government, and was one of the earliest settlers in that town. 
Mr. Harrington was a man of superior ability, possessed of a warm heart and generous dispo- 
sition, his hand and voice vvere ever ready to help and encourage those in trouble. He was 
elected Chairman of the Town of Sugar Creek several terms. Was a member of the AVisconsin 
Legislature in 1854, and served several years as President of the Walworth County Agricultural 
Association. He was generally known as Commodore Harrington, a title which was given him 
from the fact that he was named after Commodore Perry. He had a fine farm of 560 acres, where 
he resided till his death, which occurred Sept. 19, 1876; his wife survived him a few weeks, and 
died Oct. 23, 1876. They had five children, four sons and one daughter — Woodbury, Eldred, 
Alice, Sherman, and Hobart. Woodbury married Harriet Eldred, and lives in Minnesota ; 
Eldred married Ammorette Powers, daughter of Solon Powers, of Troy ; Alice is the wife of John 
Beamish, a merchant of Elkhorn; Sherman lives in Sugar Creek; Hobart also lives in Sugar 
Creek. 

JOSEPH T. ISH AM, farmer. Sec. 24; P. O. Elkhorn ; has sixty acres of land. He was 
born in Balton, Conn., Aug. 19, 1815. When three years of age, his family took him to Smyrna, 
Chenango Co., N. Y., and to Sherburne, N. Y.. in 1821, where he learned the blacksmith trade: 
was married Jan. 28, 1841, at Earlville, to Miss Mary O. Sturtevant. Mr. Isham worked at his 
trade until 1847, when he moved to Wisconsin, and settled in the town of Sugar Creek. His 
family consists of five children living, has lost one, the oldest. Nathan died in childhood ; those 
livii.g are ; Helen, now Mrs. Wallace Hartwell, of Nebraska ; Fred W. married Miss Julia Weed, 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 947 

and resides at Elkhorn ; Dora, now Mrs. Frank Hendrix, of Darien ; Harry D. and Rata G., un- 
married. Mr. Isham has been Chairman of Sugar Creek one term, Assessor two terms, and 
Treasurer one term. Side Sui)ervisor twelve years. Mr. Isham has a'ways maintained a black- 
smith's shop on his farm, where his services have been aconvenience to his neighbors. His father. 
Enoch Isham, settled in the town of Sugar Creek in 1846. His death occurred at the age of 
ninety-one years. 

TORSTEN JACORSON, farmer. Sec. 28; 1". O. Delavan. He was born in Norway, Jan. 
10, 1844 ; is the son of Torsten and Mary (I.anson) Jacobson. He came to America with his 
parents in 1846, and direct to Wisconsin. The family settled in the town of Sugar Creek. 
Mr. Jacobson was married, June 19, 1863, in Sugar Creek, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob 
Solverson. Mrs. Jacobson was born in Norway, and came to America in childhood. They 
have one child (a daughter), named Ada M. Mr. Jacobson has owned and occupied his 
jiresent farm eighteen years, and has no acres of land. 

.■MJGUSTUS C. KINNE (deceased) was one of the i^ioneers ot Troy, Walworth Co.. 
Wis., where he resided till 1842, when he removed to Sugar Creek, Sec. 7. He finally sold out 
to his brother and moved to Heart Prairie, Town of LaGrange. In 184S, he sold out and re- 
turned to Sugar Creek, making his home on Sec. i. He was a member of the Second Constitu- 
tional Convention, that framed the Constitution of Wisconsin. He also held various local 
offices, serving as Chairman of Sugar Creek, Superintendent of Schools, and Justice of the 
Peace many years. He was married in the East, and after coming to Wisconsin followed the 
occupation of teacher and farmer. He was a man of superior intellitrence, upright and honor- 
able in his public and private life, and possessed the esteem and confidence of all who knew him. 
His death occurred in February, 1865. He was a native of Norwich, Chenango Co., N. Y., and 
was born Dec. 3, 1808. The writer has been unable to obtain as full particulars of his life as 
desired. 

JESSE R. KINNE, retired farmer, resides with his daughter, Mrs. R. E. Day, on Sec. 8. 
Mr. Kinne was born in Norwich, Chenago Co., N. Y., Nov. 26, 1803; is the son of Elias and 
Lydia (Rundell) Kinne. He was brought up a farmer, and was married Jan. 14, 1S29, in Sher- 
burne, N. Y , to Miss Sarah Wheeler, daughter of Isaac U. Wheeler, since of Whitewater, now 
deceased. Mrs. Kinne was born in Dutchess County, N. Y. Thev had three children born in 
the East — Charles, Lavina and George. Charles married Mary J. Rigelow, and resides in Sugar 
Creek. Lavina is the wife of R. E. Dav, also of Sugar Creek. George married Mary Field, 
and is a farmer of Sugar Creek. Mr. Kinne came to Wisconsin in 1841, made a short stay in 
Troy, Walworth Co., and returned to the East. He moved to Sugar Creek, Wis., in 1843, and 
made his home on Sec. 7. He had a farm of 370 acres, which has since been sold to his sons. 
Mr. Kinne has served as .Assessor of Sugar Creek two terms, and Chairman one term. He is n 
member, and one of the Vice Presidents, of the Old Settlers' Association of Walworth County. 
Mrs. Kinne died Nov. i. 1873. Since .Aug. i, 1881, he has made his home with his daughter, 
Mrs. Ray. Mr. Kinne is much respected, and has a large circle of warm friends. 

JOHN H. LAUDERDALE, farmer. Sec. 11 ; P. O. Millard. He has 140 acres; is a son 
of James and Margaret Lauderdale, and was born in LaGrange, Walworth Co., Wis., June 12, 
1846. He received a common school education, and was brought up a farmer. Jan. 29, 1877, 
he was married to Maria Tibbet-;. daughter of Simuel and Sally P. Tibbets. Mrs. Lauderdale 
was born in Sugar Creek. They have one child, M.Clara. Immediately after their marriage, 
they made their home in the house now east of their present home, where they lived two years, 
and then moved to the place they now own, on the west half of the Tibbets' estate. Mrs. Lau- 
derdale's people were from Canada, and settled in Sugar Creek in 1840. (See sketch of Samuel 
Tibbets, deceased.) 

J. A. PIERCE, farmer and mill owner, resides on Sec. 9; has land on Sees. 2, 3, 9, 10, 16 
and 21, Sugar Creek, and other tracts in LaGrange. Troy and Bloonifield, of this county, aggre- 
gating 1,000 acres. He has two flouring mills, one in Genoa, with four run of stone; capacity, 
fifty barrels ])er day. The subject of this sketch was born in Williamsburg, near the river St. 
Lawrence, in Canada West, Dec. 11, 1816; is the son of John and Maria A. (McFarling) Pierce 
He came to Wisconsin in 1845, and settled on Sec. 9, Sugar Creek, Walworth Co., where he still 
resides. He commenced in a sm.xll way, with limited means, and has since accumulated a large 
property. In 1S57, he bought the mill at Genoa Junction, and in 1869, bought the mill in Troy, 
situated one and one-half miles from East Troy, and three miles from Troy Center. He was 



948 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

married in 1847, to Miss Mary Chambers, daughter of William Chambers,of Geneva, Wis. They 
had five children — J. Albert, Eliza, George E., William Austin and Guy R. The oldest, J. A., 
married Anna High, and lives in Eden, Dakota. Eliza died in childhood. Mrs. Pierce died in 
January, 1870. Mr. Pierce was married in Geneva, in April, 187 i, to Hannah Morehouse, his 
present wife, daughter of Henry and Mary Morehouse. Mrs. Pierce was born in England. 
Though not an ofiSce seeker, Mr. Pierce has served his time as Town Clerk several terms, two 
terms as Assessor, and has been Clerk of his School District, No. 5. six years; was president of 
the Elkhorn Bank, at Elkhorn, Wis., from 1857 to 1861. Mr. Pierce, in 1853, im])orted from 
Canada the first wheat that was sown in Walworth County, of those well known and celebrated 
varieties of Spring wheat, viz., Scotch Fyfe, Canada Club and China Pearl. He also, in the 
same year, introduced and successfully used the first automatic self-raking reaper ever used in 
Wisconsin. He also introduced the first grain sowing drill in Walworth County, and from its 
continued use he attributes much of his profitable success in raising wheat. Mr. Pierce feels 
keenly his disappointment of the Air Line Railroad failing to come to time by not furnishing 
him with the long promised railroad, which has been for many years graded through his farm 
in Sugar Creek, on which was to have been a railroad station and depot, which inevitably would 
have resulted much lox pro ban publico^ although he does not despair of yet attaining in the near 
future the consummation of that desirable project. 

N. B. ROBB, farmer. Sec. 32 ; P.O. Delavan, has eighty acres; was born in Windham, 
Green Co., N. Y., March 30, 1821. Is the son of John and Elizabeth (Nelson) Robb ; learned 
the stone mason's trade, was engaged in the saw-mill and lumber business. He was married in 
Windham, N. Y., March ig. 1850, to Miss Julia Bell, daughter of Joseph Bell. Mrs. Robb was 
born in Windham. They soon moved to Wisconsin, and located in LaFayette, Walworth Coun- 
ty, where they resided till the Fall of 1859. when they moved to Sec. 10, Sugar Creek, and thiee 
years later, to Sec. 32. Mrs. Robb died in June, 1863, leaving one son, Osmer, now a farmer of 
Sugar Creek. He was married in September, 1876, to Miss Ella Bigelow. Mr. Robb was mar- 
ried to Mrs. Sally Wilcox, his present wife, in Michigan, April 12, 1866. Mrs. Robb's maiden name 
was Sally Osborn, daughter of William Osborn ; two children were born to them, George and 
Amelia J. George died in infancy. Mr. Robb moved to his present farm in the Fall of 
1866. 

DONALD STEWART, farmer. Sec. 32; P. O. Delavan. The subject of this sketch was 
born in York. Livingston Co., N. Y., June 5, 1825. He is the son of James and Janet Stewart. His 
parents were natives of Scotland, and emigrated to the United States in 1803. When sixteen 
years of age the son started out to see the world. He visited a large proportion of the States 
of the Union, and was engaged in a variety of employments, as location and circumstances 
permitted. After spending ten years in this manner he returned to Livingston County, N. Y., 
and was married Oct. 5, 1850, to Miss Ellen McKenzie, daughter of Alexander and Elizabeth 
McKenzie. Mrs. Stewart was born in Caledonia, of that county. They immediately set out 
for the West, and made their home in Troy, Walworth Co., Wis., where they lived till 1855. 
They then removed to Summit, Waukesha Co., where he was engaged in farming till 1866. He 
then moved to Waukesha, leaving his family in that village; he went South, and was gone two 
years. Returning to Wisconsin, he moved to Sugar Creek, Walworth Co., in 1869, and made 
his home on his present farm. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart have two children, daughters, Janet E. and 
Flora E. Mr. Stewart has been chosen to various offices of public honor and trust. He was 
Chairman of Summit one term. Has held various minor offices in Sugar Creek, and served as 
Chairman four terms. In 1881, he was elected to the Legislature as Member of Assembly from 
the Third District of Walworth County for the term of 1882. Has t6o acres of land. 

HARRISON THOMAS, farmer. Sec. 8; P. O. Millard; has 140 acres of land; is a son 
of Solomon and Sally Thomas; was bom in West Canada, Oct. 28, 1826. Came to Walworth 
County with his parents in 1843, and settled on Sec. 8, Sugar Creek; was brought up a farmer. 
He was married May 30, 1852, in Jefi'erson County, to Miss Margery Jackson, daughter of Josiah 
Jackson. Mrs. Thomas was born in Canada. They have four children— Mary, Rial H., Lillian 
E., and Edward J. Mary is now Mrs. Frank Weaver, of Sugar Creek ; Lillian is the wife of 
Julius A. Edwards ; Rial is a farmer of Sugar Creek. 

SAMUEL H. TIBBETTS (deceased) was born in Halifax, Vt., Dec. 6, 1806. When seven 
years of age he lost his father. His schooling was obtained under difficulties, he having to go 
two miles to the nearest school. At the age of sixteen, he began teaching, and taught several 



HISTORY ;0F WALWORTH COUNTY, 949 

terms of school. He moved with his mother and sister to Whitby, Canada, while in Canada he 
engaged extensively in the sale of clocks, having several men, and teams in his employ. During 
his travels he met Miss Sally Patte, daughter of Dr. David Patte, of Hawksbury, Prescott, Can. 
to whom he was married, Oct. 2, 1837. Mrs. Tibbetts was born in L'Original, Canada. The 
first three years of their married life was spent in Whitby ; one child was born to them, a daugh- 
ter, Clarissa, now Mrs. Asa Foster, of Sugar Creek, Wis. In 1840, Mr. Tibbetts having met with 
some reverses, determined to seek his fortune, in the then promising settlements of southern 
Wisconsin. On reaching Walworth County, he made a claim in the town of Sugar Creek, he also 
rented a partially improved farm, and put in some crops. He then returned to his home in 
Canada, and taking his little family, consisting of wife and child, and a child nephew, whom he 
had adopted, he set out for his new home, traveling by team through a sparely settled country, 
which in many places was no better then a wilderness, roads newly cut out, were rough and dif- 
ficult to pass. Six weeks of tiresome plodding, brought the weary travelers to their destination. 
Mr. Tibbetts was then obliged to face the bitter disappointment of his hopes, in the loss of his 
claim, of which some one had dispossessed him in his absence, so seeking in the shelter in a half 
finished shanty, without floor or windows, they made a temporary home. Their cash capital 
amounted to $16. The tract of ten acres was soon bought, and a house built, in which they kept 
tavern. Good fortune at last favored them, and A[r. Tibbetts had secured a large tract of land, 
and was prospering finely, when he met with a severe loss, in the burning of his house, and a 
portion of his household goods. This happened Dec. 10, 1852, having no insurance, the loss 
was severe. Three children were born to them in Wisconsin, one daughter died unnamed, Sarah J. 
is the wife of Azea B. Morris, at Sugar Creek; Hannah M. is the wife of John H. Lauderdale, 
also of Sugar Creek. Mr. Tibbetts was a Justice of the Peace many years, and Post-master of 
Sugar Creek Postoffice seventeen years. He was a man widely, and favorably known, a good 
citizen, and devoted husband, and father. He died April 15, 1872. His wife survived him until 
Dec. 10, 1878. 

SAMUEL TUBBS (deceased) was a pioneer of the tjwn of LaFayette, Walworth Co. He 
was a native of Lynne, Ct., and was born in 1781. He was married to Miss Polly Frost, and 
moved to Oneida County, N. Y., in 1801, then a wilderness. He was a soldier of the war of 
i8i2,and participated in the historic scenes of that time. In 1834, he moved to Victor, Ontario 
Co., N. Y., where he resided till 1843, when he moved to Walworth County, Wis., and located in 
the town of LaFayette, Sec. 32, where he was engaged in farming till 1856, when he retired from 
active work, and made his home in Elkhorn. His death occurred in 1861. His wife survived 
him several years, and died in 1874. Their son, James L., is an honored citizen of Elkhorn, of 
whom a sketch is given elsewhere. 

FREEBORN WELCH, farmer. Sec. 10; has 200 acres; settled in Walworth County in 
May, 1836, and established his claim on the west half of Sees. 10 and 2, Sugar Creek. The sub- 
ject of this sketch was born in Saratoga County, N. Y., Dec. 28, 1808; is the son of Freeborn 
and Mercy (Spike) Welch. While quite young he moved to Steuben County, where he lived till 
21 years of age. He then changed his residence to Chautauqua County. He was married in 
Steuben County, in .March, 1831, to Miss Caroline Brown, daughter of Phineas Brown. Mrs. 
Welch was born in Troy, N. Y. Two children were born to them in the East, Nancy and Jerome. 
Nancy is the wife of Simeon Rosencrans. Jerome died when 32 years of age. In the Spring 
of 1836, Mr. Welch started with team conveyance to seek a home in the West. After a long 
and tiresome journey, they arrived in Wisconsin Territory, and located in Town 3, North Range 
16 east, now Sugar Creek, Walworth Co., where Mr. Welch made a claim of the west half of 
Sees. 10 and 2, which he subsequently sold (1838) to Mr. Julius Edwards. Mr. Welch, in speak- 
ing of what is now the town of Sugar Creek, as he found it in May, 1836, he says, to the best of 
his knowledge there were only two other men than himself located there — a Major Davis, who 
was the first man in, and Asa Blood, who was the second. This being the fact, Mr. Wekh is 
now the only remaining settler of the trio of pioneers of that day. Other authorities differ from 
this conclusion, as will be perceived by examining the early history of Sugar Creek. .After sell- 
ing to Mr. Edwards, Mr. Welch bought a tract on Sec. 14. t)ne child was born to them after 
their settlement in Sugar Creek, named Henry, He married Lena Monk, and lives in his native 
town. Mrs, Welcli, who was an intelligent and kind-hearted woman, died in March, 187 1. Her 
memory is cherished by her early neighbors and friends, who all speak of her in the highest 
terms. Mr. Welch was married Jan. 30, 1872, to Ann McDonald, his jjresent wife, daughter of 



950 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

John McDonald. They have two children, Anna and Malcomb. Mr. Welch has never been 
ambitious of public office, but has served his town several years as Supervisor. 



TOWN OF LINN. 

ORGANIZATION. 

The town of Linn is designated in tlie Government survey as Town 1, Range 17 
east. It is bounded, north by tlie town of Geneva ; east by Bloomfield ; south by the 
State line ; and west by the town of Walworth. It was formerly embraced in the town 
of Geneva, as established in 1838, which at that time took in the four townships making 
the south-east quarter of the county, viz.: Bloomtield, Hudson, Geneva and Linn. It 
was set off and incorporated as a town, under its present name, by act of the Territorial 
Legislature, January 23, 1844. It was named in honor of Senator Linn, an early patriotic 
statesman of Missouri. 

NATURAL FEATURES. 

The surface of the town is varied and picturesque, mostly rolling, with here and 
there a small reach of prairie and oak openings. It was more heavily timbered than 
most of the other townships, especially along the high ground that borders Lake Geneva. 
There is little swamp land in town, there being a small patcli, however, in the north- 
east corner. 

This, the most beautiful lake in Southern Wisconsin, lies mostly in the two northern 
tiers of sections, and extends from east to west, entirely across the township. Its sliores 
give a water-front in the town of nearly fourteen miles, still tliickly wooded and skirted 
with villas, Summer residences, hotels, etc., nearly the entire distance. The water area 
within the town is about six square miles. It covers parts of Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 ; 
all of Section 7 ; and parts of Sections. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 17 and 18. ^ 

It is stated that an enterprising firm in Racine, once loaned 'a more enterprising 
resident of the town who wished to raise money wherewith to go to California, a con- 
siderable sum, and took as security "an eighty" on Section 7. No railroad stock was 
ever more thoroughly watered than that piece of land. It still lies unfenced and uncul- 
tivated, a part of the bed of Geneva Lake. Whether the tract was ever redeemed by 
the shrewd mortgagor, tradition does not mention. 

The town is drained by the west brancii of the Nippersink Creek, which flows 
through Sections 28, 29, 32, 33 and 34 in a southeasterly direction, and by the northwest 
branch of tlie same stream, which flows south and northeast through Sections 22, 27, 26, 
23, 24 and 13. Thus the western, southern, and eastern portions of the town are finely 
drained, while the central and northern parts are abundantly watered by various small 
streams which flow into Lake Geneva. 

The town was not thorougiily settled till later than other parts of the county, there 
being no village nucleus of population, except at Geneva, which being round the lake 
was not conveniently accessible. Further, much of the land was more heavily wooded, 
requiring more labor in clearing, and consequently not giving so speedy a return for the 
pioneers' first labors, as on the prairies and in the thin openings. Here and there, on 
favorable spots, the sturdy pioneers put in an early appearance, but Spring Prairie, Big 
Foot Prairie, and all along Sugar Creek, the government lands were well taken up by 
settlers before the woods of Linn were settled. 

EARLY SETTLERS. 

The first actual settlement was made in the town by John Powers, who built a cabin 
on Section 1, in the Fall of 1836, into which he moved in the Spring of 1837. His place 
was afterward known as the " Manning farm." Mr. Powers was a native of Maine. 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 951 

He settled afterward in New York State and then in Illinois, at Napierville. He came 
through from New York to Illinois with one of tlie first pair of horses brought into the 
far West. From Napierville to Walworth County the journey was made with an ox- 
team, Mr. Powers' wife and family accompanying him. He also purchased the Merriam r * 
property. Mr. Powers was, for many years, a member of the town board of supervisors, 
and generally popular and respected. In 1861, he removed to Geneva, and died May 
20, 1866, sixty-four years of age. His widow is living in Iowa; also two of his sons. 
One son is in Minnesota, and one, Steven, resides in the village of Geneva. One 
daugliter died in California — two daughters are living. 

In June of this year (1837), Allen McBride, the Williams family, Samuel Ryland 
and Benjamin Ball, and his son Benjamin M., all became residents of the town. Mr. 
McBride came from Ohio with his wife and four children, arriving at his destination on 
Section 31, June 4, 1887. In July, lie had erected a log hut, and then had to start back 
to Milwaukee for provisions. August 2, Mr. and Mrs. McBride welcomed an addition to 
their family in the person of their daughter — the first female child born in town. She 
is now the wife of J. E. Stoker. 

In February, 1845, Rev. P. W. Lake conducted the first regular religious services 
at the funeral of their little girl, Clarinda, who died when l)ut twenty-two months old. 
This was the first funeral in the town of Linn. Mr. McBride still lives witli liis wife on 
the same section on which he settled over forty-five years ago. The old log house, 
probably the oldest building in town, is standing, somewhat " sliaky in the underpinnings," 
but good for five years more of existence. When it shall have completed its golden 
anniversary, then the owner thinks it will have outlived its usefulness. Mr. McBride 
has been honored with several local ofiices, one of the earliest being that of the overseer 
of roads. His district was the west half of the town, and when he came to assume the 
" duties " of his position, he discovered that they were not of an extremely arduous 
nature — there wasn't a single road in his territory. 

Irael Williams, Sr., came later in the year 1837, and settled with his family on 
Section 18, south of the bay which bears his name. Irael Williams, Jr., with his wife 
came in at about the same time. Royal J. Williams, then a lad, also located upon the 
same section. The latter is still living in Walworth. Irael Williams, Jr., the last heard 
from, was living in Minnesota. In 1844, he moved to Bloom Prairie, and in 1850, Major 
Ira Buell and family, from New York, purchased a large portion of his land — the north- 
west quarter of Section 26. Mr. Williams moved to Belvidere, 111., run a paper mill in 
Beloit, during the war was in the commissary department, afterward run a cotton plan- 
tation with Gen Thomas' son — had, in fact quite a career — before he brought up in the 
state of Minnesota. 

In 1838, Irael Williams, Sr., bought a claim on the west side of the bay, in the 
town of Walworth, on Section 36, living there until the time of his death, which occurred 
in 1849. His son. Royal J., still lives on the old place. In June, 1837, Henry, son of 
Irael Williams, Jr., was recorded as the first birth in the Town of Linn. He died in 
early manhood in Belvidere, 111. 

Benjamin Ball came from Illinois at the same time as Allen McBride. He did not 
settle upon Section 34, however, until the Fall of that year. 

Messrs. Powers, Ball and McBride l)roke land and raised the first crops at about the 
same time. 

Samuel Ryland came from Ohio, with his family, during the Summer of 1837. He 
settled on Section 31, near Mr. McBride's ; built a log house and lived a pioneer's life 
with his neighbors. 

Among the prominent settlers of the next two years — 1838 and 1839 — may be men- 
tioned William Lanfear, Mr. Pond, James Duncan, David Prime, Perry Baker, Wm. 
Hubbard, Wm. K. May, John C. Ford, Jas. Nelson, J. E. Howe and Dr. McNish. The 



952 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

latter bought Mr. Pond's farm, and was the first physician in the town. He afterward 
went to Geneva. 

GENERAL EARLY HISIORY. 

The life and growth of the town has been uneventful, as that of a peaceful, agricul- 
tural community must ever be. An early chronicler says : " We had but little claim 
trouble or excitement, compared with that of other towns. Benjamin Ball and Dr. 
Tiffany had a difficulty." 

As no particulars were given, it was probably not serious. The same writer than 
goes on to relate what is termed " one of the most tragic affairs in Linn's history." It 
illustrates the general quiet that has prevaded, that nothing more exciting has occurred 
in its history. The recital is as follows : 

" On Section 31 of this town, was a valuable grove of heavy timber, in which was 
found nearly all the varieties of timber, such as : oak, ash, elm, black walnut, butter- 
nut, hickory, bass-wood, etc. It was first claimed by a Mr. Kinsman, but Nathan and 
Darius Disbrow and James Van Slyke, coveted the timber, and di'ove Kinsman off. The 
Disbrows subsequently took possession and denied Van Slyke's claim to any portion of 
it. Some time after the " Disbrows moved over the State line to hold some prairie 
claims they had made there. Van Slyke, taking advantage of their absence, sold his 
right and title to Collins Wadhams, who was running some breaking plows on Big-Foot 
Prairie, at that time. In the Fall of 18o7, Wadhams came on with his liands and teams 
and took possession of the claim, against the ineffectual remonstrances of the Disbrows. 
Finally they called out the settlers, a number of whom came from Geneva Village with 
most of the settlers of Linn. After hearing the evidence, pro and con, they refused to 
eject Wadhams. In the Winter of lSo7-o8, Wadhams had a large amount of rails split 
upon the claim. In the Fall of 1838, he went East for money to buy the land, at the 
coming " Land Sales." The Disbrows during his absence, commenced drawing off his 
rails. On his return he watched the grove, and as he said, caught the Disbrows in the 
act of stealing his rails, whereupon he fell upon the marauders and thoroughly pounded 
one of the brothers, not one of the claimants. A suit before Squire Williams for assault 
and battery, was the result. C. M. Baker was for the plaintiff Disbrow, and John 
Bullen for the defence. It cost Wadhams ten dollars. Watlhams claimed that they 
drew off six thousand of his rails. He however, held the land, not from any title bought 
of Van Slyke, but by pre-emption, under an Act of Congress, granting pre-emption to 
settlers on Government land, which act was passed while Wadhams was located on the 
claim. Thus ended one of the most tragic afl'airs in Linn's history." 

Another serious cause of dispute and bad feeling between Benjamin Ball and Dr. 
Tiffany, centered in the death of the former's grand-daughter. The small-pox broke 
out in 1840 or 1841, and a girl who afterwards worked in Benjamin Ball's family was 
certified by Dr. Tiffany as having no trace of the malady. She had the disease, however, 
went to work with the Balls at Napierville, and gave the small-pox to the grand-daughter. 
She died, and Mr. Ball never forgave the doctor for being the means of her death. 

The first road laid out through the town was that which run from Geneva to Wood- 
stock, 111., in 1840. The next one was from Geneva to Big Foot Prairie. 

The first lawyer, and the only one the town ever possessed, was one Foote, who 
came from Chenango County, N. Y., and finding liis legal talents unappreciated in Linn 
moved to Geneva about 1846. It was while there that he appeared in that prodigious 
vehicle, the front wheels of which were taken from an old cart, and the hind ones were 
grind-stones ; it was here that the cry was raised " clear the road for ' old Chenang ' " — 
and that is about all remembered of Linn's first and last practicing lawyer. It is more 
than half suspected that the above was none other than Erastus Foote, many years ago, 
judge of the Criminal court in Milwaukee. 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 953 

A REMINISCENSE. 

Mrs. Sidney Buell, in a paper read before the old settlers of Walworth County, at 
the reunion of 18!^1, thus depicts early times in Linn, and the region roundabout: 

"The early history of the settlement of even the most favored portions of our 
count}-, is in detail a record of toil and hardship, of privation, of inconvenience, of vol- 
untary self-sacrifice ; and reminescenses of the experience of pioneers, little incidents of 
those early days, howevei' unimportant in themselves, are of interest to us, because, jDer- 
haj)S, the}' portray so clearly and truly the real condition of the early settler, his 
desperate struggles to advance, and the obstacles which he had to overcome. 

" Somewhat of this experience and a few of these ' tales of olden times,' I was 
requested to present to-day. Theiefore, with a few hastily prepared notes of gleanings 
from a day among the pioneers, I have endeavored to respond. 

" My first call was upon Esq. Giddings, who was an Illinois volunteer and served 
from the commencement to the close of the Black Hawk war, when he went back to 
Illinois, where he became acquainted with Big Foot upon the occasion of a visit paid to 
one of the braves of his locality, who told him about Lake Geneva, at the head of which 
were his headquarters. Told him about the surrounding country — that it was a good 
country, and invited him to come and examine for himself — because ' Indian must go 
away, white man coming.' 

" He accordingly went up to the Indian village, and from the point which is now 
known as ' Porter's Landing,' was paddled across to the settlement in a walnut 'dug- 
out,' accompanied bv the Indian chieftain and his squaw, which event occurred in the 
year 1836. 

" A description of that clumsy bark forever destroyed the little fiction (suggested, 
no doubt, by some fanciful writer), a picture of which had long lingered in my imagina- 
tion, of the light canoe of the Indian gliding over the clear beautiful waters, guided by 
the hands of the young brave as he wooed his darkeyed enchantress. It might have 
existed in remote ages, but I strongly suspect that romances of that kind up to this 
period exhibited a reversible order of things, not in the wooing, but in the rowing, that 
in fact, instead of fancy, that it was the dusky maiden who vigorously plied the paddle, 
while her listless, indolent lover made love to her. 

" But to go back to my hero. After looking about somewhat, he made his selection 
of a claim south of Lake Geneva, about a mile south of the State line, where, in 1842, 
he erected a frame dwelling, which must have been a palace in comparison with the 
quaint, primitive log-cabin of those days. It is still a comfortable looking home. 

" Interviewed another pioneer who established a claim in the same neighborhood in 
1836. Soon after rolled up his little cabin, which was about 22x16, with a sort 
of platform staked in one side, sometimes two or three, according to tiie exigencies of 
the situation, one above another, in the form of berths in a cabin, from which they doubt- 
less got their idea, with straw and a Mackinac blanket made a ' handy affair,' so I was 
informed. So I inferred. Like the chest of drawers in Goldsmith's deserted village, it 

" ' Contrived a double debt to pay, 

A bed by night, a chest of drawers by day.' 

And this was the average settler's cabin. 

" He then commenced work in earnest. Soon two or three others, all young men, 
came and located their claims near, and slept and ate breakfast and supper in his cabin. 
This man prided himself somewhat upon his skill in coolcing; told me that he learned to 
cook game, which was quite abundant, and soon learned to make good light bread of corn 
meal. Others whom I questioned on the subject were not so well satisfied, but laughed 
heartily over their unsuccessfid attempts at getting uji palatable meals, with the very 
limited resources they had at hand. I was told by one that he subsisted for a long time 
upon pancakes, mixed with water, ujjon which was spread potatoes, finely mashed and 
MM 



954 HISTORY OF WaLWORTH COUNTY. 

seasoned with salt, a more wholesome substitute for butter than the oleomargarine of these 
degenerate days. 

" Tliere was but one white woman for miles around. This dear, kind lady conceived 
the beautiful idea of inviting the lonely occupants of all the caliins within reach to 
assemble at her house on Sabbath afternoons and sing psalms, and it is said that she 
always regaled them with nutcakes before they departed from her house. Those delicious 
doughnuts, I know, were peculiarly grateful to their bachelor palates, and surely those 
sweet songs of hope and faith must have been like manna to their lonely hearts and 
hungry souls. The good old tune of Hebron was always sung, and was her favorite, so 
she named the town and thus it has ever been called. 

" Not so with the majority of the early settlers of that vicinity. They, recognizing 
the fact that it is not good for man to be alone, as soon as a start was made brought wives 
to these incipient homes, and woman had her full share in the privations and sacrifices of 
the pioneer. If she had aught of feminine vanity, siie had little with which to gratify 
its spirit. The ordinary dress of some of them was made of common factory cloth, dyed 
by their own hands with the bark of the oak. This state of things, however, did not 
long continue. The condition of the settlers began steadil}', although slowly, to improve 
— slowly, the whys and wherefores of which may be summed up thusly: One of these 
men made a journey to Chicago with a huge load of produce, di-awn by two yoke of oxen, 
the first offerings of his land to the market. Result — one hat, a pair of overalls, and a 
pair of boots. It is said that at one time a yard of factory cloth could not be purchased 
for a bushel of wheat. 

" Nor were these all the hindrances to progress. They were legion. I enumerate 
but one. Their teams, turned out at night, would often wander away for miles, and a 
hunt through the long wet grass of the early morning would have to be instituted before 
the real labor of the da}' could commence ; and j-et men and women told me that they 
felt being shut out from the whole outside world, shut out from tidings of their old 
homes, with no fresh papers or journals to read, for it will be remembered that a long 
journey to Chicago had to be made before a mail could be received. This to them was 
the most bitter trial of all ; and yet these men and women were so firm in their convic- 
tion as to the possibilities of their future, so appreciative of the beauty of the native 
scener}', that they were willing to struggle on and patiently wait the better time, the 
fruition of all their toil. Fresh from the hand of nature, it must have been a picture of 
enchanting loveliness, these undulating prairies, gorgeous with their wreath of wild 
flowers ; the charming oak groves, as clean as well-kept gardens, the lovely valleys and 
picturesque lakes. 

" No wonder that these men and women felt that they had been directed to a second 
Garden of Eden ; and those of them who live to-day to realize the progress of civilization 
during these few last 3'ears, to look abroad over the happy homes of plenty, to know that 
our schools and seminaries of learning are not inferior to those of the older States, must 
feel their hearts thrill with exalted pride that their feet led the way to such a favored 
spot — that their hands aimed the first blow to bring about such thrift and prosperity. 

" For my own part, I confess to a feeling of tender reverence for these men and 
women who so bravely and heroically, through toil and sacrifice and firm endurance 
paved the way for those who now share in the possession of so much good, and say God 
bless you, every one ! And may He who led you hither and upheld 3'ou by His own 
loving hand tiirough the burden and heat of the day, guide you now that the evening 
shadows are closing around you, be lovingly near you through the night of death, and 
take you to dw3ll forever more in that better country where there is no sorrow, no irk- 
some toil, and all is perfectness in peace." 



\ 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 95!; 

FIRST MEETINGS. 

At the first annual meeting held at the house of James Nelson, on the second of 
April 1844, the followin;^ persons were elected town oflBcers : 

Supervisors — Chairman, Ira Turner, Seymour Hatch, Samuel Ryland ; Clerk — Irael 
Williams, Jr.; Treasurer — Benjamin Ball ; Justices of the Peace — Ira Turner, Solomon 
Burdiclv ; Assessor— Seymour Hatcli ; Constables — Calvin Traver, Caleb Preston ; Com- 
missioners of Highways — Benjamin Ball, David Prime, Wm. B. Traver; Commissioners 
of Schools — Calvin Grover, Nathan S. Bassett, L. Ingham; Collector — Caleb Preston; 
Fence Viewers— Benjamin Ball, Hiram Downer, Samuel Ryland; Sealer of Weights and 
Measures — Marshall F. Winters. 

By-laws for the town of Linn for 1844 : No rams to run at large from July 1 to 
December 1, fine for above offence, f 10 ; no boars over three months old to run at large, 
fine, -12 per week, and forfeit the boar ; school tax half of one per cent.; wages of town- 
ship ofiicers to be 75 cents per day ; whole expense of assessor, f 6 ; commissioner of 
highways, $20 ; commissioner of schools, $8 ; supervisors, |10 ; clerk, il2 ; $10 for a 
contingent fund; $8 to pay arrearages ni the town of Geneva, expenses for laying roads, 
rail fence four and a half feet high. 

At a meeting held in the town before its organization, three names were suggested. 
"Squire Ball argued for Franklin, A. McBride wanted Lake, and M. McBride pushed the 
claims of Liberty. The voting showed that Franklin was the favorite. When the bill 
was sent to Madison, it was discovered that there was another Franklin in the State, and 
consequently the territory became stam])ed as " Linn." 

KOSTEE OF TOWN OFFICERS. 

Following is the roster of town officers from 1846 to 1881, inclusive: 

1845: Supervisors — John W. Boyd, chairman, Daniel I. Cornue, Samuel Ryland, 
I). I. Cornue; Treasurer-Clerk — Irael Williams, Jr. 

1846: Supervisors — John W. Boyd, chairman, Samuel Ryland, John Powers ; 
Clerk — Daniel I. Cornue ; Treasurer — Daniel I. Cornue. 

1847: Supervisors — Irael Williams, chairman, .lohn Powers, John W. Groe.sbeck • 
Clerk — Henr^^ Bailey ; Treasurer — Daniel I. Cornue. 

1848 : Supervisors — John P. Snell, chairman. Samuel Ryland, Solomon C. Burdick; 
Clerk — Henry Bailey ; Treasurer — Daniel I. Cornue. 

1849: Supervisors — S. C. Burdick, chairman, Ira Turner, S. T. Powell; Clerk 

John McKibbin ; Treasurer — Daniel I. Cornue. 

1850: Supervisors — John P. Snell, chairman, Jacob I. Cornue, John Powers- 
Clerk — J. McKibbin; Treasurer — D. I. Cornue. 

1851 : Supervisors — .lohn P. Snell, chairman, John Powers, Jacob I. Cornue ; 
Clerk — Abraham Kaye ; Treasurer — James A. Benedict. 

1852: Supervisors — VVm. H. Lewis, chairman, John Powers, Jacob I. Cornue- 
Clerk — John MuKiljbin ; Treasurer — Daniel Downs. 

185.3: Supervisors — A. T. Wheeler, chairmati, Warren Holmes, S. T. Powell- 
Clerk — O. K. Hale; Treasurer — Daniel Downs. 

1854: Supervisors — Geo. Allen, chairman, Ira Buel, S. C. Burdick; Clerk A. A. 

Thompson ; Treasurer — Nathaniel Grout. 

1855: Sui)ervisors — Geo. Allen, chairman, Jesse Wright, Benj. F. Groesbeck - 
Clei-k — John McKii)bin ; Treasurer — A. Merriam. 

1^.56: Supervisors — Allen McBride, chairman, B. F. Groesbeck, James Emery - 
Clerk — John McKibbin; Treasurer — A. Merriam. ' 

1857 : Supervisors— S. C. Burdick, chairman, B. F. Groesbeck, James Emery ; 
Clerk — John McKibbin ; Treasurer — Amzy Merriam. 



956 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

1858 : Supervisors — B. F. Groesbeck, cliairman, J, S. Cornue, Charles Cornue , 
Clerk — A. H. Button ; Treasurer — D. Cornue. 

1859 : Supervisors — B. F. Groesbeck, chairman, James Emery, Wm. H. Lewis ; 
Clerk — A. H. Button ; Treasurer — Perry Wilson. 

1860 : Supervisors — James Emery, chairman, H. T. Palmer, Amzy Merriam ; 
Clerk— A. H. Button ; Treasurer— L. W. Fuller. 

1861 : Supervisors — B. F. Groesbeck, chairman, H. T. Palmer, Amzy Merriam ; 
Clerk — A. H. Button ; Treasurer — Ira Turner. 

1862 : Supervisors — J. A. Benedict, chairman, Perry Wilson, G. C. Gardner ; 
Clerk — A. H. Button ; Treasurer — Arthur Kaye. 

1863 : Supervisors — George Allen, chairman, John Wilson, Thomas Cady ; Clerk — 
A. H. Button ; Treasurer — S. C. Burdick. 

1864 : Supervisors — George Allen, chairman, Thomas Cady, G. W. Barr ; Clerk — 
A. H. Button ; Treasurer — S. J. Nichols. 

1865 : Supervisors — George Allen, chairman ; G. W. Barr, S. J. Nichols; Clerk — 
A. H. Button ; Treasurer, L. W. Fuller. 

1866 : Supervisors — George Allen, chairman ; Amzy Merriam, C. E. Buell ; Clerk 
— A. H. Button ; Treasurer, Noah Merriam. 

1867 : Supervisors — George Allen, chairman; Amzy Merriam, C. E. Buell; Clerk 
— A. H. Button ; Treasurer, N. R. Colbert. 

1868 : Supervisors — John McKibl)in, chairman ; G. W. Barr, Addin Kaye ; Clerk 
— A. H. Button ; Treasurer, Jonathan Powell. 

1869 : Supervisors — John McKibben, chairman ; G. W. Barr, Amzy Merriam ; 
Clerk — A. H. Button ; Treasurer, Jonathan Powell. 

1870 : Supervisors — G. W. Barr, chairman ; Amzy Merriam, John Wilson ; Clerk — 
A. H. Button : Treasurer, R. G. Webster. 

1871 : Supervisors — James Emery, chairman ; John Wilson, Thomas Ledger ; Clerk 
— A. H. Button ; Treasurer— James Smith. 

1872 : Supervisors — James Emery, chairman ; G. W. Barr, Addin Kaye ; Clerk — 
A. H. Button ; Treasurer — G. S. Conklin. 

1873 : Supervisors— J. W. Boyd, chairman ; B. M. Boll, S. B. Wynn ; Clerk— A. 
H. Button ; Treasurer — Alfred Haywood. 

1874 : Supervisors — J. W. Boyd, chairman ; S. B. Wynn, T. B. Merriam ; Clerk — 
A. H. Button ; Treasurer, D. S. Allen. 

1875: Supervisors — Amzy Merriam, chairman; Tiiomas Ledger, Joseph Reek; 
Clerk — A. H. Button ; Treasurer — Wm. Kaye. 

1876 : Supervisors — Amzy Merriam, chairman ; Thomas Ledger, Ed. CuUen ; Clerk 
— A. H. Button ; Treasurer — D. S. Allen. 

1877 : Sujjervisors — D. S. Allen, chairman ; John Judson, W. H. Crandall ; Clerk 
— A. H. Button ; Treasurer — Peter Gavin. 

1878 : Supervisors — D. S. Allen, chairman ; John Judson, Wm. Kaye ; Clerk — A. 
H. Button ; Treasurer — 

1879 : Supervisors — D. S. Allen, chairman ; Wm. Kaye, John Judson ; Clerk — A. 
H. Button ; Treasurer — George Rowbotham. 

1880 : Supervisors — D. S. Allen, chairman ; John Judson, Wm. J. Kaye ; Clerk — 
A. H. Button : Treasurer, Artemus Alexander. 

1881 : Supervisors — D. S. Allen, chairman ; John Judson, Wm. J. Kaye ; Clerk — 
A. H. Button ; Treasurer — John Gavin. 

WAB RECORD. 

During the Great Rebellion, Linn stood nobly in the ranks with the other towns in 
the county. It is impracticable to give a separate account of the war services of the 
town. Full records of the soldiers appear in the war history of the county at large. 



( 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 957 

Linn furnished, and has credit on the war reconis of the State for fifty-five sohliers — 
one over lier (jiiota. Tlie iiiimber of resichait-s who did personal services can not lie ascer- 
tained, as many enlisted in other towns and outside tlie county. The amount raised for 
bounties and other war jturposes was .|il0,454.01, according to the books of the town 
clerk. During 1864, 15,800 was raised. Whatever may he said of Linn, history must 
say that, in proportion to her population, she " came down " as handsomely as any town 
in the cpunty. 

LINN AS IT IS. 

The population by the Federal census of 1880 was 823. 

The principal farm products of 1880 were : wheat, 5,900 bu.; corn, 187,000 bu.; oats, 
59,000 bu.; barley. 1,500 bu.; potatoes, 5,000 bu.; apples, 17,000 bu.; timothy seed, 400 
bu.; hay, '2,800 tons ; butter, 101,000 lbs.; cheese, 62,000 lbs. 

There are two cheese factories in the town ; at present, both idle. One on Section 
27, is owned by James Emery ; the other. Section 21, by Wm. Fowl. 

In 1881, there were sown to grain 4,516 acres. There were 225 acres of orchard ; 
3,517 acres of mowing and pasturage ; and 3,000 acres of growing timber. 

There were eight whole, and two joint school districts. The number of scholars 
between the ages of four and eighteen was 340, of which number 199 attended school. 
There were eight schools, taught by eight teachers, at average montldy wages of 826.25 
for male, and .f 19.25 for female teachers. There were eight school-houses, valued, in- 
cluding the sites, at $3,120. The annual amount expended for schools was f3,240. 

The first public school was taught by Miss Gracia Ward, in 1843, in a log school 
house, on Section 21. 

The first saw mill was built on the Nippersink, on Section 35, by James F. Dicker- 
son and James S. Stilson, in 1845. It is now entirely gone, no sawing having been done 
for fifteen years, 

Mr. James F. Dickerson built the first grist mill in 1851, near the site of the saw 
mill. It is now owned by John A. Pierce, of Sugar Creek. 

The first tavern was built by Everton Walker, on Section 4, in 1839. 

The first store established was in the village of Genoa Junction, by James S. Stil- 
son in 1851, the second liy Joshua E. Fernald in 1853. 

The following is a list of names appearing on the tax list of the town of Bloom- 
field as residents of said town in the year 1846, and is the oldest record of residents in 
the town office of said town : 

Samuel Allen, John Barber, J. Bridges, Hiram Parker, Thomas Buckland, Thos. 
Beeden, M. Barliament, Edward Bundy, John Brown, M. Blodgett, Seth L. Banks, 
Schuyler Bestedle, Wm. D. Chapin, J. P. Chapin, Enoch B. Carter, John Chapin, E. 
Crowell, Jacob Chapin, W. Doughton, Mary Day, M. Donohue, T. Davis, Mortimer 
Duel, James F. Dickerson, Charles Dorothy, T. Deil, M. Dill, G. W. Edwards, John 
Easter, A. Eversoii, Geo. Forest, A. Foster, H. C. Farley, Jason Fobes, J. Fuller, R. 
Fuller, I. H. Fellows, Homer Field, Geo. Field, Chas. Guilford, James Grier, A. Gard- 
ner, F. G. Gass, Chas. High, Alanson K. Hill, Rue High, J. A. Haskins, H. Harris, G. 
Hanchett, J. Hickey, Williams Irish, James Irvin, Jeremiah Jerrod, Wm. Jewett, O. 
Kiml)all, J. C. & H. B. Lock, Dennis Laght, J. Latour, J. Loveland, Robert Moores, 
Stilman Moores, J. Moody, E. H. Olden, E. L. Pease, P. B. Plumb, L A. Pell, A. Prim- 
mer, J. Primmer, T. Peters, A. Pond, Jesse Pettigrove, O. B. Phillips. Solon Reed. W. 
C. Reed, Dan Rowe, Rev. L. Rogers, H. Russell, Cyrus Rugg, Erastus Rugg, G. M. Rus- 
sell, H. C. Stewart, W. O. Sleeper, James S. Stilson, Sebastian Shuman, Amos W. Staf- 
ford, R. B. Southwort, S. J. Sawyer, C. W. Sibley, Tbomas R. Sheldon, J. C. Strain, J. 
U. Searles, A. Sabin, Israel Twin, N. Temple, N. Tupper, Jeremial Truesdale, VV. Tup- 
per, H. Tupper, Chas. Utter, W. N. Whiting, Isaac White, Silas Wright, Jonathan 



J 






958 HISTORY OF WALWORTH OOHNTY. 

"Ward, Everton Walker, A. Wing, G. Ward,. lolin Whiting, Thos. Wilson, Samuel "Wing, 
John Wood, John Kull, Andrew Kull, Sr. 

REMINISCENCES OF THE TOWN OF LINN, BY ALLEN m'BBIDE. 

First blacksmitli shop was built and operated by Patrick Cullen. 

First store by Arthur Kaye. 

First church edifice by the Baptist denomination. 

The first settlers, many of them experienced great diflBculty in getting their mail 
matter, and mailing their letters, doing their mail business at Chicago, 111., distant sixty- 
five miles. 

If we had an half ounce letter in the post-office at Chicago, we must call in person, 
or send a written order, and if it had come over 400 hundred miles, pay twenty-five cents 
postage ; tlien we could get the letter, but as time wore on there was a post-office estab- 
lished at Crystal Lake, in McHenry Co., 111., distant twenty to twenty-five miles. That 
was a great convenience to at least some of the people of Linn. 

The first mail route that passed through Linn was established at an early day, per- 
haps 1839 or 1840, from Chicago, 111., to Madison, Wis. The mail was carried on said 
route weekly on horseback by a man named Potter. But there was no post-office near 
the people of Linn on said route, and as the mail was carried by the residence of Allen 
McBride, on Section 31, he was solicited to accept the position of postmaster, but he 
could not at that time accept the a])pointment, but ai)out the year 1843, James Duncan 
settled on Section 32, and was appointed postmaster. So James Duncan was the first 
postmaster, and we had an office near us, but after a few years it was removed into Illi- 
nois, and finally abolished, but the mail was still carried, and many of the inhabitants 
would get the mail carrier to bring their mail from distant offices on his route, and leave 
it at A. McBride's, till he was finally appointed postmaster, which place he filled for 
more than twenty-six yars. The office was called " Tirade," and was at first supplied 
with a weekly mail. Tiie route was altered or shortened at nearly every letting of mail 
routes, till the Northwestern railroad was built out from Chicago twelve miles in a north- 
westerly direction, when the Government let a route to be carried by stage from Delavan, 
Wis., to the then terminus of the railroad, a distance of about seventy-seven miles, three 
times per week each way, so that we had a mail one way or the other every day. The 
first change of horses and drivers was kept at Tirade. That was not only a gieat increase 
of mail service, but afforded facilities for traveling. Subsequently railroads were built, 
and new offices established witli daily mails, when the Tirade office was no longer a 
necessity, and at the solicitation of the postmaster the office was abolished, and at this 
writing there is neither mail route nor post-office in the town. Notwithstanding this, 
the town of Linn has some great natural advantages, embracing, as it does, the principal 
part of tlie renowned Geneva Lake, which is justly temed the " Saratoga of the 
"West." 

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

DWIGHT S, ALLEN, farmer, Sec. 23; P. O. Geneva; son of George Allen. He was 
born in Madison (bounty, N. ¥., in 1843. He enlisted in August, 1862, in the 22d Regiment W. 
V. I., Co. C, and was in active service till the close of the war. He was married to Miss Delia 
Sherman, who was lorn in the town of Eagle, Waukesha Co., Wis., in 1846. They have three 
children — Raymond, Elsie C. and James Garfield. They lost their three oldest children. He 
resides on a part of his father's farm, where he has lived since 1866. Mr. Allen has been Chair- 
man of the Town Board of Linn since 1877 ; has been Chairman of the County Board for two 
years, and has held the office of Town Treasurer for three years. 

OEORGE ALLEN, farmer, Sec. 24; P. O. Geneva. He was born in Madison County, 
N. Y., in 1820, where he was brought up. His parents were Walter and Harriet (Holbrook) 
Allen, who were natives of Worcester County, Mass., and moved to the town of Madison, 
Madison Co., N. Y., in 1815, came to the town of Lebanon, Madison Co., N. Y., in 1S18. Mr. 



^ 






HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 959 

Allen was married, in 1842, to Miss Harriett Bueli, a daughter ot Mr. Ira Buell. He came to 
Walworth County, and bought 100 acres of his [)resent farm of Mr. Jauies Nelson, who now lues 
in Livingston County, 111. The parents of Mr. Allen had si.x children, four sons and two daugh- 
ters. He is the only surviving member of his father's family, and has been since 1862. Mr. 
and Mrs. Allen have six children — Dwight S.; Mary, wife of H. H. Curtis; H. Frances, wife of 
J. P. Cheever; Walter, William (}. and Hattie. They have lost three sons, two of whom died 
under extremely afllicting circumstances. One son, John W., was accidentally, fatally shot, in 
the Spring of 1878; another son, Ira B., graduated at Beloit College, in 1874, entered the 
Theological Department of Yale College, and died just on the eve of bis graduation, in April, 
1878. Mr. Allen, though not one of the earliest settlers of the town of Linn, is one of the best 
known. He has assessed the town nearly every year since 1862. He is one of the largest and 
most successful farmers, not only of the town of Linn, but of Walworth County. He is a man 
of much general information, and one of the foremost men of his town in the encouragement of 
all enterprises whose aim is the promotion of the interests of the people. His farm contains 
about 660 acres. 

WALTER .\LLEN, farmer, Sec. 24; P. O. Geneva; son of Mr. Geo. Allen. He was born 
in the town of Lebanon, Madison Co., N. Y., in 1850. He graduated from the State Normal 
School at \Vhite Water, in 1873, and was engaged for a number of years in teaching. He 
taught two years in Ripon, Wis., after graduating, and was also principal of the Geneva 
public schools, lor several years. Has taught seventeen terms in Walworth County. His wife 
was Miss Ellen M. Joslin, daughter of Albert M. Joslin. Mrs. Allen was born in Cook Co., 
III. Mr. and .Mrs. .Allen have one daughter, Nella. Mr. .Allen bought his farm of Mr. Charles 
Ferguson, of Geneva; it is commonly known as the "Powers Farm;" it contains 160 acres. 
Mr. Allen also owns fourteen acres of Lake Shore land. 

BENJAMIN M. BALL, farmer, Sec. 84 ; P. O. Hebron, McHenry Co., 111. He is one of 
the earliest settlers of the town of Linn ; his residence here dates from April, 1837. He was 
born in Franklin County, Vt., June 12, 1817. He removed with his parents to what is now 
Dupage County, 111., in July, 1836. He came with his father to this town in the following April. 
The latter made a claim on Sec. 34, a part of which is included in the farm, now owned by his 
son. His father, Benjamin Ball, was a native of Massachusetts. He resided in the town ot 
Linn until his death, though he died suddenly at Naperville, Dupage Co., 111., .Aug. 14, 1868. 
His wife died at Sparta, Wis., while visiting her daughter at that place, April 17, 1873. The 
parents of Mr. Ball had four children, one son and three daughters. Mr. Ball and his sister, 
Mrs. Angenette Walker, are the only members of his father's family, who live at Walworth 
County, the two others live at Dupage County, 111. Mrs. Ball was formerly Miss Elizabeth 
Ostrander, daughter of .Anthony Ostrander; she was born in the town of Royalton, Niagara Co., 
N. Y., June 27, 1827. They have three children — George .A., Ida G. and Milton S. The sons 
reside at home ; their daughtt?r, Mrs. Slater, lives in Iowa. Mr. Ball has lived for a period of 
forty-five years, almost upon the identical spot where he now lives. He has probably lived 
longer in the town of. Linn than any other resident. 

W. ANSON BARNES, proprietor of Warwick Park on Lake Geneva, was born in Michi- 
gan, in 1852; was brought up and educated in Lansing in this State. He graduated at the 
Michigan .Agricultural College in 187 1 ; was engaged for some years in fruit growing and land- 
scape engineering. He came to Wisconsin in May, 1878, was engaged some months in beautify- 
ing the grounds of Mr. Arthur Kay, and was otherwise engaged until the Fall o{ 1879, when he 
l)urchased his present place. His grounds contain fifty-three acres. He has a fine location, 
and his grounds contain one of the most elevated points on the lake. His intentions are to 
beautify his park, and to lay out and make sale of lots. He purchased his grounds of late John 
A. Smith, Esc]. 

GEORGE W. B.ARR, farmer, Sec. 15 : P. O. Geneva; son of John Barr, who was born in 
Scotland, and came to the United States with his oldest son, James Barr, in 1827. The 
remainder of the family came to this country in 1829. They lived in New York for several 
years, thence to Massachusetts, where they lived for fifteen years. The family came to the town 
of Linn in 1848, settled on this farm, which became the homestead, where the faiher died in 
1 86 1. The parents of Mr. Barr had eight children, six of whom are still living. George W. 
Barr, the youngest child of his parents, was born in Columbia County, N. Y., in 1830. He came 
West with his father in 1848, and has lived on the homestead, which he now owns since that 



i\" 



960 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

time. Mrs. Barr was formerly Miss Phiisbe A. Merriam, daugiiter of .Allan Merriam, a sketch 
of whom will be found elsewhere. Tliey have three children — Carrie L., Mary E. and Irene P. 
Mr. Barr's farm contains 200 acres. 

JOHN W. BOYD, farmer, Sec. n; P. O. Geneva. Gen Boyd was born in the town of 
Charlton, Saratoga Co., N. Y., in 181 1. His parents removed to the town of Sodom, Cortland 
Co., when he was an infant, where lie was brought up. His father, John L. Boyd, was a native 
of Saratoga County, where he was born Oct. 16, 1783. He was one of the substantial men of 
that county; was a man of strong religious convictions; politically, was strongly anti-slavery, 
and was at one time a member of the Legislature of the State of New York. Gen. Boyd came 
to Walworth County, from the town of Cincinnati, Cortland Co., in June, 1844, and bought 130 
acres of his present land of Amos Pond. He is one of the prominent men, not only of the 
town of Linn, but of Walworth County. In early life he was a Democrat, but became identi- 
fied with the Republican party in 1856, and has since been a warm adherent and an able de- 
fender of the principles of that party. His first official position was that of Chairman of the 
Town Board for 1845 and 1846. He was a member of the first Constitutional Convention, which 
was held in the Fall of 1846. He was a member of the Senate at the first legislative session of 
the State of Wisconsin, and was again elected to that branch of the Legislature in the Fall of 
1857. In 1846, he was appointed Major General of the Third Division of Wisconsin militia, 
hence his title of General, by which he is generally known. He was for twenty years a director 
of the Madison Mutual Insurance Company, and for eight years was president of that organiza- 
tion. Gen. Boyd is a man of stern integrity, and of more than ordinary ability. He is a forci- 
ble public speaker, and is ever ready with his voice and means to assist in the promotion of all 
good works. He is especially forward in the advancement of the educational and religious in- 
terests of the people. He has been an elder in the Presbyterian Church of Geneva for thirty- 
seven years, and a teacher in the Sabbath-school. The Lake Geneva Seminary owes much of 
the success to which it has attained to his valuable assistance. He has been married three times. 
His first wife was Miss Elizabeth Lee, who died witliin a year after their marriage. His second 
wife was Wealthy A. Hathaway, daughter of Gen. S. G. Hathaway, of Solon, Cortland Co., N. Y. 
She died in June, 1S55, leaving three daughters — Julia E., wife of Dr. Miles G. Hye, of the 
village of Cortland, Cortland Co., N. Y.; Helen Emma, wife of Robert W. Turner, Esq., attor- 
ney at law, of Elmira, N. Y., and Carrie Hathaway Boyd, who lives at the homestead of her 
grandfather. Gen. Hathaway, at Solon, N. Y. His present wife was Mrs. Abram Mudge, for- 
merly Miss Persis A. Buell, a daughter of Ira Buell. She was born in Chenango County, N. Y., 
in 1823. Mr. ft[udge died in 1848, leaving one daughter, Amelia A., now deceased. 'Mr. and 
Mrs. Boyd have three daughters — Louise H., a graduate of Lake Geneva Seminary; Alice I. 
and Florence May, students of that institution. Mrs. Boyd's father settled in the town of Linn 
in 1849. The following sketch was written by Judge John T. Wentworth, at the time of the 
death of Mr. Buell, in August, 1874: 
T I M.\JOR IR.'V BUELL. In the Autumn of 1866, a goodly company assembled at the 

house of Ira Buell, in the town of Linn, to congratulate him and his dear wife on the fiftieth 
anniversary of their wedded life There were gathered together on that occasion the children 
and grand-children of the aged pair, with many old-time friends. It was a delightful, yet withal, 
to reflective minds, a solemn season — a happy mingling of the old and young. There in the 
midst stood Major Buell, with the memories of nearly three-quarters of a century crowding upon 
him, yet seeming almost as joyous as in days of yore, and by his side was one who had for half a 
century shared with him the joys and sorrows of life — " Chloe, the beautiful," — beautiful when 
young, and lovely now in the late .\utumn of Life. The frosts of many Winters had whitened, 
their locks, but had not chilled their hearts. From these hearts there still flowed a stream of 
benevolence, generous and pure, while all who stood around fondly wished that both these aged 
parents and friends might be spired many years, yet none had reason to expect it. But the 
earthly link that so long held this worthy pair is broken. One is gone, and the other is left to 
mourn and to follow on. A good man has fallen. .\ long and beautiful life is ended, and one 
who has for so many years lived to cheer and bless has passed from the scenes of earth to a bet- 
ter land. Ira Buell was born among the granite hills of New Hampshire in the year 1791. At 
the eiily age of six years, he removed with his parents to the county of Madison, N. Y.; then, 
to them, the far West, and there he lived and labored in the clearing and cultivation of his 
father's farm until his majority, when he moved to the adjoining county of Chenango, and 






HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 961 

located in the town of Plymouth, where he continued to reside (with the exception of three 
years in Earlville, Madison Co.), until he came to this State. It was among the pleasant Ply- 
mouth hills that the greater part of his active life was spent. There he found his life partner, 
and was married to Chloe Holcomb, in 1816. There his children were born and reared, forming 
a most charming family circle, and then, above all, in the quiet town he commenced his Christian 
course, which he has so long and so undeviatingly pursued. In 1849, he removed his family to 
Wisconsin, and located on Bloom Prairie, in the town of Linn, where he lived to see six of his 
seven children settled around the parental home. Not only was it a home to them, but a home 
to all who sought an entrance. How many have found it so. How many have been made 
happy by the cordial welcome and kindly treatment received from that good man and liis family. 
In that home no jarring discord, no petty jealousy or envying found a place; but a genial frank- 
ness, a hearty good will, was everywhere and at all times exhibited. It was music and sunshine 
all around. Major Buell was a man of noble and generous impulses. He was not one to pass 
by on the other side when the cry of distress was heard. This trait of his character led him 
early to espouse the cause of those who groaned in the house of bondage. At a time when 
obloquy was heaped upon the defender of the black man's rights, when fierce opposition to the 
friends of universal freedom raged tliroughout the Northern States, he stood boldly forth, and 
showed his adherence to th" eternal principles of truth and justice, and fearlessly advocated the 
rights of the black man. Of all men, in a word he was an Abolitionist, with all that that term 
implies. He lived to see his principles vindicated, the slave emancipated, and his country saved. 
The commencement of his Christian life dates back to 1831, when during a i)rotracted meeting 
his attention to religious matters was awakened, and he was led to embrace the truth as it is in 
Christ. He entered upon his new life with his characterisiic ardor; in the path he then chose, 
he walked for more than fifty years iu the exercise of unfaltering faith, and daring the long 
period the fire on the altar never went out. His religious character was not the outgrowth of 
sentimentality, but the product of a living faith. In the light of Christian principle he per- 
formed all his duties. Nor was his Christian life a gloomy one. He seemed ever to walk in the 
clear sunlight of God's goodness and mercy, with no repining, while his great good heart would 
leap with joy. In the highest and best sense, he was a good man ; but he who has so long stood 
the central figure in the happy family group is gone; and although stricken hearts must bleed, 
there need be no repining, for he has entered into his rest. He died August 17, 1874. Mrs. 
Buell is still living. The children are: Joseph Sidney, of Bloomfield, Wis.; Mrs. Harriet A. 
Allen, of Linn, Wis.; Mrs. Persis .'\.. Boyd, of Linn, Wis.; Mrs. Helen M. Mudge, of Randalia, 
Iowa; William Ira, of Bloomfield, Wis.; Henry C, of Linn, Wis.; Charles Edwin, of Geneva, 
Wis. 

CHARLES E. BRANDOW, farmer. Sec. 32; P. O. Alden, III. Mr. Brandow was born in 
Greene County. N. V., in 1825. In 1839, his father, Joel Brandow, went to Illinois with his 
family, and settled in the town of Alden, McHenry Co. He died in Sharon in the Summer of 
1877. The ])arents of Mr. Brandow had eight children, five of whom are living. Mrs. Bran- 
dow was formerly Lucetta Ryland, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Ryland, who came here 
with Mr. McBride, in 1837. Mr. Ryland made a claim of the farm of Mr. Brandow, which he 
purchased at the land sale of 1839. Mr. Ryland removed to Harvard, 111., in 1864, where he 
died in 1872. Mrs. Ryland, who is a sister of Mrs. McBride, lives with Mr. Brandow, who pur- 
chased the homestead of his father-in-law in 1864. Mrs. Brandow was born at the homestead 
Feb. 21, 1838. Mr. and Mrs. Brandow have one daughter, Iva. Mrs. Brandow has two chil- 
dren by a former marriage. Mr. lirandow's farm contains 200 acres. 

HENRY C. BUELL, farmer. Sec. 26; P.O. Geneva. Mr. Buell is the son of Mr. Ira 
Buell, whose sketch appears elsewhere. He owns and occupies the homestead farm, where his 
father settled in 1849. He was born in the town of Plymouth, Chenango Co., N. Y., in 1832; 
came here with his father's family in 1849. Mrs. Buell was formerly Mary Thacher, daughter ol 
.Alfred and Susan (Baker) Thacher, natives of Massachusetts, who came to Wisconsin from the 
city of Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1855. They now reside on Sec. 34. Mrs. Buell was born in Rhode 
Island in 1844. iMr. and Mrs. Buell have three children — Harry, Ralph and Lawrence. Mr. 
Buell's farm contains 370 acres of land. 

ALEXANDER H. BUTTON, Sec. 12; V. O. Geneva. Mr. Button was born in town of 
Floyd, Oneida Co., N. Y., in 1828. He came to Walworth County, Nov. 11, 1850. Tlie first 
land he owned in this county was on Sec. 32, in the town of Linn. He for many years followed 



962 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

the business of contracting and building. Many of the finest residences in this town were built by 
him, including the houses of Mr. George Allen, Mr. J. W. Boyd, Thomas Ledger, B. Alexander, 
James Emery, Malone Weter, etc. He married Miss Terissa Baker, daughter of Hiram Baker, 
an early settler of the town of Bloomfield. Mrs. Button was born at Niagara Falls. They have 
seven children — Clara May, Henry A., Ezra D., George A., Silus E., Frank M., and Mabel L 
Mr. Button settled where he now lives in 1858, purchasing his farm of fifty-five acres of Mr. A. 
A. Thompson. His residence is beautifully located, near the outlet of Lake Geneva, and commands 
one of the finest views of this beautiful body of water. 

ARCHIBALD CORNUE, farmer, Sec. 33 ; P. O. Hebron, 111.; son of Daniel Cornue, who 
was born in the town of Canajoharie, Montgomery Co., N. Y., in 1794. He came to Walworth 
County with his family in May, 1844; he settled on the farm now occupied by his son, Archibald, 
the following ; this farm became his homestead, where he lived till his death, which occurred 
January, 1876. His wife still resides at the homestead. The parents of Mr. Cornue had six 
children, four sons and two daughters, viz.: Jane M., who lives at the homestead ; Charles, 
Catherine, wife of P. C. Tremper ; Elisha, Archibald and James V. Archibald Cornue was mar- 
ried to Harriet L. Emery, daughter of James Emery. They have two children, Nellie C. and 
Arnold E. The homestead farm formerly contained over 200 acres, has now 150 acres. 

CHARLES CORNUE, farmer. Sec. 33; P.O. Hebron, 111.; son of Daniel Cornue. He 
was born in Montgomery Co., N. Y., in 18 18, and came here with his parents in 1854. He married 
Mary Meyers, daughter of Joseph and Jane (Winn) Meyers. Her parents came to Walworth Coun- 
ty in 1843, afterward settled in the town of Alden, McHenry Co., 111. Her father died at Racine, 
in the Fall of 1854; mother died in the Fall of 1863, at Neenah, Wis. Mrs. Catherine (Winn) 
Weaver an aunt of Mrs. Cornue's, came to Walworth County in 1842, and purchased this farm, 
where she resided till her death, May, 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Cornue had five children, four of 
whom are living — .\nna, now Mrs. Osbert Clark ; Catherine Weaver, now Mrs. Porter Peck ; 
James B. and Edgar E. They lost a daughter, Hattie, she died March r, 1866, at the age of 
thirteen years. Mrs. Cornue's parents had six children, four of whom are living. 

ELISHA CORNUE, farmer. Sec. 34; P. O. Geneva; son of Daniel Cornue. He was born 
in Montgomery Co., N. Y., in 1823, and came to Wisconsin with his parents. May, 1844. 100 
acres of his present farm belonged to the homestead of his father. He settled here in 1855, Mr. 
Cornue married Sarah McBride, a daughter of Allen McBride. Mr. and Mrs. Cornue have two 
children, Georgeanna, now Mrs. Ehle, of Clear Lake, Iowa; and Gardiner C, at home. Mr. 
Cornue's farm contains 130 acres. 

JOHN DILLENBECK, farmer, Sec. 16 ; P. O. Geneva; he was born in the town of Danube, 
Herkimer Co., N.Y., .May 20, 1816. He was married in Jefferson County, to Julia Nellis, who 
was born in Montgomery Co., N. Y., in 1826. They came here from St. Lawrence County, in 
June 1854, and settled on this place. Mr. Dillenbeck purchased his farm of Peter Craton. Mr. 
and Mrs. Dillenbeck have five children — Orlando, Jonas, Nancy, now Mrs. Theodore Shondy ; 
Mary and Arvilla. Mr. Dillenbeck 's farm contains 280 acres. 

JOHN C. FORD (deceased) was born June 1 1, 1806, at Middlefield, Otsego Co., N. Y., 
and died at i\Ladison, Wis., March 2, 1879. The chief facts in the life of this man, one of the 
early settlers of Walworth County, kind and conscientious in all his princi[)les and actions, areas 
follows: at fourteen years of age he spent one year at Courtland, N. Y., learning the jeweler's 
trade, but returning to Middlefield, acquired the shoemaker's art and followed the business for 
some vears. He was married to his now bereaved companion during the year 1833, in Spring- 
field N. Y., and five years later, 1838, during the month of May first arrived in Geneva. During 
that year he assisted in erecting the first grist mill in the place. He made a claim in what is now 
the town of Linn, and purchased the land when it came into market. Here he followed agricul- 
tural pursuits until age and infirmity unfitted him for arduous labor. He left a widow, a son and 
two daughters, and an entire community to mourn his demise. 

LORETTO W. FULLER, farmer, Sec. 12; P.O. Geneva; he was born in the town of 
Penfield, Monroe Co., N. Y., in 1823. He came to Milwaukee in the Spring of 1848, and to Gen- 
eva in the Fall of that year. He was married to Huldah Ann Ingham, daughter of Dr. Stephen 
Ingham, who settled in Herkimer, Co., N.Y., from the State of Massachusetts, where he practiced 
medicine for many years. Came to Geneva in 1841, and purchased the same year, the farm now 
owned by Mr. Fuller. He died in Elkhorn, December 1875, in his ninety-eighth year. His wife 
died January, i860, in her ninety-second year. The parents of Mrs. Fuller had fifteen children, 



) 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 963 

of which Mrs. Fuller was the youngest, nine of the children grew to maturity, and five of them 
are still living. Mr. Fuller has lived in this place since he first came to Geneva. Mr. and Mrs. 
Fuller have eight children — Willard J-. a graduate of tlie State University at Madison, Wis.; Henry 
E., a graduate of the University of Chicago, studied theology, and is now pastor of the Baptist 
('hurch at Walnut, 111.; Albert W., graduate at the ('hicago University in 1881, now a student at 
.Morgan Park Seminary; Roland J-, .-^dell, Hatlie, William H., and Anna I.. Mr. Fuller and 
family are members of the Baptist Church. 

GEORGE GREEN, resides at the homestead of his father, Russell Green, on soutli side of 
T.ake Geneva. Russell Green was born in the Slate of New York, Aug. 6, 1808. He was one of 
the early settlers of Chicago, where he went in 1836. He was a resident of that city from 1837 
until 187S. He was a prominent business man, and was engaged in the lumber business for many 
years. Wishing to retire with his family to private life, he purchased liim a liorae and farm in 
the town of Linn, on the south shore of Lake Geneva, but he did not long survive to enjoy the 
ipiiet rural life which he had chosen for his reclining years. He died at his new home, May 10, 
1880. His wife, formerly Caroline Hillard, survives her husband. Mr. Green left three children 
— George, Ellen and Frank. George was born in Chicago, in August, 1839, where he was brought 
up In 1862, he entered the United States Navy, where he remained about two years. Alter 
the war, he engaged with Mr. Robert Law, .an extensive coal dealer of Chicago, with whom he 
remained seventeen years. He now has general charge of his father's business, and lives at the 
new home in the town of Linn. His wife was Lydia A. Merritt, born in the State of New York. 
Ellen, now Mrs. George H. Gale, lives in Chicago ; Frank, an artist bv profession, is now a resi- 
dent of the City of New Y'ork. 

JOHN W. GROKSBECK, retired farmer. Sec. 31 ; P. O. Alden, 111. Mr. Groesbeck was 
born in Rensselaer Co., N. Y., July i, 1802. He was married to Rebecca A. Knickerbocker, born 
in the town of Tiashoke, Rensselaer County, June 17, 1801. They were married May 13, 1824, 
and have now, 1882, lived together fifty-eight years. A few years after their marriage they re- 
moved to Ontario County, and thence to Wayne County. They came to Walworth County in 
1844. Mr. Groesbeck purchased his farm of Walter Clark, who bought of the Government. Mr. 
and .Mrs. Groesbeck liave had eight children, five of whom are living — Eliza, now Mrs. James 
Wood; Benjamin F , William H., John, and Margaret, now Mrs. Charles High. Their deceased 
children were : Phillip Henry, who was a Lieutenant in a Wisconsin Battery in the war of the 
Rebellion, some three years after the war, he practiced law, one year in Nashville, Tenn., but 
died of disease contracted in the army in 1866; Abram D. served too days in the army, died in 
Chicago, Oct. 5, 187 1 ; the other child died in infancy. Mr. Groesbeck has long been one of the 
substantial men of Walworth Countv, and he and his estimable wife are now enjoying the fruits 
of a long and well sjjent life. He has held several local offices, including Assessor, Justice of the 
Peace of his town His farm contains 235 acres. 

WILLI.AM H. CrROESBECK, farmer, residence on Sec. 2, in the town of Alden. He is 
a son of John W. (iroesbeck, he was born in the town of Schaghticoke, Rensselaer Co., N. Y., in 
1830. He came to Walworth County vvith his parents in 1844 ; he lived at the homestead about 
thirty years. His farm now lies on both sides of the State line. He has 450 acres of land, 150 
of which is in the town of Linn, and the remainer in the town of Alden, 111. His residence is in 
the latter town. His wife was Miss Josephine, daughter of Alva Udells, an early settler of the 
town of Alden. They have three children — Jennie R., Grace and Ida. 

SEYMOUR N. HATCH, farmer. Sec. 15 ; P.O.Geneva. Mr. Hatch first came to the town 
of Linn in the Fall of 1838 ; he purchased his fiirm of the government at the land sale in the 
Spring of 1839. He did not settle here till the Fall of 1842. His wife was Miss Mary Stoneall, 
born in Wilshire, England, in 1822. She came to this country with her father, Ricliard Stone- 
all, in 1840. He settled in Bloom Prairie, in this town, soon after. Mr. and Mrs. Hatch liave 
six children — Louisa, now Mrs. Isaac Moorehouse; Emily A., Norman H., Harvey R.,Hobart M., 
and Mary H. They lost a son and a daughter. Mr. Hatch was born in LeRoy, Genesee Co., 
N. Y., in 1817. His father removed to Michigan from the State of New Y'ork, where he resided 
until his death. Mr. Hatch was .Assessor of the town of Linn for the years 1843 and 1844. His 
farm contains about 450 acres. 

SILAS INGALLS, farmer. Sec. 19; P.O. Walworth. He was born in Albany Co., N. Y. 
He came to Walworth C'ounty in the Spring of 1845. He bought Asa Stephens pre-emption of 
farm and entered the land. It is situated on the south side of Lake Geneva, near Kayes Park; 



964 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

he has i 20 acres. The site of his r-siden e is s lid to be the highest point of kind between Beloit 
and Kenosha, and the view from the observatory of his residence is as'beautiful as it is extensive. 
Mr. Ingalls married Helen Snell, daughter of John P. Snell. Mr. and Mrs. Ingals have seven 
sons — -Jerome, Wallace, who graduated at the law school at Albany in 1882; Henry, John, Frank, 
Amos and Silas. 

ARTHUR KAYE, proprietor of Kaye's Park on Lake Geneva. He is the son of Abram 
Kaye, who was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1809; married Harriet Brayshavv, also born in 
Yorkshire. Mr. Abram Kaye came to the United States with his family in the Spring of 1842, 
where he lived three years, thence to Montgomery County, Penn., where he also lived three years. 
He came to Walworth County with his family in 1S48, and bought a farm of Henry Bailey, on Sec. 21, 
in the town of Linn, which became his homestead, where he lived until his death, which occurred 
in 1875. His wife survives her husband and is still living at the homestead. The parents of Mr. 
Arthur Kaye had ten children, six sons and four daughters, all of whom are now living; four of 
the children, three sons and one daughter, are residents of Walworth County. Arthur, the eldest, 
was born in England, in 1831. He came to the United States with his parents, and has been a 
resident of the town of Linn since 1848, except two years in California, where he went with 
his brother Addin in 1852. His wife was Miss Anna Cullen, daughter of Patrick CuUen, a 
native of Ireland. Emigrated to Canada in 1846, and came to Walworth County in 1849, and 
settled on Sec. 16 in the town of Linn, on the farm now owned by his son Edward. They have 
eight children, two sons and six daughters. Mr. Kaye bought the location of his park in 1871, 
and it was opened to the public in 1873. He lias one of the finest locations on Lake Geneva. 
He has spent a large amount of money in the improvement of his grounds, and in the construc- 
tion of commodious buildings for the entertainment of his guests. His house contains a large 
number of rooms, elegantly furnished. He does a large and annually increasing business. His 
receipts for the three months of the season of 1881 was $20,000. Mr. Kaye is an intelligent 
and accommodating gentleman, and by the assistance of his excellent and energetic wife and 
amiable daughters, has made Kaye's Park one of the most popular places of resort to be found 
on the beautiful Lake Geneva. 

THOMAS LEDGER, farmer, Sec. 23; P. O. Genoa. Mr. Ledger was born in Lincoln- 
shire, England, in September, 1827. He came to the United States about 1850. He lived for a 
time in the .State of Michigan, and came to the town of Linn in the Summer of 1852. His, first 
settlement was on the farm where he now lives, where he located about 1856. He bought his 
farm of Mr. Ira Turner. He married Fanny Sheppard, born in Lincolnshire, England, in Sep- 
tember, 1827. Mr. Ledger returned to England, and was married Jan. 23, 1854, and returned 
the following May. Mr. and Mrs. Ledger have eight children, four sons and four daughters, 
viz. — John \V., Sarah E., Palmer, Maria A., David, Susie, Charles S., Frances and Walter E. 
Mr. Ledger's farm contains 240 acres. 

ALLEN McBRIDE, farmer. Sec. 31 : P. O. Alden, 111. He is the oldest living settler in 
the town of Linn, who came here with his family. He came in June, 1837. Mr. Benjamin M. 
Ball came with his father the previous April, but was not married for some time after. Mr. 
McBride was born in Ohio, March 25, 1809. In 1836 he came to Northern Illinois, and June 4, 
1837, he made a claim on Sec. 31 in the town of Linn ; that claim included his present farm. 
His claim was for 240 acres; after securing a deed, he sold 160 acres. His farm now contains 
220 acres. Mr. McBride has been a great hunter, and has not yet lost his relish for his favorite 
pastime. His wife, who accompanied her husband to Wisconsin to assist in making for them a 
new home, was formerly Miss Latha Collier, born in Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. McBride liave seven 
children — Mrs. Sarah Cornue, Kesiah, now Mrs. H. A. Stone; Orpha O., now Mrs. J. E. Stoker; 
Elisabent Ann, now Mrs. H. P. Bayle ; Lucretia, now Mrs. James Tulip; Curtis H. and Charles 
A. They had nine children, seven of whom were daughters. The aggregate and individual 
weight of the children of Mr. and Mrs. McBride is somewnat remarkable ; the aggregate weight 
of the seven is 1,474 pounds, and five of them weigh together 1,144 pounds, the average weight 
of the seven being nearly 211 pounds. Mr. McBride was Clerk oi the first town meeting held 
in Linn, and was the first Collector of Taxes. He was Postmaster here for twenty-six years or 
more, but one child, their youngest son, remains at home. 

JOHN McKIBIilN, farmer. Sec. 35 ; P.O. Hebron, McHenry Co., 111. Mr. McKibbin 
was born in Chenango County, N. Y., in 1822, where he lived till 1S46, when he came to Wal- 
worth County. He accompanied Mr. Sidney Buell, on the return of the latter to Walworth 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 965 

County from Clienango County, with a flock of 500 sheep, jierforming the distance in ninety- 
six days. He first settled on Sec. 34. Mrs. McKibbin was formerly Augusta Turner, daughter 
of Ira Turner, who came to Walworth County from Erie County, N. Y., in 1842. He first 
settled on Sec. 14, on the farm now owned by Peter Gaffney; he afterward owned and occupied 
the farm now owned by Fordyce Merriam, and thence to the farm now owned by Mr. McKibbin, 
thence to Sec. 26. He died in the town of Hebron, III., Feb. 23, 1880. His widow still lives 
in that town. Mr. Turner was prominent among the earlier settlers of this town. He raised a 
large family of children, three sons and five daughters, all of whom are living but one son, 
Charles I., who died in the town of Linn, May 23, 1848. Mr. Turner was born in Oneida 
County, N. Y., Nov. 24, iSoo. His wife was born in Franklin County, Vt., Feb. 23, 1801. 

FORDYCE B. MERRL^M, farmer. Sec. 14; P. O. Geneva; son of Allen Merriam. He 
was born in the town of Cicero, Onondago Co., N. Y., in 1834. He came to Walworth County 
with his parents in 1843. He owns and occupies the homestead farm where his father settled. 
His wife was Miss Sarah Turner, daughter of Ira Turner. They have three children — 
Jennie A., wife of George Lytle; Anna U. and Jessie L. This farm originally contained 260 
acres. Mr. Merriam now has 300 acres. 

JOHN MERRIAM, farmer, Sec. 14; P. O. Geneva; son of Allen Merriam. He came to 
Walworth County with his father in 1843. He was born in the town of Roxbury, Delaware Co., 
N. Y., in 1822. Although Mr. Merriam came here in 1843, he does not date his residence in 
Walworth County from that time, as he returned to the State of New York in the following year. 
He returned here in 1858. His wife was Mary Collins, born in the town of Easton, Washington 
Co., N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Merriam have two daughters, Leonora and Capitola. The former was 
born in the State of New York; the latter in the town of Linn. Mr. Merriam 's farm contains 
118 acres. He formerly had 183 acres, but recently sold sixty-five acres. The parents of Mr. 
Merriam had a numerous family of children. Those not mentioned elsewhere in this work are : 
Aniny, who went from this town to California in 1876; Henry, the eldest of the children, when 
last heard from was in San Francisco, Cal. ; Hamilton, in Chemung, McHenry Co., 111., and Noah, 
who lives at Saginaw, Mich. 

DAVID B. MICKLE, farmer, Sec. 31 ; P. O. Alden, 111.; son of John Mickle, who was 
born in New York, and came to the town of Linn with his family, from the town of Floyd, 
Oneida Co., N. Y., in May, 1849, and purchased his farm of Mr. McBride, where he lived until 
his death, which occurred Dec. 15, 1870. Mr. John Mickle was married three times. His last 
wife survives him, and lives at the homestead with her son. Mr. Mickle, Sr., was a soldier of 
the war of 1812, and his widow now draws a pension for his service in that war. The father of 
Mr. David Mickle was born Feb. 20, 1790. His last wife was born March 28, 1803. He has 
three children by first wife, two by second, and three by third wife. The last are: Nicholas J., 
born Jan. 12, 1836; Cordelia, born Nov. 25, 1838, and David B., born Jan. 29, 1840. The lat- 
ter owns and occupies the homestead. He was born in the town of Floyd, Oneida Co. He 
married Mary Weter, daughter of Palmer Weter. She died Oct. 8, 1878. Mr. Mickle has two 
children, Cora Irene, born Jan. 29, 1864, and James Almon, May 18, 1869. 

JAMES M. MILLARD, farmer, Se. . 30; P. O. Walworth; son of John Millard, who was 
born Nov. 26, 1798, at Petersburg, Rensselaer Co., N. Y. He removed to Brookfield, Otsego 
Co., with his parents; married Betsey Coon, who was born in Otsego County. They came to the 
town of Linn in 1844, and settled on Sec. 30, where he still lives. The parents of Mr. Millard 
had eight children, four of whom, two sons and two daughters, are still living, viz.: John M., re- 
sides in this town : James M., Emmeline and Ella. The mother of James M. died March 30, 
1877. James was born in West Edmeston, Otsego Co., N. Y., April 14, 1838. He bought his 
present farm of eighty-five acres of N. L. Bassett. He was married to Sarah C. Cornue, daugh- 
ter of Peter Cornue. They had one son, Charles, who died at the age of three years. 

SAMUEL J. M. NICHOLS, farmer. Sec. 25. He was born in^Franklm County, Vt., July 
12, 1822, where he lived till June, 1854, when he came to Walworth County, and purcha ed 350 
acres of his present farm, and also made other investments in real estate at that time. He 
bought his farm of Samuel I. Thorn, a resident of Ontario County, N. Y. Mr. Nichols was 
married in Franklin County, Vt., to Mary Adams, daughter of Timothy Adams. Mr. and Mrs. 
Nichols were both born in the same town in Vermont. They have five children — Levi A., 
Charles L., Frances Elizabeth (now Mrs. John J. Stew.irt), Mary A. and James G. Mr. Nichols 
is a large land owner, has 550 acres where he lives, and also owns land elsewhere. His farm is 



966 HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 

finely improved ; he has made all the improvements himself. He is engaged in general farming 
and stock raising. 

MRS. LUCY ANN NORTH, Sec. 33 ; P. O. Hebron, 111. Mrs. North is the wife of James 
North. Her maiden name was Lucy A. Kent. She was born in Oneida County, N. Y., in 1820, 
where she was brought up; married Mr. Garrett Groesbeck, who was born in the State of New 
York. Mr. and Mrs. Groesbeck came to Wisconsin in 1844, and settled on this place, where 
Mr. Groesbeck died in 1857. Mrs. North had seven children by her former marriage, six of 
whom are living, three sons and three daughters. Her daughter Elizabeth Groesbeck, was t:.e 
wife of John A. Smith, Esq. (deceased), a prominent lawyer of Geneva. Mr. Smith was born 
in Jefferson County, N. Y., m 1842. He served three years in the army during the Rebellion; 
was captain of a company of the 49th W. V. I. He practiced law in Geneva for several years 
previous to his death, which occurred in September, 1881. His widow resides in Geneva. Gar- 
rett Groesbeck, son of Mrs. North, lives at the homestead, where he was born in 1853. He mar- 
ried Nettie Pierce, daughter of Delos Pierce. Mr. James North was born in England. Mr. and 
Mrs. North have two children. 

SAMUEL ROBINSON, farmer. Sec. 14; P. O. Geneva. Mr. Robinson was born in Mas- 
sachusetts, and removed when a boy with his parents to Chenango County, N. Y. He has been 
married twice. His first wife was Freelove Thornton, who died in the State of New York. 
Mr. Robinson came to Walworth County in 1844, and bought his present farm, but did not set- 
tle here until 1846. He was married in 1848,10 Mrs. J. Marshall, widow of Horace Marshall. 
She was born in the town of Ovid, Seneca Co., N. Y., in 1808. When twelve years of age, she 
moved to Genesee County with her parents, then to Ohio with her parents, where she was mar- 
ried, and came to Walworth County in 1846. Her husband died soon after coming here. Mr. 
Robinson has one son by his former marriage, Irving Robinson, of this town. Mr. and Mrs. 
Robinson have had two sons. Charles, the elder, was drowned in Geneva Lake, when but four 
years of age, and Albert S., who was born in the town of Linn in 1S55. He resides at home. 
Mr. Robinson has sixty-one acres of land. Albert has a farm of eighty acres adjoining. 

WILLIAM SHERMAN, farmer. Sec. 23; P. O. Geneva. His father. Bill Sherman, was a 
native of Massachusetts ; removed to New York, and thence to Canada, where William Sher- 
man was born April 26, 1809. He was married at Ripley, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., in February, 
1835, to Louisa Parsons, who was born in the town of Coldbrook, Coos Co., N. H., in 1813. 
Mr. Sherman learned the trade of a tanner and currier, at Dansville, Livingston Co., N. Y. He 
worked at his trade in Canada for several years. In July, 1836, he came to the Territory of 
Wisconsin, and settled in what is now the town of Eagle, Waukesha Co., and engaged in farm- 
ing. He came to Walworth County in September, 1868, and bought a farm in the town of White- 
water. He went to California in 1875; returned in 1876; has resided where he now lives since 
that time. Mr. and Mrs. Sherman have seven children — George, in California; Charles, who, 
was the first white child born in the town of Eagle, Waukesha Co., at Carson City, Neb. ; Wil- 
liam B., at Topeka, Kan.; Lewis M., in Milwaukee; Delia, wife of Dvvight S. Allen ; Job, in 
Washington Territory, and Alice, at home. She graduated at the State Normal School at White- 
water, in 1878. They lost a daughter, Mary L., who died in her nineteenth year. Mrs. Sher- 
man's parents came to Wisconsin in 1836, and soon after settled in the town of Eagle. Her 
father died in Waukesha County, Oct. i, 1856. Her mother died Oct. 20, of the same year. 

NICHOLAS SMITH, farmer, Sec.—; P.O.Geneva; son of W'illiam Smith, who was 
born in England, and came to this country when a young man. He settled in the town of Floyd, 
Oneida Co., N. Y. He was married at Rome, N. Y., and came to Wisconsin in 1855 ; settled on 
this farm. He removed to Sharon in 1870, where he resided till his death. His widow still 
lives at that place. The parents of Mr. Nicholas Smith had seven children. He was born in 
the State of New York, in March, 1845. His wife was Miss Margaret Winn. They have three 
children — Willie, Minnie and Gertie. Mr. Smith's farm contains 120 acres, eighty of which 
belonged to his father's homestead. 

JOSEPH STONEALL, farmer. Sec. 25 ; P. O. Hebron, McHenry Co., 111. He was born 
in Wiltshire, England, Feb. 7, 1816. He came to this country with his father, Richard Stoneall, 
in 1840. He first went to Kane County, 111., where his brother Henry had lived for several years, 
but came soon after to Walworth County, where he has since lived. His father resided in this 
town till his death. Mr. Stoneall began lijfe here poor. He has acquired a fine property by hard 
work and economy. His farm contains i 80 acres, with good improvements. His wife was Lucy 



/ 



HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY. 967 

Rowe, a daughter of I.ucian Rowe. She was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., in 1833. Her 
first husband was Hiram Everson, born in Onondaga County, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Stoneall 
have three children — Mattie, Seymour and George. Mrs. Stoneall has one son by her former 
marriage, Herbert C. Everson. 

JUDSON TRAVER, Sec. 15; P. O. Geneva; son of William Traver, who was born in 
Rensselaer County, N. Y., in 1796. He came to Walworth County in 1839, and purchased this 
farm of the Government. He was married in the State of New York to Clara Earing. They 
had ten children, nine of whom are living. William Traver died Sept. 28, i860. His wife died 
Feb.<22, 1 86 1. Judson Traver was born in the State of New York, Oct. 22, 1836. He learned 
the trade of a carpenter with his father, and now owns the homestead, where the latter settled 
in 1839. He married Melvina Nellis, daughter of Jonas and Nancy Nellis, who came to Wal- 
worth County from the State of New York in 1859, and settled on Sec. 33, in this town. Her 
father is deceased; her mother lives at the homestead. 

FRANK E. WALSH, farmer. Sec. 21 ; P. O. Geneva; son of John Walsh, a native of Ire- 
land ; emigrated from his native land to Wisconsin in 1848. He settled on Sec. 21, where he 
now resides, about 1850. The parents of Frank Walsh have five children. He was born at the 
homestead in 1859; bought his present farm of Mr. Grove Sears, in the Spring of 1882. 

SAMUEL B. WYNN, farmer. Sec. 30; P. O. Big Foot, McHenry Co., 111. Mr. Wynn was 
born in Canada in 1831. When about nineteen years of age, he removed to Jefferson County, 
N. Y. He lived at Stone Mills, in that county, for about sixteen years; was married to Anna 
M. Nellis, daughter of Jonas Nellis. Mrs. Wynn was born in the State of New York. They 
came to Walworth County in the Spring of 1866. Mr. Wynn bought his farm of Dr. Gardiner. 
Mr. and Mrs. Wynn have had three children, but one of whom, Charles B., is living. They lost 
•their first two children — the oldest, John, died in infancy; their second child, George S., died 
at the age of four years. Mr. Wynn's farm contains 120 acres. 



PASSENGERS BOUND FOR. 



CALIFORNIA, COLORADO, NEBRASKA, 

.A-lsTID THE TEiaiaiTOiaiES, 

Should, if they would consult thsir interest, buy their tickets via the 

Chicago & North -Western Railway 

This is the IjE-A-IDIiTO- :R.^irjT77-.<S>.-2" of the 



Thi8 important syetem of Railway Lines is one of the Largest Corporations in the World, owning and operating, 

under one management, 

2,390 ]\d:i LE8 O F RO^D. 

Ita Linea run from Chicago in so many directions that it is necessary to designate its Lines by certain specific names, which will give a cor- 
rect idea to the passenger of the part of country each Line traverses. These Lines, nuratiering nine, are as foUowa: 



Chicago, Council Bluffs & California Line. 
Chicago, Sioux City & Yankton Line, 
Chicago, Clinton, Dubuque & La Crosse Line. 
Chicago, Freeport & Dubuque Line. 



Chicago, Green Bay & Marquette Line. 



Chicago, La Crosse & Winona Line. 
Chicago, Minnesota & Dakota Line. 
Chicago, St. Paul & Minneapolis Line. 
Chicago, Milwaukee & Lake Superior Line 



These Lines enable the "CHICAGO 4 NORTH-WESTEBN " to reach all principal points in th,- WEST, NOETHWEST, and, through its 
connections, the FAR WEST. 

It ofTers every faciiity for Quick, Safe and Comfortable Transit to the traveler who selects this as his route. 

It standssecond t^'no road in the West, and offers inducements and advantages that are not and cannot beolTered by any of its competitors. 

Tta management adopts every improvement known to the modern Kailwav Svstem, and is determined that the CHICAGO & NORTH- 
WESTERN RAILWAY shall remain the LEADING Baihvay of the GREAT WEST. 



Passengers should ask for and be certain their Tickets have a Coupon which reads, over the 

"CHICAGO & NORTH-^VESTERN RY." 

All Ticket Agents will be glad to sell them via this Line. 

RFMFMRFRI Pill I MAN HOTFI PARS '^'''''°" "'"'"''''E reguIarly between CHICAGO and council 

nCIVIQIVIDtn . rUl_L.IVIMIN nWICI- OMnO bluffs ontheCalifomia Express Trains of tho CSJC^GO 

S- J/OHTH-WESTERN KAILWAT. fty- BEAR IX MINU, no other r..ad runs Pullman Hotel Cars, or any form of Hotel Cars, 
THROUGH between Chicago and the Missouri River. This is the only Line that has THROUGH EATING CARS of any sort. 



NO TRANSFER at ST. PAUL ?ia the CHICAGO & NORTH-WESTERN RY. 

Paasengers procnring tickets to points beyond ST. PAl'L should use GREAT CARE to see that they read over the 

Ohicag'o & ]Voi'tli-Westei*ii R,ailTV5vy, 

— OR THE — 

Oliicag-o, St- Paul & ]>£iii.iieapolis X^ine. 

And not over a route having a SIMILAR NAME, as tliis ia 

B^THE ONLY ROUTE YOU CAN TAKE TO AVOID A CHANGE OF DEPOT AT ST. PAUL.-®a 



NEW YORK OFFICE— No. 41,5 Broadway. 

BOSTON OFFICE— No. 6 State Street. 

MILWAUKKE CITY TICKET OFFICE— 102 Wisconsin fl'troet. 

ST. PAUL TICKET OFFICE— Cor. Third and Jackson Stifeets. 

MINNEAPOLIS TICKET OFFICES— K! Nicollet House, and St. 

Paul k Pacific Depot. 
CHICAGO TICKET OFFICES— C2 Clark Street, under iSherman 

House; 75 Canal Street ; Kinzie Street Depot, corner \V pet Kinzie 

and Canal Streets ; Wells Street Depot, comer Wells ;ftnd Kin- 

zie Streets. 



COUNCIL BLUFFS TICKET OFFICES— Corner Broadway and 
Pearl Street. Union Pacific Depot; and Chicago & North- 
western Railway Depot 

OMAHA TICKET OFFICES— Union Pacific Depot, and 1324 Far- 
nam Street, corner I4th. 

SAN FRANCISCO OFFICE— 2 New Montgomery Street. 

LONDON, ENGLAND, OFFICES--t49 Strand, and 3 Adelaid* 
Street 



ILDlB 






« 



i'7 



\ 



\ 



